Chapter 18
“Stan was so dependable,” the producer, whose name turned out to be Shane, said, eyes wide in shock.
We were in the same room, but Omega had produced enough chairs for everyone, as Agent Jensen wanted to hear from everyone before Declan threw them out.
And by his intent, he was dying to portal them away as fast as he could.
Both of Vesta’s parents were filled with regret and fury over the interview.
“Because he wouldn’t ever want to miss a chance when the call finally came,” Holly suggested.
“Omega, what can you tell us?” Special Agent Jensen asked.
“Stanley Wilton has no record of crimes of any kind. No known affiliations to any hate groups. He does have a cousin who is a member of Humans First. Also, preliminary chemical analysis of the blast area indicates the presence of advanced ultra high-energy compounds with explosive power exceeding human-produced CL-20. It is very similar to a Vorsook explosive material.”
“The pressure wave inside this room would have killed everyone,” Alex said.
“Correct. Its composition was shielded by a cellulose-based coating that masked its nature from my drones. I have made the necessary adjustments to my instrumentation.”
“Where did it go?” Sami asked. “It was there and then it wasn’t.”
“Which is very lucky, wouldn’t you say?” Agent Jensen asked her. “But remember where you are and who you are with.”
Most everyone looked at Declan and then, a second later, at Vesta. From the corner of my eye, I saw that Sami looked at me. I kept my eyes on Jensen and saw her frown at Brystol’s daughter.
“It was so fast,” Brystol said.
“Almost as fast as you lost my trust,” Vesta said to her, glaring.
“How could you possibly know he’s your soulmate at the age of eighteen?” Brystol answered. “Your mother didn’t know about your father that fast.”
“Actually, Brystol, my wolf did know. I just fought it,” Stacia said. “I wasn’t born a werewolf. I had human doubts while my second self had none. Vesta was born a werewolf and a witch. There is no way for you to know what she thinks or feels. The weres at her school do not second-guess her.”
“How much of that debacle went out to the world?” Ashling asked.
“I cut off outside connections right after Stanley Wilton was bound,” Omega said. “I felt it best that we did not leave the world with a cliffhanger.”
“I’m afraid to ask, but what’s the current result?” Darci asked.
“The numbers are historic,” Sami said, looking at her tablet.
“Worldwide consumption of the interview,” Omega confirmed. “Initial responses are chaotic and viral.”
“Well, you went out with a bang,” I said to Brystol. Declan and his grandfather both laughed. Holly snorted.
“You are not as funny as Vesta made you out to be,” Brystol said.
“And you’re much meaner than the stories I’d heard,” Vesta replied.
“Okay, before this devolves into a short, violent brawl, let’s end it,” Caeco said. “My team will be in touch with you regarding our investigation,” Caeco directed at Brystol and her crew. Then she nodded at Declan, and the entire group, along with all their equipment, vanished.
“Vesta, we are so sorry,” Stacia said. “Craig, we didn’t have any idea she would choose such an aggressive approach.”
“Eh,” I said with a shrug. “Seems like par for the course on this world.”
“Not what I had hoped for,” Vesta said, looking down at her hands on the tabletop.
I covered them with my right hand. “Hey, the feeling I got off Sami was that she was opposed to her mother’s actions. Maybe she could be your designated interviewer?”
“Our interviewer,” she said back to me earnestly.
“Sure. I’m just not really used to the idea of anyone being interested in interviewing me. That was my first.”
“Mine too. It sucked,” she said.
“Well, it’s blowing up the world’s web connections,” Levi said, looking at his tablet. “All kinds of discussions and articles popping up. Positive, negative, and everything in between.”