"Because I can put you in contact with peaceful Leyak who have no desire for war or domination." He sighed. "I knew of this faction. I know how many there are. I know who most of them are. You're not going to be able to fight them without help from other shapeshifters."
"It seems to me that hit for hit, we're far superior to the Leyak." Riley rolled her shoulders and her eyes flashed red. "Peter told me there were only around two-hundred Leyak on earth. We have them incredibly outnumbered."
Dumadi shook his head. "I'm guessing wherever you went to see the babies, it wasn't on Earth?"
Riley pursed her lips. It hadn't been Earth, and we all knew it.
"I thought not. There are only a few hundred living here on earth, yes, but there are far more scattered across the galaxy. If you have any hope of finding them, you need those I can put you in touch with."
All eight of us, plus the guards who'd accompanied us, stood in stony silence.
Spreading his arms, Dumadi leaned back in his chair. "You need me." His jaw worked for a few moments before he said, "For the record, I never would've allowed the babies to have been created if I'd known or if I'd had enough power to stop it."
I didn't have the kind of powers to know if he was being sincere, but he certainly seemed to be. It was quite possible he was telling the truth.
"I need to speak with the council," Zander said finally. "But I will consider yourrequests."
"I'll also consider what you're offering," Riley added. "We need to be able to trust you, and that's going to take some time."
Dumadi inclined his head. "I understand. I will wait here until you make a decision." He chuckled darkly. "As if I have any other choice."
6
As we walked backtoward the upper levels, Riley was surrounded by Anthony, Axoular, and Elias. None of them were happy. Snippets of their conversations drifted back.
Maybe the whole polyamory thing wasn't so great. I considered the three men who wanted to be in my life and bewithme. Maybe I really should rethink the whole thing. It was enough to deal with having one spouse to contend with when there was an important decision to be made. But three? It was exhausting.
"I'm not changing my mind," Riley said as we waited for the elevator. "I know what I want, and I'm not going to let a bunch of overbearing alpha males tell me what to do."
"We're just trying to protect you and Linna," Elias said. "You have to admit, it's not a great idea."
"I know it's not a great idea. But it's the only way." Riley crossed her arms over her chest and looked at each of them in turn. "We need Dumadi, and this is the only way I can think of to do it."
"There has to be another way," Anthony said.
"I'm open to suggestions." Riley's voice was tight, and I could see the anger simmering just below the surface. She stopped short, turning, and completely ignoring us. Her angry face morphed into tortured. She had some repressed trauma she was going to have to deal with eventually. “Do you think, after being kidnapped, after having Linna kidnapped, after goingfive yearsnot knowing where my boys were, do you think for onetinysecond I’d let her go into real danger? I can protect her. And if I can’t, you can. All of you. And them.” She nodded toward us. “We have a whole army who would protect her, and her presence with one prisoner might make all the difference in the world for our continued existence.”
Man, they were floored. All three of them. Riley turned and jabbed the elevator button. She was back to furious.
Doubts continued bubbling up, consuming my thoughts until Roan put his arm around my shoulders and Zander grabbed my hand.
Riley and her guys got on the elevator, nearly filling it up.
"We'll get the next one," Zander said with a smile. "Meet us in the council core chambers. I'll call the rest of them."
Riley gave me a finger wave as the doors closed.
"I got ahold of Mrs. Grunst," Zander said. "She sent one of the guards to get protein powder, and we had plenty of quality meats at the castle. I'm sure little Alex has a full belly as we speak."
The relief was palpable. I hadn't realized how worried I'd been until Zander said his name.
"Thank you," I said.
"Of course." He squeezed my hand. "I understand how much he means to you. To all of us."
We got on the next elevator, and the doors closed. Zander pushed the button for our level, then got on his phone, texting the council to meet us.
Doryu noticed my worry. "Don't worry. We'll figure it out together."
