She was also concerned that there were children out there alone with no protection, only this Terra person. Judging from the small size of the pack, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that Terra was likely barely into adulthood.
“Would it be too much trouble for you to see if you can find this rendezvous point?” she asked Agony, knowing he wouldn’t want to do it. His expression said it all, and she prepared for the inevitable tirade that didn’t come.
“Fine, I will look but only after you tell me what Rafe said.” Agony folded his arms and gave her a level stare, his posture letting her know in no terms that he wouldn’t move from the spot until he’d heard everything.
“If we can find other pack members then we can give the care of Ava, Pippa and Tali over to them and continue on our way. If not, we will have to send them stateside to the pack and they will care for them until such times as we can find their alpha or other pack members.”
“No!” Mila and Agony spoke at the same time, their gazes colliding in surprise that they’d done so.
“Oh, for goodness sake! What now?” Dara exclaimed, frustration riding her hard. For every step they should be taking forward, it appeared that they were taking ten backwards.
“Pippa is under my protection,” Agony growled, his eyes drifting to the little girl. “I gave her my word and she almost died. She must stay with me.”
“Natalia must remain,” Mila said firmly. “She is crucial to the success of finding Gard and Rayne. She cannot leave, Dara, or all will be lost.”
Dara looked from one to the other and then her gaze fell on Natalia who was looking rather shell-shocked by the other woman’s insistence that she remain and was somehow crucial to their success. She had little time to make a decision and she didn’t even know if she could get the others to accept her decisions as final.
Squaring her shoulders, she settled on Agony, giving him her no nonsense look. “Agony, we cannot take a baby with us to Romania and you know that. In addition, we cannot separate Pippa from Ava as she’s the only person keeping Ava from going rogue. Now, I’m certain you don’t want us to be back where we were only an hour ago and we cannot take Ava with us, so they must return to our pack. There is no other way you have to see that. I know you’re not intimating that you don’t trust Rafe and Lacey to be able to care for the child either. I can call Joshua and have him take them to Rafe. I trust him as does Caleb and Demetri. You can trust him too.”
She didn’t wait for his agreement, turning her attention to Mila and Natalia. She wanted to send the younger woman back with her mother and Pippa, but she was aware of her importance to Kothari, and Mila’s vehemence just hammered that point home. They really had no option but to take the human girl with them, even if it did place her in danger. “Tali, I know it’s a lot to ask, but we need you to stay with us. I’m not going to lie and say that this won’t be dangerous, because you’ve heard what we’re up against. I promise we will do what we can to keep you safe, both Agony and me, and all the others who come with us. Can we count on you to help us?”
Natalia’s first instinct was to scream no. She didn’t want to leave her mother, and she didn’t want her to be sent away either. Why couldn’t they all stay together? Even as she thought it, she knew in her heart that it couldn’t happen. Her mama was sick and what Dara said was true, she needed Pippa more than she needed her own daughter right now. If she agreed to stay, her mother and Pippa would be safe. Whoever this enemy was in Europe would have a harder time hurting them if they were on another continent.
Nodding her head slowly, Natalia looked at her mother and then turned back to Dara. “They will be safe with your alpha, and they can come back when our alpha returns?”
“Of course they will, and they can, sweetheart. This is just a temporary measure to give them the care they need. It’s not forever. You will see your mother again, Tali.”
That was all she needed, to know that they would be safe. Her instincts would have been screaming at her if her decision to stay was the wrong one, but despite the clear danger she would be in, this was the calmest she’d felt since before Pippa arrived in their camp. Kneeling down beside her mother, Natalia brushed a stray strand of hair from her temple. “Ava, you and Tali are going on a big adventure to meet another pack of wolves. Isn’t that exciting? Why don’t you take Pip… Tali into the tent to gather up some things for your journey?”
“Come on, baby, we’re going to see some new wolves. Won’t that be fun?” Ava crooned, standing and scooping the little girl into her arms.
“It will be okay, Pippa,” Natalia whispered to the child. “You will be safe and cared for.”
“I’ll look after your mama for you, Tali,” she whispered back. “I’ll help her get dressed, and make sure she doesn’t go to sleep forever.”
Pippa’s young eyes were far too old, and her words brought a strangled sob from Natalia, but she managed to put a shaky smile on her face. “You are so brave, little one. We are so proud of you.”
“I’m not happy about this,” Agony grumbled, though he didn’t make any move to stop what was happening. Dara’s logic made sense, but he still couldn’t see why the human girl couldn’t be sent away too. It would be less of a distraction for him if he didn’t have to deal with Kothari making moon eyes at the her. “Call Joshua. I will see if I can locate where the remaining pack young went to.” He turned and vanished once more, relieved to be away from everyone for a little while.
“Are you coming with us, Louis?” Dara asked the coven leader. “If you are and want to bring some of your coven with you, make sure they fall into the ‘known forever’ category.” She was already pulling out her phone to call Joshua. With any luck, he wouldn’t have any objections about doing her a favour.
Louis just stared at her, his expression unreadable. As far as he was concerned, what they were planning was nothing short of suicide, despite having that crazy bastard Agony on their side. However, he had to consider what was best for his coven. If he didn’t go and they failed at their task, it was only going to buy the rest of them a short period of time before this unknown enemy showed his hand, buoyed from having defeated some of the most powerful vampires and hybrids on the planet. Possibly, a few extra vampires could help the mission succeed. Wasn’t it in his coven’s best interest to help?
“Louis?” Dante’s expression was pensive as he spoke. It was clear his friend thought they had a better chance with him on board.
“Fine! I’ll come,” he grumbled, knowing he really didn’t have much of a choice. He had to throw his hand in on one side or the other, so it was better the devil he knew than the one he didn’t. In addition, he had a feeling Freya wouldn’t be best pleased if he didn’t help out her pack mates, and he didn’t want her on his ass. “Give me half an hour to organise. I will be back.”