To Tempt A Tiger(85)
Rose forced a smile, but her stomach was tumbling around in waves of anxiety. This was one of the few times in her life when she wasn’t even a little excited by the adrenaline rush surging through her blood. She’d rather face down deadly white water or have a rope break while on a dangerous climb. In those situations, she wouldn’t have her daughter with her and in danger.
When they were shown into the meeting hall through the main door, Alexis stopped just outside. “I’ll stay here in case you need me. There are three Trackers here, too.” She motioned toward the two side doors through which the elders and their assistants entered the hall. “And one behind each of those doors. The Trackers aren’t usually on guard here, but given what’s happened…” She shrugged. “Remember the room is soundproof, but just open the door and I’ll be there to help.”
Rose thanked her and went in, holding Zoe’s hand tight.
The nine elders were already seated this time. No elaborate entrance to announce their presence. The main door closed as she, Zoe, and Vlad walked slowly to the center of the room, facing the council. There were seats set up before the dais, but Rose was in no mood to sit.
Vlad whispered in her ear and nodded to indicate which elder was Lei. He was the elder she’d been calling Seven. He was a beautiful man, almost unreal looking he was so gorgeous, but she no longer saw his stunning good looks when she faced him. All she saw was the spot on his forehead where she wanted to put a bullet.
She studied him, hunting for any signs that he regretted his actions or that he intended to threaten them more. His expression was neutral and impassive, as if nothing had happened and he’d had no part in Zoe’s abduction.
Two assistants were still in the room, one standing at each of the two side doors through which only the elders and their assistants came and went. The two assistants were the only ones present beyond the elders and Rose, Zoe and Vlad. All the seating which had filled the shorter sides of the room was gone, leaving the space even more open and huge.
Rose kept her gun in one hand, resting casually against her thigh, and held Zoe with her other hand. She stared down the elders and waited for one of them to start.
She didn’t have to wait long.
Elizaveta spoke for the group. “We have voted unanimously to include Zoe in the community, with all the legal rights and responsibilities of a female tiger shifter. She will be protected by our laws, and any threat to her will be met by the full force of our displeasure and retribution.” She glanced at Lei, but he didn’t react outwardly to her gibe. “Additionally, because of the recent…difficulties, we have voted to award her an annuity in compensation for the trauma caused.”
That startled Rose into dropping her scowl. “An annuity?”
Elizaveta smiled very slightly and her eyes glittered. “A substantial annuity. It will start at a million dollars per year and will go up to two million dollars a year when she reaches twenty-five.”
Rose actually gasped. She opened her mouth but no sound came out. She closed her mouth, swallowed, and tried to force out sounds that would make sense. “Why?”
“In our community, under our laws, severe fines are often utilized to discourage illegal activities. Such a fine has been imposed for the abduction of your daughter. And rather than fold the proceeds into our own expenses, given the circumstances and the…conflict of interest that keeping the money would imply, we felt it would be best assigned to the injured party. You, of course, will be the executor of the funds until Zoe reaches maturity. And we will arrange to have the US taxes taken care of so you can enjoy the entire annuity amount.”
Rose was so stunned she didn’t know what to say or even how to feel. They’d basically set Zoe up for life financially. She’d never have to worry about money, ever. And because she was now officially covered under their laws, she was in significantly less danger from other tigers. Maybe. Would the fine imposed here be enough to discourage future attacks?
Given the amount, Rose had a feeling it would.
She was still trying to decide if she was happy for the compensation, or disgusted that Lei only had to pay a fine for his crime when Vlad spoke.
“What about Rose? What rules and laws will apply to her? How is she to be treated in the community?”
“Ah,” Elizaveta said, leaning back in her seat. “There is our current conundrum. We are stuck at a four/four vote on whether she should be legally labeled a tiger female, a hybrid female, or a related human with no actual position in our community. Killing a human is a death sentence offense, so she would have that protection if the latter option is adopted.”