Page 121 of Darkness

Throughout the conversation, the man continued stroking the cat like a security blanket. “I can, and I will.”

“Good.”

“How did you get here?” Farren asked.

The old man lifted one side of his mouth as though a full smile was beyond him. “After you visited, I decided I should check out this Morrisey for myself. I’ve been in town ever since, staying with a friend.” He hiked his thumb toward another older man sitting across the room.

“I’ll handle security,” an agent Morrisey knew as Sykes said.

Jessa added, “If Asher tries to call to me, I’ll let you know.”

“Can he gain information from you?” The last thing they needed was for Asher to know their plans. The fact she was here said Farren trusted her, at least a little. Morrisey would need to question her loyalties soon.

Jessa curled her lip in distaste. “He wouldn’t try. He thinks I’m too far beneath him to offer anything worthwhile.”

“What will you be doing?” someone asked Morrisey, though not unkindly.

“I’m going to try to rescue anyone in trouble. Once you give assignments, Farren, you’re with me, as well as any other Magestra or anyone with a law enforcement background. Humans may have already put plans into place in the event they felt threatened, so we gotta act fast.” Morrisey paused, studying one person after another in the room. When he was finished, he knew who’d fully invested and who needed additional persuasion. “Does anyone have anything to say?”

For a few moments, no one spoke. Jessa broke the silence. “Let’s go save our people.”

A cheer went up from the assembled.

The last thing they needed was a bunch of travelers running loose in the world, especially when Morrisey couldn’t fully trust them all yet. “No humans are to be hurt or fed upon. If they put emotion out there to consume, so be it. Do not feed on fear or anger. Those hurt you in the long run.”

Jessa and Arianna headed for the door together.

An older woman also rose. “I’ll see to living quarters and provisions.”

Morrisey recognized a cook from the FBI cafeteria and gave the woman a salute. “You have my thanks.”

“Do you realize what you’re doing?” Farren asked, voice low for Morrisey’s ears only.

“What am I doing?” Someone better tell him because Morrisey sure the hell didn’t know.

A slow smile spread across Farren’s face. “You’re leading.”

***

The attic served as the war room, set up with computers and tech-savvy travelers to monitor both human and traveler communications, radio, and television broadcasts.

Morrisey sat in a chair, absorbing input from multiple sources. How was he doing this? He’d never been a multitasker before. Damn, he wanted a drink but didn’t dare risk one. Not if the alcohol dulled his abilities. He wouldn’t trade tequila for Asshole Asher winning.

He listened to a podcast, a televised news show, and a microphone Sykes had slipped into Leary’s office days ago. Yeah, probably not a good idea to get on the IT geek’s bad side.

Morrisey tuned out the first two to focus on Leary.

“I’ve spoken to someone named Asher, who claims to be their leader,” Leary said. His overly loud voice ensured every word came out clearly.

Morrisey waved Farren over, pointing to the speaker. A wrinkle formed between Farren’s brows.

Someone with Leary said, “What does he want?”

Leary made a sound equal parts disgust and laugher. “Mankind’s surrender.”

“He what?” The second voice rose a full octave.

“He wants all humans to declare their loyalty to him. If we don’t, then the murders will continue and even escalate.”

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