Sitting in Ailin's office, the mood was dark. She looked as calm and composed as she always did, but her eyes gave it all away. Mostly cat-like, the anger she must have bottled up inside was pouring from them. Apollo sat silently beside me, looking at something on the bookcase to Ailin's left and I wasn't entirely sure what was happening. Not just right now, but with everything - especially after that little vote.

Ailin's phone rang as I went to speak and she answered it curtly. "Yes?"

Her eyes shot to me, briefly to Apollo and then back to me as tightly pressed lips frowned. "What do you mean, she's missing?"

"I can explain that!" I whisper, knowing it was about me from the shift in her mood. She wasn't exactly angry anymore. I think it was just, furious.

"She is sitting in front of me right now. I assure you, Elise is fine." She growled, before hanging up the phone.

"Don't. Say. A. Word." Ailin spoke slowly. Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply, and the stress ball that I got her because it looked like a ball of yarn, was now in her hand and close to being torn apart. "Why did you not tell me, you, were behind the vampire, issue?"

"It's just that-" I started only she cut me off.

"The time and resources that have gone into working out the cause of, I mean, really Elise. Then you just happen to tell everyone the Treaty did it?"

"Technically the power of the Treaty was-"

"And now you're part of the Council?"

"It's been a big few days?" I mumble, not sure if she was even listening.

"Also, that was Zane calling, worried as your brother and apparently that one," she points to Apollo, "are concerned as you've been missing for two days give or take."

"I did say I can explain that."

Claws emerge from her hands, and the stress ball didn't stand a chance as they pierce through the rubber. She extends sharply, the ball gone and in its place a sprinkling of pieces instead.

"Please, explain. Explain it all." She sighs, sitting back in her chair.

So I do, starting with Jordan being attacked, the Norse Gods, Hade's training disaster session that is responsible for those missing rumours, and I finish by asking what the hell happened exactly to make me on the council.

"You accepted. Actually, I believe your response was, um, okay." She snapped sarcastically. "So I now have to worry about the vessel that contains the power to enforce the Treaty, is now on the Council that is meant to govern and in a roundabout way, control our world."

"It kind of makes sense?" Apollo adds before Ailin glares at him.

"When I became president, and I was informed of an ancient power that gives the Treaty its, well, magic, I thought it might have been special ink. When you return from whatever realm it was and told me what happened, I was in shock. No offence intended Hunter, but I was not sure what to think when this, gift, was bestowed to you."

"No offence taken. I'm not even sure about it all myself." I shrug.

"No one, not even the other Council members can know you are the holder of the Treaty. Huntington kept it secret for all those years, the power filled the world, and we live as we do because of it. I do not ever recall a time when the Treaty responded to a people, to an event, in that manner. If you reveal too much, you risk revealing yourself. It can't happen again, and you can't talk about the Treaty that way."

"I get what you're saying, but things are out of control right now. Something-"

"Something was being done. Your people exist to get it done and did so before there even was a Treaty. All of us here, all Treaty-keepers, demon, vampire, wolf or one of your kind are here because we believe in this world and a lot more than what wasn't written on a piece of paper." Ailin growled. "Powers that are new take time. I understand you are going through a change and you will not learn about your abilities overnight, or in a week or a month. We are all here to help you, but you must not draw attention to yourself!"

We look at each other for a long moment. It feels like forever before I finally look away and I know Ailin is right. I hadn't planned on any of that tonight. I also hadn't planned on doing what I did to the vampires. I hadn't planned on getting these powers in the first place. I hadn't planned on a lot of things, but they happened anyway, and here we are. Maybe Penny was onto something with her Jupiter Retrograde nonsense.

"If you do not experience anything, it is impossible to gain knowledge. Learn from these mistakes Hunter. The lessons we need the most, are often learnt at the worst times in the worst ways. So long as you learn from them."

I nod. What else can I do? I could argue that it wasn't my fault when I know it was, but she's right. Use this all as a lesson. I look at Apollo and think of what Portia said about him being my light. Whenever I had one of my stupid panic attacks, Apollo had been there to bring me back so many times. He's been a voice of reason when I haven't wanted to listen. He cares about me, and I know that Ailin does too. Since we met, she's been there whenever I've needed her. Even now when I know, she'd like to dice me like she did the stress ball.

