“I can only guess that this Rafe person had something to do with why none of us cared that Jenna disappeared. According to Aislinn he was standing there watching us all and no one questioned his presence or the presence of his men and they were there as well. Aislinn said that distance from Rafe has a lessening affect on his abilities. I for one am feeling it necessary to question not only my own actions that night but things that I observed on the way in that were unusual as well. Now that you’ve mentioned those questions you brought up, Terrick, and I don’t know about anyone else, but I seem to remember strange greenish bonfires. I’d say that the bonfires may have had something to do with it as well. Right now I have quite a few questions that still need answers. So I can’t do more than tell you all what I have and attempt to arrange for additional solutions. Aislinn was only able to shed some light. But she is for the most part ignorant of the finer details. Rafe seems to want something. She thinks it has to do with our standing stones. We’ve owned that property since I came to leadership and our possession of it was never questioned. I always believed them to be an attractive landmark and a reminder of our past. But it seems there may be more to it than that. We’re going to have to look into quite a few things to get the rest of the answers we seek. But I believe the worst threat is the possibility of traitors amongst our own number and the now imminent threat posed by the Tairneach.”
Terrick growled his annoyance. “Don’t you think it would have been better to turn the bastard down when he first started all this coach as opposed to waiting until the girl was beneath you to deal with the fact that you preferred this random human you picked up at some bar?” Cullen had to use every ounce of control he had to keep from launching across the table at Terrick. He had known that the subject would be broached, but Terrick was taking too many liberties with his position in the pack.
“How do you know that you can even trust her,” Celia asked with more jealousy than Cullen would have expected from her. “If she’s having these visions is she even human? How much do you really know?” Celia didn’t like the way Cullen was referring to Aislinn at all. And from what she had heard about where Aislinn had spent the evening Celia was feeling a strong desire to rip the girl’s throat out.
Cullen growled a warning that wasn’t wasted on the others who looked as though they may voice an opinion. “I have Aislinn under control. If I feel she’s a threat in any way I will deal with it myself Right now we need to find out what this guy, Rafe, is trying to accomplish and keep an eye on the Tairneach. There’s no guarantee that there isn’t a connection seeing as Jenna appears to be involved with him now. I want a sizable guard placed at the reservation, specifically watching the standing stones. I want someone looking into the buildings that were burned down and find out what books have to do with it. I want someone looking for Jenna. I want any information on strange behavior on the part of anyone in this pack previously, presently, or suspected. Someone let those assholes in and lit the bonfires. I want to know who. And I want someone taking what background information Aislinn has and looking into Rafe. Am I missing anything?” All the while Cullen was talking Keith was diligently taking notes. He knew without it being said that he would be in charge of picking the ‘someones’ for each task.
Sarah looked at him. “What about Aislinn?”
Cullen glared at her. “What about Aislinn?”
“Should someone look into her?” Sarah said with an incredulous tone. “I mean if she’s capable of the things you say she is…”
Cullen eyed Sarah. But decided that until someone other than him said she was okay he wasn’t going to hear the end of it. “You’re in charge of the women. I’m not worried about Aislinn. But if you’ll feel better doing an investigation then be my guest. Let me know if you find anything.”
Sarah felt better when he didn’t tell her ‘no.’ But not good enough to stop her from doing a background check. As for the others in the room they all appeared to be happy with the way things were being left.
***
Cullen and Keith were headed to the kitchen. They were often headed for the kitchen. Cullen hadn’t eaten all day and his stomach was growling. The meeting had ended with everyone being relatively satisfied with the explanations they were given. But also everyone was uneasy with the situation in general. How do you prepare to deal with a person who appears to be able to make your mind only see what he wants you to see and to make you think what he wants you to think?
When the men entered the kitchen there were a couple girls giggling and speaking conspiratorially in one corner. Cullen smiled at them. It was nice to see something normal around here. The girls blushed and giggled some more. Cullen chuckled and shook his head as he opened the refrigerator door and started fishing for something interesting.
Keith on the other hand headed over to the girls to see what the secret they were sharing was and to cop a feel. He had no shame. The girls smiled at him as they saw him coming. They knew he was harmless. He had a mate. That never stopped him from flirting though.
Cullen had pulled a Rubbermaid container of something that resembled chili out of the fridge. He was sniffing at it and trying to decide how hold it might be when Keith started roaring with laugher. “She didn’t!” The girls started giggling again.
Cullen was trying to ignore the conspiracy. He didn’t like gossip. He fully accepted that Keith would find out anything important and then let him know if it was necessary. Everyone in the pack loved and trusted Keith like he was a best friend or brother. Cullen threw the container in the microwave and was fishing a fork out of a drawer when the girls took off out of the room and Keith came over to where Cullen was standing at the counter. Cullen could tell from the look on his face that he was dying to share whatever he had just found out. Keith was beaming with amusement. But Cullen was hungry and had had a rough evening. He wasn’t interested in playing games. The microwave dinged and Cullen grabbed the container out and then headed for the kitchen table. He sat there eyeing the food and considering calling down to the Taigh-Oèsda for some steak.