The news had been unexpected. And it had shocked them both. A new candidate? Who was he? That was the question on the tip of Aidas Vladimir and Hunt Adler's tongue. It wasn't unusual for three candidates to run for the same position, but adding an extra candidate when it was already so late wasn't the best of ideas. In fact, it was a terrible idea, for the candidates and everyone else involved.
Aidas left Suna's office angrily. More determined to stomp to the Council's office and demand an explanation. It was also exactly the same thing Hunt had in mind.
The two of them had not seen each other physically for a while. Their assessments and meetings with the City Council always took place at different time because the council knew of how volatile and competitive they both were especially under the same roof.
The State Building. It was the tallest building in all of Aron City and it had been home to the City Council for centuries. It was also the office of the current Mayor. And it was where all major decisions in the country took place. It was the most important and heavily guarded building in all of Aron City.
Aidas made it to the State Building ten minutes after Hunt. Hunt was already there, trying to get an audience with the Council. He was casually dressed in chinos and a black shirt, having rushed right from Candy's apartment after hearing the news.
The moment the two of them set their eyes on each other, Aidas sneered at Hunt.
"Oh great... You're here too."
Hunt murmured underneath his breath and Aidas shrugged.
"Same reason as you are. Unfortunately."
"I wish to speak to the City Council."
He said as he turned to the receptionist who was more focused on her computer than the two of them. She was one of the people with access to the sixty sixth floor and the large steel door which they could only go through with a retina scan of whoever had access.
That was how tight the security was.
"Sorry. The council isn't taking any visitors right now."
She replied dismissively and Aidas frowned. He turned to glare at Hunt who shrugged.
"I tried."
"Okay. Can you at least tell me who this new Candidate is?"
He asked and the receptionist ignored him for a few seconds before raising her head to look at him. She had the most unnatural blue eyes he had ever seen on a human and he could almost swear she wasn't human either.
"I'm not allowed to divulge that sort of information."
"How the hell are we supposed to know then?"
Hunt groaned and she pointed to the points tracker.
"The points tracker would be updated soon."
The Points tracker was the like a sort of display board for candidates. It had all of both Hunt and Aidas's personal information. Ranging from their financial strength to their philanthropic deeds.
Everything they did, good or bad would always reflect on their point tracker.
And it would show the amounts of point they would lose or gain.
Hunt Adler was leading of course, with four more points due to his recent donations in charity.
Aidas rolled his eyes. Of course, only Hunt would think of that. He murmured as he looked at his own points.
He had at least gained a recent point, for clearing the scandal at his club. That was good.
"How long do we have to wait?"
Hunt asked and the Receptionist shrugged.
"I don't know. It could take a while."
She murmured and the two of them groaned.
At that same time the big steel doors open and Hunt and Aidas rushed in front of it.
It was Mila Davis. She was a council member and she groaned immediately she set her eyes on Hunt and Aidas.
"If you think I'll tell you who the new candidate is, then you're wrong. You're just going to have to wait like everybody until the live broadcast."
"But why? Why a new candidate? The elections are in a few weeks."
Mila shrugged, smoothing her dark blue suit jacket as she walked towards the elevator.
"It was an unanimous agreement. We've been discussing about it for a while."
"And why have you? At least there should be a tangible reason for an extra candidate."
Hunt pestered and she paused.
"Yes, you're right. The council decided we needed someone different. Stronger. With even more experience running for Mayor."
Aidas scoffed as he shook his head. He was over a century old, the basis for maturity and experience had been covered already.
Unless they were lying and it was all about something else. Well, he could only wait to find out.
"Now, I suggest you two run along and try and increase your points before you find yourself lagging behind."
"But, where are you going?"
Lacey asked again as she sniffed loudly. She had been battling with a sudden bout of fever and cold the minute she had woken up from sleep. Hunt had been right next to her the entire time, but he had left briefly after he received a weird phone call. He came back a few hours later but he still didn't seem to be in the best of moods.
She was also feeling a little down too. She had been considering coming clean to Hunt and asking him if he could at least help her retain her job.
