As soon as we’re done here, that’s what I intend to do. After I’ve checked on the kelpies. I have no idea if they’re here, but considering there was something at their lake that stole time from me, I’m now worried that it attacked or took them first.
Our kelpies are special. If someone remembers us from the Choosing, they will remember the kelpies. If they aren’t aware of the lore behind the kelpies and why they came to our aid, then they might think that they’ve just been trained and that anyone would be able to call on their aid.
Kelpies are formidable and strong as fuck. They are the perfect partner in a dangerous situation and are highly sought after.
Plus, they sell for a lot on the Obsidian Market, dead, not alive, because no one can get near them alive. Not usually anyway, obviously we’re the exception.
I’m worried.
So my plan is to finish up here with the wolf sales plan, find the kelpies, do the research on The Owner, and get some sleep before we head out early tomorrow morning to set everything up before the sales appear there.
Busy, busy, busy. Just how I like it.
It’s been too quiet anyway.
Well, it hasn’t, but still.
“Dimitri says that it would be a good idea to have the power balance in the teams fairly even. Not to have a team of just shifters, for example, because it could leave them vulnerable to attacks, or to whatever The Owner is using in order to gain control over the shifters in the first place. I know we know that it’s the same thing that’s controlling him, but he could have something else up his sleeve that we’re not aware of. Having balanced teams would fix that,” River says casually, his feet resting up on the table.
We all just stare at him in shocked silence.
Finally, Van speaks, “River, are you communicating with Dimitri right now?”
River grins, “Yep.”
When he doesn’t say anything else, Reed asks, “Why?”
“Because it felt right, and he makes a very good point,” River replies.
I expect the guys to freak out, or tell River to kick Dimitri out, but instead they just share a look and carry on talking, but this time including Dimitri, through River.
I have to admit that Dimitri does help a lot. He has always been amazing at this sort of thing, but it is a slightly surreal moment for me.
When he finally does go, I can’t help but ask, “What was that about? Is it wise to include Dimitri in things like this?”
“Honestly, if you had asked me if he could listen in, I would have said absolutely fucking not, but it didn’t feel like he shouldn’t be here, and I was listening to my magic and my instincts, and they said that he needed to listen,” Van says.
“Plus, he gave us some insights and angles that we hadn’t considered,” Doc says.
“I would be willing to bet that it’s for one of those reasons that it was important he listened in,” Griff says.
River shrugs, “I just like him, and I don’t like that he’s in isolation. He’s pretty awesome when you get talking to him.”
“I think we’re all agreed on that, although I can’t really explain why I don’t like that he’s in isolation,” Ransom says with a frown.
“Because it’s what would happen to us if anyone found out how strong we really are and we got accused of something and were imprisoned in one of the supernatural prisons,” Reed says bluntly.
The silence after Reed’s statement is heavy. He’s right, and we all know it. I also know that although that reason may be true, that’s not the reason I hate that he’s in there, my reason is based entirely on feelings and knowing how much he fucking hates being confined.
I nod. “Okay, I just wanted to make sure that you all knew what you were doing.”
“Are you okay with us talking to him?” Coen asks, watching me with concern.
I chuckle, “I’m not going to tell you not to talk to him, that would be controlling and completely unnecessary. It’s a little weird for me, but after the initial shock of realizing that River was talking to him and all of you were okay with it, I guess it makes sense. I’ve always thought that you guys would get on with Dimitri, the real Dimitri, not the one who has been controlled.”
Van smiles, “It’s not like we’re going to talk to him all the time, or let him know sensitive information,” he gives River a pointed look since that’s technically what he did this time, and River nods.
“I won’t do it again unless the circumstances are the same, something told me that he had to be involved with the conversation,” River explains.
