Poor, warped kid.
Of course not, Brett said at last, and his next pause was long. But if I do this, I cant stay here. If his father found out hed betrayed his Pride, Malone would take his claws and his canines and throw him in their cage so fast hed still be reeling from the first blow. And hed never get out. I had no doubt of that.
My toes curled in the thick carpet, as if they alone anchored me to the floor. Was he saying what I thought he was saying? What can I do?
I need sanctuary. If your dad gives his word, I swear Ill tell you everything I know.
I exhaled in relief and actually felt the beginnings of a smile coming on. This was what Blackwell needed. With proof, he would have to revoke his allegiance to Malone and begin prosecuting him instead. The pendulum of power would shift back to my father. Or at least away from Malone.
Let me see what I can do.
Hurry
I threw open my bedroom door and tapped and shoved my way through the crowd to Owens room, the tile cold against my bare feet. Dr. Carver sat in the chair by Charlie Eamess bed, drawing more clear liquid into a syringe from a small, inverted glass bottle.
I glanced briefly at Charlie and noticed that his skin was paler than Id ever seen it. And that his stomach lookedpuffy. But then my gaze caught my fathers, and I waved for him to follow me. Dr. Carver only looked up briefly, but both Marc and Jace followed us into the hall.
Once wed escaped the crowd, I held up Jaces phone, blocking the sound, already heading toward the living room since Blackwell still occupied the office. If Brett came through like I hoped he would, we could let him speak directly to the old man who would then have no choice but to believe Malones involvement. I have Brett Malone on the line, and hes willing to tell us what he knows, in exchange for sanctuary.
Marcs brows rose; he was obviously impressed. Jace beamed. I wish Id thought of that. But even if he had, half brother or not, Brett might not have talked to Jace. Not like he would talk to me. Id saved his life. Plus, I was a girl, and like it or not, most toms werent threatened by me. At least, not until Id had reason to prove they should be.
My father frowned and sank wearily into an armchair angled in front of the picture window. What makes you think we should trust him?
I perched on the arm of the overstuffed couch, facing him. He told us his dad was going to challenge you. For what little good that did us.
Exactly. He templed his hands beneath his chin, a sure sign that he was considering my proposal, even if he sounded skeptical. That made him look loyal and grateful, but the information came too late to be of any use. It sounds to me like hes been studying his fathers playbook.
He didnt know Cal was going to move so quickly, Jace insisted, sitting on the edge of another chair pulled near the window.
My father thought, and I bit my lip to keep from rushing him. What does he know?
I could only shrug, still holding the phone up with my hand covering the mouthpiece. Hes waiting for your word that youll take him in.
Then how do you know he knows anything?
Jace frowned. If Calvins involved, Brett knows.
Marc nodded solemnly. And hes probably risking a lot, just talking to Faythe.
He is. And he doesnt have a lot of time. Too nervous to sit, I stood, watching my father anxiously. My heartbeat ticked off each endless second of silence. Then, finally, he opened his eyes and held one hand out.
Give me the phone.
I handed Jaces cell over and my father held it up to his ear, then stood to walk as he spoke. Brett? My daughter tells me you have information about your fathers involvement with a Flight of thunderbirds? Are you willing to volunteer that information?
I amin exchange for sanctuary. Bretts voice actually shook, and I took Marcs hand where he still stood, squeezing it to offer him the comfort I couldnt offer Brett. I cant go back after this, Councilman Sanders.
Ill go one better than that. If you can bring us proof of your Alphas involvement, youll have a job here as an enforcer.
Brett exhaled, and I could hear his simultaneous relief and unease, all in that one breath. Are you serious? Sir?
Completely. My father smiled, amused by the young toms nervous doubt. Anyone willing to stand against his own father in the name of justice belongs here with us.
Thank you, sir. I accept.
My grin was so big it threatened to split my face.
Im in the middle of something, so Im going to let you give Faythe the details. Then I want you to get your proof and come straight here. And be careful. Thats an order.
Yes, sir.
My father was almost truly smiling when he handed me the phone, but his worried frown was back by the time he made it to the hallway. He was concerned about Charlie. And probably about the rest of us. Take notes, he instructed, then disappeared down the hall.
