“I would feel much better if you took more people with you,” Gloria spoke up from her chair in the main room. Now that she was no longer under Mona’s influence, she had regained her strength and was sitting in the same overstuffed chair with pillows that Hemi had designated as his favorite.
She kept apologizing to me every chance she could for the way she had treated me.
“You have to understand, I wasn’t me. I wasn’t really saying those things. I think you are adorable and would be honored to have you in our family.” Since our last encounter I had done my very best to avoid her at all costs. Well, except for this family meeting.
Nero was the one to counter Gloria’s worrying. “We’ve discussed this, darling.” He walked over to Gloria and gently put his hands on her shoulders. She raised her hand to grasp Nero’s.
“It’s just, I’m so worried for them. I don’t want anything to happen to my boy.” She looked over at Joss and he rolled his eyes. “You don’t understand how hard it was for me to know what she was doing to me and not be able to stop it. There were times where I blacked out and had no memories. But other times, I didn’t and it was horrible.” Her eyes widened in fear. “What if she is able to do it again to you?”
“I do understand. I know what it’s like and so does Kael. I think we will be extra careful because of it.” In reality, I didn’t want to be anywhere near Mona, and this whole idea of transporting her made me sick to my stomach.
Kael stepped forward and held up a pouch containing the seeds found in Mona’s room. “This is the seed that, when shaved and boiled, small doses, can be infused in drinks and teas to initiate mind control. Also, it can be concentrated and used to create paralysis. I will be the one administering this to Mona to keep her docile while we travel.”
A few more weak arguments came forward from Gloria but they were quickly set aside as a knock came on the door and Darren entered.
“We are ready,” He spoke to the room, giving Nero a nod and bowing to Gloria.
It had been decided that Berry and Avina would stay and leave a week after we did in case any of the Septori were following us. Neither one of them was happy about it. After a few fits from Avina, Nero finally offered to teach her to fly a skite during her and Berry’s stay. That sealed the deal.
Darren would come with us as far as Haven and then return home to his Melani. Fanny surprised us the most with her argument to come with us.
“It is my invention that did this and I feel that I need to speak with the Queen and the Adepts to defend what I had done. I don’t want there to be any repercussions on my family. Also, I may be able to answer their questions better if I am there in person. And you will need another female to take care of your prisoner.”
“We are going to be traveling fast; can you be ready to go in an hour?” Kael had looked over Fanny and I originally thought he was going to deny her request like Berry and Avina’s. But he must have seen her stubbornness and determination.
“I’m ready to go now. I’m already packed. My bag is at the bottom of the stairs,” Fanny answered smartly, her copper hair bouncing as she motioned with her head down the stairs. “If you had told me no, I was going to follow you anyway.”
Kael nodded impressed. “You’ll do.”
What also impressed Kael was when Hemi and Fanny brought Mona to the Jesai’s. Fanny had fashioned handcuffs lined with leather and various lengths of chain.
“That won’t hold a Denai,” Darren had scoffed.
Fanny raised her eyebrows in challenge. “Care to try them on? They can mute a Denai power more than the misty veils.” Darren and everyone in the room dropped their mouths in disbelief.
“I’ve never heard of anything like that,” Nero muttered.