“So how is it, Annika, that you, a girl with mythological powers, didn’t know about the shifter world until now?” This time the voice came from the closest end of the table, each word spoken slowly and with purpose. The man’s eyes were an unnatural shade that could almost be considered red, and I identified him as the cuelebre dragon, Councilman Khan. Knowing I was probably more powerful than him set me slightly at ease, and I made sure my posture was straight and strong.
I narrowed my eyes just a little, trying to force the quiver in my voice away and put as much confidence as I could muster into my answer. “Well, that kind of happens when you’ve been raised by a part-blood who keeps you hidden from the world of shifters for his own nefarious purposes. I knew I had powers, but I had no idea what I was or that shifters existed until I ended up in Alaska for school. I apparently did not live anywhere near other shifters, no one ever recognized me for what I was, or if they did they never approached me. For all I knew, I was a random mutation. While I hoped there were others like me, it seemed logical that since I never found anyone, I was safer keeping my peculiarities a secret.”
For the next half an hour the members of the board questioned me about my previous life. I tried my best to answer their questions while keeping my commentary as vague as possible. I realized that they needed to know about the trouble I’d brought to their doorstep, but I wasn’t about to open my mouth and spill a lifetime worth of hurtful memories. I knew not trying to meet them in the middle wouldn’t end well for me.
“So one can infer that this part-blood…” the term sounded so derogatory as it spits from his lips, “… tried to provoke your shift using violent measures since you were a young child?” Councilman Rahal spoke. Councilman Rahal was huge, towering over most of the other members and rippling with muscles. His head was shaved except for a single strip of jet-black hair down the center, highlighting his dark, golden skin.
Clenching my teeth, I tried to steady my racing heart. I hadn’t said as much, but this group of men each held their seat on the Council for a reason. Double checking my mental barriers, I realized that they had easily read between the lines. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm down. Even though I didn’t want to answer, I gave a brisk nod. My palms were sweating, and my muscles ached from the tension I was holding in my body. I had no doubt that they were powerful enough to ruin the rest of my life if they were so inclined. The level of danger my Phoenix and I were in just standing in this room with such powerful shifters didn’t go unnoticed by either of us.
“Thank you for your cooperation thus far Ms. Coxx.” I steadfastly avoided eye contact with the snake but nodded sagely.
“We will track down this part-blood and punish him for his blatant disobedience of our laws—laws he is clearly familiar with. His scheming has cost this Council and community a mythological member for the past eighteen years. The sentence will be… severe.” Councilman Maldonado spoke with a heavy Puerto Rican accent, and the menace in his words made me shiver. There was a thick evil aura around him, and my Phoenix flapped wildly, warning me away from the darkness in him. My heart rate increased as vestiges of my past bombarded me. I fought to breathe and slow the pace of my racing heart. I was sure the whole board of men before me could hear my distress and I hated it.
Murmurs of assent rose from each member of the Council. “Nix, thank you for meeting with us today. We are happy to welcome you into our culture. It is an unbelievable benefit to our kind that a Phoenix still lives. While it is encouraging that you have begun making friends, it is the responsibility of rare shifters to take mates.”
“Mates?” The word came out of my suddenly dry throat as a squeak, and I could have kicked myself. I knew this about the shifter community; I just hadn’t expected them to bring it up with me.
“Extending our heritage through children is incredibly important. Even more so for shifters who are incredibly rare, as you are.” Damien’s father’s eyes were warm and sympathetic, but I wanted to wash my brain out with soap. I couldn’t believe they were giving me a glossed over version of the sex talk.
“With that in mind, and with your statement that you’re not mated, we would like to proceed with introducing you into our society. This usually happens over a number of years once a youth reaches sixteen. While the Gala is important—you can ask your friends to fill you in on the details—it won’t happen for some time yet. Instead, we would like to throw a social gathering, a small mixer; you could say, to widen your circle and introduce you to more shifters around your age.”
I bit my tongue, hard, hoping the pain would stop the words from falling out of my mouth telling them what they could do with their plans to use me as a broodmare. I wanted to claim my guys, tell the Council I wasn’t interested, but Damien had warned me against admitting that we were trying to see what a relationship between us could hold, that it wouldn’t be a wise opening move. “That may be interesting.” I forced the words between smiling lips. “However, I am a full-time student. I’m not sure that a party would fit into my schedule anytime soon.” I hoped the words came out cheerful and thankful as I was attempting them to. I couldn’t think of another way to politely reject their offer.
“Yes. You said you are in a full-time program. Studying criminal justice, is that correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“That is quite a dangerous career choice, young lady, especially for a shifter as rare as you are. With Michael still on the loose—not for much longer I’m sure—it may be best for you to remain in the compound for the moment. As a rare shifter, you will, of course, be granted a stipend. While we encourage continuing education for our children, there are safer ways for you to obtain said education. It would also allow you to learn more about our culture, our customs, and our people. You have years of experience to make up for, young woman.”
I wanted to stick my tongue out at that slimy Councilman Stepanov. I could see the enjoyment in his eyes at the thought of ridding me of the future I had planned.
“With all due res-” Councilman Stepanov cut me off with a wave of his hand and a snort of disgust.
“That is a human saying, child. Anyone with a brain realizes that it is said as a front to a disrespectful statement, not a true showing of respect. You need the experience in our culture. You need to mate quickly. Even Phoenixes… ” his face was twisted in disgust at the word “… don’t always win out over death. You need to protect yourself, girl. Think of the future of our culture, not just of your petty wants.”
“Now, now, Stepanov.” Damien’s father interjected, a bright smile on his face as he clapped the man on the shoulder. “Don’t go frightening the child.” He turned back to me a sympathetic smile tugging his lips. “While our culture is important, it’s not only that which has us worried. I admire my boy and his friends for taking care of you, truly I do. As you can see, however, they aren’t trained guards. Would you consent to put your coursework on hold for awhile? Until we get the issue of your safety resolved, at least?”
Theo and others had warned me not to be rude, but there were some lines I wasn’t willing to cross, even for propriety’s sake and keeping the peace. “Councilmen, I appreciate the thought. However, Damien, Killian, Theo, Hiro, and Ryder have done so much for me. They are my friends. I’m not comfortable around many people, but I am comfortable with them. I have already experienced enough changes with discovering this culture. I need their help to balance me.”