Beauty's Beast - By Jenna Kernan Page 0,83

to him, but I’m not going with you, either.”

“Where then?”

“I’m staying with Samantha.”

Which made no sense at all. Was this a hopeless effort to reach Blake through his twin?

“We’re leaving tonight, with you or without you.”

* * *

Blake sat at the council table with the four chiefs of the Niyanoka. As each spoke, his heart sank more and more. None saw that the way they had invited the Ghostlings to parlay was insulting. Rather they were offended that Alon had refused their summons.

He waited in the circle until the talking stick was passed to him, for only the one holding the stick could speak and it was rude to hold it for too long. He gripped the handle, which was covered with seed beads, their pattern forming a cross to represent the four directions. He stared for a moment at the coyote skull, festooned with a feather, glass beads and hanks of horse hair wrapped in bits of bright red cloth, as he gathered his thoughts.

Blake stood, holding the talking stick in two hands.

“We have won a great battle. Nagi has retreated to his Circle and will think long and hard before coming again to our Living World.”

Several nodded their approval of this.

“We acknowledge the bravery of our people and the Skinwalkers in this fight. But the victory goes to the Ghost Children.”

Blake gripped the stick, knowing that what he was about to say would ruin his chances of becoming a leader of the Niyanoka, but he would say it anyway because it was right.

“We have not acknowledged the part the Ghost Children played in the victory against Nagi. None of our people went to their camp. None thanked them for saving us all. And then we are outraged that Alon will not be summoned like a hound. They fought against their sire to save us all. It is a disgrace to pretend otherwise. This council will meet with the Skinwalkers in only a few hours, making this a historic day. But this council cannot ignore the third Halfling race, who has surely earned a place at the peace talks. We must send a delegation to the Ghostlings before it is too late.”

He handed over the stick to Chief Rice, who said, “I will not go to these terrors. They have the power to steal our souls. Going to their camp would be suicide.”

He passed the stick to the next. Each member refused to send representatives to the Ghost Children. Blake waited for the unanimous vote rejecting his proposal. When the stick returned to him, he rose once more.

“I resign my candidacy for any position for which I might be considered. If the Niyanoka will not go to the Ghost Children, then I will go myself to thank them for their part in this battle and the victory that they have earned. I renounce my citizenship and all rights. I am proud to have led the Spirit Children in battle, but I am not proud now.”

He passed on the talking stick and left the circle.

No one spoke.

Outside, the sun was fast setting, though the days were slowly growing longer as spring crept toward summer. Blake found his father, Sebastian, waiting alone in the twilight. Blake saw his deep blue aura capped with rusty brown before he even saw his silhouette.

“Brave words and ones to make a father proud,” said Sebastian.

“Too little too late,” muttered Blake. These were words he should have said before the battle.

“What is it, son?”

“Before the fight, Aldara stayed with me, protected me from attacks by Nagi’s ghosts. When her brother suggested an alliance with the Niyanoka, I told them both that I could not jeopardize the agreement with the Skinwalkers by including the Ghost Children.”

“You were right. The Skinwalkers would have withdrawn and the alliance would have crumbled. As it is, we may form a new treaty.”

“I was wrong. This is why Alon will not come. He tried to bring us all together before the battle and I said no. Now that they have brought us the win, now that we see what they are capable of, only now we seek them out. It is a double insult.”

“You did what you thought was right. Now you feel differently. So you will act differently.”

Blake gripped his hair at both temples and tugged. “But I knew it was wrong at the time. I felt it and I still rejected her.”

His father peered at him. “Her?”

Blake dragged his hands over his face before meeting his father’s inquiring gaze.

“Dad, Aldara