Chapter 85

**Witch Council

“Lena is missing. This council has an obligation to try and find her. She sits on this board as the rest of you. What if it was you? I am aware that all of you say that you do not wish to get involved in things that you feel has nothing to do with the witches, but if there are covens going against the laws set to protect us then we must join the fight to stop them or we to are to blame.”

The council was divided. Those who wanted to look the other way and watch the fall of the Lycan and any other race that would choose to fight in this war. Then those who wanted to take a stand and join in the fight for what may be the greater good. Lena family and over thrown the last council leaders on the grounds of being corrupt. Not everyone agreed with that decision but evidence was not on their side. Cassandra’s family was removed from power and Lena’s took their place.

“This council refuses to get involved with the disagreements of other races. If they so choose to destroy themselves then it is only going to benefit us.” One of the oldest in the council spoke up. It was those who shared her outlook that wish the way of the old coven to come back. They were just blind to what that really meant.

“This may or may not have anything to do with any of them. A member of this council is missing. Why would we not invest in finding her unless someone in this council was to blame.” Liv shot back. Liv was a promising young witch who Lena had taken under her wing. She was bright and powerful. More so than the other members of the council knew.

“What are you accusing? That we would cost the life of our own kind?” Another older witch said back

“I never said she was dead, only missing. What is it that you know that the rest of us do not? It is a crime against your own punished only by death to do such things to your own. I am requesting that this be looked into or the action of every member of this council be looked into.” Liv smile said that she knew she had won. None of the old council would want their lives looked into. Many practiced illegal yet harmless old magic. She had them and they knew it.

“Liv is right council, and who are we to not do what needs to be done? We all here may not have a seat at the table but our words are meant to be heard. If Liv feels like there is a miss doing to one of the council members, then I say let her go and look into it. Take a small group of likeminded witches and see what she may find.” Shea spoke. She was at this meeting to give news of Amara the president of SOSA being murdered. Shea knew that the minds of the old witches would go deep into thought and see this as a way to get rid of the witches who wanted to change with the times. They would not mourn the loss of just these few witches if it was to happen.

“To right you are, Liv you are to take a charge and do your own leg work on this. Until you can come back with any real evidence this matter is at a close.”

**Shea

“Council, I am here to give word that an ally of ours is dead. Murdered at that. Amara president of SOSA. It will soon be announced and they will be looking for his replacement. We all know that the wrong person in that spot would complicate things for this on council. I am only the messenger and wish to give the news that I have gathered. “

“To right again child, thank you for your knowledge.” It was a dismissal. I knew it. What they didn't know was that I had plans for Liv and the others. Lena was a dear friend of mine. I was sure I knew what had happened but I only hoped that I was wrong. My next stop was Nelly Douglas. I hoped that she would hear me out. Phoenix was certain that she would and that Jackson would help us find Cortlyn's body. I had to trust that she knew what she was doing, because I was clueless at this point.

POV

There wasn't much time left before everyone was going to need to get out of the city. SOSA was going to be looking for answers and pointing fingers. There was no one yet who knew exactly who was behind all the uproar in the city. Lycans, witches, and even hunters had been spotted. Rumors of Howlers and Golems was making their way to the ears of all the leaders of each race. There would soon be a World War between the supernatural's at this rate.

Everything seemed to lining up just the way the Old Coven wanted it to. Jasper had nowhere to run to and his allies were few. War and been raised against him from all sides. With the help of Shane Douglas, the CRA had kidnapped all the Lycan heirs successfully turning the packs against him. SOSA was looking into his workings. Artic had been the perfect placement. It was too easy to turn him against his Alpha. The spell may have been broken sooner than planned, but it had only slowed things down a fraction. Cortlyn was still taken and now in the wind from everyone. The council members would soon be on board with keeping their hands clean as the war proceeds. Most of Jasper's city was lost for the cause. Once Jasper was out of the city Oak Bane would be the next on the list. Almost all the boxes were checked for complication. Soon enough there would be nothing to do but fight to the death and the Lycans were set up to fail.

**Jacob

I woke up feeling like someone had tried to eat me from the inside out. Every organ I had felt sore, if it was possible to feel your organs. I knew that I had been out by the hunger that I was feeling. How long was the real question though. Through the fog of what I knew would be pain killers I looked around. I wasn't in a hospital which was a surprise. A ping of panic rose as I retraced the events that had left me in the position. What in the hell was I still alive for? What more could they want from me? The monitor that told whoever was in the room with me that my heart rate had clearly spiked was my wakeup call that I needed to get the hell up and out of here. I had to see Jasper.

“Lay down Jacob, you are not ready to get up. You need rest.” I knew the voice but I couldn't put a face to it. As I tried to sit up and get out of here, I soon realized that I had been tied down.

“Let me up now!” There was no use in trying to speak again my voice was dry and hoarse. Barely audible. I was not going to get anywhere using words.

“No one here is going to hurt you. Nell and Jasper have been keeping a good eye on you. Nell will be back soon. Is there anything that you need?” The female voice asked again. I wasn't sure why she sounded familiar but he was enough to get me to calm down a little.

“I need to....” I was struggling to talk. My throat was dry and to the point it hurt.

“Would you like some water?” she asked. I nodded afraid to try to speak again. I heard what sounded like ice pouring from a metal hotel style ice bucket into a glass. Followed by tap water being ran. It wasn't but a few seconds later that a woman in scrubs appeared in front of me. She had a professionally tight bun of blonde hair on top of her head. I couldn't see exactly how tall she was due to the fact I was lying down and I wasn't sure how far from the floor I was, but she appeared to be short. She had a kind face and her eyes showed no sign of distress or disgust that can come with being a care taker. She held out the glass of water with a straw towards my lips. Taking in a large sip I let the water moisten my throat and lips.

Her voice was so familiar and comforting but I did not recognize anything else about her. She appeared to be no older than I was. In this drugged state I couldn't make out if she was a wolf from Oak Bane or not. I knew that if Jasper had really put her here, she was here to help me.

“Better?” she asked. I nodded not sure if I was ready to try to speak again. “More?” I nodded again. “I am glad to see that you are awake, I am going to step out and call Jasper. My name is Rylee if you need anything.” With that she sat the glass on the bed side table and walked out.