11. Jax

Chapter 11

Jax

J ax wasn't a fan of authority. The idea that he was being dragged to a meeting he had no interest in attending pissed him off even more than he already was. Especially since he couldn't add anything to the conversation. He'd made no progress with the pages, which meant he'd made no progress with Gideon.

"Remember to smile," Xander said, his own face just as sullen. Xander didn't like authority either, but as Riley's second, he was used to the politics.

The Council was older than the treaty between Breed and humans, and while the country's governing bodies welcomed Breed into leadership roles, the Council continued to rule from the shadows. It was the Council that made the decisions, not the figureheads that coveted the limelight. It made them beyond powerful, and Jax couldn't care less.

Several guards waited outside the large, nondescript building, ushering them into what could only be described as a barren room. There were no windows or chairs, just a man with dark hair leaning casually against the wall .

"You're late," Danton said, his French accent only slight. "They're already in the chamber, waiting."

"We came when summoned." Riley's tone was less than impressed. "You didn't tell me Valentina was in the city."

Danton smirked, revealing his fangs. "What fun would that be? Now, If you would follow me. My Mistress awaits."

‘Should we be concerned?' Xander asked mentally, connecting the three of them. Danton was Valentina's personal soldier, but his presence was unexpected since he'd taken over as the Elder of London's Vamps.

‘Danton wouldn't be here unless Valentina was nervous.' Riley walked first as they were ushered through a set of double doors. ‘Keep your guards up.'

Xander followed behind, and Jax was content to bring up the rear. The Council of Six waited as they stepped into the room, each of them sat on a separate raised dais. They formed a crescent, a spotlight above the positions like some grand theatre.

"Monsieur Storm, you are late," Valentina, the Councilwoman for the vampires said. She was usually the mouthpiece, despite looking like a prepubescent child. Her feet dangled from the throne, dark eyes sweeping across each of them, and just like the other councilmembers, she hesitated when she reached him.

Jax was used to inspiring fear from his sheer size and scar, not that the Council actually feared him. But they were clearly weary, even if he wasn't the most dangerous man in the room. He may be larger, but there was a reason he wasn't the Guardians leader.

Riley smiled, the expression unfriendly. "We're here, aren't we?" he said, forcing the attention back to him.

Jax stepped back, content to observe.

"You'll speak to the Council with respect." Edwards let out a displeased sound. As the Archdruid, he held the councilman position on behalf of the druids. Jax made sure to stare at him for the longest, amused when he wouldn't meet his direct gaze.

"We should start," Lilianna said, her voice delicate. Her limbs were elongated and elegant, with long blonde hair as straight as a curtain, and skin like crushed opals that glistened slightly beneath the lights. The throne dwarfed her slim frame, and rather than sit in the centre, she pushed herself to the side. She wore a necklace embellished with an emerald and a ruby, representing both the Seelie and Unseelie – the Light and Dark courts of Asherah. He always thought the symbols were pointless, considering the courts had zero influence on this side of the veil.

"Yes," Xavier, who sat the furthest left, rumbled. "Let's get on with this then." He grinned, his smile full of sharp, pointed teeth. Not many shifters wore their animal so close, his warm skin rippling with echoes of black stripes. His left eye was damaged, an unusual burn marking the lid. Unlike Jax, Xavier purposely tilted his head to the light, showing off the scar with pride.

WE TAKE HIM, Jax's beast growled, sensing Xavier's cat. WE BIGGER.

Xavier moved in his seat, leaning back to throw his legs over the armrest. Shifters were generally autonomous, self-governing within their packs or groups, except for extreme circumstances. Then Xavier was their judge, jury, and executioner.

Riley cleared his throat. "You're treating us like we're on trial." He pointedly stared at each councilman in turn.

"You're not on trial," Ivy, the newest member of the Council said. She represented the witches and mages. It was the first time Jax had seen her in person, her eyes such a pale green they were striking. They contrasted against the darkness of her skin, drawing attention to her broad nose and sharp cheekbones. She was tall, over six feet with such defined muscles they wouldn't look out of place on a marble statue.

"No, but they should be," Edwards said with an arrogant tone, sitting forward in his seat. "It's their job to take down Daemons, and yet one is coveting a seat amongst us."

"Don't throw stones, Eddy," Xavier chuckled, his claws piercing through the tips of his fingers to knead against the wood of the throne. "The druids are supposed to govern the Daemons."

A rustle as Cassiel stretched his copper wings, his seat specifically designed for him. He represented the celestrials. "Then what are the Guardians?" he asked.

Edwards huffed. "They're the – "

"I wasn't asking you," Cassiel interrupted, never removing his attention from them.

