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“Probably,” Jhan answered. “Once they’re all secure, we’re bringing them back and locking them in the holding cells in the barracks. I’d love to help question them, if that’s okay with you.”

“I’ll welcome your expertise in that phase,” Quin said. “Did they give any resistance?”

“Some did, we subdued them. But our teams already had instruction not to kill, or damage any of them so that we could determine which were directly involved.”

Quin’s snarl filled the room. “After we learn what we can from those wearing the signs of physical combat, they will die.”

“Without a doubt,” Jhan agreed.

“Kron’s team is still searching as well?” Quin asked.

“Yes. He’s aware of those we’ve located and is continuing his search grid to rule out any more,” Jhan answered. “I’m thinking of using the largest training room for questioning. It does wonders to break some of the hardest among a group of offenders if they see their cohorts going through their own inquisition.

“Agreed. I will meet you at the garrison,” Quin answered. He ended the communication and met the questioning looks of everyone still standing around him.

“How many have they found?” Vivian asked.

“Twenty-three so far. Three of them show the marks of an altercation. And one is a female.”

“It’s them,” Vivian said.

Quin pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “We are making our home safe again, my Ehlealah. There will be no more reason to fear.”

“I know you’ll keep us safe.”

“We will confirm that Mirilla was not involved as well. We will send teams to search for her.”

“Bart has already left. His retrieval teams are searching for her, and for Mir’ Ahn,” Eula said.

“When?” Quin demanded, surprised that no one told him Bart was leaving.

“Almost the moment we learned Mirilla was gone and that Mir’ Ahn was missing as well.”

“Does he even know Mir’ Ahn?” Quin asked.

“No, but he knows Mirilla. And that is the individual he is most focused on finding,” Eula said.

“I’ll send him a description. Better yet, I’ll forward him an electronic photo of the male. But it will have to wait. I need to be there when Jhan brings in those we think are responsible.

“Mir’ Ahn can’t be that hard to identify. If you know Mirilla, imagine her in male form and there you have Mir’ Ahn,” Eula said.

“That’s correct,” Quin agreed. He soundly kissed Vivian. Smacked a kiss on his mother’s cheek and strode toward the front door. “I have work to prepare for.”

Quin opened the door but paused and looked back at Vivian and his mother. “This is the beginning of the end of the unrest, but it is not settled. Do not let your guard down yet.”

Eula nodded.

“Be safe, my love,” Vivian said.

Quin walked through the door and pulled it closed behind himself. He hesitated long enough to look at each of the guards assigned to his home. Seeing Vor among them gave him a stronger sense of security than he’d had since Zahn was injured.

“They will be safe, Sire,” Vor vowed with a growl.

Kail, Asl, and Var don all agreed heartily.

“I have no doubt they will be perfectly safe under your watch.” Quin slammed his arm over his chest to vow his loyalty to them, then purposefully strode away as his own guards, now reduced to two as he’d sent the others to assist elsewhere, silently fell into step behind him, careful to leave him a comfortable distance between himself and them.

~~~

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