AARYN

There is a human in Anima.

Aaryn's breath stopped in his chest at the words.

But there was no way this had been Hannah. This anima was half-rotted already and she'd only just arrived.

What the fuck was going on?

"You said," Elreth said carefully, "you believe this animal was killed three or four days ago? Around the time of our ceremony?"

Tarkyn and the guard nodded. Elreth turned to look at him, then turned back to the males around the table. "When was it found, and by whom? We're certain this bullet is the cause of its death?"

"There's a strange smell on the carcass and this was buried in the tree behind where it lay," the guard said earnestly, pointing at the bullet, as if he thought he had to convince Elreth.

"I don't understand how that lump could kill this, it's so small?"

Lhern cleared his throat. "Bullets are very small, but the weapon.. as I understand it, it moves the metal at a very high rate of speed. So high, that when it is stopped by hitting something, the sheer force flattens the metal in the way you've seen here."

Aaryn blinked. Metal in Anima was worked by the Smiths. They could make amazingly intricate and incredibly strong furniture, or light, beautiful jewelry. But he'd seen them work—their heavy tools and hot fires. Once the metal was cooled it was hard as rock.

What could make it flatten like a pudding cake on the side of a tree?

"We need to talk to Gar," Aaryn said, tugging at Elreth's elbow. "He's spent more time over there than anyone else. He might know something."

She turned to Aaryn. The Security Council members looked at each other, some of them grunting at this piece of information.

"Do you think he'll agree?"

"I won't give him a choice," Aaryn growled. "This is too important. He will see that when he understands. If he doesn't, I'll show him."

Elreth nodded. He could see her scanning back over their interaction that morning. She was mature enough to put that aside to work together against this new problem, but was Gar? There was only one way to find out.

"I'll go get him," Aaryn said.

"We can send a Guard," Tarkyn said, his tone deep with disapproval, but he was obviously ready to remain focused on the task at hand as well. Though at this point, Gar was going to face uncomfortable questions from the Security Council regardless.

Aaryn shook his head. "He'll trust me more—and I know where to find him quickly. Besides, he's going to want to fight me for telling you all that he'll know about this. And.. perhaps I am wrong. But he is the first person I would ask."

"Go," Elreth said quietly, nodding. "And tell him I want him to come. I'm not demanding, I just want his input. But if he refuses.. just make him."

They looked at each other and she quickly signed, 'tell brother I need him.'

Aaryn's eyebrows popped up and he hid it behind pushing a hand through his hair. Then he nodded at the council and turned to leave, flashing the sign for 'trust me' to Elreth.

She nodded and turned back to the table as he ran out of the room.

*****

He didn't run as quickly to the disformed cave as he had to the security council building. He needed time to think about how to explain this to Gar—to make sure they didn't waste time arguing about whether or not Gar should even come and report.

Gar was a good male, and wanted the protection of the people—especially the disformed, or any others who were in some way marginalized. But his pride was.. as solid as the mountains that shaded the WildWood.

As Aaryn stalked through the trails that linked and crossed, winding through the wood, until he was on the northwestern outskirts, he shook his head. He had been honest with Elreth when he said Gar was the most likely to know or have seen these bullets and how they worked. But there was another aspect—something else Aaryn needed to ask him in private.

What the fuck had the male been doing behind his back? Who had he let into Anima?

What had happened? He'd been so sure they were so careful. So certain they'd selected only disformed with good intentions and balanced minds. He'd heard the warnings about the voices loud and clear. He knew they weren't to be trifled with. He'd always prioritized the safety of the people—even going so far as to deny training to Anima that gave him even the smallest reason to think about whether they were appropriate.

And Gar had been on board. He wasn't reckless. He'd been through the traverse. He knew it wasn't for the fainthearted—or the double-minded. He'd never once questioned Aaryn's selections. And yet..

Yet apparently Gar had been giving them not only training in crossing the traverse, but permission to return with humans if they were mated—and didn't believe this was information that Aaryn, as Alpha of the disformed needed to hear. Or Gar's sister, the Queen?

Aaryn didn't agree with Gar's evaluation of his father, but he knew enough of it to be unsurprised that Gar hadn't told Reth. But Elreth? Gar had seemed almost as certain she should be the next dominant as Aaryn was himself.

And yet.. the way he'd spoken to her this morning. It was as if he didn't care what happened to anyone else, as long as the disformed were getting what they wanted.historical

Aaryn growled. He'd been so careful. So careful! And here it looked like his failure was going to be the trust he placed in a normal Anima. Again.

It always came down to that, didn't it?

No. No, he reminded himself. This wasn't about disformed or not. This was about Gar's issues with his family and his refusal to respect authority.

Except, he'd always seemed to respect Aaryn's—even in situations with the rest of his family, Gar had always treated Aaryn as if he were dominant, and deserved to be.

So why had he suddenly taken this course—why did he hold onto it with such reckless certainty?

Those were the questions Gar was going to answer before they got back to the Security Council. Whether the males there needed the answers or not remained to be seen. But Elreth did. Aaryn was certain of that.

She walked such a fine line now.

Aaryn was not going to let her be tripped up by her own brother.

**** Privilege Warning & Mass Release ****

1. Don't forget: DO NOT buy expensive privilege tiers this late in the month, because privilege resets on 1 October (30 September for the USA) and you would have to pay again! Wait until the monthly reset and enjoy your privilege access for the full calendar month for a single charge! QUEEN will remain on 45 available chapters this month, but I have dropped the prices of the tiers, so if you do choose to buy the top tier, you'll get them 300 coins cheaper than last month! (And you'll gain entry into the draw for a paperback of Volume 1!)

2. Unfortunately QUEEN didn't earn any extra chapters through Golden Tickets this month, but I'm so grateful for your ongoing support, gifts, comments and reading, that I've added a bonus chapter for your summoning pens on the last day of the (AllNovelFull) month. I hope you enjoy!