Shadow Magic by Cheyenne McCray Page A

approve.”
    â€œYour place is to do as I command.” Garran tightened his
jaw. “As you well know, I need no approval. I am king and my word is law. But yes, summon the Directorate.”
    â€œIt will be done, my king.” The harsh look on Vidar’s features did not lessen, but he bowed from the shoulders once again before rising, turning away, and striding out the door.
    Garran narrowed his gaze as he watched Vidar retreat. When he had the opportunity to work with his First alone, Garran would discuss Vidar’s impertinence. That was unacceptable.
    For the sake of the guards standing inside the doorway, Garran did not let his frustration show. He kept his head high, his hands behind his back, as he waited for the Directorate to convene at the strategy table.
    As he paced, his thoughts churned over what he must do before he left Otherworld. Vidar’s training. Ensuring the preparation of his warriors for battle.
    One by one, the wisest and eldest of the Dark Elves entered the chamber. As was true of all Elves, whether dark or light, each man looked to be the same age as Garran despite being centuries or many millennia older. As usual, the members of the Directorate wore simple black tunics, breeches, and boots.
    When they were all assembled and seated, including Vidar, Garran remained standing. He moved his gaze from one Directorate member to the next, meeting each man’s eyes.
    â€œShortly, after I have visited the D’Danann village, I will travel to the San Francisco Otherworld.” Garran kept his expression firm, hard. “Alone.”
    The reactions to his announcement were immediate—stunned expressions to a one.
    But before anyone could respond, Garran continued, “I cannot give you my reasons—not yet. I will join the D’Anu and D’Danann in their battle against Ceithlenn.”
    Garran raised his voice over the angry words that began to spill from the Directorate members’ lips. “Vidar shall serve as Steward in my absence, and Carden will be his First in Command. Carden will assemble an army prepared to
go to war against Ceithlenn and the Fomorii when I give the order.”
    Sepan, the second in line to be Head of the Order of the Directorates, stood, his chair rumbling over the granite floor as he pushed it back. His gray eyes flashed and his silver hair glinted in the light refracting from the chamber’s crystal walls and ceiling.
    Sepan banged his fist on the table. “We cannot allow it. It is wrong, as wrong as when you endangered yourself fighting the demons when the door to Underworld was opened. Even then you had an army at your back. To go alone to this San Francisco Otherworld is preposterous!”
    â€œYou forget yourself.” Garran’s temper rose, heating him as he met Sepan’s unflinching gaze. “I am king. I have made a choice for the good of my people and I will not waver from that decision.”
    â€œWhat choice is that?” Hark, the Head of the Order, maintained his placid expression where Sepan’s was filled with fury.
    â€œI cannot tell you at this time.” Garran looked from one member of the Directorate to another. “This is how it will be. Again, as I have said, Vidar shall serve as Steward while I am gone.” His gaze rested on Vidar. “And if my life should end, Vidar will no longer be Steward. He shall become king of the Dark Elves.”
    Shock registered on every man’s face, including Vidar’s, who said, “I must refuse this—this—”
    â€œCommand.” Garran folded his arms across his chest. “I will again remind you, Vidar, that as your king my word is law. You will be a just and honorable king should I die.”
    The silence in the room was so deafening that Garran’s ears rang. He faced his Directorates. Most members of the Directorate managed to school their expressions.
    Sepan was not one of those. He broke the silence, his gray