"So what now?" Apollo asks.

"Now, we make sure everyone thinks you're just the incredible and legendary Hunter they think you are, and you know nothing more about the Treaty or recent events other than what you've already said." Ailin sighed. "And maybe go assure everyone you're not missing anymore."

"As you wish, Madam President!" I stand and salute her, which has Ailin rolling her eyes.

"Council meeting tomorrow night. Be there." She quickly snapped as Apollo took my hand and we ended up back at my parents' place.

I was surprised to see Zane through the window with my brother and parents. Going in there seemed a lot more complicated than I had anticipated and yet Apollo headed over without a second thought.

"You coming?" He asked barely a step later.

"Yeah."

Nothing makes a situation more awkward than it needs to be than having a room full of people go quiet when you walk in. Dad stood up, and for a second I thought he was going to yell at me. He had that serious, you're in trouble stare going on and then instead he sat back down with a sigh.

"You found her!" He sighed.

"I wasn't lost," I tell him. "I just lost track of time. I'm sorry if you were all worried."

Jordan looked beyond angry. "Lost track of time?"

"Well, in other news, you're looking at your newest Council member!" I tell him, trying to move off the topic of my disappearance. "Do you have to call me your highness or anything?"

"What?" Zane frowned.

"Does being on the council give me any, naming perks?"

"No." He answered, looking between my parents.

The spread of food on the table told me how worried Mum had been and sitting down, I ignore the looks being shared between Jordan and Apollo and grabbed a chocolate chip muffin.

"What are you on about? What Council?" Dad asked as Mum leaned over and hugged me.

"Glad you're okay honey."

"Thanks, Mum." I hug her back and realise two reptile demons are missing.

"There was a meeting tonight that took a bit of a turn, and Bu- Elise got herself voted in," Apollo answered Dad.

"You're kidding?" Zane didn't hide his surprise. "Who even came up with the idea?"

"What, like it's that hard to imagine?" I can't stop myself from feeling a little annoyed.

"Yes!" He and Dad said at the same time.

"New dark fae leader, Ivy I think her name was?" Apollo answered.

"Where are the terrible two?" I ask Mum, ignoring the rest of the conversation that follows as I eat the muffin.

"River, you know how they are with swimming. They spend most nights out there. Darling, are you okay?" She frowned, resting her hand on my arm.

"I'm fine. Nothing bad ever happened, I just took a really long nap."

She didn't say anything, her frown just increasing as Dad put on his serious voice and I realised all eyes were on me.

"Elise, do you realise this is a very serious commitment?"

"Of course I do."

"Is it really something you are prepared to invest all your time in? It's not just a matter of showing up every now and then if there is a meeting on," He started, pausing to sip his coffee.

"And I am sure I'll figure it out."

"I'm surprised Ailin let the motion pass," Zane added though, from the way he said it, I don't think he meant to say it out loud.

"Why? What's so bad about me doing this?" I challenge.

"Well considering, everything, plus your usual opinions and status with authority, and interest in the more, political, aspects of our kind, next I suppose you'll tell us you've given up drinking?" He snapped.

"Do you have a problem with my drinking?"

Jordan groaned, and Dad remained unusually quiet, even Mum seemed to fade to complete invisible status. No one said anything, even Apollo as Zane met my gaze and held it. For the briefest of moments, I felt like bursting into tears, but that wasn't going to happen here.

"No, it would just be even more out of character." Zane finished.

"Right. Like you, suddenly being Mr teacher of the year, having friends and being around people? That's pretty out of character for the defensive, serious Team Leader, who prefers life on his own and gives a shit about no one but himself, yet here we are."

" I don't think-" Dad started, but I was done.

"I don't care what you think."

"And that's our point Elise, you-" He continued.

"I'm done." I stood, holding my hands up in surrender as I did so. "I'll see you all later."

Leaving them all behind, I ended up at my bar and grabbing the closest bottle from the stock out the back, I sat at the desk covered in papers with things I had no idea about. Invoices, delivery dockets, a receipt book. Pushing them aside, I skipped on a cup and opened the bottle of whisky before leaning back in the chair and resting my feet up on the corner of the desk. I paused as the bottle touched my lips, the sharp smell of the bourbon invading my nose and the burn of the alcohol teased my tongue.

