Copper Veins(14)

“Who are you planning this with?” Mom asked quietly. Startled, Dad turned to face her—I think he’d forgotten she was there.

“Other war mages, like myself,” he replied.

“Which war mages?” Mom pressed. When Dad’s brow wrinkled, she added, “I’d just like to know who you’ve been keeping company with all this time.”

“Yes, Baudoin,” Micah added, “I believe we would all like to know who else is involved in this endeavor. Why don’t you bring them here? I will give you full use of the manor and its land to further your cause.”

Dad, normally such a smooth talker, didn’t have a reply for that. “They…they wouldn’t like that,” he said slowly.

“Why?” Mom asked, rising to her feet. “Is it the same council? The one I helped form?”

“There have been some changes,” Dad replied.

“Nevertheless, I’d like to meet them,” Micah repeated. “I do not like the thought of my wife rushing off to assist a council I’ve never interacted with. I need assurance that their course, whatever it may be, aligns with Sara’s best interests.”

“This council’s objective is to release the Mundane world from Peacekeeper control!” Dad shouted. “That is in Sara’s best interest!”

“Hey,” I said. “Sara’s right here, and she’s got a pretty good handle on her interests.”

“Forgive me, love,” Micah murmured, his hand at the small of my back as he pulled me close. “I do not mean to decide your actions for you. However, I do not see the value in implementing a plan when we have not met those who have designed it.”

“Dad’s word is good enough for me,” Max said. “You’d feel the same way if you’d ever lived under Peacekeeper control.”

“I have not said that I will not support the council’s actions,” Micah said. “I just wish to be better informed. Surely, Baudoin, your resistance would welcome the assistance of another metal Elemental, and a lord at that.”

Dad nodded, but I could tell he wasn’t pleased at Micah taking over his show. “I will bring up your suggestions when next we meet.”

Micah nodded, gracefully accepting his victory. Talk died down after that, and we concentrated on our half-melted ice cream. Then Sadie opened a book, which effectively signified the end of our meeting. Dad glared at each of his daughters in turn before stalking out of the room, Mom following close behind. After shooting Micah another glare, just for good measure, Max followed them out.

“You and Dad sure aren’t getting along,” I murmured, gazing at the doorway.

“It is not a matter of getting along,” Micah said. “I will not have you following a plan that I’ve not been thoroughly informed of, regardless of whether or not it is your father’s plan.”

“I thought you wanted to overthrow the Peacekeepers. You know, stopping the evil and all.”

“Yes, but in a sound manner. The way Baudoin spoke…” Micah shook his head. “He spoke like a man crazed with vengeance. That is not how a war leader should behave.”

“What’s wrong with vengeance?” I asked. “The Peacekeepers caused him to lose his family, his home, everything!”

“By his own account, he’s been living quite well here in the Otherworld,” Micah said.

“Do you have a problem with my father?” I demanded—then I remembered that Sadie was still sitting next to me. I glared at her over the edge of her book—she slammed the cover shut and left. Once she was gone, I turned back to Micah. “Well?”

“I have no problems whatsoever,” he bit off. “However, I do not like that he has your part in this plan fully formed without consulting you or me. I do have a say in whether my wife goes off to war for a realm she has no ties to.”

“No ties? Micah, I’m from there! I lived there most of my life!” I was so mad my hands were shaking, so I sat on them. “I’m a Mundane human, just like the people Dad wants to save.”

“My Sara, nothing about you is Mundane, in any meaning of the word,” Micah murmured. “You are a metal Elemental, as am I. You belong here, with me.”

He reached around my back to rub the copper raven, my own Elemental mark, but I jerked away. I couldn’t believe that Micah was so against Dad’s plans, and that he had so little regard for the Mundane realm or my own opinions. It made me wonder what he really thought about me.

“I’m going for a walk,” I said, leaping to my feet.

“I’ll come with you,” Micah said, rising beside me.