The cabin we parked in front of was not of the $2,500 a week variety.

The majority of Lake County is lower middle class. My parents hardly bring in big bucks as a school superintendent and nurse, but we are still better off financially than most of our neighbors. Our house, a medium sized two story neocolonial, is one of the biggest on our side of town. The cabin was at least three times that size. Could you even call something a cabin when it had three floors and a four car garage?

NBA stopped just in front of the Rocky-like steps leading up to the front door. He quickly came around the vehicle and opened the door for Stefan, who in turn opened the door for me.

“I have handcuffs,” he informed me in the same bland tone you might tell someone you have a stick of gum. “I would really rather not use them, they just seem crass, but I will if you don’t feel as though you can control yourself.”

The idea of having my hands bound behind me in the present company was one of the most terrifying thoughts I ever had.

“I won’t give you any trouble,” I said, knowing with morbid clarity there was no way I was capable.

Chapter 22

The inside of the cabin was just as opulent as the outside. The shiny wooden floors were new enough the smell of oak could be detected under the assault of Lemon Pine Sol. Over them stretched the kind of old lady rugs one normally associated with museums. The framed artwork on the wall, which was also made of tree carcasses, looked like actual art instead of the typical Ken Holland prints found tacked up on every available surface in Lake County. The chandelier hanging above our heads was the only thing assuring me we were still in my corner of the universe. Where else besides Western Kentucky would a four foot wide chandelier made entirely of deer antlers count as classy?

The Shifter who opened the door stayed bowed over as we all entered, although I’m not certain if it was because of some sort of lower station thing or because his decrepit old back couldn’t fully straighten.

“Sir,” he breathed as Stefan entered, dipping even lower.

Stefan shrugged off his suit jacket and draped it over the elderly gentleman’s arm, revealing the worst case of sweaty pits I’d ever seen. “We have two additional guests, Akay. Can you have a room prepared for them?”

“Of course, sire. Would you prefer them on the upper levels or with the Thaumaturgic?”

“One of the empty rooms on the third floor.” He gave both Jase and Charlie a once over. “And make certain it’s not a room adjacent to one of the girls.”

Another man who looked like a younger version of Akay came into the room and the servant spoke to him in a multitude of vowels and hard consonants. Once Akay was done issuing out orders in his native tongue, the younger man bounded up the stairs.

During the whole exchange Jase, Charlie, Talley, and I stood clumped together in front of the door. There was a comfort in knowing I wasn’t alone, and having their bodies near soothed me. If I hadn’t thought it would make me look like a complete pansy, I would have grabbed the two hands closest to me and clung on for dear life. I didn’t want to be here, and I was so scared I probably would have a full on coronary if one of the muscled men turned around and said, “Boo!”

“Shall I inform the queen of your arrival?” NBA asked.

“Please, Mandla.” Stefan turned to the servant as the African guard also headed up the stairs. “Akay, show the Seer and coyotes around.” Akay moved his torso impossibly closer to the floor. “Hashim and Travis, you many lead the Thaumaturgic to her quarters.”

Something about the way they kept referring to me as “the Thaumaturgic” made me doubt my chances at a fair trial.

“We’re on it, boss,” the blond said with a Texas drawl. “You want us to stay and keep her company?”

Stefan nodded. “For a moment. We will begin rotations after I meet with the Taxiarhos.”

Both Travis and Hashim, the human serpent, bowed, though if it was a sign of actual respect or just an attempt to stay on the punishing side of the Shifter politics, I couldn’t say.

I expected to be led away with the same stoic severity the two had exhibited for the last hour or so of our acquaintance, or perhaps even frog-marched away, but instead Travis came up and offered me an arm. “Shall we, ma’am?”

Unable to say anything due to terror induced muteness, I nodded and slipped a hand into the crook of his elbow. The sensation of his warm and surprisingly soft skin against my palm made my heart skip a beat, and not out of fear. I looked up into his chiseled face and felt my face heat.

“Where are you taking her?” Charlie demanded, sounding much braver than I could have mustered.

“We have prepared special accommodations for the Thaumaturgic,” Stefan said. “We must guarantee everyone’s safety, including her own, until the trial.”

Charlie stepped forward, looking ready to take on Travis despite the fact he maybe came up to his nose. “I’m going with her.”

“Sorry, but I’m afraid the Thaumaturgic must be kept separated until the new moon. Perhaps, however, you can convince the queen to allow short visits during your stay so you may ensure her health and safety as is your duty.”

Charlie didn’t immediately stand down, which made me happy on some deeply selfish level, but I couldn’t allow anything to happen to him just because I was afraid to be alone. He caught my eye, and I shook my head, forcing my face to remain calm and authoritative. There was another beat before he inclined his head in a move similar to the reverence the others showed Stefan.

“I’ll come check on you as soon as I can,” he said.

“Take care of each other, okay?” I said to the three of them, unable to address Charlie individually. I couldn’t cry in front of the others. It was like when I walked into the middle of the Hagan Pack after my first Change - I couldn’t let them see my fear. Or my heartache. This was the Shifter world I was dealing with. Strength was everything.

Fortunately, no one expected Seers to be tough, because Talley was a virtual waterworks as Travis whisked me away with Hashim following at a distance most people would have found socially unacceptable. Every step away from my Pack felt like something vital was being ripped away from me. The stress must have shown, because Travis reached over and patted the hand gripping onto his elbow.

“Don’t worry.” His tone was somewhere between gentle and condescending. “We’ll treat you right.”