Mine to Fear (Mine #3)(31)

Chadwick returns with Jack after getting supplies from town. It's easier for Jack to blend in than Chadwick, but neither of them trust the other. I'm not entirely sure what to think of them both now, but at least I trust them with our safety. Jack more than earned that with everything he’s done. If he hadn't stopped to cut the spell off my leg, I'd probably be locked up right now.

As I help them put things away, they're both silent and brooding. Something more is going on than they're saying. Not that they're saying anything.

After we finish, I suggest we go outside. Once there, I ask, “What's wrong?”

Jack slumps against a tree.

“We found some people,” Chadwick says. “They are hiding from law officers in a forest close to town. They took to Jack, talked to him, and I think they trust him.”

“And he wants to bring them here.” Jack scowls at Chadwick like he's the most vile thing Jack's ever seen.

“Why is that a bad thing?” I ask, agreeing with the thought to bring them here. What's the point of trying to help people if we don't actually help?

“He doesn't trust them,” Chadwick says.

Jack shoots another dirty look at him.

“Well, you don't.”

Jack says, “If we let them join us, we're risking everyone here. There's no reason we have to trust that they won't go to the nearest law officer as soon as they know where we are.”

“They are hiding from the law just as much as we are,” Chadwick counters.

“But they aren't being hunted as much as some of the people here. Turning us in could be seen as a way to make things more lenient for them.”

“But they won't because they hate the new laws and won't want to go back to that.”

“Yet it's the only life they know. Recognizing their fight against it is useless and invertible.”

“That's enough.” Both of them look at me as if they forgot I was there. I wonder how long they were arguing over this on the way back. “Look, I know this isn't easy, for any of us, but I think we should consider it.”

Chadwick looks triumphant, Jack murderous.

“I think we should ask the others what they think,” I continue. “It's their safety in question after all.”

“You know they're all going to invite them in despite the dangers.” Jack huffs.

“Most likely.” Except maybe Pernilla. Despite being numb, she's been over protective, like she's worried that at any moment Stephen will find her and the baby. “But it is their choice to make.”

“And I have no say.”

“I think you do, just not the only say. You should tell them your concerns because they are very real and valid.”

He gives me a look. “I didn't think you'd agree with a warlock like me.”

I take a step toward him. “I agree with the truth, which is what you're offering.”

“Which is what I've been trying to say,” Chadwick says.

I step back. Jack practically growls at Chadwick.

“It would probably help your case, though, if you were a bit calmer and rational.” Or a lot. “Trust me, my brother loses his temper a lot and it never goes well for his cause. It has taught me to try to do just the opposite.”

Jack gives me a wry sort of smile that sends my feet another step closer to him.

“You do seem like the type of girl to go against whatever someone is angry about just to be contrary,” he says.

“At least where the safety of the people I care about is concerned.”

He goes somber. “I'm sorry the Grand Chancellor has affected your life this way.”

I stare down at the rocks speckling the dirt. “Me, too.” I look back up at him. “You do know though, that even if you’re calmly talking to them about the risks, they'll probably still want to help those people?”

He shrugs. “It's obvious some people do what they can to help others despite the risks to themselves.”

“Maybe the warning will at least help them to be more cautious while they are helping.”

“I hope it's enough.”

“I do as well.” Both him and Chadwick turn to go back into the house. More chores to do, no doubt. There's plenty of them to go around with the amount of people that are here.

“Wait a moment, Jack. Can I speak to you?” When he stops, so does Chadwick. “Alone.”

Chadwick shoots Jack a dirty look. “I'll still be close enough you can yell for me if you need to.”

I roll my eyes. “You two really need to sort your differences.”

“Like that will happen,” Chadwick mumbles, but he heads in anyway.

Once he's out of sight, Jack says, “Is there something you needed from me?”

This feels more personal than I should probably get with him, but someone has to look out for him, even if he's a Chardonian warlock. “What you said before, about the others being willing to possibly change things, did you mean that more for them, or for you?”

He squeezes his eyes shut tight. “Just the fact that I'm having this conversation with you should prove I'm willing to consider things changing.”

Just consider? It's a step in the right direction at least, and he hasn't told me to lower my head in quite some time. Though he left off in a way that seems like he has more to say. “But…”