Free looked at Carnal. “If our males were interested in mating with human females, why haven’t they?”

Rosie couldn’t resist rolling her eyes. “Do you think the cultural climate in Newland would have been accepting of that idea? The prejudice doesn’t go just one way.”

Free cocked his head, appearing to consider that. “You’re saying that mating with humans would be the natural outcome of making it acceptable.”

“Yes.”

“What about what the mayor said about human males resenting the attentions, and obvious preference, that their women give us?”

Rosie sighed. “So the math isn’t going to render a perfect one on one match up. Nothing’s ideal. But when the day comes that a sufficient number of humans have grandchildren who are half hybrid, they will die to protect them.”

Free nodded. “A powerful argument.”

“Thank you.”

“Also a very hard sell.” Again, Free looked at Carnal. “There are Exiled, like myself, who remember. Our hearts are hardened toward humans and I’m not sure anything can change that. Living among them, so close to them. It would be difficult.”

“What about me?”

Carnal gave her a questioning look. With her eyes, Rosie reminded him not to reveal that she was less human than the hybrids. He blinked a couple of times, but his eyes said that what was between them was private.

“What about you?” Free asked.

“I’m living in your house, eating at your table. You even left me in charge of your children when you marshalled for the alarm. Now you’re asking for my counsel and, hopefully, trusting me enough to take advice about how best to protect Exiled now and in the future. That should prove to you that living together, not just peacefully, but with the same goals in mind, is possible.”

Free sat back and regarded her carefully. “Maybe. Does that cap your list of suggestions?”

“For now.”

Free motioned toward the door and said to Yellow, “Bring him back in.”

When the mayor was once again sitting at the head of the table, Free said, “You need to expect and prepare for some changes. The first order of business will be an inspection of your training and weapons facilities. I will conduct this inspection personally. After I’ve had a chance to review, you and I will be having further discussions about the relationship between hybrids and humans going forward.”

“I see. And when will you…?”

“Right now.”

“Right now,” the mayor repeated, looking stunned.

“In the past I’ve blindly trusted that you valued us for the service we’ve given you, that you were grateful for the lives lost and injuries sustained on your behalf, that our children who’ve been orphaned while their parents were killed protecting you meant something to you. My false presumptions have been stripped away and now I see things more clearly. Therefore, you will not be given the opportunity to conspire against us and hide plans for our ultimate destruction.

“Carnal, you stay.” Free looked over his shoulder. “Have Clash and Yellow return to Newland and bring enough people to hold the occupants of this building here while we take a tour with Mayor Comstock. I also require Serene, Cage, Thorn, Sky, and Breaker to accompany us on our discovery expedition.”

Carnal nodded toward Clash and Yellow. Rosie noted that Free was careful not to give direct orders to Carnal’s crew, but sent his wishes down the chain of command via Carnal. Rosie saw that Free’s care with being respectful was part of what had made him a good leader.

“Well,” Free turned toward the mayor. “What do you have to eat while we wait?”

Since the Exiled were accustomed to drills that prepared them to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice, it was less than an hour before the five additions to Free’s entourage filed into the room. While Exiled were rounding up everyone in City Hall and securing the exits, Free motioned to Rosie to rise and follow him to the other end of the room.

“These are the people who could help me convince Exiled to go along with your plan. If convincing can be done, that is.” Rosie looked back at the group. She knew Serene was there because of her role in education and also because it didn’t take brilliance to figure out that she’d been both mate and advisor to Free. Rosie had seen as much while living in their household. As to the four others, they were peers of Free’s whom she knew from the Commons. When Carnal had talked about his father’s confidantes, she surmised that these were the people he’d meant.

Clash entered, crossed the room to Carnal and said something to him. Carnal acknowledged it and walked toward them. He stopped a few feet away, but Free motioned for him to come closer and speak.

“The building and its occupants are secure, Extant.”

The new arrivals were barely able to contain their curiosity as to why they’d been brought to Farsuitwail and, moreover, why a coup appeared to be underway without their foreknowledge.

Free spoke to them. “In summary, our guest’s,” he looked toward Rosie in clarification, “suppositions that the humans might have plans against the hybrids that occupy this world, including us, have been proven to be true.” Free’s inner circle exchanged looks as scowls and frowns formed on their faces. “They’ve been secretly seeking to recreate the technology that powered their industry and lifestyles before destruction by the Rautt. Their ultimate goal is to eliminate everyone in this world who is not human.”