September 13, 2005
Erik entered the bathroom to shower as Coralis walked out of it. Following their meeting the previous night, Sebastian and Stephanie returned home, and Gus went with them
"You missed the morning news report when you were in the shower, but I'm sure it's gonna be talked about all week," said Frank, giving her a cup of coffee while kissing her.
"That's an understatement," said Samantha.
"What did I miss?"
"The end of the witch-hunt as we know it," said Henry.
"SERIOUSLY?"
"Yes, seriously. At least in this country. They announced the end of the witch-hunt here, but like in the European Union, witchcraft, as per their definition, is still illegal," said Frank.
"As per their definition? You mean the act of summoning demons, or is there more to it?" said Coralis.
"The act of summoning demons, which always was punishable by death when caught by your people, any activities aimed to take possession and control someone else's soul," said Frank, with his arms wrapped around her.
""What I saw tested on that woman in northern Saskatchewan," said Coralis.
"Want to hear the sweetest part?" said Jeremie while their doorbell rang.
"I'm all ears."
"No registry. They still want to set one up, but the law project to make it mandatory will be shelved," said Samantha.
"Glad to hear they got smart and decided against having us registering as witches as a condition to end the hunt like they wanted to."
"Did they seriously want to do that?" said Frank, parting from her to let Sebastian and Stephanie in. "I remember them saying they wanted to make it mandatory for witches to register, but they didn't say it was a condition to end the hunt."
"Yes, that's what we've been told during the meeting with some Premiers and ministers on Sunday, they wanted us to register that day. We all refused to do it."
"Ooh, I forgot to show you yesterday. Emery recorded that meeting," said Sebastian, pulling his hologram out of his cloak, "and he showed it to me after the meeting with the elders yesterday."
Henry, Frank, Jeremie and Samantha surrounded Sebastian to watch the recording.
"Right on, sis! You tell 'em!" said Henry.
"What did I miss?" said Erik, coming out of the bathroom.
"Just sis spanking people, as usual," said Henry, and Sebastian played it again for Erik.
Coralis chugged the rest of her coffee and grabbed her stick keychain.
"Time to go sign the deed for the headquarters building. Ready?"
"Of course! Let's go!" said Sebastian.
"Wait on, we're coming, but I want to finish watching this gold bar," said Erik.
Two hours later, the four of them stood in front of the derelict building that Coralis purchased for their district. Sonylla, Chiwa and Panjik met them there.
"This is ours," said Chiwa.
"Yes. Alpha Gary is sending us six pack members to work on the foundation. They'll arrive tonight. I'll have the permits ready tomorrow morning. We'll secure the floor and walls, and they'll do their thing," said Coralis.
"Alpha Gary? Hiring shifter workers works even better to cover our asses, and it keeps city inspectors off our backs. Where are they going to stay?" said Sebastian.
"Yes, Alpha Gary called me this morning to offer. I wasn't going to decline. I offered to pay for a hotel nearby, but they wanted to stay with the Moonlight Pearl pack. I think Alpha Koby will also send members to help.
"I am looking forward to our first meeting in there," said Sonylla.
"Blue Thunder," said Riwik through mind-link, "Giornie mentioned to us her intent to join you when we disperse. Would you have a need for her services and skills?"
"Giornie? I'm still in the process of figuring out what I need, but if she wants to join District VIII when you disperse, sure, I'll hire her if it's fine with you."
"Excellent. I heard that your country will end their witch-hunt, that is great news," said Riwik.
"They are ending the witch-hunt, but we all know the war isn't over. I still don't understand how in gods world I need to be a High Mage in here when I should be fighting with you until you disperse."
"The end of the witch-hunt on a global scale means a big loss in influence for a lot of radicals fighting for control over humans. They are losing one of their key arguments. A few countries are still fighting it, but their governments are also losing the support of the population," said Whazk.
"Leader of a district in a post-hunt era is a good place for you to be. The fight isn't over, but the balance is being re-established, and you are in a good position to maintain it from where you stand," said Riwik.
"Your new role to your community does not stop you from contributing to our reason to be, on the contrary, it puts you on a peak scenic view," said Milkya.
"Shadows conversation?" said Sebastian, seeing she wasn't responding.
"From my understanding," said Coralis, nodding to Sebastian, "I would have ranked top 2 on their Most Wanted Witches list if it wasn't for the rumours of prisoners and research purposes leaking to the people… what have you guys done to keep you on top of their lists for the entire hunt?"
"Those who could answer that question have been killed, I believe. Unless our nemesis does not want us to know they're alive," said Riwik.
"We all know that list isn't about kill count, but how much of a threat they can make humans believe you to be," said Whazk.
"The last time we met, humans didn't come up with a list of who they wanted killed the most, and we know they didn't come up with it on their own," said Malkya.
"Next time there is a threat big enough for us to form again, those of us still alive will be the most targeted unless you align with the cause of imbalance. You, Blue Thunder, will hopefully still be on our side," said Riwik.
"When the shadows disperse, Giornie will join us," said Coralis to her Head Crew.
"Giornie, she was the one who drove your platform during your South Africa operation last April, correct?" said Panjik.
"Yes," said Coralis.
"Great addition, she will be an asset to our district," said Panjik.
Coralis felt her phone vibrating. She grabbed it and saw the call came from an unknown number.
"I'm listening," said Coralis, answering the call.
"Solek on the line. There is a group of elves sieging our stronghold."