THORN IN MY FLESH

ALONSO'S FEAR

Vice supreme Hightower sat with both crown princes and their entourages who were allowed to enter the building, to discuss the fate of Margery Woodland, Reginald, Alonso's attack on the vampires and future of relations between the three nations.

Using wisdom and years of experience, he acted as an intermediary and was able to negotiate an immunity for the expectant mother and her free passage to the divine city where she would be protected throughout the duration of her husbands trial. He was also able to reduce Alonso's crime to a simple battery charge, which he would be paying a heavy fine. He was also able to have both nations agree on the terms and conditions of Reginalds incarceration until the date of the trial was set.

Night fell by the time the discussions were finalised, and Alonso was instructed by his father to lower the barrier, which was done immediately. People stayed glued to their televisions, and cameras flashed on the streets as everyone watched the fire dome slowly lower itself back into the ground and the crown princes with the vice supreme left the building surrounded by heavily armed security, entered their cars and srove to the lycan palace.

The lycan king addressed his people early the next morning and assured them of his commitment to ensure that justice prevailed and peace reigned among the realms. Conrad returned to the dark continent while Margery and her husband were transported to the divine city.

Alonso was summoned to face the high council and arrived in a private jet with Flora and Alexis by his side. They proceeded to the hall of the jaded moon, where Alonso's questioning would take place. Upon arrival, they were received by master Zach, a highly respected old man with a cane who had served as their grandfather's personal assistant and best friend for over seventy years and was also Flora's father.

'Grand Uncle Zach!,' Alexis screamed as she ran to hug him. He spread his arms to receive her and held her in a bear hug for several minutes.

'Father,' Flora said as she bowed respectfully to him.

'It has been so long Flora, your mother and I have missed you so much,' he said, hugging her as well.

'Don't I get a hug?' Alonso asked, pouting his hands in his pockets.

'You're lucky you're not getting a cane, young man,' Master Zach responded, waving his cane, which made Alonso laugh.

'Come inside, the council will soon be in session, and we need to get you dressed and ready to meet them,' Zach said, going into the building.

'I am dressed,' Alonso responded, pointing to his expensive three piece attire.

'Not like that , you're not,' Zach responded

'But..,' Alonso said but was cut of mid-sentence.

'Listen, both of you,' Zach said, looking sternly at them as they entered a glass elevator.

'Since your grandfather passed, there has been a shift in the power play on the council. The newly elected coven leader for the dark arts is eyeing your grandmother's position as supreme leader and has spent the last few months trying to force her to step down. It was he who insisted on this gathering, and it is for one purpose only. He plans to use you against her by expecting you to break all protocol, and I will not allow that to happen. I promised my friend that I would protect you all, and I would, so you would change into these,' he said, handing Alonso a bag filled with official mage gsrments.

'These are grand fathers,' Alonso whispered, looking at the older man.

'Honour him tonight by wearing them,' Zach said

'And you?' He said, looking at Alexis. I have a very difficult task for you. Stay quiet throughout the deliberation. You are not to speak unless spoken to and never to talk out of turn. Do you understand, young miss?,' he said to her. She sulked but nodded affirmatively. He reached into his inner robes and brought out three lollipop sticks, giving them to her.

'Use these to keep your mouth busy,' he teased, making her chuckle as she accepted them. When the elevator doors opened, a young teenage mage was waiting with files in his hands and bowed to Zach.

'Thank you, Greg,' the old man said, taking the files from him.

'Girls, follow Greg. He is my student and will take you to your seats. Alonso, come with me.' The old man said, pulling Alonso with him.

Alonso was dragged into an office, and Zach placed the files on a nearby table before bowing and locking the door.

'Hey! Gramps!' Alonso exclaimed

'You look and sound more like father every time I see you,' said a voice behind him. He turned to look in the direction of the voice. Standing behind him was the most powerful mage in the three realms. Geoffrey Hightower, next in line to take the position of supreme and Alexis' father.. Standing next to Geoffrey was Alonso's father, Walter, and his mother Sofina also dressed in ceremonial robes.

'Uncle? Mum?,' Rafe said in a tone of surprise.

Geoffrey smiled but stood where he was with his back straight and hands clasped forward while Sofina walked over to hug her son. The older men looked regal in their white, hooded robes which bore the hightower crest on its breast pocket, while Sofina wore a purple robe decorated in her medals of honor and her rank as a general in the army.

'You look well, sir,' Alonso said, not knowing how to address the handsome, quiet, elusive man. Geoffrey moved forward and hugged him.

'It's good to see you too, Alonso,' he responded and led Alonso to one of the chairs in his office. The four of them spent the next few minutes engaging in small talk before Geoffrey changed the topic.

'How is Alexis?' Geoffrey asked

'She's well. So far, she only tried to use her powers once, but thankfully, I was able to reach her in time before she got into real danger. I am trying to convince her not to get involved in this lycan mess but so she doesn't get agitated, but...' Alonso stopped not knowing how to continue.

'But she's being Alexis,' Geoffrey finished,making Alonso smile sadly.

'It's becoming difficult to look at her, knowing...," Alonso said but covered his face as he became teary-eyed.

'Alonso,' His mother said, rubbing his back to soothe him, like she did when he was a child.

'I'm scared, Mama. I just lost Grandpa, I don't want to lose her as well. It's making me paranoid, and she's upset because I now question everything she does, and everywhere she goes. I dont know what to do,' he says as tears spill from his eyes. His mother hugs him to comfort him.

'Alonso, listen to me. Alexis is going to be fine. Curses are difficult to break but not impossible, and the few people who can break them are all in this room, we are working very hard to make sure that nothing happens. You need to have faith, "Geoffrey finally speaks, reassuring the younger mage.

'Now stand up, we need to dress and prepare you for the hearing,' His mother said to him.