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Jori turned toward the queen, “This is the reason for the assembly. Why I’m here.”
She inclined her head.
He put his fists on the table, leaning forward, head bowed. He finally looked up at Odson, “That’s how you found me. I’ve been Vlogging and streaming for a long time now. How can they have made the connection between me and the certainty of this place?”
“Jori.” The older man shrugged, his gaze flicked between him and the queen. “They believe you’re an infiltrator for the male tribe.”
“It’s become quite obvious he didn’t have full knowledge before now. But that doesn’t mean they weren’t using him without his knowledge,” Kolina said.
Jori’s heart dropped into his stomach.
How could they know? How could they know to make that connection?
Jori looked up at Odson, “What do you know of my mother’s disappearance?”
Chapter 15
Anger rolled off of Jori’s body in hot waves. Kymri could feel it radiating around her.
His whole world was turned upside down.
She watched Odson Blackridge as he answered Jori’s question.
“Not much. Not anything more than your father knew to tell me when she disappeared.”
“When did this happen?” Kolina asked.
“About 20 years ago.” Jori said.
“You should have come to us.” The queen’s voice carried down the table despite her soft tone.
“With all due respect, your Majesty, as far as Elora’s wishes, you were all to have believed she’d disappeared long before that. I would not have been believed and likely would have been shut away as a traitor and a spy.” His gaze slid back to Jori.
“She disappeared when I was in my teens. Why then, why now?” Jori said.
“They know where we are now; we need to prepare. Three attacked us this time and we almost lost Zayli. We have to be ready for when they return, and if there are more next time,” Kymri said. “We’ve relied on the magnetic fields created around this place by the ley lines to shield us for a very long time. We knew it couldn’t last forever. You know we will protect you to the death.”
“None of you should have to, Kymri Steelscale.”
“They make it so that we have to,” she said softly. “None of us wish to exist under that kind of servitude, and none of us will allow our queen to submit herself to such degradation either.”
“Your Majesty,” Kolina drew her attention, “Allow Kymri and I to go to Black River and speak to the Brandt family, they may have connections to help us.”
Odson said “There are some government officials in intelligence, friendly to the family. They may be able to help locate a general direction of their lair using satellite surveillance. If the family is reluctant to get involved, I’ll approach the individuals myself. I’ve interacted with them at the bar for paranormals.”
“Your majesty, if I may go too, I’d like to try to fix the mess I made with my broadcasts. Once outside the ley line grid I can send out another broadcast informing the world I am alive and well, to stop looking for me and let them all know there’s nothing to be found here.”
The queen looked at him long and hard, “You came all the way out here to prove our existence. Why should I believe that you wouldn’t take this opportunity to exploit us and make your fortune?”
Jori shifted, an expression of guilt drawing his features.
“I’ll go with them.”
The queen’s gaze slid to Kymri; she could feel the weight of her assessment. After a long moment she said, “Kolina, I need you here. Marli will travel with Kymri and Odson to speak to the government contacts.”
Relief tumbled through Kymri’s insides. Marli was safe.
The queen went on, “She has seen our attackers in their human form; she can identify them if needed. Jori will make his announcement. Kymri, if he tries to betray us, your orders are to kill him before he can. No matter your relationship. Our people’s lives are at risk.”
