“Well.Iknow it, but I have no evidence.”
“We need to search their fucking houses,” Rex mutters.
“I concur, but then we look even more like invaders,” I say. “I agree that we need to find Leah, but Jackson has made it look like she’s addle-brained. No one will listen to her, even if we can convince her to come to our side. The pack used to be split, but I’ve got a strong feeling that it’s not now, and Jackson has everything right where he wants it.”
“Except us,” Brad says, grinning.
“Yes,” I reply, smiling back. “At least, I hope not.”
“Look,” Rex says, giving me a firm slap on the shoulder, “I know it looks bad right now. We will get to the bottom of it, though. Jackson will show his true colors, and we can help these people into the modern age.”
“I don’t know about that,” I whisper. “The legend of holy fire is what kept them up here. They are starting to forget the old stories, but if they mingle with your pack and Eccles, they are going to hear about the snake.”
“Shit!” Rex hisses. “I didn’t think of that.”
“Even if we take Jackson out and the pack support us, they’ll be terrified to learn about the serpent and the stone. I’m now a hundred percent sure that an incursion chased them up here and caused them to lock down against the rest of the world.”
“Fuck,” Rex curses, shaking his head. “What a goddamn mess.”
“You got it,” I agree. “I’m seriously thinking of sneaking up on Jackson and just quietly snapping his neck.”
“I wouldn’t blame you,” Rex says. “How about tracking down those elders? Could we get on that right now?”
“Sure,” I reply. “But remember, Leah is ten times as paranoid as Jackson. She sees you guys as the enemy and Talon’s murderer.”
“Well, doesn’t this just look like a piece of cake?”
“With a side of cherry pie,” I add, turning to head towards the house. “I’m going to find Sara, but I’ll catch up with you later.”
“How is that going?” Rex asks. “With all the shit that’s going on, I never thought to ask about your marriage.”
“It’s okay,” I sigh. “Everything’s fine.”
“Jesus,” Rex mutters. “That bad?”
“Worse.”
“Sounds like you’ve gotten awfully attached.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Crystal clear, actually. You’ve got it bad, bro.”
“She’s an amazing woman,” I say. “She suffered abuse from Jackson her whole life, but kept her sweet nature the whole time. I don’t know how to prove to her that I’m interested in her, not my connection to the pack.”
Rex shakes his head. “Just keep trying. That’s all you can do. Has she been able to give you any information on her father?”
“Some. She thinks Jackson is receiving goods from the human world and hoarding them—and this leads to Jackson’s father being alive.”
Rex lets out a low whistle.
“Nothing confirmed, though. I’m scared to ask because I don’t want it to seem like I’m working her for information.”
“Even though you are.”
“Thanks, Rex,” I mutter. “You always know how to make me feel better.”
Rex chuckles, giving me a mock salute. “Go and find your lady, and I’ll track you down later. All of us will be sleeping in the hall, but we’ll be working in shifts to keep a sentry on guard, just in case.”
