DARKEST ( Supernatural Beginnings Series) Book Three

Wolf Council Part Three

Bam! The head judge stood up in a rage, his aura spreading throughout the court hall in powerful waves. Looking over at my family, I was glad they were not affected. Sade took a few steps backward from the strength of the head judge's aura, cowering under the angry growls from the other members of the judge's panel, who were triggered by her words.

“Is that so, Ms. Fang? Dare we keep transparent here, given this case has just started because you made such a ruckus in the beginning? Have you forgotten? The very witness you claim is credible is the brother of the Red Claw’s king and not only that, his son, who sits to the left of me, is on the judge's panel. Do you really want to talk about the real favoritism going on here? Don’t think we are unaware of your tricks! I advise you to take a seat, Ms. Fang while you silently enjoy the show before you.”

“You…I…But…” Sade sputtered in disbelief. Ingrim and Enid looked at her like she was the dumbest wolf on the planet. Their expressions didn’t look so good. Was this all they had to come at me with? I very much doubted it, though they weren’t expected to be discovered so quickly.

“Roman Fang, given the evidence here, do you still hold steady to these allegations against the defendant?” the judge asked.

“No, I do not judge,” Roman said, surprising everyone in the court hall, including his mother and her co-conspirators.

“What are you doing?!” Sade yelled. Roman turned to glare at her, his wolf coming to the surface a bit, making his eyes turn blood red for just a moment before reverting back to their human side. A small gasp rang out behind me on my side and I turned to look to find both Harold and Mariana also looking at Roman. They both turned to look at me and I nodded in understanding.

The color of his wolf’s eye was no coincidence and when we got back there was something we needed to take care of immediately. Tap tap Tap. The head judge laid down the gavel once again. He stood in his regal robe. Facing both me and Roman.

“Given the evidence before us and the bizarreness of this case, regardless of the Fangs' revert of their allegations, we as honorable judges do not take matters like this lightly. In retrospect, because of these strange matters, we call forth The Emerald of Integrity clause deeming you all esteemed guests here within Wolf Council Headquarters for the next three days. During this time we will investigate these matters in order to determine a justified decision of the unjust party. The court has adjourned for now and the respective parties will lead you to your lodgings.”

Sade wanted to speak again, but the three pairs of eyes that were boring into her did not allow her to do so. Did she finally know what Scared was now? Once the council found out what their kingdom had been doing with resources and to their people, would the Fangs be royalty anymore once the truth was got out?

My hand was released from the gauntlet and I headed over to my family with a calm mind and heart. This was only the beginning. While we were there, I had to find a way to visit the archives. Roman’s eyes were red instead of my Mari’s. What did it mean? King Nolan Fang had yet to return to his kingdom or else I would have been in his face. This revelation had my brother's hands all over it. What did he do? And what did it have to do with our family’s curse?

“Does this mean we are stuck here now?” Mariana asked as I approached them.

“Not stuck, I like hanging out at my place,” said Vernice, appearing behind me. She had a smile on her face as she bid a few of the members farewell.

“Oh, I have finally got to see your home now, though I wish it was under happier circumstances,” said Tamzin. Verinice walked to her mother, taking her hands in hers.

“What do you mean Mom? This is a happy occasion. At the moment the tampered gauntlet was exposed, the Fangs, Ingrim, and Enid were at a disadvantage. Now, you lot follow me, and let’s get some good food in our stomachs.” Vernice said, walking hand in hand with her mother.

Throughout the headquarters, the decor was dominated by dark woods, rich tapestries, and ornate furnishings. Iron accents adorned doors and fixtures, bearing symbols of authority and control. The atmosphere was laden with an air of history as if the very walls held the echoes of countless judgments, decisions, and secrets.

The once eerie silent headquarters was now bustling with activity as we headed out the entrance toward the separate homes on the headquarters grounds. Vernice’s home was little further from the rest, just bordering a well-kept hidden forest that had been preserved by magic.

Her home was really unique and enigmatic. A shimmering magic spell, intricately woven by the most skilled enchanters, encircled the nearby forest, preserving it in an eternal state of otherworldly splendor. Towering ancient trees, resplendent with foliage of deep emerald and silver-tipped leaves, surrounded Vernice's home, casting dappled shadows on its exterior.

