Chapter 7

7

L awrence wasted no time in rounding up the council, and we were escorted to the village meeting hall before the sun had a chance to set. The other four members were already seated around the main table, watching us enter with marked interest. I searched my memory for their names, pulling them up one face at a time.

Mary Müller, the village historian. She'd once chased me out of her yard with a broom after catching me and Jack climbing her favorite tree. Claimed it'd been planted by her great-great-grandfather and wasn't meant to be clambered on by hooligans. Her gray-and-black streaked hair was pulled back in a tight bun, and her long, red nails drummed the gleaming oak tabletop as she peered over horn-rimmed glasses.

Gareth Fischer, the village butcher. He'd always given me the juiciest cuts of meat to bring back to Abuela while joking about how she needed to keep her strength up. I'm fairly certain they were hooking up (despite the fact Gareth was at least twenty years younger than her.) His mouth stretched in a grin while he leaned back in his chair, black shirt straining over impossibly muscled, tattooed arms, and his pale blue eyes twinkled when they met mine.

Lotte Lang, one of the resident witches. She'd been the one to teach me how to channel my magic through brush work. I'd struggled to cast the spells written in Abuela’s books, and Lotte had seen the frustration building up inside me. I'd spent many a winter morning in her shop, practicing my magic until Jack's grinning face appeared in the window, promising an afternoon of mischief and fun. Now her wrinkled hands clapped in front of her mouth at the sight of me, her hazel eyes misting with emotion that had my own throat growing a touch thick.

It cleared, however, when the fourth member stood, broad shoulders pulled back and lips curved in a wondrous smile while he greeted us. Or greeted me rather, as his gaze never left my face. “Welcome.”

My jaw hinged open at the familiar timbre. “Noah Kraus? Is that you?” Gone was the skinny teenager with his face covered in spots, replaced by what I can only describe as an Adonis. Had Lawrence not told me he was on the council, I doubt I would have made the connection at all.

“In the flesh,” he replied, moving around the table. He scooped me up in his arms, lifting me off the floor as he hugged me. “Mariana Cabrera,” he murmured, nose brushing my hair when he set me down. “It's been far too long.”

“And yet the years seem to have treated you well.” I pulled back far enough to get a thorough look at him. Silky dark hair, pale skin, cheekbones you could cut yourself on, and a physique that begged to be undressed. “You look amazing.” A hint of pink crept into his cheeks, and I smiled. Now, there's the Noah I remember.

The awkward shyness that would have once gone along with the blush, however, was gone, and he lifted my hand to his mouth, brushing a kiss against the back of it. “A compliment from a goddess. I'll take it.”

Smooth. I pulled my hand back, smile wavering. I wasn't sure how I felt about this updated version of my childhood friend who used to stammer and stutter. I'd liked that stutter. I wonder what Jack would think of this new-and-improved Noah? Wait, no. Why should I care what Jack thought about anything? Noah was the one who'd stayed, bringing me flowers every day after Jack left until I'd absconded to the hilltop, soaking Lyall's shoulders with my tears until there weren't any left to fall.

A throat cleared behind us, and Tenebris stuck his hand out, an amused smirk on his face. “I'm Mari's friend, Tenebris, and this here is Calum, a member of her pack. Nice to meet you, Noah.” His voice lifted in a sing-songy lilt when he said Noah's name, and I sighed at the inevitable teasing I'd have to endure later.

Noah blinked but recovered quickly. “Any friend of Mariana's is a friend of mine.” He shook Tenebris's outstretched hand before turning to Calum and doing the same. “Please”—he gestured to the table—“have a seat. I know we're all curious to find out why we've been gathered here tonight.”

“We appreciate you taking the time to come out.” I smiled around the table as I moved to sit down. Noah was beside me in a flash, pulling the chair out for me before claiming the adjacent one for himself.

Lawrence retrieved a bottle from the sideboard and brought it to the table, stopping at each council member's seat and pouring the crimson liquid into their waiting glasses. I lifted mine as he approached, allowing him to fill it, but gave a slight shake of my head when he shot a questioning glance at Tenebris and Calum.

“What, you all get to drink wine at this thing but we don't?” Tenebris gave me an affronted look. “Not cool, Mari.”

“It's not wine, you idiot,” I whispered, holding the glass in front of my face. “It's blood.”

Tenebris balked, his face tingeing green while he looked at my drink. “And you're going to drink it? Gross.”

