Chapter 26 ~ So, there’s that!

We ran out and jumped in the car…hurrying to pick Tremaine up from town. Gavin telling us where to go. We reached him just as he turned the corner by the diner. He spotted us and grinned, pointing over his shoulder. We saw four men coming up behind him. I opened the back door of the truck and he jumped in. Aaron burned rubber.. almost spinning a donut, leaving out of there. Tremaine was laughing like crazyand said “Holy shit! That was exciting! They have been on my tail for two hours! I lost sight of Evan, somewhere around the bank, I think.. and they just kept coming. I went inside the haberdashery and out the back. Stopped at the diner just now for a soda.. then when I stepped out there were those four across the street. I led them around awhile.. but texted Gavin because they were getting too close.”

Aaron grins “You did good! Our teams are setting up camp on both sides of the portal. They should all be returning to DullenDirk to give their reports. We may have a few assassins in custody by morning! Andrew has offered Starry Moon’s detention facilities, if we get overrun by assassin Elves.” I smirk at him, in the rear view mirror.. “or we just kill the overflow!” Gavin laughs “Or.. there’s that”

By the time we had returned to the pack house, word had come that our warriors were hiding in place and had already witnessed half dozen scouts returning to DullenDirk. Aaron told them to hang tight because we have a feeling it won’t take long before we start seeing the combatants.

He took my hand and we went to the conference room to discuss our plan of attack.. only to find it occupied “Why the fuck are you still here?” The councilmen had awaited our return. That’s not creepy, at all! Jeffrey says “We wish to be apprised of what is happening. Who is Tremaine!? And why is he so important that you had to leave a meeting?”

I growled “A meeting is usually an agreement between two parties scheduled at a prearranged place for a set time. This was an impromptu visit by unwanted guests.. you’re more like the unwanted family that overstays their welcome.” Evan laughs and tells them “That’s our Luna! She makes us so proud!”

Mitchell stood and said “It is time to take our leave. Please, Alpha Aaron.. do not hesitate to call, should you need us.” Aaron scoffs and tells him “Don’t expect it. I have learned not to rely on men who serve their own interests!”

We went to the dining hall for dinner and Evan was telling Tremaine about muscle cars and Tre was hanging on every word. I remember the first time I saw cars in this realm! They scared the bejeezus out of me. Cars in Alfheim are like golf carts here.

It was just getting dark and we got a mindlink that two assassins had been caught. But two escaped and were loose… which means we have to get them.. before they get to Shay. I smile “Don’t worry, babe! I know their modus operandi… they won’t get the drop on us. I would like to see the assassins when they’re brought in, though!

He agreed.. saying maybe we can get a clue as to how many Callan is sending. Gavin told us the team will be here in about ten minutes, so we headed to the cells. I ask Aaron “Since I am heir to the throne.. do you think I can command the assassins?” He stood thinking, then asked me “Are assassins considered Light Elves?” I nod my head “They are considered Light… but assassins are chosen for one reason… they have black marks on their soul. To be a successful assassin.. you have to possess the ability to be a killer and pull yourself back from it.”

He sputtered out “Weren’t you chosen to be an assassin? Do you go dark?” I laughed “I wasn’t chosen. I was forced to train. All Light Elves can go dark. When I have to kill, I dim my Light.. and I never give in to the dark.” He grins “Well, that’s a relief!”

We watched as the Elves were brought in and chained. Aaron told them to get comfortable. “These are your new accommodations until after the war. Don’t worry, though.. you’ll have plenty of company.” I had been hanging back, out of the light, until one of the Elves spoke “You can’t keep us here! We will escape!”

I stepped forward.. looked at the man’s face and was immediately pissed “Shane Muldoon? What the fuck, dude? You took the contract to kill me!? YOU did? Of all the people in DullenDirk.. you were my friend. My only friend! Or at least, I thought you were! Apparently, even friendship is a one way street in DullenDirk!”

Shane sputtered “Shay? Shaelin.. is that really you? And what? Kill you!? My contract isn’t to kill you! Fuck! I thought you were dead. We all think you’re dead! We are here to assassinate the kidnappers of Tremaine Greenleaf and bring him home. That’s my contract. Take my binder from my waist.. in the pouch is a copy of the contract. I would never hunt You! We grew up together! You are my friend Shaelin! Oh my Goddess! I grieved you for years.. over five years ago! We were told wolves broke a portal and killed you when you were gathering flowers in the meadow by the sycamore!” And he began to cry.

Aaron removed his binder… which was little more than a fanny pack. Grown men wearing fanny packs!? What has DullenDirk come to!? I watched Aaron sift through the contents.. and when he found the contract.. sure enough.. it read they were to find the “Traitor to the kingdom. A rogue she-Elf living with the wolves who ambushed Shaelin Greenleaf, killing her.” The rest of the contract was to kill any wolves they came across.. and with proof of death, they would be compensated for every death.

So now, Callan has the assassins killing wolves, too. He is definitely overreaching! I look at Shane and ask “Now what? We won’t let you return to DullenDirk.. not until Callan no longer sits the throne! I’m not sure I can trust you enough not to keep you locked up. I want to.. but damn Shane! You were coming to try and kill me!”

He smirks and says “Yeah, well.. if I had known you were alive.. and our target, I never would have volunteered! I don’t mind hanging out here until you stop Callan.. but the Corellan isn’t even trying to quell the uprising! I can help you… I know how many Light Elves are going to fight… I also know for a fact… if they knew you are alive.. they wouldn’t fight! They believe their cause is just..and are willing to die to avenge their rightful Queen!”

Aaron walks in and unchains Shane.. “you will remain in the cells but we will make sure you are fed and comfortable. Right now, Shaelin and I are going to contact Nimue and work on letting everyone in DullenDirk know their Queen lives”

Shane gasps “The Queen mother is alive? We are all taught in school that her wolf mate killed her after Arwyn was born, because she was a girl” I laughed “Guess that’s why I was never allowed to go to school! And in reality….that story is about my own mother! Callan killed her when I was born! Because I was female.. The lies just keep piling up! My grandparents have a son! My Uncle Andrew is Alpha now.. he is half Elf too.. like my mother. But it makes sense for Callan to sow seeds of dissent.. he has been planning this war, a long time…it seems. This grudge against wolves stems from somewhere… I think I need to research the old sperm donor some more!”

Aaron ordered a meal for Shane and told him we would be back later… after we spoke to Nimue and Malcolm! As we walked out, he said “Your father has a grudge against wolves. We really need to find the catalyst that spurred this on!” I agree and ask “Do you think this might go back to the great war between the realms? Prejudices of this magnitude are always generations in the making! I do remember growing up … he was adamant that all wolves are dangerous, maniacal killing machines. So, there’s that!”