I leaned back on the couch, already digging in the nearest end-table drawer for a notepad and pen. Fortunately, my mother stashed them everywhere. Thank you, Faythe, Brett whispered into my ear, and I had to blink back tears in order to speak clearly.
You can thank my dad when you get here. For now, just tell us what you know.
Marc settled onto the cushion next to me, and Jace leaned forward in his chair, listening carefully as his brother began to speak. Two days ago, one of our guys took down a deer, then went to ring the proverbial dinner bell. Before he was fifty feet away, this huge bird swooped down on his meal. Our man killed the thunderbird in a dispute over the kill. When we reported it, my dad went nuts. Said the last thing we needed was to piss off the thunderbirds. It took him a day or so to get there.
I glanced at Marc to see if hed caught that, and he nodded. How far out had they been, if it took their Alpha a full day to get to them? Of course, if they were expecting our attack, broad patrols made sense, but the Appalachian territory wasnt that big.
and by the time he did, he was almostexcited. And anything that excited Malone would be bad news for us. He didnt want to bury the body. He said theyd come looking for their lost bird, so we had to sit still and wait.
How did he know theyd come for it? Marc asked.
Brett started to answer, but Jace beat him to it. When I was little, there was a flock that migrated through our territory every year. Cal claimed hed actually talked to one once, but I never believed him. Guess he was telling the truth for once.
Yeah, Brett said over the line. So we waited. Six hours later they showed up. Three of them. I have no idea how they found us. They cant smell for shit with those beaks.
But they can see for miles from the air. Marc ran one hand slowly up and down my back. At least, natural birds can.
I always hated that phrase, Jace said. It makes Shifters sound unnatural.
Anyway Brett ignored them both. They landed, and it was totally bizarre. They Shifted in midmotion, with their feet first, so fast it looked like movie special effects.
I nodded, though he couldnt see me. I know. Weve seen the show.
Oh. Yeah. Brett cleared his throat and continued. Anyway, they landed and saw their boy dead, surrounded by, like, five of us. Three of us in cat form. They started to go feral. But before they could lunge, my dad said he knew whod killed their man and wanted to make a deal.
Anyway Brett ignored them both. They landed, and it was totally bizarre. They Shifted in midmotion, with their feet first, so fast it looked like movie special effects.
I nodded, though he couldnt see me. I know. Weve seen the show.
Oh. Yeah. Brett cleared his throat and continued. Anyway, they landed and saw their boy dead, surrounded by, like, five of us. Three of us in cat form. They started to go feral. But before they could lunge, my dad said he knew whod killed their man and wanted to make a deal.
Then he set us up, I guessed, my eyes closed in frustration.
Yeah. He told them that one of your cats had to have done it, because yours was the closest territory.
Marc growled. Where the hell were you?
Brett exhaled heavily. Four miles from your western border in the free zone. Im sure you know why.
Yeah. Sounds like they were just as ready to invade us as we were to invade them. So much for Malones promise to Blackwell that he wouldnt start the war.
But then something even more infuriating occurred to me. Theyd put five toms on our western borderthe opposite direction wed expect them to come from, because Malone was headquartered east of us, in Kentucky. But five wasnt enough for a large-scale offense. Which obviously wasnt what they were planning.
They were counting on us to start the war. Expecting us to take most of our men northeast, into Appalachian territory, leaving Manx, Kaci and my mother largely undefended. At which point those five or so toms would sneak in the back way and plunder our most valuable resources. Our most treasured, vulnerable members.
Fury crept up my spine in a white-hot blaze, but I forced it down. Their plans had obviously changed, and I needed to focus.
So, the thunderbirds promised your dad theyd get the tabbies out, then theyd rip us to shreds, one by one?
Thats the gist of it, yeah. Brett sounded miserable.
And you have proof? Marc prodded.
My testimony, and the dead birds feathers, stained with his killers blood. Dad told us to clean up the mess, and I kept a couple of the feathers. I had a feeling this would go downhill. But Im not sure how much good theyll do. These birds cant distinguish one cats scent from anothers.
At least itll help with the council, Jace said, voicing my exact thought. But well have to come up with some other way to prove it to the birds.
