Despite the brave face that Lexi had put on, she had still needed a couple of days to recover as her energy levels were incredibly low. She had fallen asleep a few times when they had all been sat discussing how best to proceed and then been furious with herself afterwards. One thing had been certain though, she was going to find Greyson whether Allen wanted her to or not. They had come to a silent agreement about it, that neither one of them would mention it outright, but they would both participate in planning the expedition out there to take care of the sites. Lord Brarthroroz would go with them, along with a handful of specialists from the Enclave, and a few of Lord Brarthroroz's commanders would accompany them, for back up if needed. Ann would stay behind with Adam and work on having the plans for the portal room in the Enclave approved by the council with Bartholomew's help, and take a closer look at the finances required to get their military force up to scratch, so th
Ann and Adam followed Bartholomew to his office, requesting breakfast from a passing omega as they made their way there. Once inside the safety of his office, Bartholomew took the stone from his pocket and placed it on his desk as they sat and looked at it. "Soulstone? It sounds kind of ominous." Adam commented dryly. "That's because it sort of is." Ann answered as she reached for the stone and held it to the light that streamed in through the window. "If you look closely Adam, sometimes you can see the solidified energy of the soul inside…like a mist that's infused within the stone." Bartholomew explained. "It's filled with dead people?!" He exclaimed in horror. Bartholomew chuckled and shook his head. "I suppose it is. Soulstone was formed from the souls of thousands perhaps, all fossilized centuries ago when the gods themselves roamed the earth and walked among us in various guises. It can only be found in the realms that were eventually given over to the Daemons as
The journey out to the last spot that had been scouted by the Enclave's Specialist handlers and their direwolves had been uncomfortable to say the least. The standard black armored transport with tinted windows was not air conditioned, and the heat in the back was stifling. The only breeze came from the window in the front passenger seat, where Lord Brarthroroz was seated next to an obviously tense driver. The specialists that accompanied them sat in the front two rows, occasionally throwing worried glances back at the cages, as Lexi grinned unashamedly at them from her seat next to Allen on the back row. "Do you have to torment everyone that you come into contact with?" Allen murmured in annoyance as he rolled his eyes. "What? I'm just being friendly." Lexi protested with a shrug, her eyes glinting mischievously. Allen raised an eyebrow at her as Lexi snorted. "Look, I'm hot, I feel like we've been cooped up in this tin can forever and I'm already bored. A girls gotta do
The specialist raised an eyebrow at Lord Brarthroroz and barely suppressed the scoff of disbelief. "You're telling me that your hellhounds can sniff out the sites faster than our direwolves?" "We could always make a wager on it, if you like?" Lord Brarthroroz answered casually as a sly smirk played at the edges of his mouth. "I'm not betting my soul…" The shifter replied before he was interrupted by Lord Brarthroroz's laughter, "I don't know what's funny about that." He continued, scowling at both Lexi and her father. "Listen buster, I think you and your little friends have us confused with the demons of the human religions," Lexi snorted, "We're daemons, not demons. There's a huge difference." "I don't see how. You both deal in souls and dark magick, and live in the depths of hell." "I'll have you know my home is quite comfortable and welcoming actually. If you can get past the succubi that is… although I'm sure some of your unmated would love spending time with them...
Allen took the awe filled chatter between the specialists as a positive sign. They were horrified and terrified at her sheer power as the flames had incinerated the corpse in seconds, and the image of her blazing eyes set within her perfectly calm face and flame wreathed body had seemed almost deity-like. He wouldn't be surprised at all if, at least for these three men and those that listened to them, she became an almost mystical figure. However, Lexi was unnaturally quiet as they continued on towards the next site and both he and her father had noticed the subtle shift in her aura and the almost depressive cloud of misery that seemed to hang over her. Allen reached for Lexi's hand wordlessly as they walked, intertwining their fingers together and squeezing her hand lightly as they walked. She turned to him and smiled half heartedly, but Allen could see the doubt and worry in her eyes. Lord Brarthroroz stopped suddenly and stretched. "We'll need to take a little stop for a
Ann sat in the council chamber with both Adam and Coral at her side, the Elders clearly torn between being uncomfortable with an omega's presence at such a high ranking meeting, as well as curious as to the purpose. Coral shifted uncomfortably beside Ann as some of the degrading whispers reached their ears, as well as the curious ones. It always seemed to be the negative ones that had the most impact on a persons confidence though. She had returned from her time with Eva far less timid and a lot more confident and honestly, it warmed Ann's heart to see that such a small decision on her part, had driven such a large impact on Coral's life so far. Coral had been paid for her time in training with Eva a decent wage, and by her own admission, it was more than she had ever seen in all of her years working for the Enclave. That in itself bothered Ann greatly and she intended to rectify it today. "Right, let's get started shall we?" Ann announced brightly as the murmurs that had rippl
"I would also like to propose that a better schedule be organized for their working hours. Twelve hour shifts within their duties are archaic. I would like to propose a schedule of eight hour shifts, and suggest that the same benefits that apply to pregnant she wolfs, or those with young children be applied to the omega's on staff. They will be allowed a reprieve from their duties until either the children come of age, or if they choose to return to work, I feel that the Enclave should provide additional child care facilities so that the children are not forced into the life of an omega, before they receive proper education." "Preposterous! Traditionally an omega learns their duties from a young age! They…" "No." Ann's voice cut sharply across the arguments that were bubbling amongst the Elders. "From this moment forward, no child may enter into servitude, or into the staff of households until they have completed their education. Special allowances may be made perhaps for apprent
After the meeting Ann, Adam, Bartholomew and Coral made their way back towards Bartholomew's office, paying no mind to the whispers of the people that they passed. Ann had expected a little resistance and had warned Coral to expect a little push back from some of those who saw themselves as above her, but to ignore it as much as possible and so far, she was doing well. The time that she had spent with Eva had certainly seen her grow from the nervous, anxious, frightened omega that she was previously into the timid, yet efficient woman that stood before her today. Ann had every confidence that in a few months, her confidence would increase dramatically and she would be able to handle most situations with ease. "Bartholomew will see to it that you have appropriate quarters assigned within the Enclave while we remain here, preferably in our wing. I have already approved which suite I think would be suitable for you, but obviously there are the finer details to sort out… furnishing