Banishment : Book 9 of the Heku Series (27 page)

Garrett nodded, “Yes, Elder. I wonder if
she’s sent Dain to one of our houses.”

“You have secret houses?”

“Yes, Elder.”

“Where?”

The Chief of Defense shook his head, “She’s
not going to send him to her house if Garrett is aware of
them.”

“That’s true,” Garrett said.

***

Emily rolled over in bed and then watched as
the sun rose above the hills outside of town. She hadn’t slept well
in over a week, and she and Alexis were still living in her house,
far away from the heku. The heku had kept away from the house,
though Emily suspected there were Cavalry watching over it.

Each night, Exavior visited her, and she’d
started leaving the light on in her room, which didn’t help the
sleeping. He always begged her to bring him back, saying she owed
it to him. Emily was frustrated that she couldn’t get any heku help
with the ghost.

Alexis had told Emily where Dain was, and
Emily was trying to figure out how to get to Jersey to talk to him
in person but was too afraid of leading any Equites to him.
Chevalier hadn’t contacted her at all, and she was hesitant to call
him. Not only was she and her daughter harboring an Equites
fugitive, but she’d broken their unspoken agreement to try to
behave and abide by what the Council thought was best for her
safety.

Emily looked over at the door when she heard
a knock, “Come in, Alex.”

Alexis came in, and it was obvious that she’d
been crying again.

“Have a seat,” Emily said softly.

“I miss Garrett and Asher,” she said, and sat
down.

“I know.”

“Can we call them long enough to get the baby
brought over?”

Emily sat up and leaned against the
headboard, “Why don’t I go back to Council City long enough to get
him?”

“What if they keep you?”

“I don’t think they will. They know how
unhappy I am and won’t risk me turning them to ash.”

“I really miss them.”

“I know,” Emily said, and touched Alexis’
hand lightly.

“I just want to erase all of this and get
back to how we were.”

“I wish we could too. We can’t let them
banish Dain though.”

“I know. I’ve just been wondering if he
really is a menace that needs taken care of though.”

“He’s not a menace.”

“He attacked innocent women.”

“He’s confused! No one understands him, no
one. He’s alone.”

“We all are,” Alexis said as she pulled her
knees up against her chest.

Emily grabbed her phone when it rang, “It’s
Dain… Hello?”

“Hi, Mom.”

“How are you?”

“I’ve been thinking, and I’m coming
back.”

“Back here?! No, you can’t. Your Dad is going
to banish you.”

“I’ve left you and Alex holding the bag on
this one, and it’s not right. I know you’re holed up in your house
with no contact from Council City.”

“How do you know that?”

“Dad’s not the only one that has sources.
Anyway, I’m not going to let anything happen to you and Alex, and
the only way I can protect you is to come back.”

“Dain no!”

“Banishment doesn’t kill a heku, Mom. I’d see
you again.”

“It’s not going to happen. You need to stay
there.”

“I can’t stay here while you two put up with
this!”

Alexis took the phone from her Mom, “Dain,
it’s too dangerous. You can’t come back here.”

“Is she talking to him?” Dain asked.

“No”

“Are there guards around the house?”

“Not that we’ve seen, but Dad won’t leave her
unprotected.”

“I’m not going to put you two through this,
Alex. This is my fight, not yours.”

Alexis smiled slightly, “You’re more mature
than most give you credit for.”

“This isn’t time to let my ego get in the
way. I’m not going to sit here while you and Mom deal with
Dad.”

“We can though. Mom’s going into the city to
get Asher, and we’re ok here. I can’t fight Dad like Mom can, and
we can’t risk him controlling me.”

“Alex…,” Dain whispered.

“Stay there. We’re ok here.”

“Is Allen helping you?”

“No,” Alexis said softly. “He’s backing the
Council.”

“Always the obedient one.”

She nodded and then hung up the phone and
looked at Emily, “He’s staying there for now.”

“He’s going to end up coming back to protect
us.”

“He’s afraid that Dad’s going to hurt
us.”

“He won’t.”

“I think he’s grown up more in the last week
than he ever has.”

“He’s had to,” Emily said, and then slowly
got out of bed.

“You’re going now?” Alexis asked, also
standing.

