9. Ryatt

The Council room was a place of imposing grandeur, with its high-vaulted ceilings and polished marble columns. The crescent-shaped table and ornate wooden chairs dominated the room"s center. The table held a seat for each sector with two left long abandoned. The seats for the Dark Mage and Dark Fae sectors had remained vacant for the last fifteen years.

I sat at the middle of the table, flanked by two imposing figures, Hael and Slade, representatives of the elemental and shifter factions, respectively. Kique, the Light Fae council member, sat at my side, an air of disdain barely concealed behind his polished exterior. His ethereal presence contrasted starkly with the brooding aura of the room, and it reflected the growing tensions within the Council. The Light Fae had his wings tucked away and wore a pristine white and gold suit that shimmered subtly as he moved.

"Ryatt," Kique"s voice was a honeyed blade as he addressed me, "the times are changing, and closing off our compound to the world won"t serve us well in the long run."

I gritted my teeth, feeling a surge of anger but refusing to let it show. "Kique," I said through clenched jaws, "our kind has thrived for centuries by remaining separate from the others. We"ve preserved our way of life and maintained our strength. We don't need the so-called help that the Order offers."

Slade, always the brooding presence in the room, shifted slightly in his chair, his eyes narrowing at the ongoing confrontation. He knew as well as I did that this argument had been brewing for some time, and the Council was reaching a breaking point.

Hael, the elemental representative, leaned back in his chair, a thin smile on his face as he observed the tension. He rarely spoke during these meetings, but his influence ran deep in the elemental world, and his nod in my direction was a subtle sign of support.

Kique"s turquoise eyes met mine, unyielding. "The world outside is changing, Ryatt. We can"t afford to be left behind. If we close our doors now, we will be cut off from all future advancements outside of our factions. I don't like the Order any more than you do but we need to keep our doors open to diplomacy and cooperation with the humans."

I resisted the urge to slam my hand on the table. "Do you think the Order would agree, Kique? They"ve made their stance clear, and it"s not in our favor. They want control, not unity."

Kique"s expression remained unflinching. "Our paths might differ, but I believe in the power of change. Your fear is what hinders progress, Ryatt."

The tension in the room was palpable. The Council members held their collective breath, waiting to see which way the scales would tip.

"I won"t risk our safety for an idealistic dream," I said, my voice steely. "We must protect our kind and ensure their survival above all else."

Kique leaned in, his eyes burning with a zeal I couldn"t comprehend. "Our kind includes others besides vampires, Ryatt. Closing off the compound will cause pain to a lot of supes who live for their visits outside those gates."

"Enough!" Slade"s voice cut through the tension, and his piercing amber eyes moved between Kique and me. "We"re here to make decisions that benefit us all, not to squabble like children. Ryatt, your concerns are valid, but we can"t shut ourselves off from the world just because you don"t like the Order's witch here."

Hael remained silent but raised an eyebrow in a show of agreement. The standoff remained, though it had lost some of its fire.

Kique looked at me, his expression softened. "Ryatt, I know you have the best interests of our kind at heart. I only hope that one day the Order will be open to a more equal partnership."

I nodded but couldn"t bring myself to say more.

Clearing my throat, I glanced at Hael, and with a subtle nod, he acknowledged my decision. It was time to shift the focus of the meeting.

"Enough of this bickering," I declared, my tone firm and unyielding. "We have other matters to attend to."

Slade, who often used his silence as a weapon, didn"t hide the frustration in his voice as he said, "Agreed."

Kique, perhaps realizing the necessity of moving forward, nodded in reluctant acquiescence.

I leaned forward in my chair, the tension still a tangible presence. "We need to address the situation with the witch."

The name hung heavily in the room, and I could feel the weight of her unspoken presence.

Kique hesitated as if dreading what was to come. "Ryatt, we need her report, but must it be now?"

Slade"s eyes flashed, reflecting my impatience. "This issue has been delayed long enough."

I felt a surge of frustration, I had been hoping the little minx would fail in her investigation and come begging. I had been looking forward to seeing her on her knees before sending her running. Unlucky for me, the witch was resourceful. At least she would be on her way back to where she came from.

She was a skilled assassin, a dark angel, and I had marveled at the controlled fury I glimpsed within her during our meeting. But her skills came with a price, and I wanted her far away from our community.

It was her role to keep the Council informed, even if it meant we had to endure her presence in the room.

With a resigned sigh, Kique finally consented, "Very well. Bring her in."

Remina"s entrance was swift and calculated. She strode into the Council room with a presence that demanded attention, her sleek black attire and lethal grace a testament to her formidable nature. Her inky black hair cascaded around her like a dark halo, framing her face, which bore the strength of a warrior. Her eyes, deep pools of violet, met mine briefly before she took her seat, exuding an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance.

The atmosphere shifted as soon as she sat down. I watched as her gaze found Hael, her amethyst eyes locking onto him with a mixture of surprise, and curiosity. In that brief moment, the room seemed to hold its breath. Remina froze for a heartbeat before she quickly masked her reaction with a composed demeanor.

I shifted to Hael, who sat with his customary stoicism. But something had changed. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face. A fraction of a second later, as if in response to Remina"s presence, Hael"s control wavered. A light wind stirred within the council chamber, ruffling Hael"s emerald hair. His eyes widened briefly, and I detected the subtlest hint of a deep breath taken to regain his composure. Curious.

Deciding to move things along, I turned back to Remina. She worked for the very organization that I hated but still, I acknowledged the raw power she possessed.

