Chapter Thirty-One
“I’m not so sure we should be here, Granny.” Ava shoved her hands in her jeans pockets and continued to walk up the steep trail up to where the Tribunal would be held. “I don’t see any other females.” She cut her eyes at the Guardians from the other states jogging up the hill in a uniform line.
“Pish posh. I’ve never been to a Tribunal, and I promised Ginny I would look after Jaxon.” Granny turned her sad eyes on Ava.
“Stop doing that,” Haley said.
“Stop doing what?” Granny frowned.
“Stop giving everyone that look. You know, that look that says everything is not going to be okay.” Haley wrapped her arms around her chest and continued walking with them.
“Everyone needs to calm down,” Catty said from behind. “Barrett is in charge, and he always finds a way out. I mean, we’re the good guys, right?”
Ava glanced over her shoulder at her friend. “Catty’s right. I’m just worried what Damon is going to say when he finds out I came.”
“How’s he going to find out?” Granny frowned. “He’s back at the Compound. Looking after things. Besides, we’ll just watch things from behind those trees. The Arkansas Guardians are already around the Tribunal circle. There’s no way they can see us, so there’s no way that Damon will find out.”
Ava tried to relax. Granny was right. Besides, she was more worried about Ginny than what Damon would say about her coming tonight.
Before she left, she’d gone to visit Ginny with Granny. Ginny had stayed behind in the Compound in Jaxon’s room. Jaxon had posted a guard at her room to make sure she didn’t try to leave.
As soon as Ava had entered the room, she’d recognized Ginny’s scent. The female was pregnant.
Ginny had been wary of them at first, but after a while she’d warmed up to Granny and then Ava. While Granny had gone to the kitchen to fix them some tea, Ava took the opportunity to confide in Ginny that she too was pregnant.
Ginny was distraught over Jaxon’s situation. She’d told them that Jaxon was innocent. Ava really didn’t need her to say anything. She already knew in her heart that Jaxon was taking the blame for the woman he loved.
Ginny had tried to convince them to sneak her out of the Compound so she could see Jaxon, but they refused. Instead, Granny offered to go herself and stand by Jaxon’s side.
“I don’t understand why Ginny isn’t here. I mean, isn’t she supposed to speak against Boudier?” Catty asked.
“Jaxon made Barrett promise not to let her come tonight. So she’s at the Compound with a guard at her door,” Ava said and looked around the small trail.
“What the fuck are you all doing here?” Barrett stepped out from the tree line and blocked their path.
“Barrett, you scared me half to death.” Granny clutched her chest and pursed her lips together. “I think I just aged another twenty years.”
“All of you are going to turn around and leave now.” Barrett didn’t smile, and his voice held an edge that Ava had never heard before.
“But I promised Ginny that I would come and stand with Jaxon,” Granny insisted.
“No. Leave now. All of you,” Barrett commanded. He looked over his shoulder and waved. From out of the thick forest, a couple of large Weres stepped out.
“Who are you?” Granny lifted her chin and assessed the Weres in front of her.
“This is James and Michael. They are Mississippi Guardians. They will escort you back to your vehicle.” Barrett turned to leave, but Ava placed her hand on his arm.
He jerked away at the contact and took a step back.
Something was wrong. Ava knew it.
“Do what he says, Granny,” Ava said.
“But I promised…” Granny raised her voice.
“Please, Granny. Do what Barrett asked. I’ll be along in a minute.” She looked at the older woman.
“Fine.” Granny relented. “Come on ladies, let’s go.” She turned and headed down the mountain trail with Haley and Catty. The Guardians followed behind.
She waited until they were out of earshot.
“Barrett, what’s going on?” Ava asked.
“Leave, Ava. Go home to Damon.” He closed his eyes and lifted his face to the night sky. The moon was bright, and she could see the stress etched into his expression despite the darkness.
She’d never seen Barrett so on edge.
“Don’t bullshit me, Barrett. It’s just me and you.” She leaned in closer and lowered her voice. “Can you get Jaxon out of this?”
Barrett met her gaze. “Boudier has a witness who will say she saw Jaxon commit those murders.”
“Boudier is a lying sack of shit. He probably bribed someone to lie.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“It doesn’t matter. He has a witness,” he glared. “Don’t you understand? Blood must be paid for those two murders. It is the Pack Law.”
A shiver of dread ran through her, and she took a step back. She’d never seen Barrett this angry.
“I need to be alone, Ava. Before this starts.” He looked at her. “Go back with Granny and the girls.”
Dread settled in her stomach like an anchor. Barrett couldn’t save Jaxon. Jaxon was going to die.
“Okay. I’ll go back.” She nodded and started down the path. She glanced over her shoulder as he disappeared back into the woods.
She turned around and followed him.
She couldn’t let him face this alone.
She had to do something.