HEARTBLOOD - Paul Lahote

FIVE

The silence between Paul and me was almost as heavy as the news we were about to deliver. My stomach churned as we walked through the dense trees, making our way to the Elders' meeting place. I felt as though I was walking through molasses, every step weighed down by the gravity of what had happened. Paul walked beside me, his face set and tense, his eyes staring straight ahead. He hadn't spoken much since we'd left Emily's house, and I knew he was struggling to keep his emotions in check.

We both were.

The Elders' meeting lodge was deep in the woods, a small, unassuming cabin where council matters were discussed, and where the ancient traditions were passed down. Tonight, however, the traditions felt like a thin veil over the chaos that had erupted in our lives.

As we approached, Paul glanced at me, and I nodded, urging him to go ahead. My heart pounded, and I struggled to keep my hands steady. I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for what was to come.

We stepped inside the dimly lit cabin. The room was filled with the scent of cedar smoke and sage, and the warm glow of lanterns cast long shadows across the walls. The Elders were already there, their faces solemn and expectant as they looked up from their seated positions. Chief Taha Aki, the eldest of them all, sat at the center, his eyes sharp despite his age. Beside him sat Old Quil and Billy Black, their expressions unreadable but tense.

Paul cleared his throat, and I could see the uncertainty flicker in his eyes. He glanced at me, and I gave him a small, encouraging nod.

"Chief Taha Aki," Paul began, his voice steady but filled with a solemn weight. "We... we have to tell you about an incident that happened tonight."

The Elders exchanged glances, their brows furrowing as they waited for him to continue.

Paul took a deep breath, then continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "It was Sam. He... he lost control tonight, and..." He glanced at me, struggling with his words. "Emily was injured."

A murmur rippled through the Elders, their eyes widening as they processed the news. Chief Taha Aki leaned forward, his gaze sharp and piercing.

"Explain," he said, his tone demanding but calm.

Paul's voice shook as he translated my signs, but he kept going, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides as he spoke. "It was an accident. Sam didn't mean to hurt her, but Leah... Leah was there too, and they were arguing. Emotions got out of control. Sam transformed, and Emily was... caught in the middle. But he... he scratched her face."

The Elders sat in silence, absorbing the story. Old Quil shook his head, his face creased with worry. "Sam... lost control?" he echoed, his voice full of disbelief. "He hurt her?"

Paul nodded, guilt flickering in his eyes. "Yes. Emily has... deep scars now. She's in a lot of pain, and Sam... he ran off after it happened."

Billy Black's face darkened, his eyes narrowing. "This is serious," he said, his voice low and filled with an ominous weight. "Sam's control should be stronger by now. This kind of loss of control could jeopardize our tribe, our secrecy. And Emily... she didn't deserve this."

Chief Taha Aki looked at me, his gaze softening slightly as he took in my nervous stance. "Nicolette, tell us," he said, his tone gentle. "How did Emily react to all this?"

I took a steadying breath, signing slowly so Paul could interpret. "She was heartbroken. She didn't want any of this—she was just trying to explain things to Leah, to make her understand. But Leah's anger pushed Sam to his breaking point. Emily's devastated... and she'll be scarred for life."