Page 46 of Fennick’s Fortune (Sentinels of Apollo #2)

The past few days, since the New Year’s Eve party and the reveal that Akiva was the product of a pure bear shifter impregnating a half-bear, half-witch, had been shocking.

Another thing we had no idea was possible.

The entire foundation of our history has been shaken twice now.

I wondered how many more times it would occur.

Akiva was anxious for her dreams, aka her repressed memories, to reveal why her mom had put up a shield in her mind and why she hadn’t used her magic to escape her tormentor.

That second question ate at my mate the most. Akiva slept restlessly at night.

It wasn’t unheard of for her to awaken four or five times.

The dreams she had were of memories she had already known.

She was growing frustrated. I tried to tell her to give it time, but I was also impatient.

We’d somehow made it through the remainder of the work week.

It was Saturday, and the other shifters were meeting with us tonight.

We had them gather at the clearing where the Sentinels’ properties met.

It was close to the cave system where we had our private cells for holding prisoners hidden.

Twyla would watch the children nearby to allow all the adults to participate without distraction or worry about what their kids might hear.

As we gathered, not long after night fell, I looked over the almost thirty adults that comprised our little area of Needles.

There were others out there who had already banded together.

The Devil’s Murder MC in Tonopah, Nevada, near Las Vegas, was a prime example.

They were an MC, so they could more than take care of themselves and anyone else they brought into their fold.

It was due to Cerys that we ever met them in the first place.

And if necessary, we could call on them in times of need, just as they could do the same.

I felt the nervous energy in the air. We Sentinels were looked to as the leadership for these meetings. There was no official leader, so we took turns as the mood struck. It was rare that we butted heads over who would take the lead.

“It makes sense for you to take the lead this time, Fennick. I have no doubt they have questions about whether Akiva has remembered anything that might be useful. And you need to let them know what we did about the communication channel and the word we got about the Council of Oracles,” Royal said.

“I’m happy to, though they’re going to be disappointed. Her memories aren’t new or any that will give us a way to protect ourselves or others.” I reminded them.

“True, but you can just tell them that and remind them it’s only been a few days,” Nico added.

Akiva was standing off to the side with Cerys.

She’d been awfully quiet since we got here.

I asked her if she was alright, and she said she was, but I was still concerned.

Something was bothering her. Not seeing any reason to waste time, I got up on one of the large flat rocks that formed a circle in the clearing.

Something about them felt old to us. It had become our pseudo-altar.

My friends, plus Akiva and Cerys, joined me.

I gestured to get everyone’s attention and have them quiet down.

At the moment, several were in whispered conversations with others. After seeing me, they grew hushed.

“First, thank you all for coming. We know you’ve probably been as anxious for news as we have been since our special guest on Tuesday night. I can report that we’ve had no further visits from Apollo. However, that didn’t stop us from performing our duties.”

When I paused, Colter called out. “What duties would those happen to be, Fen?” He didn’t say it disrespectfully. He was merely asking and giving me a segue to the main topic of our meeting.

“A significant update is that a directive was sent out. It undoubtedly came because of Apollo. It went to every Sentinel Phalanx. In case you aren’t aware, there are nine phalanxes, including ours, around the world.

It stated there would be no communication from the Council of Oracles until Apollo decreed it was appropriate and had time to revise the Council to his satisfaction.

Until then, the Sentinels are tasked with all communication to those falling in their protection areas.

The official missive will be received tomorrow at your homes. ”

This revelation caused the murmurs to increase until I held up my hands.

“Our first directive, as agreed upon by all the Phalanxes, is that those residing in areas where there are not at least ten adults capable of defense are strongly advised to relocate to an area that is. As more of these zones develop, their locations will be shared with our people. No more running off to rumored havens. We don’t want our people out there traveling and open to attack while trying to find somewhere to be safe that doesn’t exist.”

I recalled the rumored ones in Arkansas and Tennessee. I hoped they would be substantiated or not soon.

Jonah raised his hand. I pointed to him. “Does anyone know the capabilities of these Knights and their leader, Pytho? Do they have unusual physical strength, magic abilities, or other powers to use against us?”

“Jonah, the answer is we don’t know. We’re unaware of anyone having encountered them to find out.

And if Apollo is aware, he hasn’t shared that information.

I say to rule on the side of caution and assume they do.

I know that doesn’t tell you much or help us to build defenses against them.

But we can’t worry about their abilities and develop our offensive and defensive plans until we become defensible brigades,” I told him.

“So what do we do in the meantime? Just sit around and wait to be killed?” Daiki asked. There was a slight bite to his tone. I didn’t hold it against him. Fear could do that to a person.

“No, you don’t. We prepare what we can. If you can access any weapons, stockpile them.

If they require ammunition, obtain that as well.

Make sure to have plenty of food and water stored, along with medical supplies and even medicine if you can.