If we can even find them. I frowned, suddenly overwhelmed by the new burden, when we could least afford it. Kai was going to have to talkthats all there was to it.
I have to go. Theyve probably already noticed me missing, Brett said, and twigs snapped as he made his way back toward the house from the woods.
Wait, Paul Blackwell is here. You have to tell him what you told us.
I dont have time now, but Ill speak to him when I get there. But theres one more thing. Our tom? The one who killed the thunderbird?
Yeah? I stood, eager to report to my father.
It was Lance Pierce.
Parkers brother.
Well, shit.
Eight
Son of a bitch! Jace pounded the arm of the couch and I jumped, his phone bouncing in my open palm. To clear our name, we have to sell out Parkers little brother. Hows that for a rock and a hard place?
We cant just turn him over I started, but my words faded into silence as soft sobs and footsteps sounded down the hall. I made it to the doorway just as Kaci flung herself into my arms. Whats wrong? Though, really, the sheer number of ways she could have answered that question was staggering.
He died. Charlies dead.
Oh, no I wrapped both arms around her as my father stepped out of the somber crowd of toms still gathered around Owens room, now staring at their feet as if they were afraid that eye contact might trigger tears.
Kaci was crying freely. Shed only met Charlie Eames that morning, but at her age, with all the tragedy shed already witnessed, any death would have been traumatic. Murder, even more so.
My fathers gaze was heavy as Dr. Carver followed him into the hall, both of them headed our way. What happened? I asked, pulling Kaci into the room with me so they could come in.
Internal bleeding. Dr. Carver laid a hand on Kacis shoulder briefly, then sank wearily onto the couch next to Marc.
Did we make it worse by moving him? I had to ask. Not that the answer would change anything.
Probably. Carver twisted on his cushion to face me. But we had no other choice, and the truth is that with such major, full-body trauma, his chances were never very good in the first place.
Kaci whimpered in my arms, and I squeezed her tighter. Physical contact was the only comfort I had to offer.
My father sat stiffly near the front window, where crimson, late afternoon sunlight slanted across his white dress shirt like translucent streaks of blood. He leaned forward with his elbows propped on his knees, staring at his shiny shoes. Hed shed his suit jacketthe house was warm from all the extra bodies running on accelerated Shifter metabolismbut his shirt was still buttoned to his neck, his gray striped tie still neatly knotted.
I glanced at the hallway, where toms were now gravitating toward the kitchen, then at Kaci in indecision. Then I sighed and closed the door, gesturing for her to take a seat next to Jace. Keeping her in the dark wouldnt comfort or calm her, but being with those she trusted most just might.
She curled up on Jaces lap, resting her head on his shoulder as he wrapped both arms around her, cocooning her as if she were his little sister. Though, he and Kaci were already closer than he and Melody had ever been.
The living room wasnt soundproof, and anyone who really wanted to hear what was said would have little trouble. But in a house full of werecats, a closed door was a formal request for privacy, and our present company could be counted on to honor it. Including Blackwell, should he emerge from the office before we finished. He and my father might not agree on everything, but Blackwell would never intentionally do something he considered dishonorable.
My dad looked up when I closed the door. Thats two murdered toms, one attempted kidnapping, and one mauling, all in under three hours. The Alphas voice was grave, with a strong undercurrent of anger and bitter frustration. And his expression was tense beneath the strain of what he wasnt saying: that we could ill afford the deaths of two allied toms less than two weeks after wed lost Ethan. Not that there was ever a convenient time for so much death.
Yes, but they both went out alone, right? Dr. Carver glanced around for confirmation. We know to avoid that now.
My fathers eyes flashed in fury. We shouldnt have to! This is our territory. My property. We will not cower in our own home while vigilantes pick us off one by one.
We cant fight them, Marc said as I sank onto the couch between him and the doctor. Not on their terms.
I know. My father looked my way, obviously hoping for some good news. What did Brett say?
He has blood-soaked feathers proving we didnt kill Finn. Unfortunately, while birds have great eyesight, they have little sense of smell, and were pretty sure they cant differentiate between two cats scents. The feathers will hopefully convince the council that Malone is pulling the birds strings, but they wont do us much good with the thunderbirds themselves. Even if we do find a way to contact theirnest.