Riley pursed his lips, remaining calm. "My father, the old Archdruid, made a deal with a Fallen for soldiers who are capable of destroying Daemons."

Cassiel tilted his head. "Hadriel isn't Fallen, he has yet to lose his wings."

"Then why ask a question already knowing the answer?"

"This is ridiculous," Edwards added, pointing towards Riley. "It's your duty to take care of this, and you're failing."

Jax growled, unable to stop the sound. "Gideon broke free of the Nether when the veil fell. I don't remember seeing you on the battlefield, defending the realm."

Cassiel's eyes settled on him like a brand, a frown marking his brow.

‘Perfect timing, as usual,' Riley said between them.

‘He's a prick,' Jax replied the same way, not wanting their conversation to be overheard.

"Oui, when the veil fell." Valentina sat unnaturally still, nothing but her lips and eyes moving. "Tell me Monsieur Storm, how is your mate? She has yet to visit me."

"Gideon will be dealt with," Riley said, ignoring her pointed question. It was Alice who fought beside the Guardians, her ancestry a curse in its own right. "We're already in the process of tracking him down."

"So, the Daemon wants to take a seat amongst us." Xavier scratched another line along the armrest. "Makes sense, considering we're the voice of all Breed."

"I see he's spoken to you, too," Lilianna said with a curl of her lips. "As the doorways continue to be closed by order of both the Light and Dark courts, he's promised me a new path to Asherah."

"He promised me nothing." Xavier stretched, a cat in a man's skin. "Because I want nothing."

"Let's not pretend like you don't already pass between the realms easily, Lilianna." Ivy shook her head with disgust. "The doorways are only closed to those deemed of lower castes."

"Accusations like that will get you killed." Lilianna straightened her shoulders, barely giving the witch a cursory glance. It was an open secret that those high enough could still find doorways back to Asherah of Far.

"Is that a threat?" Sparks brightened Ivy's fingertips.

Lilianna simply wrinkled her nose, as if the conversation was beneath her.

"You're a fool to believe in anything he's offering," Riley said, trying to diffuse the situation. "Gideon doesn't want to take a seat."

Ivy looked towards him with a raised brow. "Then what does he want?"

"Control," Cassiel replied before Riley could, his wings snapping sharp to his spine. "More control than we could ever offer him. Daemon magic is far too unpredictable, and that' s because it's the closest to Chaos." His eyes still remained on Jax, unmoving even when he met them.

"There are not many that can wield Chaos magic without succumbing to it," Ivy said, her fingers tapping against her knee.

Cassiel smirked, finally breaking eye contact. "Daemons are not natural; it's what makes them more powerful in magic than witches."

Ivy scowled at him, but didn't protest.

"More powerful than druids."

Edwards glowered, lips pressed into a thin line.

"Even celestrials." Cassiel bowed his head. "We are not too ignorant to believe Gideon, with magic far superior to ours, would simply be content with being an equal."

"Chaos magic is the origin of all magic. It doesn't follow the laws of balance," Edwards added. "Which is why Gideon, and all Daemons must be destroyed."

Jax's head snapped up at the same time Riley growled. "No."

Edwards blinked, surprise marking his features. "What do you mean, ‘no?' Your literal creation is to destroy Daemons."

"We won't destroy all Daemons," Riley said calmly. "Only ones that have given us no choice."

Edwards stood, his throne falling to the dais, and then crashing to the floor behind him. "Daemons are abominations that shouldn't even exist," he said with a snarl. "They chose the ways of black magic. It was their own decisions that have corrupted them."

"It's ignorant to believe every Daemon made the decision to ascend – that they were given a choice," Xander said, his tone sharp. "Black magic isn't a death sentence. I'm sure Councilwoman Ivy would agree, considering she's just passed legislation through the Magicka. "

Ivy let out a long breath. "Yes, we will no longer prosecute witches, or mages who show signs of black magic without providing the appropriate training first."

Edwards fisted his hands. "You've clearly been tainted – "

"This meeting wasn't called about Daemons, it was called about Gideon," Valentina interrupted, her tone sharp.

"And what about you?" Ivy asked, taking her time to look between all three of them. "I may be new to the Council, but I don't understand your significance. Are you here with the druids?"

Riley widened his stance. "We're independent of the Archdruid."

"They're traitors," Edwards added with a grunt.

"Traitors, and yet you call to them for aid?" Ivy frowned.

Valentina's head turned, such a precise movement it was unnerving. She may look like a child, but she was anything but. "Daemons have always been viewed as part of the druids, and will be dealt with by Councilman Edwards."

Edwards' skin flushed a deeper red.

"It seems we are all in agreement," Valentina continued. "Gideon will not be welcomed amongst the Council, non ?"

