Grai's Game (First Wave) by Mikayla Lane Page B

years, merely to kill us now.”
    Ivint almost sighed in relief when he saw Banatar nod his head slightly out of the corner of his eye.
    “You will, of course, be watched closely when you are with us until we can be assured of the safety of our people. It is not a reflection of your character or the sacrifices you have made for our people, more of a precaution to avoid paranoia and fear among those who…” Ivint paused trying to find the right way to explain it without offending the proud man.
    “I understand, as do my people. We expected no less. For those like Jess and the others who were abused by my father and his minions, it will be difficult for them. We do not wish to cause them any more pain than they have already suffered. We can just as easily stay at our warehouse location if it alleviates any concern for them.” Grai offered. He did not expect the Valendran leader even to offer for them to stay with them. Guarded or not.
    “Absolutely not! If you can fight and die beside us, you can stay within the protection provided by our strength in numbers. Besides, if we are to make a true effort at an alliance, then our people need to see how you truly are, not as we have assumed all of you to be.” Ivint responded quickly, keeping all of his reasons for wanting Grai and his people there to himself.
    “There’s no better way to learn trust than to work and fight beside one another, for the same goal. If you really want to forge a place for your people to call home, then we all need to learn to trust.”
    “I have no doubt you have half-Relian’s among your people that are afraid to be mistaken for one of your father’s men by one of us as well. They have a right to live without that fear. Give them a chance to show the others, your people are different.” Reven added, hoping they would stay. He had every intention of ferreting out if they were lying. However, he was hoping that they weren’t.
    “I understand the wisdom in your words.” Grai responded carefully, knowing full well the Valendrans wanted to test them and see if this was a ruse. “But I must ask my people and allow them to decide for themselves. As you said, I have some who fear you greatly and do not wish to distress them.”
    “I will meet with my people tomorrow and allow them to decide who stays. For those who do not wish it, I will call in others to replace them to ensure our security is not compromised.”
    “Additional room will not be a problem as our company owns this entire row of warehouses, rooms are already set up and supplies are stored. There is more than enough room to shelter as many as another hundred Valendrans and my people if needed.” Grai explained, hoping that he had not offended them by wanting to ask his people first.
    The latter news had Banatar smacking his palm to his face and shaking his head. Ivint had to give Grai credit; he'd done one hell of a job of infiltrating Banatar’s entire operation. All the more reason for them to stay, where they could be watched closely, and he could learn just how deeply they were compromised.
    “That is good to know, and we can start opening the walls between them tomorrow after we each speak separately with our people. We also have no desire to make anyone stay who does not want to be here. We will shuffle our people as well, and we can meet later in the morning to determine any additional forces we may need. Until then.” Ivint stood and everyone else followed suit.
    All eyes followed him as he walked out of the door, obviously dismissing everyone.
    “I must go to my mate. Good evening.” Grai stood and nodded to Reven , Banatar and the Tezarian’s before also leaving the room, following the familiar scent to his mate and son.
    He ignored the curious and sometimes hostile stares of those he passed as he headed determinedly to the MedLab where he knew he would find Tricia and Tristan.
    Standing outside the door with his guards who had flanked him when he left the conference