Mara rolled out of bed and dug through her drawers of clothes in search of a decent outfit. Today she would be going to the Council chambers for the scheduled meeting. They would discuss any plans of action to take against the Nightshades planning to overthrow the High Council. 

Once Mara was dressed, she dug through her closet, finding the satin green robe hanging in the very back. She brought it out and fastened it around her looking at her reflection. She barely recognized herself as the girl who stepped through the portal and onto these grounds just one year ago. So much had happened, so many things changed, and she realized that had only been the beginning. 

She wondered if she had known everything that was going to happen before she had made the decision to go to Shadow's Edge, would she choose the same? 

Her eyes wandered over towards Trixle, still asleep. Trixle had been one of the best friends she could have asked for. She had helped Mara when she needed it, and she had kept Mara true to herself. She thought about Marx, how he had served as a friend, as someone she could talk to, how he had become more. 

Her mind gravitated towards Zander. The thought of him reminded her of the meeting, she looked at the clock and realized she needed to hurry or else she would be late. 

Mara grabbed the slip of paper Torlak had given her with the code and ran down to the portal. She keyed in the numbers, saw the familiar swirling blues and purples, and stepped through. 

When she came out on the other side she was standing in a tall hall. There were large stained glass windows with the High Council symbol, a circle with the letters H.C. in the center surrounded by six stars, one for each representative on the Council. 

In the center of the room there was a giant round table with one spot for each member. She could see everyone else was already in the Council chambers, some in deep conversations. She made her way towards the table feeling slightly out of place amongst the crowd. 

Mara was met with the familiar friendly face of Torlak. Every time she ever felt self conscious or like she was insignificant or inferior to the rest of the people in the room, Torlak's look of approval, his gaze of guidance, always made her feel better. 

With the arrival of the last member, everyone made their way towards the table. 

"If everyone would find their seats so we can begin." Lillian said as she glided towards a chair. 

Once everyone had been seated Lillian began. 

"We are waiving the discussion of other business to talk about the looming threat with the Nightshades. Are there any objections to this order?"

Lillian met her hard gaze with each member as they sat silently in their seats. 

"Good. The floor is now open to discussion."

They had spent hours talking about what they thought was happening. They knew what Mara had said at the previous meeting, however Makortax was still pushing that they shouldn't be so sure that was the case. 

Mara bit her tongue and remained silent wondering why she was there. No one had asked her opinion and no one had even looked at her. She was just as silent as the goblin and dwarf. She looked towards them wondering why they almost never spoke. She had only heard Franko speak once, and she wasn't even sure what the dwarf's name was. 

The discussion was centered around Lillian, Torlak, and Makortax. 

Mara could just hear the conversation going in circles, they were obviously getting nowhere at their pace. 

"How about we make a plan of action in case he actually is planning on going against the Council to rule this Realm?"

All eyes were on Mara surprised, as if they had forgotten until that moment she even existed. 

Makortax glared at her as she spoke. 

"We only have one idea for now. We can be as flexible as possible, but I think we should at least come up with some way to counteract what Zander says they are doing."

Lillian raised her eyebrows in surprise and Torlak smiled proudly. 

"What do you suggest then, Mara?" Lillian asked. 

Everyone was still staring at her. What did she suggest? Mara really had no clue. She swallowed loudly before forging on trying to come up with something on the spot. 

"Well, we know where they meet, as long as they always meet at the same time and the same location, correct? If we have an informant, then we can have them keep tabs on the group." 

The goblin king nodded approval at the idea. 

"We keep tabs on them, gather more information. When they feel comfortable, when they feel they are almost ready, then we attack." Franko's nasally voice sounded. 

Mara stared at him trying to hide her shock. It was the first time he had actually communicated a whole sentence that she knew of. 

Mara just nodded, as if that was where she was going with her idea, although she really hadn't thought of anything past what she had already said.

The dwarf nodded. Is he going to speak as well? Mara asked herself stunned.

"We would want to attack on their own land. They may have a slight advantage knowing the area. But we cannot let them make their way here. We must keep our people safe from their wrath for as long as possible. If we can end this in Rogue Valley then that is what we must do. I offer up an army if needed. They are skilled, and knowledgeable of the Nightshade habits."

Mara noted the dwarves as powerful allies with a warrior mind. He must not speak on a regular basis because he has no input in trivial everyday affairs. This is what they must live for. 

"We have an army in the dwarves." Lillian nodded. "I myself have produced a strong group of vampires after our last run in when Urissa was on Council. We had a similar situation back then as well. I thought it a good idea to keep a group ready for such an occasion." 

Mara nodded. They had a small vampire army as well as some dwarves. 

