Dark Empathy by Archibald Bradford (best books to read for women .txt) 📗

like us, but we loved her mother so we were patient with her.” One of the other Lambda said; “But this… how could a child do this?”

For once the child in question didn’t object to being called such, a look of absolute shame on her face as she literally came face to face with her crimes.

Grant stepped over to the Lambda flock, his expression kind.

“I know this is a lot to take in, for everyone, but it needs to be said.” His words came out, and they were all business; “It is my judgment that while Mister Davis had no knowledge of his granddaughter’s actions, and has shown himself to be a compassionate and capable tamer, as her legal guardian he is still culpable for her activities.”

Ethan’s head came out his hands again, his eyes wide and mouth open in shock.

“It is therefore necessary for me to inform you that it is your right to reclaim possession of your heartstones from him, if you so choose.”

The Lambda looked just as surprised as their owner was, one of the older ones already shaking her head.

“Most of us have lived on this ranch our whole lives, this is our home! Where else would we go?”

Grant nodded, but answered her rhetorical question.

“Anywhere you wish. The Aegis would assist you with finding another situation.”

“I don’t want another situation!” Grete cried out with a stomp of one hoof; “I want this one! Ethan… Ethan is like a father to me, so I’m staying!”

The rancher stood abruptly and approached his flock, tearfully embracing the bald Lambda.

With his input in the situation unneeded, Nameless watched the emotional scene unfold, shaking his head in bemusement.

“Hard to believe this whole criminal conspiracy was simply a teenager acting out.” He said to no one in particular.

Bruti startled him though when she responded right next to him.

“Muh. It happens. My claws aren’t dripping blood so-” She shrugged as she sat on the ground cross legged and leaned her head against his arm, her eyes shuttering; “Better than other cases.”

With some trepidation, he lifted his hand and scratched behind her rounded ears, just as he had seen Grant do.

He almost stopped when he felt her vibrate with a low growl, but the way she was leaning into him made it clear she approved of the head scratch.

“You smell nice.”

Chapter 35:Secrets Revealed

With no word from Rebecca, Miranda and her girls were pacing a hole in the Hornet hive’s floor.

“How long ago was she supposed to check in?” The operative asked.

None of Oldeera’s playful demeanor was present: dressed in her armour and with her Hornets ready to act, she was all warrior queen.

“She’s almost three hours overdue.”

Kala placed her hand on her shoulders.

“Between the Hornets, the locals and us, we have enough to go in and get her, just say the word.”

Miranda looked to her bond-mate, and she didn’t need to say what she was thinking, as Kala felt it.

“You worry too much! Jan and I alone would be enough!” The Amazon insisted.

But the Wolfen in question let out a little whine.

“Do I get a vote on that?”

Sitting with Christine on one side and her wingless Hornet on the other, Cordelia didn’t say anything, simply watching Miranda and waiting.

Though anxious worry for her friend gnawed at her gut.

A scowl was creeping across her face and her patience was wearing thin as the ‘professionals’ continued to argue and hum and haw over what to do next.

It came to a head a minute or so later when it was clear that no decisive action was forthcoming.

“I should never have sent her in there.” Miranda lamented.

“But you did!” Cordelia snapped, leaping to her feet and drawing a yelp out of her sister; “Now go and get her out!”

Miranda stiffened as she faced the angry baker, but before she could say anything a dearly sought after voice echoed through the room.

“Hey guys what’s the fuss about?” The Lapine said breathlessly.

She had sprinted into the hive so quickly not even The Hornet queen knew she was there until she announced herself.

They all looked to the stairs leading up from Christine’s shop, shock on their faces, but it quickly turned to relief as she was swarmed with bodies and questions.

“Are you alright-”

“-happened to you?!”

“Scared the crap out of me!”

“How did you get past my sentries?!” Oldeera demanded.

“Enough!” Miranda yelled to get everyone to stop swarming the poor girl.

Within a few minutes Rebecca was settled on the couch, Miranda before her trying to get the facts out of her.

But the Lapine was vibrating with nervous energy and talking way too fast.

“-and this guy was following me, but I was like ‘back off mister if you know what’s good for you!’ So I went into the storage room instead, I know I wasn’t supposed to Miranda! But I found the lost-tech and then these guys, I think the guy from before, they locked me in there but they didn’t know I was in there, so I just waited and then broke the lock with this!” She proudly displayed the stolen pry-bar, still clutched tight in her fingers; “And then I got out of there, there’s a back entrance down the hallway from the bathroom so no one saw, not the door on the right though, that’s a closet, but the one on the left, or maybe it would be the right if you were coming in that way, but I don’t think you can, it’s a big metal door and there is no handle on the outside!”

Suddenly she ran out of words, her eyes bright and shining as she panted.

“So… you found the guns and no one saw you?” Jan summed up from over Miranda’s shoulder.

One of the Hornet’s wordlessly