The Seven: Four tales of passion, danger and love Read Online Free Page B

the states?"
    "North America is divided up between the seven centers, omitting only New York State."
    "Why is that?"
    "It is under the direct control of the Council."
    "The Council?"
    Augustus turned his attention to Severin, Darius, and Xavier. "Please, be seated."
    They sat and then Augustus returned his attention to her. "The Council is our ruling body, made up of representatives from all seven races. Their headquarters is in Manhattan."
    "And what about Alaska and Hawaii?"
    "They have their own centers," Connor offered the answer.
    "And the rest of the world?"
    "Again, divided by territory and governed by an individual appointed by the Council."
    "So." She looked at Augustus' chest, still not trusting to meet his eyes. "You claim you are all – people-- from – from what, fairytales and myth? And that you have places all over the world where your kind live. Am I getting this right?"
    "We do not claim to be anything." Severin spoke and she could hear the scorn in his voice. "We are who we are and have inhabited this world since before humans climbed out of the primordial soup."
    "Oh really?" She didn't care much for his supercilious tone but wasn't about to get into an argument. After all, what she was being told had to be the world's largest crock of shit. "Sorry. Let me rephrase. So, you are all – supernatural – pardon, preternatural, and have always been here. I'm guessing you've made your presence known to at least some humans over the years – hence the tales. And you have a government and apparently, it works for you. But here's what puzzles me…"
    She paused and dared to raise her gaze to meet Augustus'. "Why am I here?"
    She heard two soft chuckles and from the direction of the sounds guessed it was Connor and Gabriel. They seemed to be the only ones in the room who possessed a sense of humor.
    Augustus' eyes narrowed just fractionally and she could have sworn she saw a tiny flare of light in their depths. Had she hit a nerve? Layla knew that she sometimes came across as naïve or even scatterbrained. Sometimes she was. But she also used it to her advantage. Like her Grannie always said, it's never smart to show all your cards up front.
    "Well?" She asked when he remained silent.
    "That was not a decision sanctioned by the Council or agreed upon by any of the District Governors," Xavier stated.
    "Oh?" She looked at him then back at Augustus. "Then who exactly decided it was okay to drug and abduct me and bring me here against my will?"
    "Me."
    "You." She stood, hoping that her legs wouldn't shake. She didn't want it to show but she was more than a little afraid. After all, in less than twenty-four hours she'd seen a Shape-Shifter, a Vampire, a Fairy, a Daemon, and an Angel – with her own eyes. It was pretty darn clear that her bead on reality was way off base.
    "So, you decided. And your Council – do they know?"
    "No."
    She looked around at the others. "And none of you feel it worth mentioning right? I mean, I am, after all, just a human."
    "Your race was not a factor in my decision."
    "Then what was?"
    Augustus looked around at the others. "Leave us."
    "Why?" Layla challenged his request.
    "I'll speak with you alone."
    "No. Speak now, right now, in front of your people and tell me why you brought me here and what you want from me."
    He stared at her for a long time and her legs did start to shake, along with the rest of her body. But she refused to back down and stood there, fists clenched at her sides and trying to stem the trembling.
    "I brought you here for what you can do. And for me."
    "What I can do? You mean write a romance novel?"
    Another chuckle from Gabriel had her cutting him a look. "Okay, I guess this is all quite amusing to you but it's not a damn bit funny to me. And it makes no sense at all. If you want to keep who and what you are a secret then why make yourselves known to someone like me? You have to know that I'll use it. I'll write a book or a damn series of books and have every one