Page 33 of Scarred Resolve

“They can lock him out,” she said, opening the bag. “Which would be bad for a good many people, not just our family or werecats.”

I snorted, petulantly thinking that no one needed Hasan. Subira gave me a look, one of sympathy, but there was knowledge there, too. The world did need Hasan, a member of the Tribunal that did so much more than I could even imagine. I knew that, but it annoyed me.

“It’s good to see you boys!” Subira turned to Niko and Davor and started giving hugs out. “Your rations and protection charms are in the bag. It’s the standard stuff. I didn’t want to do anything big. You will explain it all to Jacky after I’m gone because I’m pressed for time. Now, what have you three discovered?”

I explained what I learned about the werecats in the area. Aside from one I was still waiting on, none of them were aware of who might live in that region and were safe. They would be on guard, would help anyone needing safe passage through their territories, and wouldn’t go fighting our target. Niko and Davor explained about the tech Davor had brought along and the hunting plan.

Subira absorbed it all, and when everything was done, she nodded, seeming satisfied.

“Good work. Hasan, let them know what you told me,” she ordered her mate.

The door opened once again, and Hasan stood at the threshold. He didn’t look at me. On the other hand, he didn’t look pissed off, and his scent was strangely devoid of anything close to a strong emotion. He was all business, with only a lingering scent of worry.

“None of the werecats living in that region are a threat that we’ve been keeping our eyes on. None of them indicate to me that our younger children can’t deal with this together. I don’t believe any of the powerful rogues have moved through that region recently, either, but some of them have been quiet for some time, and I have been trying to get more up-to-date information. Aside from a vampire incident with the Fairbanks werewolf pack, there’s been very little activity in the region. It’s normally quiet. The Tribunal has informed all known supernaturals in that region that they need to evacuate. We’ve offered staff to help, none of whom are werewolves, per the conditions Nikolaus set with Callahan.”

“Amazing,” I said, nodding at that good news.

“Who are you waiting to hear from?” Subira asked me.

“Uh…” I checked my list. I had written them all down and put a check by each I sent an email too. I put a second check by those who replied. “Dmitri, son of Matvei.”

“One of the Russians…” Niko groaned.

“Mischa is still ignoring everyone as she runs around, isn’t she?” Davor slumped and leaned on the wall of my office. It was like neither of them was bothered by Hasan right there at my door even though they both freaked out faster than I did when he had shown up.

“I feel like the moon cursed and Russia don’t mix, right? I mean, I had to see the sad excuse of a werewolf pack. What’s wrong with the werecats?”

“Hasan?” Subira looked at her mate, and there was a command in her tone.

“I will reach out to Matvei and tell him to keep his son in line. I’ll also remind him that his son lives in Alaska, which is very much in Jacky’s region of the world,” Hasan said blandly.

“Can someone explain?” I asked, looking around.

“Sure.” Niko stood up, stretching out. “Matvei is a friend of hers and allows her to go through his territory. Werecats there need to be friendly with her, or they don’t last long. Dmitri is loyal to his father. His father is loyal to Mischa. If she said she’s giving her annoying American sister the cold shoulder and wants to make your life a little harder…”

“No fucking way,” I say, tossing my notepad to the desk. “People are dead. More could die. I don’t have the fucking time to deal with Mischa.”

“I’ll deal with Mischa,” Subira promised. “Hasan will deal with Matvei. We’ll make sure Dmitri isn’t the source of this problem and make sure he’s either going to leave the area or help those trying to.”

“Thank you,” I said, trying to pull back my frustration with my sister.

“Of course. What time are you leaving tomorrow? It’s going to be a long flight, so I hope you aren’t staying up all night.”

“Mother, I’ll send the flight information. We need to finish this up and head to bed,” Davor said gently, standing up next to Niko.

“All right.” She pulled him down to kiss his forehead. Niko leaned over before she could pull him. I did the same. “If there’s anything else, you will let us know. Do you understand? We can mobilize.”

“We’ve got this,” Niko said, smiling. I nodded, feeling the swell of that need to prove myself to her, show her that her belief in me and her choice in me over Hasan was worth it. Davor just gave a thumbs-up.

Hasan closed the door again once Subira was in his office, and I couldn’t resist checking. I marched to my office door and opened it, seeing my home once again on the other side.

“I hate when he does that,” I muttered.

“It was fast for Subira to get to us. She probably took the flight to his island and used his permanent entrance into the Tribunal, so he only had to ask for the door to be opened to here.”

“The flight probably gave her the quiet time to do these,” Davor said as he reached into the bag and pulled out a wrapped bundle. “There’s one of these for each of us.” He tossed it to Niko. Next, he pulled out a necklace and slipped it on. “We told her we would explain. These protection charms work for a few weeks, tops, and when their main effect goes off, that’s it. It uses all the magic in it. One of their abilities is to slow the course of poison and other substances that do harm to the body. It gives you time to get help before you die, essentially. It won’t stop it. Without help, you will still die.”

“And that’s the passive effect of them,” Niko said with a smirk.

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