Dade smiled at the thought that Breckenridge’s own Blue-Haired Ladies were their champions.
“I’ve watched you out here, rallying people for the protection of shifters. I’d like to hear your thoughts on what has happened here this week.”
Aunt Leona pulled the microphone to her painted lips and shoved her glasses farther up her nose with determination as the other Blue-Haired Ladies formed a wall blocking the camera from the protestors in the background. “I’m here because my niece Rory is a good girl. And since their names have all been leaked to the public, her five-year-old little boy has been threatened, and her mate has been shamed, and for what? Because they are different. My Rory is a wonderful mother, worried about her family, and her mate has treated her like a queen. He treats everyone with the utmost respect. Here,” she said, handing the reporter a printed pamphlet. “I’ve talked to Rory, and here are some facts about what they are, who they are, and some of the challenges they are facing with this news going public. Protesting something, or someone, just because they are different is wrong. They are kind, caring people who do so much for their community. And I and the other Blue-Haired Ladies are calling for an emergency town meeting to discuss this new information about these people who have been a part of our town for three generations. They deserve to at least have the chance to answer our questions. Then we can decide if they are a threat or not. Which they aren’t, and the people behind me are being butt-faced, ninny-lickin’, twit-wagon—”
Doris Leach, one of the Blue-Haired Ladies, reached from behind Aunt Leona and clamped her hand over her friend’s mouth. “Town meeting. That’s what we want!”
Cora turned her serious gaze to the camera. “You’ve heard it straight from the mouths of some of Breckenridge’s most prominent members. Town meeting, and we can settle the rage that is humming in our streets tonight. This is Cora Wright saying give the shifters a chance to explain themselves before you damn an entire culture. Thank you and goodnight.”
The screen switched to a weatherman in front of a screen, wide-eyed as if he hadn’t expected Cora to go off the rails like that. He stuttered and stumbled over his words as he tried to predict a storm that was supposed to blow through tonight.
Gage clicked off the television and shook his head. He looked as sick as Dade felt.
“Rory, was what she said true?” Leah asked. “Has Aaron been threatened?”
Rory suddenly looked exhausted as she nodded slowly. “We all have. Cody’s been fielding phone calls left and right, trying to put out fires as they start, but most of it is just awful. He turned off his phone tonight just to get a break from it. He wanted the family to have a good night and for us to celebrate Quinn’s induction into our crew without worrying about what is happening out there.”
Quinn’s hands were shaking, so Dade placed his over hers in a silent promise that he would make everything okay.
“I think,” Quinn whispered, “we should say yes if they ask us to attend a town meeting and answer questions. People are afraid because they don’t understand you…us.” She inhaled deeply and looked shaken to her core. “If we can, I think we should be open with the public and put a stop to the rumors that are probably hurting any chance of us having a normal future.”
“She’s right,” Cody said from the doorway.
Aaron was cradled against his chest, and Rory stood with a blanket to cover her sleepy boy.
“I’ve talked to every crew we know of, and most of them are pissed, but that doesn’t change the fact that this could get worse and worse if we don’t cooperate. The Ashe Crew has thrown in their full support, along with the Boarlanders, Gray Backs, and twelve other crews across the country. They are willing to come out to the public if we can’t handle this alone. Safety in numbers and all. I’d rather it not get that far, though. My guess is that the government will make us register as shifters, but this was our choice, and the right to come out or not should be up to each individual crew. As of now, we’re on our own. I’ll call Cora Wright and see if she’ll cover our story. She seems like a shifter sympathizer who could be a good asset to us. I’ll start putting it in motion we are willing to attend the town meeting. Be aware it will gain national attention, though, so you’ll all have to be perfect. Not just okay, but relatable. The public has to feel safe around us.”
Dade inhaled deeply and nodded. “I say yes.”
“Yeah,” Gage said lifting his finger.
“Looks like we’re doing this,” Boone said, arms over his chest as if he’d do this shit, but wouldn’t like it.