Is this destiny?

"I expect that you will explain to me how the Council works and all the benefits I will get before we schedule the next meeting, or you can forget about me coming to meet these people.", Sarah said to Jarred. "If you want me to join your crusade for molding the world, you should incentivize me with benefits. Threats do the opposite."

"I will give you answers as long as it's not disclosing sensitive information.", Jarred responded honestly. He was troubled that the meeting turned this way. He hoped to impress Sarah with the Council and get her to agree eagerly, and this was not how he imagined that it will end.

"OK. Let's start with those golden medallions. What are they?", Sarah asked one of the questions that burned her curiosity.

"Every member of the Council has one. When you join, we will have one specially crafted for you. A medallion is an ID which proves that you are a member."

"Wait...", Sarah called. "Does that mean if I have your medallion, I am a member?"

Jarred was not sure what Sarah was going for but... "The spot in the Council is a lifelong one. Once you are approved, you can't be kicked out. That is why the process of accepting new members is not always smooth. Do you think that getting your hands on these is easy? It can either be given to you as a new member, or you will inherit the position of the previous Council member. I've received my medallion from my father."

"You inherited your position?"

Jarred nodded in confirmation. "The Council is about power and influence. I inherited my father's position not only in the Smith family but in the Council as well."

Sarah still didn't get her answer. "Does that mean if I have your medallion, I am a member?"

"If you have power and influence to back it up, then... yes."

"It's that easy?", Sarah mused.

They already said that she has power and influence, that is why they called her for this meeting. And with the medallion Stella gave her, doesn't that make her a member already?

"These are more than just shiny objects. The medallions are used to provide access to various resources.", Jarred said.

Sarah's curiosity was piqued. "Resources?"

"We contribute toward a common fund, and the medallions can open the vault. They are also keys to various safe deposit boxes with information…"

Sarah listened to Jarred's explanation and her eyes sparkled. Is the medallion in her possession one of those keys? Sarah wondered what marvels does vault of the Council hold? And did Jarred say, safe deposit boxes? Suddenly, Sarah's interest in the Council increased.

…

Sarah, Oni, and Nala exited the building, and everyone sighed in relief.

Michael waited for them by the car, and as soon as everyone was in, they left the property in an orderly manner.

"Thank you, everyone, for watching my back…", Sarah spoke after touching her ear stud. "Aiden, Noah, Michael, Oni, Haru, and Nala. I want us to assemble at the main base to discuss the current situation. Aaron will also join us. The rest will get an evening off…"

…

After Sarah left, Jarred returned to the conference room. Just as he expected, he found members of the Council bickering and as always, Albert was leading the campaign against Sarah with Rance supporting him.

"She is not worthy!", Albert said.

"You are biased.", Suvedini chimed in.

"If you call biased my intolerance toward disrespect, then yes. I am biased.", Albert spat back.

"Albert, you need to calm down and stop letting your emotions guide you.", Sinet said. "Your actions didn't help…", she glanced at Rance. "And neither did yours. What were you thinking? We need Sarah as an ally, that is why we gathered here today."

"I agree that she has some qualities. The power she wields is undeniable and that makes her qualified to meet with us.", Rance said. "But her personality is lacking. She is too wild and defiant. Unless we reign her in, there is no way that I will tolerate her presence here."

"What do you mean?", Suvedini asked suspiciously.

Rance's lips lifted into a malicious smile. "What we need is to show her who we are and that the Council is not a place where she can do as she wishes. We should attack some of her assets. Only when she bleeds financially she will show respect."

Jarred snorted. "You want to get your hands on her mines. Don't you?"

Rance's eyes shifted nervously. He didn't expect that Jarred will call him out like that. "If good resources of an insolent person are right in your territory, would you be able to pretend that they are not there for taking?"

"That is not taking. That's robbery.", Suvedini said.

"It's teaching her a lesson in obedience.", Albert said to what Rance smiled.

Sinet shook her head in disapproval. "If you do such a thing, she will never agree to join us."

Rance was emboldened with Albert's support. "Will she have a choice?"

"I suggest you don't provoke her.", Suvedini said. "You didn't see what she is capable of."

Rance leaned on the table and narrowed his eyes at Suvedini. "Why do you fear her?"

"Fear and respect are two different things, but you wouldn't know that because you are not familiar with the concept of respect.", Suvedini responded dryly. Rance snorted, and Suvedini continued: "Sarah has people who are loyal to her to the point of doing her bidding without questions asked. Your people will leave you the moment someone offers them more money."

Suvedini turned to Ksenia who was completely silent so far. "Even young master Maksim from the Voronin family follows her. He is spearing the efforts in collaboration between Voronins and Lebedevs."

Ksenia pressed her lips into a line. As someone who operates in Western Asia, she is familiar with Maksim's reputation as an unpredictable killer who does not bow to anyone. News of Voronins and Lebedevs collaborating shook up the underground of Eastern Europe and most of Asia, and if Maksim is part of that, it only makes it bigger.

"I will need to verify that.", Ksenia said stiffly.

Albert snorted derisively. "You will change from a neutral stance because of one man?"

"It's none of your business, Albert.", Ksenia warned him in a low tone.

"We agreed to respect each other's businesses and territories.", Sinet reminded everyone while talking to Rance. "If you attack her mines, it will be a violation of the rules that the Council follows."

"You are forgetting that Sarah is not a member of the Council.", Rance responded smugly.

Sinet shook her head in disapproval. "You already caused damage. If you reach out for her assets, instead of an ally, we will get an enemy."

"Don't do anything foolish.", Jarred said to Albert and Rance. "If you decide to act against Sarah, I will make sure to let her know that it has nothing to do with the Council. We need people in North America and in Western Europe. Sarah has people and means, and her profile is perfect. I hope you can look at the big picture and not allow yourself to ruin big gains in the future for something small in the present."

Sinet saw that this is not leading anywhere. "Alright. I guess we should all compile a list of things we can do so that it can be sent to Sarah. I hope that the list will be impressive enough for her to overlook the fallout from today's meeting."

"The list will be anonymous without any names or other things that can identify us…", Jarred reminded everyone.

---

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