Page 13 of Seas the Reckoning

“Let’s go get some much-needed caffeine, and I’ll contact my sister and let her know that we’ll need a ride,” Jackal says.

I give him a sidelong glance.

“Couldn’t we drive ourselves?”

“If Councilman Taylor is watching the train station, it’s likely he’ll have his eyes on places we could stay here, and also ways we could leave. Such as rental car lots,” he says.

I’m glad we have him. I don’t want to end up in an altercation with a bunch of warlocks in the middle of a human town. If Starla goes with them to prevent a confrontation and gives in to her father now, she goes in no better than a prisoner. Already under his thumb.

If we show up on the evening of the first event and make a grand entrance, it also makes a statement to him. Starla’s willing to abide by the details of the agreement, but he can’t use his influence to push for anything additional. We may have to be careful for the duration of the weekend, but after that our options are open.

If he, or any of his friends, bring harm to Starla, I will make sure they regret it.

7

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

It’s raining outside, the sky grey and dark as we wait for our ride. We had to abandon the original coffee shop, go through a clothing store and then to a secondary spot. We’ve all been sitting around a pot of long-cold tea.

Jackal clicks the screen on his phone, then smiles at us.

“They’re here,” he says.

We pile into the street, where two vehicles with headlights shining through the rain pull up. A man rolls down the window of the first, leaning his head out into the dreary downpour. He’s got black hair and blue eyes that he fixes on Jackal.

“Told her we’d need both cars,” he says by way of greeting.

“For this one alone,” Jackal agrees, clapping Exos on the back. The gargoyle cocks his head, staring at the small vehicle with an expression that tells me he’s not quite certain he’ll fit.

“Oi! I don’t want my seats smelling like soggy shifters!” A woman’s voice calls from the second vehicle, which is only marginally larger.

“That any way to greet your brother after such a long absence?” Jackal tosses back with a smile.

The woman leans her head out, grinning. Even as the rain soaks her hair, I can see she’s stunning. And very clearly related to Jackal. Her skin is deep tan. While Jackal’s vitiligo creates a tapestry of pale and pink edges against his own tan portions of skin, I can see the family resemblance. She’s got brown hair and the same light brown eyes as my mate. Hers also flash almost golden as she looks at us, the same way his do when he’s on the verge of a shift.

Her gaze lands on me, but before her features settle into any particular expression, a small body comes flying from the vehicle.

The human missile whizzes past me and hits Jackal with a thud. He wraps his arms around the girl, lifting her into the air and spinning while she giggles, tilting her head up to the rain.

“Uncle Jackal!”

“Lottie!”

Lottie’s mom puts a hand to her temple.

“In the car, please! Definitely going to need to clean out the vehicle now. It’s going to stink of wet dog between the two of you.”

She mutters the last bit under her breath, and I shuffle my feet, looking self-consciously down at Pickles. I’ve got my jacket over him to try to keep him dry, but it’s not a foolproof solution.

Jackal strides up to me, Lottie holding one of his hands.

“Don’t worry, she’s kidding,” he assures me. “She’d get just annoyed as any hyena over being misidentified as a dog. But she will like Pickles. Everyone does. She and I just rib each other.”

His sister does give her daughter and brother a soft smile as they both approach her and give her a hug, so maybe she isn’t as harsh as she seems.

Exos is looking around the street, his head on a pivot.

“Perhaps we do this once we’re indoors somewhere?” he asks.