She was ready to tell him everything. After all, he had been so good to her during her worst. She was at least convinced that she Aidas Vladimir would never bother her again. So far, he hadn't and she was more than ready to put all he said in the past and move on like nothing ever happened.
Vampires, werewolves, she was ready to avoid them all. And they didn't exist in her reality, so she had no need to bother about them.
"It's a family thing. My parents, they have this family tradition... We're going to be spending a few days out of town."
Hunt said and Lacey frowned.
"Must you leave?"
"I wish I could stay..."
Hunt murmured. He wished he could too, but he was an alpha. And part of being an alpha was taking responsibilities even when he didn't want to.
The full moon was in two days, they had to retreat to the mountains. Although he wouldn't stay as long as the others would, he had to be there.
And with Candy getting sick, he was beginning to have a rethink.
He wondered if her sickness was related to her being Fae. A lot of things tended to happen before Faes finally experience the settling. And it could be even worse for an halfbreed.
It was the worst time for him to leave her.
"Hey, are you sure you'll be okay?"
He asked with concern as he placed a gentle arm on her shoulder.
Lacey nodded as she tucked her unruly hair behind her ears. She was tired and her throat was parched dry. not to mention the terrible pounding headache she had.
She lazily swung her feet out of bed.
"I will be. I just need to get some water."
She murmured and Hunt nodded.
He stood up to follow her and suddenly a thought popped in his head.
"Can I ask you for something?"
He said and Lacey looked at him weirdly.
"What's that?"
"I'll need a blood sample from you."
She paused and glared at him.
"What for?"
She questioned and Hunt shrugged.
"To compare with Lila's. To see if you're really sisters."
"I think that fact has very much been established."
She said remembering her meeting with Mrs Hampshire.
"I know. But, if you must know, I didn't want you to panic but..."
"But what?"
Hunt sighed.
"I'm worried about you. Lila had a rare medical condition. It was genetic. I need to know if you're safe from it."
He lied in the best way he could put it. There was no way he would be able to tell her that Lila was a werewolf who was half fae. Or that she could be the same too and in a few weeks she would turn into a fae if she made it through the settling.
"Condition? What is that?"
She panicked while Hunt reassured her.
"Look... It's nothing, really it isn't. I just need to be sure you don't have it. And there's a seventy five percent chance you might not get it either."
"Oh God. Hunt what is it?"
She murmured and Hunt sighed.
"I won't tell you until you stop panicking. Now, you need to rest."
For the next few moments while Lacey pestered Hunt with questions, he avoided all of her questions while fixing her up a light dinner of store bought chicken soup.
When she was tired he tucked her back in bed and planned to leave.
But Lacey wouldn't stop thinking about what he said.
"Hunt..."
She called out nervously as she held his hand in hers. His emerald green eyes staring down at her lovingly while she worried about what might be wrong with her.
Was that the reason she was sick? Her mind wouldn't stop coming up with different scenarios of what could be going on with her.
"Candy... Stop worrying about it. I feel so stupid for even bringing it up..."
"No! No! I'm really happy you're being so considerate. I just want to know if it's life threatening."
Hunt shook his head.
"No, no. It's really not. Well... It actually depends on the way you look at it..."
"But I promise. You'll be fine."
Lacey smiled while Hunt caressed her face lovingly. There was so much love in her heart that was swelling for him. She couldn't even explain it but she didn't know how she would have coped if she had not spent the last few fays with Hunt.
"Thank you. For everything Hunt."
"The last few days... I felt like I was slipping away... And somehow, you managed to keep me tethered."
Tears welled in her eyes and Hunt kissed them away.
"Shhhhhhh. Don't think. Don't cry. Just sleep."
"I'll be back in the morning."
He whispered into her war as he planted a full kiss on her lips.
Lacey watched as Hunt walked away. She stared at the ceiling for a while, thinking of how she was going to come clean to him, she deserved to, after everything he had done for her.
She at least owed him the truth.
There was a persistent tap on her balcony door. And her heart jumped out of her chest before she even turned to look.
Aidas.
It was Aidas.
She thought as her hazel eyes met his brilliant blue eyes with shock.