"Remina," I began, my tone uncompromising, "we"ve been waiting for your report."

She raised an eyebrow, her crimson lips curling into a sardonic smile. "Of course, Ryatt." Remina"s voice was calm, her words precise. "The rogue vampire was more cunning than anticipated. He had been in contact with a human witch but from what I could tell, she wasn't part of a coven."

I watched her carefully, her hair cascading down her back with her penetrating gaze fixed upon me. She had an aura of confidence that couldn"t be ignored, an intensity that came from her years of navigating the treacherous underworld.

Kique, ever the optimist, leaned forward, his pale features etched with concern. "And did you manage to apprehend him?"

Remina"s lips curled into a wry smile. "Of course. It wasn"t an easy task, but I got the job done."

She continued to detail the confrontations, the strategic maneuvers, and the final confrontation that ended in Lucius's demise. I couldn"t deny the skill and determination she had displayed. There was a reason the Order had sent her.

As she concluded her report, Slade"s golden eyes fixed on her. "Do you believe there are any more rogue supes that pose a threat to us? Or will you be on your way?"

Remina"s gaze never wavered as she replied, "There are always threats, Slade. But for now, you have nothing to worry about. I will be?—"

Before she could finish, the Council room door swung open, and two figures entered. Reaghan, the leader of the Incubi, and Seraphina, a formidable Light Mage, made their way to the table.

Reaghan, with his imposing presence, spoke first, "My apologies for the delay. We were dealing with an issue before realizing the time."

Reaghan towered above most with a graceful build, his dusky bronze complexion complimented his jet-black hair that cascaded in untamed waves down to his shoulders. His deep and hypnotic green eyes held a pull that few could resist, and he knew it.

As I observed the room, I noticed the way his gaze lingered on Remina.

Seraphina, her features etched with seriousness, added, "A disturbance among the merchants required our immediate attention."

Hael, who rarely showed any emotion, leaned back in his chair. "Don"t make it a habit."

As Reaghan and Seraphina took their seats, the tension in the room remained like a constant undercurrent that threatened to pull us apart. Our uneasy alliance, a truce among the supernatural factions, was a fragile web of power and influence, and it was up to the Council to maintain its integrity.

Reaghan"s voice was gruff but commanding, "Did I catch the end of your conversation right? The threat has been taken care of?"

Kique"s ethereal presence and serene demeanor exuded a sense of calm. "That"s correct. Remina eliminated him last night."

Seraphina, a Light Mage with unparalleled knowledge, interjected, "I"ve been monitoring the situation, and there are no indications of more rogues. My apologies, Remina. I would have liked to introduce myself to you earlier. Welcome to Astur."

Seraphina, an ethereal presence in her own right, seemed to emanate an otherworldly grace. Her long, silver hair shimmered in the soft glow of the room. Her emerald-green eyes held a deep well of wisdom and compassion that extended far beyond her earthly existence. She was dressed in robes adorned with intricate patterns, each representing the delicate balance of nature"s elements.

What caught my attention most, however, was the genuine respect and kindness with which she treated Remina. It was evident in every word and gesture, a silent acknowledgment of Remina"s worth in her eyes.

I watched them all closely, my role as the vampire leader necessitating that I maintain a facade of strength and authority.

Seraphina, in her gentle wisdom, encouraged Remina to finish her earlier statement. Remina smiled before continuing where she left off, "I wanted to add that I won"t be leaving the compound immediately. I"ve decided to take a few days to relax and explore before departing."

Remina"s statement ignited a spark of frustration within me. She needed to go. "That"s not how we operate here, Remina," I asserted, my voice reflecting the exasperation I felt. "The compound"s accommodations are reserved for council business, not personal vacations."

Remina"s response was defiant and firm, and her gaze met mine without flinching. "I wasn't asking for permission. This is a courtesy. It"s my decision, Ryatt," she declared, her tone steady. "I"m staying with a friend, so you needn"t concern yourself with my accommodations."

Reaghan, with his persuasive charm, smoothly entered the conversation, his voice laced with enchantment. "Perhaps we can find a compromise," he suggested, his words aimed at alleviating the tension. "A few days" respite surely won't cause any harm. As long as it is truly only a few days. Then we expect you to be on your way, witch."

I glanced at him, appreciating the calming effect he had on the room. Reaghan"s diplomatic talents were well-known. He had a knack for defusing even the most heated debates. Still, I couldn"t shake the feeling that allowing Remina to remain on her terms was a risk we couldn"t afford.

Slade added his thoughts to the discussion, although he seemed to be speaking through gritted teeth. "She's staying with my sister within my district. I'll make sure she stays out of trouble."

Remina arched a brow. "I appreciate the council"s understanding," she said, her expression sarcastic. "You won't even know I'm here."

Even though the council seemed more open to the idea, I harbored reservations. This was no place for leisure; our realm was a constant battleground between various supernatural factions, and every resource and operative had to be utilized efficiently.

Reaghan, ever the peacemaker, offered a final word, "Well, now that we"ve cleared that up, perhaps we can proceed with our meeting and hear Remina"s report."

The council members seemed to agree, and the conversation moved on, though my unease remained. I had spent years guarding our compound, and I wasn"t about to let down my guard now.

As Remina excused herself and the meeting continued, I wondered about the potential consequences of allowing Remina her few days of reprieve. Even the smallest disturbance could send ripples through our carefully balanced existence.