Miriya’s jaw dropped. “But Charles isn’t a mutant!”
Jake cast a pained glance around the airplane. “Say that louder, will you? I don’t think they heard you all the way in the cockpit.”
She grabbed his wrist, her fingernails digging into his flesh until he winced. She lowered her voice to a whisper, but it was no less angry. “Charles is not a mutant.”
“Never said he was,” Jake conceded.
“So why the hell was he working for the Mutant Affairs Council?”
“Come on, Miriya. Not every person who works for the U.S. Military wears a uniform or goes to war. Likewise, not every person who works for the Mutant Affairs Council is a mutant.”
“And Charles? How did he get sucked into this madness?”
The lines around Jake’s mouth tightened to a frown. “We recruited him. Sometimes, we need people who are well-connected. Charles was one of them.”
“You mean he had the social prestige and reputation to get invited to a Mistick Krewe ball.”
“Among other things, yes.”
Miriya shook her head and slumped into her seat. “Oh, God.”
Jake remained silent for a moment. “I’m sure Charles is all right. The krewe would not want a criminal investigation. I’m almost certain of it.”
“Almost? You realize that the krewe has been associated with other secret societies in the U.S., including the Skull and Bones at Yale. From there, it’s practically a Walmart of conspiracies.”
“Surely you don’t believe all those conspiracy theories.”
“No, but…”
“But?” Jake prompted.
“What I believe isn’t relevant. The question is, what did they do to Charles?”
“That’s what we need you to find out.”
“How?”
“You can track him.”
Miriya blinked. “I can?”
“Of course you can.” You’re an attack-class alpha telepath, right?
“I…uh…”
Jake stared at her, his eyes wide. He then exhaled loudly. “Great, I got saddled with the clueless one.”
Miriya’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not clueless.”
He nodded. “Oh yes, you are. Trust me, baby, I’m about to show you a whole new world.”