Taras nodded.“The wolf tattoo on Katy.”He looked at Roan.“You never sensed anything?”
Irritation flashed in the Shaman’s silver, swirling eyes.“Never.”His jaw clenched as he shifted in his seat.“But as I mentioned to Callon earlier at Lola’s apartment, the rules have changed.Visata made that clear.Maybe the rules of how a Shaman detectsanimihave altered as well.If a Shaman even retains the ability at all.It may be the beastwalker from a certain kingdom can sense ananimusnow.”
“Will that make it harder to find human women that areanimi?”
“Lola, it might mean sending out groups from each kingdom in larger numbers than we have before,” Taras answered.“It depends onhowtheanimiare discovered.The Shaman were able to sense the power in the females.If Visata has transferred that ability to the beastwalkers, it might be a scent or touch.We know that all of theanimifound have always been within the city where a kingdom is located.They are exposed to our magic in a larger dose, so to speak, than someone we might come in brief contact with when in a city that isn’t our home.”
“We will trust our Creator.”Lyra sat up straight, her head held high.“He has always taken care of us, and we know He will continue to do so.”That seemed to settle the matter as nods went around the room.
Taras let out a resigned sigh as he rubbed his hands together.“If Katy is the mate to a member of the Kingdom of Fangs, we’ll need to contact Nox.”
A slew of low curses and groans passed through the room.
“I’m guessing he’s the Alpha you mentioned in Lola’s room.”Maddie’s voice rose a bit as her eyes widened.
Taras held up a hand to quiet the group.“He has the right to know that she exists and that she’s in danger.”
Callon felt Lola tense.She, no doubt, vividly remembered Callon’s ominous words about unleashing the wolves on New Orleans.
Maddie scooted forward in her chair as she pointed at Callon.“But your son said that would be like unleashing chaos.”
“He’s not wrong,” Taras conceded grimly.“Wolves have little restraint when one of their own is threatened.But we cannot conceal the abduction of a potential mate from Nox.He would declare war for such treachery.”
“Perhaps we can negotiate terms for his aid that minimize collateral risks,” Lyra suggested.
Always the diplomat.
“I’m not sure he will be in a negotiating mood once he knows about the female,” Taras said grimly.
Callon sensed Lola’s conflicting emotions.She couldn’t seem to figure out which she should let have full reign.He felt uneasiness, curiosity, excitement, fear, and determination.He reached up and grasped her chin, turning her head toward him.“I know it’s a lot.But we’re going to figure it out.I will make this right.”
Taras cleared his throat.“Wyatt, you and Rafe fly back to New Orleans.Keep a low profile and see what you can glean.Do what you did before and hit up some popular supernatural hot spots and listen.There’s bound to be some talk once Katy arrives, because serpents love to brag.Then report back as soon as you know anything that will help.”
Wyatt lazily pushed up from the chair where he’d been sprawled.The effortless grace given to him by the beast that lay beneath the surface of the man was on full display.“You got it, Boss Man.We’ll shake the trees and see what falls out.”
Rafe stood and clapped Wyatt on the back.“Try not to piss anyone off this time.We need to gather intel, not start bar fights.”
Wyatt just smirked and shrugged.“First off, I didn’t start that fight.I simply finished it.Second, no promises.You know I can’t resist a good brawl.It’s food for the soul.”
Rafe scoffed.“That doesn’t even make sense.”
Taras cleared his throat.“Why am I just now hearing about a brawl while you were in New Orleans?”There was a clear warning in his tone.
Wyatt pulled out his phone, and his thumbs started moving quickly.“No time to talk about old stuff, Prime.We gotta get the pilot to the plane and in the air.”
“You all have your own plane?”Lola whispered.
“We’ve been around a while,Sazzi.”Callon watched in amusement as Wyatt tried to worm his way out of dealing with Taras’s ire.“That means we’ve built a considerable amount of wealth.”
Taras’s eyes flashed bright gold as he narrowed them on Wyatt.“Just don’t draw unnecessary attention to yourselves.Discretion is key.Any more brawls and I’ll pull you from the field.You’ll be on kitchen duty for a year.”
Both males sobered and gave brisk nods.
“What’s so wrong with kitchen duty?Is it because you have to wash dishes, which involves water, and cats hate water?”
Callon chuckled at Lola’s comment, then explained.“We are more than just our beast.We enjoy a hot shower as much as the next human.And being pulled from the field when you’re a warrior, what you’ve trained to be your whole life, is like having your arm cut off.”
As Rafe and Wyatt headed for the door, Taras turned his piercing gaze on the rest of the group gathered before him, his eyes landing on Callon.“Tell Riker that you and Lola need to meet with him and his mate at the compound.I understand that you two have just recently bonded, but it’s important that she be able to shift if she is going to be allowed to go on this mission.It would make her much safer.”
