Oren nodded in satisfaction, “It is. I’ll be able to put protective wards around the place with fewer people going in and out.”
Dad frowned in disbelief, “You have that ability?”
“Yes, and I’m lucky that I do. It’ll stop anyone from teleporting into the house and taking Reverie." He pushed his plate away.
I knew he had many abilities due to the injections his father had given him. Like Jet, he was entitled to share with my parents whenever he was ready… or not at all. The decision was entirely his.
“Can you tell us more about the attack in Oklahoma?” Jet asked.
Grumpy ran a hand down his face. “We were informed that the event occurred late at night. Despite the town's guards and protective measures, the attack could not be avoided.”
“They weren’t ready. Even though they’d been warned, nobody expected that level of malevolence and destruction. I’ll meet with the Council and discuss steps we can take to help keep this from happening again.” Dad got up and went to Mom, pulling her from her seat to his and then settling her in his lap. “Both Damien and I heard and witnessed things that will help us in the future if they listen.”
“That’s a good idea. Just be ready for the man Randall has become. He actually wanted me to replace you and Rue with two new Faction.” Mom still hadn’t gotten over that betrayal.
Dad growled and pulled her closer, “We’ll be having words about that. I’ve seen what forcing a bond can cause, and they have no right to ask that of their people.”
“Everyone was killed except for the children, and they were taken. Now everyone is in panic mode and even discussing going into hiding.” Pop’s incisors had lengthened, and his voice had ananimalistic quality. Nothing pissed him off more than cruelty to children or animals.
I’d rarely seen it happen, but he sometimes transformed into one of his fiercest forms when his emotions were intense. And right now, they were definitely intense. Mom got up from Dad’s lap and moved to Pop’s.
“It’s going to be alright, my love. We’ll make the Council listen and prevent anything like this from happening again.” She stroked his chest gently.
I studied my mother’s actions. She was an expert in managing the emotions of her Faction and they her. We could all learn to help each other more, just by watching and learning from them.
“I’d like to help. I have contacts that could keep watch and perhaps give more of a warning.” Jet spoke up.
“Who are these contacts?” Grumpy asked.
“The human military.” Jet’s expression remained calm, but I noticed his body tense.
“What the fuck?” Dad growled.
I took a page from Mom’s book and got up from my chair to settle in Jet’s lap. This was going to go one of two ways: either they would understand, and we could continue our discussion, or there would be shit talk, yelling, and cursing. Mom would then make thempretendto understand, and we’d continue our discussion.
Chapter 28
Jet
To say I was glad I had pulled my head out of my ass regarding this girl was an understatement, I thought as she sat down in my lap to show her support for me. As she wiggled to get comfortable, I placed my hands on either side of her waist to still her movements. I didn’t mind if she felt the proof of my desire for her, but I’d appreciate not having to hide it from her parents.
I knew they weren’t going to like the thought of me being undercover. I’m sure it would feel duplicitous to them, but I considered it an honorable service to my country. I didn’t grow up knowing about my heritage, so my loyalty had been to humankind. In part, it still was. My parents and family were human. Or so I thought.
Now that I’d learned more about Aurathia and the war that had been fought, I felt different. It was true that my feelings for Reverie were a considerable part of that, but not all of it. I’d seen the devastation and learned of the bravery Aurathions had shown fighting against the Dark Factions. I wanted to be a part of that.
The bonus was that I would have a role in protecting the planet I called home. I held Reverie tight, burying my nose in her hair to inhale her scent.
“After I was approached about my Aurathion blood and asked to join the academy, I was recruited into an organization that is buried so deep I’m not even sure who they are. I have a contact I report to, and so far, I haven’t talked to anyone else.”
“How do you know the military sanctions them?” John asked.
It was a reasonable question.
“I was called into my Sergeant Major’s office, where a guy dressed in civilian clothes was waiting to talk to me. Not long after, I was given an honorable discharge from the Marines.”
I’d never been one to talk much. Listening usually benefited me more. That’s why I’d been perfect for undercover work. I understood that now wasn’t the time to hold back. I wanted to be absorbed in Reverie’s life as if I’d always been there. Getting her parents’ approval was a huge step in that direction.
“He’s right. Jet knew nothing of our world, and when he was picked due to his blood, the humans jumped at the chance to use him to find out more about us. They have been aware we exist for a long time.” Oren had come around the table to stand behind me.
