It had taken several meetings before the immortals returned to council, wary of trusting Merlin. Regardless, there were disputes and wars to settle. Personal goals could be accomplished with the council’s help Wars could be shortened and often prevented with the council’s guidance, and most of all, none of the immortals wanted to make the council members irritated by their absence. The council was comprised of the best of the best; therefore, no one wanted to make them angry. It often had nasty consequences.

Mother Nature and Father Time were co-chairmen, Jupiter represented the gods, Merlin represented Magick, Christopher represented the Saints, and Vlad represented the Earth Spirits. Each could bring prosperity or an extremely painful death.

Fate sighed. These meetings could be quite boring, and she had only attended to please Mother Nature. Friends from the beginning of time, they saw little of each of other, as their duties required constant vigilance.

Mother was looking forward to seeing Zerina, Broni, and Cara, but Fate had been unable to bring herself to allow them to leave home. Mother was going to be angry with her for not bringing them, and it was never a good thing to piss off Mother. She consoled her own guilty conscience by telling herself they were busy, and it would have been too dangerous to leave mortals unattended during the meetings, though Fate knew it was a weak argument and wouldn’t work with Mother. Friends they may be, yet Fate was expected to obey her demands.

“Why the frown?”

Fate turned toward her sister’s voice. “You’re late.”

Destiny shrugged. “I had a last minute assignment. You don’t seem too pleased; what’s wrong?”

“Just bored, I guess.” Fate tried to shrug off the feeling of impending doom. It was never a good thing for her to feel that way.

“Perhaps we should leave?” Destiny turned and headed for the door.

“No, I’ve yet to speak to Mother Nature and Father Time, and I have to stay until the vote on Rocque comes from the council.”

“He doesn’t look too worried,” Destiny muttered.

Fate shrugged. “He has repeatedly warned others to stay out of his forest. His wolves were attacked and slaughtered by the rogue vampires. He dealt with them far kinder than Vlad would have.”

Destiny stared at her sister in disbelief. “He burnt them at a huge bonfire during daylight. That’s overkill, don’t you think?”

“Vlad would have tortured them first. You’re just mad because he doesn’t fear you.”

“That only proves his stupidity.” Destiny looked at the arrogant Lord. His day was coming.

Her thoughts were captured by her sister’s laughter.

“Relax. This is supposed to be our time of freedom from our responsibilities.”

“One day, he will go too far,” Destiny murmured.

“Don’t worry; I think I can guarantee a front row seat.” Fate laughed, finally allowing herself to relax for the first time since her arrival.