Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Six
Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Six
Avery steps fully into the main hall, the hum of magic and quiet urgency settling around her like a cloak. Emerald flutters to her shoulder, her voice a whisper of wind chimes, “Everything is prepared. Queen Titania watches through us.”
Avery inhales slowly, grounding herself. She lifts her gaze to the screen. And saw Londrell freeze. Not a subtle pause - a full, stunned, breath-caught, eyes locked moment. Even through the video feed, Avery felt the shift. His aura flared - recognition, shock, something deeper she couldn’t name. Vee and Steele, two of the fairies assigned to him, exchanged a look.
Then Vee gently taps Londrell’s shoulder, “Stop staring.” Londrell blinks hard, straightening, clearing his throat like he’d forgotten how to speak. Avery’s brows lift slightly. ‘Okay… that was weird’ Before she could dwell on it, Varyn stepped closer into view, beside Londrell. And the moment Avery sees him - the moment his eyes widen in recognition - the memory slams into her.
A party. Loud music. Too many people. Her then-boyfriend, drunk and high, grabbing her arm too hard. Her trying to leave. Him refusing. Her panic rising. And then- Varyn. Stepping between them. Calm. Firm. Unmovable. Helping her get away. Calling security. Making sure she got home safe.
Avery’s lips curved into a soft, grateful smile. Varyn’s expression warms instantly, “I was wondering if you’d remember.” Avery nods, “You helped me. I never forgot.” Londrell’s head snaps toward Varyn, “You know her?” Varyn shrugs lightly, “We crossed paths,” looking at Londrell, “Once. A long time ago.” Londrell squints, as if in deep thought, then, “That club. The obnoxious guy. The one we had to help security with, and the girl that you squirled out the back?” Avery smiles, “Yes, that was me. I owe my life to you. I really think he would have hurt me that night. By the way, what happened after Varyn got me home? I never saw that guy again, all I got was a text from him, breaking up with me.” Varyn and Londrell look at each other, with smirks on their faces, “That text was from me.” Londrell admits. “The authorities couldn’t handle him, so we took him back to one of our camps…. Just know that he will never be a problem ever again.”
Avery’s parents exchanged looks - some surprised, some relieved. The head Council member cleared his throat, drawing the room’s attention, “Now that everyone is here, and the introductions are not needed, shall we begin?” Avery takes her seat at the table, Emerald settling on her shoulder like a tiny sentinel. Her mates’ presence hummed softly in the back of her mind - supportive, steady, listening. Avery folds her hands, Lifts her chin, and meets Londrell’s gaze head-on, “Yes. Let’s begin.”
And the summit’s fate begins to take shape.
On the massive screen, Londrell sits flanked by Varyn and his fairies, Vee, Thistle, and Steele. The head Council member clears his throat, “Londrell. Varyn. Thank you for joining us. We have much to discuss.” Londrell straightens, his voice steady, “We agree. The report was… illuminating.” Auron leans forward, fingers steepled, “How are you feeling after reading it?”
Londrell exhales slowly, "Disappointed. Angry. But not surprised. I knew there were fractures. I didn’t realize how deep they ran.” Varyn nods, “We suspected Mira and Torren were drifting. Rhalek… we didn’t know the extent of his intentions.” Steele flutters forward, wings shimmering, “Their emotional signatures are unstable. Their intent is violent. They cannot be allowed near the summit.”
Remy taps the table, “The fairies’ recommendations are clear. Remove the extremists. Monitor the unstable. Proceed with caution.” The Council head turns to Londrell, “And your opinion?” Londrell doesn’t hesitate, “I agree. They cannot attend. But removing them outright will cause suspicion. We need a controlled environment.”
Varyn leans in, “We’ve been discussing options. Containment wards keyed to their emotional spikes. Magical tripwires.” Steele nods vigorously, “Yes! Yes! The wards respond only to their intent. They trap themselves the moment they act.”
Avery felt her mates hum in the back of her mind - approval, recognition, agreement. She lifts her hand slightly, “That’s the same conclusion we reached.” Londrell blinked, “
You did?” Avery nods, “My mates and I reviewed the report last night. The extremists’ intent patterns are predictable. If we set up wards keyed to those patterns, they’ll trigger the trap themselves.”
Vee flutters excitedly, “We told them! We told them you’d see it too!” The Council head, looks between the two groups, “So both sides independently reached the same strategy?” Varyn smiles faintly, “Seems we’re more aligned than we thought.”
Mark leans forward, “Then let’s formalize it. Walk us through your plan.” Connal - Londrell’s head of security - Steps into view, “We propose three layers of containment. First, emotional wards keyed to the extremist intent. Second, spatial wards to isolate them when triggered. Third, a neutral zone guarded by fairies and Council security.”
Avery nods, “And we’ll position ourselves near the envoy. Close enough to intervene, far enough not to provoke.” Lucien's voice whispers through the mindlink, “Perfect phrasing.” Riven adds, “You’ve got this.” Avery continues, “We also suggest alerting Varyn privately. He can coordinate from their side.” Varyn inclines his head, “I’m willing. And I can redirect Mira and Torren under the guise of reassignment.”
Londrell adds, “Rhalek will be harder. But I can handle him.” Auron raises a brow, “Handle him how?” Londrell’s expression hardens, “Firmly.” Steele whispers to Vee, “He means punching.” Vee looks at Londrell, “He definitely means punching.” Avery bites back a smile. The Council head taps the table, runes flaring to life, “Then we have a plan. Today, we finalize routes and ward placements. Tomorrow, we set the date.”
Elena looks at Avery, pride shining in her eyes, “And then the summit begins.” Avery inhales deeply. Her mates hummed in her mind. The fairies glowed brighter. Londrell watched her with a new, steady respect. Varyn gave her a reassuring nod. The path forward was clear. Avery, “Let’s finish this.”