Page 27 of My Pleasure

Nicol nodded. “Grandpa said his knees hurt, so we have to help him get the vegetables closer to the ground. He showed us how to look for squash and cucumbers!”

Hunter looked over at his dad and raised a brow. The older man simply winked.

Keran held up a tomato. “He said they taste better when you pick them yourself. I want this one on a sandwich. But, we can eat it together.”

Kiera pulled both kids in for a hug, heedless of the dirt. “I’m so proud of you two.”

Both kids beamed.

Hunter knelt down. “We’re going with Grandma and Grandpa to the Nu estate for dinner. I want to introduce you to my unit family.”

Keran quieted and his smile faded. “Are they nice?”

“Do you think I’m nice?”

Keran nodded. “You’re really nice.”

“The men I work with are honorable, kind and selfless. They would do anything to keep you kids safe. It’s our job to protect everyone in Storm Keep,” he explained.

“I heard that the warriors wanted to get rid of the Witches’ Council because they wanted to go back to being the ruling upper class,” Keran said, allowing his basket to sway in his hands.

“Do you know what that means?” Hunter asked.

Keran shook his head.

“Our other three pillar cities are ruled by their Elder Councils. One member from each race helps to govern the city they serve. It allows everyone to be represented. In addition to the Elder Council, each city also has Founding and Noble families. They are usually the ones with the oldest or most powerful bloodlines. But, because they are revered, they also have a lot of responsibilities. They help the Elder Council take care of the people. Here in Storm Keep we have an Elder Council. My unit leader’s father is Elder Marshall Ironwood, he’s our witch representative. Kal Galloway is a wolf shifter, he’s the Elder for the shifters. Arnaud Barrat is the Elder for the vampires, and Geon Vi’Ilrey is the Elder for the fae. With me so far?”

Nicol blinked, but Keran nodded, so Hunter continued.

“The unit warriors work with the Elder Council to make sure everyone follows the rules. We also do patrols to make sure no ferals attack our people. Now, the Witches’ Council came about after the Elder Council was formed. At first, they just handled all the public works problems like running electricity to the Lower City and finding water sources, so the Elder Council could focus on other things. But now, they want to make the rules and tell people what to do.”

“But they say they make choices that help us,” Keran said.

Hunter smiled. “On the Witches’ Council, who is looking after the shifters?”

Keran’s lips pursed.

“Who is looking after the fae or vampires?”

“No one,” Keran said.

“Exactly. Storm Keep may be the home of the witches, but it’s also home to others too.”

“Like Grandma and Grandpa?” Keran asked.

“Yes. Normally, if Grandpa had a problem, he would go to Elder Galloway, but he doesn’t have anyone to go to on the Witches’ Council.”

Keran frowned. “That’s not fair.”

“No, it’s not. That’s why the Elder Council is trying to fix things now with the Witches’ Council,” Hunter explained.

“We like the warriors,” Nicol said, in a quiet voice. “They would always wave at us when we sat out front.”

“My good friend Zev had eggs and rotten cabbage thrown at him today. It made him very sad,” Hunter shared.

Keran looked shocked. “But that’s mean.”

“People hear things like you did and believe them. They think the warriors are trying to take things away.”