“Yes, if I’m not back by tonight, I want you
to go to Jersey.”

“I’m not leaving you here.”

“Just make sure no one’s following you.”

“I can’t…”

“You have to. The Equites have a history of
keeping me against my will, and it’s worse when I’m fighting them.
This is the ultimate fight, and you have to get out of here.”

“I can’t just take off to Jersey.”

“Right… you go to Palau. Stay at your Dad’s
house, and then when it’s clear, leave for Jersey.”

“Not that! How can I go if I think you’re
being restrained?”

“Because being restrained by the Equites
includes a lot of care and comfort. They won’t stick me in prison
or abuse me.”

“I don’t…”

“You have to. You’re the only one that can
keep Dain away from Council City and his Dad.”

Alexis finally nodded, “Ok.”

“For now, I’ll go get Asher.”

“He’s probably with Tracey,” Alexis told
her.

Emily thought for a moment, “Your
neighbor?”

“Yes, she watches him during the day when I’m
busy.”

“Ok,” Emily said, and then dressed quickly.
She took a deep breath before driving in to Council City. The Gate
Guards let her pass, and she immediately headed for Alexis’ house.
She wasn’t surprised to see Garrett come out to meet her with Asher
in his arms.

“I want to talk to Alex,” Garrett told
her.

“She’s having a really hard time without you
and the baby. Right now, I’m not ready for any Equites in the
house, but I can bring back Asher.”

“Talk to the Council and you can.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed, “What?”

He watched her, “The Council… they just want
to talk to you. I’ll give Asher over if you’ll talk to them.”

“Talk or restrain, Garrett? You know as well
as I do that they’ll keep me if I go in there.”

“They won’t. The Elder has put out strict
instructions that you aren’t to be detained.”

“He’s here?” Emily asked, shocked.

“Yes”

“I figured he’d be out looking for Dain.”

“It’s a big world, and we don’t even know
where to start.”

“Em?” Chevalier said from behind her. She
looked over as he walked up to stand beside Garrett.

Emily sighed, “I can’t handle a fight right
now.”

“I’m not here to fight.”

“Then why are you here? I ran again… I defied
the Council… I’m sure you’re ready to let me have it.”

“No, I’m not. You’re a grown woman and can do
what you want.”

She frowned slightly, “You aren’t here to
restrain me?”

“No”

“What do you want then?”

“I want to help. You and Alex can’t be happy
there.”

“No, we’re not. She misses Garrett and Asher,
but we can’t risk you all finding out where Dain is until we decide
what to do.”

“That’s Alex… what about you?” he asked
softly.

Emily’s throat constricted and her words were
a soft whisper, “I miss you too, but he’s my son.”

“Our son. What he did was bad, Em. I’m not
talking stealing a donor or following the guards around.”

“I know, but he’s lost. He’s alone. No one
knows him or understands him, and he has instincts and emotions
that he can’t deal with.”

“He knew it was wrong.”

“I know.”

“Can I at least talk to him?” Chevalier
asked.

“No”

“Why not?”

“Because of that hearing of yours. I can’t
risk you picking up some sound or dialogue that will give his
location away,” Emily explained. “He’s my son, and I’m not going to
let you have him.”

“Our son.”

“Our son my ass, Chev! You’ve always treated
him more like an Equites than a son.”

Chevalier took a deep breath, calming his
voice, “I’m sorry it seemed like that.”

When Kyle appeared beside Chevalier, she
sighed, “Are you here to take me then? Perhaps lock me in the
oubliette?”

“No,” Kyle said. “I wanted to make sure
you’re ok.”

“And to make sure Chevalier doesn’t kill
me?”

“Not at all. He’s in full control. Right now,
he’s more worried about you than he is about finding Dain.”

“I miss Alexis too,” Garrett told her. “She
belongs here with me, not hiding in the city.”

“We can’t risk someone controlling her and
getting Dain’s location.”

“I wouldn’t do that!”

“You would if the Council told you to.”

“We won’t,” Chevalier said. “I swear to
you.”

Emily studied him for a moment, “If Dain
walked up right now, what would you do?”

“You would have a chance to say goodbye.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel
better?!”

“He’s dangerous.”

