The sound of wood creaking lifted her gaze off Benedict as Reuben, Saffron, and Vanne made their way toward her in the center of the room. They smiled reassuringly, Vanne squeezing her shoulder as they took their places behind her. The next person was a surprise because Caia hadn’t realized she was at the Center: Phoebe MacLachlan. The statuesque beauty strode across the room self-assuredly, her expression as serious as always.
Caia smiled gratefully at her, and Phoebe nodded before turning to the Council. “My vote of confidence in Caia is shared by all members of my pack, including its Alpha, Alistair MacLachlan. That is approximately fifty other lykans, Mr. De Jong.”
The magik paled slightly. “Well …”
But before he could argue, the noise of people standing from their seats drowned him out. Caia watched in amazement as Desi and Ophelia led eight other Travelers to her side. Michael Brown, the Head of the Second Unit of vampyres, descended the stairs with most of his unit in tow. He smirked at Lyla, the Head of the Third Unit of lykans, as she came along the aisle to meet him, lykans trailing at her back. Others crossed the room, all faces Caia recognized as the people she’d conversed with during her studies here at the Center. Altogether at least sixty people stood at her back.
De Jong stared in utter shock.
Penelope smiled. “I think this is proof enough that Caia is trusted among many here at the Center and that many are looking for the promise of change. Which means the Council will take this to a vote. Excuse us while we convene in the chambers below.”
Silently they made their way downstairs.
“Well done, Caia.” Reuben grinned and drew her into a surprising hug. He pulled back and stroked her cheek affectionately. “Not just a pretty face.”
She rolled her eyes at him and turned to speak with Phoebe, thanking her for her support. The lykan stood vigilantly by her side as Caia spoke with everyone who’d taken to the platform in favor of her plan. It was overwhelming and unbelievable and yet … undeniably wonderful.
As Desi and Ophelia giggled and hugged her, a moving realization hit. It would appear she wasn’t quite so alone after all.
The crowd dispersed, everyone reluctantly finding their seats among the rows again as the Council reentered the hall. Their combined power intrigued Caia, their energy announcing their arrival before she even saw them. Alfred nodded kindly at her as he resumed his seat, and she took hope in the fact that Penelope seemed pleased with herself. Benedict stood up for the Council once more, his expression revealing little.
“Ms. Ribeiro, the Council has voted. The outcome, although not unanimous—”
Yeah, I’ll bet.
“—is in your favor.”
An outburst of hoots and claps came from the Travelers, and Caia was afraid to grin and look over in case it changed the Council’s mind.
“HOWEVER!” Benedict shouted over the noise, causing silence to descend. “You must agree to a blood oath, promising to give up the trace to the gods, as you say is your intention, and not keep it for your own gain.”
She began to speak, to promise that of course she would, when Alfred interrupted quickly. “Caia, you should be made aware of what a blood oath entails first … before agreeing to anything.” He shot Benedict a look of rebuke.
Benedict sneered. “Of course. Ms. Ribeiro, a blood oath is made between yourself and the person you have sworn the promise to. In most cases, this is merely one person. In this instance, you will swear the blood oath to the nine members of this Council.”
OK, that didn’t sound so bad.
“The blood oath acts as a binding spell. If you break your oath to the person you swore it to, then part of your power transfers to that person.” He smiled wickedly. “Usually, it is not that detrimental to a person. But for you, Ms. Ribeiro, well … if you break your oath to the Council, then each of us will acquire some of your energy.”
Okaay … she could see where he was going with this.
“Losing energy to nine people under a blood oath would mean the loss of all your magikal power, Ms. Ribeiro.”
A tense silence filled the air. De Jong smirked as if this were some form of torture for her. In fact, everyone seemed to be on tenterhooks waiting for her reply. Only her friends sat confidently in their seats because … they knew her. This wasn’t a problem.
She smiled slowly. “Mr. De Jong, I have no hesitation in agreeing to a blood oath, because I have every intention of giving up the trace.”
He lost the smirk as most of the Council relaxed, relieved at her answer. Chatter bounced off the walls while Caia stood there. Finally, Penelope stood. “If you will follow us, Caia, we will begin the ceremony for the blood oath immediately.”