I smiled sarcastically. “Since it appears you’re having immense difficulty echolocating your head that is shoved so far up your ass, allow me to help you shove it up there further. You may have to insert a window in your stomach, wipe the shit from your eyes to see, however, you being clogged with your own diarrhea isn’t my problem. Take this offer, or get lost. I’m done trying to reason with someone who is lacking the intellectual capacity to comprehend that all of us here are being inclusive and helpful to you.”

  Fabion sniffed, rolling his shoulders back. “Well, seeing as how I’m not wanted, I will see what the dragons have to say.”

  “Good, leave. Just know, once you walk out, you’re no longer considered an ally.”

  “I wouldn’t want to be allies with the likes of any of you,” Fabion quipped.

  “Fabion!” Elswyth exclaimed. “How dare you be so repulsive. We here have graciously given our time to collaborate with you in regards to your demands of us all. Show us respect before none is given to you.”

  “I’ve had it-” Fabion began but was cut off.

  Fabion glanced down at his chest and gasped. His eyes rolled in the back of his head. Immediately, his skin began to shrink, pulling tight against his muscles and bones, until he spontaneously burst into ashes.

  “Holy shit,” I remarked.

  A male vampire came from behind where Fabion once stood, dusting his hands off like he was soiled. He twirled a wooden stake in a thick gloved hand. Everyone was silent. Even I was at a loss for words. The male vampire glanced around the table, slicking his long curled black hair behind an ear. His nose, probably broken a few times, was leaning a touch to the left with a hump in the middle. His ebony eyes had a hint of silver flecking and I wondered what that meant since Fabion’s were so dark.

  “Excuse that illegitimate brother of mine,” the vampire’s deep voice rumbled in the still room. “Vidar Hellsborn, at your servicing.”

  “Thanks for the service,” Rydell added.

  I laughed softly. I’m gonna be his friend, I thought, loving the fact that the centaur had a humor like my own. The vampire came to the table and sat down, crossed a pressed gray pant leg over the other. He adjusted his suit jacket, and the bright baby blue collared shirt underneath.

  “I appreciate you all remaining,” the vampire began, “and I would formerly like to apologize for the radical display, however it couldn’t be avoided.” he wriggled in his seat, staring at the map on the table. “The Colony would be happy to share the Utah Mountains with you Xenos. We appreciate your generosity.”

  Xenos dipped his head. “More than happy, Vidar.”

  “Thank you, Xenos.” The vampire slapped his legs and rose to his feet. “Please excuse the colony from any planning in regards to the dragons. It seems of late there has been a tenacious grievance with picking sides regarding the new circumstances we find ourselves in.”

  “Are you referring to Fabion?” Tordis asked.

  Vidar looked sullen, regaining his seat. “Exactly so. I’ve been absent since prior to the war and the fall of Diomedes. I was conversing with the dragon Holdur, trying to reach an understanding that could not be obtained between our races. So, I came here to see if our colony would be accepted despite our origins. We were. Unfortunately, Fabion could not seem to, as Zuri so eloquently put it, pull his head from his ass.”

  “So, why not join our cause now since you’re choosing to reside in peace?” Evander asked.

  Vidar dipped his head to the question and acknowledgement of my mate. “Our colony has always been in a quandary, in many regards to Fabion being the culprit. I need to regain control of the numerous situations prior to pledging any support. If I’m successful within the time frame of you heading on the offensive with the dragons, I’ll happily lend a hand.”

  “We all appreciate that, Vidar. My mate and I wish you success and peaceful tidings,” Evander replied.

  Vidar rose from his seat again, bowing low at the waist to us all. “Thank you all for your courtesy and generosity toward my colony. I wish you all peace and success.”

  The new vampire leader strode out of the warehouse we were all meeting in. I was surprised, with the sun already climbing higher in the sky that he wasn’t incinerating on the spot. I watched him stride out of the warehouse door, paying close attention to see if he happened to catch fire. Nothing happened. I shrugged. Vidar was nice and his words proper and eloquent. I appreciated the fact he called no one dear.

