“No. Keep on going.” I finished the drink and tossed the empty can in the back, ignoring the small pile of discarded candy wrappers and drink containers. “Jess’ll have kittens if we don’t show up when she expects us.”
“The kids are safe, right?” His attention flickered briefly to the rear view mirror, checking for any possible followers.
“As safe as they can be.” I told him briefly about meeting Red. “I suspect they’ll have a whole new appreciation of street living after spending some time with him. It’s a whole different thing when there’s no bathrooms and they’ll be sleeping under a tarp.”
“Your idea of shock therapy?” Bran switched lanes as we neared the exit. “Not to be nasty but I figured the Felis had that living natural thing down pat. Street living should be a breeze.” He skipped the car over again, narrowly missing a Hummer who bleated his annoyance at us. “They had the park figured out and I’m sure the other kids were giving them enough hints on how to do well.”
“Maybe, maybe not.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “It’s one thing to meet their buddies for a free breakfast at the shelter, another for them to be digging in Dumpsters when the resources run out. They may have gone on a few runs on the farm and gone on a hunt but that doesn’t necessarily prepare them for full-time living on the street.” I allowed myself a chuckle. “I did read your article, you know. Right now I’m willing to bet it’s like a sleepover, a slumber party that hasn’t ended yet with lots of new friends and experiences to keep them from thinking about what they want and where they’re headed.”
“What do they want to do?”
“End the feud.”
Bran whistled. “Sure. Why not go for world peace while we’re doing the impossible?”
I squeezed his thigh, causing him to bump onto the shoulder for a brief second. “Some people would say our relationship is impossible.”
He held up a finger. “Improbable, maybe. Impossible, no.” His cheeks went red as he pried my hand free. “And keep doing that and we’ll be making a pit stop before we get to the farm.”
I looked in the back. “Sorry, not enough room.”
“Not planning to lie down.”
I cleared my throat. “Not enough time.”
He shot me a wicked grin. “I can do fast.”
“I just woke up.” At the back of my mind I wondered at the warped turn this conversation had taken.
Bran chuckled. “Calm down. I’m just kidding. You’re right about the time and I wouldn’t want Jess to get all grumpy.” He took my hand and brought it to his lips for a wet kiss. “Although I’d love to take you back to that couples tree sometime.”
“Only if you schedule the chiropractor appointment beforehand.” I reluctantly pulled my hand free. “Keep an eye out. I wouldn’t put it past the jackholes to put an ambush up here to get us before we contact Jess.”
“Roger that.” His attention returned to scanning the rear view mirror every few seconds.
I studied the road as we turned off and turned off again onto a dirt road, weaving our way out to the Pride’s farm, set far away from the main roads and providing as much privacy as possible. A sanctuary for Felis looking for a place to rest and enjoy ourselves, the farm was also the headquarters for the Board which made most major decisions for their members.
It was also considered neutral ground.
Jess’s name was still on the weather-beaten mailbox at the entrance, the barn still standing and now painted a lovely shade of bright yellow—some kit’s punishment for a rules infraction. I stifled a yawn as we pulled into the large gravel-covered parking lot beside a handful of battered SUVs and pickup trucks.
The farm was never empty. Between offering child-care and a safe place for Felis to run wild it was also an active working farm, making enough to support the Board members who called it home.
Jess stood on the porch, using one hand to shade her good eye. The angry scar on her left cheek was pale against her tanned skin and she didn’t move to meet us.
I sniffed the air. A small pack of kits hunting in the forest, chasing down squirrels and unlucky rabbits. Apple pie cooling in the kitchen and fresh coffee waiting to be drunk.
Sanctuary.
Jess watched us come up the path and onto the porch. I held onto Bran’s arm as if I were recovering from an all-night drunk, still weak in the knees and feeling like a very old, old woman.
“How is she?” This was directed to Bran, not me.
“Fine. Just needs a bit more rest.”
“I am here, you know.” I poked Bran in the ribs with my free hand. “And very much able to speak for myself.”
“I know.” Jess spun around and led us into the house, holding the door open for Bran to half-carry me through. “That’s why we’re in such a clusterfuck.”
I bit back my snappy retort. It wasn’t the time or place for it.
The inside of the farmhouse had changed since the last time I’d visited, the nursery that once occupied the main living room replaced with couches and chairs, a large ebony black circular coffee table in the center reminding me of the mythological Round Table.
With Bran’s help I sank into the burgundy-colored cushions, letting out a pained sigh. Bran headed for the kitchen where Jess was.
“Are the kids okay?” Jess called out. I heard the clink of metal on ceramic and smelled cinnamon, the spicy scent landing on my tongue and starting my mouth watering. The harsh coffee also spanked my senses, encouraging me to wake up even more.
“Yes.” I swallowed a mouthful of saliva, wanting them to hurry up.
“Are they safe?”
“Yes.”
“Are you out of your goddamn mind?”
“Probably.” I watched her exit the kitchen with two mugs of coffee. Bran followed behind with a tray containing three pieces of apple pie and his own mug.
“I thought this wasn’t going to be a problem. I thought all you had to do is find the kids and convince them to go on home like good little kits. I thought it was going to be a simple little job, a quick way for you to earn a few bucks.” Jess placed my coffee on the table and took her place opposite me. “Now I’ve got all hell breaking loose and the Board wants it dealt with pronto before the Grand Council gets involved. As it is, the Council’s demanding updates left and right and I’m right in their sights.” She blew a wayward strand of pale white hair out of her face. “Because I started the whole shitstorm bringing you into this, it’s my problem as well.”
I reached for the mug. Strong and creamy—none of that fake powdered milk crap here on the farm. Honest-to-goodness cream churned from the nearby herd. I resisted the urge to smack my lips. “What do you want me to say?”
Jess took an offered piece of pie from Bran. “Tell me you have some master plan to get everyone out of this without anyone getting hurt.” She paused. “Anyone else.”
There was enough anger in her voice to keep me quiet through my piece of pie. Hot, flaky apples with just enough spice to give that snap in your mouth. I hadn’t known how hungry I was until I caught myself licking the empty plate.
Jess raised an eyebrow but said nothing, daintily cutting bite-sized pieces with her fork and popping them into her mouth.
Bran grinned and finished off his own slice before taking my plate and Jess’s and stacking them on the tray.
I took another mouthful of coffee, savoring the rich caffeinated rush. We didn’t grow the coffee beans here but the farm always stocked the best.
“Now that you’ve been fed and watered,” Jess said, dabbing at her mouth with a paper napkin, “can I get some sort of briefing here?” She held up a hand before I started. “Do not tell me where they are. If I know that then I’ll have to act on that and I don’t want to go there.” Her eyes narrowed. “Pick and choose your words carefully, Reb.”