Chapter 7
959 Words
7
Kat struggled to stay awake in the council meeting as the others droned on about the details of Hugh’s estate.
“With Hugh gone, Dale is the next of kin,” Layla was saying. “But he has to show up in person to claim the proceeds. And we don’t have a way to fake that anymore. We buried the super suit with Seth.”
“Weren’t zhey business partners in everyzhing?” Cyrille asked. “I would zhink he would automatically inherit it.”
“Only what’s in both their names,” Layla replied. “There were a bunch of stocks, bonds, and other holdings in Hugh’s name only. And they’re worth a fortune. Some of those affect our operating budget.”
Kat leaned forward. “How much do we need? The government gave us more than enough for the fake Hugh, thanks to Kang’s intervention.”
The mentalist smiled. “I’m not sure if that was more business or pleasure.”
“It paid well, and I think we should use part of it to build a new safe house to replace Boston,” Kat suggested.
The meeting dragged on, as no one could agree on a location.
Kat regretted bringing up the idea. There were a lot of detail-oriented Supers on the council who discussed things to death.
“We don’t have to finalize anything today,” Deirdre soothed, sending waves of calm to the others. “Scope some sites out and we’ll consider them later. Next item of business?”
Ashe folded his hands on the table, looking grim. “We need to talk about the Rogues.”
Cyrille raised a golden brow at him. “What about zee Rogues?”
“They’ve scattered, but they’re still around, causing trouble, especially since Hugh’s fake funeral. The Furies are concerned. They’ve suggested reforming the Rogue Hunters.”
The others exchanged glances. Whether of surprise or apprehension, Kat wasn’t sure.
“But zhere are so few of us from zee original team left,” Cyrille argued. “And our leader is gone.”
Kat didn’t like the sound of that. “Who?”
The room fell silent.
Kat eyed the other council members, wondering what the problem was.
“All right, I’ll tell,” Jacob finally said. “It was after Selena’s death. Hugh was on a warpath for anything and everything Rogue. He decimated them in his anger. At least, we thought he had, till Nightshade gathered so many up. He scared the hell out of them with his team. Chased them down like dogs. ”
Kat blinked at him in surprise. Though they’d shared many memories through the Bond, Hugh had never mentioned anything like that to her.
Kang gave her a solemn look. “It wasn’t his finest moment, but he was protecting our people, especially our females.”
“Sounds more like revenge.” She expected better from her high-minded mate.
“They were reckless but effective,” Kang explained. “The Rogues have been in hiding for years. Nightshade’s antics emboldened them.”
“Have there been any sightings of Nightshade?”
Ashe shook his head. “We’re still looking, and the Furies believe the Rogues are, too.”
“I thought they kept to themselves,” Kat said.
At least, she hoped so. They were creepy as hell, with both fire and energy powers. Their presence felt dark and heavy and made her skin crawl.
“Hugh hunted the Rogues down and brought them to the Furies,” said Fahad.
“And then?”
There was no reply.
Kat shivered.
“Let’s just say the Furies are well-named,” Layla volunteered. “They have an acute interest in justice. Vigilante-style.”
Kat c****d a brow at her. “And just who is supposed to lead this new team of Rogue Hunters in lieu of Hugh?”
She suddenly felt the weight of many eyes on her.
“The Furies think you’d make a good leader,” Ashe replied. “You have a knack for putting holes in Rogues.”
Kat startled. Did they forget she used to be a law enforcement officer? Vigilante justice wasn’t exactly her style, though she’d dished out plenty of it in the cypress swamp. Perhaps she’d made an impression.
“Is there any way to rehabilitate them? I really don’t enjoy shooting people.”
Jacob shot her an amused look.
Well, most of the time, she corrected herself.
Kang sighed. “We’ve tried. With limited success. As you know, Jumbo Jim is showing remarkable improvement. The rest…not so much.”
“Some of them aren’t awake yet,” Jacob reported. “I’m not sure some ever will be. I’m very concerned about Sybil.”
“We all are,” Kang remarked.
Kat opened her mouth to ask about the female Rogue when a wave of intense sorrow hit her out of nowhere.
Her eyes flooded with tears and she sobbed uncontrollably.
Jacob placed a hand on her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
She doubled over crying, clueless as to the source of her grief.
Jacob grasped her sleeve and led her out of the room into a smaller, private one.
Waves of soothing energy flowed over her, and she knew he was the source.
The pain subsided for a moment and she caught her breath.
“Thank you,” she breathed.
Jacob nodded and stared through her, scanning her with his powers as he sometimes did.
“It’s coming through the Bond. I can see it entering and stirring up your systems.”
“So Hugh is crying?” she looked up at him. How crazy was that?
“He could be feeling something intense, which is traveling through the Bond to you.”
God, where was he? What was he going through to be in so much pain?
She buried her face in her hands. Fear and worry engulfed her. She wasn’t sure she was up to any more council meetings, let alone Rogue Hunting.
“I feel like a train wreck, Jacob. I shouldn’t be leading anything at the moment.”
He put his arm around her in a comforting gesture and squeezed her shoulders, taking care not to zap her.
“Half the Supers on that council are a train wreck,” he assured her. “Everyone’s dealin’ with something, Kat. Don’t be too hard on yourself. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
She wiped her eyes and gazed up at him. “Cops and bounty hunters don’t ask for help. We ask for backup.”
“Okay. That, too,” Jacob grinned and stretched out a hand to her. “Now, how about that breakfast?”
- Writer
