Two young women went next—twin sisters with pretty copper skin and dark hair, who stared at John in a way that made me a little uncomfortable.
“I don’t think it’s fair,” the woman on the left said, folding her arms. “This outsider is allowed to just take one of the few single men in this community? We didn’t—I mean, nobody else even got the chance.”
I flushed as a couple other young women nodded in agreement, and Asha rolled her eyes. Meanwhile, Kimmy covered her mouth to hold in her giggles as the corner of John’s mouth quirked up in amusement.
“I’m flattered, Asra,” he said wryly, “but it wouldn’t have worked between us.”
The twins both turned bright red and shuffled back to their seats.
A middle-aged farmwife followed the old man and talked about how unnatural—and therefore untrustworthy—we appeared.
“With their skin like glass and eyes bright as stars, they barely seem human,” she said nervously. “There’s a freakish look to ’em, isn’t there? Who’s to say what’s been done to them? They don’t look quite real, and I’ll wager it’s because they’re not. Whatever chemicals have been given to them have probably addled their brains, too.”
Several people nodded, and my heart dropped. Asha looked angrier than ever, and John and Kimmy’s faces had hardened.
“They’re just unnatural,” she added, her eyes raking over me. “You really want this chit’s demon spawn running around with your kids?”
I flinched, and John’s jaw twitched.
A young man of perhaps twenty went next. He stared blatantly at me, gaze roving over my form, undressing me with his eyes. I swallowed uncomfortably and looked away, but he lingered for another couple seconds before speaking.
“I agree with Adelaide,” he said, nodding at the farmwife. “They’re something unnatural about them. Wouldn’t throw either of them out of bed, but…”
There was a burst of outrage from multiple sources, and John had sprung to his feet, his expression furious.
“Order!” Abby called over the din. “Ed, call your son to order or I’ll have him thrown out.”
Jameson, to my surprise, appeared irate.
“Zach, sit your ass back down,” he barked at the young man, then turned to John. “You too, Madigan. Lay a finger on my son and you’ll have far bigger problems than the expulsion of your ladylove.”
My cheeks burned.
John looked like he could’ve cheerfully strangled him, but I was relieved when he jerked a nod and sat back down. A couple more council members stood to argue against keeping us, but they mostly regurgitated the same points. Mercifully, none of John and Kimmy’s closestfamily friends—the Armstrongs, McNeils, or the Hardings—spoke against us. John’s faith in their loyalty hadn’t been misplaced.
Finally, they called for the vote. Asha assumed a stoic expression that I couldn’t mimic. I chewed the inside of my cheek, tasting blood. My stomach twisted, and I was afraid I may be sick. I took a painful swallow and waited.
“All in favour of the motion?”
A bunch of hands shot up, but not as many as I’d hoped. It looked to be about half.
“All against?”
The other half of the room raised their hands, and my heart sank. No matter the decision, it was going to be close.
“The motion is denied,” Jameson announced, sounding pleased. “As discussed at the opening of the meeting, both outsiders will be escorted off Valley lands with only what they carry on their person.”
“No,” I whispered, frozen with shock. Asha squeezed my hand as Jameson’s son and a couple other men approached the table where we sat.
John was on his feet in an instant.
“Hold it!”
The room stilled at the sound of his voice, cold as ice, and everyone turned to look at him.
“I didn’t want to do this,” he said, holding up his hands, a mirthless smile curving his lips. “I gave you all the chance to do the right thing. But maybe you need a nudge.”
He crossed his arms. “What old Albert said is true: I gave the council enough PNCs to keep the essential functions of your homesteads running. Enough to keep the lights on and the water working, but not much more. Your mistake was assuming that was all I had.”
