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I could see his point. What if the Freedom's Angels got hold of this information? They'd crossed the line from hate speech into action, and they would have no problem with funding the production of Wolf Briar and using it. Anything to get rid of the object of their fear and disgust.
"So, why does your friend Katrina live in Seattle when her Pack is over on the Peninsula?" I turned onto Greenwood Avenue.
"She works over here, and it's easier for her Pack to keep their paws in the Supe Community Council activities with one member nearby."
We headed north through the Bitter Lake area, then took a right onto Westminster Way, then left again on Dayton. When Dayton intersected Carlyle Hal Road, we curved left and continued along past the Shoreline Community Col ege area, where the woods were stil thick and the city took on a greenish hue. Seattle wasn't cal ed the Emerald City just because somebody liked L. Frank Baum's books. Eventual y, Carlyle merged into Third Avenue, and shortly after that, 175th Street, where we turned left.
>"That's a wonderful idea." Camil e shifted on the sofa, looking more tired than I'd seen her in a long time. "Damn this stuff. I can't feel my connection to Tril ian, Morio, or Smoky--the links are clouded from the Wolf Briar."
Luke glanced up at us over the screen of his phone, his gaze softening. "Thank you--I appreciate the offer. Menol y hinted at it, but I didn't want to barge my way into a family gathering." He stopped. "Here it is. Jason's number. Let me give him a cal . . . we haven't talked in over a year."
As he moved to the other side of the room and made his phone cal , I motioned to Iris. "Any chance of getting some lunch? Nerissa wil be back from her shower soon."
"It's on the stove. I started it when Camil e cal ed." The house sprite bit her lip, then sat down next to Camil e. "I am going to need some time off this winter. And I was wondering . . . Camil e, could you and Smoky and Roz come with me if there's any way that you can tear yourselves away from here?"
Camil e blinked, then sucked in a deep breath. "Is it regarding . . ." She stopped, staring at Iris. It was obvious that she knew something I didn't.
"Yes. I think I've found a way, but it's dangerous, and I need help."
"Hold on here, you two. What's going on?" I asked. "What are you talking about?"
Iris glanced at Camil e, who gave her a nod.
"You're going to have to tel Menol y and Delilah at some point, especial y if the boys and I accompany you to the Northlands."
"Northlands? You're making a trek al the way to the Northlands? Why?" One look at Iris's face told me she wasn't anticipating it with joy. More like dread. More like rabid fear.
"I'l tel you and Menol y later, when the boys are back. I suppose . . . it's time my secrets came out to more than just Camil e. And don't yel at her--I asked her to keep my confidence because it doesn't affect the war against Shadow Wing. I needed time to reconcile myself to what I must do."
Wanting nothing more than to prod her secret into the open, I forced my curiosity back to acceptable limits and graceful y refrained from harassing my friend.
"Sure, no problem," I said, reaching out to give her a quick hug. "Whatever you need. I can wait."
"You lie, but you're sweet. You're champing at the bit to know what's going on. But it wil hold til later. Right now, let me go get lunch on the table. I hear Nerissa in the hal --make sure she can find the blow-dryer, wil you?" And before I could say another word, she vanished back into the kitchen.
Camil e shook her head when I turned to her. "Don't even try. Leave it to Iris to tel you herself. But hang on for one hel of a rol er-coaster ride.
Remember that spel she cast at Stacia Bonecrusher's? When she turned the Tregarts inside out?"
My stomach lurched, but I nodded. "Yeah, I remember. Al too vividly."
"It has something to do with her magic--and her past."
Luke rejoined us then. "I talked to Jason. He's stil alive, so that's good. Lone werewolves have a rough time walking separate from the Pack. Anyway, he's going to see what he can find out through the grapevine. He wasn't exiled until after he chose to leave, so he's not nearly the pariah that I'm considered."
"Lunch!" Iris cal ed from the kitchen.
I took the roundabout way, stopping in the guest bath to check on Nerissa, but she'd already found the blow-dryer and was squeaky clean and pul ed together.
"Ready for something to eat? Iris fixed lunch." I motioned for her to fol ow me. We wandered into the kitchen, and I glanced at the clock. Three P.M., a little late for lunch but far too early for dinner.
Iris had prepared homemade tomato soup and gril ed cheese sandwiches, along with a fruit salad and a dizzying tray of cookies. I clapped my hands.
"Cookies!"
Camil e snorted. "You and your cookies."
"I can't help it. I love sweets." And I did. I slid into my chair and dutiful y bit into the sandwich and spooned up soup, both delicious, but my eye was on the prize: sugar cookies . . . oh yeah.
