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nTrinity

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nThere had been so much to do, so much excitement, that the last few days had passed in a blur. But the good thing is that the children were safe. Even the ones who had lost their families were safe, but they had the most healing to do.

nWith Reece's plan in mind we went to work right away. We had a lot of resources and allies at our fingertips so building a place for everyone to feel safe wouldn't be all that difficult. Honestly, I wanted to get it done as soon as possible but I knew that we had to do this right.

nWe started by contacting zoning officials, architects, and contractors. The calls were placed but the business wouldn't get done on the same day. But, knowing Reece, it wouldn't take him very long really. So, I felt pretty confident that we would get down to business in no time at all. He wasn't a very patient man in any aspect. That I could attest to personally, with several articles of ripped clothing as evidence.

nFor now, until the new community is built, the displaced warlocks and children would be staying in the estate. The children were very comfortable with the caretakers and as it stood now, each of them would be able to raise a child on their own.

nAside from the five human children taken from our very city all the other children were supernaturals. They were shifters, fae, and other such beings. It seemed that Edmond had chosen not to use the children of witches or warlocks, perhaps he has a little bit of compassion for his own people after all. That or he just didn't want to alert the council to what he was doing so quickly.

nFor now though, I needed to figure out what I was going to do next. The Goddess had told me that I needed to find the children then hone my skills. So I guess that meant that my path was actually pretty clear really. I needed to train, but with whom?

nI could go train with the warlocks because they were closer. Or I could go with the Sentinelle since they helped to train the Goddess Incarnate, and that was me.

nIt would be better if I could just do both at the same time. Why couldn't I just take care of two birds with one stone, honestly? Why must I spend so much time going from place to place?

nRegardless of where, and with whom, I train, we needed to talk it out. I know that I will not be going alone. If Reece had his way he would be coming with me, but who would be here to keep things running? Noah, as the Beta, would be the logical choice, but I would like him with me too.

nI know that it is selfish of me to want everyone I love and care about around me at all times. I am fully aware that I am selfish and stubborn quite often. And that sometimes this attitude gets me into trouble. But I can't help it, I am the way that I am, and that's not likely to change anytime soon. But given my new statuses, maybe I should change them.

nI sent word to Crawford, who was still at the estate, and Gabriel, he was still in the woods. I wanted to have a meeting with them both after lunch. I needed time to think before I actually got down to business and Reece would be done with his business calls by then as well. It was time to talk this all out.

nAt three in the afternoon I was sitting in my chair in the office I shared with Reece. It made me feel like I was lording over someone every time I sat in this chair to talk about business. Perhaps that was natural, given the circumstances.

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"Good afternoon my queen.

" Both Gabriel and Crawford dropped to one knee when they stood before me at the desk, bowing their heads and lowering their eyes. It was actions like these that really made me feel weird with this whole queen thing.

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"Please rise, and have a seat.

" I asked them with the awkward feeling spreading through me.

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"Thank you.

" They said in unison again. They seemed to be on the same page a lot, even with their deferential behavior.

nDavid and Shane were guarding at the door. Shawn and Dietrich were on opposite sides of the room, looking at the situation as a whole. And Noah and Vincent were behind me and Reece as we sat in our respective seats.

nReece had once again tried to pull me into his lap again, before everyone arrived. But I told him that it was not professional for me to sit on his lap during important meetings. Especially if I was supposed to act like the queen to all these people.

nI needed to establish my authority if I am ever going to be an effective leader. These were my people. The shifters, the warlocks, they were all mine, and if I appeared weak or submissive then they would be less likely to listen to me.

nNeedless to say that Reece had pouted a little when I told him that. But he would have to get over it. I did out rank him now after all. Now, that was kind of an interesting thought. What all could I make him do for me, or to me? Yeah, he may have corrupted my mind a little, oh well.

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"I am honored to have been summoned by you this afternoon.

" Crawford sounded reverent and elated to have been summoned by me.

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"As am I.

" Gabriel added.

"What can we do for you today?

"

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"The children have been rescued, and even though we have a new venture we wish to move forward with, there is something that requires my attention.

"

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"And what might that be, my queen?