“Wow! This place looks amazing!” Tamzin exclaimed in approval, but as we drew closer her happy expression soon began to change. This house reminded me of the vacation house the six of us used to visit before many trials and tribulations overtook us. The house itself was a harmonious blend of rustic charm and mystical allure. The exterior was fashioned from reclaimed wood, each plank worn and weathered, carrying the stories of ages past. Ivy, woven like an intricate tapestry, crept up the walls, adding an ethereal touch to the home's façade. Windows, like portals to another realm, were framed by intricately carved wooden casings, their glass reflecting the verdant hues of the enchanted forest. The front door, made of dark mahogany, bore an ornate handle, intricately shaped like a wolf's head, an emblem of Vernice's heritage and her affinity with the forest's guardians.

“Welcome to my humble abode,” she said with a welcoming gesture while she opened the door. We filed in one by one behind her.

Stepping inside, we were immediately enveloped in an atmosphere of warmth and wonder. The living room on the ground floor was a cozy sanctuary, adorned with plush sofas and armchairs in deep earthy tones, their softness inviting us to sink in. A stone fireplace dominated one wall, its flames dancing with a mesmerizing, ever-changing glow. Above the mantle, a pair of silver wolf statues stood sentinel, their eyes seemingly watching over the room.

Tamzin's eyes glistened with tears as she looked around. This place was indeed a replica of that place, but it had burned to the ground long ago along with our mates. The memories were bittersweet as I wrapped an arm around her slender shoulders, enveloping her in my warmth and comfort.

“Your home is so comforting auntie, do you need our help with anything since you mentioned food,” Mariana asked on cue with her stomach letting out a gurgling sound. Dispersing the sad atmosphere with laughter at her hunger pangs.

“Well, I can’t say no to you now, niece, you two follow me,” Vernice said, and Alexis and Mariana followed her lead toward the kitchen. I decided to take a look around with Tamzin as Harold and Connie reveled in the comfy chairs in the living room by the fireplace with tea ready to be drunk on the coffee table before them.

“This place, Wolfram,” Tamzin whispered.

“I know Tammy, my thoughts are right there with you.”

Connecting seamlessly in the dining room, an enormous oak table, polished to a rich sheen, was surrounded by mismatched chairs, each a work of art in its own right. A chandelier, fashioned from silver vines and studded with softly glowing gemstones, bathed the room in a gentle, otherworldly light. At one end of the room, a tapestry depicting a valiant Valkyrie in flight added a touch of mysticism to the surroundings.

The kitchen, just off the dining area, was a harmonious blend of modern convenience and rustic charm. Gleaming stainless steel appliances shared the space with rough-hewn wooden countertops and the scent of fresh herbs hung in the air. A large window above the sink offered a view of the enchanted forest, connecting the interior to the exterior's enchantment.

Vernice must have known we would have a question in our minds about her home, as there were so many details there that reminded us of the place that burned down years ago. At a glance, one could tell that this wasn’t a coincidence and that Vernice had something she wanted to tell us, but she didn’t say anything as we joined them in the kitchen, wondering what else Vernice had been keeping from us.

She nodded her head, then left the kitchen. Tamzin and I flanked her as she led us away from the rest of our small group. She led us upstairs to the upper floors, to one of the rooms that had a balcony overlooking the forest, where moonlight now spilled through the leaves in a silvery cascade.

“You never knew this Mom and Uncle Wolfram, but I was there the night Auntie Calista and Dad died.”

“What?” we both said in shock.

“Then this place……”

“It is a replica of everything I remember from that night that I was there, but I still can’t figure out any clues that led up to their death. We can take these three days and look around here and maybe with your help we could figure out what's off or missing.”

“Alright kid, so that’s why so much magic is used here in your place,” I said.

“It’s preserving my memory of that night, therefore. Therefore, this is the home I have been living in, trying to find clues all this time. Just like you both said, it wasn’t an accident. We must find out who murdered them and why?”

"Could I give you all a hint? Ever heard of Camp Vernice?” Alexis asked the question from the doorway. She donned a pink colored apron but still looked cool and aloof. This child was getting more and more ghostly with her movements. I hadn’t heard nor felt her presence, but her words made me frown.

“How do you know that place?” asked Vernice in return, as she walked toward Alexis, grabbing her hands in hers.