“Why are you being so pushy?” she responds, and I grin.
“There’s my girl.”
She shakes her head. “You’re so weird.”
I shake my head. “Takes one to know one. Now, let’s get downstairs.” I bend over, and she wraps her arms around myneck as I pick her up. I fight past the aching muscles and walk out into the hallway. When we get to the top of the stairs, I mentally prepare for carrying her down the stairs. By the time I get to the bottom, I’m starting to sweat.Man, I’ve got to train more.We finally make it to the large main room, and I head to the table and set Auri down in the closest chair.
“Oh, hey, I didn’t hear you two come down,” Farrah says as she comes into the room from the cooking area. “I hope you’re hungry; Hector’s been cooking up a storm.” She looks down at Auri. “Whenever we have visitors, he goes to work.”
“He doesn’t cook when you have no visitors?” Auri asks, totally serious.
Farrah smiles. “He does, but he just cooks extra when we have guests.” Right on cue, Hector walks into the room carrying a large platter.
“Hey, Hector,” I call out.
He gives me a small nod and walks back into the kitchen area. “Does he not like you?” Auri asks quietly.
“That’s just how he is,” I explain. My stomach growls as I take in the sight of the huge platter with fresh fruit, biscuits, and meat patties.
“Let’s eat,” Farrah says, sitting in the chair across from us.
“Where is everybody?” I ask as we load our plates.
Farrah takes a bite and swallows before answering. “They’re all away on business.”
I frown. “What business?”
“Just dealing with a pesky problem,” she explains.
My fork stops halfway to my mouth. “Has it gotten worse?”
Farrah nods, and my stomach tightens. “Yeah, but we can’t complain. It’s not nearly as bad here as it is in the Jaguar Kingdom. They can’t get a break.”
I put my fork down, now that my appetite is gone. “Kinsley and Kaldar?”
“They’re okay,” she rushes to say. “But the attacks happen all the time.”
“Is the shifting still happening?” I ask.
Farrah nods, her face solemn. “Yeah. It’s been happening more and more.” She glances between Auri and me. “Did you have any luck on your end?”
I stare at her as defeat washes over me. “No.”
“None at all?” I shake my head. “Why not?” she demands.
I don’t say anything. “It’s complicated.”
She raises an eyebrow. “What’s complicated about it? People are dying! The attacks are more and more frequent. Kaldar thinks they want the Jag Kingdom. He thinks they’re trying to drive them from their homes and land, so they can take over. I guess now that they’re shifting back to human, they need a place to live. But I don’t understand. Why won’t they help?”
I sit back in my chair. “Like I said, it’s complicated.”
She studies me. “Does any of this have to do with why you’re here?”
I glance at Auri, who doesn’t bother to beat around the bush. “Our kingdom is under attack.”
Farrah’s wide eyes meet mine. “What?’
“Yeah. I messed up.” My voice is flat.
