Part 49 (1/2)

Elijah's shrug was casual, but there was nothing casual about his eyes. Alert.

Suspicious. A mixture of cold ice and hot flame. He looked every bit as ruthless and merciless as he was reputed to be. There was a sudden silence in the trees where monkeys had been chattering to one another. Several birds took flight.

Rio nudged him. ”Give it a rest, Elijah, you're going to scare the guests.”

”I thought you wanted less people around,” Elijah murmured, but managed a small nod when the elderly man and young boy reached them.

”Elder Delgrotto, this is a surprise,” Rio greeted. ”You've met Elijah.”

”Not formally.” Peter Delgrotto bowed slightly. ”This is my grandson, Paul.” The older man dropped his hand on the boy's head. ”He is much better thanks to you, Rio. I've come to perform the ceremony, of course. I spoke with Shaman Pang and explained it would be better if one of the high council performed the binding as it is customary in our lair.”

Rio just stood there, staring blankly. ”I thought you had resigned, Elder.”

356.

”It seems my resignation was not accepted.”

”And the council knows you've offered to marry us? To perform the ceremony outside the circle of the lair?” Rio was shocked and it showed.

”I must perform the ceremony,” Delgrotto said. ”Your Rachael is one of us, and your successful mating is essential for the good of the lair. Look around you, Rio. Every member of your unit is here, with the exception of Drake, and he would be here if he could. Those with families brought them. Others have come to support you. Nearly half of the lair is here. That should tell you something.”

Rio wasn't certain what the attendance record was supposed to tell him, but he wasn't going to ram on the elder's parade. He knew what it must have cost Delgrotto to go up against the council. There was always a penalty of some kind.

He didn't want to throw the old man's gesture of peace back in his face. ”It's an honor to have you, Elder. Tell me how Drake is doing.” Rio knew Drake would have moved heaven and earth to stand up for him, but he was locked away in a hospital with one of their surgeons.

Delgrotto looked grim. ”Our kind heal fast under most circ.u.mstances, but the leg was shattered, the bone in fragments. They operated of course and used steel pins and bolts to hold it all together. You know what that means to him.”

Rio turned away, swore under his breath. ”Is that what he wanted? Was that his choice? He could have had it removed.”

Delgrotto shook his head. ”Drake's a strong man. He'll find a way to get past this. Who is standing for you in his place?”

”Joshua. I'll go see Drake as soon as possible.”

”That would be wise. Is Maggie with Rachael? I see that Brandt is here.”