Chapter 15 - Illness

 

“How long has this gone on?” Dr. Edwards asked, rushing into the room.

“Started about 20 minutes ago, but the pill isn’t working,” Kyle said, and held the bottle up for the doctor.

“How many?”

“I gave her 2 of them.”

Emily’s body shook as she fought to breathe through the stabbing pains in her stomach.

“Now we just wait… what did she eat for lunch?” Dr. Edwards asked, and set the pills down on the table.

“She wouldn’t eat lunch,” Mark said from beside the fireplace.

“What’s wrong?”

“She does this when the Elder is gone.”

Dr. Edwards nodded, “Ok, let’s wait it out.”

Kyle glanced at the door when he heard a loud crash and then smiled slightly at Dr. Edwards, “He wants in here badly.”

“That he does.”

“How long can these go on?” Mark whispered.

Dr. Edward sighed, “I don’t know. She heals faster than a full mortal, but there was a lot of damage done.”

“But she’s been back for 5 months.”

“If I had to guess, it’s going to be longer than a year for it to completely go away.”

“I’d like to get my hands on the Encala again.”

“Isn’t that where the Elder is?”

Mark grinned, “Yes, he found an Encala coven near St. Louis that was claiming even we cannot break through their defenses.”

“Well that was stupid,” Dr. Edwards said, and then smiled when Emily looked up at him. “Is it backing off?”

She nodded and sat up slowly.

 

***

 

Silas held up four fingers and Chevalier nodded. The darkness of the night hid their location as they quickly surrounded the thick cement walls of the Encala Coven.

Chevalier nodded to Kralen, who turned and passed a message to the Cavalry around the compound. The Elder watched as Kralen appeared by the cement wall and held a hand up. He slowly lowered his hand into a fist and an alarm sounded inside the cement walls as eight members of the Cavalry scaled the tall walls and descended into the quiet compound.

Silas and Kralen quickly took out the four gate guards, and the rest of the Cavalry walked in through the front gates, having already disabled the coven’s main generators. Chevalier walked in last and watched as the Cavalry destroyed the homes.

He made his way deeper into the coven until he stood in the center and faced the large main house. All 54 members of the Cavalry joined him after they killed the members of the coven. Chevalier walked up and opened the front door to the sound of screams from inside.

“Is anyone home?” Kralen yelled, and then grinned and walked up the stairs, followed by his team of fifteen heku.

Silas led his team to the basement, and Chevalier’s team began to scatter through the main floor, looking for the Lord of Draw Coven. He quickly killed any heku he saw and the death toll was at 152 when he finally found the Coven Lord.

“Please… what have we done to deserve this?” he asked. He was on his knees before Kralen and watched Chevalier fearfully.

“You’re Encala, that’s enough,” Chevalier said, and walked up to the Coven Lord.

“Sir!” Silas yelled, rushing in.

Chevalier turned to him with his hands on neck of the Coven Lord, “What?”

“Don’t kill him yet. You have to see this first,” Silas said, and started out the door.

“Hold him,” Chevalier ordered the guards, and he followed Silas, with Kralen beside him.

“We were destroying the courtroom, and Rilen threw a chair through the wall, revealing a hidden room,” Silas explained, as he stepped into the courtroom.

“What was in it?” Kralen asked, stepping over rubble inside the courtroom.

“Just come look,” Silas said, and stepped through a large hole in the wall. Chevalier followed him and looked quickly around the hidden room. It was obviously a war room, with a large table and a bulletin board full of maps and photographs.

Chevalier’s temper began to rise when he saw a map of Louisiana with the location of the ranch where Emily had worked. There were photographs of Emily posted around the map, all taken while she was working on the ranch.

“I know that the Encala said they destroyed the coven that poisoned Em,” Silas said, handing over a stack of papers, “But I doubt that now.”

Chevalier looked through the papers and his features darkened. He began to read out loud.

 

“That bloody Winchester has a heku bodyguard with her. The Equites lied when they said she disappeared alone. This bodyguard is very protective of her, but we’ve noticed he has a bad habit of disappearing every few months for days at a time.”

 

Kralen picked up a book of photographs and thumbed through them while he listened to Chevalier.

“Heku bodyguard?” one of the Cavalry asked, and turned toward Chevalier.

“Dain, I suspect.”

He nodded, “He kind of was a heku bodyguard.”

 

“The poison didn’t work. She was in the hospital for a while, but survived and is now back home and even more heavily watched by her guard. Her daughter keeps close and we’ve noticed she doesn’t wander off like her mother is famous for doing. We hope that the poison did lasting damage and that we can honor the Encala by claiming her death soon.”

 

Kralen’s eyes grew wide and he looked up, “My God, this coven did it then.”

Chevalier nodded, “Looks like it. The rest of this is pre-planning, logs, notes, and celebration preparations for her death.”

Silas grabbed a box from the corner, “I’ll gather all of this. Let’s take the Coven Leader back to the palace.”

Chevalier growled, “Do it.”

Kralen followed him out while Silas and his team gathered up any evidence they could find.

Chevalier stood before the Lord of Draw Coven and scowled, “We found your war room and now… you get to pay for what you did to Emily.”

