Chapter 25 – First Battle of Wills
Things were quiet for a while and Jezebel was in a funk. She now understood why her father had kept things from her for so long. She wasn't even sure she was ready for this responsibility now, never mind when she had been younger. She had gotten tired of Katrina trying to introduce new ideas that would consolidate more power to the council.
She had also decided after what happened with Niklis she would get both sides of a story before acting ever again. She was a little frustrated about it, why hadn't Niklis said anything? It was like he wanted to die. She still felt a faint tinge of regret, but she moved on, his wasn't the only death she had to deal with after all.
She thought that Katrina would love to gain more authority and was trying to use the council to get it. She didn't remove the other dimension from power just to replace it with another version of an over powerful and influential group.
Her vision for the council was mostly about keeping the peace between the races and locking out the rulers from the other dimensions, a common defense to keep all their races safe from interference.
The council was in essence there to stop her from being a dictator, not to replace her as a tight fisted council who ruled everyone.
Luckily Sandy sided with her as did Tony. The Weres had already given up more autonomy then they wanted, so Amy too was against increasing the council's responsibilities. The one thing that really annoyed her was the increasing distance between her and Patricia. Patricia truly was a friend, but she was also too ambitious and was siding more and more with Katrina during these arguments.
So with a lack of concerns going on the council had turned into essentially arguing about power the last two weeks. She didn't want a crisis, but she was very close to it, if it would mean not listening to Katrina talk on and on about how they could make this or that better, when it was all about taking control for the Angel.
To the annoyance of the other Arches however she had been able to extend the wait between regular council meetings to once a month. She argued that they could still communicate with the necklaces in an emergency. No need to meet so often, with the added benefit that she didn't have to hear any more ridiculous pitches.
Jezebel got a little bit of work done then tracked down Sandy. They both had class that morning and they needed to get moving. She also needed to get changed, she had taken Sandy's advice, when she was in the mansion she dressed a lot sexier, not to mention her bust size.
She wasn't sure if it made anyone underestimate her, but she was positive her Witch couldn't keep her eyes off her. The rest of her mates were very appreciative as well. For Jezebel that was more than enough reason by itself for her to do it.
They got ready and then Sandy opened a portal to their apartment. They split up and went to their classes as soon as they reluctantly finished up with their soft and lingering tender kisses. Class was going well today. She wasn't oversexed so she wasn't affecting anyone around her. Of course that's when it happened. She felt a door opening in her mind and a rising pressure to obey.
She knew the other Arches were protected from these incoming orders by her more powerful order to ignore them. Unfortunately she had no protection that would cause their orders to slide off. She needed to actually fight. Oh she knew she would win, but that didn't make it easier. She barely heard the gasps and mutters of the class as her body froze in battle.
Her succubus mesmerizing power rushed and defended her as it coated her Angelic command power with its influence, she still needed to concentrate and make sure nothing got though. Then she heard the commands...
The humans become powerful. You will search out all humans that know the truth about the supernatural races and are not our servants. Then kill them showing no mercy, the humans must not learn of our existence as a whole.
She started shaking as the door closed and her powers receded. As she came to herself she noticed the whole class staring at her in concern, their eyes wide and questioning.
She said, "I'm okay, just dizzy for a moment."
Her excuse sounded lame to her own ears but she dropped it, ignoring the questioning whispers. She just hoped she wasn't glowing or something. But since no one at all screamed and ran for the door she was guessing not.
She continued the lecture, but was thinking about what just happened, and wondering what the fall out would be. She had ordered the other Arches to think of their words as suggestions only. What if some of them thought it a good idea?
She thought about calling a council meeting but... She had a feeling there were two people on the council that would feel that way. She would have Natalie look into it. Either way, that shit wasn't happening here in North America.
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Two hours later she was sitting in council, she was going to wait but Katrina and Patricia insisted on a meeting. In all fairness, contact from the dimension they had ostensibly declared independence from, even if they didn't know it yet, constituted an emergency.
