Morfran ap Nos watched with growing annoyance as the lesser creatures bickered. The group was meeting in a large empty building that reeked of human things. Metal and other sharp scents assaulted his nose, and the ground under him was flat and lifeless.
The supernatural creatures stood in a loose cluster near the center of the building. Morgan stood against a support column made of metal and some kind of crushed stone. He was wrapped tightly in a cloaking glamour, observing without their knowledge.
Those they had freed from the warden prison had upset the hierarchy. The werejaguar pair was no longer in control. Now there was a pair of werewolves called Stanley and Kathleen Rhodes who tried to assert their dominance.
There had been some physical fighting, which had amused Morgan for a time. He could not help enjoying chaos even when it delayed his plans.
Now things were quickly becoming tiresome.
Stanley and Kathleen did not want to open the pathways to Faery. They were, wisely, threatened by the idea of the fae having free access to this realm. They wanted to break the alliance, believing they could destroy the wardens on their own now that they had bolstered their numbers.
“But we made a promise,” Rodrigo said. “The dark fae upheld their part of the bargain. Betraying them would—”
Kathleen, the female werewolf, snarled. “We didn’t make this insane deal. What were you thinking? You can’t trust the fae, especially dark fae.”
“We have a common goal.” Rodrigo’s eyes brightened to green-gold.
“But we’re not going to get rid of the wardens just to exchange it for something worse,” Stanley, the male werewolf, said.
“You talk about restoring the world, but you’re too afraid to actually do it.”
Kathleen took a step closer to him, teeth bared. “The fae were never part of the plan.”
“If you’re too afraid of them, then you’re not strong enough to lead us.”
Their growling grew louder, and Morgan edged closer, anticipating a fight.
Someone stepped between them, a man with jinn blood. He was one of the few here who could match a dark fae’s power, though he had shown no inclination to lead the group. “Stop it. We can discuss this without tearing at each other.”
The gathered creatures murmured, some in agreement and others in dissent. Would they all start fighting? That would provide some entertainment at least.
“The voice of reason,” Kathleen said sarcastically.
Annoyance flashed in the jinn’s eyes. “The reason I agreed to follow you”—he looked between Kathleen and Stanley—“is because I believe in intelligent leadership over following whoever is strongest. You have a plan—”
“And these two screwed it up,” Stanley said.
The werejaguars growled at him.
“They made a bargain, and we can’t toss that aside lightly.” The jinn’s voice rose to carry over their protests. “I’m only saying we need to consider the consequences. The dark fae will come after us.”
Morgan couldn’t resist an opening like that. He let his glamour fall away. “Indeed we will.” He grinned in delight at the gasps and looks of shock. Stalking toward the center of the group, he glanced around, letting them know he was marking each and every one of them. “If you betray us, my companions and I will tear you apart. Slowly.”
The werewolves glared, trying to cover their fear. The werejaguars watched him calmly.
Morgan nodded toward them. “These ones made a bargain. That does not change because you have taken their place as leaders.” A light touch of magic swirled around him, chilling the air as he came up close to Stanley and Kathleen. “You will give me the blood of every powerful being in Shadow Valley.”
“We can’t—” Kathleen began.
“You will!” Morgan shouted, his voice like thunder. He wondered if he should kill the werewolf pair and have done with it. The others would either fall into line or flee. He did not need any of them, but it was a matter of getting his due.
“We apologize, Morgan.” Stanley bowed his head. After a moment, his mate smoothed her expression and did the same.
“We should discuss our plan for attacking Shadow Valley,” the jinn said, glancing between them.
“Indeed. I grow impatient. It has already been a full cycle of the moon. I will not wait another.” Winter was ending in this land, and with the coming of spring, Morgan’s power would no longer be at its peak. Morgan conjured a large, high-backed chair and sat with his hands tented. “Do not make me regret this alliance.”