He looked up with wide eyes at the enemy Elder, “We… we didn’t.”

Chevalier kneed him in the jaw, shattering it, “Stop lying to me. We found the maps, and pictures. According to your logs… you poisoned Emily and planned a ceremony for her death.”

The Coven Lord spit blood and teeth onto the floor, “We were ordered to do it, by the Council.”

“Even better,” Kralen said, and hauled him to a waiting helicopter. After Silas and his team put twelve boxes into the helicopter, they headed back for Council City, eager to get the former Coven Lord into the interrogation room.

Palace Guards lined up to greet the helicopter and Quinn met Chevalier at the helicopter.

“You brought one back?” Quinn asked Chevalier when the Cavalry hauled the Encala from the helicopter.

Chevalier grinned, “His coven poisoned Emily.”

“Wow… wouldn’t want to be him,” Quinn said, and then sighed. “Speaking of poisons…”

“How bad?” Chevalier asked, starting for the palace.

“This one lasted quite a while… and was followed by another fainting spell. She’s still sleeping that one off,” Quinn explained, following him inside. “We searched and, yet again, can’t find any ashes.”

Kyle looked up from the bed when Chevalier walked in. He sat down beside her and quickly looked her over, “What was she doing when it happened?”

“She’d just barely gotten over stomach pains, so she was sitting up in bed,” Kyle explained.

Chevalier grinned maliciously, “I got the Coven Leader who poisoned her.”

“You did?”

“Yes… we accidentally found a room with photographs of Emily while she was away, maps of the ranch location, and a journal of one of them who poisoned her. Somehow, he must have gotten away.”

“Nice, he’s still alive?”

“Yes, though he will soon wish he wasn’t.”

“Going to try out that new water tank?”

“Thinking about it,” Chevalier said and stood up. “Tell me when she’s waking.”

Kyle nodded and watched Chevalier disappear from the room. When he arrived, Mark, Silas and Kralen had the Coven Lord in the wooden chair and the spikes were extended over an inch into his flesh. His blood poured out and was pooling beneath him on the floor.

“He talking yet?” Chevalier asked, and sat down on the rack.

“Not yet, but he will,” Mark said as he turned the crank, removing the spikes from his flesh.

“I won’t talk,” the prisoner groaned.

“Sure you will,” Chevalier told him, and then turned to Silas. “Put him in the tank. It’s fascinating to watch.”

“Come on, Cameron,” Silas said, and unhooked the restraints from the Encala.

“Wait! What’s that?” he screamed, and began to fight. Kralen grabbed his other arm and they shoved him into the water tank. After locking the chain and electrifying it, they sat to watch.

“Hmm… he seems calm,” Mark said, bending down to get a better look.

“Wait for it,” Chevalier whispered and then grinned then the heku began to run out of air. “Now it gets good.”

As his body began to thrash, he started to hit the walls of the tank and the electrical current filled the water.

“Nice,” Kralen whispered, his eyes wide.

“He’ll talk after this,” Chevalier assured them.

“When did we get this tank?” Mark asked, baffled by the violent thrashing the heku exhibited after running out of air.

“I ordered it about a year ago. I’ve only used it a couple of times though,” Chevalier explained. “It’s quite effective… and entertaining.”

“Remind me never to tick you off,” Kralen chuckled.

Chevalier was too enthralled to respond. His predatory urge to cause pain was at its fullest and he exhaled slowly as the heku in the tank began to convulse violently as every cell in his body sent out waves of pain, struggling for oxygen.

When the Encala fell unconscious, Silas turned to the Elder, “Get him out?”

“Sure, we can always revive him and do it again if he won’t talk,” Chevalier said and watched the guards pull the heku’s limp body from the water. They dropped him to the floor and watched as he began to slowly breathe again.

When he’d healed enough to groan, Mark poked him with the toe on his cowboy boots, “Ready to talk?”

The heku nodded slowly and coughed up water.

“Good, let’s start with… Whose bright idea was it to poison my wife?” Chevalier asked, watching him closely.

“He’ll kill me…”

“We’ll kill you,” Kralen responded.

“You have a choice in this though,” Chevalier told him. “You can either stay here as my play toy… or you tell us and we kill you quickly.”

The Encala struggled to his hands and knees, still coughing. The Equites watched him until he finally managed to whisper, “Elder Frederick.”

“This was Frederick’s idea then?” Silas asked him.

He nodded, “Yes, the Council didn’t know.”

“Hmm, interesting. So Frederick went behind the backs of the Council to torture Emily?” Mark asked as he leaned back against the wall.

“Yes”

“Surely the other Elders knew.”

“No… we were banned from telling them. Elder Frederick said they would try to stop him.”

“So, the Encala regularly make a practice of listening to one Elder when the majority normally rules?”

“Frederick… he’s… he can be brutal.”

Chevalier grinned, “Not as bad as I can be.”

“You know now… you promised to end this,” the heku said, and looked up at the enemy Elder.

“I lied,” Chevalier told him, and headed up the stairs when Kyle told him Emily was waking up.

