Page 14 of Retribution

The whole room stiffened.She. I knew it was mentioned before, but now? Now when she was growing, it just clicked.A girl. A daughter. How the hell was she going to survive and rule this world when she had five fathers who probably wouldn’t like her to ever leave their sight?

Rolland’s laugh tore into the silence. “The look on your faces. Terrified. It’s like you all will be defeated at once by one tiny female.”

Ha, did he not know there was already one tiny female that tore us to our knees before we had a chance to ever process it? “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Oak cleared his throat, his skin looking a little green. “She needs a doctor.”

“There are some healers I know,” I offered.

“Fates, I hope she doesn’t need a healer.” Sterling ran his hand through his hair, the strands not nearly as neat as usual.

Lenin stood, his height looming over us all. “A healer would be good. Though she is in no danger delivering our daughter, it will bring you peace of mind.”

Ourdaughter. I was beginning to feel like Oak looked. Justice stood, going next to Lenin, the pair nearly inseparable lately. “I agree. We take her to a healer.”

“Take her?” Oak and I asked at once, but Oak was the one who finished, “I don’t want her outside of this perimeter.”

“She’s going crazy inside these walls. I don’t like it either, but we can’t bring the healer and all that is needed inside.” Justice tried to reason.

“The fuck we can’t. I will buy brand new equipment if I have to.” Sterling’s voice boomed, the power behind it said he was used to getting his way, but this time, I think Justice might be right.

“No. I think he’s right. She needs out of these walls.”

“I’m not comfortable with this.” Oak crossed his arms, his face set in a scowl.

“We will go,” I offered. “We can take Maggie and Lacy along.”

“No. I don’t want to risk the kid,” Oak growled. He had a soft spot for the little rascal. She didn’t talk, not once, but I suspected that had to do with all the traumatic experiences in her life. But she was a good kid. She stayed by Maggie or Oak and refused to go near anyone else. Powerful. It poured out of her in waves as she manipulated objects and air, making them levitate and move.

“The kid was damn near the strongest thing in that cave next to me.” Rolland crossed his legs, relaxing back into the chair. “I doubt she will be in much danger.”

“No.” His words were final.

“Then Maggie can come, and you can stay back with the kid.” I compromised.

He hesitated, and I knew the thought of not being there was not okay with him. “Anita can watch her.”

“Then it’s settled.” I paused. “Who is going to tell Liberty?”

“I suspect our mate knows,” Lenin said as he pulled open the door to expose Liberty standing on the other side. How had she learned to move so quietly? Especially with the way she waddled now.

“Do you mean it?” she asked excitedly, her face beaming with joy. “I can leave this place.”

“Only for a few hours,” Oak clarified, and I knew he was struggling.

“Can we get ice cream? And burgers. And like … can I just step foot into a Target?” She was bouncing on her heels with joy.

“That’s an unnecessary risk.” I don’t even know why Oak tried; we all knew that she would get her way. “I will buy you food, but Target is out of the question.”

“But I need things.” She whined while giving him a sad face.

“Shop online.”

“I can’t just shop online. I need to touch things, feel things, smell things.” She wrinkled her nose. “Okay, I’m aware of how creepy that sounds. But like, it’s a ritual. You have good feelings, bad feelings, happy feelings, inexpressible feelings; you go to target. Get yourself a coffee at Starbucks –”

“No coffee.” Oak cut her off.

“An ice passion tea five pumps sweetener, then you just stroll through Target, touching, smelling, feeling.”

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