Alliance of Shadows, Book 3: HUNTER

Reflections and Revelations

Over the years, we had taken in many Vampires, Witches, and Sorcerers without Covens to back them. Their reasons varied—from not being born into one to being cast out over their choice of lovers.

Case in point: my friend Magdalena, a Witch who had come out to her parents. They were so unhappy with her lifestyle that they paid someone to kill their own daughter. Just before the man got the chance to strike, Regina ran into Maggie. Discovering that they were Mates, my Lieutenant killed the assassin and visited Maggie's parents. It was a visit they would never forget.

Each family or individual seeking refuge had to disclose their lives to us, filling out forms listing the names and ages of all family members. Their children were tested and sent to the Academy for formal schooling. With more money than we knew what to do with, we covered the costs each person needed until they found jobs. A few had already become teaching assistants at the Academy.

With help from Werewolves, Sorcerers, Witches, and Druids, we reconstructed our village from the ground up. Modernization was inevitable—we installed electricity, internet, running water, and several other amenities to ensure our people could settle into a new way of life without abandoning their roots.

Jerome's advice of placing a suggestion box outside the manor worked remarkably well, giving us deeper insight into the needs of the people.

By gathering their opinions, we could better serve them. They were the ones who now relied on us for protection and guidance, a responsibility we eight brothers shared. Not even our father had the kind of connections we now held, expanding our influence far beyond what was once thought possible.

"Sorry I'm late this evening," I said as I walked into the Elder’s common area one evening, four years after everything had settled down. "I was assisting in testing the new children who just arrived. They’ll fit right in at Alliance Academy."

Enya, one of the three female Elders, raised a brow. "Aye, and what’s this Alliance Academy I’ve been hearin’ so much about?"

"From what rumours I've gathered, it's some sort of school for supernatural children who are not ready to be incorporated into the local public school. A brainchild of the younger Luna, so I've been told," Christian answered, his tone laced with curiosity.

"A school for supernatural children? You listen far too much to rumours, Chris," Heinrich retorted, shaking his head.

I nodded. "It's true. It is a place designed to teach them how to react to different situations and respect the Alliance's rules and regulations. Luna Izaria also teaches compassion classes, ensuring they learn the importance of understanding and cooperation among supernatural beings."

Harriet frowned from her chair by the fire, her dark skin smooth and unblemished, her head held high with quiet dignity. Though we all knew differently, she gave no outward sign that she had once been a slave back in the 1500s.

She'd been one of the millions taken from their homes in the Mediterranean and African countries. Just over five hundred years ago, her Master attempted to kill her when she tried to escape. Unfortunately for him, her Vampire heritage allowed her to live. Killing him, she fled until she ran into my grandfather years later.

"Compassion classes? Whatever for?" she asked, her Southern-accented voice carrying both skepticism and curiosity.

"She teaches them how to be kind and considerate of others. She also teaches them how to help the bullied or abused. The young Luna is highly thought of and has many connections within the Alliance, both professional and familial."

Smiling, she nodded. "I'm likin' this Luna Izaria more and more every day, Lord Hunter. Would you be kind enough to set me up to meet this young woman for an in-depth discussion?"

"I would have to go through Logan for that. Until we are officially part of the Alliance, the Howlers are our liaisons," I advised.

Her frown returned. "Are there many black children runnin' round these days, my Lord? Be a shame if all that old garbage is still goin' on."

The door behind me opened, and I stood there in shock as Luna Izzy and Grand Luna Clara walked in with Harold. I glanced at my brother, but he only shrugged.

True to his usual fashion—curt and straight to the point—he said, "Logan dropped them off. They wanted to meet with the female Elders and get their stories. They waited a few years to allow us to resettle, but they're here now. I promised I would see them to the Common room of the Elders' Wing, and I have. Job done. I'm going hunting. Have fun, little brother."

Getting right down to business, Izaria scowled at Harriet. "I heard what you said, Elder. Forgive me if I come across as rude, but a child is a child no matter the colour of their skin. In my school, they learn just like everyone else. Lessons are tailored to the needs of each child, and they often form friendships within the group they’re assigned to. Bullying or abusing someone based on how they learn or what they look like is unacceptable, and I will not tolerate it in my school."

