Free The Witch and the Wolf: Part Three by Lola Kidd Page A

meeting first,” Ursula said. “Do you think it’ll be anything serious since they already have so many testimonies including Cross’?”
    “Maybe,” Charlie said. He motioned toward Rory, “It depends on how interested they are in this little lady.”
    Jamie considered what he said. “You’re right though I don’t see what they could possibly want with Rory.”
    “I believe we said the same thing about the Lost Tribe and look how that turned out,” Deanne said.
    “I’ll take her on my bike,” Cross said.
    “That sounds great,” Rory said , before anyone could argue. “Everyone else who wants to come can follow by car or bike. I’m not too worried about this.”
    He knew exactly what she meant. They had survived werewolves, vampires, and the most evil and dangerous fae tribe in the known world. A council of ancient supes wasn’t going to slow them down.
    “You should leave now,” Pete said. “You have to get over to the Lion’s Club reception hall.”
    “I know where that is,” Cross said.
    “Good,” Grizzly said. “We’ll be right behind you.”
    Rory and Cross went to his bike out front. There was a spare helmet sitting on his bike. He smiled. His dad must have known all along. He handed Rory the helmet.
    “You know I was always rooting for you, wolfy.” Beatrice materialized next to the bike. Rory got the bike behind Cross.
    He revved the engine. “You had a strange way of showing it.”
    “I couldn’t make it easy for you,” the ghost said. “We Silvers don’t have much luck when it comes to love. I can’t have just anyone joining the family.”
    “So?” Rory asked.
    “So, I approve of you and the wolf,” Beatrice said with a big smile. “Don’t listen to that dried up prune. Your Mom will get over it. She’s just jealous, I bet. Good luck with the Council.”
    “Thanks,” Cross said. “Come by and visit us sometime.”
    “Oh, I’ll be keeping an eye on you, wolfy. I said I approve, not I was turning a blind eye to you. I like you kids.”
    She disappeared. Cross chuckled. If he could win over that ghost, the other witches were bound to come around.

Ten
    Rory didn’t even feel bad for not dressing up. The Council was wasting her time frankly. They already had the story. There was nothing she could add. She wanted answers , not to have to tell the same story over and over. The coven and Moon Brothers arrived shortly after her and Cross. They parked in a circle and waited outside.
    “You guys are early , but that’s perfect,” the fae assistant to the Council said when they arrived. “They can see you right now if you want. They just finished up an interview. I’ll tell them you’re here.”
    They waited in the hall for the fae to return. The Council was made up of a representative from each race of supernatural creatures. There was Tran, a tiger shifte r; Delilah, a vampire; Susan, a fae; and William, a wizard. They were all very old, though they hadn’t been around for the banishment of the Lost Tribe. They didn’t usually convene in the “New World”, preferring instead to stick to locals in Africa, Asia, and Europe for their meetings. Rory supposed it was an honor to have them travel to her little town just to meet her, but she was just bored of it all.
    “You nervous?” Cross asked , arms circling her waist.
    “No, I didn’t do anything wrong. I feel fucking awful about what happened , but there wasn’t much of an option for me.”
    “Are you mad at me?”
    “No,” she sighed. “You did what you thought was best. I don’t know if it was the right choice, but I’m not mad at you for making it.”
    The assistant returned. “They’re ready for you now.”
    They were waiting at a small table in a big room. The setting looked a lot less intimidating than Rory had expected. They should have picked a smaller room. It felt like she was coming to do an audition for a community play. The four council members were sitting man-woman-man-woman. Cleary they