Yet indeed. All I can think about is the many things I wish he would put in my mouth… and the way his hands felt on my face. And how it felt when he looked at me earlier, like I was a delicate thing. I can't decide if I do or don't like him thinking me delicate. I can't even figure out at one point I stopped thinking of him as a douche-canoe… Since when do I call him Avery? I am so lost in my own thoughts that I walk right into him twice as we make our way down a narrow hallway. I don't even remember where he said we were heading, I was so wrapped in my own thoughts I can't process anything.
I have this strange feeling deep in my chest that I can't describe. It is like a weight, but not a heavy one. I can feel it there, and feel it moving but it feels like it belongs, like it has always been there and I am just now acknowledging it. I just can't put my finger on it, but the closer I get to my birthday the more I feel it. And the more time I spend near Avery, the stronger it is. At this point I am assuming it has to do with this whole 'guardian thing.' I mean, what else could it be?
We arrive back at the control room just as an incoming call flashed across the main screen. Shockingly, it was NOT my mother, but Avery's father. They could truly pass as brothers. Now knowing Avery's true age, I wondered how old Mr. Lawson was. Was he anywhere near Avery in age? Or were there hundreds of years between them. This line of questioning made me think of my own mother… It is a well known fact that vampire queens will reign, and be immortal until their heir reaches their 21st birthday. Which theoretically could mean they reign anywhere from 21 to an infinite number of years… How old was my mother? I know that there were five 'Queens' before her, also named Elizabeth, and looked just like her in all the pictures. So were these truly my descendants, or was this a ruse of some kind? It has only been within the last 40-50 years that human interactions have been encouraged and 'normal.' So theoretically, it is possible that my mother has been queen for over a century, and because humans know little about paranormals, she has lied about her age, and identity. Even among other paranormals, we all hold tight to our secrets. I mean, look at this information about gargoyles. Who knew they lived so long?
I am suddenly feeling some type of way. Logically, I understand the need for all the secrecy. But emotions are not always logical. I am lost in these thoughts, spiraling really, when Avery finally gains my attention.
"Dahlia, did you hear me?"
"I'm sorry, what? I was lost in thought."
"My Father was just reviewing the events that have occurred since the attack on the paranormal consulate. And then I asked how you would like to proceed."
"My apologies, Mr. Lawson, I heard none of what you said, but why is it up to me how to proceed? Shouldn't that be left to my mother?"
"Of course I will go over the main points again, but ultimately the decision is up to you. We are too close to your coronation for her to make these decisions. She is actually completely unaware of some of these events. Should you so choose, she will remain in the dark. That is why they will need to be discussed prior to meeting at the rendezvous point. These are your calls to make, and yours alone. Though you may request wise counsel, you are the only one who can make the calls moving forward."
He explains this to me as simply as one could possibly put it, and I find myself still struggling to grasp this concept. This is real. The world as we know it has ended, and I am not the one in charge. Despite all my training and legal education I feel completely unprepared. Again, no logic in these emotions at all. Logically, I know I am as prepared as one could possibly be to step into a roll, and will only feel more equipped as I gain experience. But at this time I find myself experiencing imposter syndrome.
I am brought back to reality as Mr. Lawson and Avery begin filling me in. Since the bombing, wolves from many packs have gone missing; entire villages of fae dead; viruses unleashed that are killing secluded species. Gun fights out in the open all over the country. The list of violent acts goes on and on. I look at images gained from satellite and drone footage in absolute horror. Children crying over the bodies of their deceased family members. Mothers and fathers rocking as they sob over their dead children. I am in absolute shock, and my eyes cannot contain the tears flowing freely as my heart breaks for these creatures.
Humans have no idea what is going on, apparently, witches are using some serious magic to control how this is being contained. But with that, much of the progress in human relations is down the drain. How can humans trust paranormals when, despite the treaties stating we would not wipe their memory or control them, we are doing just that because shit has hit the fan in the paranormal world. Decades of progress gone. So many attacks and acts of violence that I can not even process them all- but in total 41 separate accounts have been reported world wide since the bombing at the consulate. Over 100 thousand souls missing or dead.
