He was trying to contain his nervousness, not wanting Helena to see him scared.

“I have called this meeting to address an issue we can no longer avoid,” a voice called out, slow and measured, each word carefully considered.

Wade was a gaunt man in his late sixties, with a bald head and eagle like nose. His grey eyes sunk deeply into his head forming large shadows under his brow.

“Now is the time of change.”

Mutterings rippled around the room as Charlie, to Meyer's annoyance, focused on Helena's reaction rather than looking at Wade. Time had not been kind to her face, her skin clinging tiredly to her cheek bones that had, perhaps, made her attractive at one time. Helena’s lip raised into a slight confident smile at the news, as if she knew everything that was about to be said.

“The Inquisition is in great peril. We find ourselves with the fewest number of Inquisitors of the past one-hundred years, relying more and more on them at a time when the threats are numerous.”

“What is going on?” Ruth said. She had sat patiently, or at least her version of patient, for the past 5 minutes, all the time rustling the bag of sweets so viciously that Meyer wondered what would be left inside.

“Wade is getting into bed with Helena,” Meyer said.

“He's doing what?” Ruth said. “Are you sure you are-”

“No, of course not! Just give me a minute.”

Meyer felt his arm go dead. He always forgot how bloody strong Ruth was, although he probably deserved that.

Wade continued on, “The alternate community is split, with Deliverance radicalising more and more members by the day. There is an expanding anti-government movement amongst our population and, due to a large proportion of our time now spent addressing issues of national security, we-”

There was a laugh around the room at those words, everyone knew what that meant. Inquisitors had been increasingly given government tasks as a “priority” in the last few years, that did not require the skills of an Inquisitor. But as the Department of Alternate studies gave the Inquisition its resources and political protection, they did whatever it took to keep Helena happy.

“We can no longer fight this on our own. The Department of Alternate Studies has offered to directly aid us in our mission and, as of today, they will be setting up human task forces to assist in keeping the peace. They will have full jurisdiction over the alternate kind, including the right to detain and interrogate individuals suspected of breaking either human or alternate laws.”

Meyer noticed out of the corner of Charlie's eye, that Alice had stood and was leaving the council chamber out of a side door. Where was she be going that excused her from a council meeting?

The room fell quiet, only the faint sound of Alice's footsteps breaking the silence. Around the table, representatives of both the Inquisitors and Inquisition, a distinction that desperately needed a better naming convention, began to mutter amongst themselves. What this meant was clear, full impending government control, no longer would the Inquisition police their world or act as a barrier against human policy on alternate matters.

“We will also give the department access to all of our records so we can harmonise our efforts to protect the Alternate community in the United Kingdom.”

A step too far. Fists banged against the table as shouts filled the room.

“Share the records?” A voice bellowed to Charlie’s right. It was Oberon, Doyen of Vis. He stood from the table, his dark robes billowing around him as his chair toppled to the ground. “This is unacceptable.”

“Madness, this was never proposed to us for consideration,” a woman said across from Charlie, her words eerily echoing around the room. It was Ione, Doyen of Viva, her eyes narrowing as her fingers clenched at the table.

Others stirred from their seats and before long, no voice stood out over the commotion. Immune to the shouting, Wade slowly stood as a smug smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“As Master of the Inquisition, I have made my decision in line with the charter of Magus Lore. This cannot be undone and you will hold your tongue Oberon. Do not think you cannot be removed from this chamber as I have had others before you.