“I won’t do that,” Jackson said. “Theo and Norm deserve justice for all they endured at Arald’s hands…nor would I even think of asking them to give it up.”
“I agree,” Oracle said softly. “The Fates are firmly committed to Arald paying for all the harm he has done not only to Theo and Norm, but to every other shifter who suffered under his brutality. The Fate’s request pertains to Cain Foster.”
“This man?” Jackson said, tapping the folder on his desk.
“Yes,” Oracle replied. “There are many people in our world whose souls are infected with evil. Josiah was one of them but he is not alone. Other paranormals seek to rule our world and lead it into the darkness of the past. The Fates, along with the gods, are trying to prevent this from happening…”
“Which is the reason for the gifts they have given to me and other members of my pack, correct?” asked Jackson.
“Exactly,” Oracle said. “The Fates selected your pack for the gifts they felt were necessary to fight and defeat these warped souls. As you have already seen, the darkness has spread from shifters to the magical realm…and beyond.”
“I’m well aware of that, but what you haven’t told me is how Cain Foster fits into all of this.”
Oracle hesitated for a moment, gathering up her nerve. Then she raised her eyes and said, “Even though our world is facing a threat from within, there is a greater threat from the outside…one that will, if not stopped, destroy our world even before you will be able to save it. To stop that from happening, you will need Cain Foster.”
Jackson stared at Oracle in disbelief as he tried to put the pieces together in his mind. Then, unable to do so, he glanced at his mate before turning back to Oracle. “I don’t understand…exactly what threat could possibly require the help of a dangerous criminal?”
“A human or group of humans is intent on exposing our world to the rest of the human world. If they are successful, then what happened in the past will seem mild compared to what will occur if they succeed. Our survival depends on secrecy. It first came to the gods’ attention when humans attempted to buy shifters in Arald’s auction, but that was just the beginning. Since then, there have been a number of incidents—some affecting members of this pack—in which humans were involved. The group has now stepped up their efforts…the latest one involving humans, who were captured after attempting to kill Kevin’s parents. And each subsequent attempt to harm paranormals has gotten more sophisticated and violent.”
“So the Fates want me to stop the interference of humans in our world?” Jackson asked.
“Yes.”
“How does Foster fit into this?” asked Steel.
“He has knowledge that will help you succeed in this quest,” Oracle replied.
“What knowledge…and why would he tell us anything?” asked Jackson.
“He will gain his freedom if he helps you take down the humans who are assaulting our world,” Oracle said.
Jackson nodded. “That’s quite an incentive…considering the sentence he’s facing. Has he agreed to the deal?”
“Yes, he has,” Oracle replied.
Jackson paused, thinking it over for a moment before asking, “What haven’t you told me yet?”
Oracle glanced at Maximus, seeking his strength for what she had to say next. After seeing him nod, she turned back to Jackson. “Cain not only will provide you with names and locations, he will also be able to infiltrate the enemy because he is human.”
“And how are we supposed to coordinate with him while he’s sitting in…oh hell…no, no, no…he’s gonna live here?…at the packhouse? That’s the Fates’ request?” asked Jackson, incredulously.
“Mom, why would you agree to this?” exclaimed Steel. “What about the pups? And Remy and Carson’s boys? How the hell are we supposed to keep them safe from the likes of him. What about Theo and Norm? And what about Kieran? Arald kept him as a slave. How the hell do you think it will affect their pregnancies?”
“On top of that,” Jackson said angrily, “what am I supposed to do if he decides to escape? Does the Council expect me to track him down? And furthermore, if he does run, he’ll have prime information about my pack he can sell to the highest bidder…putting everyone in the Blackwood Pack directly in the crosshairs of the group of humans who have already shown they have no compunctions about killing us.”
Steel turned to Maximus. “Dad, you certainly can’t be okay with this?”
Without waiting for Maximus to answer, Jackson continued, “And what about all the gifts the gods and Fates gave us? Remember the response when Colton was captured and put up for sale? And he didn’t even have Rapheal’s Power then! Just imagine how valuable Zane would be…or Cody…or Dakota…or what about Remy and Carson and then there is Fionn andHunter…oh shit…Sawyer…and Logan. All of those gifts are rare and…and…and it boggles my mind what could happen if this information falls into the wrong hands.”
“Stop!” Maximus commanded, holding up his hand. His mate’s distress flooded their bond and he was going to stop the attack on her immediately. “Shame on both of you. Neither of you have allowed Oracle to finish. May I remind you, Oracle is simply delivering the Fate’s request. She’s not responsible for it nor does she have any power over their decisions.”
Jackson swallowed hard before saying, “I’m sorry Oracle…”
“We’re both sorry Mom for our reaction and for not hearing you out,” said Steel, glancing over at Jackson and seeing the regret reflected in his mate’s eyes. “Please Mom, continue. Promise…no more questions…at least until you’re finished.”
“Humph,” Maximus muttered. “Better…but next time you have something to say, son, have some respect for your mother. I can still put you over my knee, you know.”
The tension in the room broke as laughter erupted from Jackson at the picture his mind conjured up. “I bet that would be a new experience for Steel.”
