He knew she was blissfully ignorant of the fact that hybrids typically have big sexual appetites, which is why he forgave her when she moved in sensual ways. The way she dropped her voice lower when she wanted to be cute and funny didn’t help either. It made him all too curious about what kind of sounds she’d make when coupling.
Jerking his gaze back to his plate, he said, “I’m Leader because nobody else wanted the job.”
She chuckled. “I know that’s not true.”
A couple of guys in police uniforms came up behind Charming before she had a chance to finish that thought.
When he turned around, she heard the one closest to Charming say, “There’s been another one, sir.”
Charming turned back toward the bar just long enough for Ana to see him close his eyes and expel a big breath. He gave her an apologetic glance just before he slid off the stool and told them, “Let’s go.”
Her eyes followed him all the way to the door. She could feel his frustration and was witnessing the toll the tension was taking on him every day by watching his weariness grow. Lines of tension and tiredness were showing around his eyes and looking out of place in somebody so young.
She wished there was something she could do to give him a respite. He couldn’t even get through a meal without the weight of the world landing in the middle of an unfinished supper.
Like everyone else in the pub, everybody at Dandy’s table watched Charming leave with the police. They might as well have made an announcement. Another body. Another murder of a human either committed by a hybrid or made to look like it was committed by a hybrid. Worried looks and murmurs rippled through the bar like a wave.
Dandy lowered her voice and leaned into the table. “I want the three of you to be extra, extra vigilant while this is going on. If the killer isn’t found soon, humans are going to stop asking for answers and start looking for blood. Our blood.”
“The hybrid hate groups are already protesting outside Town House. They know that everybody who lives there is hybrid,” Ember said.
Dandy’s eyes widened in alarm. “And you’re just now telling me this?” She looked from one to the next with accusation on her face. “Finish up here. We’re going to go get your things and you’re coming home with me.”
Raze put his big hand over her forearm laughing. “Overreacting much?”
“No! I’m not overreacting! If they’re already getting away with targeting you, it’s gone from iffy to dangerous. And I’m not taking chances with my babies.”
Dread cleared his throat. “Well, first of all, take another look. We’re not babies. Second, assholes are a fact of life. As long as there are people who are different, they’re going to be playing their little games. ‘Those hybrids are taking our jobs.’ ‘Those hybrids are taking our women.’ Yada yada. Usual stuff. Nothing new. Never mind that they’re the ones who made us.”
Dandy studied Dread. “You have a good reason to be angry,” she said carefully. “But we can’t respond with anger. That leads to conflict.
“We’ve lived in peace for a long time. Well, six years seems like a long time for us since it’s the first peace we’ve ever known. I can’t tell you how much we need to hold on to it. We have to control our emotions.”
“Why do we have to control our emotions when they don’t control theirs?” Dread challenged, eyes sparking.
“Because we have more to lose, Dread. We may be superior to the humans in a lot of ways, but there are a lot more of them and they possess weapons that are supreme equalizers. That’s how they were able to keep us in captivity for generations.”
It was easy to see by his expression that Dandelion’s words were like venom to Dread. “They kept your people in captivity for generations,” he spat. “Mine broke free of them, disabled their advantages, and lived off their weaknesses.”
Everyone at the table was stunned into silence. No one ever spoke in terms of the adopted children being ‘other’ or ‘different’ and it was shocking to hear those feelings come spewing out.
It was several minutes before anyone could marshal comprehensive thoughts together.
“It scares me even more to hear you say these things, Dread,” Dandy said quietly. “As far as Crave and I are concerned, you are our people.”
Dread seemed to grow calmer at that. After a beat or two, he said, “I know that. And I’m sorry. I got carried away.”
“I hate that some of the humans have made you feel this way, Dread. Your Uncle Charming is going to fix it.”
He barked out a derisive laugh. “Yeah. Okay,” he said sarcastically.
“Dread,” Raze said in warning.
Dread looked at Raze in challenge. “You got something to say? Then say it, brother.”
“You’re crossing a line,” Raze said.
“Not for you to say,” Dread stood up.
Raze also stood up slowly, “The hell it isn’t. Brother.”
Dandy stood up. She grabbed the neck of Raze’s shirt in her left hand and the neck of Dread’s shirt in her right then pushed down hard enough to cause both of them to sit.
“Sit down! If Crave was here, he’d kick both your little asses.”
Dread glowered at her. Raze just nodded with a slight smile and a nod of resignation.
“Dread, there are a lot of good humans. You’ve got to come to terms with that and stop focusing on the ones…”
“Who hate us and want us all dead?” he supplied.
“That’s not the majority. It’s just a few.”
“Yeah, well, maybe. But they are very loud and they’ve taken communicating revulsion to an art form.”
Dandy sighed. “You know, there are a few Exiled who feel that way about humans, especially the older ones who remember captivity.”
“Like Thorn,” said Raze.
Dandy looked at him. “Yes. Like Thorn. If humans only interacted with the Exiled who don’t like them, they would conclude that all of us think that way. But they’d be wrong, wouldn’t they?”
