September 15, 2005 – 11:30
"If you see my branding bleeding, don't worry about it and ignore it. Please don't act surprised," said Coralis to Sebastian.
"I'll try to discreetly turn the blood invisible to make sure it's not caught by the transmitter lens if it bleeds."
Coralis took a deep breath to steel herself for the pain about to come and pressed the casting iron below Sonylla's left ear. The pain was worse than she thought it'd be, but she forced herself to ignore it. Without closing her eyes, Sonylla focused on the spot Coralis was branding and pushed healing energy toward her twinning partner, feeling the echoing pain on top of hers.
"General Sonylla, that's awesome," whispered Rickozi, bumping fist with Swuma.
"Much better than General Tobly," whispered Swuma.
"Your branding turned red but didn't bleed."
"Holy gods from above, that was quite the incentive to keep liking you," said Sonylla.
"Likewise."
Sonylla got up and joined Sebastian behind Coralis, on his left side.
"I have chosen as Lieutenant," said Coralis, discreetly releasing her breath, "a loyal warrior whose skills on the battlefield have been proven countless times. Twice recently, she valiantly helped rescue a large number of people who were held captive by our true enemies, most notably in the northern Saskatchewan lab. Lieutenant Chiwa, please come forward."
"She was there that night at that compound?" whispered Beta Shaw to Glorisse.
"Yes, we sent her there to help when we realized the gravity of the situation," whispered Glorisse as Coralis branded Chiwa.
"I like her already," said one of the werewolves beside the beta.
"I have chosen as my advisor someone who has helped me develop my skills over the years when he didn't have to and consistently guided the loyal ones when navigating through the dark times, helping us see the light through the storm. Advisor Panjik, please come forward."
"Blue Thunder deserves to have someone of his calibre by her side," whispered Glorisse as Coralis branded him.
"That one felt surreal," said Coralis to Sebastian.
"It felt surreal to me watching you branding him, I can only imagine what it must feel for you."
"I have chosen as your Head Security two mages who have been in my close inner circle for the past 15 years, continually risking their livelihood to protect me. Mates are the most precious beings we have in our lives. If they have been able to protect mine against my numerous deadly enemies, they will be able to keep you all safe despite hardship. Protector Erik, please come forward."
"She's forming a flyball team," whispered Hector as Coralis branded Erik.
"If you only knew who else she plans on recruiting," whispered Stephanie.
"My babies," whispered Barla, whipping a tear running down her eye as Erik joined Sebastian behind Coralis, to Panjik's left.
"Protector Henry, please come forward."
"The Secret Posse, they're definitively good at what they do," whispered Raymond.
"They're the ones behind The Secret Posse?" whispered Roz.
"Yes, they started it when they found out about her capture. They always protected her like big brothers. We're beyond the flyball field here," whispered Kief.
"Sister, this was fun. You should play with branding iron more often, it looks good on you," said Henri, grinning, as he joined the others, to Erik's left.
"Lastly, I have chosen as Assistant Head Security someone who has been a crucial part of my inner circle for the past 15 years and countless times over the years, he assisted me in successfully accomplishing missions of utmost importance. Second Protector Gus, please come forward."
"That guy is a genius, I am glad he is being publicly recognized," whispered Frank.
"Family sticks together, and she is demonstrating exactly that. Frank, if you wanted, you could also work for the district," whispered Ralphonse.
"I considered, maybe I will, eventually."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, folks of the District VIII," said Finnas as he pushed away the chair and the furnace, "your High Mage and her Head Crew are now ready to serve you and their functions are officially effective as of now."
"Today, you have witnessed history being written. Over the next few days, your High Mage, or Second Mage, will reach out to your clan or pack leader and address you all to communicate crucial information. Please stay tuned. That is all for today," said Ellya before turning off the transmitter and the holographic devices.
"Tomorrow at 10:00, you will be required to attend Emery's official establishment into District V. We will send you the coordinates of the meeting point," said Finnas to Coralis.
"Thank you so much to have let us witness this," said Beta Shaw to the Core Elders.
