"It's gotta be Sasha." Kris said nothing.
"I came to tell you something else."
"I take it more bad news?" Kris said. "It's my day for that shit."
"I think you'll take this as good news, knowing how much you like to see me suffer." "Then tell all."
"I let Katie go."
Kris turned, surprised. "I didn't think you were smart enough."
"It's the only way to keep you and the other Immortals from treating her like shit." "You really did this?"
"I did."
"So you're going back to Hell?"
"No, brother, sorry to disappoint you," Rhyn said dryly. "I'm staying here. With you and the Council. It's where I'm supposed to be, isn't it?"
"I don't understand," Kris said with a frown. "You're leaving her but staying here."
"I'm going to make sure you and the Council do what it must to protect her and everyone else like her."
Kris looked at his condemned brother anew, not sure how to take Rhyn's newfound intent and resolve. Rhyn's gaze fell to the dagger Andre had carried. "You don't have the heart or stomach for what that entails." Kris's face felt warm, but he knew Rhyn was right for once. "Andre and I were more alike than you know," Rhyn added.
"You were nothing alike. What he did was for the good of Immortals and humans alike," Kris said.
"Right, because killing in cold blood isn't something a Council member does." "It's not something I do," Kris retorted.
"I will. Whomever you want, and whomever you don't want, I won't." "You'll take orders from me?"
"On this. On everything else, probably not. But, I'll keep the Council together to protect Katie and our hatchling."
Kris stared at him. "Humans don't hatch," he whispered, not sure what else to say. "I don't give a shit how it works."
"Dear god, Rhyn!" he said and shook his head. Now he understood Rhyn's powerful motivator, and he was both impressed and horrified.
"And she wants to become a nun at a Sanctuary," Rhyn added. "Good place for her, Toby, and the hatchling. I only ask one thing of you, Kris, in exchange for doing your dirty work."
"I'm all ears at this point."
"You take care of her like you said you would after the Council meeting. No more of the shitty treatment you've been giving her. She's no longer my mate. Treat her like she's the sister of your mate."