Callie's Captors [Mountain Men(49)

Laughter as well as curses broke out around her and Charlton lifted a white eyebrow. “You can’t make friends with one of The Cursed.”

“I don’t mean to be argumentative, but yes, you can. I did.”

Tina waved her hand in the air, dismissing her statement and quieting the crowd. “It doesn’t matter what she thinks she’s done. Only what has happened matters.”

Callie had liked Tina with her big smile and beautiful silver eyes when she’d run into her earlier that morning as Luke had escorted her to the cabin where The Council met, but now she couldn’t help but feel like the tiny fairy was out to get her.

“I don’t know if Scrunch is different from the rest or not, but he’s trying to connect with me. Each time I’ve seen him, he hasn’t shown any indication that he wanted to do me any harm.”

She looked around her. Most of the others’ expressions hadn’t changed. They couldn’t forget their past with The Cursed. Yet a few people, mainly the younger ones, leaned forward, wanting to hear more.

“What if they’re trying to change? What if Scrunch is the first of more to come? What harm can it do to try?”

A small woman, her golden hair in curls around her head, stood and spoke. “I don’t know if what she says is true, but if it is, then shouldn’t we give it a chance? Maybe Callie and this Scrunch are the ones to finally make peace between us? I, for one, would love to live in a world where we didn’t have to fear The Cursed.”

A clamor rose then, with disagreement ringing out loud and clear. Yet a few of the others remained quiet, their silence giving her hope.

Charlton lifted his hand, signaling them to stop talking. “Whether The Cursed are attempting to make contact is a question for another day.”

Xnax bounced a fire ball in his hand then made it disappear in a puff of smoke. “As usual, Charlton is correct. We have to decide what to do about their breaking our rules. Not only did they allow her to take up with the creature—”

“No. They didn’t allow me. No one allows me to do what I want to do. Contrary to what everyone might think, I’m not their captive and I don’t take orders from them. I did this all on my own.”

Why weren’t the Deacon brothers sticking up for themselves? Instead, they stood straight and tall, their hands by their sides, mutely waiting for whatever decision came down.

Xnax conjured another ball and tossed it her way. Fortunately, it fell a few feet short of her. “If I can finish my statement…”

He paused as she nodded her head. Maybe she was doing them more harm by opening her big yap.

“The Deacon brothers also fought our own kind to protect her and the creature.”

Another round of noise came from the spectators as they expressed their displeasure.

Charlton lifted his hand again and everyone quieted down. “We’ve never faced this situation before, but I think our choices are clear.”

She swallowed, dread stiffening her spine. Would they make her leave? The thought of never seeing the men was awful. Could she leave if they made her? Yet, as much as she wanted to see the world away from the mountains, she wanted her men more.

She’d thought about it long and hard during the night. At first, she was sure she’d leave, sure that she had no place in their world, but when she imagined a life without the men, she’d broken down and cried. But would they let her stay now that she wanted to? Could she love men who could change into wolves? And yet a part of her reveled at the thought.

“Our first choice is that of banishment.”

Callie sucked in a hard breath. For me? Or for the men I love?

She wavered, the world suddenly spinning. Oh, hell. I love them so much. Please don’t punish them for my actions.

“The Deacon brothers will leave The Hidden and take Callie with them, never to return.”

She couldn’t, wouldn’t let that happen even if it meant giving them up for good. “No. That’s not fair. I dragged them into this trouble. Make me leave, but let them stay. Please don’t take away their home. This is all my fault. Don’t punish them. Punish me.”

Was it her imagination, or did a couple of The Council members’ faces appear to soften?

“The other option is to forgive their transgressions. However, Callie would have to promise to never have anything to do with The Cursed or this Scrunch creature ever again.”

She nodded at Charlton, encouraging him to choose the second option. But if she stayed, could she keep the promise?

“Please,” she whispered and fought back the tears. If she’d cost the men their sanctuary, their home, she’d never forgive herself.