  Once the door finally banged shut, announcing his true departure, the entire room seemed to huff a relieved sigh. I glanced around at the faces, only Elswyth’s face remained proper and impassive, while everyone else appeared visibly relieved.

  “Should we sweep him up?” Rydell asked, glaring down at the pile of ashes.

  I laughed. The centaur was hilarious and I wanted to be best friends. “I’ll get the broom if you get the trashcan.” I said, rising to my feet.

  Rydell and I quickly cleaned up what was left of Fabion. I hung the broom back where I found it while Rydell put the trashcan back near the door. I was surprised that it only took a few dustpan scoops to handle it all.

  “Before we begin again in planning,” Elswyth began, “I would like to motion to adjourn after lunch.”

  “I disagree,” Fredek said. “Let’s say what we need to, then leave for lunch and home. We’re all missing home and I say attack the dragons when they least expect it.”

  The others nodded. We had so many meetings prior to the war regarding planning and they all went to shit when I transported everyone. Although, I didn’t regret what I had done. I was worried people would be mad, though they didn’t give me any insight if they were.

  In the end, teleporting everyone proved essential since none were spread thin. And after what Evander told me what had happened to him and others, it was beneficial they were all together. They ended up getting overwhelmed by the enemy and needed the numerous joined forces to obtain victory for Quivleren. Though now, against the dragons, I hadn’t a clue what to do.

  I sighed, not wanting to plan too heavily as everything changes. I saw Elswyth’s point but Fredek was right. We could all plan to meet at a certain location where the dragons were in a few weeks and attack them, when they thought they already won.

  A thought zoomed through my head and I grinned, leaning forward toward the table. “Let’s attack them on their holiday. It’s several weeks away, near the end of the year.”

  “They may suspect,” Elswyth countered. “I say a week prior, on a Thursday.”

  “Tordis,” Fredek addressed, “can you and your witches possibly divine some information about what would be best to do?”

  The white witch nodded once, rising to her feet, “They can. It will take around thirty minutes. I will get them all started now and let you know.”

  Tordis took her wand, swirling it around in a tiny motion like she was stirring coffee. White mist came from the wand, covering her in a veil of it. In a blink, Tordis was gone and so was her mist. It made me wonder if that was how it looked to others when I teleported.

  I glanced at my right hand, wondering what else there was to this magic and being a zaglis. I was good at ripping out hearts. I could teleport, throw ice and fire, and disintegrate keys. Was there more? Or was this it?

  “Elswyth makes a good point,” Evander said, leaning forward on the table, hands clasped together. “The Thursday in question is five days prior to their holiday and before the turn of the new year with the Ice Moon. I motion we attack at one in the afternoon, right after most have taken lunch.”

  Nods from around the table and sly grins met my gaze. Nadja slammed her ax on the table. The boom echoed in the warehouse, but I watched the table quake under the slam, thankful she didn’t use the blade as I was pretty certain if she used the blade, it would have cleaved it in twain.

  “Dragons,” she growled vehemently. “I say we strike! Fast as possible while all are gathered. They are no better than us,” she spat.

  I glanced in her direction, “I thought you liked the dragons,” I said, remembering her at Kadia Castle all that time ago. “If you don’t like dragons, why were you there in their company?”

  Nadja snorted. I swear I saw steam coming from it. Her dark eyes narrowed on me while her lip curled.

  “Lyvia wanted land - our land. I said no. The winged lizard tried to force my hand. So, I took hers. Why do you think the old dragon was there at Toan during the meeting?”

  “You forced her to come to the meeting,” Fredek stated.

  Nadja grinned venomously.

  Others around the table gasped. I grinned. I loved how forthright this minotaur was. She didn’t mince her words, was courteous though her dark looks said more than her words could. It made me wonder if maybe I should implement the same aspects. Nah, I’m too fuckin’ witty, I surmised. Though I don’t think a little tact would kill me in certain situations. I leaned back in my chair, crossed my right leg over my left and grinned. Whatever was going to happen - war now, or in a few weeks, I was ready to take them on.

