“I do. Why don’t you tell me whatever information it is you have and I’ll tell you how much I’m willing to risk on your behalf.”
Tor considered how upset Cullen sounded and wondered what exactly he was missing here. “We know where the NSA is hiding the missing weres and Jenna.”
Cullen didn’t know how to respond at first. He knew that the Council would want the information, but he would have a lot of questions to answer when he handed it over. “Look Tor. We already figured out that there is another faction involved in this and we weren’t sure who they are. I’m guessing your group must be the ones responsible for the break in at the asylum that set the mixed weres loose?”
“Yeah, you got us there,” Tor admitted reluctantly and glanced over at Natalie suddenly feeling a bit protective.
“Any chance you’ll share what that was about? Do you have those weres in custody?”
“No. They escaped,” Tor said with annoyance. “Partially because we don’t have enough men or the facilities to keep them. That’s why we need the Council to go get them. Primarily we were looking to get them out of the hands of the humans. Honestly we didn’t count on them running back to them in the end.”
Cullen considered what Tor said and what he wasn’t saying. “Aislinn saw a girl. We were thinking that the weres weren’t your main objective.”
There was another long pause. “I guess I’m not the only one with inside intel. I had heard that Aislinn was pretty good at that kind of stuff. Look Cul. I admit I’m not telling you everything. I’m telling you what we need you to know. Can’t you be satisfied with the fact that it’s what you were trying to find out anyway?”
Angry and relieved at the same time Cullen didn’t know whether to argue or thank his brother. “I personally don’t care about the Council objectives right now. If you can tell me where Jenna is then I am more grateful than you can possibly imagine. However I also know that the Arnauk are already under scrutiny for all the trouble that has cropped up lately. Just when we start to get things under control more trouble appears out of nowhere. I know that if I walk into the Council chamber now and announce what you’ve told me then they will want to know where I got it and they won’t settle for a mysterious phone call. If I tell them Aislinn had a vision then they’ll want her to have more. They don’t understand or trust the information she gives. I guarantee there will be an investigation into me and the pack. Especially considering the evidence at the moment is pointing toward one of our own having killed Nora.”
“It was the mixed weres who killed Nora. That I can share. You’ll probably find out if you take them into custody anyway. They are looking for a cure for their condition. When the druids couldn’t help Nora died. I wish I could tell you everything you want to know. Just like you, I have my own to protect as well.”
Cullen growled in frustration. “Don’t think I’ll let this go.”
“You’re going to have to. I need to get off the phone now. I’ll send you a text with an address as soon as I get it.”
“I thought you said you know where they are.”
“I said ‘we’ know where they are. I haven’t been given the exact address yet. I should have it in a couple hours. I’m on my way back to the base now. When I get there I can talk with our man who has the rest of the details.”
“Great. That should give me time to find Cadifor and prepare him to be angry with me.”
“I’m sure you can handle it.”
“Yeah?” Cullen asked sarcastically. “I appreciate your confidence in me.”
“It was good to talk to you Cul. I promise I won’t leave it so long next time.”
“As frustrating as you are… It was good to hear from you. Nice to know you’re still alive.”
Cullen let the phone drop from his ear as he hung up. He stared at the number on the caller ID. “Change of plans Keith.”
Keith smiled at the strength in Cullen’s tone. “Alright. What are my orders?”
“Take this number and find my brother. Quietly. He’s sending me the information we need to find Jenna. So that’s taken care of. I still want you to talk with Aislinn about her visions and see if you can get anything else important out of it. I think the vision may pertain to whoever Tormaid is working with. He wouldn’t tell me who his boss is. I want to know. They are the hidden group we are looking for.”
“Okay. Hopefully the number won’t be too bad to track.”
“If anyone can find him…” Cullen said as he wrote down his brother’s name, last known location, previous phone number, and the one he got from the caller ID.
“So what are you going to tell the Council?” Keith asked as he picked up his bag and walked to his door.
“Not sure yet. I think I’ll start with Cadifor.”
Jenna alternated glaring out the window at the passing scenery and glaring at the back of Devon’s head. She was starting to hate cars. Ever since she met Rafe it seemed like each time she got into one she was being forcibly escorted somewhere she didn’t want to go. She was sitting in the backseat next to a woman who appeared to be a botched rhinoceros cat hybrid. She was starting to really wonder how many men and women Rafe had messed with in his God quest.
She felt Brennus’ disapproval in the back of her mind. At least all of the men I changed were volunteers, she thought back at him.
Who’s to say that the poor creature sitting beside you didn’t volunteer? Who knows what Rafe promised. You changed men knowing that you had a better option with the intent of making sure you would be stronger. Brennus’ words cut through Jenna.
I can’t decide if you love me or hate me. If you want to help me or turn me in. Jenna was near tears.
At times I’m not sure what I want either. You know I love you. I would do anything for you. I despise what you have done and what I have done in an attempt to help you. I remind myself of the things I did to become Alpha and sometimes I understand and sympathize with what you have done. And I remember the things that changed me and tell myself that you have not lived long enough to come to regret your decisions. I was hoping to help you avoid the worst. I wonder if I should have left it so that you might learn. I am torn.
Devon stared at the intense look on Jenna’s face. She appeared far away and he wondered what was going on in her head. “We’re here,” he said.
Jenna snapped into the moment and realized that they were in front of Tairneach manor. Now the tears started. Between her father’s thoughts and seeing her home that she couldn’t go back to, she was feeling more lost than ever. I’m not sure when it all went so wrong.