Fireheart

Chapter 25

I sat at a large table with Phoenix on my left and Rebecca on my right. We held hands, not daring to let go of each other. Aspen sat next to her, and Jimmin and his wife, Martina, sat next to him.
Aspen glanced around the room. He was cold. The look in his eyes said as much, and he let off a cold aura. Polar opposite from the fire that burned in Phoenix's. I wonder how he managed to marry a kind woman like Rebecca.
"Where is your son, Jimmin?" Aspen asked, breaking the silence.
"We left him at home." Martina responded for her husband. Martina was a short, lanky woman. Instead of being awkward, she was graceful in the way she walked and held herself. I looked at her and her gray eyes. She looked like she belonged in the sky. A Shamol through and through.
"Whyever would you need to do that?" Aspen asked, sarcasm bleeding openly into his words. He glanced at Phoenix as he spoke.
"I don't know what you mean, Aspen. If anything, I am sorry the Church of Thanom attacked your people." Phoenix said.
"Attacked my people and scared my new wife to death." Aspen said, glaring.
"I'm okay, my love." Rebecca said gently. Aspen looked at her, and his eyes melted. I could understand, as that's how Phoenix likely looked at me.
"I cannot deny that the Church has an origin in the Yong'in." Phoenix said. "But we have been attacked as well."
"Yes, you have." Jimmin said, speaking up. "The Muz have been hit the hardest, however."
"Which reminds me." Phoenix said. "Did you receive your man back, Aspen?"
I had forgotten about the man we captured.
"He got back to the Frozen Palace last night. I apologize for any issues. But as you found out that night, I was attacked by the Church. All we knew was that the Church is Yong'in based. I needed to protect my borders."
"All is forgiven." Phoenix said. "I apologize for the death of your other two men."
Aspen pulled his lips in a silent snarl. Wolf wanted to growl.
"What a powerful Immortal you have working for you. Is it truly Naomi the Seductress?" Aspen asked.
Phoenix nodded.
"Yes. Naomi the Seductress, Mother of Immortals."
"She has long thought to be thought dead." Jimmin said.
"As a matter of fact, I had thought you were bedding her when you walked in with your wife." Aspen said.
I felt their eyes on me, and I blushed.
"Naomi is fuller in the hips and bust, Aspen." Phoenix said, chuckling. "Not that your body isn't simply amazing, Fyre."
I giggled and blushed harder.
"Please, tell us about yourself." Martina said to me.
"Well." I began, willing the shake out of my voice. "My name is Fyre. I grew up in the southern part of the Villa, then was sent to the School because I am a Shifter. I was placed in the Yong'in, where for several weeks Pheonix personally trained me with my fire magic."
"Did you marry?" Jimmin asked. "Or do you mean that you were a Shifter since you were born?"
"I was a Shifter at birth." I responded. "I Shifted for the first time when I was 4. I was really angry at one of the nuns that raised me, and I felt a pain run through my back. I hunched over, and my hands began to turn to claws. The nun screamed, and Mother Tracia, the head nun, came to my aid as my wolf took over. About five months later, on my birthday, the Villa sent me to the school where I lived for fifteen years. I learned when I was 17 that the Villa wouldn't have sent me if I weren't a Shifter. Otherwise, I would've become a nun. Or a concubine if I wanted a higher paying job."
"That is one of the downfalls of the Villa." Martina said. "But it works. We cannot fit every citizen into the Clans. Some have to be nuns or concubines."
"Why is it so celebrated being a concubine?" Rebecca asked. The men and Martina laughed. I felt her pain.
"Aren't concubines just whores?"
Martina shook her head.
"Concubines go through a lot to be what they are. Yes, they are trained in the art of pleasure, but they're also taught conversation and art and such. Along with that, they are sterilized. That way there is no illegitimate heirs running around."
"Because of the blood magic, right?" Rebecca asked.
"Yes." Martina replied.
"As nice as this meet and greet had been, we must get back to the matters at hand." Aspen said.
"Ah yes. Aspen, why don't you explain your worries. You are the one who called this meeting." Jimmin said.
"Thank you, Jimmin. I called this meeting not shortly after the Church attacked my palace. Rebecca and I were in the process of.... Love making when the attack happened."
Rebecca smiled, but also turned red.
"I had to run outside where several men in Muz clothing were stabbing guards to death. One man pulled a dark energy from the earth and used it to burn 'Thanom' into the side of my palace."
"Immortals, perhaps?" Phoenix asked.
"No." Aspen said. "The Church seems to despise Immortals moreso than Shifters. No, they seem to be looking for Shifters."
"What do you mean?" Jimmin asked.
"My men watched a few before taking action. They targeted known Shifters. Female Shifters. Asked them some questions then slaughtered them."
I felt myself shaking.
"I have only 3 known Shifters." Jimmin said.
"I have one Shifter." Phoenix said, glancing at me.
"Well, I have twenty." Aspen said. "And that's AFTER this Church's attacks."
"Do either of you know how we can stop them?" Martina asked, glancing at Aspen and Phoenix.
"The only thing I can think is to go to the leader. We supposedly have him locked up back at my home." Phoenix said. "My monks are picking his brain apart for information."
"Your monks are quite amazing, Phoenix." Aspen said.
"Thank you, brother." Phoenix said back.
"But is there a way we can stop these attacks?" Jimmin asked. "They seem to be centered on Aspen. Should we concentrate there?"
Aspen shook his head.
"If we make it obvious, they may try to attack you two more."
"Then let's not make it obvious." I found myself saying.
"And how you suppose we do that?" Jimmin asked.
I shrugged.
"I don't know." I admitted. "But if I were a wolf, I'd want us to seem as if we were retreating. As the enemy gets close, ambush them."
"Not necessarily wolf behavior." Aspen said, drumming his fingers on the table.
"But a wolf with a human brain." Rebecca said. I grinned.
We went on talking for a few more hours, waiting until our stomachs were growling to pause the meeting. In the end, we had gone ina  circle. Simply wondering how to hit the Church.
"Where do you want to eat, my flower?" Aspen asked Rebecca when Jimmin had left with Martina.
"Actually, love, I was wondering if I may join Fyre and Phoenix tonight." Rebecca asked. Aspen smiled.
"Why of course my dear." He said, pulling her into a hug. "You know where our suite is. Come back to me when you can."
"I will." Rebecca said back, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
"Where is our suite?" I asked Phoenix when Rebecca had joined us.
"Just follow me. What do we wanna eat tonight?"
Anything sounded good, honestly. But Rebecca spoke up first.
"Oh, the Muz have this wonderful chicken meal. Do you know of anyone who serves it?" She asked.
"If you're talking about chicken al inciendo, hell yes I know a place. I'll get us food while you ladies gossip. Let's just get you to the suite." Phoenix said, chuckling.