Chapter 13 ~ The Hall

As it turned out, the Hall was not a hall at all. It was a large clearing in the forest, in it were seven of the largest trees I had ever seen. Larger than I had ever even imagined trees could grow. They each must have been over one hundred metres tall and it would take ten people to reach around one trunk. Their branches towered so high above, blocking out the sky everywhere but for one small circle right in the middle of the ring of trees.

The sun high over head shone down through the gap created a spotlight over the small wooden dais that stood under the gap in the branches. When we reached the edge of the clearing, Kellan glanced at Tia.

"You'll have to wait here," He told her, the young girl made no argument, she released my hand from her grip and lowered herself to sit on the forest floor. His eyes drifted to me and he grabbed my arm and pulled me further into the clearing. Once we reached the ring of trees he released me.

"Like I said," He finally broke the heavy silence between us, "Only members of the Council can enter the Hall. If they let you in, they accept you as the leader of your kind. If not you'll have to wait out here with Tia and I cannot guarantee your safety as I could with the pack." I stared at him for a moment, shocked by his words. I'd heard of the Hall of course, the Fae leaders had been a part of it before as well but I had no idea it chose who could enter.

"Will Tia be okay out here?" I asked, unsure now that he'd said it wasn't safe. He grunted and tilted his head back to where she sat. An older man sat beside her and she was laughing, her whole body shaking, at something he'd said. I started back towards them worried. But Kellan held me back.

"Her father," He said and directed my gaze to a woman making her way into the Hall, her eyes locked on the little girl, "Her mother is the clan leader for the Witches." I breathed a sigh of relief and turned my attention back to the trees.

"What happens if they don't want me in there?" I asked resting a hand against the massive trunk of the tree closest to us.

"I've never seen anyone rejected before. Usually only the Council attempt to enter." I nodded and motioned him to move through, he hesitated for a moment before releasing me and stepping between the trees. He turned back to me once he was through. I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

I felt a tingle rush over my entire body. The hair on my arms stood on end and a buzz filled my ears. I took another step. The tingle turned to a burn, like I'd rolled my entire body in silver. I took another step. It felt liked I'd pushed my way through a thin filament, a slight stretching and the smallest pop and I was through. The burning sensation disappeared instantly, as if it had never been there at all.

Kellan watched, eyes wide and eyebrows raised as I stepped through. The five other people inside the Hall had similar expressions on their faces. When I met their heavy gazes they flicked their eyes over to Kellan.

"How did she get in?" Tia's mother called striding to the centre of the Hall.

"As the only Wolf Fae, I guess she qualifies as their leader," Kellan answered with a disbelieving chuckle.

"Nice to see you again, Delilah." Jasper's rasping voice snatched my attention from the curly haired woman. He was a leader as well? How had they managed to capture a Mythic leader?

"I didn't know you were going to be here," I told him noticing his gaunt features had filled out, his once tired eyes were alight with life, "You look better," I smiled. He nodded.

"I feel better."

"We don't have time for this." Tia's mother snapped stepping up to the dais in the centre of the Hall, "If there is a new member of the council we must do introductions before we can begin." The other five nodded their agreement.

"I am Adeline, High Witch of the Covens," She announced with pride before stepping down and moving over to stand before one of the enormous trees. Her aura flared brightly once she was in position as if drawing strength from the magnificent monster behind her. Jasper stepped up next.

"I am Jasper. Lord of the Vampires." He stepped down and moved to stand in front of the tree beside Adeline's, his blood red halo ignited as well.

"I am Kellan, True Alpha of the Packs." He moved to a stand before a tree of his own and glowed in the light of his silver aura.

"I am Noir, Queen of the Seas." The Siren took her place, midnight blue surrounding her.

"I am Valdare, Soul Bearer of the Depths," The Daemon strode over to take his place.

"I am Zmeulia, Master of Flames to the Dragons," Once the Dragon arrived before her tree all eyes turned to me. I looked to Kellan for help. I had no idea what I was a leader of. What was I supposed to say. There was an apology in his eyes but he made no move to help me. I was on my own.

I picked my way step by step to the dais and stepped up. The light from above warmed my cool skin. I took a deep breath.

"I am Delilah. Last of the Fae. Leader of Hybrids." I spoke the words with as much conviction as I could muster. As soon as the last syllable rang out the whole world shifted. It felt as though we were spinning, the trees blurred around me, my head spun and I fell to my knees holding onto the wooden dais for support.

When I looked up again, everything looked as it had before. I glanced around at the rest of the leaders and found them staring in horror at one of the empty trees. And then I realised there were two. Whatever had just happened there were now eight towering trees in the clearing. I could only assume the new one was for me.

Legs shaking, I walked towards it. No one spoke, as if by some unwritten rule, until I arrived in front of the new growth. Warmth spread through me once I was in place, and the sensation of belonging flowed through me, the feeling so alien I wasn't sure what it was at first.

"I called this meeting to discuss the fate of the humans responsible for the kidnapping of thirty Mythics and the murder of five." Kellan's voice rang out loud and clear though he remained at his tree.

The discussion seemed to go on for hours, though the sun didn't appear to move in the sky above. The seven of us stood in the circle and never moved until we finally reached a unanimous decision. The main argument was between the Dragons and the Vampires. The Dragons wanted to destroy everyone and everything that had been involved.

Despite the fact that he had been kidnapped himself, Jasper argued for leniency. Kill the main culprits, wipe the memories of the rest and let them continue on with their lives. I remained silent throughout the endless conversations, unable to condemn my only friend to death. But unable to argue for her to live after everything she had done.

In the end, Kellan called a vote. Complete annihilation or memories wiped.

"Raise your hand for complete annihilation," He called the Dragon, Zmeulia lifted her hand, Valdare the Daemon raised his. I glanced around at the others and was shocked when Kellan raised his hand to the sky. That was three, one more and they would have the majority.

"Thank you," Kellan said, "Raise your hand for killing their leaders and wiping the memories of the rest." The remaining three Mythic leaders raised their hands to the sky.

All eyes turned to me. I inhaled deeply wishing the ground would swallow me up so I didn't have to do this. Wasn't there a third option? One where no one had to die? No matter what I did right now Kat was being sentenced to death and despite my disgust for what she had done my heart still hurt to think of her gone. Then I would truly, completely and utterly be alone. Wouldn't I? I looked at the Mythics around me, Kellan watched me no judgement or expectation in his eyes. Jasper gave me a reassuring smile. I thought of Tia holding my hand when I'd been afraid. I raised my hand to the sky. Eyes on the ground. My best friend was going to die.

"The majority rules, we kill the leaders and Witches will wipe Mythics from the memories of the rest. Inform your clans. We meet in town at dusk." With the decision made everyone stepped from their positions and I followed their lead moving into the middle of the Hall. As soon as we were away from our trees the light above faded.

Looking up at the faint trickle of light filtering through the thick leaves, I saw that I was right. Hours had passed since we'd stepped into the Hall. The sun was barely an hour away from the horizon but something had maintained the light directly overhead the entire time we'd been in there.

I stepped free of the Hall into the outskirts of the clearing. Once again I was left with more questions than answers. I grabbed Kellan as he strode passed.

"Once this is over, you're going to answer some questions for me." He looked at me as if he'd been expecting this but hoping against all odds that it wouldn't happen.

"I will," He murmured running his hand through his hair, "But for now I have to organise the packs. Are you coming?" He strode off before I could answer and I hurried along behind him.

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