Page 78 of Bitter Discord

“I killed the man who Changed me,” Marnar said simply. “He also didn’t raise me and Changed me on a whim. I hope your relationship doesn’t go in the same direction mine did.”

“Well, Marnar, I don’t think Hasan is keeping Jacky as a slave,” Abraham said as he came in. “Sorry, you were talking loudly, and I couldn’t help but say the obvious.” He nodded at us while politely ignoring Marnar’s death glare. “North America… Land of the… free… Home of the sometimes brave.” He shrugged a shoulder. “Speaking of sometimes brave, I want to volunteer to help.”

“You are the worst, Abraham,” Marnar said, stepping away from him.

“I’m honest. The history of this continent and its southern sister is in this building. It’s not like your story is a surprise.”

“I think I noticed that,” I said, trying to put it together. Some of them, like Tokabi and Coyotl, were obviously native to the lands. Others immigrated or were brought.

“I love history. I can give you the full breakdown, including your werewolves.” Abraham smiled, and something about it was mischievous.

“Oh, this should be good,” Zuri said, crossing her arms. “Go on.”

“Heath Everson, white colonist. His parents came here, then had him and his siblings. He was a revolutionary and is probably the most honest one I’ve ever met. Landon Everson, half-Black, born to an escaped slave and her revolutionary white husband. Me, also grew up during the Reconstruction. Landon is about a decade older than me. Andon, well, he was left here by Leif Erikson. Coyotl is older than dirt, from my understanding, and a Native, like Tokabi. Tokabi, not older than dirt but older than the colonization of these lands. Roland wandered this way with the French and still lives with them in Canada.” I snorted, and he continued. “Ysabel came with the Spanish conquistadors. Marcia, though, another Native, correct?” He looked at Zuri, tilting his head to the side.

“She is. She, like many, changed her name when it no longer blended with the times.” Zuri seemed humored by Abraham.

I was impressed.

“I’m sure Jacky gets your point,” Marnar said, much less amused than my sister.

“I do,” I confirmed. “It’s the interesting part of being immortal, though. I logically know I am, but I’m just past forty, so the reality hasn’t really sunk in yet… seeing my time end and another begin.”

“You get used to it,” Zuri said softly. “You learn to make every age your age or figure out how to blend.”

“The BSA wants to meet here,” Heath called out.

“No, we’ll find another place,” I called back. “I don’t want them bringing trucks here. The killer knows the mansion. I won’t risk the killer realizing something is going on.”

“We can meet them at our hotels or wherever we’re staying,” Marnar suggested. I shook my head, but I had an idea.

“What about giving them your contact information? Just a cellphone number will do. They can arrange individual meetups with each of you, and hopefully, they’ll be secretive enough to keep the killer from realizing anything is happening.”

“It won’t be until the end of the day. That will give everyone time to consider how they’ll move secretively.”

“I’ll collect numbers,” Abraham offered, smiling between the three of us.

And so it went. I went to check on Heath. We made out on the desk until Zuri knocked, and I shuffled out with a red face.

Everett, Tokabi, Chao, Hannah, Roland.

We had seven werecats willing to help. Coyotl was the only one who had a good reason not to volunteer.

“I agree with the idea, but I’ve been staying here, and I’m not comfortable finding a new place to stay.”

“It’s fine,” I promised him.

Andon, Ysabel, Elissa, and Marcia all had their own reasons to stand down, but I didn’t ask for them. Lonan didn’t need to explain anything. We all knew.

Heath and Landon left to create the hub for the werewolves to be ready to launch into action. Teagan and Kody were already with the BSA, ready to help monitor for any sort of sign Arlo was out there or that the killer was around. Before dinner, everyone took a break from each other. Zuri and I headed to the office to get some peace and quiet. We shared theories of why some weren’t helping us.

“Marcia might agree with everything you’ve said, but she won’t help you because she won’t helpme,” Zuri said while we stood in the office together. She glanced at the door, then moved to sit down behind the desk, sighing. “Or help our father.”

“They were brothers, weren’t they? Hasan and her wannabe god of a dad.”

“Yes. I know it’s been a busy few days, but that’s something you remember without needing to ask.” There was a teasing lightness to her words that told me she wasn’t serious.

“Sorry. Teenager might die. Werecat did die. Been a lot on my mind. What about Andon?”

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