rogue shifter 07 - cut off (7 page)

Liam laughed. "Kellie says the same thing about him." Kellaine was Farrell's sister and complained often about her brother's immature ways.

It was too early to argue, especially without the benefit of caffeine. Today was going to be a tough one.

Aaron opened the sliding glass doors and peeked in. "Is there coffee? I was up half the night getting robbed by those sharks at the villa. They cheat at pool."

"It's taken you sixteen years to figure that out?" Liam asked Aaron, making an effort to keep a straight face. Aaron growled in response, his scowl continuing until he'd had his first few sips of strong black coffee. I got my own cup, added milk, then sat in my usual seat at the end of the table.

Aaron finished his coffee in two more gulps, while Aedus greeted Samson with some whispered words in fae and a scratch behind the ear. My rather large Rottweiler, who was also part faerie dog, wiggled his short tail in response, causing his rear end to wiggle in what Charlie used to call the "doggy dance". He'd lived for over twenty years, but showed no signs of aging, most likely due to his magical makeup.

When Aedus stood again, I said, "Thank you for coming. I know you're angry with me."

His gaze sharpened, his handsome features so like Caelen's, especially when angry. "I understand why you chose to send Charlie to Isaiah. I disagree with your decision, as does my father, however, we concede that you know the demon better than we do. You trust him and your instincts are usually excellent. I will not waste time arguing with you or my brother about your choice. I'm here to find some way to get Garrett home and I will do everything in my power to help you accomplish that goal."

"And Lord Caelen?" His help was essential to Garrett's survival.

A wry smile spread across Aedus' handsome face. "He will come around."

I swallowed down my jagged nerves. "Would anyone like something to eat?"

Liam waved his hand and the table was filled with a multitude of breakfast items, along with plates and utensils. "I'm not in the mood to cook."

Aaron laughed first, then Farrell, then the two brothers joined in. Finally I found myself giggling, surprised that I was able to laugh in the middle of this horror. Skimming their smiling faces with my gaze, I felt blessed to have these males to count as friends.

Waiting for the others to arrive, we ate and talked, mostly about their various kids. According to Aedus, his daughter, Linn, was taking after her cousins, Kaera and Brina, enjoying her training with a sword more than her other lessons. Even though he said he preferred for her to take on other skills, I caught a glimpse of pride in Aedus' eyes, an accomplished warrior himself.

Aaron told us that Sammy was interested in pack medicine, but his daughter, Erin, was a hellion, challenging the boys to races and then complaining when their long legs gave them the ability to beat her. She even tripped one of Sammy's friends on purpose, causing him to fall and crack his head on a low hanging tree branch. As punishment, Erin had to spend a month in the infirmary working with Sam bandaging wounds and cleaning up.

Liam and Kellaine's son, Grady, was only a quarter fae, but still had an interest in fae history. Whenever he'd visit Cascade, he'd interview the residents, gleaning as much info as he could on the history of his adopted parent's race. He wasn't allowed to make a written record of what he'd learned, but his knowledge was growing steadily.

Ethan and Kyle arrived at eight along with Kyle's mate, Peter, the team's legal advisor. Ethan, my closest friend on the team, immediately wrapped me in his strong arms and kissed my forehead. "We'll get him back. Is Charlie okay?"

"Yes. We'll talk when everyone gets here. I don't feel up to explaining multiple times."

Ethan whispered, "Rob has a surprise for you." Kyle snickered behind him.

"Oh?"

When Rob arrived, I threw my arms around his waist and hugged him for all I was worth. Rob had been my first trainer, a shapeshifter male with extraordinary patience and a warm heart. Because of him I'd quickly felt at home living in a world populated by supernaturals, more than I ever had among humans. He'd made my first transition into my cheetah form on Solo Island a magical experience instead of a terrifying one. Ethan had also befriended me at that vulnerable time, teasing and encouraging me, becoming family. The two of them held a special place in my heart.

Rob returned my hug, kissing the top of my head. When I pulled away I noticed the dark circles under his eyes, Garrett's situation had probably allowed him little sleep.

"We'll get him back." In typical Robert-style he tried to reassure me.

