Page 66 of On A Rift's Edge
“You could learn how to rule if you came back with us,” Gremory put in. “There’s a great deal more to study than internal politics if the clan is to survive in this strange world.”
“I plan to abdicate as clan leader.” Lyall held up a hand as Cesmak sputtered an objection. “After I un-exile myself and this mess here is cleaned up. The two of you have led the clan and worked with the leadership council for decades. I’d be willing to learn how you do it, but Kat and I have stuff to work out before we’re going anywhere.”
Cesmak nodded, and Gremory gave a satisfied smile. “Some wisdom from my wild child. Kat is a good influence on you.”
Kat turned to Arimanius. Confronting the mafia boss was even scarier than dealing with Lyall’s deadly hellhound family. “We have an agreement, and now it’s time for you to accept it. Everyone in the room makes their own decisions about where they want to go and leaves unharmed.”
“We’re staying with the boss.” Mabel piped up from across the room, where she and Fable had huddled together after being kicked out of the bedroom.
“That’s fine.” Kat very much wanted the two hulking mafia enforcers to leave and never see them again.
“You can’t expect to get out of this without paying a penalty.” Lyall gave his former boss a snarky grin. Ari returned a sour look.
“Zale isn’t here, but I’ve already offered him sanctuary in the monstertown in return for him helping me.” Kat had no authority to do that whatsoever, and he half-expected Lyall to explode, but the hellhound only rolled his eyes.
“Zale’s made his choice, and he’ll have to deal with the consequences.” Ari radiated dominance, even as he stood there with a broken leg next to three hellhounds who would be happy to see him dead. “What about the hopper?”
Kat scanned the ceiling. The frog-like riftperson had stuck himself on a corner spot, resembling an oversized glob of gum. “Teo, your indenture contract is null and void. What would you like to do?”
The hopper stretched out long arms and legs, then sprang off the wall and came up to them. In a moment, his gangly frog shape had transformed into a hot guy around Kat’s age. “It doesn’t matter what I want, gatito. I can’t go back to my cadre, and your monstertown is drakone territory.”
“You told me you wanted to create fusion music and play computer games.” Kat watched as Teo glanced uneasily between the hellhounds and Ari. “You don’t enjoy being a fighter, and you don’t have to be one if you don’t want to.”
“You can go back to Portland with my moms.” Lyall appeared as surprised as Kat that those words had come out of his mouth. “There’s no monstertown, but plenty of riftpeople live in the city. As long as you don’t try to harm my clan or cause trouble with humans, we’ll extend our protection to you.”
“Do you think I could fit in?” Teo’s eyes were wide, and he all but vibrated with hope and excitement. “With the Earth people, I mean.”
“Look, someone has to keep Portland weird.” Lyall raised a hand as Cesmak opened her mouth to protest. “I’m the alpha, and this is my first political decision. Revenge for the sake of revenge doesn’t solve anything.”
“I’d be interested in talking with a hopper about their society and technology.” Gremory cocked her head at her wife. “I’d argue that taking a valuable fighter away from our ratkind enemy and putting him in our debt is a form of revenge. A most interesting one.”
“I’m most certainly in debt, but especially to you.” Teo gave Kat one of his not-quite-human smiles. “Is there anything you want from me?”
The old Kat would have protested that of course he didn’t. The new Kat thought that having a dangerous riftworld fighter owing him a favor was a good thing. “You can start by not calling me ‘kitten’ in Spanish. If I need anything else in the future, I’ll let you know.”
“Best to take it with us now, then.” Cesmak didn’t bother to refer to Teo as a person, but she didn’t argue with Lyall’s decision, either. She made a gesture in the air, and sigils floated in front of her. A mini-hellmouth opened inside the hole in the floor Kaveh had burst through.
Gremory extended her hand to Teo, who took it with a combination of wariness and anticipation, and they stepped down into the lava-dripping entrance and disappeared.
Cesmak turned to leave, then paused. “You’re a better fighter than when you left us, Lyall. Better than me. You’re also a lot wiser. Wiser than me. And your human—” Cesmak gestured to Kat. “The Matchmaker chose well. Keep him close. I expect to see both of you at the next clan feast.”
The alpha of the Mount Hood Rift bared her neck again to her son, then left through the portal.
Lyall let out an exasperated breath. Kat wanted to ask if this meant he remained the leader of his clan but decided that conversation could wait.
“That leaves you and the Pouch Twins.” Kat turned to Ari. “If you want any medical assistance before you leave, I’d be happy to do what I can.”
“What I want is my son.” Arimanius’s anger was so sudden, Kat had to stop himself from backing away. Lyall had drawn closer to him, and he could sense his increased tension. This could still end in a bloody fight.
“I’m not going to let you punish Remi for your mistakes.” Lyall was bristling with anger.
Kat had no doubt that Lyall could take on an injured Arimanius and the Pouch Twins. Kaveh was close as well.
This situation didn’t need more violence. Arimanius must know that he couldn’t win, and there was no rational reason why he wouldn’t take this opportunity to escape.
Unless his thinking wasn’t rational.
“You think Kaveh is forcing Remi to stay with him, don’t you?” Kat put himself between Lyall and his former boss, which made both of them unhappy.
