“I’m not all fired up about that plan,” I said quietly.
“I’m not either, Delilah,” Avery replied. “And we can hope we receive some intelligence that will allow us to make much the same statement without any human losses. Thwarting such a plan by immortals and doing it publicly, sharing in that way that immortals exist, the bad being in the minority, the good willing to put their lives on the line for harmony, would also be a powerful message.”
“I hear you. I’m not super hip on the idea, but I’ll deal with people knowing who I am if it means saving lives,” I shared, and Abel’s hand tightened around mine. “Though, I’m not big on Abel transforming. I haven’t even seen that. He could just extend his fangs or something.”
“That says a great deal about you, my dear,” Avery returned but did it shaking his head. “But even if you and Abel, Lucien and Leah, and Callum and Sonia made the public aware of who you are, that doesn’t ensure that an attack will not be forthcoming.”
He had me there so I could do nothing but nod.
“There’s much to think about and much to do,” Gregor put in. “So I suggest we go about that and reconvene this evening for further discussion.” He looked to the wraith. “Serena, you’re away to Gastineau shortly?”
“Indeed,” she confirmed.
“Let’s brief,” he murmured, throwing his napkin down and pushing his chair back.
He rose and gave Cristiano and Avery meaningful looks.
Cristiano took a sip of coffee before he rose.
Avery said, “You’ll excuse me,” and he got up as well.
Stephanie muttered, “I haven’t had a real breakfast yet so I’m going to Kyle.” She got up and looked around, finishing, “Later.”
Caleb threw his napkin on the table and rose from his seat too, saying irritably, “I got twiddling of my thumbs to do.”
Callum sighed.
Sonia smiled at me.
“We’ll talk further after we have our session with Abel,” Ryon stated, also moving to leave.
It was then I remembered that Abel was going to train as wolf with his wolf brothers. It was also then I hoped I got to watch.
My thoughts came back into the room when it hit me that the only ones left were The Three.
“Gotta admit, sittin’ on our hands and waitin’ for shit doesn’t sit good with me either,” Abel told the table.
“It’s smart and it’s safe,” Callum replied.
“It’s still irritating,” Lucien murmured.
“Your last battle was five hundred years ago, Lucien. Mine was last Christmas,” Callum said quietly. “We should be smart and we should remain safe.”
“I don’t disagree with you, Cal,” Lucien returned. “However, this…” He swept a hand across the fine china and silver littering the table. “It isn’t our nature. Especially when that’s going on out there.” He pointed a finger at the window. “Therefore, we need to remember precisely what our nature is so we don’t end up doing something stupid due to impatience or frustration.”
“Agreed,” Callum said. “So we prepare. I train Abel to fight as wolf and you work with Abel’s brothers to further improve their abilities.”
“Agreed,” Lucien repeated Callum’s word.
“That’s good with me,” Abel added.
“Uh, what do we girls do?” I asked.
Lucien, Callum, and Abel (yep, all three) looked at me, baffled.
Yeesh.
Men.
“We are in on this destiny of saving the world too,” I reminded them and turned to Abel. “Xun, Wei, and Chen offered to train me in some of their kung fu magic.”
“I want them going two-, three-, four-on-one with Lucien and Callum’s wolves so they can improve their ‘kung fu magic,’” Abel said the last three words like they amused him, then added, “And so they can stay alive again if more shit goes down.”
“Okay, so I’ll get in on that. Leah and Sonia can do it with me if they want,” I returned.
“Sonia’s practicing with her abilities, attempting to increase her affinity with wildlife by communicating with them,” Callum shared. “Perhaps you can go out with her.”
“And miss my opportunity at throwing a ninja star?” I asked.
Callum’s lips quirked and his eyes slid to Abel.
Abel’s arm slid along the back of my chair and I looked to him. “Pussycat—” he began, and I knew what was coming. I didn’t know how, but I did.
And all I could think about what was coming was, Oh no he didn’t.
“I get your protective instinct, baby, but I have one too,” I reminded him.
“The boys need to be prepared,” he reminded me.
“So do the girls,” I returned.
“True, but it’s doubtful any of you will see actual fighting,” Abel retorted.
“You don’t know that,” I pointed out, and his face got hard.
“I fuckin’ do,” he growled.
Oh man.
“Abel—”
“Let us do what we gotta do.”
“Abel!”
His face suddenly was in mine. “Lilah, let us do what we gotta do.”
I narrowed my eyes. “And what about what we gotta do?”
He leaned a bit back and threw up a hand. “I don’t know. Go try to zap some shit. See if you got some ability like Leah and Sonia.”
I blinked.
Then I glared.
Then I fought back slapping him upside the head.