Dr. Edwards met Chevalier outside of his bedroom, “She’ll be awake soon.”

“Send Mark in,” he said before stepping into his room. Kyle looked up from beside the bed.

“What did he say?”

“He’s blaming Frederick, but trying not to get the entire Encala Council in trouble for it.”

Kyle shrugged, “I guess it could be.”

Emily sighed slightly and rolled onto her side and looked over at them, “Why the look?”

“What look?” Chevalier asked, and sat down.

“You both look like someone died.”

Kyle smiled, “If you’d stop passing out, we might look more chipper.”

“Damnit, I did?”

“Yes,” Chevalier said, and motioned for Kyle to leave. Kyle nodded and blurred from the room, “What happened?”

“I don’t really remember,” she told him, and leaned up onto her elbow. “I was having stomach pains and then woke up to your gloomy self.”

“Hmm, well… enter,” Chevalier said, and turned to the door when Mark entered.

“You called for me, Elder?” Mark asked.

“Find anything.”

“Again, no.”

“There has to be something.”

“We’ve searched for ashes, we’ve searched for bodies.”

“Keep looking.”

“Yes, Elder,” Mark said, and left quickly.

“Be nice. He didn’t do anything,” Emily said. She rolled out of bed, stumbled slightly, and then headed in for a shower.

Chevalier was deep in thought when the palace went into lockdown.

Emily appeared from the bathroom, “What’s going on?”

“Not sure.”

“You going then?”

“No, this type of lockdown we all stay where we are.”

“How do you know which kind it is?” she asked, and disappeared into the wardrobe to get dressed.

“They announced it,” he explained.

Just as Emily came out of the wardrobe, the door burst open and Kralen appeared, “Now.”

Chevalier nodded and disappeared from the room.

“What’s going on?” Emily asked.

“You need to come too, Commander,” Kralen told her, and disappeared.

She started to argue, but followed him out instead. Halfway down the stairs, the palace came out of lockdown and she saw Silas standing on the fourth floor waiting for her.

“What’s up?” she asked him when she got closer.

“There’s a briefing,” Silas told her, and opened the door to the council chambers.

Emily walked in and stood among the entire Cavalry that was facing the Council. Mark was standing up front, and when the door closed, he began, “We just found Wilson, out west of the city. He’s been murdered.”

The Chief Investigator stood up, “I have searched the area and there are subtle clues that point to the Encala. We don’t, however, know why they killed him.”

Emily listened carefully, and could feel the anger rise.

“It could be in retaliation to our attacks,” Zohn suggested.

“They wouldn’t risk that,” Quinn said. “It’s something else and I want to know what.”

“Put the Cavalry out there in the trees. Keep looking for evidence,” Zohn said.

“I’ll go talk to the Encala,” Kyle said, and stood up.

“I’ll go too,” Emily told him.

“We need you here,” Mark said, turning to her. “His horse won’t let us get near her. She’s skittish and runs when she sees anyone.”

Emily sighed and looked up at Kyle, “Fine, but you tell the Encala, from me… Deal’s off.”

Kyle glanced once at the Elders and then nodded, “I’ll relay that.”

“I’ll go,” Dustin said, and he and Kyle left the room.

Emily followed the Cavalry out. They already had her horse ready and she grabbed a lasso off of the wall before following Mark out to where Wilson’s body was found. It was just east of the leech pond, and the grass was still stained red. She looked around the clearing, ignoring the blood and focused in on Wilson’s mare off in the trees. Her ears were pressed back against her head and she jerked back when Silas entered the clearing.

“Stop,” Emily whispered, and took the lasso in her hand.

Silas froze and looked over at the mare.

“You…” Emily frowned and pointed at the heku next to her. His name was on the tip of her tongue and she studied him while it came to her.

“Kralen,” he said, and looked over at her.

“Yes, Kralen, blur around behind her and see if you can scare her toward me.”

“Did you forget my name?”

“No, just do it.”

He glanced at Mark and then disappeared. Emily edged her horse slowly forward.

“Damnit!” she yelled when the mare jerked and ran the opposite way she was supposed to. Emily kicked her horse hard into a gallop and raced toward the mare. Her stallion quickly caught up with the frantic horse and she lassoed the mare and slowed her down. When the mare walked up to her, she reached out to pet her and suddenly brought her hand back.

Emily slipped off her glove and looked down at her hand. It seemed almost unattached and when she tried to grasp the rope, nothing happened.

“Something wrong?” Mark said from behind her.

“No,” Emily said, and pulled her glove back on.

“We’re going to stay here and comb the area. Do you want to stay or do you want to head back?”

“I’ll stay. Another set of eyes can’t hurt.”

“We’ll put you with Silas and Kralen then.”

“Have someone take this horse back. She needs put in her stall and a hood put on until she calms down.”

Mark nodded and one of the Cavalry appeared and took the mare from Emily. They walked over and she started moving with the two Captains as they meticulously searched the area assigned to them. Tension filled the air as they searched for some reason to explain Wilson’s death. Nothing infuriated the Cavalry more than when one of their own died in the line of duty.

Before night fell, the Chief Investigator walked up and began talking to Silas and Kralen while Emily continued to search the ground.

