Page 90 of The Ranger
Makama blew out a breath and met his gaze. “Time to see what happened at this end.” She started up the stairs.
Vale followed and noticed there was no sign of Lany. Maybe he was making sure the horses were taken care of.
Upstairs, he followed Makama to an open door on the left. Maida appeared asleep on the bed. Her mother, Honoria, sat in a chair at her bed side. Her grandmother, Sadie, was in another chair at the foot of the bed. Vale inched his way to Belle who stood by the door. “How is she?”
“She seems fine,” Belle whispered. “Honestly, I’m more worried about Honoria and Sadie. They didn’t take it well. I’m afraid they don’t believe half of what’s going on.”
“I was afraid of that, but the Lord Councilor is with us, and he has Tylahs with him.” He cast her a worried look. “You have met Tylahs, haven’t you?”
“Tylahs... oh yes. He’s one ofthose...”
“Sarian, yes.” Vale clasped his hands in front of him and noted that neither Sadie nor Honoria so much as blinked in their direction.
“Yes, a Sarian. Maybe that will help.” she said, voice still low. “I thought I had them convinced, but I think they’re changing their minds about all of this.”
The room became bathed in silence, and Vale had the distinct impression they weren’t welcome.
Lany came trotting up the stairs, and as soon as he poked his head through the door, it became the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.
“You,” Sadie said and stood. “What have you done?”
Vale’s eyes flicked to him, and the Lord Councilor looked to be mustering up as much compassion as he could. “Sadie, how long have we known each other?”
“That’s just it.” She crossed the room. “I have no idea. But you should be my age if not older. But you’re not, are you?” Tears filled her eyes. “I remember you from long ago when Duncan first met Cozette!”
“Sadie,” Lany said gently. “I know you’re upset, and you have every right to be. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting this from you. Harrison, yes, but…”
Her hands balled into fists, and for a moment, Vale thought she might strike the Lord Councilor. “You thought wrong. I don’t think I’ve ever been so upset in my life.” She turned to Makama and Vale. “I want you out of my house.” Her lower lip trembled. “Look what you’ve done to my grandbaby.”
Makama’s eyes misted. “But Aunt Sadie...”
“I said get ou...” Her eyes narrowed. “What did you call me?”
Belle stepped forward. “This is the other thing I wanted to tell you earlier, but you kept cutting me off.” She pointed at Makama. “This is Duncan’s youngest.”
Sadie’s eyes rounded to saucers. “What?”
“It’s true,” Makama said. “I even brought the pictures to prove it. Duncan Mackenzie Sayer Cooke is my father. Cozette Duprie married him in 1858. I was born in 1977. In 1996, Shona and Dallan MacDonald brought Vale to me. My mate.”
Sadie trembled as she looked at them. “And which of you is a...a...”
“Muiraran,” Makama said. “And it’s me, but I’m only half. My mother is full.”
Sadie closed her eyes. “Cozette.”
“Yes.”
She opened her eyes. “Shona, Cozette, Lorelei, Pepper...”
“All Muirarans,” Makama said. “And all special, including Tillie.”
Sadie went to the small desk, pulled out the chair and sat. “Tillie White. She always was different. I guess none of us realized how much.”
“Sadie,” Lany said stepping forward. “I need to know about Maida. Tell me what happened.”
Honoria stood. “What do you want? What’s in this for you?”
He closed his eyes a moment. “I know you wish this wasn’t happening to your daughter. But where I come from, this is a great honor for a… well, mostly human. Though I’m questioning that. I think Maida might have more Muiraran blood in her than we first thought.”