Grai's Game (First Wave) Read Online Free Page B

not to take it. Looking at Tricia’s tearful expression, he shook his head at Julou.
    “We’re going with the original plan. We will not deviate from it. You know what’s at stake. Make sure everyone understands that.” Grai looked sternly at the heavily armed people in the room until one of the hybrids nodded her head and moved outside to relay the message to the others that were not of the beast species.
    “I want you to go to Maggie and Tristan. Stay with them until someone comes for you. Lock the door and don’t come out.” Grai urged Tricia, holding her hands gently in his as he looked down into her worried face.
    “No, I go with you. We can both go to him later. I’m your mate. It’s time we stood together.” Tricia’s light-brown eyes pleaded with Grai to understand why she had to do this. She smiled weakly at him when he just nodded slightly. Keeping one of her hands in his own, he guided her out of the door and into the hallway filled with his people.
    Julou led the way to the conference room as Grai and Tricia were surrounded by Julou’s men and their gifted and hybrid women.
    Ignoring the gasps and shouts of warning from those gathered outside the conference room, Julou moved past them and flung open the doors. Holding his weapon in front of his chest, he moved to the side upon entering, allowing some of the women to take up defensive positions before Grai and Tricia walked into the room.
    “What is the meaning of this?” Banatar said, standing in fury.
    The entire room moved at once; everyone around the table stood to their feet and took up defensive positions around Ivint. Valendrans, gifted, hybrids and Julou’s crew all pointed weapons at each other, screaming orders not to fire.
    Ivint stared at the battered face of Kalai’s oldest son as he stood silently looking back at him. Making a quick decision that he hoped he would not have cause to regret later, he held his hand up and called for silence.
    When the room quieted, Ivint ordered, “Lower your weapons. The sons of Kalai have gone to a lot of trouble to be here. I would like to hear what they have to say."”
    When Reven and a few others began to grumble Ivint silenced them quickly, “Now!”
    Ivint didn’t show his dismay when it appeared only half of the room lowered their weapons. Banatar didn’t bother to hide his shock when he realized just how many of his females were still holding their weapons… in defense of Grai.
    “What the hell is going on?” Banatar demanded angrily.
    “The High Councilor asked that you lower your weapons so that we may speak. Please do so and wait outside. All will be well.” Grai told his people, not taking his eyes from Ivint.
    Banatar sputtered in outrage until Ivint turned to him , “I believe we need less emotion right now. If anyone cannot remain calm, I would ask that you leave the room now.” Ivint gave Banatar a hard look before turning his gaze to the rest of room. When no one got up to leave, he turned back to Grai and Tricia.
    “You’ve gone through a lot of trouble to speak. Please sit down. I believe your brother said we have another thirty minutes or so until your father’s ship blows?” Ivint gestured to the empty seats at the end of the table, next to where Traze was grinning from the only occupied chair.
    Grai gave his brother a questioning look and Traze just shrugged his shoulders, “That guy and the cat caught me on the roof.” Traze gestured to David who was still armed and standing in the shadows of the room behind him; and Gibly who was standing in the middle of the conference room table his tail fluffed out and twitching rapidly from side to side.
    Grai nodded his head at David, recognizing that he would not give up his weapon. From what he had learned about the man, he didn’t blame him, the last time he did, hadn’t gone well for him. Quickly skimming the rest of the room he sat down confidently and pulled Tricia down to sit beside him.
    Holding both hands up, he