“We’re heading in, Em,” Kralen told her, and she turned toward him.

“What did they find?”

“It was the Encala. As soon as Kyle and Dustin get back, Chevalier wants to pay them a visit.”

She nodded and returned to her stallion. As soon as she was mounted, she waited for the others and then rode silently back to the city. No one spoke as they put their horses away for the night. When Emily shut the stall to her stallion, she turned and saw Silas and Kralen waiting for her.

“Are you sure you’re ok?” Kralen asked.

“I’m fine, why?”

“You forgot my name and you’re not using your left arm.”

“I didn’t forget your name, and nothing’s wrong with me.”

“We’ll see,” Silas said, and leaned back against the wall. “Let’s go out tonight, it’s been a while.”

“You aren’t going to go to the Encala with Chevalier?” Emily asked, sitting down on a bale of hay.

“Not Kralen and I, we’re staying here.”

“To make sure I don’t go?”

Kralen chuckled, “Yup.”

“Seems odd. Why not put city guards as my babysitters so you can go pick on the Encala?”

“Because you keep slipping the city guards.”

Emily grinned, “I bet I can slip you two.”

Kralen chuckled, “You can’t slip me, you promised you wouldn’t.”

“True, however, I can slip Silas.”

“Hey now…” Silas said and crossed his arms. “Let’s not, shall we?”

“Doesn’t matter, I don’t have anywhere to go.”

“Now let’s get down to it,” Kralen said. “Tell us why you are acting like you don’t belong here.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes you do. You used to be confident and assured. Now you are quiet and stand-offish.”

“I’m not either.”

“Then let the chefs make your dinner.”

“I’m perfectly capable of cooking for myself.”

Silas shrugged, “Before you left, you let the chefs do their job.”

“You mean before I was kicked out?” Emily asked.

“You used to let the tailor do his job, the chefs do their jobs, and let housekeeping do their thing.”

“Yeah well, maybe I don’t plan on relying on anyone else again. I learned one thing while I was away… one can only rely on themselves.”

Kralen frowned, “That’s not a way to live life.”

“That’s how I survived for a year.”

“Not sure I would call that surviving.”

“It was.”

“It’s over though. You need to get over what happened and get on with your life. Stop walking around here like an outsider and stop acting like at any moment we’re all going to turn on you and you’ll be alone again,” Kralen said.

Emily frowned slightly.

“It’s over is all we’re saying. If you’re going to spend an eternity with us, you’re going to have to trust us again,” Silas told her.

“Stop acting like a martyr…” Kralen started.

Emily stood up, “I don’t have to take this. I did the best I could.”

“We’re not saying you didn’t… but now it’s time to let us take over. You’re not alone anymore,” Silas told her, and put a hand on her arm.

Emily turned suddenly and walked out of the stables. She ignored Silas and Kralen as they followed behind her silently. Each wondered if they’d overstepped and what would happen if she told Chevalier. She walked up the stairs and went into her office, slamming the door behind her.

“She has a limp,” Kralen said as he took up his spot outside of her office door.

“I saw that,” Silas said. “Stay here. I’ll go report to Dr. Edwards.”

Silas called for the doctor, Quinn, and Zohn to meet him in the main conference room. When he arrived, the others were waiting.

Dr. Edwards sat down at the table, “Is there a problem?”

“Yes, we were asked to watch for signs of problems while with Emily, and she’s shown some of those today,” Silas explained, and sat down beside Quinn.

“Like what?”

“She forgot Kralen’s name, and she has a slight limp. We also noticed she’s not using her left arm.”

Dr. Edwards frowned, “That’s not good. Those are all signs of a stroke. We need to get her in for a CT scan to see if we can find out which kind of stroke she’s having.”

“She’ll never go in for a CT scan,” Quinn said.

“Can we buy one?” Zohn asked. “She may be more willing to have a scan if it’s done here.”

“I disagree,” Quinn told him. “She’s more likely to sneak out and get a CT scan.”

“That’s true. She did sneak out to see me on numerous occasions,” Dr. Edwards said. “It would be nice if we could find out the extent though… how weak she is on her left side.”

“Any suggestions?” Silas asked.

“I’ve already asked her to push me once, I’m not sure she’d do it again.”

Zohn turned to Silas, “Do you think you can make her mad enough to push you?”

“I’m pretty sure I can. She’s already irritated with Kralen and I.”

“For what?”

“Just stuff we were talking about.”

“Restrain Dain,” Quinn told him. “It doesn’t matter for what. She’ll fight back.”

“I hate to upset her this soon after waking,” Dr. Edwards said. “Just watch her and see if you can ascertain how weak she is on the left side.”

“When will the Elder be back?” Silas asked Zohn.

“He hoped to only be gone a couple of days. He just wanted to scare the Encala Council.”

“Keep her calm for now, but see if you can catch her using her left hand for something and see if it’s working properly,” Dr. Edwards suggested.

Silas nodded, “Will do.”

Silas walked back up and stood beside Emily’s door with Kralen. He filled Kralen in on what was decided and then stood back to wait for her to emerge.

