As we make our way towards headquarters, even the excitement of being engaged takes a backseat to the meeting. If we walk in there and learn that the Sage has not turned his army around, we are definitely headed for war.
The team is waiting for us in front of the entrance. Rio hides a sneaky smile. I’m not sure why.
“So, I’m guessing my gift was helpful,” Rio says to us.
“What gift?” I ask.
“The Tam,” Marcus whispers in my ear.
“You sent that to us?” I ask, mortified.
“I was reading your Wave yesterday, and well, I thought maybe it would be a good idea to send a Shadow Servant ahead with the Tam,” Rio replies.
“Even if we can’t read people like Rio, we can hear,” Miku smiles devilishly.
I hide my face in the palm of my hand.
Everyone heard us…
“It’s all good, baby girl, we’re just glad you two are on the same page,” Jay says, giving me a hug.
“I didn’t know you had it in you, Guardian,” Rage says dryly.
“Yes, yes, the human and the Angel are together again. Can we go in now?” Ameana asks rudely.
“Um…yeah. We have news but it can wait,” I say as we head for the entrance.
We find the Foundation members have already gathered and are waiting for us. At the head of the table is a stout man with circular glasses. We look around but we can’t see Nipoe. We ask if she is on her way.
“We have some sad news to report,” Eta says as tears fill her eyes.
“What is it?” I ask.
“My grandmother had a heart attack last night. She died in her sleep,” Eta says, trying to maintain her composure. I go over to her and embrace her.
“I’m so sorry, Eta.”
“She died all alone.”
“Shh, it’s okay. It’s gonna be okay,” I assure her. Although I know it will take a long time before she is actually ‘okay.’
“We’re sorry to hear about Nipoe; you have our deepest sympathies,” Marcus replies.
“We need to get down to business. Nipoe would have wanted that,” a Foundation member informs us.
“Has the Sage been told you’re helping us by giving us your army?” Ameana asks.
“Yes, we’re told by our sources the Sage is aware,” the Foundation member replies.
“Did the Sage turn his army around?” Rio asks.
“No. In fact, he is advancing towards us now. At this rate he should happen upon Cree within the next few days. There is no way around it,” the stout man replies.
His tone is matter of fact and void of any civility. We all turn to face him.
“We have not officially met. I am Dalce, Nipoe’s brother. Now that my sister is gone, I am in charge of the Foundation. And I’m sorry to say, but my sister and I had very different views on how this organization should be run.”
“You’re not going to give us your army,” Marcus concludes carefully.
“Well, yes and no,” he replies. I turn to look at Eta; she lowers her eyes down to the floor.
“What does that mean?” Rage barks.
Dalce ignores the Akon and address Marcus.
“We are more than happy to provide you with an army made up of our citizens.”
“But?” Marcus replies.
“Well, after you win the war with the Sage, where does that leave us?”
“We talked about this with Nipoe. We’re not going to forget about the Quo that help us,” Miku says.
“That’s all well and good, but you are not the new Council. In fact, we don’t know who the new Council will be comprised of.”
“What do you want?” Marcus snaps.
“We want assurances that we will have a seat at the table. We don’t wish to go back to obscurity.”
“Okay, fine. We’ll put it in the Splash, we’ll set up meetings to incorporate your people into the Angel world, we’ll throw you a damn party, whatever. Let’s just get this army moving,” Marcus demands.
“We have a better idea. We would like to solidify our place among the winged ones. And what better way to do that than to have our families joined in unity?”
“Joined how?” Rio asks.
“We would like a member of the Foundation to marry a winged being; that way we guarantee our place in the Angel world.”
“I’m sure Quo and Angels will have no issue dating each other after all this is over. But it will take time for each side to trust each other,” Miku says.
“We don’t want a Foundation member to marry just anyone with wings. In order to be truly recognized, we have to marry into the Angel hierarchy.”
“You want a member of the Foundation to marry a Para?” I ask.
“There are lots of Paras. Well, less now than before, but certainly Paras are not unique. What is unique are Guardians.”
“You want a member of the Foundation to marry a Guardian,” Rio concludes.
“No, we want a member of the Foundation to marry a First Guardian.”
“Excuse me?” Marcus replies dumbfounded.
“We want you to marry a Quo.”
“You can’t seriously expect me to enter into some sham political marriage just so that the Quo can gain some recognition.”
“We want to be included. Not just through words spoken by Angels but through your actions.”
“So I’m just supposed to marry some random Quo girl?”
“No, you’re going to marry the daughter of the new leader.”
“Who’s your daughter?”
“I am.”
We all turn around and try to find where the voice came from. The person speaking is hidden behind several other members. Soon the members move out of the way and make room for the girl who the voice belongs to.
Bianca…
The dark-haired beauty with the smoldering eyes moves toward us with grace and purpose.
“Dalce, this is crazy. You can’t force your own daughter to marry me.”
“He didn’t force me; I volunteered,” Bianca replies sweetly.
“Why would you do that? You don’t even know me.”
“From what I’ve heard you are brave, selfless, and a remarkable leader. Is that not true?”
“Bianca, you don’t love me; I don’t love you.”
“Love is a notion for peace time. There is a war approaching, Marcus. Only one thing matters: survival. Both for my race and yours.”
He looks over at me and everyone else in the room seems to fade away. It’s just me and him. He looks pained and helpless. I can’t remember how to fill my lungs with air. My stomach churns and bile makes its way to my throat.
Don’t take him away from me again. Please, please, please, not again…
Dalce lays out his demand.
“Marcus, the only thing that stands between your race and certain death is my army. You marry Bianca and the army is yours.”
“Dalce…don’t do this,” Marcus says, shaking his head. Dalce turns to face me.
“I can see you love the human. And I sympathize. But my job is to secure the future of my people. You have the same job description I do. Unfortunately for your race, you want to be both Marcus Cane, the lover and Marcus Cane, the First Guardian.” Dalce gives him a steely glare and address him in a deadly tone:
“Well I’m sorry to say but today there is only space for one of you. So tell me Marcus: Which one of you will be leaving the room? The lover or the leader?”
END OF BOOK 5, PART 1
Other Books by
Lola StVil
The Guardians Series
Book 1: The Girl
Book 2: The Fallout
Book 3: The Turn
Book 4: The Triplex
Book 5, Part 1: The Quo
Book 5, Part 2: The Lyris
Book 6, Part 1: The Shoma
Book 6, Part 2: The Nycren
The Noru Series
Book 1: Blue Rose
Book 2: The Last Akon
Book 3: Fall of the Chosen
Book 4: When Angels Break
Book 5: Ways of the Wicked
About the Author
Lola StVil is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author living in California. She enjoys spending time with her family and staying in touch with her readers.
Lola St. Vil, The Quo
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