254. Olivia- Elders

254. Olivia- Elders
Many Lords talk in hushed voices as they keep throwing glances at the dais, where Rin and Alekos are seated. The last chair is empty. 
The baby kicks me hard in the ribs, cutting my respiration short. 
Tyson places a palm on my stomach and says, “Son, you are hurting your mother.” 
And just like that, the baby stops kicking. 
If someone had told me this a couple of months ago, I never would have believed them. But ever since Tyson found out I’m pregnant, he’s been talking to the baby—and the baby actually responds to his voice. Tyson is not the only one who does that, but for some reason, the baby likes his voice more and responds to it. 
“Thank you,” I murmur before my attention returns to tonight’s gathering. 
Rueben, who’s massaging my swollen ankles, says, “You’re nervous.” 
“Many Lords–present or from other cities–won’t agree with a woman to be an Elder,” I state the obvious. To be honest, I don’t think I’m up to the task, since I’m not a Lord, but Rueben insisted I have to be an Elder, and eventually I gave in and here I am. 
“True,” Ansel agrees with me, “but it is time for new rules.” 
“Blood-brothers are meant to protect hellstars. What better way to do that during these troubled times than by having you as an Elder,” Jasper adds. “You are the leader of the hellstars.” 
I huff. “Actually, Wasp is the leader of the hellstars. I am only the one who will lead them into the battle when Armageddon starts.” 
“Same thing,” Jasper says. 
Mose’s demon, Hellcniht–not his real name, but the one I gave him, squeezes my hand. “Y-y-you go-got this,” he tries to reassure me with a smile. 
A sigh leaves my lips. “Fine. Fine. You all convinced me. I will be an Elder, or at least try to be one, but I warn you all that I have little to no patience for bullshit.” 
Tyson presses a kiss to my temple. “Everyone will behave,” he promises. 
But I say, “We shall see.” 
Alekos gets to his feet, and everyone stops talking. 
“I am sure that by now, every one of you has learned what happened to Elder Calumn, Elder Uzziah, and Elder Janoah. They tried to go behind everyone’s backs and help the Dukes become the rulers of the world. Of course, the Pathriarcs lied, promising our Elders power and money, but Dukes can’t be trusted. No matter what. So,” he points to Rin, and then to several other Lords, “we killed the Elders, the Pathriars, together with those blood-brothers who were greedy and stupid enough to follow the Elders. Rin and I are the new Elders together with–” 
I hold my breath as Alekos says, “Olivia.” 
Loud voices erupt all over the Meeting Room as I make my way to the dais. Lords get to their feet, voicing their disapproval. When I sit between Alekos and Rin, many voices say, “The Elders have always been men,” and “Hell will freeze before we accept her as an Elder.” 
“Quiet!” Rin bellows, and the room falls silent. “Having a woman as an Elder is not the only thing that will change around here. If you can’t handle your women truly being part of our world, then leave.”
“This is madness,” someone calls out. “Earth is under threat, and you expect us to let our women do what—fight against the Nephilim? We will never put them in danger.” His gaze shifts to Tyson. “Don’t tell me you’ll let your pregnant woman play with guns.”
A smile curves Tyson’s lips up. “I think my bonded can speak for herself.”
I clear my throat, drawing every eye to me. “No one is expected to fight, but the women who are willing to stand by their men’s side when the Nephilims attack Earth, they are more than welcome to do so.” 
“My wife will fight over my dead body!” one says, and many agree with him. 
“That won’t be a problem,” I assure him. “The Nephilims don’t take hostages, and they have plenty of experience in destroying planets.” 
My words seem to make the Lords think before talking again. 
Eventually, someone says, “It sounds to me that no matter what we do, we are doomed.”
“And because of this, we have to be ready when Armageddon starts,” Rin explains. “The Nephilims are our enemies, but they are not the only ones. Azael is planning something big. The problem is that we don’t know what.” His gaze shifts to Ansel. “You used to be the Nephilim General. Do you think you can convince them to join us in battle against Azael?”
Ansel hesitates before replying, “The Nephilim value power above all else. The only way they’ll listen to me is if I challenge the current general. But I am no longer one of them—my body is mortal now, and I don’t have the strength or speed I once did. I’m afraid I can’t help with the Nephilim.”
“I was afraid you’d say that,” Rin sighs. “Do you think War is up to the challenge?”
I blink, confused. “Who?”
“War,” Rin explains. “One of the horsemen of the Apocalypse.”
Rin’s idea sounds crazy, but what if it works? “Where can we find the horsemen, and how do we make them join our cause?” I ask no one in particular. 
Rin replies, “The horsemen are my task. You focus on the hellstars—make sure they’re ready to fight when the time comes.”
“The hellstars are more than ready,” I retort.
A Lord interjects, “We still haven’t agreed to a woman Elder.”
Emily rises to her feet. “Why? Does it bruise your fragile masculine ego?”
“And who are you?” the same Lord asks her. 
A chilling smile spreads across Emily’s face as three pairs of silver wings unfurl from her back. Her hair turns black as she declares, “I am Vengeance, the fifth horseman of the Apocalypse.”
“What do you mean, the fifth? There are only four!” someone shouts.
Emily ignores him. Her hair shifts back to its natural color, the silver feathers blazing into gold. “But I can also be Redemption,” she says lightly. “Depends on who’s asking.” Her smile is as sweet as pie. “You might think women are weak, but”—a flash of lightning splits the air—“nothing could be farther from the truth.”
Fear flashes in many eyes, and when Emily sits back next to her bonded, the fear turns into relief. 
“What if our bonded has always been a housewife and she’s only good at keeping the house, and Lair organizes and likes taking care of the kids? Do you still think she can fight?”
I snort. “Only good at…” I mutter. “You bonded probably has crazy ogazing skills among many other ones, and you only know how to underestimate her. And your bondeds can speak for themselves.” 
Alekos says, “There are many things to talk about, but tonight is about letting everyone know who the new Elders are. If anyone has a problem with Rin, Olivia, or me, they are free to go. Staying means that you will do as we tell you. Including Olivia.” 
“Especially Olivia,” Rin grits out. 
To my surprise, no one leaves. 
Which means I’m an Elder now. So much to do in so little time. 
I think I might need an assistant. My gaze goes to my bondeds. 
Maybe five. 

If something doesn't make sense, it will get fixed. Anyway, around 5 chapters left. I am already working on the next one :)