If you have questions about medical supplies that are best to have, Cerys is compiling a list to be sent out to all of you of the medical items that we should have.

When the scrimmages start, we have no idea how long they’ll last until the ultimate battle.

Be prepared for a long haul,” Brax told them.

“You heard what Apollo said the other night. There are humans we need to bring to our side to be our allies and help. I want everyone to identify those you believe won’t turn against us when they find out what we are, and will band together with us to fight.

Believe me, these Knights will eradicate anyone not like them.

They may start with us, but I doubt the humans will be safe. ” Royal gave them more to think about.

“Will guns and human weapons work?” Katsumi asked.

“Good question. Again, we don’t know, but they can’t hurt.

These Knights, as far as we know, are not immortal.

We live long lives, but we can be killed.

Therefore, access to Kevlar and other protective gear is on the list. If you have members who don’t know how to use a gun, we will teach classes.

If you know how, please help by instructing your family and friends on how to do it.

We cannot protect you from this threat alone.

There’s not enough Sentinels to attempt it,” I reminded them.

“What about your mate? She’s some hybrid. Apollo said she’s a witch. Can she use her powers on them? Does she even know what those powers are?” Orion asked. He almost sounded challenging, which we didn’t need or want.

I was about to answer when Akiva came to stand beside me. “I do not know what they are. My memories haven’t shown me what my mother hid from me, or why. I’m working to get them to reveal themselves, but I don’t know that they can be rushed. As soon as I know, you’ll know.”

The crowd wasn’t pleased with her answer, but it was an honest one and the only one she could give. None of them wanted to know worse than she and I did.

“Where are the Oracles? You said they would no longer be communicating with us. Are they still where they’ve always been? Or were they imprisoned?” Trevor asked.

“The Oracles, as far as we know, are still free. They aren’t in Delphi. That has been confirmed. Apollo was the one to visit them. He hasn’t communicated with any of the Sentinels to tell us what he did with them or what he said,” Banner answered.

“In all of my existence, I have never heard of regular shifters or even Sentinels seeing Apollo. Now, he’s appeared to us as a group twice. And it seems more than that to you. Why? Is he doing the same with the other Sentinels?” Roan asked.

“Roan, we have spoken to a few other Sentinels who said they have had him reveal himself to them. It seems to have happened more often with us. Before you ask why, I have no clue. I assume it’s due to the first Precious One appearing here and the danger we’re in if shifters and other supernatural beings cease to exist. If that occurs, then Apollo will cease to be, and who knows what it might mean for the other gods,” Nico stated.

“If you recall history, in ancient times, the gods were all-powerful because so many people worshiped them. When they became less worshipped and other gods came into being, they lost some of their powers. While the Greek gods have never completely stopped being worshiped, they are no longer revered and prayed to as they once were. We have to help them remain in existence. If we don’t, who is to say that since we’re Apollo’s creations, we couldn’t all become extinct if he does? ” Camila stated fearfully.

“You could be right, and I don’t want to find out.

To keep track of each other, we need to form a reporting system where we touch base and update each other on any significant progress made.

If you hear of possible shifters, such as we did with Asa’s group, please let us know immediately so we can investigate.

Needles will become a stronghold if need be.

I don’t know about you, but I have more to fight for than I ever had,” I stated, as I brought Akiva against me. She smiled.

Brax was holding Cerys, and he rubbed her belly.

The ones watching us were nodding, and I was happy that determination was beginning to edge out the fear and denial.

There would be no room to stick our heads in the sand and hope it went away.

We were at war. And until our enemy stuck out their heads so we could cut them off, we would keep building and becoming stronger.

There was some minor talk about ways to ensure we had uninterrupted avenues of communication and backup plans in case of failure.

Many of us had, at one point, served in an army or two, knew battle tactics, and had skills.

It was time to dust those off. The Hundred Years’ War had been in motion when my parents, Banner’s parents, Royal, and Nico were struck with the Plague and transformed.

Brax’s parents were involved in the Byzantine Civil War around that time, while Gunnar’s ancestor was embroiled in Magnus’s War against Russia.

Keir’s was in Ireland and part of the Burke Civil War.

Those had all been happening worldwide when each of their ancestors or one of us was struck down.

Since then, we have been involved in other wars and battles, but it seems significant that during those years of the Black Death, numerous conflicts were occurring worldwide.

I wondered if there was a correlation, but that wasn’t anything I needed to solve.

The survival of ourselves, our loved ones, and, by extension, the human race was critical.

We had to wipe out the Knights of Pytho and send Pytho back to the darkest depths of Tartarus.

As we chatted in a large group now, I held Akiva close. Brax did the same to Cerys, and Twyla wasn’t far from any of us. She easily moved from person to person. She was a little crazy, but people loved her, and she could ease the tension.