Chapter 12 Twelve
Hearing of the creatures that created the Elders counsel was nothing compared to actually seeing them. Sitting right in front of Danica were mythological beings that, up until five days ago, weren't supposed to even exist in her world.
The harpie Rebecca had already taken her seat between a man with a youthful face and long blonde hair and a man with short dark hair with a blindfold wrapped around his eyes—or rather, eye. Beside the blindfolded man sat a little fellow with a long nose and large ears, whose skin held a greenish hue. He opened his mouth to yawn, showing sharp little teeth.
As Danica continued down the line, her eyes fell on a woman with a rather large hat over her head and sunglasses. Despite not being able to properly see the woman's eyes, Danica knew that she was studying her curiously. At the end of the line was a man with long brown hair and a goatee.
Smiling the man at the end stood and strode forward, pulling Mason into a hug, like he was extremely moved to see him.
"That's enough, Killian," Mason grumbled, trying to disengage himself from the man. "What have I told you about suddenly touching me?"
The man fake pouted as he moved away from the disgruntled Mason.
"Is that how you treat your uncle after not seeing him for a long time?"
At his words, the tops of Mason's ears began to turn red from embarrassment.
"We didn't come here for a family reunion," he pointed out before pulling Danica closer to him. "We came here because she has been getting attacked frequently by rogues."
Unperturbed, Killian turned his attention to Danica.
"Are you my future niece-in-law?" He asked with a smile that showed two very sharp canines. "And here I thought this one would forever go through women like it was out of style."
It was Danica's turn to turn red.
"I haven't agreed to anything."
"There's no need for that young lady," Killian pointed out. "Fate is fate, and there is no changing it. The moon goddess has our best interests in mind."
There was that word again, Danica thought. Fate—why did she have to go along with what this so-called fate had in mind for her? Especially after her humorous fate brought her a curse that tortured her.
"Killian!" came Rebecca's pouty voice. "Mason came here to speak with all of us; stop distracting him with insignificant issues."
Listening to Rebecca's words, Danica couldn't help but feel anger boil within her. She was really starting to dislike that naked, winged woman.
"Too right you are."
Clapping his hands, Killian ushered Danica and Mason forward, so they were now standing directly in front of all six elders.
"Mason, please announce your reasoning for being here to the others."
Nodding, Mason took a deep breath.
"I seek out the elders in regards to increased rogue attacks within the past week. From what I have seen, they are working together recently rather than attacking as solitary beings."
Murmurs from the elders sounded as they took in Mason's words.
"What makes this so important that it must be brought to our attention?" the man with the blindfold around his head asked.
"Elder Francis," Mason politely retorted. "Usually rogue attacks don't happen this close together. Usually, we go weeks or even months without seeing them. However, I have been present for three in the past five days, and the final one was done by rogues who were working together."
"But is that truly reason enough to begin worrying?" elder Francis pushed.
"Let the boy speak," the woman wearing the oversized hat and sunglasses snapped. "Mason, dear, please continue."
Smiling Mason obeyed, saying, "Thank you, Elder Marissa. The rogues have been attacking in my territory, so it is my responsibility to bring it to your attention. I had my beta speak with bordering pack leaders, and they have been having the same issues as well."
The elders began murmuring amongst themselves once more as Mason's news sank in. Whether they were taking him seriously or not, Danica couldn't tell.
"Do tell," said Rebecca once more,her narrowed eyes zoned in on Danica. "Why did this girl have to come with you to tell us about this news?"
Danica could feel her control waning at the woman's condescending tone. If she thought that she was just going to remain silent, she had another thing coming.
"Did I do something to you?" she growled, unable to remain quiet anymore.
"Danica!" Mason's voice held a hint of warning. "These are the elders you need to show respect."
"I don't care!" Danica went on, unable to keep her mouth shut. "If you want respect from me, you need to show respect."
In a flash, Rebecca was up and in front of Danica, her hand reaching for Danica's throat.
"REBECCA!" Killian boomed. "Mind your actions."
A growl erupted from Mason as Rebecca's outstretched hand connected with Danica's skin and began wrapping around her throat.
"This pup needs to be taught a lesson." Rebecca hissed.
Behind her, the rest of the elders remained unmoving as they watched the whole scene. Only Killian seemed to be phased by what was going on.
"Do it." Danica challenged smiling. As soon as she felt danger, the other being that had manifested within her took over.
Gasping, Rebecca released her hold and stumbled backward, her eyes wide.
"WHAT IS SHE?!?" she screeched, pointing a finger at Danica.
Around her, the elders had begun to stare in disbelief at her. Even Killian, who had been defending her only moments ago, was looking at her now with a shocked expression.
"What do you mean?" Mason demanded, turning to take in Danica, who was still glaring at Rebecca. As he caught sight of her face, he let out a startled gasp as well. "Danica, what's going on with your eyes?"
"What?" the garbled words escaped Danica's lips as she began to come back and the being began to disappear. "What do you mean?"
Fully aware now, she looked to Mason questioningly before curiously looking to the still shocked elders.
"Danica, I don't mean to alarm you," Mason started with a frown, "but just now one of your eyes turned red."
"Turned red?" she was having a hard time understanding exactly what he was getting at; how could one of her eyes possibly turn red? "How could that even be possible?"
"Alpha Mason Thompson, you better explain to us what is going on here," the troll elder, who had remained quiet up until now, demanded as he leaned forward in his chair. "Why did you bring the child of a rogue here?"
Child of a rogue, was he talking about her? Danica was having trouble keeping up with the turn of conversation. How could he even possibly say that she was the child of a rogue?
"You must be mistaken, Elder Talon," Mason's voice had begun to rise an octave as his anger flared. "How could she possibly be the child of a rogue?"
"How else do you explain the red eye we just witnessed?" Elder Talon demanded.
Rebecca let out a cackle from her spot in front of Danica.
"Seems I would be doing poor Mason here a favor by doing away with you, pup," she giggled.
With a quick flap of her wings, Rebecca began rising into the air after clasping her hand around Danica's throat once more.
Mind racing, Danica realized she had made a huge mistake in challenging the Harpie Elder, and if she didn't think of something quickly, the woman was going to end up killing her.