“Don't be rude.” I forced a smile for the rest of the table. “And yes, I am. I'm a quarter vampire on my grandfather's side. While it's not my favorite beverage, I can tolerate it better than you would.”

He wrinkled his nose. “At least tell me it’s animal blood.”

I raised a brow.

He narrowed his eyes. “Double gross.”

I shrugged. To each their own, I suppose.

Lawrence filled his glass last, raising it up as he took his seat at the head of the table. “To the health and happiness of all who reside in Mondue.”

“To Mondue,” the others chorused back, lifting their glasses and taking a sip. I followed along, the coppery liquid sliding over my tongue. It'd been years since my last taste of blood, and I had to admit it wasn't as bad as I recalled. It was actually kind of sweet. I took a second sip, savoring the flavor while Lawrence called the meeting to order. After formally introducing the three of us, he read Abuela's letter out loud, and all eyes were fixed on me by the end when I placed Abuela's beans on the table.

“All we ask is for permission to climb the beanstalk.” I looked around the table, meeting each person's gaze with a steely one of my own. Daring them to object. It was a perfectly reasonable request, honorable even, but the older vampires were known for being stubborn when it came to change and Lawrence had already warned me about Noah. There was no guarantee they’d be willing to bend the rules. “Can I count on your support in this?”

Mary, Gareth, and Lotte exchanged looks, and Mary subtly nodded her head. She turned to me with an appraising look. “It's good to see you've learned to listen to your elders. If Elena wants you to do this, we won’t stand in your way.”

I dipped my head in gratitude. “Thank you, Mary. I’m sure my abuela appreciates that.”

A throat cleared at my side, and I turned to see Noah with his hands clasped on the tabletop, his expression pained.

“Noah?” I prompted. “Can I count on your support, as well?”

His jaw clenched as he stared at his hands. “I'm afraid not.”

Lawrence had warned us he'd be a problem, but I'd hoped our past friendship would be enough to derail any objections. I narrowed my eyes. “I realize it’s a risk to rely on the beans for safe passage, but we’re not asking anyone else to take it. No one from Mondue will be harmed.”

He slowly looked up, meeting my gaze. “It’s not just that—although I’ll admit, I am concerned for your safety. No disrespect toward your grandmother, but you’re taking an awful lot on faith here with these… beans.”

I gritted my teeth. “I’ll take the necessary precautions to ensure they work before entering the cloud barrier. I’m not as careless as you seem to think. But mark my words—if Abuela says the beans will work, they’ll work. Elena Cabrera is no fool.”

“And that’s exactly what I’m afraid of.” Noah slapped his hand on the table. “The forest has finally found a semblance of peace, and now you’re suggesting we tear a hole in the barrier separating us from who knows what. We don’t know what happened to the giants or what caused the storm to settle into the clouds, but one thing we can be sure of—it’s nothing good. I’m not just worried about your safety going up the beanstalk, Mariana. I’m terrified of what you’ll allow to come down in your wake.”

Well, he had me there. I didn’t know what we’d find when we passed through the barrier, but given the less-than-inviting state of the storm clouds, I could only assume it wouldn’t be sunshine and rainbows. Death and darkness seemed far more likely. Then again, if things had gone to shit and someone was trapped up there, all the more reason to save them. Isn’t that what heroes did? Rescued innocent strangers from dangerous situations?

“According to Abuela, the barrier will only remain open for an hour, after which it’ll reseal itself. If you’re concerned about something… nefarious… passing through during that time, then why not post guards around the base of the beanstalk? I can leave Tenebris and Calum?—”

“Not happening,” Calum interrupted. “If you’re going up that beanstalk, then I’m going to be right beside you. Tenebris can stay and help keep watch with the others.” He glanced at Tenebris, his narrowed eyes softening with concern. “In fact, that might be for the best.”

Tenebris frowned. “And what exactly is that supposed to mean?”

“That your arms are like twigs and without your magic, you’re about as useful as a baby goat,” I supplied, keeping my gaze on Noah—who didn’t look the slightest bit appeased by my suggestion as he shook his head.

“We have no idea what kind of beasts could be roaming around up there. There’s no guarantee we could protect ourselves, guards or no guards. It’s far too great a risk to?—”

“Chop it down,” I interjected, cutting off his protests. “If some kind of threatening creature tries to come down the beanstalk while we’re up there, then destroy it before they can reach the ground.”

