member.
“I hardly think the Luthers will show us everything we want to know while we’re there,” Stanley said gruffly.
He was mostly bark and little bite, but I valued his input. “And they didn’t intend to show me anything at The Dens, and yet they did. It’s about opportunity. If we’re not on pack lands, we’ll never learn anything. The wolves are communicating in Water somehow. We need to know how they’re doing that or we’ll never win the grid.”
“The reverse is true though,” Pascal said. “They’ll enter the manor and have opportunity to glimpse our operations. With their senses, they’ll have a larger advantage.”
“Nothing frequency generators can’t fix,” Roderick said. “They come in the front door and straight to this room, then leave. No chance to see or smell anything they shouldn’t. We’ll get those on cleaning roster to douse the manor in wolfsbane ahead of their visit.”
I eyed him. “You think there’s value in this?”
Roderick pressed his lips together. “Yourself aside, no steward has entered pack lands in fifty-seven years. By understanding the wolves, we can beat them. And, if nothing else, that understanding can only improve relations between the two sides.”
“Peace has always failed.” Trixie blew out a breath.
Discussion exploded again, and I resisted the urge to rub my temples. I may not have a Luther’s nose, but I suspected fear fuelled the counterarguments. The rest was long-held grudge.
“We can’t beat the Luthers by doing what we’ve always done,” I said in the next break.
They quietened.
“Sascha Greyson has proved that time and again.” I curled my hands to fists. “We have two grids in our possession. Now isn’t the time to play it safe. In saying that, I’ll never gamble with any steward’s life. That includes everyone at this table. Pascal, send a reply to the Luthers. Outline that if any harm befalls either head team in the opposition’s territory, it will result in immediate loss of Victratum.”
I faced the silent members, noting three sullen faces amongst the eight. “A small opportunity is better than none at all. Nathan, Valerie, and Stanley, do you have further comments to add?”
Stanley shrugged. “I don’t agree, but I can see your argument. Things changed when Herc took the wheel, and it was always going to be the same with you.”
The other two were pissed, but whatever, I wasn’t here to make them happy. “Dismissed. We depart for pack lands in an hour.”
I lifted my head as the stewards filed out. “Pascal. Could I have a word, please?”
She stepped aside, allowing Trixie to pass.
I waited for the last of them to leave and closed the door.
“Am I in trouble?” Her lips curved.
That was the thing with her. I’d never have guessed this woman kept so many secrets. Pascal held herself with a dignity and confidence that could intimidate, but otherwise, no one would ever look twice at the unassuming older woman.
I smiled. “I was wondering if you could help me with something. Now things have settled somewhat, I wanted to ask you more about what Herc said when he changed the will.”
And what happened to Murphy.
Her expression remained mild. “I was as shocked as the two of you. He asked me to keep the matter confidential and said he planned to tell you both before the will came into effect.”
I’d have to tell Rhona that. “He never said why he suddenly decided to change his will and reveal everything? He could’ve left things as they were with no one the wiser.”
Pascal regarded me. “I can’t speak for your father, Andie. To a lot of us, it became abundantly clear, very early on, that you had what it took to lead us. Rhona could be taught to lead in time, if she chose to learn. Not only do you have the intelligence, but whatever you’ve faced in life before coming here provided you with resilience, objectivity, and compassion.”
That comment would crush Rhona. “Both of us are very curious about the events that took me from the valley as a baby. I’ve tried to find out as much as possible about why my… well, why Ragna left. No one has a clue. I only know that Murphy came back to face some kind of guilt or remorse but died before returning to Queen’s Way.”
Pascal’s face dropped. “A horrible, horrible day.”
“The incident?” I sank into the seat beside hers.
“I’ve never heard someone scream like that. The sound as he hit the ground— I’ll never forget the thud.”
Chills ran up my spine. “I spoke with the