Zion

I’ve only seen the courtyard once, I was on the grand tour of the palace and Zion swung bye. It was you would expect a courtyard to look like, just an opening in the palace that is sometimes used for small dinner parties or even training.

As of now, I’m escorted by Alpha Nixon towards the courtyard, having a small chat with him as we walk to our destination. Today I am to meet the rogue who will join me tomorrow. In one day we will learn one another as best as we can, do some run throughs of how the ‘mission’ is to go, and then get on a plane to Florida for the big event.

I fix my hair, pulling it back into a tight ponytail as we near the courtyard. Thankfully today I’m not expected to be wearing a business dress or formal attire, but am simply dressed in a pair of dark wash jeans and a cream sweater. Casual days are the best, and I’m just waiting for Spring now to wear shorts.

“The warrior that will be joining you is Gray, a great warrior of my pack and good friend,” Alpha Nixon informs as we round the last corner and the archways lead out to the courtyard. Alpha Nixon explains that Gray became a warrior at the age of sixteen and has been one hell of a fighter since then. I would have to agree, for warriors are willing to do anything for those they are loyal to, and by Gray becoming a rogue for both his Alpha, King, and kingdom, it shows how much he is willing to sacrifice.

Zion is already in the courtyard, Alpha Cratos and Alpha Henry (an Alpha from Scotland) all talking with one another as an unfamiliar face is with the three. By my guess, it is Gray, and he does look like one scary warrior, but now, rogue. His scent is strong, being a new rogue means your scent is was easier to pick up. With dark skin, dark brown eyes, short black hair, and some pretty cool tattoo sleeves, I already know, just by the looks of this tall and built warrior, if I’m in trouble, he will be able to aid.

“Gray is also smart as well, Sybil, he knows his facts and has a brain that could save you both if something goes wrong. He practically plans all of a tactics for war. He is a man to put your trust in.” I nod, walking up to Gray as he is about to bow his head.

I stick my hand out, ready for a handshake. I guess that surprised Gray, how I’d rather shake his hand than allow him to bow. “Welcome,” I greet, offering the warrior and new rogue a smile as he takes my hand.

“Pleasure, Lady Sybil,” he replies, his voice deep. I catch a glimpse of one of the tattoos upon his arm, one of an elf as it slaughters a wolf. “King Zion, let me express my graffitied once again for allowing me in on this meeting and mission tomorrow, for putting your trust in me.” He’s formal, for sure wanting to respect the King.

Then again, he is no ordinary rogue. Most would be giving him the finger...like I have.

“Well, I do believe we should do a run though, Lady Sybil to inform you on what you are entering tomorrow night,” Alpha Nixon comments, clasping his hands together as Zion wraps an arm around my shoulder.

“We will use my office.”

The office is beautiful, wooden floors, deep red walls, leather furniture, an oak table, and a massive bookshelf against the far back wall.

I take my seat on one of the couches, an L shape that faces a window. “So, Lady Sybil, please elaborate upon the ring.”

I explain the ring, how it’s a fight with bids, certain rogues entering a ring for money to also empress others. I the warehouse it takes place in also includes deals that are set out, sometimes even hunters coming to make deals. But most of all, contacts to the ring leaders will be there, meaning it’s the place to be for us.

“We have security around the warehouse, positioned to not give it away-

“No matter what, once the contacts know who I am, or someone notices me, they will suspect that we are not there without aid,” I interrupt, watching as Alpha Nixon shuts his mouth, a scowl crossing his face. “Basically we are to get in, talk around, see who the contacts are, try to set up a meeting, and then, leave without trouble.” Gray nods his head in understanding, taking all of it in. No doubt he won’t be rogue that long.

The rest of the meeting is all about the security set up around the warehouse and how we are to call for aid. I’ve heard of some people meeting up with the ring leaders, either setting up a deal or ending up bloody and weak. However, I’m aiming to get all the ring leaders to meet at the same place, for me to state the deal, for me to express what I need. If they give the go, they will influence and prompt other rogues to join.

By the time we are done and I’m left with just Zion in his office, my thoughts become centered around Keva. An IOU is never wise to do with an elf. Sure, they are not a demon, one who makes deals with a catch to them that will harm you, but an elf can have a catch too. Sometimes elves ask for things you never thought they would, other times they ask for things that end badly for you. But with what I think of from Keva, I would of much rather made a deal with a demon, to summon it and make a deal that will end my life.

“Do you trust Gray?” Zion questions as he gets up from his desk, walking over to where I lay down on the couch. Do I feel comfortable putting my life in the hands of a man I just met? Will, I did put my trust in Zion, a man I barely knew, and am now wearing a ring that symbolizes I am his.

I nod. “I trust him enough to know he will keep me alive.” Zion crosses his arms, sitting down on the coffee table as the clock ticks in the background. “And Keva, do you trust her enough to not pull some insane IOU on you after this is all said and done?”

Complete silence. He doesn’t know what to think. I can already tell that Keva means trouble to both of us. If anything I know just by meeting her, she does not like Zion at all.

“I trust her enough to not hurt either of us or this kingdom,” Zion replies, leaning forward as I turn my head to the side, facing him as I watch the colors in his eyes swirl around. “Elves are know to keep peace, not daring to pull someone who owes them into a situation where they are in danger.”