“Um, Mari?” Tenebris whispered. “Won’t that make coming back down kind of, you know, impossible?”

I shrugged. “If they’re willing to risk their village by allowing us up there in the first place, then we should be willing to do whatever we can to protect them. It’s only fair.”

Noah threw up his hands, his previously level expression giving way to desperation. “Think of what you’re saying, Mariana. Throwing yourself into a dangerous situation without any means of escape?” His voice took on a pleading edge. “Jack wouldn’t have wanted that.”

Oh no, he did not just say that. I shot to my feet, a burst of anger burning through my chest as I growled, “Fuck Jack, and fuck you if you think I'd care for even a second what that asshole wants. He's not worrying about me from beyond the grave, Noah. He's off chasing adventures in the outside world because he, and I quote, wasn't ready to settle down . So yeah. Tell me again what Jack wouldn't want, and find out what it feels like to have a werewolf's teeth tear through your flesh. Spoiler alert, it isn't nearly as pleasurable as a vampire bite.”

“That's enough, Mariana,” Lawrence interjected. “Noah, you've voiced your concerns, and Mariana has addressed them. I suggest we move to a vote.” I dropped back into my chair while he looked around the table. “All those in favor of allowing Mariana and her companions to ascend the beanstalk?” He raised his hand, and Mary, Gareth, and Lotte followed suit. “Those in favor of denying her request?” He looked pointedly at Noah.

Noah frowned, pushing back from the table as he stood. “I see I'm the only one with any sense around here. Mariana, I pray you reconsider.” He shook his head. “If you'll excuse me.” And with that, he turned and strode toward the exit without another word.

“That went well,” Tenebris said as the door fell shut behind him.

Calum snorted.

“He'll get over it,” I muttered. “Right now we need to focus on the beanstalk. Lawrence, do you think you can have a group gathered for guard duty by tomorrow morning? I'd like to start as soon as possible, and the more people available to keep watch, the safer you’ll all be.” And the faster the beanstalk would fall if it came to that, although I hoped to the gods it didn’t.

“I think that can be arranged,” Lawrence agreed.

“You can count me in,” Lotte said, a wide grin stretching her wrinkled face. “I know a spell that can blow that stalk to smithereens should anything foul come creeping down.”

“Now why doesn’t that surprise me?” I chuckled, looking to Tenebris and Calum while I stretched up from the table. “Since that’s settled, we should be heading back. I want a full night's sleep before tomorrow's climb.”

We said our farewells, thanking the remaining council members for coming.

“Tomorrow's climb,” Tenebris murmured as we stepped outside. He shivered. “I don't know if I'm more excited or scared.”

I patted his shoulder. “It’d be okay if you wanted to wait for us on the ground, you know. No one would blame you.” Stay. Stay and be safe. Please. I bit my tongue before the plea could pass my lips. If my tumultuous relationship with my brother Lyall had taught me anything, it was that I needed to let people make their own decisions instead of foisting my selfish desires on them. Tenebris was a grown man. He could do what he wanted.

He gave me an affronted look. “And let Abuela down? I don’t think so.”

“If you’re sure…”

“I’m sure,” he grumbled. “I’m more than just a pretty face, you know,” he added, kicking a stone along the path. “I can hold my own just fine.”

Something in his tone made me pause, fingers reaching out to loop around his arm. “I know you can, Ten-Ten. I’ll be happy to have you watching our backs up there, just like Calum and I will be watching yours.”

“Like a hawk,” Calum agreed solemnly, wrapping his arms around Tenebris’s and my shoulders and drawing us into his sides.

Tenebris let out a breathy laugh. “Shit—we’re climbing the beanstalk tomorrow, you guys. To rescue someone we don’t even know. I’m pretty sure that makes us, like, heroes or something.”

“Wonders never cease,” I laughed, anticipation bubbling up inside me as Tenebris broke into song, belting out the words we can be heroes . Visiting Mondue and facing the memories I’d spent a decade trying to forget may not have been my idea of a good time, but this was my chance to actually do something good. To help instead of hurt. Wasn’t that the very thing I’d been working toward these past two years? Atonement?

That, and the idea of actually ascending the beanstalk and seeing the legendary Sky Castle was pretty damn amazing. Jack would be so jealous.

I stumbled at the rogue thought, causing Tenebris to break off his power ballad with a concerned look. “You okay?”

“Yeah, fine. Just caught my toe on a loose rock is all.” A rock named Jack.

The sooner we left this village, the better.