Free Ferris Braden [Beyond the Marius Brothers 6] by Joyee Flynn Page B

she held a sleeping Paolo, several bags and a stroller at her feet.
“Everyone I have met is of the highest caliber of people,” I answered with a smile. “They’ve welcomed us in our time of need with open arms, risked their own lives to save our people.” I glanced at Benjio then. “ Anyone who mistreats that kindness or acts anything other than a perfect guest will deal with me. I would see that aggression as a threat to my authority and our alliance with this coven. The punishment would be severe and swift. I won’t risk their help and kindness because of a few. Am I making myself clear?”
“Perfectly,” Benjio growled, knowing it was basically directed at him.
“Don’t be scared of the portal. It’s perfectly safe. You’ll feel pressure on your body and maybe a little nausea but it passes within a few minutes. Councilwoman Marius is setting up transportation to her home and tonight, we rest. Tomorrow, we start rebuilding. When we know it’s safe, we will bury our dead and move everything to our new home. I know you’re scared, I am too. We are stronger than our fear though. We will survive and blossom once again.”
“Thank you for coming to our rescue,” one of the elders of our pack said, letting his gratefulness seep into his voice. “We wouldn’t have survived the attack. You warned us this might happen, your highness, and we didn’t listen. We were fools. Whatever you feel is best to make sure our people are safe, I support.” And with that, he walked right through the portal.
I internally sighed with relief. Having Jessep on my side was a big help. He held a lot of sway with the wealthiest families of our people and had been one of my father’s right-hand men.
“Cynthia, wait a moment, I would speak to you in private,” I said quietly. She nodded and followed me as I walked away from everyone else.
“What’s wrong?” Ferris asked once we were alone by the ballroom.
“I know the portal is safe for adults, but what about a tiny baby?” I whispered as I stared at Paolo. “I mean, most babies aren’t even supposed to travel on planes. Could it hurt him?”
“I don’t know but that’s a good question. Are there any other children in this pack?”
“There were a few but not babies,” Cynthia choked out.
“No,” I whispered in horror as her meaning sunk in. “How?”
“They went for the children first, saying their blood was the best.” Tears ran down her cheeks. “Your brother had been with your mother and when she heard the screams from the kids’ movie night and the people watching them, she raced to the study with the few who’d taken weapons to protect her.”
“All of them?” I felt like the floor was falling out from under me.
“Jenny, Rachel, and Trevor were killed, along with their parents.”
I felt my heart break all over again. Trevor was my best friend’s son. “Chris?”
“No, she was with them,” Cynthia answered. In a flash I turned and punched the wall, every bone in my hand breaking.
“Rylan, please,” Ferris begged as he pulled me back against him.
“My parents, my best friend, my godchild are all gone, Ferris. They’re all dead.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie,” he whispered as I shook. I glanced up in time to see Onah, Bevin, and the Queen staring at me with tears in their eyes.
“They went after the children,” I told them, trying to explain. “We lost three under the age of ten.”
“Monsters,” the Queen whispered in horror. “They will not go unavenged. We will kill every last demon.”
I nodded and turned back to Paolo when he let out a soft cry. “Is the portal safe for a baby to travel through? I didn’t know if I should let him through yet.”
“Yes, but it would cause him more discomfort than an adult. If I carry him through, my magic will make it painless for him.” She gave me a sad smile and held out her arms to Cynthia.
“I trust her with Paolo,” I told Cynthia when she gave me a hesitant look. She nodded and handed over my