 

***

 

“Good morning,” Chevalier said, and smiled. He was sitting on the edge of the bed watching her sleep.

Emily crawled out of bed and onto his lap, and then wrapped her arms around his neck, “I’m glad you’re back.”

He kissed the top of her head, “I was able to come back early.”

She looked up at him, “What happened?”

“Nothing really. The Encala, of course, denied it and again asked us to let them rebuild.”

“Did Kyle give them my message?”

“Yes, and it seemed to send a panic through their Council. Wanna tell me what that was all about?”

She sighed, “They want me to ask you to back off.”

“Interesting”

“They’re under the mistaken impression that I can influence what you do.”

“If it were up to you, would you let them rebuild?”

“I’ve been thinking about that and I’m torn.”

“Ok… tell me.”

“Well, they killed Wilson, not happy about that. On the other hand, there’s always been 3 factions. What if two throws off the balance of power or something?”

“That is a concern to us all. That’s why we’re having a meeting with all of the Elders next week.”

Emily looked up at him, “All nine of you?”

“Yes”

“Even Frederick?”

“Yes, and we’ll want you there to keep the peace.”

“Ok”

“And, Em?” he asked, and looked down at her. “We need you to not ash Frederick right away.”

She grinned, “Am I that predictable?”

“Yes, you are.”

Emily reached over and pulled a blanket over both of them as Chevalier studied her every movement.

“I just talked to Silas and Dr. Edwards,” he told her.

She looked up at him, “They’re watching me like I’m a leper.”

“They’re worried, and I want you to be honest with me.”

“About what?”

“Are you having memory problems?”

“Don’t you think if I were, I’d be the last to know?”

He chuckled, “Yeah, I guess. They mentioned you forgot Kralen’s name.”

“I did, for just a second.”

“And your left hand?”

She sighed, “It’s not really working right now.”

“How bad?”

“It’s actually gotten better over the last two days.”

“Let me see,” he told her, and she scooted off his lap. “Grab my hands.”

“Are you doing Dr. Edwards’ dirty work?”

“No, I want to know.”

“Fine,” Emily said and took his hands in hers.

“Squeeze”

Emily squeezed his hands as hard as she could, but knew her left hand wasn’t putting a lot of pressure.

“Hmmm,” he sighed and then looked down at her hands. “Your left-side is pretty weak.”

“I know, but it’s getting better.”

“I just wish I could figure out what’s going on,” Chevalier said, obviously frustrated.

“Who knows. I know everyone around here thinks I’m ashing someone in secret, but I’m not.”

“I don’t think that.”

“Well, maybe not you, but others do. Then half the palace staff acts like I’m going to keel over.”

Chevalier chuckled, “You sort of keep doing so.”

“Gah, it’s embarrassing,” Emily groaned.

“Why don’t you go join the Cavalry? They’re running through water drills today.”

“I quit the Cavalry, doesn’t anyone remember that?” she asked, crawling off of the bed.

“You can’t quit the Cavalry,” he reminded her, and then grinned.

“I can too.”

“Nope, it’s not allowed.”

“Fine, I’ll go… but not in uniform and not as a Commander. I’ll go to make sure they’re not abusing their horses,” she told him, and then disappeared into the bathroom to get ready. When she came out, Chevalier was gone and her breakfast was on the table. She ate quickly and then headed down to the stables to get her stallion.

“Where are your guards?” the front door guard asked.

Emily looked behind her. She hadn’t noticed that her guards were missing, “I actually have no idea.”

“Did you slip them?”

She glared at the door guard, “No.”

“Wait here while we find them then.”

“No, I’m heading out to the Cavalry.”

“Still…”

“I’m not going to get attacked between here and the pool,” she told him, and then headed out of the palace.

Halfway to the out-building, she heard a timid voice from behind her, “Lady Emily?”

She sighed and turned around to face a cowering heku, “Yes?”

“Please… may I speak to you for just a moment?”

“Sure, why not? Just don’t attack me, I’m not in the mood,” she told him, and crossed her arms.

“I beg of you,” he whispered, and then scanned the area closely. “Please, ask your Council to leave the Encala in peace so we can rebuild.”

“You’re Encala?”

“Yes, M’Lady.”

“Did the Encala Council send you?”

“No, Ma’am. I was a member of a coven that was wiped out while I was away. The Encala are in ruins. I beg of you to stop the slaughter,” he whispered, still scanning the area.

“If you’re Encala, how did you get in here?” she asked suspiciously.

He sighed, “It’s taken me days to get in here. I had to wait until the front gate guards were occupied.”

“Well… I can’t influence the Council. If they are killing off the Encala, then I’m sure they had it coming.”

“You can influence them, though. It’s well known that you are not well and the Council will do what they can to make you feel better.”

“What do you mean not well? I’m fine.”

“Are you? You have a slight limp.”

“I hurt my foot.”

“If you say so.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed, “Ok, so spies have told you things… that still doesn’t mean I can influence the Council.”

“I beg you to at least ask them.”

“I’m not so sure I want them to stop.”

He gasped, “M’Lady, you are a friend to the Encala. Why would you not help us?”

“The Encala killed one of my Cavalry.”

