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“I am,” I said.
Garrett nodded and glanced at Ryan, who was speaking quietly with Drav, Mya’s husband. The pair noticed our attention and headed toward us. Drav’s eyes locked on my hand holding Tor’s before lifting to my face. He looked almost angry.
“Spit and harsh words do not bother us, June,” he said. “It would be safer for you to stay here and let Matt handle the people in Tenacity on his own.”
“Safer for me, maybe, but how many more people will be hurt if I choose to hide instead of face the problem. Matt needs our help. Emily is working hard to bring the two communities together. That won’t ever happen if things don’t drastically change.”
His gaze shifted to Tor.
“Watch after her closely, my brother. She is too precious to lose.”
“With my life,” Tor said, releasing my hand and pulling me closer to his side.
“Uh, how about no lives lost? We’re smart. This is a good plan. We don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
Drav blinked at me and glanced at Ryan. Ryan grinned.
“He wouldn’t mind seeing a few people hurt if it meant keeping women and children safe. But, yes, we all hope that no one’s unnecessarily hurt. How do you want to play this out?”
“Business as usual. After you talk to Matt, I’m going to request the house back on the premise that the freezer of my host is being cleaned out because of the freeloaders at Tenacity. Matt told one of the supply runners yesterday that he’ll never take away the shares of the people who go out, so I’m going to use that as my angle. I’d rather get my own food than carry people too lazy to do their share.”
Ryan nodded.
“Okay. Then, if you’re set, we’re ready too. And if you need something, we’re here to support you in any way possible. There will always be a fey with you.”
“I’m not worried.” I glanced at Tor. “I’m in good hands.”
After that, Tor carried me to Tenacity. The bag and all its canned goods weighed on my stomach, but I didn’t complain. Everything we were doing was nothing compared to what I’d already survived. I needed to do my part to make our world a better place. I wanted a brighter future than the one I saw for myself after those men hurt Adam.
I gazed up at Tor and set my hand on his throat, toying with his skin. He glanced down at me.
“It’s not easy running when I’m hard,” he said.
I burst out laughing.
“Kiss me before we reach the wall. Then have Hasten take me over while you walk it off.”
He did as I asked, and Hasten shyly grinned at me when Tor said he needed Hasten to take over or Tor’s cock might catch on the wall when he tries to jump. Although I’d done my best not to compare Adam and Tor, in that moment, one aspect stood out in complete clarity. Adam hadn’t protected me; he’d sheltered me. And by sheltering me from everything, I’d missed out on so much. I enjoyed Tor’s honesty. While it might seem crude to someone who didn’t know him, I knew better. He was being himself. A true version of himself not stifled by society’s expectations.
That thought triggered another.
He wasn’t stifled yet. But if the people in Tenacity had their way, he slowly would be. All the fey would. They’d need to conform to human ideals in order to obtain the one thing they wanted most. A companion. And there was nothing wrong with them the way they were. In fact, I found their openness and slight naivety far preferable to what most human men offered.
Hasten set me down inside the wall and handed me the duffle bag as I scanned the area. The typical meeting place, near Tenacity’s supply shed turned soup kitchen, was crowded with people. Most of whom were lined up already, hoping for a handout. Those in line were doing their best not to make eye contact with the few who were grouped together to go outside the wall. That small group did seem a little miffed at the people standing in line. But, their display of disgust was nothing that I didn’t feel myself. However, just beyond both groups, a gathering of angry men stood, their arms crossed as they glared at everyone.
The tension was palpable.
“I’ll wait here for you,” Hasten said softly. “Good luck.”
I knew better than to flash him a grateful smile with so many onlookers. A tempest of emotions whirled within me as I started toward Ryan and Matt, who looked harried despite the early hour.
“…chance she might set up earlier than yesterday?” Matt asked.
“I don’t know. I’m sorry. All I can tell you is that I didn’t see her gathering any supplies when we left.”
I cleared my throat loudly, the most universally rude way to interrupt a conversation in progress. Both men glanced at me. Matt’s gaze flicked to my bag then back to my face.
“Something I can help you with?” he asked.