Ember nodded. “My social work track doesn’t discriminate. I want to make sure all the kids are taken care of, ours and humans.”
Dread sneered and shook his head.
“Dread, you worry me,” Dandy said, “because in the end it’s you who will be most hurt by that attitude.”
He took a drink of pale ale and looked away dismissively.
“Anyway, I think the three of you should come home until this blows over.”
Raze was shaking his head. “Are you going to move all the hybrids back to Newland?”
“No.” She blinked rapidly. “All the hybrids aren’t my responsibility.”
Raze’s expression softened. He lowered his voice. “We’re not your responsibility either. Not anymore. We’re still family, but what happens to us isn’t on you. Now it’s partly on us and partly on fate.”
“But…” she began.
He shook his head. “We might even move away to one of the other cities that will eventually be repopulated. Architects are going to be needed there.”
Dandy was shaking her head. “No. I absolutely forbid it.”
Ember was looking down at the table when she spoke. “He’s right, Mom. We have to be responsible for ourselves. You did a good job with us. A great job. Now it’s time for us to make you proud.”
“You can’t make me proud, Ember. Because I’m already proud. So proud of all three of you.” She sat back in her chair and slumped a little, realization dawning. “I’m not ready to let you go. Not like that.” She took a deep breath as her eyes glazed over like she was seeing something far away. “I guess parents are never ready to let go… like that.” She blinked rapidly again. “I’m going to be worried about you down here in the city with this going on. Especially since you tell me there are protestors outside Town House.”
“It’ll be okay,” Raze said reassuringly with a little smile.
His confidence and self-possessed manner made Dandelion proud to call herself his mother. She wa
nted to tell him to take care of the other two, but knew it would send the wrong message to Dread and Ember about her estimation of them. So she said, “Counting on it,” instead.
“Well,” Dandy said, “I guess I should go back up the mountain and you should get back to studies.”
They all stood. “Are you driving one of Crave’s prototypes or a car that’s reliable?”
She laughed. “I’ll get home. Don’t worry.”
“Of course I’m worried. It’s getting dark. And worry goes both ways.” Raze smiled.
They hugged as they said their goodbyes.
“Sorry for the outburst, Mom,” Dread said, looking and sounding much more like himself.
Dandy gave him a big squeeze. “Take care of yourself.
“Oh. Everybody’s coming down for the celebration in three weeks and I need to put some of the kids up at Town House. Can you mention it so everybody will be prepared?”
“Sure,” Ember said. “It’ll be fun. Like a giant slumber party.”
“I guess I should ask what that is.”
“It’s a thing human kids do. A bunch of friends are invited to someone’s home and they spend the night. Comedy ensues.”
Dandy looked confused. “Comedy ensues?”
Raze and Dread both chuckled. “She hasn’t seen any TV or movies yet, Ember.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Ember looked at Dandy like she felt sorry for her. “They just got video operational last month. It’s amazing! I’ve seen three movies and,” she appeared to be counting in her head, “seven television shows. I think. Anyway, you’re going to love it.”
Dandy nodded and smiled, not wanting to douse Ember’s excitement even though she was dubious about the benefits of video.
She replayed the dinner conversation on her drive back up the mountain over and over, trying to decide what she would and, more importantly, wouldn’t tell Crave. There was no point in both of them being worried out of their minds.
CHAPTER SIX
Ana didn’t see Charming again after he left with the messengers bringing more bad news. She set a wind-up alarm and went to bed early knowing that three-fifteen was going to feel like she hadn’t been to bed at all. The more that she tried to will herself to sleep, the more sleep eluded her. Finally, shortly after midnight, she decided to get up for a drink of water.
She padded down the hallway barefoot. The door to Charming’s bedroom was ajar, but the room was dark. At the kitchen threshold she started to reach for the light switch, but saw that the balcony door was standing open. Charming was sitting on the balcony, facing the view of the city. Just staring.
The lights of Farsuitwail had been restored for necessity and not for show. There were enough twinkling lights below to make the view captivating, but not so many that they obscured the dark of the night sky and the stars beyond.
She lingered there for a minute or two before deciding she should go back to bed without disturbing him. But when she turned to leave, he said, “I know you’re there, Ana.”
She turned and crossed the kitchen to the balcony. “What amazing ears you have.”
He shrugged. “Everything’s relative. Compared to canines we’re practically deaf.”
“It’s pretty out here in the middle of the night.”
“Yeah, it is,” he said. “More importantly, it’s quiet and no one’s going to show up wanting something.”
“I’m sorry. I was just going to go back to bed and not bother you…”
“No. I didn’t mean you.” He looked over his shoulder. “Come sit.” He patted the arm of the chair next to him. “You anxious about work tomorrow?”
She laughed quietly. “Maybe. Who would have thought I’d be excited about cookies?”
“Well,” he took a drink of whatever was in the glass he was holding, trying not to notice Ana’s scent as she brushed past him to sit, “cookies are really, really, really good.”
“They are unless the ingredients are botched or they’re burned to a crisp. If it turns out okay, I’ll bring you some. You can be my test subject. What’s your favorite kind?”
