Chapter 19

"I don't think it's a good idea." I said doubtfully.

"Of course you don't it would ruin your already dwindling reputation." Logan sneered. I flinched back, offended and he noticed and said softer, "You know I don't mean anything by it. I'm just frustrated."

"We all are and fighting isn't going to get us anywhere." Alexi pointed out.

"I just think that activating our status's will do more harm than good. Imagine what will happen." I said mournfully.

"Well you already told your mate and he didn't freak out did he?" Henry asked already knowing the answer.

"He'd not my mate." I responded automatically, "And no he didn't. You know he didn't."

"If they get any closer we will have to tell the Chaos Council." Jack said as he turned around from the window, "And you will help us do it."

"Lets hope it doesn't come to that. I am still trying to keep everyone off our tracks." I sighed.

"Yes, well, none of us are doing a very good job of it are we?" Alec huffed.

No.

No we weren't.

"I've got it! I've got it!" Dominic ran in the room shouting. We all turned to look up surprised. The department heads were having a meeting and the top troops were stationed behind their respective leader. Damien, Arron, Jasper, Leighton, Van, Lucian, a representative for Chakris, and I were in the middle of a heated debate.

"What exactly have you got?" I asked dryly.

"I know what everyone is looking for!" He exclaimed.

I stiffened and everyone sat up and turned their focus on him.

"What is it?" Arron demanded.

Be wrong. Be wrong. Please be wrong.

"It seems that they believe in fairy tales now. Two words: Pandora's. Box." He told Arron, exaggerating Pandora's box.

"Alright, now that is a load of bullshit. That is a story told to entertain children." Jasper scoffed.

Everyone else let out similar statements and Dominic went on to tell us how they had to hack some computers and translate things and it was for sure what they were looking for and the representative, Brian, looked at me and remarked, "You are awfully quiet over there Miss Ricada. I am sure you have a few words on this topic. I mean, your team has managed to find something you yourself had managed to not see for years."

I cleared my throat awkwardly, "Do we really believe this? Pandora's Box? Really? I mean we already believe in some pretty far-fetched shit and this is out there, even for us."

"Are you one to say that something is far-fetched? You are the epitome for things that shouldn't exist." He dead panned.

I couldn't really argue with that.

"I realize that but still. They probably want us to think this to throw us off." It sounded like a weak excuse, even to my ears.

"I doubt it. There is a lot of research on here Commander." Dominic said.

"Well let's hear it." Arron commanded and it began. Everything we worked so hard to keep under wraps; just blurted out.

I got my phone out and sent a text to everyone:

They know. When I wasn't looking the techs hacked into the computers. I don't know if there is anything about the forsaken. Ill let you know if there is anything to worry about. I would bet money that now we are going to go looking for it. Ill go on search parties. No. One. Can. Find. Out. About. This. However if it cant be avoided….stand by for activation.

I got replies withing seconds:

Fuck. ~Logan

Good job, Holly. ~Alec

We will make this work. ~Alexi

Well, this sucks ass. ~Jack

Joy. ~Phillip

Chill. ~Henry

"The forsaken." I snapped my head up to look at Dominic, "They have a few ideas but our best idea was to round up all the likely candidates."

"You think that they would just come out and say "hey guys, we are protecting the world's greatest weapon but don't worry, we got covered." Van said sarcastically.

"That's all we can hope for. We could offer more protection than they could. Call all Commanding Officers of high rank and the Council members from ALL councils. We need to brain storm. Get the Angel of Intelligence in here too." Arron told the room and everyone scurried off to do exactly what he said.

I leaned back in my chair and looked at the ceiling, towards the sky.

Is this my punishment for abandoning my post in my previous life?

I didn't get an answer.

"What?" Chakris asked incredulous.

"You heard me. They are looking for Pandora's Box. If we find the Forsaken, we find the box." Arron said firmly.

The council members from all three councils looked astonished and it was at least five minutes before the Leader of the Dark Council, asked, "And what does your father have to say on the matter?"