Makortax reluctantly spoke up. 

"And of course we always have our fighters ready for anything."

Mara was impressed. In no time at all three factions had already presented groups to combine and take against Zander's army, if he in fact even had an army. 

Mara could see the dream Zander had planted in her head that first night. Every High Council member lying on the ground in pieces. She was determined to make sure that didn't happen. 

"We do not have many, but we have some as well." Franko's nasally voice said again. 

"As do we. Our men and women are ready for anything." Torlak slammed his fist into the table making it shake under his force. 

Each kingdom was set with at least a small army, a certain amount of people ready to defend the kingdom. The only group missing were witches. Mara cursed the lack of coordination amongst witches in that moment. They were the only group failing to represent to save their world. She felt shame as each group put forth their men and women, when she couldn’t do the same. 

Mara shrugged off her thoughts of failure and straightened her back looking around the table. 

"So, we have a small army we can yield against the Nightshade group, and we have an informant to tell us when to attack. All we must do now is solidify our plans. Each group needs to be informed of the situation. They need to know just what they will be facing." She paused for a moment. 

"Hopefully we can find out just how many we will be going up against ourselves. We need to know numbers, overall and group wise. How many werewolves will we be going against, how many vampires and so on."

Lillian nodded silently again letting her continue.

"Once we get those numbers we can plan accordingly. Do we send everyone in at once, or do we station them in different areas in case the Nightshades try to flood out and escape? Do we send in every one of our fighters or do we hold back in case we need more at a later time? These are all questions we need to wait to answer." Mara's eyes were dark and cold, her emotions raging just below the surface, barely contained. 

At that, even Makortax couldn't hide how impressed he was. Mara had finally cracked his ever-present armor, his guard he held up in her presence, and she had finally made an impression on him. She felt slightly proud at that.

"I would like to say, as the representative of the witches, I can not offer up any to fight as we are not a kingdom. We do not have an organization as you all do, and we do not have fighters. We have some who are skilled in certain areas, and I can do my best to search for such however I can make no promises other than this: I will stand at the front of this army, I am willing to fight alongside the others to protect this world from those monsters."

Torlak tried to hide his expression as he looked deeply into Mara's eyes, but she could see his worry and sadness hidden in those magenta depths. He thought of Mara as a daughter and hearing her offer up her life to save their world both made him proud but sad as well. 

He held her gaze a moment longer, almost all of his thoughts displayed readily towards the front. Mara felt a pang run through her when he finally looked away. She knew he cared for her, but she hadn't realized how much until that moment. He had truly meant it when he told her she was one of the family. 

Mara ran her hands over the grains in the table as her mind wandered around thoughts of Zander and the impending war before them. Thoughts of Torlak and the Scantlen family as a whole, thoughts of Mara's own family, and thoughts of the future ahead of them. She had hardly noticed the rest of the Council talking.

The Council had discussed further the path they would take in gathering information on Zander and the group of Nightshades. When they had finally collectively decided what would happen and the discussion was winding down, Mara saw it was nearly five thirty. 

Lillian and Makortax had made arrangements for letters to be delivered to each member daily with the information on the Nightshades from their informant as well as the course of action they were looking on taking. If plans changed, they would be notified within that letter. Once instructions were clear they had dismissed. 

Torlak turned towards Mara again, the sadness still in his eyes, but masked over slightly with pride. 

"You never cease to amaze Mara Crowland. You were stunning, leading the group into action. You truly are a leader. I'm glad to have never doubted your greatness for a moment."

Mara blushed slightly at the compliment nodding a thanks. Torlak winked at her before turning to leave. 

"And remember," he called over his shoulder, "you girls have a nice relaxing weekend ahead of you!" With that he left through the portal, going to where Mara could only assume was his kingdom. 

Makortax stood back a moment longer than necessary risking a glance back towards Mara. His eyes held something she hadn't seen before. It almost looked like approval. The thought made her heart jump. 

He may not be a lost cause after all. Mara thought before taking her turn to go through the portal, ending up on the ground floor of the school again. 

The halls were quiet; everyone was either in the cafeteria or their rooms. Mara ran up the stairs to put her Council cloak back in the closet. 

She sat on her bed, absentmindedly petting Sasha and thinking about the meeting when she got the urge to see Marx. 

She knew she shouldn't but she just couldn't help herself. She pulled out her phone flipping it over while deciding if she should send him the message. 

She finally made up her mind and punched at the letters before hitting send.

              Can you talk?

Almost immediately she heard her phone ring with his reply.

              My room, E is gone for a while. 

Mara got up and went to Marx's room; she knocked on the door and waited for him to open up. 

She stepped into his room and sat down on the chair at his desk. 