"Yes. I know it." I did my best to sound confident. Rob needed reassurance too.

"I brought someone who might be able to help. Don't yell at me until after the meeting."

I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Jackie." I looked up. Simon, my birth father was here. Rob must have decided to call him.

We stared at each other for a few heartbeats, then moved in unison. I hugged him less confidently than I had Rob and noticed the awkwardness in his body too. He brushed my hair with tentative fingers and whispered, "I'm sorry. I've let you down. I should have been here long before now."

"Simon..."

"No. I want to help. I'd like to stay for as long as you'd allow, although I won't blame you if you kick my ass out the door."

"I don't know how I feel."

"Let me stay for the meeting. We can talk when you have time."

"Yes. I'd like that. Please stay."

I got myself another cup of java and watched them all interact, fascinated by the various hierarchies and racial customs. The shifters and werewolves were loud, demonstrative and friendly, while Simon and the three fae kept their greetings to a quiet nod and their conversations more subdued. The alphas in the group emerged and were deferred to by the others. Aedus, of course, Rob for the shifters, Aaron, the senior werewolf and Garrett's closest family member, and Simon, the only sorcerer.

Food was cleared away with another wave of Liam's hand and we all got down to business. I returned to my usual spot on one end of the table, while Aedus seated himself at the other end, taking the other power position. This was not lost on any of the others, Aaron in particular looking the most disgruntled. I hoped this wasn't going to turn into one of those UN meetings where each group frowned at the other groups, huddling and whispering conspiratorially.

I asked Aedus to describe Fionna's letter. He did and then requested that I explain my decision regarding Charlie's safety. Everyone present agreed that I'd done the best thing. Everyone except for Aedus.

"What are you three doing about this?" Kyle asked, a touch of anger coloring his tone as he stared at the three fae. "She's
your
queen."

Aedus' expression was cool. "My father and I have sent the queen a missive asking for Garrett's immediate release." This was the first I'd heard about the note. Even Liam and Farrell looked surprised.

"You sent a freakin' memo? Without discussing it with Jackie?"

"Kyle. We're here to work together." Rob frowned.

"Yeah. Tell
them
that." He pointed at the three fae.

"This manner of correspondence opens negotiations between us. There are specific rituals to follow in dealing with the queen," Liam explained. "If they are not followed to the letter, she won't deal with us in any form."

"Rituals won't get him back." Kyle crossed his arms.

Liam spoke up. "They may do exactly that. If we show Fionna the respect she feels she's owed right from the start, she will allow us to meet with her face to face. When that occurs, we will convince her that there is no hope that Charlie will be handed over. She'd be forced to release Garrett. Knowing Charlie is somewhere untouchable will help our case." He gave his brother a sideways glance. Aedus didn't respond except for a tightening around the mouth. Seems like they were still arguing the point.

"Or she'll kill him." Rob's voice was soft, but we'd all heard. "She won't need him any longer." Rob had been Garrett's friend for almost a hundred years.

"How many fae are at her court?" Ethan asked.

"Over three hundred Seelie. With the demi-fey and the other races, perhaps five hundred."

"Do the others fight?" I asked.

"In the past, the demi-fey and the wood elves, but not the rest. However, at court the demi-fey are prisoners themselves, so I doubt they would fight on the queen's side, even if she freed them."

Simon had remained quiet throughout the meeting, but now he leaned forward, his richly toned voice drawing our attention. "Will all the seelie fae at court fight on the side of the queen?"

"We cannot say," Aedus replied.

"I respect your silence." Simon nodded." However, you should contact your allies at court immediately."

Aedus glanced at his brother, his expression broadcasting a warning. "We cannot."

Kyle shrugged. "So you have spies. No biggie. We wouldn't tell anyone."

"We will not endanger their lives or the lives of their families. I can only say that there are some who would...switch sides." His body language grew tense, leaning forward and scanning the group but then locking gazes with me. "We wish to get Garrett safely home, but also to avoid instigating a war between our own people. There is a larger war coming and we would hope to fight side by side with our queen and the court against our common enemy. Losing even one fae to a civil war would weaken us against Naberia."