I sat the bottle on the desk in front of me without taking a sip.

"There is no problem between us. I use you to make this place more bearable. I don't need you. You're just a bad habit." I tell it.

Surprisingly, the bottle doesn't answer me.

"Great. Now they've ruined you." I groan, closing my eyes as I put the lid on.

It's then Paul comes in and looking up at him, he freezes mid-step into the office.

"Oh, boss it's you. Thought I heard some back here." He frowns, looking at the desk. "Did I break another bottle?"

It was a joke, and apparently, a way to write off the missing stock I took even though I made him charge me for them anyway. Tonight I wasn't in the mood hg.and as he came over and fussed over the papers, I really wanted to tell him to go away too.

"Am I in the way?"

"Kind of, I was just trying to catch up on last months invoices and-" He explained, carefully gathering up his work.

"Don't worry, I'll go."

"Well, this is technically your office. You don't have to."

"I do, and please, this is your office more than mine. People will be looking for me soon, they'll come here, and I don't want to see any of them right now." I sigh.

"Don't want to step over any boundaries, but you can't always run from your problems." He forgot about the stuff on the desk and crossed his arms. "They always find you."

"Everyone's got an opinion tonight, don't they? Did Dr Phil come to town and give you all a one on one?"

"Not quite," He points behind me and turning around, Apollo and Zane are standing there. "I'll be out the front if you need anything."

Paul leaves us, and I ignore the pair behind me by closing my eyes and pretending they're not there.

"Kid, come on!" Zane groans, pushing my feet off the desk to take their place. "I'm sorry, but this is a surprise. If you had told me you'd be on the Council, two months or even six months ago, I never would have believed you. People change. I should have taken this more seriously."

"You don't need to apologise. I just forgot what it's like to hear people not believing in you since its' been awhile. I mean, even Tom fucking Van Helsing stood up for me, so it was a reality check to hear you all tonight."

"We do believe in you. More than anyone else possibly could. I've seen you grow these last couple of years, I know what you're capable of, and maybe in like, twenty years, this wouldn't have surprised me so much. You're young Sunshine, you normally hate authority and-"

"But I am the authority now," I tell him, sitting up.

"What?" He asks not hiding his confusion.

"I am on the Council. I make the rules."

It becomes clearer and more apparent to me now. Ailin couldn't have stopped it even if she had wanted to and really, she could have overruled the vote. My power is tied with the Treaty; so really she can't stop me.

"Elise, it's not quite-" Apollo starts, but I shake my head.

"It is. You of all people know that." I remind him. "Fate has a funny way of working things out Zane. Everything that has happened has led me to this point."

"What am I missing?" He asks Apollo.

"Ah, nothing. Much. How about we drop it for tonight. Is that tequila?" He asks, going for the bottle which is ridiculous because who has ever seen tequila that colour brown?

"You know I'll support you through whatever Kid, but what has Fate got to do with this? You hate fate and all that shit. How much did you drink before we got here?"

"Cause that's what I do isn't it Zane?" I snap at him.

I could crush him. Make him hurt in ways he never thought possible. That support of his that he keeps talking about, I could shove it so far-

"You have been known for it. Look, maybe you being on the Council will give you some of that direction you keep talking about wanting to find. Maybe it's fate. Perhaps it's a bad idea. Then again, you could be exactly what they need." He snatched the bourbon off Apollo and took a long, deep mouthful, letting out a slight cough after he swallowed. "Whatever your hiding, that bear shifter out there is right. Things have a way of being found, whether you want them to or not."

He leaves, heading out to the bar and takes the bottle with him. I wasn't expecting that, and while I'm annoyed with him, I can't help but feel guilty too.

"Am I losing my mind?" I ask Apollo as soon as we're alone.

"Why do you ask that?"

"Because I have no idea what I'm fucking doing anymore. They're right to doubt me. Why the hell am I on the Council?"

He shrugged. "Maybe it is fate?"

"I've seen fate. It doesn't work like that, not entirely. I think Sobek's powers are dangerous. I think they're dangerous for me to have. He was bad, wasn't he? Maybe it's tainted with evilness." I wonder.

