Chapter Sixteen
Thursday, Jack and Emma’s house, Papakura
“Where is Hone and that friend of yours?” June Taniwha demanded. “I searched everywhere yesterday. Where is he? I demand you tell me.”
Emma exchanged an alarmed glance with Jack and edged closer, needing his proximity. Spittle built at the corners of June’s mouth, the matriarch of the Auckland taniwhas scary when her temper rose.
“Does Samuel know you’re here?” Emma elbowed Jack in the ribs, and when he didn’t move, she elbowed him again. It was his turn to speak.
“This has nothing to do with my mate.” June’s nostril flared. “Where is Hone?”
“He’s out on a job.” Jack maintained his steady gaze, his body relaxed.
“Where?” June jabbed a finger at Jack.
“We signed confidentiality agreements for this job. We can’t tell you,” Emma said, wincing at the wisp of smoke coming from June’s nostrils. “If you want information, you’ll have to speak with George.” Emma threw their boss in as a distraction. While it was true they’d signed agreements, June wasn’t the type to spread gossip. The tribe matriarch took care of official business and ruled their people, so she was trustworthy, but Emma didn’t like the blood-red haze discoloring her irises or her mottled skin. June’s search for Hone didn’t bode well.
“What about your friend? Where is the faithless hussy?”
Emma straightened her shoulders. She’d seen June in action, knew enough for apprehension to crawl up her spine. If June decided to slap her down… But she couldn’t betray her friend or Hone. “I haven’t seen her today.”
June’s lips pulled back, revealing pointy teeth as she inhaled. “Truth,” she said slowly.
“If you think Cassie is a slut, then why are you so angry?” Emma demanded before good sense kicked to life.
“Manu showed interest in her. He’s never looked twice at another woman. Your friend was meant for Manu and Hone has stolen her. I want my son settled. I want grandchildren. I want my dynasty underway, yet my older sons continue to play as if they have all the time in the world.” She glided into Emma’s personal space, her hands clenching and unclenching with each strident word.
“Emma,” Jack warned.
Emma’s teeth clacked together. Why wasn’t she lecturing Manu and her other sons? This wouldn’t end well. It was easy to decipher the watchful caution in Jack, almost if he were afraid to move and incur June’s reprisal. She couldn’t let June’s behavior pass. It wasn’t right for the matriarch to threaten Cassie, who was innocent of wrongdoing.
Jack’s phone rang. He answered. “George. Right. Okay. Yeah, Emma and I have time to do the job. We’ll come now.”
“Emma can stay here with me,” June said. “We’ll have a cup of tea.”
“She is coming with me,” Jack said. “I won’t have you threatening my mate.”
“Iwillspeak with the hussy.”
“Stop calling Cassie that,” Emma snapped. “She’s my friend.”
“Emma,” Jack said. “Grab your camera.”
“George said just you,” June said. “Emma will stay with me.”
Jack growled, low and mean. “Do your worst, June.” Jack grasped Emma’s arm and propelled her toward the exit.
“My camera is in the bedroom.” Emma fought him.
“We’ll pick up a spare at the office,” Jack countered, implacable in his determination.
Emma glimpsed June over her shoulder and her stomach hollowed out with a quick shot of fear. Jade-colored scales had formed on June’s cheeks and her pupils shifting into a dragon slant.
“Good idea.” Emma hurried after Jack.
June wouldn’t follow them immediately. At a recent conference of all New Zealand’s taniwha leaders, the matriarchs and patriarchs of each tribe had decided it was too soon to come out to the human population. June wouldn’t break the treaty they’d signed and appear in public with her dragon showing.
“Ring Samuel. Tell him June is out of control. Once you’ve talked to him, call Manu and tell him to put his mother straight about Cassie. Hone’s taniwha wants her and he’ll fight June if she tries to interfere with his courtship.”
