11. Chapter 11 - The Council Meeting

Chapter 11 - The Council Meeting

Alexei

I was drowning in the sea of paperwork when my sister Ana barged into my office with her usual no-nonsense attitude.

"Alexei, you look like you've been hit by a truck. How are you holding up?" Ana's concern was evident in her voice as she crossed her arms, surveying the chaos that was my desk.

I let out a tired chuckle. "You know how it is, Ana. Being the Mayor comes with its own set of storms. And right now, we're in the middle of a hurricane."

Ana raised an eyebrow. "Talking about the murders and the missing talisman?"

I nodded, leaning back in my chair. "Yeah, Evelyn is doing her best to handle it. She held a press conference today. Smart move, I'd say."

Ana smirked. "Evelyn always knows how to handle the crowd. It's one of her talents. The press can be a bunch of vultures, but she's got them on a leash."

I couldn't help but smile at Ana's candidness. "You've got a point there. She's got the town's trust, and we need that right now."

Ana took a seat across from me, her eyes fixed on mine. "How are you holding up with the treaty falling apart? And the talisman situation isn't helping either."

I sighed, my gaze drifting towards the window. "It's a mess, Ana. The treaty was our chance at peace, and now it's unraveling. We need that talisman back to salvage whatever we can. We need the werewolves to trust us and we can't do it without the talisman."

She leaned forward, her expression serious. "We're racing against time, Alexei. The town is on edge, and if we don't find that talisman soon, things could get ugly."

I met her gaze, determination welling up inside me. "We'll pull through, Ana. Harmony Grove has faced worse. We just need to stay united and keep pushing forward."

Ana nodded, her eyes softening. "You've always been the optimist, Alexei. I hope your optimism doesn't blind you to the reality of the situation."

I chuckled. "I'm the Mayor, Ana. Optimism is part of the job description."

She smirked. "Well, just don't let it get you killed. I can't handle being the sister of a mayor-turned-martyr."

I rolled my eyes. "I'll do my best to stay alive, just for you."

Ana stood up, walking around the desk to hug me tightly. "Take care of yourself, Alexei. And don't let the weight of the town crush you. You've got people who care about you."

I returned the hug, grateful for the support. "I know, Ana. And I care about you too. We'll get through this together."

With one last squeeze, Ana pulled away. "Keep your head up, Mayor. I'll see you soon."

As she walked out of my office, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of determination. Harmony Grove was facing challenges, but with the support of people like Ana and our town's resilience, we would weather the storm.

***

A firm rap on my office door distracted me from the endless paperwork spread across my desk. I am currently dealing with a lot, and my work keeps piling up. It doesn't help that my mind is everywhere except here. I glanced up just in time to see a courier clad in an elaborate cloak that betrayed his Fae heritage.

It was only a matter of time before they stepped in.

"You have a delivery, sir," the Fae said.

"Who's it from?" I raised an eyebrow, noting the peculiar insignia on the sealed envelope he presented. The Fae inclined his head in acknowledgment, his features revealing nothing of the message he bore.

"It's from the Council of Elders," he added, his voice carrying a weight that hinted at the importance of the contents within.

I accepted the envelope, the parchment texture beneath my fingertips resonating with an authority that transcended the mundane. The Fae lingered, his gaze piercing in a way that only Fae eyes could be.

My curiosity piqued as the Fae made his exit, his cloak billowing with an ethereal grace that hinted at the ancient power he bore.

I broke the wax seal and unfolded the parchment alone in my office. The words, written precisely to mirror the Council's timeless authority, informed me of an urgent meeting at the Council's assembly hall.

The assembly hall awaited, and with it, the scrutiny of the Council of Elders. I folded the parchment, the insignia once again hidden beneath the creases. They wanted to see me to discuss the current situation of things.

An hour later, I arrived at the assembly hall. I was prepared for whatever they would throw at me.

I let out a heavy exhale as I stood outside the building. "Here we go."

As soon as I entered, I could feel the scrutiny of the council. Their expressions, a mosaic of ageless wisdom and ancient power, regarded me with stern expectation. With a regal air that befit his lineage, the Fae elder spoke first.

"Mayor Alexei, we have gathered due to recent events that have transpired in Harmony Grove. Why did you not inform the Council of these matters?"

I met the Fae elder's gaze, a sense of disappointment seeping through his words. My eyes flickered toward Karla, the Luminara leader, who stood at a distance, her expression a mix of concern and defiance.

"I apologize for not informing the council sooner," I admitted, the weight of their collective gaze bearing down on me.

The Fae elder raised an eyebrow, his voice firm. "Explain the situation. We have heard that a human was found dead, and rumors speak of supernatural involvement."

I recounted the events—the scratches, the altered CCTV footage, and the recent information I got from Evelyn—the connection to a supposed banshee who might be living in Mystic Vale. The Council listened in silence, their eyes revealing a depth of understanding that seemed to surpass my own.

When I finished, the Fae elder's gaze bore into me. "You allowed the Luminara leader to inform us. Why?"

I turned to Karla, seeking an explanation. "Why did you inform the council without consulting me first?"

I felt somewhat betrayed because I was sure we had it all under control, and now, seeing her tell them without informing me, I felt like she was going against me.

Karla met my gaze, her eyes holding a determined glint. "Because, Alexei, you were not making progress in your investigation. I am not doubting Evelyn's skills as sheriff, but we all know it's beyond that. The death, the altered footage—it's beyond our usual challenges. There's dark magic at play here and if we don't come together to find a solution as soon as possible, we will be vulnerable to attack."

"The air has been thicker with bad energy; a lot is hanging in the balance," she added, and I had to agree with her. I could feel it, too.

The Fae elder, his expression unyielding, continued. "The Council should have been informed of this immediately. This doesn't look good for us."

I felt a mixture of frustration and understanding. Karla's decision, though unorthodox, stemmed from a concern for the well-being of Harmony Grove. The Council's reprimand, however, served as a stark reminder that our actions held consequences that reverberated beyond our town.

"I apologize to the council for not following the proper channels. I would have informed you had I been given time" I admitted, my gaze towards Karla.

The Fae elder's stern countenance softened, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "This is a delicate situation, Mayor Alexei. We must navigate it with caution. We have a killer among us, and we need to find them. something tells me they won't be that easy to find."

The Council deliberated, exchanging murmurs among themselves. The weight of their decisions, the ancient knowledge they possessed, pressed upon me.

Finally, the Fae elder spoke, his words echoing with urgency. "Alexei, we expect you to collaborate with the Luminara leader and any other supernatural entities willing to assist. We need to get rid of whatever dark energy is swirling around before it gets rid of us. We have been around for so long that we know the doom dark energy can bring."

I nodded, acknowledging the Council's directive. As the assembly dispersed, I exchanged a glance with Karla. The challenges ahead were formidable, and our shared responsibility to Harmony Grove weighed heavily upon us.

As I left the assembly hall, the Council's words lingered in my mind. The killer's actions, if left unchecked, could spiral into a catastrophe threatening Harmony Grove and the balance of the entire supernatural world. The urgency of our investigation had reached a critical point, and the unity of the supernatural community became paramount in facing a threat that transcended the ordinary challenges we had encountered before.

My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out to see Evelyn's name on the screen. I sighed as I swiped my hand over the accept button. She probably wanted an update.

"We just saw each other an hour ago. Tell me you missed me and there is no emergency," I said, only half-joking, as I picked up, and I waited for her response as I made my way to my car.