Page 45 of Fennick’s Fortune (Sentinels of Apollo #2)

I knew if the god had thundered at me that way, I would’ve shit myself. Bruce looked like he was ready to do it or faint. “N-N-No, my lord, I do not doubt you’re the all-knowing Apollo.”

“That is good. Since you doubt the others, let me confirm it. Akiva’s mother was the product of a union between a strong bear shifter and a powerful witch.

Unfortunately, I was not able to prevent the tragedy that befell her.

It was necessary to bring forth Akiva and have her be the mate to a strong Sentinel.

Now that has come to pass, your full powers will be revealed over time.

Only a mighty witch can become the mate to a shifter or other supernatural being.

Many things will be revealed as this war with Pytho and his Knights continues. This kind of mating is one of them.”

“Mighty Apollo, we’re working to get the word out.

This group is the one we found when we discovered Akiva.

We’ve been spreading the word across all our communication channels.

Fennick has been helping his mate to become comfortable with the mating bond and acclimate to us.

The rest of us have been going into the surrounding areas to see if we can detect other groups like this one.

We haven’t found any. We hoped that most shifters would’ve already gotten the word and would be aware to keep themselves safe and, if possible, make their way closer to us or band together.

However, there seems to be a major miscommunication from the Council of Oracles.

And we haven’t heard anything from them in weeks,” Brax updated Apollo.

Who knew how long he’d stick around before he went poof?

“You refer to the fact that the Oracles have warned those they are entrusted to protect that the Sentinels are overthrowing the Council. You are out to take their places on the Council and rule over them.” Apollo stated calmly.

“Yes, that is the one. We hadn’t heard that was what was being circulated until we met Asa and his group,” Brax told him.

“Yes, I was not aware of it either until I visited another Sentinel in another part of the world. He told me what was happening there. I hate that the Oracles, or some of them, have abandoned their sacred duty. My sister and I are working to have them replaced. And while there may be some Sentinels asked to take a spot on the Council of Oracles, you will not fill them all. However, it seems that we have to spread the word and more to safe havens and delay the replacement of the Oracles.”

“No disrespect intended, Mighty One, but if the Oracles continue to spread their misinformation through the Council’s official channels, how can we ensure the true word gets out to those who need to know?” Royal asked. I thought that was a valid question.

“I will visit the Council next. They will be removed immediately, and their access to those channels will be blocked. However, I cannot simultaneously spread the word to all my Chosen Ones. It will need to come from you. They must learn to rely on their Sentinels now and in battle.”

“Great Apollo, what if we miss some and they don’t get to where they can band together and be protected? Our searching, even if we spread across the whole country, which isn’t feasible, isn’t a guarantee that we’d find them or the Precious Ones we’re supposed to be watching for,” Gunnar said.

“A valid worry, Sentinel Gunnar. However, have no fear.

While I cannot communicate the news directly, I can ensure that those who need safety and require it, whether wholly or only to make them aware of what they were told is false, will make themselves known to you.

You may not know when to expect it. And it will not always occur here in Needles, but they will be told.

“A mighty war is brewing. There will be scrimmages and larger battles to be won. In the end, when the final confrontation happens, it will take all my Chosen Ones, Precious Ones, and their friends and allies to work together to ensure victory. If Pytho and his Knights win, the world will fall into darkness and chaos. You must bring into the fold those humans who can be trusted and helpful,” Apollo warned more than advised.

It would be bizarre and challenging to go from hiding our existence, no matter what, to allowing certain humans to know about us.

“We’re to tell humans about us?” Trevor asked, aghast.

“Yes. Not all can be entrusted with this knowledge. But ones like lovely Twyla are crucial. Precious Cerys has friends whom I believe can be trusted. Pytho has his Knights recruiting humans to their side. We must do the same,” Apollo stressed.

As that soaked in, Apollo was back to staring at me. My stomach was flipping.

“I regret that I could not save your mother. And you must be wondering why she could not escape or stop your sire and his friends if she was so powerful. The answer will be revealed very soon. Listen to what your mother tells you in your dreams, Akiva. They are not dreams, but rather memories, and will guide you. Do not be afraid of what you discover. And yes, your children will have the abilities of both bloodlines—more extraordinary children to look forward to. Now, I must go, but do not give up hope. Have faith. And all of you must do your part. A united army of true believers is what we need. Until we meet again, I wish you good health.”

Apollo didn’t allow us time to reply before he flashed out of existence again.

“I swear, no matter how often I see that, it still startles me and leaves me feeling small and insignificant,” Twyla said to the gathering.

“How many times have you seen it?” Banner asked her.

She gave him a sly smile as she answered.

“More than a couple. Alright, I know we’ve had a shock, and many revelations happened tonight.

I say we let it soak in and finish enjoying the night.

It’s close to midnight. We need to get our drinks refilled and ready for the toasting and kissing. The children should join us.”

“Oh my goodness, the children! They must be terrified.” Lilith gasped.

She and Leah ran to the office. When they returned a few minutes later, the kids were smiling. It seemed that Apollo kept them from even knowing he was there. They’d been glued to their movie, their moms told us.

Fen and several of his friends helped to pour and pass out more drinks. As we stood outside and Royal shouted the countdown, we stared at the starry night sky. We shouted, “Happy New Year,” raised our glasses and drank, then entered a round of hugging and kissing.

As if timed to do it, the moment all that ended, the sky lit up with the first firework.

I had no idea how they set it up, but the guys had done a fantastic job.

We watched a breathtaking half hour of them before the sky went dark.

With the New Year ushered in, heavy things to consider, and the lateness of the hour, it wasn’t long after the fireworks ended that our guests began to leave.

We thanked them, and everyone agreed to meet next weekend to talk over strategy and answer questions.

I was utterly exhausted when we closed the door on the last couple.

I walked into Fennick’s arms and went limp against him.

“I’m so tired. Let’s go to bed. We can clean up and talk later after we get up,” I mumbled. Luckily for me, my mate agreed and whisked me off to bed. I think I fell asleep wrapped in Fennick’s arms moments after my head touched my pillow.