Chapter 14 Fourteen
A bowl with a strange swirling liquid sat on a wooden table in front of Danica. The liquid would apparently determine whether or not her blood held the line of the rogues in it. At least that was what the elder standing in front of her had said.
As Arlo had explained to her, they would need to make a small incision in the palm of her hand and allow her blood to intermingle with the liquid. If it remained clear and unchanging, then that meant her blood was clear. However, if it turned black, that meant she had rogue blood.
The thought of inflicting pain on herself scared Danica, but she had no room for argument.
Looking to Mason, who had returned to his human form for comfort, Danica held out her hand to Arlo, who had a dagger at the ready.
Searing pain shot through Danica's palm as the cool blade sliced her skin, allowing her blood to flow freely into the bowl below.
Everyone watched intently as her blood turned into a red cyclone within the swirling liquid. As it danced and twirled, it began to darken until it turned a deep shade of burgundy.
A collective gasp sounded around the table as the now-dark cyclone continued to move.
"What does this mean?" Arlo mused. "Not red and not black."
"Doesn't this prove she is a threat to the werewolf kingdom?" Rebecca's eyes had filled with bloodlust at the thought of being able to do away with Danica. "It clearly proves her blood is not normal!"
"Rebecca, that's enough!" Killian snapped, placing a protective hand on Danica's shoulder.
"Why are you and Mason protecting her?" Rebecca demanded, her rage rising.
Beside Danica, a snarl erupted from Mason as he listened to Rebecca's words.
"This proves nothing, it didn't turn black." his green eyes had taken on a darker color as he glared at the harpie.
"But it didn't stay the same color either."
Danica had begun to come out of her shock, and even she was finding herself agreeing with Rebecca.
Did the change of color indicate that she did indeed have rogue blood in her? Did this also mean that if she were to break the curse and change, she would become deranged?
"What are everyone's opinions on this?" Arlo bellowed, bringing all eyes to him. "Do we choose to allow her to roam free, or do we lock her up before she becomes a problem?"
"WHAT!?!" Mason, who had pushed Danica behind him, shook with anger as his fingernails began to elongate into claws. "How could you even say that?"
"Alpha Mason Thompson, stand down," Arlo ordered. "We have to think of the greater good."
"Step aside; helping her will make you out to be the enemy too." Talon warned siding with Arlo. "She can't be allowed to continue to roam free."
"How can you condemn her when we haven't even agreed on a decision?" Marissa demanded. "We should have a vote before making a move."
"Fine, we shall vote on it then," Arlo huffed, crossing his arms across his chest. "Those in favor of locking up this pup raise your hand."
Danica watched numbly as Rebecca, Talon, and Arlo raised their hands. She expected as much from those three since they had been very open about their dislike of her.
"Those against," Arlo's voice had taken on a dangerous tone due to not having a unanimous decision.
Marissa, Francis, and Killian raised their hands.
"What happens now?" Rebecca whined, placing her hands on her hips. "Are we really going to just let her go free?"
"She's right, we can't just allow her to move about unsupervised," said Talon, who looked thirsty for blood.
"I'm sure my nephew can do just fine watching over her," Killian said, fixing his gaze on Arlo's. "He is loyal to us and won't allow anything to go wrong."
"Do you truly believe that?" Arlo asked, not seeming convinced. "After all, the girl is his mate."
Danica's head had begun to spin as she listened to the bickering around her. She was still having trouble believing that there was a chance she had the blood of a rogue in her, and now she was having to bear witness to a group of higher beings deciding if she was even allowed to remain free. It was all too much, and her ability to remain calm was wearing thin.
"I can't even change," the words escaped her mouth in just a whisper.
"What was that?" Killian, who was standing beside her, asked.
"I CAN'T EVEN CHANGE!" she screamed, bringing everyone's attention to her. "WHAT DANGER AM I WHEN I CAN'T EVEN BECOME A WOLF?"
She could feel tears of frustration beginning to form in her eyes as she became unable to control her emotions.
"What do you mean you can't change?" Arlo demanded, furrowing his brows.
Clenching her fists, Danica fixed her gaze on Arlo's.
"I'm cursed and can't change."
Six sets of eyes fixed themselves on Danica as the words left her mouth.
"Weren't expecting that, were you?" she asked mockingly. "Am I still considered a threat now?"
Sensing her frustration, Mason wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him for comfort. Sighing, she allowed his warmth to calm her.
"We will figure out how to help you," he whispered in her ear.
Danica simply nodded while keeping her eyes fixed on the face of the now confused-looking elf.
"What do you have to say now?"
"You said you're cursed?" Arlo didn't seem like he truly believed her words.
Sighing, Danica hooked her finger to the edge of the pants she was currently wearing. Pulling down, she revealed the serpent mark on her hip.
Eyes widening, Arlo took in the mark.
"How are you associated with the Sarff clan?" he demanded.
"I'm not," Danica responded as she pulled her pants back up.
"Then how did you become cursed by them?" Arlo's words were sounding almost identical to Nigel's.
"We were hoping you could help us with this problem."
Mason squeezed Danica even more protectively against him as he spoke.
A collective gasp sounded among the elders at his request. Curiosity flaring, Danica found herself wondering if even the great elders were scared of the Sarff clan. By their reactions, she was almost sure they were.
"Mason," Killian hissed, breaking Danica from her thoughts. "You know that we don't meddle in the sorcerers affairs."
"But this involves my Luna," Mason countered defiantly.
"Alpha Mason, are you truly asking us to stick our noses where we don't belong?" Arlo asked, eyeing Mason. "You know the rules."
"Then I do believe our business here is done," Mason shrugged.
"Before you go, we still need to decide what to do about the girl," Arlo pointed out as he reached out and grabbed Danica by her shoulder.
"I will take responsibility for her," Mason growled as his anger flared at the elf touching his mate.
"Very well." Letting go, Arlo allowed Mason to grab Danica once more. "If she ends up going mad and kills an innocent, you will suffer the consequences."
"Fair enough."
Mason waved a dismissive hand at the elder and began moving once more.
With worry beginning to build, Danica wondered if it was a good idea to allow Mason to act the way he did, but she didn't have the courage to counter what he was doing since it involved protecting her.
As a war began to rage within her, she allowed him to lead her back into the real world.