On the morning of the council meeting, Neve dressed in his best suit and waited in the lounge room for his cousins to join him. The night before, they had agreed to drive to the council meeting together. Dale, not required to attend, wanted to accompany Neve and Seth even if it meant waiting in the car until the meeting ended.

For Neve, Dale’s support left him with conflicting emotions. Proud that Dale’s loyalty to him remained unwavering; at the same time the guilt Neve had at his betrayal to the family made Dale’s loyalty heart wrenching. If the truth ever came to light Neve would certainly want for death than to face Dale.

When both cousins came out of their room to join Neve, they too were dressed in their best suits. Seth took control and led them from the apartment and to the basement to his car. In the back of the Jeep Cherokee Neve sat quietly attempting to not reflect on the day ahead. As the car pulled out into the daylight Neve’s unfocused gazed ignored the scenery beyond the windows.

To lighten the mood, Dale said, “I hate wearing a suit.”

“You didn’t have to come.” Seth answered him.

“Yes, I did.”

Silence filled the surrounding space again and then Dale said, “I hate being in a car too.”

“If you’re going to be a whining bitch today, I’m pulling over now and you’re getting out.”

Neve laughed in the back and Dale looked back at him and smiled.

“Love you too, Seth.” Dale mocked.

Seth turned to glare at Dale and Neve saw the small smile touch his lips. Seth looked into the rear-view mirror at him and Neve gave a small smile before Seth turned back towards the road.

The smile from Neve’s face dropped and he looked back out the window. Let the day be over, Neve chanted to himself. He couldn’t bear the tension between them and no matter what the outcome the day produced Neve never wanted to experience the anxiety he was under every again.

Seth pulled up outside the Marriott Hotel and handed his key to the porter as he got out the Jeep. Neve and Dale followed Seth into the hotel and making their way to the lifts they waited for the doors to open. Inside the lift, Seth hit the top floor button and silently they stood waiting for the door to open again. When they did, Seth and Neve entered the corridor as Dale remained in the lift, his hand holding the doors open.

“This is where I leave you. Don’t worry Neve it will all be fine. We have your back.”

“Thanks Dale. I’m sorry I let you down.”

Dale went to ruffle Neve’s hair but considered better of it and patted his shoulder instead. “We know you better than anyone else and I can tell you; you haven’t let us down. I only wish you’d trusted us enough to talk to us about this, then we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

Neve’s eyes grew misty as the lift beeped signalling its need to close the doors Dale held open.

“See you both downstairs.” Dale gave a wave and letting go of the doors, they closed.

“Come on; let’s get this over with so we can get back home.” Seth moved down the corridor towards the room where the council meeting took place and Neve followed. Every step destroyed another part of Neve and nothing he could do to would make it any easier. He had gotten himself into the situation; it was up to him to get himself out. There was no place for fear, Neve realised this. The council would chastise his weakness and ridicule his inability to be strong but he would not let them feel or smell his fear. At the door Seth paused and glancing at Neve he said, “Tell them what you told me and we should be fine.”

“Thank you.”

Seth snorted and looking down at Neve said, “Shit, someone has to look after you.”

Neve smiled, squared his shoulders, let out a deep sigh expelling his resolve and said, “Shall we get this over and done with them.”

Seth strengthened his posture, his body rigid and strong, and gave a nod as he opened the door. Neve entered the room behind Seth closing the door behind him. The suite contained a large rectangular table in the centre of the room with executive chairs around it. The skyline view from the large windows against the outside of the building reflected the majestic city beyond.

Sixteen pairs of eyes greeted both Neve and Seth as they stood in the doorway of the room. Neve’s mother detached herself from the several people and coming forward greeted them both. She hugged Neve, and he hugged her back while she greeted Seth over his shoulder, “Hello Seth, how are you?”

“I’m well thank you Erica and you.”

“I’ll be better once this day is over.” She pulled back from Neve and giving him a smile she kissed his cheek and said to him, “You tell the truth.”

Neve smiled afraid to betray himself as he fought to remain confidence and strong. Why did they keep telling him to tell the truth when the truth would kill him? If they suspected he wasn’t telling the truth would they force information from him? It was possible as Neve double down on suppressing his thoughts and emotions.

Seth came to stand beside Neve and without turning to him he said, “Let’s get this over with.”

They both moved over to the chairs indicated for them by Erica and sitting down together they both looked at Donovan at the end of the table. He stared at both of them and Neve used all his strength to keep eye contact. Once everyone took his or her seat, Donovan stood and addressed the council.

“This meeting has been called to address the relationship between Neve Saunders and Cory Wellan. It was reported to us via Tom Saunders that the boy in question was noticed and reported in January of this year but not found until October of this year. Due to the length of time to find this boy an investigation was conducted by Tom and it was discovered that Neve had in fact been in contact with the boy previously but had not reported it.”

Neve did not drop his gaze at the allegations.

“This meeting is to determine whether Neve has breached any family protocols.”

Donovan only looked away from Neve at that moment to address Seth. “Seth will you please tell the council your involvement.”

Donovan sat as Seth stood and in a clear voice told the council, “Dale, Neve and I form a team and every month we seek out any who might threaten us. On two occasions, Neve did not accompany us.”

Frances, one of the oldest members of the council and one highly respected asked, “Did you know why Neve did not accompany you?”

“No.”

“Did you at any time suspect that Neve might be hiding something from you?”

“No.”

“How often does Neve not attend the hunt?”

“It has only occurred twice this year.”

“Knowing what has happen, do you believe Neve has acted out of character?”

Seth suspected this question might come up and in a conversation they had several nights prior, they had agreed on how to respond. Neve didn’t like it but he realised it would be the only way to get the council to be lenient on him.

“No.”

“And why do you say that?”

If Seth told them now he was gay, it would all be over but Seth would not betray him. Not once had his sexuality come into question in discussion with Seth and Dale.

“Neve is weak in character and I confess that both Dale and I have mollycoddled him and protected him. When I learned Neve had befriended this boy, initially it did surprise me but on further consideration I realise Neve was only looking for someone much like himself. Although Neve realised it was wrong, he did not possess the strength mentally or emotionally, to notify anyone. Instead he left it up to others.”

“This is the first time you have located a half breed, is that correct.” Malcolm asked. So far, those asking the questions were people Neve realised would be on his side. Malcolm was a good friend of his parents and Neve tried hard not to be pleased with how it was going. They still had to question him and that would be when those who upheld the family values with an iron fist would speak up.

“Yes, the boy has been our only find to date.”

The room fell silent and Donovan stood and said, “Thank you Seth.”

Seth nodded and sat back down as Donovan once more gazed at Neve. He said nothing for a moment before asking, “Neve will you please tell this council, in detail, your actions that led to your decision to not notify the proper people of the threat. Knowing full well the dangers a half breed would have for this family.”

All eyes focused on Neve as the terror of his situation began to grip him.