The Touch of Salvation

18: Find Him

ADALIND

It's been weeks since I heard a word from the wolves of Graceland. I thought about simply going to their lands and requesting an audience with the leaders but got too caught up in my own work.

"Adalind."

My eyes flicker up from the paperwork on my desk. I greet Lucian with a slight nod before returning to the ledgers. "What is it?"

"House Libra is calling a congregation." His voice was taut. It left no room for disagreement.

"Very well," I say as if it wasn't a big deal. "When is it?"

"Now."

My eyes snap up. "Now?"

Lucian's gaze holds mine as he nods steadily. "Now."

As we myst into the large room with Regents surrounding the table, my eyes fall on Grace and Demise. They look...tired, not at all like they were newly-discovered soon-to-be parents. Grace's eyes held worry, anxiety....sorrow. My eyes linger on her before going to Lucian. We all sit in our designated spots. Lucian and Daario are next to me with Lux beside Daario. The tension is thick. It's crackling between all of us.

"What's happened?" I ask because something truly terrible must have occurred for all of us to be called here so quickly.

Kallum, Regent of House Libra, inhales. "I do not know. Demise has called this meeting."

"Would love it if Demise wouldn't suck his own dick so furiously," Nyx sighs, boredom chilling his tone. "Some of us have work to do and don't have time to play with dogs."

"Enough, Nyx," Kallum spats.

Demise says nothing. Nor does Grae. Nor does Rosalie who looks just as concerned as the other lycanthropes.

"I'm pregnant," Grace announces. Her voice is lighter than usual...almost distraught.

"Congratu-fucking-lations," The Regent of House Nyght remarks. "We now know his ancient seed works still. What of it?"

"She has to be protected," Demise says. His eyes remain on me. "She cannot go on any operations."

"And I won't let him either," she says. Her hand grips his harder.

"What is it," I ask. The hairs on my neck stand.

"They took him," Rosalie interjects, her voice almost as delicate as a spring's wind.

My eyes go to the other woman. My hands encircle the table's edge. I can feel anger grip me. Dread appears in my vision. It climbs up my spine and makes my body rigid. "They took," my voice is so dark I barely recognize it. "Who?"

Grace's breath reaches my ear. It's caught in her throat for a moment.

"Goliath."

A tsunami of light flares through the room.

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XERXES

There are few things that have ever surprised me. When I was younger, much younger, surprise struck me often. Now, it was a rarity. I was not surprised when Demise fought me over Grace's blood, nor was I surprised that Goliath had found his mate within the fae.

However, a bead of surprise fell into my stomach as light bellowed and waved throughout the congressional hall. The brightness blinded us as it shrouded her and then whispered away. She sat still rigid, almost. I would have guessed she was perfectly apathetic but her eyes gave her away.