“I’ll…go take a walk, then, while you all discuss this.” Seamus reached for Leinth’s hand. “Come with me?”
She hesitated a moment before she nodded. “All right.”
“We’ll send someone to find you once we’ve decided,” Kellin said quietly. “Be careful.”
Seamus smiled crookedly. “Of course.”
J.T. watched them as they walked away, holding his peace until they were out of earshot. “It’s quite an offer that they’ve made to us.”
“It is,” Kellin agreed. “And maybe not a bad one, either.”
“How do you figure?” Davon asked. “They’re maybe going to draw threats here—more than we already draw on our own. It could be dangerous if they don’t hold up their end of the bargain about assisting with any threats that show up.”
“The Hunt’s honorable, regardless of anything else,” Neve said quietly. “If they say they’ll do it, they’ll do it. It’s part of the way they are.”
“You mean beyond being a group of highly skilled killing machines?” Tala asked, her brow arching delicately. “Look, I’m not against saying yes—“
“I am,” Paul said, grimacing. “It’s too big of a risk—of a wild card.” He glanced toward Neve and Cameron. “I’m sorry, I know that’s not what you wanted to hear.”
“No, it’s okay,” Neve said quietly. “Everyone’s entitled to be heard even if the decision lies with the whole.”
“What’s going on?”
J.T. jerked toward the sound of Phelan’s voice, blinking. “What the hell are you doing out of bed?”
Phelan leaned against Jacqueline’s shoulder, his color bad with dark circles beneath is eyes, his free hand locked around the haft of his staff. He forced a smile at J.T. “Instinct got the better of both of us and told us that we were missing something important. What’s going on?”
Neve looked at Jacqueline. “Seamus told everyone about the offer.”
Jacqueline winced. “Oh. And we’re deciding now?”
“What offer?” Phelan asked, his brows knitting. “What the hell did I miss while I was asleep?”
Well, at least he’s back to normal—maybe. J.T. sighed as Marin answered.
“In exchange for our allowing the Hunt to settle nearby, they’ll free Seamus from their service. He’d be free. All we have to do is say yes.”
awesome!! still reading and still loving it!