2: Chapter 7

2: Chapter 7

Welcome. Your name is Frankie, right?

The morning sun warmed the room, chasing the cool of the night away. A beam of golden light fell across Garretts lap as he watched the large young man who fidgeted in the seat on the other side of his desk. Obe and a couple other members of the Family stood behind the frightened young man, adding an imposing presence to the room, though, from the look of it, their efforts were unnecessary. Curious at Frankies timidity, Garrett sized up the young mans thick muscles, wondering what was scaring him.

Hey, when the boss asks you a question, you answer! Obe growled, answering Garretts question.

Y yes! I am my name is Frankie, sir!

Your father is named Gavon, and leads Delvers Butchers, Garrett read from the paper in front of him. You hacked someone up pretty good and then went on the run, right? Why did you choose our territory?

Gathering what little courage he had, Frankie looked at Garrett and shook his head.

I didnt do it. We fought, but I never used no knife. My pa taught me better than that. Fists for fist problems, he says. But they chased me, so I ran. I I wasnt meaning to bring you trouble.

Garrett gave the young man an encouraging smile and waved to one of the Family members at the door.

Corig, can you take Frankie to get something to eat? He looks hungry. Frankie, you can relax. You are not in trouble, and well let your dad know that youre staying with us.

The promise of food seemed to perk Frankie up, and he jumped up, bobbing his head toward Garrett before following Corig out to the kitchen. Obe jerked his head and the other gang members trailed behind the young man to keep an eye on him. Once they had all left, he looked at Garrett, his expression slightly skeptical. Garrett could read the question on Obes face, so he straightened the papers on his desk and took out a file, gesturing for Obe to approach and take a look. Blinking at the dizzying numbers that covered the top sheet, Obe let out a grunt and sat down, his eyes resting on Garrett.

Are we really making a move?

We already have, Garrett replied, his expression nonchalant. It's almost time for the second phase. Please let Gavon know that his son is here.

What are we to do about Howlers men? Theyre combing the city, and if were not careful theyll find out where he is.

Nothing. Just ignore them for the moment.

You sure thats wise, boss? Thomas Howler is a nasty piece of work, and if we stick our nose into this, well be asking for trouble.

Slowly nodding, Garrett lifted the sheet of paper that he had already shown Obe, shaking it in the air.

This is a rough estimate of the production schedule for the meat processing plant. Until the city was locked, it was responsible for a full quarter of the citys meat. That is too big a prize to let go. Food stability is one of the main things we need to establish, and we wont get a much better opportunity. Even more importantly, it gives us a chance to pick a fight with Mr. Howler.

Wait, you want to pick a fight with the Howlers?

Just Mr. Howler, Garrett said, putting the paper down and looking across the desk at Obe, a faint smile on his lips. A lesson for you, Obe. When you are faced with an opponent, always understand their constraints. The Howlers have more awakened than we do, but they dont style themselves as a gang, which limits what they can do. They dont have the luxury of a gang brawl, and any major action they take will be under the scrutiny of the guards. We can leverage that against them.

You have more confidence than I do, Obe grumbled, shaking his head.

Just trust me, Obe. Can you let Gavon of Delvers Butchers know that we have his son? Tell him that he can come pick him up any time.

Rising from the chair, Obe nodded and headed for the door, stopping as he reached it. Looking over his shoulder, he looked like he wanted to say something, and Garrett could feel the mix of anxious and doubtful feelings through the connection they shared. Pretending he had not noticed, Garrett sent out a thread of calm, causing the four bloom flower in Obes mind to settle down, which in turn helped Obe relax slightly. Shaking his head, Obe never ended up saying anything and a moment later, Garrett was alone in the office.

Please dont spit inside the Dreamers inn, Garrett said, waving his hand. You can continue.

Garrett had not intended to disrupt the conversation, but seeing the glob of phlegm hit the ground, his annoyance had spiked, causing all of the flowers in the inn to suddenly turn their attention to Thomas Howler. The mental pressure had been so intense that even Gavon had felt it, and Garrett was sure that if Thomas had not been awakened, he would have fallen unconscious on the spot. As it was, the two awakened men had completely lost their desire to fight and they were looking around nervously, trying to find the source of the pressure they had felt. Not finding anything, Thomas shot an annoyed glare at Garrett and sniffed as he turned back to Gavon.

Count yourself lucky, he said, pushing past the giant butcher. You better keep that kid of yours close.

Though Gavon could have stopped him, the leader of Delvers Butchers didnt actually want a fight, especially since there seemed to be a high leveled awakened nearby. Instead, he just snorted at Thomas threat and watched him leave before turning and walking to the table where Garrett was sitting. Frankie, who was next to Garrett, was looking even more nervous now that he was facing his father than he had been with Thomas. Ignoring his son, Gavon nodded to Obe.

Obe, thanks for sending word over.

Thank the boss, not me, Obe said, jerking a thumb toward Garrett. Hes the one who told me to let you know. I was going to leave your kid to fend for himself.

Shifting his attention to Garrett, Gavon found himself curious. The crippled nobleman in front of him looked like a regular mortal, but there was also something slightly unnerving about him that set off warning bells in Gavons head. Realizing he was staring, he quickly nodded his head toward Garrett.

Thank you.

Its our pleasure. Frankie ran into our territory, so we couldnt just stand by and let the Howlers take him.

If you had, no one would have blamed you, Gavon said, half under his breath as he pulled out a chair and sat down. From your message, it sounds like you had something you wanted to talk to me about.

I do, Garrett nodded. But if youd be more comfortable, we can go to the office.

No need. Anything that needs to be said can be said in front of my men.

An admirable mentality. In that case, I will cut to the chase. Do you know what this is?

Looking at the pin that Garrett had placed on the table, Gavons eyes narrowed slightly and he nodded.

Ive seen them around. Your territory butts up against the bottom of Heifer Street. Its not often, but we see your gang hanging out there sometimes.

Not gang, but family, Garrett corrected with a slight smile. If youve encountered our symbol, you probably understand that we are not a gang in the regular sense. You might say that we are a group of concerned citizens who work for the good of those under our care. In many ways, we are similar to you. Is it true that Delver Horn started Delvers Butchers as a way to help you all keep your jobs?

A deep emotion ran through Gavons expression at the mention of Delver Horn and he nodded heavily.

Thats right. It must be thirty-five years ago now. I was just a kid myself when the owner of the plant drank himself to death and the whole place was going to be sold to creditors. That would have meant we were all out of a job so Delver decided to take things into his own hands. He organized us to take up the plant, and weve run it together ever since.

Thats amazing, Garrett said, and a testament to your strength that you have been able to survive in the city since then. However, I think that its time for a change.

Garretts words brought a grim look to Gavons face and the large butcher leaned forward, one meaty hand resting on the table while the other dropped to the handle of his cleaver.

Do you? And what kind of change did you have in mind?

As if he couldnt feel the pressure rolling off of Gavon, Garrett flashed a smile and tapped the five petaled flower pin on the table.

I think you should join the family.