"Thank you for the work you are providing for your district," said Yalor.
"Factions need to stay united, and you are a District VIII faction. You don't need to thank us," said Ellya.
"Vampire clans under King Matthew are loyal to District VIII, even if based across the southern border," said Jasm.
"The witch-hunt targeted all factions, including the non-elemental ones, and the war among us damaged us even more. We need to work together, regardless of which mythical bloodline we come from, if we are to grow back stronger," said Finnas.
"Couldn't agree more," said Beta Shaw before the elders present left.
"Sonylla, besides the ones we already recruited or discussed, the agents we will be hiring for your crew will be non-mages. If we are to represent all factions, we can't only be recruiting mages," said Coralis.
"Agreed. Got shifters and vampires to recommend?"
"Easy, but for now, I have that surge of energy stemming from the establishment, and I don't know what to do with it without a flyball game serving as an outlet," said Coralis to her crew.
"Well… we could play flyball when everyone is gone," said Erik.
"Could? Nah, I say we take an hour to play when people leave. We need to convert Sonylla to the freedom of flying," said Chiwa.
"You all need a fun break before tackling what is about to come. Taking an hour to release and channel energy is a great idea, and flyball is your thing," said Panjik before discreetly pointing to Sonylla and Coralis. "You two, from now on, need to start hurting each other in practice. Today was a close call. From time to time, you'll need to fool people."
An hour later, after Coralis promised Kief and Barla she'd see them at home, she and Sebastian set up invisibility wards on their building rooftop.
"That will have to do for now. With our invisibility glamour and sky nets preventing the ball from breaking neighbouring windows, we should be fine," said Coralis, pulling her stick out.
"We know Finnas fears you. More than once, he said he understood why everyone feared you. We know he's very close to Panjik. Do you think Panjik is Finnas' ear on you?" said Sebastian.
CONCLUSION
Meanwhile, in a realm far far away, angel Auliell met with Ghar.
"I know you have a history of neutrality, but it is getting out of hand. We cannot have any creatures of darkness invading the realm of earth, even less Heaven."
"They are not my creatures to control, neither are the demons controlling them. Besides, my daughter has been doing a marvellous job down on earth."
"She is with child. You know they will come after him if she won't join them."
"Let them come, they shall regret. She is seeking me, and she shall find me. Within a year, once her child is born, she will be marked. Truth shall be revealed to her. The time has come for her to know who I am."
"Your truth or our truth?"
"Yours is not mine to tell."
"Think she can handle the entire truth?"
"If neither they nor yours take her mate or child away, I believe she can."
"She is young."
"She is the most promising descendent I've had in centuries. Didn't she destroy Mozzhyak and his minions when he summoned her in the realm of dreams?"
"You do know we will need her when the time comes."
"That will be her decision to make."
"Let's hope she makes the right one."
"If you show up at her front door, unlike Mozzhyak, De and Ro, it might play in your favour. Who am I, however, to tell you how to do things?"
"Earth is a dangerous place to be, even for us."
"You still think the realm of dreams is safer? Cute."
Auliell walked away, and Mohhuox appeared next to him.
"Aah, I never thought I would see the day when the grand Ghar would break out from his neutrality and pick a side."
"I do not know what you are talking about."
"You know Heaven will not be able to contain all of my legions, even with your help."
"If that is so, why are you bothering with entertaining a discussion with me? Their Light Fay Priestesses are not mine to control, and neither are the angels they are protecting. What I do or do not do has no relevance to you."
"The realm of the earth will be ours, regardless of what you do or do not do."
"And my daughter will make sure that you do not succeed."
End of Book 1
===
Coming soon (ongoing):
- The Hunted Wolf (Eva's book)
- Blue Thunder: Forging the Legend (book 2)
- Biting the Eternal Love (Veronica's book)
In plans (plot outlines in development):
- Gus's book (no title yet)
- Blue Thunder: Raising the Legacy (book 3)
- Hendrick's book (no title yet, to pick up when the book of Veronica ends)
Potential plans (synopsis written):
- Victoria's book
- Raymond's book
- Audrey's book