Kenna shook her head. “You think that means something?”
“She also mentioned the rules of engagement.” Jax looked at Zeyla. “Any idea what’s going on?”
“You aren’t going to like it.”
Kenna asked, “Do we ever?”
Zeyla almost smiled. “If it’s a test, it’s becauseDominatuswants to know what you can do. You’re supposed to prove yourself to them.”
Of course, she’d volunteered to do that. She’daskedthem to test her.
Kenna wanted to lean forward and plant her forehead on the table and groan a lot, but bending that way wasn’t an option right now. Instead, she opted to do it to the side and land with her forehead on Jax’s shoulder.
“Of course, they can’t leave me alone. Ofcourse.”
He shifted and put his arm around her, drawing her closer into his side. “Who cares what they want, or what they’re doing. We’re still going to find Ellayna, right?”
“Yes.” She just needed to know where to look.
Maizie was back on her laptop. “Remember those articles about you on Sylvia’s hard drive?”
Kenna looked over. “I remember.”
“There were others about the president. So if this is a test, and she’s reporting back to the rest of them on your progress?—”
Zeyla cut in, “Like a journalist, more interested in sensationalism than facts.”
Maizie nodded. “What if the president is also being tested? Hers is about health problems. Maybe she has to prove herself in her job.”
“I guess I could be grateful I’m not the only one in the spotlight. But what is it for? Just to see what we’re made of?” She already knew they were disturbed enough to do that. So, it wasn’t super surprising that they would get their kicks from putting people under pressure and watching what happened.
“Makes me want to go back to Wyoming and hide in the cabin.”
Jax said, “You wouldn’t rest knowing Ellayna is still out there.”
Kenna closed her eyes.God, help us.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“She said that?” Ryson glanced over, his face shadowed.
Jax stomped his boots on the sidewalk, trying to get warm when it was freezing out here. He had his hands tucked in the pockets of his wool overcoat. Insulated pants on. Extra layers on top, a beanie, and gloves. “Yep. All this is some kind of test.”
“Do you need to tell the FBI?” Ryson motioned to the house with a black-gloved hand, where the FBI’s tactical team was breaching the house of one Rich Eastbury.
“They seem to be on it, looking for Ellayna. After all, they found this guy in her DMs on social media.” Jax’s stomach turned at the thought of a twelve-year-old being harassed like that. Groomed, so that Rich would get her out of her routine in a way she was unprotected. Then he would have her. “Let’s see what he says.”
The FBI had confirmed that Rich was in the house. He’d been chatting online to who knew what kind of other perverts or victims for a couple of hours. Until his door exploded in and his entire world erupted into a flash of light.
Jax could just about hear shouts from inside the house. “Kenna called the president as soon as she got back in the car.”
Ryson shook his head. “It’s still crazy to me that they have each other’s number. Actually, it’s crazy that she outed all of you in that press conference and told everyone you guys work for her.”
“Thankfully, she’s been pretty hands off. It might even be over. Kenna said she sounded really irritated, told her she didn’t have time to hear about it, and hung up on her.”
“I didn’t vote for her.”
“No one did, but we’re the only ones that seem to disagree with how she’s running things. Then again, all those people she’s got who think she walks on water don’t know that she’s actually an asset forDominatus.If we explained, we would only sound like we’re trying to incite something seditious.”