“He’s scared.”

She sighed and turned to Garrett, “I’ve
spoken to the Council. Can I take him now?”

Garrett looked at the Elder, and when
Chevalier nodded, he handed the baby over to Emily. She buckled him
into the car seat in the Jeep and then slid into the driver’s
seat.

Chevalier appeared at the door beside her,
“Don’t do this.”

“I have to,” she said, and looked into his
eyes.

“He’s my son too, and I’m worried about
him.”

“You’ve never worried about him.”

“That’s not true.”

Emily fought back the tears and regained
control after a few seconds, “I want to take Megara, too.”

“She’s with her tutor,” Kyle said.

“So she doesn’t want to?”

“That’s my guess, but I haven’t asked.”

“Go, ask,” Chevalier said to Garrett, who
blurred away.

Emily looked down at her hands, “I know what
he’s done, but I’m not going to let you banish Dain.”

Chevalier kissed her lightly and then smiled,
“I don’t want to banish him either.”

“But you will.”

“Maybe not. If I could talk to him, we may be
able to work things out.”

“Can you put the faction aside long enough to
be a father to him?”

“Yes”

“I’ll think about it then,” she said, and
looked over at Garrett when he appeared.

“She said that she wants to stay with her
tutor but would like to visit.”

Emily nodded, “I need to get Asher back.”

Chevalier smiled, “What’s Alexis going to do
if you don’t show up?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Be careful, please.”

“I will,” she said, and drove away.

Asher was starting to fuss as Emily pulled up
at her house and turned off the engine. She fully expected Alexis
to come out and greet her, and was surprised when she didn’t show
up.

“Alex?” Emily called out as she tossed her
keys onto the table beside the door. Hands came out of nowhere and
wrapped around her, one across her mouth and one restraining her
around the waist.

“Don’t panic. We’re not here to hurt you,”
someone whispered.

Emily wasn’t sure who he was, or if he was
even heku, so she allowed him to lead her down the stairs and into
the entertainment room in the basement.

“Mom!” Alexis yelled when Emily stepped in.
She was pushed gently and spun just as the door behind her was shut
and locked.

Emily handed Asher over to Alexis and then
tried the door, “Is it the Council?”

“I don’t think so,” Alexis said, kissing
Asher lightly.

“Hey!” Emily yelled, and pounded on the
door.

“They won’t talk. I tried that.”

She frowned, “Have I been kidnapped in my own
house?”

“Yes”

“You sure it’s not your Dad?”

“I really don’t think so.”

Emily thought for a moment and then reached
for her phone, but it wasn’t in her pocket, “They took my
phone.”

“It’s weird. Why keep us here where the
Equites can find us?”

“They apparently know that the Equites are
keeping their distance.”

“Well, lunch is down here at least,” Alexis
said, and sat beside a tray full of pizza, baby food, and glasses
of warm blood.

Emily frowned at it, “They’re feeding
us?”

“Seems so.”

“How very… un-kidnap like.”

“That’s what I thought. I don’t detect
poisons though.”

“Who the hell locks me in my own basement and
then feeds me?” she asked, taking a slice of pizza.

“I wish I knew. I suspect Dad has Cavalry
around here though, so we’ll be free soon,” Alexis said as she
started to feed the baby.

“I guess I could call for Chevalier.”

“You could.”

“But, I kind of want to find out what’s going
on.”

“We obviously aren’t in any danger.”

Emily and Alexis were just finishing a movie
when their door opened, and Andrew came in.

“You did this?!” Emily asked, standing
suddenly.

“Just hear me out, ok?” Andrew said
softly.

“You have about 2 minutes before I ash
you.”

“You’re not kidnapped. I just want to talk to
you.”

“You could have done that without locking me
in my basement!”

“Calm down, Em.”

Emily glared at him, “Start talking.”

“We’ve been watching this place, and we know
that you and Alex are living here now. We know about Dain, and
about the fight you’re in with the Council over his
punishment.”

“Stay the hell out of my business,
Andrew.”

Alexis watched them carefully, not quite sure
how to help.

“It’s dangerous for you two to be out here
alone. I realize the Valle have backed off, but that doesn’t mean
they aren’t still enemies.”