Page 33 of Shattered Fears

CHAPTER TWELVE

“I’m sorry, “Selene sobbed. “I tried to control it, but I couldn’t. They’re going to find us.”

“Sssh….” Emma cuddled her friend. “Kas will sort it out. Most people think Senator Ross is insane anyway. They’ll make him look crazier to discredit the story. You’ve got nothing to worry about.” Emma looked up at Zain. He’d been standing there watching the lioness comfort Selene for an hour now. His phone had vibrated in his pocket many times. He couldn’t answer it, or even look at it, though. He knew it was Isobel, and he needed to protect her by staying as far away as possible until this was resolved.

Kas was in his office on the phone with the Council. They could hear the argument he was having with Ethern Lennox from several rooms away. Lily was screaming down in the dungeon at them to release her. Every time she shouted, Brayden growled. His temper was wearing thin, and the need to protect his mate was on the verge of overruling his commonsense and causing him to do severe damage to the small bear.

“We’ll deal with her later,” Zain reassured him.

Brayden gave him a curt nod and clenched his jaw even tighter. Teagan and Tyler sat on the sofa in stunned silence, Katia watched the TV on mute. Scott was bouncing both twins on his knees, trying to keep them quiet. Jane entered the room with her third round of teas and coffees; he’d had enough, but it kept the kindly woman calm. She placed them on the table and came to stand next to her son. The snow-leopard wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into his chest.

“This isn’t doing the baby any good. Do you think we should take her to Germany and get her checked by Ethern?” Jane asked.

“I think Ethern will be a little too busy, Mom,” Brayden replied and kissed the top of his mother’s head.

“I’m worried.”

“We all are, Mrs. Dillon.” Zain stepped forward and took a cup of coffee. He’d be wired all night, but it put a smile on Jane’s face.

The noise from Kas in the other room went silent. A few moments later, the door opened, and the tall polar bear lumbered in.

“Ethern’s going to see what he can do. He’s suggested, for the time being, that Selene, Emma, and the twins go to the Reichstag for protection. I’m inclined to agree. It would only take someone whose seen Selene around here to bring the press and worse to our doorstep. You’ll be safer there. Brayden, Scott, if you want to go with them, accommodations will be made available for you all.” Zain watched as Brayden and Scott both nodded in agreement.

“I’ll go pack some of the twins’ bits and pieces,” Emma stated.

“Only take what you need for now,” Kas ordered. “Katia?” The tigress diverted her attention from the TV to her alpha.

“Will you gather everything else they require? We can have Jessica take it over.” Kas looked around the room. Zain joined him. Where was Jessica? “Jessica?” Kas called out, but the witch didn’t appear.

“That’s not normal.” Zain stepped forward. “Jessica?” He tried again.

“She mentioned something about needing herbs earlier. She might be somewhere she can’t hear.” Tegan stood up. “I’ll help Katia. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.”

Everyone nodded, but the sense of foreboding in the room grew.

Kas went to the center of the room.

“Until this is sorted, I’ve been asked to ban you all from changing. It’s too risky. If the press does descend, then we could be compromised by behaving out of the ordinary. You have to maintain your human forms, even down to doing something as mundane as chopping logs. Make it look like hard work.”

“What about food?” Tyler stood and grabbed Teagan’s hand when she nearly tripped over the upturned end of a rug.

“We’re going to have to use a supermarket like everyone else. I know the meat isn’t as fresh, but there’s nothing we can do about it. Tyler, I’ll leave you to sort it. I’m going to go down to some of the villages and inform them of the shifting ban.” Not only did they live at the mansion but also, in the surrounding areas, were several families of shifters who had been there for years. They would need protecting from the intrusion that, potentially, could be about to descend.

“Amak?” Brayden asked.

“Safe for now.” Zain knew that name. It was one of the young polar bear cubs down in the main village. He cocked his head at Kas in question, but the polar bear shook it as if to say not now. He didn’t query it any further. “Zain, can you go and find Molly? Tell her what’s happening and ask her to hide out as much as possible.” He agreed with a bow of his head. She lived high up in the mountains. It would be a long walk, but he’d take a pot of honey and some salmon for company. He’d be fine.

“I’ll leave at once,” he added and headed for the door.

“Wait,” Kas called. “Look everyone. I know this is worrying, but we have faced worse. We did it together as a family, and we’ll come through this as a family. That’s when we’re at our strongest.” Kas reached out, and they all joined hands.

“Family,” they all repeated. The air around them crackled. Jessica was on her way back.

The witch appeared, but it was the person with her who caught Zain’s breath and took it away.

“Isobel.” He came back into the center of the room. He noticed she’d been crying. “What’s happened?”

“You need to hear this,” Jessica told Kas.

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