Page 55 of Prodigal Son

Cain glanced at the rather large stomach hanging over the mortal’s belt. “If it wakes up…feed it.”

“Yes, that’s all I’m good for, I suppose. That and mortal sitting.”

He paused at the door and gave her a genuine smile. “I appreciate this, Gracie.”

“Don’t thank me. I’m doing this because our bishop demanded it of me, not because I’m inclined to show you kindness. Perhaps at some point during my eternity, this patriarchy we live in will get flipped on its rear. Then all of you entitled males can return the many favors us taken-for-granted females are owed after our many years of servitude.”

He chuckled. “That’ll never happen.”

She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Get out.”

He looked at the sleeping male mortal once more, then back at his sister’s petite size. All of the males would be attending the meeting for the next few hours. He went to the gun cabinet in the hall and removed an old musket and quickly loaded it.

“You can’t be serious. I’m way more threatening than that old relic.”

“Mortals fear guns. All you have to do is point it at him if he tries anything.” He placed it in her hands. “Point the right end at him.”

“Cain…”

He sensed her warning coming. “You’ll be fine.”

“I know that, but…” She waved a hand toward the mortal heaped on their kitchen table. “This endangers us.”

“I didn’t bring them here. They came here on their own.”

“You brought her. You brought Dane and Cybil.”

“I brought the Foster children here for father, and do not pretend you don’t enjoy having Cybil around.”

“Well, she comes with Dane, and I find him as irritating as a flea. I’m sure this one will be no different.”

“They’re mortals, Grace. That sort of bother is beneath us. All of this is temporary.” He pointed in the direction of his bedroom. “Keep an ear open for that one. When she’s awake, she babbles like a brook.”

“Great.”

Cain’s attention was distracted as he returned to the safe house with the bishop’s buggy. He had been anticipating this meeting for days, but his mind was now elsewhere. He hoped the agenda would move quickly so he could be on his way.

Males filled the pews of Council Hall as The Elders gathered at the bench. Tonight’s meeting held great importance as it would determine the next action in regard to hunting his uncle. Cain would not return to the woods, not until he could assure there was no risk to Anna or the babe. He wondered if he’d ever have that sort of guarantee.

His attention leapt from council business to the mortal in his bed. The meeting began, but his attention remained divided. Had she woken? He wanted to be present the moment she did.

Bishop King’s heavy footfalls echoed down the center aisle, his stature and power evident in each confident stride. He took his seat at the center of the bench among the other eight elders on The Council and silenced the room full of males with a slight lift of his hand.

Cain’s gaze caught on his brother, Adam, for a moment. The stern set of Adam’s jaw and spine amplified the effort he put forth not to spare Cain a single a glance. The sense that he’d become a pariah made him long for his father’s return.

His grandfather’s gaze caught his, and the male gave a subtle nod. The corner of Cain’s mouth lifted. At least all of his relatives did not look upon him with contempt.

The date was given by the clerk with a review of the agenda so matters could get underway. After several announcements regarding common practices and upcoming events, the meeting moved on to graver matters.

The bishop sat stiffly at the bench, the earlier softness Cain had glimpsed in the male while in Larissa’s presence now replaced with something hard and unforgiving. “I call Brother Cain Hartzler forth to discuss his recent findings in the woods of Jim Thorpe.”

Cain stood from the pew and approached the bench. Eleazar nodded at him in greeting, no impression of kinship or dislike in the bishop’s cold, inert stare.

“Please share the details of your last hunt.”

Cain reported his sighting of Isaiah and the others in the woods, leaving all details about Destiny out of his retelling. As he spoke, his grandfather’s stare grew more distant. Cain couldn’t imagine a similar situation without feeling ill. Isaiah was his grandfather’s brother. If it had been Adam out there in those woods, Cain would have done whatever necessary to save him.

“It is understood that you’re rescinding your offer to continue the hunt for Brother Isaiah. Is that correct, Brother Cain?” Eleazar asked.

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