"I remember when you were all just as displeased when I wanted a voice," Cassiel laughed. "However, Gideon's a threat, one that needs to be dealt with. I agree with Councilwoman Valentina; he will not be given a seat amongst us."

"We're in agreement," Lilianna said, placing her hands into her lap.

Ivy nodded, and Xavier simply grinned .

"We're in agreement," Edwards echoed, anger vibrating his words.

"Then this meeting is adjourned." Valentina stood, Danton appearing from the shadows to stand beside her. "Gideon will not take a place amongst us, and will be met with resistance if he tries."

"Resistance is not enough. He needs to be destroyed," Edwards said, his shoulders rigid.

Ivy crossed her legs, glaring at the Councilman. "Then destroy him."

With a sound of frustration, Edwards stepped down from his dais, storming out of the chamber.

‘Is there a reason Cassiel's staring?' Xander asked, even though Jax could feel the attention. It bristled against his skin, and as before, Cassiel didn't look away once Jax met his gaze.

"Councilman?" Riley asked aloud. "Is there something else, or are we dismissed?"

"I've never met an energy so distinctive," Cassiel said, stepping down. "All you Guardians have interesting energy, but you? Yours is by far the most curious." He began walking in a slow circle, his wings raised high above his shoulders.

Jax remained perfectly still as his beast snarled, claws pressing at his fingertips. "Sometimes I wonder why Hadriel created you," Cassiel said, almost to himself.

"He didn't create us," Xander growled. "He cursed us."

"Is that not the same?" Cassiel raised a brow, stopping once he stood in front of Jax. "Hadriel is by far one of the most powerful men in existence, even more powerful than your Gideon. It was why he was cast out of Aetherna, and bound to his own realm. But even with his power, he shouldn't have been able to create you."

"Yet here we are," Jax rumbled, cocking his head when Cassiel just continued to stare. "Monsters created to take down other monsters."

"You are much more than a simple monster," Cassiel commented, his gaze direct. "But still, Gideon is working with magic not meant for him."

"Like the Calicem Animarum ?" Jax asked, using the chalice's Latin name.

Cassiel's eyes flicked over his shoulder, reminding Jax that they were still within the chambers of the Council. "You're dismissed, Guardians."

‘Anybody else find that weird?' Xander asked as they were guided out of the chambers.

‘Cassiel's hiding something,' Jax added, not bothering to look behind him. Not when he could still feel the attention, like thorns prickling along his spine.

Riley's shoulders were rigid, his fists clenched as they were ushered outside, locked out as soon as they stepped into the sunlight. "You need to stay away from him, J."

Jax tensed, his beast wanting to resist the weight in Riley's words. "I can handle Cassiel."

"He's taking too much interest in you." Riley's eyes edged silver, which only made Jax's beast worse. "Do you not think I can't feel how close to the edge your beast is? It's been growing, becoming more dominant after every shift."

Xander crossed his arms, his eyes like icicles.

"I'm fine," Jax pushed through gritted teeth. "I'm in control."

"For how long?" Riley pressed closer, violence licking the air between them. "Don't make me force it, J."

Jax's chest felt trapped in a vice. "Then don't, Alpha. "

"What the fuck you doing?" Xander stepped between them. "This isn't like you."

Fur brushed beneath tight skin, and Jax clenched his fists tight. "I'm fine," he repeated.

"Clearly," Xander grunted, shaking his head. "Axel's reported the hound. You're being reckless with your own life."

He wasn't reckless. He knew exactly what he was doing.

"We all know the risks of going into a fight," Jax said. He could take more damage than most. So he put himself at the front, willing to take the hits if it meant his brothers survived. They may be cursed to withstand damage, but they weren't immortal.

Jax dragged a hand down his face, his fingers lingering where his scar split his upper lip. The skin was rougher there, a constant reminder of the first time he'd ever met a Shadow-Veyn.

He was created solely to fight, and if he stopped, he'd lose his purpose.

A hand landed on his shoulder, squeezing. "When's the last time you slept?" Riley asked, his tone no longer as sharp. "If you need me to put someone else on the thief – "

"No." The vice surrounding his lungs cinched even tighter. "She's mine."

"Yours, huh?" Riley's expression relaxed, his beast retreating. "As a Guardian, I have to say we all need to concentrate on Gideon. But as your friend, I say you need a little disorder in your life."

Jax grit his teeth. He did order to an almost obsessive level. "I haven't forgotten my priorities."

"I never said you had."

Jax swallowed, not used to feeling out of control. It wasn't his beast pressing; it was something else. It was her.

He didn't like the feeling.

And yet, he would do anything to keep it.