“Oatmeal raisin,” he said without hesitation.
“Oatmeal raisin it is then.” She crossed her fingers in the air. “Fingers crossed.”
“Is that a superstition? Finger crossing?”
“Yeah. For luck.”
“Don’t worry, Ana. You’re not going to need luck. I have a feeling you’ll make a success of whatever you want to do.”
She wanted to ask him to elaborate on why he thought that. She didn’t think she’d given him any particular reason to believe she could be a success at anything other than sleeping late and sitting in the park. But she decided, at that moment in the still of the night, that his was the greater need.
“What happened today? Do you want to talk about it? Can you talk about it?”
He let out a big sigh. “Confidentially?”
“Definitely. I’m good at secrets.”
He looked over at her with an arched brow. “Oh yeah?” He gave her a smile that even human eyes could appreciate in the dim light. “Well, I’d appreciate it if you kept mine.
“The truth is I’m failing at this. The city is so tense you can feel it all the way up here. It’s all going to blow up in our faces, the painstaking integration and cooperation with humans so that we can all live in peace. It’s all going to blow up and it’s going to be my fault because I can’t find the killer. There’s one guy out there,” he waved toward the cityscape, “who wants to bring down what we’ve built. He knows what he’s doing. He’s the deliberate engineer of a catastrophe that could put us all right back where we started.
“No. Not where we started. If the suspicion and fear escalates to blood in the streets, it’s the humans who’ll lose. Because Exiled aren’t ever going to be captive again.”
Ana was quiet for a few beats. “Do you think it’s one of you? The killer, I mean? Or do you think it’s a human trying to make it look like a hybrid killing?”
Crave took another drink before saying, “What do you think?”
“I think it’s probably a human trying to make it look like a hybrid.”
“Why?”
“Because hybrids know how to use weapons. The killer could just as easily use a knife and deflect suspicion. He, or she, wants everyone to think it’s a hybrid. Except that, if the killer is female, she would have to be hybrid. Human females aren’t strong enough to kill full grown boys.”
“Sounds about right. You have a motive? A reason why a human might want to commit a string of murders and have the indicators point to a hybrid perpetrator?”
“Well, yeah. The Racial Purity League.”
“You know about them?”
“Of course. If you spend enough of time in the park, you get to know everything about Farsuitwail.”
Charming laughed. “That so?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“Maybe I should be employing you as my park mole. Somebody who’s a designated bench sitter to keep me informed.” He winked.
“Mock me all you want, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea if your goal was to know what everyday people are saying and thinking.”
He grew serious. “And everyday people are talking about the Racial Purity League?”
She shrugged. “Not everybody, of course. But it comes up. RPL and all their offshoots. Are they so radical that they would kill humans to bring about a ‘racial cleansing’? Yes. They are.”
Nodding, he said, “Okay. Got any idea why all of the victims are human males in their late teens?”
Ana looked away. “No. I have to admit that’s a real puzzle. If the strategy was just to blame hybrids for killing humans, then any human would do. As a matter of fact, it might even cause more emotional reaction if victims were among the more helpless. Women. Or children. So it’s a mystery why just boys that age.
“Could you isolate them? All the human boys who are that age. Maybe keep them under wraps for a while?”
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“Under wraps?”
“It means out of the way. Someplace where the killer couldn’t get to them.”
Charming shook his head. “It’s a possibility, but it also spotlights the fact that all the victims are human.”
“They already know that, Charming,” Ana said softly.
“Come on.” He stood suddenly and held his hand out to help her up. “You’ve got an early day.”
Cultures clashed and so did their bodies when they both tried to go through the door at the same time. In Ana’s world, a man who wanted to show respect offered to let the woman go through the door first. In Charming’s world, in unspoken recognition of superior size and strength, males go through doors before females and young to be certain it’s safe.
When they ran into each other at the threshold, both turned toward each other and said, “I’m sorry,” at the same time. Before they could separate, Charming took hold of Ana’s hips just below her waist. Her hands flew to his shoulders of their own accord. She saw his gaze drop to her lips and, for an instant, she was certain he was going to kiss her. She tracked his eyes as they focused on her tongue peeking out to wet her lower lip.
She leaned in slightly, not enough to press herself against him, but enough to be hyper aware of the heat radiating from his body and the rock hardness of the muscle under her fingers.
Charming turned his head to the side and said something she didn’t understand just before withdrawing abruptly, leaving her standing there alone in the darkness wondering what had just happened.
She made her way back to bed, pausing outside his closed bedroom door to wonder how she could possibly be misreading signals that badly.
Charming stripped down and lay on top of the covers remembering the look of Ana’s face by starlight. His eyes were good enough to make out the faint freckles that were scattered across her nose. He loved the fact that she didn’t wear stuff on her face like most of the human women. She also didn’t wear smelly stuff. That was nice. Because hybrids didn’t like cosmetics or lotions or soaps or shampoos with scents. Sometimes, when dealing with humans, it was all he could do not to wrinkle his nose and turn away.
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