“So are demons, but you actually know how to repay them, you actually know they will take their payment. Elves you really have no idea.”

Zion shakes his head. “I’m not going to summon some demon in the palace, much less one that will end my life when they want.” True, that’s the price you pay with a deal from a demon, they kill you when they want. Elves at least let you live...if you’re lucky enough to not have made an enemy with them.

“Who knows if those vampires you will face will have made a deal with one.”

Zion shakes his head, chuckling a bit as I raise an eyebrow. “If you knew enough about their type of race you would know demons can only make deals with the living, and vampires are dead.”

“How bad will the war be?” I ask, looking up at the ceiling. I know the war will be fought on grounds covered by a magical force so humans will be unable to see it, but the question is, are these types of vampires going to play by the rules. If they take it to the human realm, the elves and witches have to intervene, for the last thing we want is the human dance to know about our existence.

“You already know we need the aid of rogues, that should be a sign that we are in need of help.” True, the kingdom to call upon rogues is a desperate sigh.

I sit up, facing Zion as he looks up to meet my gaze. “Just take your mind off of it for now, Sybil, we already have to fly out soon,” Zion explains as I nod my head. I fly out with Zion and a whole load of warriors, two other Alphas, and Gray in about two hours.

I lean forward, granting the Alpha King a single and soft kiss, pulling away in seconds before Zion can act upon it. Getting to my feet, I walk towards the door, about to pull it open, but arms wrap around my body, pulling me away as I’m turned around.

Lips are upon mine once more, passion flooding the kiss as my arms wrap around his neck. And soon, the kiss is gone, and Zion takes a step back, telling me to get ready for the flight.

Walking out of the office, I don’t follow the King’s words, but rather head down a hall Zion once showed me. A set of double doors lay before me now, a set Zion said I was not to enter.

I know why, it’s the door to the wing where the warriors of the palace live, where the best of the best set up their home.

Knocking on the door, I already know the trouble I’ll be in if Zion ever finds out I did this.

The doors open, revealing a built and intimidating male with a scar across his left cheek. “How may I help you, lady Sybil?” He asks, raising an eyebrow as I stand before him.

“I would like to chat with your lead warrior,” I explain, looking to the side of his shoulder as a warrior passes the hall, his gray eyes spotting mine. “It’s just a small question I have for him.”

The man raises both eyebrows, pondering what to do. If Zion ever finds out I came here, I already know the lie I will tell to him, what I will say. “Come in.”

I enter, the first thing to catch my attention being the whole luxury step down. Not marble floors anymore, but stone, both floor and walls, wooden doors, and the emblem of the kingdom. I’m brought into a big room, one with wooden benches around a long table where the warriors get their meals.

“Just take a seat here, I will go and get Alpha Finn.” The warriors are like their own little pack down here, the Alpha being their head warrior, Beta being their second.

I wait for more than ten minutes, watching as the occasional warrior passes bye. That’s when I spot those gray eyes, the male that passes bye, how he gives me a short glance. Who is he? All I know is a warrior. Just as I lean back, our eyes locking, I hear my name called.

Switching my gaze, I turn to see a male, maybe late forties, and one hell of a build that you know could kill easily.

“Lady Sybil, to what do I owe this meeting?” He greets, being very formal as he takes a seat across from me on the table. Looking to the other warriors in the hall, he dismisses them. “How may I help you?”

Goddess, I hope Zion never finds out why I came here. “Alpha Finn, I was hoping I could check a listing of all the warriors you have had here in the past two decades.” The Alpha raises an eyebrow, I don’t know if confused or surprised. “I would really appreciate it.”

The Alpha nods. “Drexel!” The warrior calls, waiting someone.

The boy with gray eyes walks in, his eyes shortly meeting mine before he looks to his Alpha. “I need you to take Lady Sybil to the file room and get her the list of warriors,” the Alpha orders.

Drexel nods, watching me as I get to my feet. “Thank you,” I tell the Alpha, bowing my head as I get to my feet.

Drexel leads me out of the room, down two halls as I pass bye around five warriors, each sweaty from training. “So how long have you been here?” I ask, trying to kill off the awkward silence as Drexel comes to a door. For sure is eyes are beautiful, the piercing gray. The rest of him isn’t bad to look at either, the black hair, tan skin, toned body that fits well into a simple shirt and sweats as he looks like he was just training.

These guys are the best of the best, the warriors from packs that Zion or other Kings heard of and wanted to put their trust in. “Since I was thirteen, training here.”

“And now?” I ask as Drexel opens the door and walks in, me on his tail.

“Now I’m a warrior for the King and will be one of those assigned to be in Florida tomorrow.

So Drexel will be one of the males I put my trust and security in.

Entering the room, the lights turn on and a room full of file cabinets are present. Drexel walks up to one of the cabinets, pulling open the drawer. His eyes meet mine shortly, my skin paling.

The file is handed to me, my hands taking it as I turn it open. “Past warriors here in the last three decades.”

I recall, what Trent and Zion both told me, turning the pages to the decade Zion told me of. Looking at the page, my heart only falls to my stomach and I feel sick.

There, in black ink, are the names, both of them, Quin Willis and Lillian Rice.

They both exist.

Goddess, both of these women exist.

That means someone is lying, and both of their words just became a little more true.