"According to the treaties,” Roan said, “you're supposed to be at peace with the other Damarians.Technically, you don't have enemies."
Taras just fixed Roan with a level stare and waited.
"The snakes," Roan said."Women have gone missing in New Orleans."
"And the ages of the missing women?"Taras asked, though Roan knew the Prime already guessed the answer.
Roan’s stomach twisted at the information he had to share.The missing women were young.They had their whole lives ahead of them.If beastwalkers had indeed abducted the women, they wouldn’t be treated unkindly.But that didn’t matter.Their right to control their own life had been taken away."All between eighteen and twenty-three."
The Prima growled a curse.Roan cut his eyes to her and saw claws flex from her hand.
"Say the word, Father, and I'm on the next flight down there," Callon said."This is clearly a violation of the treaty."
The Prime held up a hand and addressed Roan."How many women have gone missing?”His brow rose.“Do we have any proof the Kingdom of Venom is responsible?"
"Five, Your Majesty.And, no,” Roan shook his head.“We don't yet have proof the snakes are behind the disappearances.Though from the information I’ve received from other Shaman, there have been other kingdoms looking into it.I’ve no doubt they have redoubled their surveillance on the snakes in New Orleans.I didn’t want to arouse suspicion with the KOV King by sending our own people down there, at least not yet, despite the fact that we travel in each other’s territories regularly.I'm sure we will have proof soon."
The Prima spoke up."The snakes are reprehensible, but they aren't stupid.They won’t be caught easily.At the very least, they face severe punishment from the Council of Shaman if they are found to be abductinganimi.At worst, their actions could mean open war among the kingdoms.They wouldn't risk such a thing lightly."
Taras rubbed his chin."You're right, Love.The snakes wouldn't be kidnappinganimiagain unless they have some kind of plan in the works.I wouldn't be shocked if they'd already aligned themselves with some of the other kingdoms.We need to tread lightly."
Callon growled."And let more females be taken?We should be forming our own scouts and doing our own hunting."
Lyra chuckled."My son, the staunch defender of humans.I thought you didn't care for the...What did you call them?"
“'Smelly sons of apes,’ I believe is the term he usually uses, Your Majesty," Roan offered.
"That's right,” she smirked.“Why are you so quick to defend the smelly sons of apes, Callon?"
"Whether I like the humans or not isn’t the issue.I don’t believe innocent beings should be hurt.And it's not only about them," he replied."What the snakes are doing threatens all of us.With eachanimusthey abduct, the Kingdom of Venom increases their chances of having a bonded pair, which will make them stronger."
"He's right, my love," Taras said."Not to mention everyanimusthey take from the world means a male from one of the other kingdoms cannot come into his powers."
"Including our own," Callon said through clenched teeth.Roan noted that despite Callon’s own dislike for humans, he did not begrudge his own pride members finding their mates.Of course, he wanted what was best for their kingdom.All good leaders did, no matter their own personal preferences or beliefs.
Roan pointed at the Prime's son."With your disdain for humans, Callon, you'll never find your mate."
"Which breaks my heart, by the way.I'm ready for grandcubs," Lyra said.
Taras and Roan chuckled.
Callon simply stared at his mother, his face completely blank of all emotion.
“Fine,” Lyra held up her hands.“I’ll drop it.You don’t have to yell at me.”
Roan frowned.“Huh?”
Lyra looked at him and obviously noticed the confusion.“He yells with his eyes.Surely you’ve been on the end of one of his glares before.”
“I just thought that was the way his face always looked,” Roan said.
Taras chuckled.He was an even-tempered male, though firm when he needed to be.Roan always wondered where Callon got his stoic nature.
Lyra nodded with a dismissive wave.“It is, but it gets even more severe when I bring up cubs.”
"Can we put the subject of the grandcubs aside for the moment, my love?"Taras asked."You can start planning our son's mating ceremony at a later time.For now, we must decide what to do about the snakes.Regardless of the seriousness of the belly-sliders' actions, we cannot attack unprovoked.We will have to wait until we get proof."
“Is it even our problem to solve?”Lyra asked.“We are far from New Orleans.There are kingdoms better suited for an assault on the snakes.”
