  ZOE POV
  	&quot;Um, I don't mean to be ungrateful or anything. I'm super honored to be here,&quot; I tell Samson, Drake's parents, and the tall, distinguished gentleman with the silvery beard and fierce amber eyes who's just arrived. Everyone has treated him with a mixture of great reverence and cool contempt. I don't get it. I've never seen this guy before in my life, and I never caught his name, which to be honest is the least of my worries at present. &quot;But why is it you want me here, exactly?&quot; All of us are gathered in some conference room, not far from the Inner Sanctum, which is still being cleaned up from the massive battle between our forces and the Ruling Council.
  	&quot;Well. You killed Berach, for one thing. That's no mean feat,&quot; Elder Eric replies. His golden eyes seem to be burning holes in me.
  	&quot;And yer the closest person we have to Sasha right now

  SASHA POV
  	Sunlight filters down through the pine trees around me, bringing a bit of warmth to the snowy courtyard in which I sit, bundled in sweaters and blankets and a thick knit hat. Thanks to some clever dwarven construction techniques and Rika's incredible stealth cloaking technology, this courtyard at WASP HQ doesn't look like a courtyard at all, but rather a remote, secluded part of a national park or something. If I didn't know any better, I wouldn't have any idea that I'm surrounded by a building I've hated for most of my life.
  	If I had my way, we'd be back with Drake's pack or Samson's Underground, or even in Columbus—anywhere but here. But I was just granted the privilege of leaving my bed in the infirmary for more than a quick trip to the toilet, so I suppose I should count my blessings. I certainly have plenty of them to count. Rika and Zoe made it out of that battle 

  DRAKE POV
  	Gahhhhhhhhh what the fuck happened?
  	Everything hurts. Eyes open, then close again to shut out daggers of cruel fluorescent light.
  	I don't remember this light from room with evil fae bastard and long curved table. But if not there, where am I? And where's Sasha? Callum? Xander—
  	Xander.
  	Too much, too fast. Those bullets should have shredded that Anderson Cooper lookalike, but somehow….
  	A groan escape my lips, and then there's a cold hand on my forehead.
  	&quot;Rest, Drake. The battle's over, and those wounds need rest to heal,&quot; Rika soothes me. 
  	&quot;Xander—&quot;
  	&quot;I'm sorry, Drake. We tried everything we could, but….&quot; She swallows hard. Open eyes again, just a sliver. Rika's pale face above, contorted like she wants to cry but can't. Damn vamps.
  	&quot;We couldn't save him. By the time the battle zone was calm enough to send in medic

ZOE POV
  	&quot;Um, I don't mean to be ungrateful or anything. I'm super honored to be here,&quot; I tell Samson, Drake's parents, and the tall, distinguished gentleman with the silvery beard and fierce amber eyes who's just arrived. Everyone has treated him with a mixture of great reverence and cool contempt. I don't get it. I've never seen this guy before in my life, and I never caught his name, which to be honest is the least of my worries at present. &quot;But why is it you want me here, exactly?&quot; All of us are gathered in some conference room, not far from the Inner Sanctum, which is still being cleaned up from the massive battle between our forces and the Ruling Council.
  	&quot;Well. You killed Berach, for one thing. That's no mean feat,&quot; Elder Eric replies. His golden eyes seem to be burning holes in me.
  	&quot;And yer the closest person we have to Sasha right now,&quot; Samson adds.
  	&quot;Can't this— Shouldn't this wait until Sasha's in condition to—&quot;

Chapter 61 Move Forward