Yuletide Present by Deirdre O'Dare

Author:Deirdre O'Dare [O'Dare, Deirdre]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JMS Books LLC
Published: 2020-12-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

When Rob’s attention again turned back to the discussions, he realized he’d missed a key point or two. They had apparently agreed not to wait to confront Daniel at the next sabbat. It was better to let little more time pass before they took action. It sounded like—whoa, were they really going to go to his home, a delegation of at least six of them? They also seemed to expect him to be part of that group.

The room spun as a hazy mist reached to enfold him. When he came to his senses, Sean had an arm around him and Mike was looking on with concern. “Hey, are you okay?” Sean’s words came from far away as his face slowly grew clear.

“Yeah, I think so. Must be something I ate. I got real woozy there for a minute.”

Someone pushed a chair Rob’s way and he sank onto it gratefully. After a few seconds, the discussion continued and the group solidified their plan. Steve, Melly, Mike, Caroline, Sean and Rob, if he agreed, would first request Daniel meet with them at the bookstore next afternoon. They all felt that six was a good number, representative of balance and harmony.

If Daniel wouldn’t do that, then they would go to the house. He might refuse to admit them but they’d chance that. Rob had a key, didn’t he? He could simply let them, someone suggested. Steve apparently noted Rob’s horrified look.

“No,” he said, his tone firm. “We can’t put Rob in such an awkward position. It may even be better if he isn’t involved at all.”

“I agree there,” Sean said. “That’s asking way too much. Rob has lived with Daniel for some time. He may agree that things aren’t right, but I for one don’t want to see him involved in this.” He put a hand on Rob’s shoulder as he spoke and gave a gentle squeeze. Surely he felt the sigh of relief when Rob exhaled a breath he had barely realized he was holding.

Another of the younger new members, a quiet man named Bruce said that he would make the sixth member of the group. “I didn’t know Rob has been Dan’s protégé but you’re right, Sean. It isn’t fair to ask him to get involved at this point. I’ll step in to be the sixth person.”

After everyone agreed that would be best, the talk turned to who should make the initial call to attempt to arrange a meeting.

At that point Sean spoke again. “I think I should do it. Although I’m relatively new as a member, I’ve been attending for a few weeks now and have butted heads with Daniel a time or two already. I feel like I’ve got several stakes in the game. I’ll bell this cat and even enjoy it, I think.”

Shortly after that, the meeting broke up and everyone began to drift out until only Rob and Sean remained with Melly and Steve. Steve approached Rob and looked down at him, where he still sat, not quite ready to rise.

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