Hidden: A Crossroads Tale by Lori Saltis

Author:Lori Saltis [Saltis, Lori]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vagabond Tales
Published: 2017-12-13T18:30:00+00:00

5

When we get to my room, I sit on my bed and Roy swings my desk chair around before sitting with his long arms resting on the back. Is he trying to shield himself from me? On the way home, I told him what I required of Mike for my silence. He went silent and stayed that way until we got here.

I cross my legs and rub my foot, which is still a bit tender. "You think I'm wrong?"

A deep sigh splits his grim lips. "It's not just you, Cat. I'm really disappointed in Mike. He's compromised his honor in the worst way possible. I don't think what you're asking of him will make it any worse."

That's for damn sure.

There's a short, sharp knock on the door. Before I can say anything, Mike comes striding in. He closes the door softly, though I can tell he'd rather slam it shut. He stands in the middle of the room with his arms folded, glaring at both of us. Then he takes a deep breath, exhales, and collapses beside me like a broken puppet. He rubs his palms into his eyes and moans, “Can you get some coffee? I’m still drunk.”

I want to push him off my bed, but that won’t help, so I stomp off to the kitchen. I use instant coffee and a chipped mug. The good stuff isn’t for assholes. When I get back to my room, Mike is sitting up and facing Roy, who’s talking to him in a low voice. Whatever he said has had some kind of sobering effect on Mike, who thanks me for the coffee. Then he takes a sip.

“Jesus, Cat, what’d you make this with? Tar?” He takes another sip and grimaces. "It wasn't my idea not to tell you what happened to Meghan. You can blame Dad and George for that."

I take a deep breath, bracing myself. "Go on."

"Okay, so, we went to London because Sydney Lee was promoted from Big Brother to Head Elder of the kongsi and Dad had to appoint his replacement. That involves a bunch of ceremonies and banquets. One of those banquets was for the leaders of the other Crossroads clans. Mad Maud of the Beggar Clan was there. Bunch of other clans, too. I don't remember them all, except I could tell they were all sizing Dad up. Finally, the head of one of the Pakistani clans asked Dad to demonstrate the Dragon Shout. Dad said, sure, and used his power to lift the guy out of his seat and hold him against the wall before dropping him to the floor. That shut everyone down, except this one guy, the Grandmaster of the Templars. He challenged Dad to a bout."

My brow knits. Bouts are pre-challenges, a way to test strength without binding results or fatalities. I don't know much about the Templars, but they seem too small and secretive to want to take over leadership of the Crossroads.

"Dad agreed and chose swords as the weapon."

I shudder from a sudden chill because I think I know where this is going.

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