Clash of the Otherworlds: Book 1, After the Fall Read Online Free PDF Page A

down."
    "Well, that's one way to liven up a meeting, I guess."
    "I'm good for that.  You'll see."  He winked at me, promising future mischief.
    I liked him already.  Anyone who managed colossal screw-ups at council meetings had to be someone I could hang with, even if he was Dark Fae.
    Ben came to the seat on my other side, just as the meeting was starting, nodding at Aidan.  "Hey, Shifty.  How's it hangin?" he asked, smirking and pulling his cloak out from under him as he sat down.
    "See?  What'd I tell ya?" said Aidan, winking at me before shooting scowls in Ben's direction.
    I couldn't help but giggle.  I was reading all kinds of things into Ben's greeting which was probably what I was supposed to be doing, but it felt bad to be doing it in a place we were supposed to be so serious and mature.
    I tried to get my mind off Aidan's missing pants by examining the group around the table.  Maléna and Dardennes sat at the head of the table, Céline at Dardennes' right.  I recognized all the Light Fae council members, but knew only a couple of the Dark Fae.  They had two green elves, which we had none of here.  Otherwise, we were pretty evenly-represented.  It was curious to me that there were no gray elves here, though, Light or Dark.
    "Thank you, council members, for gathering here today.  On behalf of the Light and Dark Fae, Maléna and I welcome you."
    Maléna the silver elf nodded her head, gesturing for Dardennes to continue.  They had once been an item, when Dardennes was Dark Fae, before he got booted out and sent over to the Light Fae.
    "We've asked you here for several reasons.  First, to move forward with our plans to integrate the fae here in the compound; and second, to discuss the current status of the situation which brought us together in the first place."  He looked over at Ben and me, making me squirm under the attention.
    Ben was much cooler than I was.  He nodded his head, looking first at the silver elves at the head of the table and then at all the other faces around us.  I was feeling wimpy at the moment, though, so focused on him instead of the strangers.  Ben never looked at me, but he reached under the table and found my hand, squeezing it.  I returned the gesture for a second and then pulled my hand away, lacing my fingers together in my lap.  I didn't want anyone to get the impression that I needed to hold onto him to feel confident, even if it might be true at this particular moment.
    "The rooming situation seems to be well in hand.  Everyone here is empowered to settle any disputes that arise, but please feel free to come to Maléna or myself if you feel as though our intervention is required."
    Maléna spoke next.  "Is there anything that needs our attention now in this regard?"
    A dwarf raised his hand.  "We've had some problems in our section."
    "What kind of problems?" she asked.
    "Some axes got away from a few hands.  Some facial hair was removed."
    A few fae gasped.  I looked around, trying to figure out what that meant.  Is it code for cutting someone's face off or something?
    "That is serious," said Dardennes.  "How do you recommend we move forward?"
    "We've already taken the wrongdoers into custody.  They're spending some time in the lower levels, ruminating on their transgressions.  And we've given the standard punishment - eye for an eye."
    Aidan winced, whispering, "Harsh," under his breath.
    I wished I had pen and paper.  I needed to write a list of all the questions I would have for later.  First on that list would be:  What's the big deal with facial hair and do they actually take eyeballs as punishment?  I knew the expression, but Aidan's response and similar ones from the others caused me to question whether it might be a literal thing with these fae.
    "Sounds as if you have matters taken care of," said Dardennes, visibly relaxing.
    "Yes.  But it bears keeping in mind that some will need to be reminded of our common goals and the consequences for not