Katrina said, "This order from the home dimension doesn't really involve the non Angels because there is no defense needed, but I asked for a full council just to keep you apprised of the situation.
"The orders that came through did not take hold, however cleaning house seems like a good idea to me. The humans are getting more powerful. They are pitifully easy to kill one on one, but as we saw last month with Gregor, a talented sniper is more than enough to take one of us down unprotected.
"It just seems like common sense to me to keep the governments of the world in the dark by cleaning house, it wouldn't be pretty if the humans found out about us."
Jezebel said flippantly, "Why not just kill them all? That would be safer for us right? It's only common sense."
She shook her head. "Look, I understand that it does make sense in a certain way, and perhaps there are some that know that should be silenced because of our race's security. But could not we find another way to do it? Force an Elven deal of silence, or..."
She looked at Sandy and said, "How hard would it be to suppress memories of the supernatural, or make it seem like they dreamed it... Or," she just kind of tapered off.
Sandy said, "It wouldn't be that hard, but it takes time. It really would take too long if there were more than a handful of people involved."
Sandy shook her head, "I know Jezebel won't do it here, and other Arches will refuse as well. But what happens if someone in the know in a safe country hears about what was done in other countries. It could completely backfire and cause the exact problem you are trying to avoid.
"Just like the purges, the orders from the other dimension are broad and lazy. Over simplified. It's just a bad idea in my opinion. I realize this is an internal matter though and I don't really get a say in it."
Patricia broke in, "I agree with all of you. I won't be doing that. It isn't an issue where I am. But I think in some places, where the government or leader is unstable, the order should be carried out."
Jezebel said, "Why don't we get a list of the people we think are trouble, and we don't think will keep silent. Then depending on how long it is we can talk alternatives or go through with the order for that list?
"We also need to let the other Arches know what we think, hopefully they will be persuaded to take that route. We can't stop them from acting without me giving out orders, and I don't want to do that, we can't do that."
The three Arches voted on it and Jezebel was pleased when Katrina reluctantly agreed to this compromised route they had come up with. They broke up the meeting agreeing to meet again when the list was comprised, probably a week, maybe two.
Sandy took her hand and led her toward their bedroom, when they were out of earshot she started talking.
Sandy said, "That was a bit impolitic for you, don't let her get to you, she will never change. She will always be ambitious and want more power, just accept that fact and do what you need to block her."
Jezebel cringed. She was a bit of a sarcastic ass back in the meeting, but she had just been so tired of it and she saw this coming a mile away.
Jezebel said, "You're right, she just gets so frustrating sometimes. Where are we going?"
Sandy grinned and said, "I know what my baby needs."
Jezebel gasped as Sandy's magic started to gently pleasure her body before they even made it to the bedroom...
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Natalie had joined her and Sandy about halfway through. Now they all just lay there completely sated, out of breath.
Natalie said tentatively, "Umm, I have a report... That's actually why I tracked you down."
Jezebel giggled. "Well now that the more important business is taken care of go ahead."
Natalie said with laughter in her voice, "Penny the new Arch in Europe. You remember, took over for Gregor..."
When she nodded Natalie continued, "She called asking for your advice, said you offered to help if she needed it a few weeks back?"
Jezebel nodded slowly. "I did indeed, so where is the Arch?"
Natalie replied, "Right outside Naples, Italy."
She said, "Well a promise is a promise." She grinned innocently.
Sandy snickered.
She said, "You feel up to running things for a few days Nat? I think I might need Daniel's help. There are what... forty something or other countries in Europe?"
Nat shrugged. "Depends who you ask, between 45 and 51 or 52. Some are in both Asia and Europe. But for our purposes she is responsible for 45 countries. I guess I could give running things a shot..." Nat sounded not sure about it and like she wanted to come along.
Jezebel said, "Don't worry, next time we leave Daniel at home and you go with us instead."
