Red Moon Secrets(82)

"What are we going to do about the councils?" Reese asks, as my nameless cousin walks toward us.
I ignore the wolf, move back from my embrace with Gage, and focus on the dark-haired girl before me.  She stands taller, pushing her shoulders back.  She looks a lot like me, since we really are related through Freya.
"I'll accept my fate with honor," she says steadily, trying to hide the fear in her voice that shows in her eyes.
Fate: that's a word that makes no sense to me.  Fate is nothing more than the universe's twisted sense of humor that raises more questions than it ever answers.
"I won’t kill you.  If that's what you're asking," I say after drawing out the suspense.
She looks at me as though I've lost my mind, but she nods warily, taking steps back, refusing to take her eyes off me for fear of a trick.  Then she vaporizes and disappears from sight.
"That's either generous or stupid," Gage says as he squeezes my hand.
I force a tight smile, and then I turn to Reese who is still waiting expectantly on an answer.
"The councils," he says softly, not trying to sound disrespectful but demanding some justice.
"We'll handle that right now."
 

Chapter 25
 
A New Power
 
Each council member from every branch of fey is gathered here, all of them squirming uncomfortably before us.
"What's the meaning of this?" a widow spews, hissing under her breath as she glares at us.
"You have no right to summon us here," a witch from the light council barks.
"Actually," I mutter, "I do.  As a descendent of Freya, I have the right to assume the throne and dismiss the councils from existence, if I so choose."
Whispered gasps and ghastly faces spread across the room.  Kane steps back, watching as they all scramble to lean back in their seats, suddenly seeming more like the cowards they are than the intimidating dominants they pretend to be.
My eyes flash silver at my behest, and then they crawl to gold, proving a strength they've never seen before.  My hair shifts, mingling blond with black.  I smile as the scent of fear coats the room, but I see no black hearts or dark souls—only trembling fools.
Kane's eyes flash silver—he's loving his new self—and they are suddenly scared shitless.  I can't help but bask in their horror.
"The councils no longer exist as they are.  One person will be appointed as the governing leader over each fey.  Most of you know Gage," I murmur, motioning for the dark user to take my side.  He does so willingly and crosses his arms over his chest.  "He'll be the leader of the dark users, and he'll also have full control of the Somage.  As my advisor, he'll appoint certain people to various positions, considering he knows the other fey groups better than anyone else in this room."
I wait, secretly hoping someone has the balls to object.  None do.
"And Reese," I say, watching the alpha make his way closer, "will be leader over the Were."
A snarling alpha wolf growls at us, but when Kane takes a step toward him, he backs down instantly, proving he's more equipped to be a beta.
"Chaz will lead the dusters.  Deke will lead the night stalkers.  Sierra will lead the lycans.  Calypso will lead the light witches and warlocks.  Thad will lead the changers.  And all of them will be a part of the new council I've designed to reign over all fey—a united council.  We won't be divided by class anymore.  Everyone will come together for decisions and we'll be better because of it.  Consequences are about to become very real, so keep that in mind when you feel like crossing a line.
"At the end of the day, Kane and I will have final say.  Though I'll tell you right now, we'll never go against these people.  I can see truth, lies, betrayal, and more.  I'm not blind to our world the way I once was.  I see it for how it really is.  I see you for who you really are.  Things change.  We evolve.  We change—starting now."
My rehearsed speech has all the authority of a real leader, though I have no intentions of actually leading.  I'm just the scary freak that's here to put them in their rightful places.  The others will do the leading.  Me?  I'm finally going to live my life.
The same thing that condemns me is my saving grace.  I'm the creature they'll fear too much to cross.
"One more thing," I add to the silent room.  "Drackus Devall no longer stays confined to his home.  He's no more deadly than I am."
They all look at each other as though I've lost my mind, but no one dares to challenge me.  It feels pretty damn good, actually.
"You ready?" Kane murmurs against my ear, tugging my hand.