The evasive maneuvers Avery has had BAMBI 1 doing all night now make sense. I thought he was just reminiscing his days in the Navy, but there are actual threats out there. I really thought this was a one off thing, that someone was making a single political statement. But it seems these are all coordinated attacks. All the attacks have either been on powerful families of powerful species or on the oppressed creatures I spoke out in representation of. Almost like someone is trying to wipe them out, and prevent those in power for standing up for them.
"At this time, the Griffin wolves are missing the largest number at nearly ten thousand unaccounted for or proclaimed dead. Even still, only 3 percent of the pack is effected. Other ally packs have been wiped out completely or significantly reduced."
I am overcome by shock at the statistics Avery has just given me, worried sick. I am not their alpha yet, so I cannot feel the loss the way my father can, but that is still my pack. I can feel my wolf howling and crying with grief. I can feel her desire for revenge. Her desire to protect those she is charged with protecting, and her shame that so many wolves and other creatures were harmed while we hid at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Even though we did not know of all these things- she is wild and ravenous with anger. This is one of those times I am thankful to be a hybrid, because I am able to keep her urges and instincts suppressed. I am able to act on reason and logic rather than reacting like a wild animal, for lack of better words.
"Where is my father? Is he safe? Where were these wolves that were attacked? Were they warriors or civilians?" Part of me feels badly that my first bit of questioning begins with the wolves, even though I have been told that 9x more sould of other species are dead or missing.
"Your father is safe, he is with your mother here. He will be consulting with you this evening, filling you in on pack specific details I am not privy to. Dahlia, if I may be frank…" He asks with concern in his eyes, waiting for me to consent to his blunt reports and advice.
"Please, speak freely. Your wisdom and guidance will always be welcome here, unsupressed." I assure him, in what I hope is a calm but serious tone. I am boiling inside at the injustices I have just been informed of. Traumatized by the atrocities I have just witnessed caught on film.
"So much like your mother. I have no doubts that you will be a valiant and great leader. But I cannot lie to you, there is so much you have been left in the dark about. There has been some mumbling in the paranormal world for decades now of an organization of paranormal supremacists. In truth we thought they were gone- Humans knew them as Nazis, but what humans did not know was that they were actually much more horrible than they knew. Hitler was more than just a 'white supremecist.' He was a literal demon, a Djinn. And a very powerful one. He has this trusted idea that he was better than everyone else, and brainwashed humans into doing his bidding. Many of those killed were indeed human- but he also had this idea that some beings were 'lesser' and therefore disposable. World War 2 was more than just a battle for justice- it was a battle for souls. Each human who succumbed to his antics was then subjected to a battle noone else could see for their soul. Many of those sould now await judgement in purgatory. It is not because they were overcome, but because they allowed it. For that is the only way for a Djinn to truly take control. One must give consent- even if the smallest amount.
"I understand that hearing historical events from this new perspective is mindblowing. But I do not intend in any way to disrespect those who were victimized. Their deaths were an absolute tragedy. I mean only to emphasize that Hitler was an absolute monster. And those who aligned themselves to him were morally corrupt. At the time of his demise other 'anti- nazi' groups rose up, but not all of them were truly anti-hitler. Many of them were operating under a cover to secretly keep that spark of evil alive. One of those groups called themselves 'The Rise,' and we thought they died out. We were wrong. They claimed the attack on Monday, and promised more violence to come.
"Behind every conspiracy theory is a paranormal who couldn't keep their mouth shut, ot their mind protected from the cyclopses employed by their enemies. You may have heard the stories about Hitler not actually dying in the bunker? They were true. Just as Elvis is not dead, he gave up his fame and fortune to serve the Creator. Andy Kauffmam, Tupac, MJ the list goes on. The death of all those paranormals were faked. I say this not to make light of the situation at hand, but to tell you that when you hear chatter, it is worth looking into. This group, 'The Rise' helped Hitler escape the bunker, faked his death, and then hid him- plotting a come back. We were able to exterminate him in Argentina, and make sure humans believed that rumor was completely false- continuing the narrative that he died in the bunker."