A smile split Harriet's face. "Well then, this old Vampire just learned somethin’ new. I like you, Darlin'. As the lead female Elder, I think a nice chat with you two women would do the rest of us a whole lot of good. Oh my, is that a Werewolf?"

Turning to the door, Izzy motioned for a man I had not met yet to step into the room. "They aren't going to bite you, Kaden."

Laughing, Luna Clara smiled at me. "Sorry, Hunter, but Logan and Neil insisted we take someone they both trusted. This is Kaden Cage. He's Izzy's paternal cousin and has double-mixed heritage."

Several Elders got to their feet, and magic suddenly crackled in the air. Clara snarled, ready in an instant, but the magic wasn’t coming from her.

It was coming from Kaden.

"What is the meaning of this! Blasphemy!" Bertram shouted.

Luna Clara spoke, her tone sharp with controlled fury. "A child born of a white father and a black mother who can shift into a Wolf and use Druid magic is blasphemy? Get off your high horse before I bury you for real."

He scoffed at her, and it triggered my anger. As I raised my head to look at Izzy, she shook hers slowly, a deliberate movement—was she telling me not to interfere? Very well. It’s been a while since someone stirred the pot, so I might as well wait and see what happens.

"Nikolai attempted that already. As you can see, he failed," Bertram snapped.

"He failed, alright, but he’s nothing compared to a Witch with an axe to grind. After the way that bastard treated my son, he's lucky I don't go hunt his ass down and skin him alive."

"Your son? The boy is a Valencia!" Bertram snapped.

Apparently, that was a fatal move. I opened my mouth to speak, but Kaden moved before I even had a chance to react.

Pinning Bertram to the wall with an effortless motion, Kaden let out a small, dark laugh. "Mess with my little cousin, and I get to f**k you up, got me? When you talk to them, you speak with respect. You don’t ever talk down to the women of the Alliance. As for Logan, that nice woman over there is about ready to fry your ass. She adopted him, so do not cross that line. When it comes to his family, he don’t do mercy, and neither do I."

Bertram gasped, clawing at Kaden’s arm in a desperate attempt to free himself. "Mangy beast!"

"Would that be a comment on his heritage, Bert? If it is, you best be backtrackin’ on them words." Harriet’s voice carried a warning, sharp and unwavering. "This is their world now, and we must obey the laws of our kind as well as their Alliance. As I see it, we got no reason to be up in arms over her callin’ the youngest Lord her son. No, he’s not hers by birth, but by heart is sometimes all that matters."

Bertram paled, knowing exactly what would happen if he ticked her off.

Releasing him, Kaden took a step back, his stance still firm. "I ain't got nothing against any of you, but I will not tolerate anyone putting my family at risk. Do that, and Imma show you a beast right quick."

"Boy, that's enough now. I'm sure your Mama wouldn’t be happy if anything happened to you while you're here," Irma said, her tone steady but edged with warning. "As a child of mixed heritage myself, that was awfully close to tipping the scales of my temper, Bert. As for calling him a beast, you forget that without the Werewolves protecting our homes, we would have been found out by the locals and killed centuries before now."

I frowned, uncertain about what she meant. Her skin held a golden hue, but she looked like any other white person I had met over the years.

"Pardon, Lady Irma, but what did you mean by mixed heritage?"

She blushed, lowering her head.

Harriet scowled at her. "Put that head back up, girl. Be proud of who and what you are. It ain't a shame if you walked through the fires of hell and got a few scars along the way. We survived, and we thrived, so be proud, baby."

Irma seemed to take strength from the Head Elder’s words and nodded. "My Mama was a slave, just like Miss Harriet was. Her Master loved her a little too much, and I was the result. When his wife found out, Mama had to find a way to save me, so she gave me to a Vampire who was just passing through. That was when I met Miss Harriet. She raised me as her own, but I earned my place on the Council."

"Lady Irma, there's nothing wrong with being mixed," I said, my voice firm but understanding.