Garrett introduced them.
Jordan stared at Dessie, the question clear on his face. “Why don’t you three go pick up the toys by the river?” It wasn’t a suggestion.
Katie linked her free arm through Dessie’s. “I hope you like toy trucks. So. Tell me how you and Garrett met.”
Garrett reached out with his senses to the trees around them. “Mayhem is to the east and Menace to the right,” he noted, referring to Jordan and Katie’s twin girls, now in their late twenties, who no doubt were excellent snipers with scopes on him right now.
“Samantha and Sidney are just fine, and yes, they both could shoot your ear off for fun. So you might want to watch it.” Jordan glanced down toward the water. “Why do you have a female human with you? She’s not enhanced.”
“Long story,” Garrett muttered.
Sam angled his body slightly to the side, no doubt blocking at least one sniper’s view of Garrett. “G has taken up altruism. He’s going to save her.”
Jordan tucked his thumbs into the waistband of his very worn, very torn, very comfortable-looking jeans. “It’s nice to find a calling.”
Smart-ass. Garrett let his body relax. “Jordan, we need a truce. The feline nation has shown its displeasure at what the Seven did. I promise that the Realm was unaware of our activities. Ulric will find his way home at some point, and we all need to be on the same page.”
Jordan’s gaze sharpened. “While the Realm was unaware of the Seven’s activities, they’ve chosen to allow the Seven to continue on whatever path they have chosen. So far, they, you, have fucked with the laws of the universe in a way that hasn’t been good for anybody. I’m a cat, Garrett. We kind of like the laws of the universe.”
“I’m aware,” Garrett allowed. “However, it’s over and done. The wolf nation and the bear nation are back on board with the Realm. The feline nation will be left out in the cold.” He didn’t mention the dragon nation. Dragon shifters were still kind of a secret to most folks, and who knew if they would align themselves with anybody, anyway. Bear’s half brother led the nation; hopefully, family ties mattered to him.
Jordan crossed his arms, flexing impressive muscles. “It’s not the past that worries us, Kayrs. It’s the future. This ritual you’re all planning to destroy Ulric for good sounds like another fuck-you to the laws of physics, and who knows what disaster you’ll bring upon us then. We don’t like it. We don’t want it. It’s that simple.”
“The ritual won’t mess with any laws,” Garrett countered. “Not like the Seven ritual or the one Ulric used.”
“Bullshit.” Jordan shook his head.
Garrett’s heart sank.
* * * *
Dessie helped pick up the myriad of toys as Katie bustled around efficiently. She’d answered all of Katie’s questions, while leaving out the intimate details. She wouldn’t know how to describe the pleasure she’d found with Garrett the night before. He was bossy and domineering, and for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why she liked that about him. Well, why her body liked it, anyway. “How long have you known Garrett?”
“Forever,” Katie murmured. “We’re family.”
How lovely that would be. “It looks like your family is feeling tension.” Dessie took in the body language of the men.
Katie nodded. “True statement.” She walked around Dessie to pick up a shovel and small bucket.
“I don’t want to pry, but will everything be all right?” The men looked dangerous, and if they started fighting, it would be a disaster.
“I hope so.” Katie straightened her back and stared at the men. “I honestly don’t know at this point.”
Dessie tugged a Frisbee out from under a rock. They’d had Frisbees at school, and she’d practiced dodging them during her training. “Why is everyone so tense?” It wasn’t any of her business, but curiosity had always propelled her to find answers. If these people went way back, then why not find a good way forward?
“It’s hard to explain,” Katie murmured, still watching the men, her body visibly tightening.
At that moment, Lark ran full bore for the river. “I hafta save Sammy,” he yelled, barreling faster than any toddler should be able to move and jumping.
Dessie reacted before Katie had even turned around, leaping behind the boy and aiming for the middle of the rushing river. Her ankle clipped a rock, and pain slashed up her leg. Water flew up over her head, and she shut her eyes, trying to cough it out. The cold pierced through her, chilling her instantly. The current was already pulling Lark under, so she grabbed him and tucked her body around him, searching frantically for help.
The rushing water was relentless. Her shoulder crashed into a rock, and she cried out, holding the little boy closer. Even if she’d known how to swim, it wouldn’t help in such a strong current. She scrambled to find purchase on the slippery rocks, but just as she almost caught an edge, the water deepened. They went under, and she fought to get back up, her feet hitting rocks again.
Water went up her nose, and she blew it out, struggling to keep the boy above the surface. He clutched her, his small hands digging into her neck. Her ears filled, and her hair floated around them as they careened farther downstream. She had to get to the shore.
The water propelled her into another sharp rock, and pain exploded in her arm. Blood filled the water around them.
She blinked water out of her eyes just in time to see Jordan and Katie Pride run to the edge of the river. The air shimmered around them.