“It was necessary.”

“For what!?” she screamed. “Don’t come ask me for help and then try to justify killing my friend.”

“Shhh, please…” he whispered, and slunk back slightly into the shadows of a lone pine tree.

“There’s no reason to have killed him. He was doing nothing more than watching that area. He wasn’t attacking anyone.”

“I apologize for that.”

“You killed him?” she asked, taking a step toward the trembling heku.

“No!” he whispered. “I wouldn’t do that. I couldn’t do that. Your Cavalry is too strong and well trained for one such as myself.”

“You know that you’re not leaving here, right?”

“Yes, I know I will be killed for being here.”

“Then why do it? You know that I’m not going to stop the attacks by the Equites Council,” she asked.

“I had to try. The Encala are falling and it is my duty to do what I can to make them strong again,” he told her.

“You do realize that the Encala Council already asked me, and that I refused?”

“Yes”

“Then why would I do so for you?”

“Because I’m begging you. I appeal to your gentle nature and the friendship you once had with us.”

She sighed, “I’m not going to ask the Equites Council to back off the Encala until they prove to me that they have changed.”

“We have!”

“You have not!” Emily yelled. “Killing Wilson doesn’t show me they have changed.”

The once cowering heku stood up tall and squared his broad shoulders, “Enough… do as I ask or you’ll pay.”

Emily’s eyes grew wide, “What!?”

He took a menacing step toward her, “It’s taken me a month to find you without a guard… now you’ll do as I say or I’ll end this immediately.”

“Ya think?” she asked, and narrowed her eyes. The Encala fell to his knees, clutching at his chest. When the pain stopped, he fell forward, gasping for breath.

“Don’t come to my home and threaten me. I’ve about had it with your entire faction,” she whispered. He groaned when the pain started again and she held him in agony until he fell unconscious. Running quickly to the stables, she grabbed her Taser from the tack room and returned to watch him heal.

“Do that again and you’ll pay,” he growled when he caught his breath.

“I don’t think so,” she said. “Now you’re coming along with me nicely or I’ll ash you here.”

“You can’t tell me what to do.”

Emily leveled her Taser at him, “I think I can.”

He hissed and stood up straighter.

“Start walking,” she said, and motioned for him to head for the out-building where the Cavalry was doing more water training.

“You don’t know what you’re messing with,” the Encala said, and then hesitated before doing what she told him.

“I’m sure I do. I’m messing with a piece of shit Encala that is willing to lie and deceive to undo the stupidity of something his Council did.”

“Don’t talk about my Council like that!” he yelled, and turned on her, crouching slightly.

“Fine… I’m done with you,” she said, and then grinned. “Mark!”

Suddenly, the entire Cavalry surrounded her and Mark appeared beside the Encala, “What did you find?”

The Encala spun suddenly and his hands balled into fists.

“Putz here came to ask me to stop picking on his faction,” Emily said, and lowered her Taser. “I figured you all might need a new toy.”

“All contact with the Encala has to be reported to the Council,” Mark told her, and then turned to the Encala. “Let’s go tell them.”

He growled and then started off with the Cavalry. Silas and Kralen started after them, but turned and walked back to Emily.

“You have to come too,” Silas told her.

“No I don’t.”

“You encountered him first. The Council will need a report,” Kralen said.

“The Council can figure it out on their own. I’m going swimming,” Emily said, and started for the out-building. She stopped and sighed when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Seriously, Em. They need to talk to you,” Silas said.

“Where are your guards, anyway?” Kralen asked, scanning the area.

“I didn’t have any.”

“Then you should have called for us.”

Emily grinned slightly, “That’s what the front door guard said, so I assured him I wasn’t going to get attacked between the palace and the pool.”

“Yeah? How’d that go for you?” Kralen chuckled.

“Well I wasn’t attacked.”

“Close enough.”

Emily glanced toward the doors, and then whispered, “Please don’t make me talk to the Council.”

“What’s wrong?” Kralen asked, watching her closely.

“I just… I just don’t want to.”

“Ok… ok… I’ll go talk to them for you,” Silas said. “Kralen can stay with you while we find out who’s on the roster to guard you.”

She nodded and then left for the pool, followed by Kralen. They both got into the steamy pool room and Emily sat down on a chaise. Kralen hesitated and then sat down beside her.

“Not swimming?” he asked.

“No, I just don’t want to face the Council.”

“Why is that exactly?”

Emily looked over at him, “They let it all happen.”

“Do you realize how bad they feel about that?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Zohn and Quinn mainly.”

“It’s just hard to trust them is all.”

“They are trying really hard right now to help you feel welcome again.”

“I can’t let myself become that meshed with the Council again,” Emily explained. “It made the year alone that much harder.”

“How so?”

“You can’t tell anyone…”

“I won’t.”

“I’m safe here… or was at least,” she started, and then cut Kralen off when he started to argue. “When I was out on my own, I wasn’t just alone, I was a target and I knew it. When the Encala started to attack, I realized just how dangerous my life is.”

“There’s a reason we guard you. We already know how dangerous it is just to be you.”

