Chapter 181 New Dawn pt 2
Gideon
Mom nodded. “Their own pack. Or coven. However they’d like to be styled, but it gives them their own new identity. A way to grow and move on from the trauma. I like it.”
Agreement flowed all around us. “We can give them an advisory council, a blend of shifters, vampires, and witches to help them get started. People who are truly invested in not just their survival, but who also want them to flourish,” I said.
“I would be a part of that,” Elaine’s tired voice spoke up from behind me. She moved forward, stepping up beside Cassian. “Forgive me. It took a moment for me to…recover.”
I looked her over, taking in the dirt smeared on her face, the fatigue weighing her shoulders down. The sorrow in her eyes. I gave her a small smile.
“My sister was a part of the problem. I’d like to be part of the solution, if you’d allow me,” she continued.
“Elaine,” Seren walked to her and took her hand. “You already were. You don’t need to continue to atone for your sister’s actions.”
Elaine smiled at her and gave her hand a squeeze. “I want to do this. It would be nice to have something positive to work towards.” Seren nodded, stepping back to her place with Duncan.
Dad stood. His legs looked a little shaky, but he steadied himself quickly. “Then we’ll make the announcement, draft it all up. The hybrids will have their own land, their own system, just as we do, with a blended council to guide them for the first years. Those who have packs to return to—and who want to return—will have the freedom to choose.”
Cassian closed his eyes. “As you say, Your Majesty.” He waited a beat. “And the tournament? Are we continuing? This territory still needs new leadership.”
Dad met his eyes. “It does. And I’m not willing to let the Council stand in any longer, considering you ignored my orders and have clearly forgotten who we serve.”
“We rebuilt the pack, not that you can see that now!” Cassian waved a hand at the destruction around us. “We did as you said.”
“I told you to take care of the people. You failed. That will be addressed when we get back to the palace. In the meantime, I’ve seen what I need to see in order to make a decision for this place. I’ll discuss that with my family, and we will make the announcement later tonight or tomorrow. We have more pressing things to attend to right now, like ensuring the rest of the injured get help.”
With that, Dad dismissed Cassian and strode away, Mom following, as the group of us stood there. “What just happened?” I wondered aloud.
Seren laughed. “Dad got tired of the politics.” She looked around. “He’s right, though. We need to help.”
For the next few hours, we lifted injured warriors from the field and set them up with healers in triage. We fixed what damage we could, rerouting streams made from elemental fighting, moving boulders, and putting out fires. Lucian and Alexis called the wind to carry the smoke away, while Cora called the water to clean blood from the fields. We helped warriors pile bodies, noting down names where we could, and comforted more than one hybrid survivor.
Dorian’s people had offered their tents for the hybrids, and we gladly accepted their help. We directed many who were still dazed and confused, coming to terms with their will being stripped away. I was working with a group of them when a tall, slender man with red hair walked up to me. He bowed his head. “Prince Gideon.”
I looked at him. “I’m sorry. Have we met?”
He smiled, and I saw the pointed teeth that marked him as one of the turned. “No. Not directly. My name is Phineas.”
Recognition was like a punch in the gut. I inclined my head to him. “You have my thanks, Phineas. The work you did, the information you were able to get to us…it made the difference.” I took in his changed state. “I’m sorry about the price.”
He shook his head. “I understood the risks. I expected to die, to be honest. For a moment, while he had control, it was worse than death. But I would do it again.”
“Will you return to your pack?”
“No. I can be of more use with the hybrids. There are many who will need help coming to terms with the things they’ve done at Mikhail’s command. Something I have firsthand knowledge of.” He smiled ruefully.
I reached out, offering him my hand. “Anything you need, let me know. We owe you a debt.”
He gripped mine, palm to palm, giving me a firm handshake before letting go. “I appreciate that, Prince Gideon. We’re okay for now. I can take this group to the camp.”
I stepped back and let him lead the exhausted people away. ‘Dad?’
‘Yes, Gideon?’
‘I found Phineas. He survived, but he’s been turned.’
There was silence for a moment, then, ‘I’m not sure what to say. I’m happy he’s still alive.’
‘I think he would be a good leader for them. If nothing else, a good liaison to the blended council.’
‘We’ll see it done.’
I went back to jumping in where I could until I finally found myself at the dining hall to grab a quick sandwich. Exhaustion beat at me as I chewed. I reached for my bond with Cora, wondering where my mate was, and felt her calm determination as she worked. I’d search her out after I was done eating. Glancing around, I saw one of the candidates from Forest Lake. Oreias, I think that was his name. He was standing with some of the women at the edge of the dining hall. As I watched, he soothed one who was crying, even as he helped the group to some seats. He brought them a tray of food and warm drinks, then moved on to the next group of people who needed help.