Chapter 27

Jacques was relieved that Laylah was alive, but not thrilled that Donil found her. True, the land beyond the forest belonged to the Silentshadow clan. What were the odds of the Alpha of that clan being on that hilltop at the exact moment when Laylah needed help the most? He didn't believe in coincidences or chance. Could Donil be in league with Zina after all this time?

"I need to clear my head. I can't do it here." A quick run in the forest would provide clarity and give Jacques enough time to get back for Laylah's arrival. He wasn't about to talk to Henry, so he reached telepathically for the person he knew best. ::Naiya, I know you're grieving about Thaniel, but you're the only one I trust. I'm going for a run. I'll be back soon.::

He felt her acknowledgment though she didn't speak. He hoped she didn't grieve over the traitor too long. Laylah was going to need Naiya's guidance.

Jacques left the mansion, shed his clothes and changed into a black wolf. Letting out a joyful howl, he ran into the forest. He fell into a rhythm--paws striking dirt, scents wafting into his nose and the loud cawing of the crows above. It'd been a while since his last run.

Henry didn't want Laylah to know about her Were heritage, so the staff was forbidden to shift on the grounds. They could do so in the forest or away from the mansion in some other part of Invarnash. This handicapped Jacques. He was always on duty, watching over his young charge. His inner beast was restless and the need to assuage it fully was overwhelming. But he kept it in check.

He slowed to a trot, panting as he surveyed his surroundings. He was a little slow in his wolf form, which was not good. He was going to have to schedule weekly runs for himself and his security members. Gerard had shown him that the house security wasn't up to par. He was going to fix that immediately. The cawing of the crows changed in pitch and Jacques halted. He scented the air and a low growl started in his throat. He knew that scent. he couldn't believe the other male's audacity.

Into view trotted a white wolf with a gray right foreleg. The newcomer stopped and simply stood, tail stiff, ears up and alert.

Jacques approached cautiously, ears flat, and hair standing up as he circled the interloper. He growled a warning and then shifted to human. The other man did the same.

"Stefan, what an unpleasant surprise. Why are you on Le Croix land? You know the penalty for being here," Jacques spoke harshly.

"That penalty expired after ten years. You need to learn to read the fine print in Council contracts. I'm not here to try to claim my half of Le Croix lands from my twin. Henry always did have a better head for business than me."

Jacques was skeptical. Stefan and Henry were fraternal twins and polar opposites. Stefan had thrown his lot in with Zina because of jealousy, going so far as to change his last name to McJeysen to further cut ties to his family. Jacques had grown up with both men. Stefan had been the wilder and more adventuresome twin, while Henry had pursued knowledge and learning. The brothers had fought constantly, but never over girls until Zina came along.

Henry hadn't liked Zina's clingy, obsessive ways while Stefan had loved her unconditionally. She'd rejected Stefan's suit and hounded Henry. She changed her mind when Henry married Helena forcing the she-bitch to take Stefan back. Zina then used him against his family and her enemies.

After the rebellion had been crushed, Henry disowned his brother and Stefan lost his right to the Le Croix fortune. He'd been banished by the Council and Henry made him outcast to the clan. If Stefan ever returned to Le Croix territory, he was to be executed immediately. That was the pact Henry had made with the Council. Jacques was certain there was no expiration on the banishment, but he would worry about it later. Right now he needed to know what Stefan wanted.

"Yeah, Henry is the one with the brains. You still haven't answered my question, Stefan. I'm a patient man, but not that patient. State your business, Outcast."

"I came to check on my niece."

It was the last thing Jacques expected Stefan to say. "Excuse me? Why?" He knew he sounded baffled, but Stefan had managed to surprise him.

"I was told Zina is back, and though I don't give a flying monkey's butt about my twin, I do worry about my niece. You've kept her in the dark and, if Zina does get her, Laylah will believe the lies Zina will feed her."

"You don't know Laylah. She's a good kid with a head on her shoulders. She wouldn't fall for Zina's lies."

"It is you who don't have a clue about her. Did you know, Jacques, that Laylah gets bullied every day at school? That, on Wednesday, she was flat on her back in the middle of the cafeteria with an older girl's stiletto heel pressed into her chest, inches away from Laylah's heart? Did you know that she gets slammed into lockers, knocked down constantly and daily made fun of by her peers? And, did you know, and this is the kicker, that Laylah has only one, count them, one friend?"

Jacques simply stared at the irate Stefan. How did he know all that about Laylah? For one crazy moment, Jacques wished that Laylah was Stefan's daughter. Stefan, at least, would have showered her with love and attention.

"We...I didn't know, Stefan. Laylah doesn't talk about school and I don't pry."

"It's not that you don't pry, Jacques. It's easier to ignore the misery of one child to appease your boss. You used to fight for the weak and those that suffered. What happened to that Jacques? Where is that man?"

"He grew up when one of his best friends tried to kill him and take away everything that mattered." Jacques' fury was mounting.

"We could sit here all day exchanging words and insults, but that's not why I came. The Council has asked me to lead their army in an attack against Zina. I know they're going to send their General and Captains tomorrow to discuss strategy and I want you there as well."

"Me? Why?"

"Stop being so suspicious, Jacques. I need you because you don't take crap from people. And because you know the Were political scene better than I. I've been a lone wolf too long. I don't know which families are gone, who is feuding with whom, and the like. You know, the usual BS."

"How come we've not heard anything from the Council about this?" Jacques tensed, prepared for treachery. It would be his luck to have bad things happen in succession.

Stefan shrugged. "How should I know? Maybe because they know Henry would have a cow if he heard about my appointment. Maybe they're afraid of leaks. Regardless, I need to know that you'll be there at the Heyendo Pub and Eatery at noon tomorrow."

The two men studied each other for several tense moments.

"Fine. I'll come, but only to get the lay of the land," Jacques grudgingly agreed.

"Thank you, Jacques. And don't worry; you'll still have your job with Henry. He won't go against the Council."

Jacques wasn't so sure that Stefan was right, but wisely said nothing. He waited until Stefan changed to wolf and took off through the trees before Jacques did the same and headed back to the mansion.