  “You took her hand?” Elswyth asked.

  Nadja smirked, tilting her head back proudly. “Her left one. Last time you saw her, her hand was gloved.”

  “Well,” Rydell began, arms crossed over his chest. “No wonder she wants to get a handle on the area.”

  I giggled, putting a hand over my mouth to help stifle it since no one else was laughing.

  “It takes two hands for an area that size,” Evander replied.

  My jaw dropped. “Babe!” I exclaimed excitedly since he wasn’t one to make witty remarks. I was proud of him. “That’s freaking hilarious!”

  Evander smiled smugly. “Thanks honey. It was handcrafted.”

  “Nice handiwork,” Fredek added.

  “Let’s stop before this goes to hell in a handbasket,” Rydell chortled.

  “These jokes seem shorthanded,” Barend laughed.

  “They were not! They’re hand picked,” Nadja boomed, slapping the table.

  Elswyth guffawed, shaking her head. “You all are a handful! Let’s get back to planning.”

  “Good thing we have all hands on deck,” I quipped, doubling over with laughter.

  The room burst with laughter. The only one not laughing, though she was cracking a broad grin, was Elswyth. I dialed my laughter down, breathing in deep as my ribs were hurting. The puns were all so terrible yet it was a sweet moment of bonding with everyone and one I wouldn’t forget. In the wake of losses and war, we found a commonality. Some might think it was underhanded, I thought, snorting with another quake of laughter. I took deep breaths through my nose and out of my mouth. I dared not make eye contact with anyone in fear of laughing again. So, I stared at the warehouse door.

  “So,” Elswyth began, “Thursday afternoon a week prior to the new year and the Ice Moon-”

  The warehouse door burst open, admitting Tordis, Bethany, and a few other witches. They took a seat at the far end of the table. Tordis leaned forward, hands clasped together. Her face remained stoic yet her eyes gleamed with hope.

  “We have the upper hand in this,” she began, wriggling forward in her chair.

  I fucking lost my shit. I was giggling, spurting, and snorting trying to reign it in. Tordis glowered at me.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, making eye contact with Tordis. “While you were gone, Nadja explained that she cut off Jadiza’s hand and we were all making jokes.”

  Tordis nodded. “It’s alright. I understand. Sorry I mishandled myself earlier.”

  “You’re awesome!” I said, trying to get a hold of myself.

  “I had six witches use divination through different means - ogham, runes, and leaves. All came to the same conclusion, that whatever happens in the next two weeks will prove disastrous should we attack.”

  Scrunching my lips, I tried to figure out what day of the week we were on to deduce when the two weeks were over. I couldn’t. My mind went to shit and I started thinking about cranberry orange muffins fresh out of a warm oven with a smattering of butter. I think the baby and I are hungry, I deduced.

  “That’s within the time frame of what we were discussing,” Fredek said.

  “Count the ogre troup in,” Xenos said. “No need to be underhanded with help,” he finished with a light nasally chuckle.

  “Would the dragons take over Kadia Castle?” I asked.

  I truly didn’t have a clue if they would or wouldn’t. It appeared to me all these paranormal beings knew something or other about each other. All I really knew of them was not to piss them off. I glanced around the table, seeing various nods to swishing heads.

  “It’s possible,” Tordis said.

  “I think they would,” Xenos chimed. “They like to flaunt their power.”

  “We’ll scout the permitiers,” Evander said, standing up. “I will have wolves delve into their side of the territory and figure out what they can. A few days prior to the selected day of attack, let’s meet at Toan to discuss tactics.”

  “Agreed,” Fredek said. “I know my colony and I long for home. As I’m sure you all do as well.”

  Rydell clopped toward the warehouse door. “See you all soon with my herd.”

  I rose to my feet, looping my arm in with my mate’s. He grinned, leaning to the side and kissed my head.

  “Ready for home?”

  “Absolutely. Home, a bath, and a date night.”

