Page 28 of A Lion's Heart
“Get some rest,” was Jace’s simple reply.
Decan had not spoken another word before she left.
“You’re a feisty one,” Amelia said as they boarded an elevator and went down to the floors where the sleeping rooms were located. “I should have guessed since Kalina is a very spirited jaguar and Rome, well, he’s Rome.”
Nisa only smiled in response because she wasn’t certain what to say to that remark. She didn’t like when people presumed to know her or what type of shifter she was, solely based on her genetics. They had no idea how different her thoughts were from her parents, and she wasn’t about to tell this one either.
“Listen, I’m sure you have some sort of plan formulated in your mind,” Amelia continued when they stepped off the elevator after traveling two floors down.
“But allow me to offer a piece of advice.”
Amelia stopped and turned to Nisa, blocking her path.
“Don’t push your way in,” she told Nisa. “Male Shadow Shifters are genetically trained to protect the female. Whether the female believes it’s necessary or not. So if they think you’re in danger by getting involved in this investigation, they’ll do whatever is necessary to keep you away from it.”
“I don’t need protection,” Nisa stated. “I’ve been training since I was four years old. I’m ready for whatever this investigation may bring.”
“Are you Nisa?” Amelia asked. “Are you ready to stare down the barrel of a human’s gun and realize that your life is over in that instant? Or, are you ready to fight a rogue until one of you is left dead? Because that’s where this particular investigation is leading.”
Her words were meant to make Nisa uncomfortable and possibly to frighten her. Nisa didn’t budge.
“And that’s why my father didn’t want me involved because he doesn’t think I can handle myself?”
Amelia shook her head. “I’m not even going to put myself on the line by daring to insinuate what the Assembly Leader is thinking. What I will say is he wouldn’t have sent you here, knowing what’s going on in the Central Zone, if he didn’t think you could help.”
“And that’s what I plan to do,” Nisa countered. “I want to help.”
“I was in the room during the last call between your father and Jace. Rome’s idea of help in this instance is you sitting behind that holodeck and working your magic there.”
“That’s ridiculous when I can be of use in both places.”
“But you can only stay alive in one,” Amelia said.
Nisa sighed.
“I won’t be kept in a corner. I know how to handle myself.” She raised a hand when Amelia was about to say something else.
“And no, I’m not being stubborn and totally dismissing my father’s feelings for me. I respect and love him and Uncle Jace, too. I know they’re only looking out for my best interests. But this is my life. What good is it if I can’t live it the way I want? If I can’t live it to help my people?”
To Nisa’s surprise Amelia smiled.
“And that’s where my advice will help. Don’t push your way in. You have information, use it to show them you’re an asset. And then use it to hold over their heads if necessary.”
When Nisa only stared quizzically at her, Amelia turned and continued walking down a long hallway. She stopped in front of a door and then turned to face Nisa again.
“Get some rest and be ready to meet with them tomorrow. They’ll try to shut you down. Make sure you have something that stops them from doing so.”
“Something like what?”
“Something they don’t have. Leverage,” Amelia told her and then walked away.
Nisa went into the room and immediately pulled her board from her bag. Amelia was working alongside Jace which in itself was a questionable feat. Every Shadow Shifter in the Assembly knew that Jace Maybon only slept with females. He didn’t work with them, nor did he commit to them in any way. The mere fact that Amelia was—even under the executive assistant title—acting as Jace’s second in command, was big. It was very big and Nisa respected the female’s position, as well as her advice.
So she was going to find that leverage and first thing tomorrow morning when she met with Jace and whoever else attended, she was going to be prepared to present them with an offer they could not refuse.
Her life depended on it.
“What did you tell her?” Jace asked the moment Nisa and Amelia were out of the room.