“Yeah… well it took months before I could even breathe. Months before I could stop double checking every shadow and could answer the phone without being afraid.”

Kralen nodded, “So if you get comfortable here again, in our protection, then next time you’re alone you’ll have to do it all again.”

“Right… if I just keep my distance, then it won’t be so hard.”

“Why does there have to be a next time?”

“Why should I assume there isn’t going to be?” she asked, watching him closely.

“The Council isn’t going to fall for that again.”

“Not that, no, but there are always other methods. Next time I’m alone, I probably won’t have my kids with me.”

“Is there anything I can do to change your views?”

“No, not really.”

Kralen glanced at the door, “The Council is asking for you again.”

Emily bent her knees and pulled them close to her chest, “They’ll live.”

She could tell his lips were moving quickly, but couldn’t hear what was being said.

Finally, Kralen turned back to her, “Did the Encala touch you at all?”

“No”

“What did he say?”

“He cowered and begged that I ask the Council to leave the Encala alone. Then when I refused, he tried to bully me.”

“Did he say how he got in?”

“He said he waited until the gate guards were busy.”

Kralen again turned toward the door and Emily grinned.

He looked over at her, “What’s so funny?”

“The Council, using you to get information from me because I refuse to come in.”

“It would be a lot more efficient if you’d go tell them yourself.”

“I don’t want to.”

He sighed, “What do you want, exactly?”

“Let’s go for a ride.”

“Where?” he asked, standing when she did.

“You and I… out alone.”

“Why?”

“Stop being so paranoid, let’s go,” she said, and started for the garage. Before she got there, Silas and Mark joined them.

“We going somewhere?” Mark asked.

“Kralen and I are going out,” Emily told him, and slid into the driver’s seat of the old beat-up Chevy pickup.

“We’re not taking Silas and Mark?” Kralen asked, looking into the passenger window.

“Nope, get in.”

Kralen glanced at Mark and, after he nodded, got in. Emily grinned and drove out of Council City.

“You just love driving them insane, don’t you?” Kralen asked, buckling his seat belt.

“I do, it’s the small joys…”

“You’re so female.”

“What?” she asked, glancing at him.

“You were just saying how comfortable you felt in our protection, yet all you do is struggle to get out of it,” he told her, and then grinned.

“This trip is a necessity.”

“Oh? So where are we going?” he asked as she pulled onto the Interstate.

“Away”

“That’s it?”

“I don’t want to say. I wouldn’t put it past the Council to bug my truck.”

Kralen grinned, “Good to know you aren’t paranoid or anything.”

“I’m not paranoid.”

“Ok”

Kralen jerked slightly and looked out his window.

“What?” Emily asked, looking over at him.

“Nothing”

“Then stop being jumpy, we’re not breaking any laws.”

“I am”

“How so?”

“Per Elder’s orders, you’re to have no less than 3 guards with you at all times.”

“Well… it feels good to be bad.”

“I’m sure it does… but you won’t be banished for it.”

“You’re not going to be banished by coming with me to get coffee.”

Kralen looked over at her.

Emily sighed, “There, I said it… we’re going for coffee.”

“So it’s two rules I’m breaking.”

“No one will know.”

“Why are we in this truck?” Kralen asked when the old Chevy pickup backfired.

“There’s nothing wrong with this truck.”

“Have you had one of our mechanics look at it? It doesn’t sound right.”

“No, I did an oil change a few weeks ago and it’s fine.”

They drove the rest of the way in silence until Emily pulled up at the small coffee shop, “I can smell it from here.”

Kralen chuckled, “I didn’t realize you savor also.”

“Oh… I do,” she said, and got out of the truck. She grabbed her purse and they headed inside.

They waited in line and Emily was getting excited for a taste of her favorite drink.

“Yeah?” the teenage boy behind the counter asked.

“I’ll have a double, half caf, skinny quad with legs and extra whip,” Emily told him, and pulled out her purse.

“Is that even English?” Kralen asked, frowning.

“And for the virgin?” the boy asked, looking with irritation at Kralen.

“The what?” Kralen gasped.

“He’ll have the same,” Emily told the boy, and then paid him. She pulled Kralen’s arm until he quit glaring at the tiny boy behind the counter, and they sat and waited for the drinks.

“I’m not drinking that,” Kralen told her.

“I didn’t think you would. I’ll drink one here and there’s one for the road.”

“Why does it sound like you just ordered two thin minotaurs with a knout?”

“A what?” she asked, and took the drinks from the server.

“Never mind,” Kralen said and looked at her. “You’re really going to do it.”

“Do what?” she asked, blowing on her drink to cool it.

“Drink coffee… you know what that’ll do.”

“But it’ll be soooo worth it,” she said, and removed the lid. As she brought the drink to her lips, it was torn from her hands, “Hey!”

Kralen grinned when she looked over at him, but he didn’t have her drink.

“Why?” Dustin asked from the doorway.

Emily glared at him, “Just give me my drink.”

“You know we can’t let you do that.”

She looked over at Kralen, “You called him?”

“Nope”

“Then how did he know?”

“I suspected it when you left,” Dustin said, pouring her drink into the trash.