  EVANDER

  I plodded around the wall-walk and the castle for the eleventh time that day supervising the construction. I wanted to make certain all was set in place. The walls were getting repaired from the damage the wendigo and other demons had done. I left instructions with Errol to make sure the walls and every defensive position had more support in case an attack were to ever occur again.

  Glancing to the right, the garden below was being made to the sprites’ liking, since they decided to make Toan their home. They fell in love with the willow tree and the houses made for them. Men and women bustled from outside in the castle courtyard to inside where more rooms were being made to accommodate those who wished to stay.

  I turned around, peering behind me at the smithy ogre we hired. The fizzing pop of his welder caught my attention. Zuri was having a few things made, one of which was a giant wolf metal statue, made of steel and silver, commemorating the fallen wolves from what was being dubbed ‘The Great War’ with Diomedes. She also was having a plaque made, listing the names of the fallen.

  I hired Bethany, a witch from the Willow Coven, to make something special for the sprites for their garden. Something similar commemorating their effort in the war. Since the sprites wanted to make this their home, I felt they needed a place of peace and honor. I glanced at the garden, watching the wolves plant evergreens and herbs while the sprites zoomed around, casting their healing magic on the plants to help protect them from the coming cold winter.

  Turning my attention toward the castle portcullis, the construction across the archway made me beam with pride. Another thing Zuri was handling was the crafting of the new castle name: Kyna. She was having it made of redwood from the forest near Maluhia. Since taking over as pack leader and implementing a lot of positive changes like designating a day a week where we would listen to the pack and the changes or comments they needed to voice. One change the pack agreed upon was a new castle name was in order since we were all a new and equal pack.

  I ran a hand over my face, trying to contain the outward grin at the thought of my mate lest I be considered a fool. She’d been working hard on accommodating our people and their needs, and handling the progress of a room for our child, she hadn’t a clue what I was up to.

  I clasped my hands together and rubbed them. Date night, I grinned. I had purposefully kept myself busy outside so she wouldn't know what I was up to. I had to coordinate the food being catered, the florist, and currently, I was waiting for Darra to head in with our coordinated outfits. Mainly all day, I kept a vigilant eye to make sure Zuri wasn’t around to snoop or stumble on the surprise I had been working on since coming back to Kyna Castle.

  Beyond the castle walls, through some trees on the south end, was a pond with a dock. I glanced in the direction since I could see it easily from the wall-walk of the castle. The sun was waning toward sunset and the light on the pond was shimmering and golden. I had Molner on a mission to set it up as a date night spot complete with candles, hanging lanterns, and all the works. And while Molner and his lovely wife Darra were busy handling that, I had to stop my mate from wandering.

  Then the night after our date night, there was going to be a party. Part of it for the missed out reception of our mate-bonding and the other part because I think everyone needed it. Since coming back home, it's been very serious. I figured it was due to the war, and the new impending one with the dragons. We all needed a moment to relax, and have a bit of fun.

  I ran a hand over my face, grinning broadly. I was so excited for tonight and for the following night. I couldn’t wait to present Zuri with the ring I got for her, something I knew she would appreciate. And having the cubs here for the party would truly make it special for her. I couldn’t wait to see her beautiful face and how it would light up with both events. I loved how her jaw dropped and her eyes sparkled from surprises like the cat house I made for Luell a few days ago.

  I turned to the east, walking along the section of the wall-walk that was the most damaged and where it was being repaired. While the sky around us was bright blue with not a cloud in the sky, the area far out from here was anything but pretty; I constituted that to the dragons. A few days ago I had received a message from Jadiza detailing what was considered the land of the dragons and what was for everyone else. The punishment for crossing into the dragon territory uninvited was a fine. Second offense was death. I laughed, tossing the missive in the trash.

  “Hey babe!” Zuri exclaimed.

  I spun around, striding a few steps to her. “Can you put a hand on the rail when you come up?”

  She fluttered her lips at me and waved me off, “I'm fine. Nothing’s gonna happen to this pregnant lady. Anyways, I came to see how the statue was coming along.”