I sucked in a deep breath and Arron visibly got tense. He spoke through clenched teeth and was doing his best not to be rude, "It would so happen that my father is still in the hospital. The gas had damaging effects on his lungs. He...he is in a drug induced coma for the time being so I am in charge."

"I am sorry to hear that." He said smoothly.

I narrowed my eyes.

Liar.

Arron shot me a look out of the corner of his eye and I rolled my eyes.

"Thank you. Does anyone have any suggestions on this matter?" He asked.

"Simple, we just have to flush out the unlikely candidates and narrow it down." Jasper said.

"Good idea."

"Someone should get on that."

"Alright!" Arron's voice silences the agreements and he turned to me and said, "Get a list of Angels up."

I pulled my computer out reluctantly and began to do so.

"Put it up on the screens. It you don't mind." Chakris asked with a look that dared me to say no.

"Of course." I muttered.

It came up and Arron began instructing me on what to look for.

"Take away anyone that doesn't have powers that are useful in battle."

I did.

"Get rid of anyone that doesn't have a high clearance level- wait a minute. The forsaken would have to be high ranked if they have gone unnoticed this long." Arron said and got an irritated look on his face.

I met Jack's eyes from behind John, the Dark leader, and we shared an alarmed look.

We were counting on everyone thinking that they were low ranking.

"Thats right!" Chakris exploded, "They wouldn't have been able to hide it this long without it. They were probably in on the damn investigation and were messing it up on purpose."

Oh come on!

They don't know for years and all of a sudden everyone is fucking Sherlock Holmes?

"Speaking of which." One of the Dark councils spies got up and popped in a DVD. "I think we will all find this interesting."

The screen showed a busy street with many little shops and it was focusing on a tiny cafe on the corner.

The date was earlier today.

Oh no.

It went inside the cafe and a few seconds later a tall man with broad shoulders walked in a automatically went and sat with a smaller more gentle looking person.

Logan and Alexi.

Next a lanky boy came in and joined them and a mischievous looking man with a fedora followed.

Henry and Phillip.

A confident looking man glided in and an angry man came next.

Alec and Jack.

Finally, a tall gorgeous woman with fancy clothes and boots and clicked when she walked strutted in.

Me.

I groaned and sank in my chair while Jack adopted an apprehensive look.

It showed us arguing on screen and I watched as the me on screen huffed and scooted closer to Logan.

I heard outbursts from outside the conference room we were in and realized he rooted this to every screen on the damn base. Maybe even every base.

It was a well known fact that no one on that screen ran in the same circles.

It eventually showed us walking out one by one.

When it ended everyone turned to look and Jack and I.

"Do you want to explain?" Chakris demanded.

I looked up from the floor and lifted my chin, "I don't see a reason to explain."

"You don't even talk to them. Now either you all are giving information between councils or something else is going on." Arron said angrily. I felt a pang on hurt through my chest as I realized that this is what Arron has been thinking for a while now.

"That is ridiculous. Has it occurred to you that we are just a group of friends that decided to get together." I said louder. Slower.

"If you were getting together why were you sneaking around and arguing?" John demanded.

"Well look at us now; you are blaming us for treason when in reality we just wanted to have a nice time out together. We just happened to be arguing over the venue. We knew that no one would like our friend ship. Now can we get to the matter at hand? This seems ridiculous at a time like this." I lied smoothly and added just a hint of influence in their heads.

"Your right. We are sorry." Arron glanced at the clock, "We will have to resume this meeting tomorrow. I have a group of soldiers that need training. Badly."

Chuckles went from around the room and apologies that meant nothing were made to me. They promised to clear up what everyone was thinking by now.

I started to walk out the door and shot Jack a triumphant look.

I'm not the Angel of Deceit for nothing.

"Wait a fucking minute! 1,2,3...7!" I stopped in my tracks. "There is seven of them and they all have powerful gifts." John said in a cold voice.

I turned around slowly and met the eyes of my brother as everyone but Jack and I gathered at the end of the room. He held out his hand and spoke quietly, "I want to see what is on that necklace you always wear."

Feels like a long time since I updated...

Holly just can't catch a damn break can she?

Is Arron going to be on her side?

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