"Doesn't work like that, not entirely Bunny. Power isn't good or bad, it's what you do with it that makes it that way, and he wasn't evil. He just pissed off the wrong people and brought it all on himself." Apollo kneeled in front of my chair, taking my hands in his. "It takes time. Relax. Things will work out."

Apollo could say that because he didn't know my thoughts or about what Portia saw.

I did.

"Come on, let's go find Zane before teacher of the year does something that might ruin his reputation." Apollo leans in and kisses the tip of my nose before standing.

I move with him and going out the front, it's a quiet night with a small crowd more interested in themselves than those around them. It suits the three of us fine, and as I take my first drink, no one says anything. I let it go. We all have another, then a third and fourth. I notice Ivy come in first, and as the guys move to play pool, I go over to where she was sitting alone on her phone.

"Hunter," She greets casually. "How are you?"

"I'm, okay. You?" Something felt odd about all of this, but I let it go.

"Better now I have some company. The friends I expected to join me cancelled."

"You're welcome to join us?"

"No, just you." She smiled, though I didn't miss the way she practically glared in the guy's direction. "My sister, Hazel, spoke well of you. I was only thinking of her the day of our meeting. Coincidence? Perhaps, only I feel she had her hand in our affairs."

"I miss her. She was a lot of fun." I admit, trying not to dwell on the night of her death longer than I had to. "Were you not part of the coven?"

"I was in training to take the lead of another, but her, unexpected and rather, premature departure from this world changed things."

"Did you know her well?"

"Well enough." She smiled again, though this felt less friendly. "I must admit, it was unusual to hear of a Hunter befriending one of the dark faes as you did. The survivors in the coven hold no ill will against you, and neither do I. There is a lot I do not know about you. I hear the rumours of course. The stories. Hunters are not invited into our business, ever. Yet you are spoken of as if you are one of us."

"The coven have broken no rules and know how to have a good time. I don't see why our kinds can't get along."

"Agreed. Even now I see a shifter. Vampires? They work for you in this bar. Your clientele is expected, and this is, of course, neutral ground. I have met Hunters, Slayers and even Trackers would not give a vampire the time of day let alone employment. Only certain kinds would come here to drink. Let their guards down around the other."

I followed her gaze back to where Apollo and Zane now played against what I think was a demon and a werewolf. Not entirely sure the point Ivy was trying to make, I just shrugged.

"Like you said, neutral ground. Everyone knows better than the break the rules. Darius, the vampire who used to own this place was quick to enforce them if shit happens, and employ those here that can ensure the same standards." I looked to where Paul stood with the vampire Jess, the pair looking at whatever was on his clipboard. For all their good nature, they both had a side I wouldn't want to cross.

"Smart girl." Ivy complimented. "Maybe sometime you will visit us? You are always welcome."

"Thank you. Maybe. I'll see. I ah, I'm not sure what happened in the meeting or why you thought I should be on the council, but thank you."

"It's about time we got someone with half a brain in with that lot. You are unique, Elise. You're not a Hunter. You're, something else." She stood and went to leave, slowing so I could walk with her to the entrance. "That boy of yours. Apollo isn't it?"

"Yes," I admit, instantly nervous as the whole reason why he had first decided to stay hidden was avoid any extra attention. Since Freyja and Freyr kind of ruined all of that, he decided just to be himself. "Why?"

"Curiosity will kill this cat one day." She smirked, "If any shall take the place of our great priestess, Hecate, it would have to be you."

"Hecate?"

"Never you mind, Hunter. Enjoy your night." And then she was gone.

"Was that Ivy?" Apollo asks as I head over to the table.

"Who is Hecate?" I ask instead.

"Not sure. Sounds familiar though?" He wondered, frowning as he thought. "Why?"

"Ivy said if any took the place of her it would have to be me. Is this another one of those, I don't want to know, ancient life things?"

"Don't think- oh. Maybe." His face seemed to pale slightly. "I thought she was dead and it was before we even came to this realm the first time!"

I shook my head. "Why would she bring it up? Was it a warning?"

"Swear on my sister's life, Hecate is dead. I'm not sure what Ivy is up to, though I thought it was the witches who worshiped her, not the fae?"

"Your shot!" The werewolf growled, interrupting us and Apollo turned back to his game.

This time I didn't hesitate when I got the bottle of bourbon in my hand.