Chasing Snow – Chapter 6
Demetrius
I drove back home not knowing what would happen. This only delayed the effects of my powers. I couldn’t tell Ivry that though, I couldn’t make her worry more. At least now I could control it more. We drove and I swear I saw the same serpent that bit me coiled around a tree on the side of the road. When I looked back there was nothing there.
“You okay, babe?” Ivry asked.
“Yeah, I’m good,” I nodded. We got home and saw Ann watching Payton as she played with Adam in his wolf form.
“You’re so soft,” Payton said as she buried her face in his fur. I smiled to myself as I parked the car. We got out the car and Payton ran up to me and jumped into my arms. “Daddy!”
“Hey, baby girl. You have fun today?” I asked as I kissed her forehead.
She nodded and slid out of my arms. “I played with Adam ever since Grandma brought me home.”
“Sounds fun, darling.” I smiled. I looked up and made eye contact with Ann and the look in her eyes told me that she knew everything. “Why don’t you talk with mommy? I have to talk with Grandma Ann for a minute.”
She skipped off to Ivry and began to talk as she was being herded inside by her mother. Ivry looked up and gave me a smile then continued to walk inside. I walked to Ann and she said, “Are you going to tell Ivry that the issue is only temporarily solved or are you going to continue to deny it?”
“I can’t let Ivry know that I can still be turned. She would never let me use my power again and we both know that it is a much needed asset in this upcoming war.” Ann nodded and tapped her finger against her folded arms.
“Demetrius, they are coming. And with a much larger force than we could have imagined. I have sent scouts out to guard the surrounding cities and many of them have been found void of any humans. One scout even saw a giant patrolling the town. Some haven’t even returned. We have no idea what we are up against and if Zoey and her forces continue to encircle us like this then we will never have a chance to win.”
“What are we going to do then,” I asked her in a hushed urgent tone.
“That is why I am here. As a white wolf I can make contact with the moon goddess and ask for her help directly.”
“Do you honestly think that a goddess would come down to us and help us in this war?”
“I can be quite persuasive, Demetrius. I need you to do something though.” She said as she shifted her weight.
“What do I need to do? You know I would do anything to protect us.”
Ann paused for a moment then said, “I need you to do a couple things actually, none of them small. All of which Ivry will hate.” I shuddered at the fact that I would be doing even more things that Ivry would disapprove of. “First of all I need you to come to the castle so we can change this system of ruling. We need to change it so that instead of a werewolf having the top say, a vampire would as well. And who better than the one chosen by the god who created vampires. I believe that you should also become a head Elder besides me.”
“But why? That would cause chaos among the werewolf packs and cause more disorder than anything else.”
“I can handle them,” Ann said strongly. “We need to do this because many vampire clans refuse to join our cause because it is led by a werewolf. We need you to take power so they will be compelled to join us. Especially a vampire with the power of the Lord of Shadows.”
I nodded in agreement then asked, “What else do I need to do?”
“The next is a much more life risking move. I need you to go out past the cities and gain the support of other vampire clans. We need as much help as possible and not many would deny you. You have become a legend in the vampire community.”
“Have I?” I questioned full of surprise.
“Indeed you are. Many of the vampires would submit to your power. You are basically like an Alpha to all vampires within a couple million square miles. Congrats.” I shook my head in disbelief. “Do you think you can go and recruit them,” Ann asked.
“Well how many do we need? I don’t want to be away from Payton and Ivry when a war is coming up,” I said thinking of how Zoey told me that they want Payton. “They will be in danger.”
“There are three main clans that are large enough to give us a large benefit if they are to come and help us.”
“You mean the big three? Cilius, Ythan, and Indum?”
“Indeed, each of those three has enough members in their clans to have more citizens than New York. You will need to talk with their leaders and convince them to join us.”
“I can speak diplomatically with Ythan and Indum, but I will have to assert myself with Cilius. They are bred strong.” I said thinking of a plan. “What will I tell Ivry and Payton?”
“Nothing,” she said as she shook her head. “You know that if you tell her of the plan she will want to go with you or she will stop you all together.” Ann pulled out a vile of a clear liquid and gave it to me and said, “You need to give this to her. It will make her fall into a deep sleep. After you give it to her drive Ivry and Payton to the castle and then you will depart from there.”
“My Lord,” Adam said as he walked up to us in his human form followed by the rest of my guard. “If you are to go with this plan, your guards are coming with you.”
“No, you all cannot come.” I said sternly. “I want one of you to stay with Ivry and Payton at all times and I want two of you to guard the house at all times so that the enemy still thinks we are home.”
“Who will you assign to the different positions?” Luke asked.
“I want Adam and Justin to stay with Ivry and Payton the whole time. Ivry may lash out at you and will tell you to leave, if so make yourself unseen to here while still staying close. Lucas I want to come with me, your clan was of high standing and you can help me convince them. Kareem and Matthew I want you to guard the house as if we are still inside it.”
“Yes, my lord.” They all said in unison with a bow.
I turned back to Ann who had an impressed look on her face and she said, “I see you already have the talents of a leader to have these people follow you so completely and loyally. That is good. I need you to leave tonight.”
“What about making me the Head Elder?” I asked her.
“I will make it so that we can announce it today. Bring Ivry and Payton to the castle in two hours. I guess you can give her the sleeping drink there.” I nodded and she shifted into her white wolf and said, “See you soon.” Then she ran off into the forest, heading back towards the castle.
“Get your things ready, men. You heard her, this happens tonight.”
“Yes, my lord!” They all shouted as they ran off.
I walked back inside trying to look as if nothing had really happened and saw Ivry sitting with Payton on the couch watching the television.
“What were you two talking about,” Ivry asked as she turned around.
“Nothing much,” I lied as I kissed her. “Your grandmother wants us to come to the castle today for some kind of ceremony.”
“Oh okay, what time?”
“She said in the next few hours.”
“That’s so last minute!” Ivry said exasperated. “She is lucky she is family.”
“Yeah,” I laughed. “We should probably leave soon.”
“Are we going back to the castle, daddy?” Payton asked excitedly.
“Indeed we are, sweety.” I said as I kissed her forehead.
