into it with doubt.”
I ducked my head, smiling softly. “I had no doubts about loving you, but I have to admit I’m a little afraid. Turning into a goddess, and what that might entail…it’s daunting, to say the least. But if your mother was able to do it, I can too.”
“Of course you will. There’s no doubt in my mind, and no doubts cloud my heart.”
As we ran through the minutes, I tried to focus on the task at hand. But my heart was pounding. Now that I had actually accepted, an excitement swept over me that I hadn’t expected.
“Talia, have you been able to get a hold of the Shifter Alliance?”
She nodded. “I talked to Jana Wildmere this morning. She’s agreed to meet with you on Sunday at four. And I contacted the mayor after that. She’ll set up a meeting with the United Coalition as soon as we have verification from both the shifters and the Fae that their militias will be on hand.”
Herne turned to me. “Have you heard from Eldris yet?”
I shook my head. “No, but that doesn’t surprise me. He won’t call until he has an answer, and you know the vampires have to be looking at what they can get out of this.” Suddenly, I realized that Charlie was listening. I blushed and glanced over at the laptop. “I’m sorry, Charlie. I didn’t think before I spoke.”
“Not all vampires are out to get everything they can from the living. But enough are that I understand your hesitation. The truth is, I wouldn’t have chosen this life if it were offered to me as an option. But it’s what I am now, and I aim to prove that I don’t have to live down to the stereotype. I don’t own a black cape, and I’m not running around seducing women and sinking my fangs into unsuspecting tourists.”
“Point taken,” I said. “All right then, this afternoon.” I turned to Herne. “What do you think Névé and Saílle will say? Do you think they’ll agree to help us?”
He thought for a moment, then shrugged. “Honestly? I have no idea. I don’t know whether they’ll help us out or walk away from the parley. Especially since we forced them to hand over Callan. I doubt they’ve forgiven us for that yet. There’s not much I can do to change their minds if they decide to ignore our request. I can’t force the issue.”
“I guess we just wait and see.” I frowned. Saílle and Névé were unpredictable, but they seldom forgave slights and injuries to their images and rules.
“Right.” He stared at his notes, then cleared his throat. “All right. Let’s get moving. Ember, Viktor, and I will head out to Ginty’s at noon. Talia and Yutani, will you gather all the information you can on any vrykos attacks that you come across? Search all the news outlets, even the tabloids. Sometimes there are shreds of truth behind some of the wild stories. Charlie, I suggest you get back to your studies for the moment. Rafé—why don’t you help Talia and Yutani? Angel, you can have the rest of the day off. Did you and Ember come in separate cars?”
Angel nodded. “Thanks.” She glanced at me. “I’ll go home and do some chores. We want the place to look nice when Morgana comes to dinner. What did you want me to cook?”
I bit my lip. “I’m not sure.” I glanced at Herne. “What does your mother like? What’s her favorite food?”
Herne laughed. “You can’t go wrong if you serve her a platter of fish and chips, especially if it’s halibut. And don’t stint on the portions. My mother can eat four or five pieces of fish and a double side of fries in a single go. She’s not a fan of coleslaw, however. In fact, sometimes I wonder if my mother would touch a vegetable without Cernunnos pushing her.”
Angel thought for a moment, then asked, “Does she like clam chowder? That’s a good pairing with fish and chips.”
He nodded. “New England. If you offer her Manhattan-style clam chowder, she’s going to laugh you out of the kitchen. I suggest peach pie for dessert. That’s her favorite.”
My stomach aflutter, I realized that I was going to be telling Morgana tonight that I had accepted her son’s proposal. She’d not only be my patron goddess, but my mother-in-law. And that was a daunting thought. My consternation must have shown on my face, because Herne reached over and gave me a little