Free Criteria (YA Paranormal Romance) (Wisteria) by Bisi Leyton Page B

“That’s great!” They hadn’t had any new people in their group in over a year. “Where are they?” Excited, she started to put on her boots.
    Jack stood gawking at Monty as if he’d just learned he had Nero. “How many?”
    “Four,” Monty replied, not sounding pleased. “Only two guys.”
    “Wait here, Fi.” Turning to her, Jack kissed her forehead. “I don’t want you or anyone mixing with them until we know what they want.”
    “Isn’t it obvious? They want somewhere to live.” Moving past Jack, she headed to the door. “They’re survivors.”
    Monty stepped in front of her. “He said you can’t go anywhere.”
    “Monty—move.” She laughed at his pathetic attempt to intimidate her. “Or I’ll flatten you.”
    “Really?” Monty cocked his eyebrow and crossed his arms, flexing his muscles in the process. “I’d like to see you try.”
    Walking between Monty and Fi, Jack held her shoulders gently. “Fi, please just hang out here until we know more about these people. Not everyone out there can be trusted.”
    “I get it. They need to meet our criteria.” Fi repeated what Jack had told her last time they had new arrivals. “I know, genius, but we outnumber them, almost nine to one.”
    “I don’t want her down there.” Monty gave Jack another nervous look.
    “What is it?” Fi wondered at Monty’s sudden nervousness.
    “Just stay here. This isn’t a joke, Fiona.” Jack stormed out.

    *****

    Fi didn’t know how long she’d been waiting for Jack to get back. The sun was starting to set, so it had been at least four hours, but she couldn’t be sure, as she didn’t have a working clock in her room. Part of her wanted to charge out and see what was going down for herself. She desperately wanted to see the newcomers, but she shuddered at the thought of going against Jack. She trusted him and if he said wait, she would. She needed to trust that he’d keep her safe. Plus, she was hoping he’d stop back later and they’d pick up where they’d left off before Monty disturbed them.
    The sound of banging interrupted her thoughts.  
    “Come in.”   Fi rolled over.
    Standing at her door was Yumi, nineteen years old and average height, but very skinny with short black hair and an eternal tan. “You heard?” she asked, betraying a slightly exotic accent.
    “The new people? Yeah. Have you seen them?”
    Darting to the bed, Yumi pulled on her arm. “No, but we’re going down there now.”
    “No, Jack said—”
    “I want to see them before Jack and the other guys get carried away.”
    “Carried away how?”
    “You know how Jack can be when he feels threatened. He’s a bit insecure and it’s going to be worse since there were two guys and we don’t need any more guys here.”
    “Why do you keep putting him down like that? We’d be dead if Jack didn’t take control. Left to Greg, we would still be rummaging our way through Essex, starving or dead.”
    Yumi’s face fell at the mention of Greg.
    “I didn’t mean that. It’s just—” Fi saw that she’d upset Yumi.
    “Greg did the best he could. He was the only one who agreed that we should head to Lady Luggard’s and barricade ourselves in here. Remember, Jack wanted us to go to Luton Airport?” She headed to the door. “Now, after Greg’s gone, it miraculously became Jack’s idea?”
      “Jack got us here in the end.” Fi wasn’t going to argue with her. “Did you and Jack have a fight? Is that why you’re talking about him like this?” She was a little irritated that this was the girl Jack was still with. Yumi didn’t even sound like she liked him.
    “What happened to him was wrong.” Yumi squeezed the bridge of her tiny nose, obviously irritated by the same conversation they’d had so often. “Things would’ve been different if he’d been here. He deserved to be here.”
    Greg ran away from the group as they were heading to Lady Luggard’s, after trying and failing to attack Jack. He was great