Loving Ashlynn (#Wattys2016)

Chapter 51 - Unexpected (Ansel Conrad POV) Pt.5

Chapter 51 – Unexpected (Ansel Conrad POV) Pt.5

"We do not take lives-"

"Oh you rather be the fools that are captured by the Elders, than be the man that protected his family. You do not even know you are in jeopardy! You invited danger to your table!" Naomi pointed, squaring off with Lewis.

"I have never even heard of these loyalist people you speak of-" I make a choking sound, snapping out of my own thoughts as it feels like I've been stabbed in the gut. Granddad didn't understand what his words meant or even how close to the truth he was.

Faith spoke of Loyalist and Independents, two rivals. Sure he was not implying much when he used that term; loyalist. But my heart and inner panic could not be pushed aside.

"How did you escape the second time?" I ask Naomi, trusting in her for the second time. I had kept my family safe for many years by living a quiet life. I had never ran into a Kitsune, or Loyalists. However, dropped right in my lap was a girl that knew of a coming world.

And with Andy, came Naomi who was looking out for him, and by the way she grabbed Genesis, Stella and Danny Junior, his siblings as well. It was not the time to think of her motives, but I think it had more to do with Andy wanting to protect his family than Naomi going out of her way to look out for more than just Andy, her Charge.

"Ansel you are not just taking this girls-"

"Granddad," I shake my head, "the time to ask questions and doubt anyone is not when a man with an anagram name for Betray No Elder is sitting inside a house with my wife," I can barely keep the fire, anger and fear out of my tone.

"She is a child Ansel-" I hold up my hand, palm out towards him, eyebrow raised.

While privately thinking, Naomi is a child, but so is Fatima, but Samson left us because of something she knew and now, he out of all my children was the safest.

Kalenah and I spent months trying to make Faith see that there were no such things as Loyalist and Independents. Months of trying to turn off the brainwashing she had endured, never once thinking, she could be seeing a future. Hell we sent that poor girl to therapy, all to undo the damage her mind endured.

"Tell me what you know of this people with the anagram names," I turn to Naomi. "Do not look them up," she warns, mostly looking at Angela who was seated and just opening her laptop. "They are trained and to get the names they have to show great loyalty to the Elders. They go where the Elders want them, they will harm a child if that is what they are told to do, all to serve the Elders." I get a sickening twist in my belly, as Naomi speaks, her own normally dark eyes glow a light gold.

"They have no family, and if they have a family, that is because they are trying to get close to a mark. If the Elders want someone they will find someone near that person and try to recruit them, but they never get their hands dirty. You may never know that you are actually working directly for the Elders. Sometimes you do know though, you do it because you are convinced that by helping them, you are part of this cause," Naomi waves her arms slicing the air.

As she paces, Naomi continues speaking, "You believe that when they finally take a stance that you will be rewarded because you've been a loyal supporter."

I glance at Angela who despite the fear in her eyes, mouths a single name to me. "Taylor!"

"You say all of this, but how do you test it? Do you want us to kill a man without proof?"

Naomi stops pacing, while I run through methods to kill this man that I hadn't seen face to face. "Everyone stay here!" I order, stalking off the bus, rolling my shoulders and putting on my best jovial face.