Hunter Moon by Jeanette Battista

Author:Jeanette Battista [Battista, Jeanette]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: cookie429, Kat, Extratorrents
ISBN: 1481027727
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2012-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

Laila got to the restaurant well in advance of the scheduled meeting time. She wasn’t familiar with the location and she wanted plenty of time to look around. She wasn’t expecting a trap—not even Finn was that stupid—but she always felt better when she had at least two avenues of escape open to her besides the obvious doors. When her security needs were satisfied, she took a seat at a table and ordered some food, settling in to wait for the others.

Kess walked in with her entourage, and it took everything Laila had not to revert to her prior assessment of Kess. Still, it galled her that the wereleopard always had lots of people to defend her, including—when he was alive—her brother. Yeah, and look where that got him. Laila gritted her teeth and tried to ease the tension from her body. This was going to be hard enough without her so wound up she’d likely snap at anything.

Finn sat down on Laila’s side of the table. Rafe and Cormac sat on either side of Kess, who took the chair directly across from Laila. Everyone looked so serious that for a moment Laila thought they were all gathered to discuss peace in the Middle East or how to stop the polar ice caps from melting.

Then Finn exclaimed, “Ooooh, salsa,” and everyone seemed to chill out.

While the boys grabbed chips and set about demolishing the appetizers, Laila stared at Kess. They sat, appraising each other, neither of them in any hurry to speak first. Laila held out for as long as she could, but eventually she snapped. “So? Finn said you wanted to talk.”

Kess nodded. “I do.”

“And if I have nothing to say to you?” Laila whipped back, her blood surging for a fight. She wanted to lash out, to destroy, to give physical form to her pain.

“Then why did you bother showing up?” Kess kept her face neutral but there was a snap to her voice that made Laila recoil a bit. “I’ve never thought you were stupid, Laila, so let’s cut the crap.”

The werejackal felt herself leaning forward with interest and forced herself back into her seat. She didn’t want Kess to know that she was curious about what the wereleopard might have to say. Laila tried to sound bored when she said, “So talk then.”

Kess cut her eyes at Cormac who, so far, had been remarkably quiet and calm. Laila was surprised he was so willing to take a backseat, but there was a calmness that radiated from him now. He seemed content to let Kess handle things. Then again, his sister wasn’t being held captive by crazy werehyenas either. That probably had something to do with his Zen-like demeanor.

“Finn told us that your parents want you to return to New Orleans.” Kess paused to thank the waitress for bringing the table glasses of water. Once the waitress left, she continued. “He also told us that you have no intention of going.”

“Can you blame me?” Laila’s voice still held that edge of conflict, like she couldn’t help challenging everything Kess said.

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