"How was your day?" She asked looking him over. He looked even more tired than she felt. There were dark circles under his eyes and his hair was sticking in different directions as if he hadn't even tried to manage his appearance this morning. 

"It was fine." He yawned loudly causing Mara to raise a brow at him. 

"It wasn't the day that made me tired. I just didn't get much sleep."

She nodded slightly at his comment.

"And how was the meeting?"

Mara groaned.

"We mainly talked strategy." She paused for a moment. "I don't know what I'm allowed to say. They told me meetings were private, but you obviously know about some of the inside things. And you already know about Zander. What am I supposed to keep from you?" 

Mara frowned at the ground and Marx chuckled.

"Technically you shouldn't be telling me anything. After all it is my father who is in the seat, I shouldn't know any of it. But I do know that Zander is alive, I do know he is heading this movement, and I know what the movement is. I also know that you are involved and I want to make sure you are safe." 

He smiled down at her, his eyes sparkling with sincerity. 

I want to make sure you are safe. 

The words rang in her head as she thought about telling the Council she would be at the front of the line to stop Zander. She had the urge to tell him, he deserved to know after all. She planned to go out on the attack, there was no chance she could sit back and watch the others go out there and fight. 

"Marx..."

He knelt down in front of her, looking up into her glassy eyes. His concerned gaze made the next words even more difficult. 

"I told them I would fight. I mean really fight."

Marx's brows pulled together and confusion set into his eyes as he stared up at her. 

"What do you mean?"

She sighed and placed both of her hands on top of his, which were resting on the armrests of the chair she was in. 

"When the time comes to go out and fight Zander and his pack, I told the council I would be standing up front."

Marx's eyes widened. He knew the front line was a suicide mission and he couldn't believe Mara would ever put herself in that sort of danger. 

"You can't!" The words came out desperately, as if he was trying to grasp on to anything, trying to find reality, because this sure as heck couldn't be it.

She squeezed his hands gently.

"I am. This is all my fault, I need to make sure I'm the one who ends it." Tears threatened to fall from the corners of her eyes as she saw the sadness in his. 

"I know you feel this way, but you can't do that from the front. Trust me, that is not where you need to be, Mara." He was pleading with her. She choked back a sob at his desperation. 

She knew it was going to be hard telling him this, but she never thought this would have been his reaction. Anger, that she knew how to deal with, but his sadness and his pleas, that was a completely different thing alltogether. His voice pulled at her heart in a way she couldn't. 

Suddenly Marx's hands came out from under hers and her gripped her arms tightly. 

"Mara, you don't understand. You cannot be in the front." His eyes were wild as he looked into hers. 

She sucked in a breath at his sudden roughness. She had no idea what to say. 

"The front is essentially cannon fodder. You will not make it into the real fight, you will be the first taken down. Listen to me closely." He hissed at her. His wolf starting to slip out in his moment of despair. The thought of losing her made the animal in him sneak towards the surface without his permission. 

"You will stay back. My father has had experience in battles before, as has Trixle's father. Only go in when they do. Do not go in a moment sooner. Do you understand?"

Mara didn't know what to do other than nod. She would say or do anything if it would help Marx calm down. 

Mara reached her hands out and gently cupped Marx's face pulling it closer to hers. She looked deep into his dark, desperate eyes that were searching her entire face. 

"I understand."

A slight smile flashed across his lips, but it was gone before Mara even registered it. It wasn't what Marx had hoped for, but those words would have to do for now. He would have to come up with a better idea soon if he wanted to protect Mara from the danger she was willingly walking into. 

 Mara cleared her throat and stood from the chair looking down at Marx. 

"I should probably be getting back to my room. I have a lot of homework to catch up on. And you." She said looking pointedly down at him before reaching out a hand to help him up. "Should get some rest." 

He smiled weakly at her knowing full well he would not be getting the rest he should. He wouldn't be able to until things were right again. 

Mara transported herself back to her room to avoid being seen leaving Marx's room. She landed near her desk by the door and gasped at the sight in front of her. 

"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry I should have used the door, I should have knocked. Oh my, I'm leaving. I'm sorry." Mara turned towards the door and hastily shut it behind her before leaning against the hall wall. 

There was complete silence coming from inside the room, but she didn't trust it enough to go back in. After a few more minutes of standing outside her room, the door opened again and a disgruntled Emmett walked out, straightening his shirt and red spreading across his cheeks. 

Mara had gotten over her initial shock of running into them inside, and winked at him. He looked at her eyes wide and passed saying nothing on his way towards the stairs. 

Mara took a deep breath to hide the inevitable laughter before going back into the room to interrogate her roommate.