" Gabriel gave his usual smile.

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"The Goddess told me that I needed to train. To learn how to control my abilities. I can't do that alone.

"

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"Will you just be training the Luna Queen abilities?

" Crawford seemed curious and a little sad as he spoke. The two of them were sitting opposite me, a calm look on Gabriel's face as usual but a sad one currently on Crawford's.

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"I plan to train both.

"

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"I guess you're here to decide on which one to train first?

" Vincent asked me from his position behind me.

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"In a manner of speaking, yes.

"

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"What did you decide?

" Reece asked me with a tense look on his face. Was he not wanting to go train with me in France?

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"Both.

" I answered their burning questions.

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"Both?

" More than one of those present exclaimed with a shocked tone when they heard my declaration.

nI looked around the room and saw them all staring at me. Vincent looked like he was proud of my choice. Noah was confused. Reece was smirking like he knew something like this was coming.

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"Forgive me, Queen Trinity, but how will you be training both? Don't you need to pick which one to do first?

" Crawford broke the uncomfortable silence that had settled around the room.

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"It will be simple, Crawford. I will be training with the Sentinelle and the council at the same time. I don't have time to be selective and choose only one. I need to hone my skills from both sides of my heritage.

"

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"And how, exactly, are you going to train both at the same time?

" Noah asked with a hint of incredulousness. Did he really think I couldn't do it?

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"I will have someone from the council accompany me to the Sentinelle's Abbey in France. I will divide my time there learning from both the warlock history and magic uses as well as everything that the Sentinelle has to teach me.

"

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"Who shall you ask to accompany you?

" Gabriel saw no flaw in my plan.

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"I will.

" Crawford insisted.

"And Eldrige as well. Between the two of us we will make sure you learn all that we have to teach you.

"

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"Will it really be that easy?

" Noah asked him.

"Aren't you the leader of the council?

"

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"I am, but I can lead them from anywhere.

" Crawford grinned in response.

"Plus, should it not be my responsibility to see to my queen.

" The smirk on his face sent a clear message to Noah, he would not be kept away.

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"Fine, if we have the who settled, then we need to work on the when.

" Reece interjected before they could argue with each other.

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"We need to leave soon. We don't have a lot of time.

"

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"What? Why would you say that Trinity?

" Shane asked me from near the door.

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"I don't want to give Edmond time for another plot.

" The looks that they all had in response to those words told me all I needed to know. We all wanted to stop that bastard, and soon.

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"Then I suggest we leave next week. That will give us time to sort things out, say goodbyes, and be on our way.

" Reece's face was filled with determination. He was ready and raring to go.

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"Which of us is going?

" Shawn asked, curiosity and determination warring for dominance on his face.

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"Who would want to go?

" I asked.

"I am not going to force any of you to go. All of you have mates now. Most of you have just found them.

"

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"It is our duty to go.

" Vincent declared before any of them could say anything.

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"He's right.

" Shawn added.

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"Our mates will understand.

" David grinned.

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"You won't get rid of us that easily.

" Shane joked.

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"Why do I get the feeling that I will have to stay behind?

" Noah grumbled.

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"Well, you are my Beta, it's your job to run things while I am away.

" Reece sounded innocent but the smug look on his face told a different story. He was just glad to be getting away.

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"Fuck you Fang.

" Noah joked with him.

"You're just going to treat this like it's a vacation.

"

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"Don't be sad Droopy, I have to follow my Queen, it's my job as the King after all.

"

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"Stop fighting boys. Geez, can't you stop arguing anymore. I'm gonna have to separate you aren't I? Pluto you stay here while I take Goofy with me. Sound like a plan?

"

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"You're calling me Goofy?

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"Why do I have to be the pet?

" They both exclaimed at the same time. I couldn't help it, I laughed.

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"Reece, of course you're goofy, you always make me laugh. And, well, Noah, you are his Beta, you can't have a higher status.

"

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"I'll give him the name of Goofy, I don't want it.

" Reece yelled.

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"Oh stop it. It's a done deal now.

" I was grinning still.

"So it's settled, we leave next week.

" That brought the discussion to an end. I was glad we figured out our next move.

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