Night Whispers: The Complex Page 20

  Now, months later, Thras and I stand behind the scenes in an amphitheater of white and glass walls and concrete floors. It’s the same one where the big debate was held. I timidly peer through curtains at the sea of faces. Vamps, werewolves, succubus, incubus, fae …there are Humans and Metas as far as the eye can see. It’s far more packed than any debate we might have held, so many months ago.

  “Thrasyllus Blüthe and Sakhi Borren, will you please approach?” a booming voice calls to us.

  I recognize him as Val, the dragon shifter who once threatened to torch everyone at our debate. He sits with a group of Humans and Metas from the Ama Seldova.

  I’m busy chewing one of my nails.

  “Sweetheart, take your lovely finger out of your delicious mouth or I’ll have to spank you,” Thras says, his eyes sparkling.

  I glare at him and chew on it even harder.

  He laughs. “I take it you want to be spanked?”

  “I might,” I say, batting my lashes at him.

  “Happy to accommodate,” he says. “But later.”

  He takes my hand and leads me onstage.

  The crowd of people launches to their feet. They cheer. Stomp their feet. Whistle and clap, creating a deafening roar. I even spot ten of the Eleven, sitting near the front, whistling and shouting. Naazira shouts the loudest, cupping her hands around her mouth. Then, she takes Kipp’s hand, grinning. Maybe they’ll have little elven-were pups after all.

  Inwardly, I cringe at the attention. But it’s nice to be appreciated, for once.

  “Quiet! Everyone! Quiet!” Val says. When he starts his transformation into a huge, fire-breathing beast, the room stills. He quickly resumes his more human form. “Thank you,” he says, and then turns to Thras. “Good sir, for your valor and strength in the face of adversity, we can think of no better person to appoint as ambassador to Ama Seldova, than you.”

  The audience roars again.

  Val gives them a look and everyone grows quiet. He raises his eyebrow at Thras. “What say you, good sir?”

  Thras’ face appears grave. “I say nay, good sir.”

  “What?” Val splutters.

  The crowd erupts in whispers and questions.

  Val bangs his gavel on the lectern. “Order! Order! Order!” When the room stills once more, Val says, “You decline our offer?” He looks aghast.

  I’m curious, too. I give Thras a questioning look but he doesn’t catch it.

  Instead, he addresses the officer of Ama Seldova. “I’d like to suggest someone else in my stead.”

  “Someone else? Who?” Val says, looking perplexed.

  “None other than the woman by my side, Sakhi Borren. Without her, justice would not have been attained, I’m certain.”

  Stunned silence drapes the room.

  I stare at him, blinking stupidly.

  “Sakhi?” Val splutters. “But we’ve chosen you.”

  “That’s my offer,” Thras says, at his most imposing.

  “I don’t…” Val begins.

  “Since when are women not worthy to lead?” a woman seated at the table says. She stands, her presence as strong as an ancient tree. “I think the nomination is just and true. High council, what say you?”

  “Yay,” one of them says.

  One by one, the others respond in like fashion.

  I’m stunned, unable to speak.

  “Good people, what say you?” Val asks the onlookers.

  The room explodes with cheers and whistles.

  “It looks like you’ll be an Ambassador, sweetheart,” Thras says close to my ear.

  “I don’t know a thing about leading,” I say, flustered.

  “But you do. Didn’t you tell me your mama told you to follow your heart?”

  “Yes, but…” I say.

  “Then, it’s decided. Besides, I always wanted to see what it would be like to be mated to an Ambassador.” The warmest grin I’ve ever seen appears on his face.

  My heart ceases to beat. The roar of the crowd falls away.

  “Are you…are you asking to mate with me? As in lifelong commitment?”

  “I believe we already have mated, as evidence by our energetic response to one another. But let’s make the decision formal, in front of all, shall we?”

  “Oh, yes, Thras! A thousand yesses! I love you with all my heart. I’ll be honored to be your life-mate.” I throw my arms around him and shower him with kisses.

  I’ll never get over the loss of my brother or the hardships I endured. But they’ve taught me something—We can arise from hardship.

  Old beliefs can stick in the mud, but I know what comes from mud, I think with a smile. They just need a good strong yank from a mighty hand.

  With Thras by my side, I intend to make change. Together, we can serve as an example of two kinds of people—two entirely unique races—not merely getting along, but creating a powerful energetic alliance. Together, we can change the way people respond to differences—we’re going to transform the galaxy, heart by loving heart.

  THE END

  Thank you so much for taking the time to read my novella from The Complex!

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  About the Author

  Calinda B is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who crafts paranormal, sci-fi and contemporary romance novels. An avid adventurer and outdoor enthusiast with a quirky sense of humor, she's always finding ways to torture her characters, and to entertain her long time love, her two cats or her kids and friends. She lives in the breathtaking Pacific Northwest, a place that soothes her soul and gives her plenty of time to write, scuba dive, work, write, bike ride, write, kayak, write and write some more.

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