“Then you, Newlin, will return the children to me! You have no right to keep what is mine,” Ivan snarled in anger. “And you owe me since your people helped the worthless lot avoid me.”
Newlin looked about to grant the man his demand, though Tavia attempted to prevent it with a tug at her da’s arm.
Cree growled beneath his breath with annoyance and approached the group with purposeful strides. “Those children sought help because you are a brutal taskmaster.”
“I can treat them as I wish,” Ivan argued, though made sure to keep his distance from Cree.
“I say otherwise,” Cree challenged, and his hand shot up, pointing a finger at Ivan to silence him before he could respond. “Listen well, Lord Ivan, for this is how it will be. You will receive compensation for those children. They will not be returned to you. You will not wed Flora; she has been promised to Torin. If you choose to dispute the decisions made, then you face battle not only with me, but Lord Torin, Lord Bhric, and Lord Varrick. The choice is yours.”
“I and Lord Bhric stand with Lord Cree,” Torin confirmed.
Argus spoke up. “Lord Varrick stands with Lord Cree as well.”
Ivan flashed an angry look at Newlin. “And you? Where do you stand in this, Newlin?”
With the others to defend him, Newlin lifted his chin in confidence. “I pledged my allegiance to Lord Bhric when he wed my daughter. I stand with his decision now and always.”
Ivan looked from one man to the other, then settled once again on Newlin. “Then I choose my compensation… I want the demon.”
Argus was quick to inform him. “Lord Varrick has already claimed her.”
Newlin looked upon Ivan with disbelief. “You cannot be foolish enough to think you can control the demon and have her help you gain the power to conquer us.”
“And why do you think Lord Varrick wants her?” Ivan challenged. “Who does he plan to conquer with her help? Will he ride on all of us and claim our lands?”
Newlin turned a worried look on Argus.
“Lord Varrick has no interest in conquering any of you,” Argus said.
“If that is not his reason for laying claim to her, then why does he want a demon?” Ivan demanded.
“That is not for me to say,” Argus said with a firmness that made it clear he would say no more about it.
“You will be given sufficient coin for the children, Lord Ivan, accept it and be done with it,” Cree ordered. “And remember it is three powerful men you will answer to if you choose to retaliate in any way.”
“Do you threaten me, Lord Cree?” Ivan challenged boldly.
“Aye, I do,” Cree said, taking a quick step toward Ivan, causing him to jump, startled.
It appeared as if a collective breath was held waiting to see what Ivan would do.
“Another day, another time, Lord Cree,” Ivan said, not backing down from the challenge but saving face the best he could.
“I look forward to it,” Cree said.
Ivan stepped toward Newlin, away from Cree. “Since it is obvious you have little power here now, Newlin, I will wait and speak on the situation with Lord Bhric when he arrives.”
“Will you tell him that you failed to disclose that you had mercenaries hunting down the children who escaped your brutal treatment, thereby, making the task of finding Newlin’s missing people, now Lord Bhric’s people, more difficult?” Cree asked. “Though, I do agree it is wise to wait for Lord Bhric’s arrival and seek his opinion on fair compensation for the children since you hampered Newlin’s own search for his missing people.”
“A good suggestion,” Torin said. “Lord Bhric will definitely want to be advised as to all that has gone on here before any settlement is agreed upon.”
“Keep the lot of them,” Ivan said with a snarl that twisted his features. “They are of little to no use to me anyway.” He cast a quick glance to Newlin. “Be wise in what you choose to do with the demon, for she may return for revenge one day, and I will offer you no help.”
Lord Ivan marched out of the room without further word to anyone.
“I do not trust him,” Torin said, his eyes on the man until the door closed behind him.
“No one should trust him,” Cree said, stretching his arm out to clasp his wife’s hand reaching for him as she approached. “He is not the type of man who would easily surrender what is his. My concern is that he will try to abduct the children and if he succeeds, I fear what they will suffer. I will give Trent and Hana, the lad and lass who made themselves known to my wife, a home with my clan. I would suggest that you, Lord Torin, and Lord Bhric divide the others among you so that they not only remain safe from harm, but Newlin will not have to be on constant guard against Ivan.”