Now that I was in control of my wolf and could shift at will, I longed to see Viola face-to-face again. There would be no mercy, and that was fine. I wasn’t a violent person by nature, but a person could only put up with so much before they lashed out.
Before I walked in on Nico and his dad’s stupid conversation, I’d been visiting my parents. They’d taken residence in one ofthe vacant pack houses near the forest. The one-bedroom cabin was small—much smaller than their real home—but neither they nor I wanted them to be out in the world without protection. Not when they were still targets. Viola wouldn’t hesitate to kidnap them again if she thought it would help her get the vial.
Nico had offered the house to them, and I’d been relieved when they’d accepted. They’d be as safe as they possibly could be here behind Sinthy’s wards. I was glad they were a bit removed from all the action and meetings at Nico’s house—the less they knew, the better.
As for Nico? He and his father were sitting in the living room, looking like two little boys who had been chastised. As well they should. That they’d even entertained the idea of Nico ingesting the contents of the vial was madness. Like I’d let him risk his life like that. There was no way we could know what might happen. Nico flipped through the channels to find a news station. Donatello’s text meant something important was coming. How did the man have so many connections? Of course, it was his money. Money always paved the way.
“Did he say what announcement to look for?” I asked as I sat down beside Nico.
He stopped once he’d found a channel and shook his head. “All he said was to turn it on.”
A moment later, a commercial was interrupted. For them to cut off one of their precious advertisers, it must be important. The anchor looked harried, as though she’d rushed through makeup and sprinted to her chair to give the update in time.
“Good afternoon. We interrupt your previously scheduled broadcast for a special announcement from the president on The Monroe Group and Shifter Crisis. We take you now to the West Wing.”
The screen switched to the president stepping toward a podium. Dozens of flashbulbs went off, and at least a halfdozen reporters in attendance started shouting questions. The president raised his hand for silence.
Once the rumble died down, he spoke. “Good day. I have a statement to make. Unfortunately, I will not be taking any questions to today.”
He cleared his throat. “As you all know, The Monroe Group, and most specifically, CEO, chairman, and majority stake holder, Viola Monroe, has come under fire in recent days. Their complacency in the kidnapping, experimentation, torture, and murder of shifters is now known and being investigated. The federal government is exhausting all avenues to ensure that not only she but all guilty parties are brought to justice. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is working with Interpol and several other law enforcement agencies across the world to find her and bring her in.
“One thing must be stated. And this is a direct and total affirmation. Though Viola Monroe is a resident and citizen of the United States, she does not speak for this country. We abhor and renounce the vile bigotry she has spouted, and none of America’s allies stand with her.
“Until this matter is settled, shifters of all species are under protection. Anyone attempting to harm, harass, or intimidate a shifter will be subject to the harshest laws of our land. You will be charged not only with assault but a hate crime. This evening, I will sign an emergency bill into law that will make any crime against a shifter a federal crime.
“Let there be no question, any who decide to follow Miss Monroe’s call to arms will face the full and unyielding vengeance of this country—a minimum of twenty years in prison, seizure of physical assets such as real estate, vehicles, and stock holdings, as well as fines beyond measure.”
The president looked directly into the camera and leveled a finger at it. “Viola Monroe, I implore you to turn yourself inat the nearest law enforcement location immediately. For those watching who think they might agree with her stances? I would think twice before tempting Fate. That’s all for today.”
He turned on his heel and strode away as his press secretary stepped up to the podium to dismiss the reporters. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen a president look so pissed. The speech was great and touched all the appropriate points, but it was cold comfort. I doubted it would do an ounce of good.
“That’s fine,” I said. “But how many of these crazy douchebags will listen to that? These people have been waiting decades for a reason to hunt us. A nice speech won’t scare them. Not when they’re so full of fucking hate they can’t see straight.”
Gabriella gave a curt nod. “They won’t stop until we’re all eradicated, or they’ve been beaten so resoundingly they tuck tail and wait a few more decades to come out of the shadows again.”
“Maybe not,” Nico said. “There must be a lot of people who saw that press conference and got a little nervous. A bunch of people might have been on the fence. Those might have been beaten back from joining Viola’s cause. That should bring the numbers down a little, right? At least for a while?”
He sounded so hopeful, and I wished I could feel the same. He might be right, but I doubted it.
The news anchor was back on the screen. “All registered shifters should report any signs of violence or intimidation to their local law enforcement. A special fund has been set up to add bodies to the police force. US Marshals and secret service agents will be dispatched to areas in need of special assistance with shifter-related crimes.”
Nico snorted. “Well, at least we won’t need that. Sinthy’s wards are better than a few guys with guns, from what I’ve seen so far.”
“It looks like pretty much every other government has given basically the same stance as ours over the last fifteen minutes,”Gabriella said as she scrolled through her phone. “At least it’s a united front.”
“Viola must be pissed,” I said. “I think she probably hoped at least a few of the outlying countries might side with her and give her a base of operations.”
Carlos grunted. “Yeah, but as we’ve discussed, there will be people in those governments who will still provide her with assistance. Hell, some of the countries might be paying lip service. I mean, does anyone think a country like North Korea won’t jump at the chance to help some crazy rich bitch like Viola?”
He was right. We all knew that.
“Regardless of what the news or any politician says, Viola wants a war on shifters, but we all know what she wants most,” I said.
The others looked at me intently, but they knew what I meant. I was the prize. Me and the vial that only I could access and use. She wouldn’t stop until she had both. Even if she had to wade through all the armies of the world, the woman was too crazy to understand the odds. Would anything short of death ever stop her?
“I need some air,” I muttered.
“Are you okay?” Nico asked as I headed for the front door.
