“What’s the worst that can happen?” he asked. “I mean, how pushy can they get? We’re on neutral ground, sanctuary for Felis—right?”
I paused and studied myself in the mirror. “Possible scenario. They demand I tell them where the kids are. I say no, they issue me a challenge. I win, I get to stay quiet. I lose, I tell them where the kids are.”
Bran bounced off the bed and stood up. “You can’t Change. You can’t accept a challenge.”
“I wouldn’t have a choice.” I swiped at the edges of my mouth. “It’s not a voluntary thing. You don’t refuse challenges. If I do I risk being declared outcast again.”
“And that’s different from what?” he snapped. “It’s not like they’ve embraced you as of late.” He shook his head. “You don’t owe them anything.”
“I have to answer.” I waved a hand over the sink. “Any credibility I have left, any status I have gained over the past few months will be gone if I don’t respond.”
“How much status are they going to get for beating up a cripple?”
I looked at Bran.
He stood there, his mouth hanging open and shock on his face.
I swallowed hard and felt the invisible door slam shut between us.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “You know I don’t think of you like that, I’d never think of you like that.”
“I know.” I turned back to the mirror and lifted a finger to trace my reflection. “But it doesn’t matter. It didn’t matter decades ago when Jess challenged me and it doesn’t matter now.”
Bran shook his head. “Then I’ll fight for you. You allow proxies, right?” His voice rose a note. “You allowed it in Penscotta.”
“No. Not here.” I walked back out to where he stood. “You’re challenged, you fight. No switching, no tag teams.”
“But they can’t force you to talk. They can’t force you to tell them where the kids are.” The words came out faster and faster, a runaway train as he fought for control.
“No, they can’t. The question is how many challenges I can survive before giving them what they want.”
Bran’s face went scarlet as he understood what I was saying. His lips moved without sound, the rage building inside him.
“This, this is how Felis society works.” I didn’t try to make apologies for what I didn’t agree with. “It’s not right and it’s not perfect but it’s how it’s worked for decades, centuries.”
“Will Jess just stand there and let them beat you down? Because I sure as hell won’t.” His fists were clenched at his sides, his breath coming out in pants. “I beat one of your kind once and I’ll do it again.”
I touched his cheek, feeling the tension under my fingers. “We’re not going to let it get to that point. It’s not going to go that far.” The truth was he’d gotten lucky and had beaten Carson because the corrupt police chief had been concussed and out of shape.
It was hard to keep my hands from trembling. My options were limited and while Jess wouldn’t let them kill me, it wasn’t a guarantee I’d walk out unscathed.
The scars on my back were testament to that.
Bran grabbed my hand and pressed it between his own, lowering his forehead to touch mine. “You know I’ll do anything for you, right? Anything.”
The voices grew in intensity downstairs.
Bran continued. “Say the word and I’ll call Hank. Hell, I’ll call the entire police force, the National Inquisitor and the CBC. Bring in the SWAT teams and blow this place wide open, bring the media down on their heads with God’s vengeance.”
“You can’t do that,” I whispered.
“To save you—yes. And a whole lot more I haven’t thought of yet. I’ll be damned if I let your family destroy who you are.” The steel in his voice strengthened me, replenished my flagging resolve.
I kissed him, drawing strength from his strong heart and soul. “Let’s give this a try first.”
I drew a deep breath and headed for the stairs, trying to calm myself. Bran followed close behind, his body heat trying to wrap around me like a security blanket.
Showtime.
As we descended the stairs I caught the different scents and automatically catalogued them into sides—Middleston, Chandler and other.
Jess stood at the bottom of the staircase, firmly in the other category. Arms crossed, she surveyed the group now filling the room. Her stern expression set the tone for the meeting.
The muttering and muted voices stopped at my appearance. All eyes turned to me and not a friendly pair among them.
Jake Middleston stood up from his chair, watching me approach. Behind him Eddie nodded at me, an unknown man standing beside him. Another enforcer or family friend, I couldn’t tell.
Mary Chandler stayed seated in the opposite chair and glared at me. Nathan McAllister allowed himself a snicker as I drew closer, his beady little eyes flicking to Bran every few seconds. There was still a reckoning between these two waiting to happen.
I didn’t need it to be here.
This was the first time I’d seen Mary Chandler. A thin woman in her thirties, there was nothing outstanding about her other than her long black hair flying loose over her shoulders. Her eyes were red and swollen and she gave me the stink-eye of all stink-eyes as I moved closer. The man standing beside Nathan was barely an adult, his hands jammed in his pockets and wearing a rock band T-shirt. The similarities between Mary and Evan and the mystery man were evident.
Evan’s older brother. Second-in-charge of the family, in theory.
Given the commanding posture his mother took I figured it’d be a long, long wait for his ascension to the throne. He shuffled his feet, the grating against the wooden floor scratching at my ears.
I felt Bran behind me, his low measured breathing brushing against the back of my neck.
Jess didn’t look at me as I stepped down beside her.
“This is Rebecca Desjardin.” Her eyes traveled around the room, finding and locking with each Felis in a display of command. “You will hear her out and give her your respect.”
Bran stayed behind me. I was sure he noticed he hadn’t been introduced.
Thankfully he stayed silent.
I stepped forward. “Jake, you hired me to find your daughter. I’ve found Lisa—she’s a smart and beautiful young woman.” This earned me a natural smile, a father’s love for his daughter clear.
I turned toward Mary. “Mary, you hired me to find your son. He’s a strong and mature young man, a proud future leader of your family.”
Her face didn’t change, a stoic mask hiding her feelings.
“The two of them are safe and adapting well to their new situation. I spoke to them regarding their relationship and they told me they’re in love.”
That earned a few snickers from both sides.
I spread my hands, putting a sheepish smile on my face. “Hey, I know how it goes. One day you’re madly in love with this guy or girl and a week later you can’t remember his or her name. But you all have to admit that it’s a powerful, strong force of nature that can’t be denied. Once you’re bitten by the bug you’ll do anything for the one you care about, anything and everything.”
Behind me Bran cleared his throat.
Jake shifted in his chair. I suspected he had a few of his own stories hidden away.
“Evan and Lisa love each other. If they return here, willingly or not, you will separate them and they’ll never see each other again. Now I’m not psychic but I can guess those two are going to move heaven and earth to get to each other no matter where you put them.” I drew a breath, hoping they wouldn’t hear the shakiness in my voice. “They want to be together and soon enough they’re both going to be legal adults. This could be the best chance for you both to heal the rift between your families, close this gap keeping both sides apart. We are Felis, we are one family. Your children deserve better than to be shackled by the past. Let’s make it so that they can come home to a united front and a future together, if that’s what they choose.”