I replied, keeping my voice steady, "I understand. Your position is very difficult." Aedus sent me a half-smile across the length of the table. The tension between us had eased up a bit.

Aaron said, "We need to think ahead. If she replies that she won't release him, what then?"

Liam replied, "That's the answer we expect. We'll send another message stating that we'd like to come to negotiate for his release under a binding truce."

"Who would she allow into the court to negotiate his release?" Rob asked.

Aedus answered, "My father, Jacqueline, me and perhaps two other fae."

"Well, that's definitely not happening." Ethan replied vehemently. "Jackie can't go to the court with just a few guards. Kennet's there."

"The queen will allow me in." Farrell hadn't spoken so far.

Aedus frowned, twisting to face his cousin. "Why do you believe this?"

"I'm also the queen's nephew. A royal like you. Keara and Brina will come. Between you, me, your father and the sisters, we could take on five times our number."

"Which would be twenty-five. Twenty-five against three hundred." Liam was losing patience with the other two. "We can't win against them if there's a fight."

Farrell scowled at Liam. "Do you think the idiots at court practice for war? They're too busy trying to stay out of her way. She feeds her own people to her pet slaugh and her..."

"How do you know this?" Aedus' eyes had narrowed to slits.

"Do you think you're the only one with spies at court? I have friends there that will fight beside us if a battle becomes necessary."

"You're too young and inexperienced."

Farrell bristled."And you're not king yet, cousin."

A female voice cut through the angry words. "I see I've arrived just in time to stop a brawl between my know-it-all brother and my arrogant cousin. You two would be wise to remember that you are in the home of a respected female whose mate has been abducted and who's had to send her son far away. She's missing both of them terribly, and yet she's holding herself together with courage while you two argue like schoolchildren. Show her some respect or I will personally beat some into you." Kellaine stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at the two argumentative males.

Aedus smiled at the fiery female. "You are correct, as always, Kellie." He turned toward me. "I apologize for my inappropriate behavior, Jacqueline. If the queen allows Farrell or any other fae to accompany us, then it would make sense to include them in the party." He nodded in my direction with his hand over his heart.

Farrell frowned at his sister, then shrugged. "I'm sorry, Jackie. I want Garrett back, and I got a little overenthusiastic." Farrell glanced at Aedus out of the corner of his eye. This might be an ongoing bone of contention between them. Farrell was the full blood child of an elder, so his position in the Cascade Sidhe was almost as strong as Aedus'.

Kellie dragged a chair next to mine and the room grew quiet, none of the others wanting to say anything that might get them scolded. Kellie said as she sat, "You need a female fae's opinion."

"And she's more than happy to provide hers." Liam teased. Everyone laughed, including Kellie, which broke the tension. The affection was strong between Kellaine and Liam, even though they'd never gone through the binding ritual as Aedus had with Philladre.

I asked Aedus, "When you send another note, will you tell Fionna where I've sent Charlie?"

"She'll find out soon enough on her own. She has spies in the Demon Realm."

"Isaiah will glamour him like he did me."

"It won't matter. Charlie's aura will be impossible for Isaiah to hide completely."

"He hid mine without a problem." Aedus looked surprised. "He's older than your dad and just as powerful."

"Perhaps, but one's aura is the most difficult aspect to disguise. Brina is the only fae I know who can transition completely, and she can only hide herself."

"Finvarra could do it." We turned to look at Grady, surprised that he'd come in so quietly. "That's who she inherited the gift from."

"You weren't given permission to attend this meeting, son." Liam smiled indulgently.

"I want to volunteer to help Mrs. Cuvier in any way that I can. Garrett's like an uncle to me."

"Thank you." I stood and hugged him, noticing his cheeks pinking up just a little when I pulled away. He was twenty-one and serious about his studies involving fae history. "How do you know about Finvarra?"

"Most fae don't bother delving too far into the past, but Lady Dinestri helps me when I'm in Cascade. Finvarra was the first male to be crowned king. Aine was the queen and she had a consort as most queens before her did. She didn't enjoy ruling on her own, so she was considering making her consort king. When Finvarra heard, he challenged the much older fae for the crown, and he defeated him easily. He forced Aine to make him king and they ruled together for thousands of years."