I stare in shock at this news, my jaw literally dropped. I look from the screen to Avery, who shakes his head in confirmation of what I have just heard. On top of processing all this news, I wonder to myself if my whole reign as queen will be like this. Constant influx of new and shocking information. I vow in that moment not to keep my daughter in the dark like I have been. She will be included in things once she fangs. Once she is mature enough to understand and shows interest. I will not leave her to be ignorant and walk into the rold blindly.
He continues on, "Back to current events… Tens of thousands of wolves are impacted, yes- but there have been species, those that are smaller in size and population, and seemingly 'weaker' species that have been wiped front he earth completely. At this time, scouts are out searching, and have found that entire colonies of pixie, fairy, nymph and several other smaller creatures that live in seclusion are all gone with out a trace. Their colonies just wiped out. Some were clearly attacked, as evidenced by the flame and magical residue. Others appear to have escaped, but we have yet to be able to track their whereabouts. These are creatures The Rise and others like them would have found dispensible. 'Lesser,' if you will." He says with a scowl in his face. I look to Avery, who is also visibly upset by these remarks. I can see his jaw is clenched so tightly that his face is twitching.
"Others, like the cyclopses, have been targeted and trapped by this group, forced to serve them or their families are mutilated. We have been working to extract those, but we do not always make it before their families are tortured. Our own intelligence general had his daughter ripped to pieces before his eyes. But he refused to crack. General Vaught is the most trusted member of your advisory team, second only to your guardian."
Avery gives me a little two finger salute complete with a wink and I cannot help but smile. The small gesture cutting the tension like a sword. He nods in acknowledgement, the slightest lift of his lips letting me know he is fighting his instincts to be goofy in this serious time. A rush of gratefulness flows through me that I am so equally matched, having a guardian who not only understands my morbid sense of humor but can dish it back, and take even the worst scenarios and find the single sliver of light with in them.
"So, where do we go from here, what decisions am I to make? Forgive me if I became so lost in the details that I missed the part where I had a choice to make, but I would be lying if I said I was at all ready for this conversation, or that I was able to process everything fully. I am confident, despite my best efforts to retain it all, that I have glazed over and missed something important. It feels like all we have done is discuss death, tradgedy and conspiracy threories. What options have been prepared for me?"
Now it is Avery's turn to look from me to the screen, and I can see his father's eyes tracking between Avery and myself. They both sigh as Avery begins to speak, more aggressively than I expected after the goofy interaction we shared just moments ago.
"Dahlia, no options are prepared for you. The majority of your mother's Paranormal Security Counselors are dead or missing. And since you are not yet sworn into the role, you have no counsel yet. The remaining members of her committee will meet us at the safehouse in…" he checks his watch, "less than 5 hours. If they have any input or additional intel they will give it to you at that time. But I would not expect much. The once 12 member committee has been reduced to only 3. General Vaught, Your father, and The Dragon King- William Drakarion III. He is newly appointed, as he just assumed the fole two months ago, upon his father's assasination. Which The Rise has also claimed. The dude has been clueless since he took over the role. He has no idea what has been going on in the world because he couldn't be bothered to show up to any damn meetings. Too busy living the frat boy stereotype to the fullest." Avery says that last bit with a scowl on his face.
Mr. Lawson coughs, looking around the room as if he is trying to hide something and Avery gives him a very filthy look, before fixing his face on me. I wonder what that was about.
Eyes rolling, Avery continues, "Drakarion is apparently on the list of approved suitors for you- which is another thing that they have been hiding from you. Against my recommendation by the way…."
"EXCUSE ME?!" I shout. I guess thats what that was about.
"AVERY!" Mr. Larson shouts in a scolding tone I would expect aimed at a child not a 400 something year old man
"It's time she knows all the secrets. Why are you continuously working to hide things from her?! Just tell her the fucking truth, for once."