“Don’t make me ash you,” Emily whispered.

Dustin grinned and held up the keys to the truck, “Get in, I’ll drive back.”

“No”

Kralen sighed, “Em, I’m in enough trouble as it is without you staying here.”

“Tell me again why he’s in trouble,” she told Dustin.

“He not only left without sufficient guards for you, but allowed you to have something expressly forbidden by the Elders,” Dustin explained.

“He can’t get in trouble for that. If he hadn’t come, then I would be alone.”

“Still…” Dustin held the door open. Emily finally walked out with Kralen, glancing once more at the coffee left on their table. Most of the drive was silent, until Dustin spoke again, “I find it hard to believe that you didn’t realize that by taking one of the Cavalry, they would have to be punished.”

Emily leaned up from the backseat and whispered quietly into Kralen’s ear, “Take the wheel.”

“What?” Dustin asked, just as he turned to ash. Kralen quickly grabbed the wheel and he pulled over to the side of the road.

“Damnit, Em. Are you trying to get me banished?” he asked, and scooped Dustin’s ashes into a cup.

“No, but he needs to chill. You did nothing wrong,” she told him, and crawled into the front seat of the truck.

Kralen slid into the driver’s side and started back for Council City, “Well the Council is going to want to know why we’re returning with a pile of ash instead of their Coven Liaison Officer, don’t you think?”

“They can figure it out on their own. I’m not talking to them about it.”

“You have to!”

“No, I don’t.”

Kralen growled slightly and his hands tightened on the steering wheel. Emily sat back and they drove the rest of the way in silence.

They walked into the palace together, but when Kralen stopped at the fourth floor, Emily turned and walked back down to her office. He sighed and then entered the council chambers when Derrick let him in.

“You have a lot of explaining to do,” Zohn growled.

Kralen nodded, “I would imagine I do… first though, we need to have the Coven Liaison Officer revived.”

Kyle sighed, “Bring him up here.”

Kralen walked up and placed the large cup of ashes in front of Kyle. It was only a few minutes later when Dustin was sitting back in his chair, furious at having been turned to ash yet again.

“What made you think it was ok to leave with Emily?” the Chief of Defense asked Kralen.

“I know the look on her face. Had I insisted on more guards, she would have gone alone,” Kralen explained.

Chevalier nodded, “I know that look.”

“Very well… and we are aware that Mark knew you left with her,” the Chief of Staff told him. “However, there is a direct rule that Emily is not to drink coffee…”

Kralen sighed, “That I can be punished for. She’s an adult and I didn’t feel as if she needed anything more than a reminder of what it would cause.”

“So you felt you could do what you wanted, in contrast to Council orders?”

“More like… she’s an adult and again, had I tried to stop her, then she would have simply turned me to ash and did it anyway. I saw the Coven Liaison Officer pass us on the Interstate and knew he would intervene.”

“Bring Emily here,” the Chief Investigator called out.

Kralen looked over at him, “She won’t come before the Council.”

“Why not?”

“She doesn’t feel comfortable here in the palace and I get the impression that most of that is because of the Council.”

“Explain yourself,” Dustin growled.

“No disrespect, Sir. I just know what I’ve seen and she still feels like an unwanted outsider. Any time the Council is mentioned, she clams up and starts to panic.”

“I’ve seen that also,” Chevalier told them. “See if she comes now.”

Derrick returned a few minutes later, “She…”

“Is she coming?” Zohn asked.

“No, Sir. She asked me to tell you that it will be a cold day in hell before she steps before the Council for anything,” Derrick said, then took a step back. He wasn’t sure if delivering that message would be detrimental to him.

Quinn sat back in his chair, “I see.”

“That’s unacceptable,” the Chief of Defense growled. “Get her.”

“She’s in her office, Sir,” Derrick explained. “Orders from Elder Chevalier are that we aren’t to enter.”

“Make that can’t enter,” Kyle corrected. “We made that room heku proof.”

“She has to come out eventually. Bring her here when she does,” Dustin said.

“Forcibly?” Kralen asked, frowning.

“Yes”

“No,” Chevalier said, and looked over at Dustin. “We’re trying to rebuild a relationship with her as a faction. Forcibly dragging her here won’t help that.”

“I agree,” Zohn said. “We can punish Kralen without her here.”

“Fine,” Dustin hissed, and then turned back to Kralen. “I suggest 5 years in jail and removal of his rank.”

“Seems a bit harsh for a coffee infraction,” Zohn said, frowning at Dustin.

“He broke an order, no matter how minor it may have been,” Dustin growled, watching Kralen closely. Kralen stood confidently in front of the Council.

Chevalier thought for a moment, “Broke an order or not, if we punish him, Emily’s going to take that personally.”

“That is true,” Quinn said. “Reforming this trust with her has turned out to be harder than we first expected and this would delay it even further.”

Zohn nodded to Kralen, “That’s three. Please try to refrain from undermining our decisions for Emily’s health though.”

Kralen nodded, “Yes, Sir.”

“We can’t just let him walk!” Dustin yelled.

“You may go,” Chevalier told Kralen, who nodded and disappeared to stand by Emily’s door.