With no better options, they began filing slowly onto the decrepit vessel. Callon kept a steadying hand on Lola’s back as she stepped gingerly over the gap between dock and deck. His inner beast bristled at the idea of taking his fragile mate into the remote bayou, but he respected Lola’s courage too much to suggest she stay behind. Better to keep her close where he could protect her if needed.
His parents came next, his father’s mane-like hair streaming behind him in the humid breeze. Lyra looked dubiously at the cluttered deck while Taras stared impassively ahead. As king and queen of the Kingdom of Claws, they were accustomed to slightly finer transportation than this rust-bucket boat. But his mother, ever the diplomat, smiled. “We’ve no doubt she will get us where we need to go.”
Jack’s smile widened at Lyra’s kind words.
Bane loomed tall and silent as he stalked aboard, bulky muscles rippling beneath his customary leather. Callon knew no fiercer warrior to stand at his side than the seasoned panther shifter. Callon had moved past the fact that the man had been in Lola’s bedroom and, at one point, might have even wanted her for his own. Or at least Callon told himself he’d moved past it.
Nico came next, somehow looking right at home on the rust bucket. Even though he wore his usual black clothes, all his piercings were gleaming shinier than any metal surface of the boat, and his green hair was spiked up all over his head—afeature he didnothave to use any product for. It was simply how his hair grew. The Chaos Shaman moved with deceptive casualness, but his sharp eyes missed nothing, flickering over every detail—likely plotting contingencies should their voyage go awry. Having a capable magic wielder along could prove invaluable. Then again, Nico wasn’t exactly predictable, so it could also prove to be disastrous.
Callon tensed as the demon, Raphael, made his way aboard behind Nico. His violet eyes gleamed hungrily. The lion prince still disliked the idea of trusting an incubus, necessary evil or no. But Raphael had guided them this far without incident. Better the devil you know than the ones surely awaiting them within the untamed bayou.
The final passenger to join their grim crew was Otto. His claws clacked on the weathered boards. Callon could admit a grudging fondness for the eccentric lizard man who had aided Katy. And despite his small stature, Otto’s fierce loyalty matched any warrior’s. He would guard their backs ably. As soon as he was on board, Captain Jack began going about his undocking procedures.
Callon’s phone beeped in his pocket, and he quickly pulled it out. His eyes scanned the text from Gage, and his stomach twisted. He quickly typed a reply to confirm what Gage was saying, because it didn’t bode well for them if he was right. When the Dire Wolf confirmed his information, Callon couldn’t stop the growl that rumbled from his chest. He could feel Lola’s eyes on him as he text back.
Callon: Fine. Hurry your ass up.
“Why do you suddenly look like you want to kill someone?” Lola asked softly.
His eyes roamed over the boat. “I’ve received some interesting news.”
“News that makes you want to commit murder?”
“I said it was interesting.” His eyes connected with hers, and he slipped his phone into her hand. “Read the text,” he said in a low tone, “but don’t react. No dropped mouth, wide eyes, or stiffening body. Remember, you’re among animals. They pick up on subtle clues.”
Lola took the phone and frowned. “So you’re giving me something that I will surely want to react to, but I’m not allowed to? Wait, did somebody die?” She laid her hand on his arm and rose on her toes to get closer to his face. “Did Katy die? I swear on all that is supernatural, I will?—”
Callon put his hand over her mouth, effectively muzzling her questions and the colorful threat she was about to spew. “Read the text, Sazzi.” His voice was low and firm.
Lola dropped her hand from his arm and looked down at the device. Callon did a quick perusal with his eyes to see if anyone had picked up on their little moment. Thankfully, everyone seemed to be watching Jack and listening to his stories of daring experiences in the bayou.
A couple of seconds later, Lola slapped Callon’s phone against his chest and blurted out. “I have to pee!” Her eyes were locked on their Captain. “I apologize to interrupt your”—she made a motion with her hand encompassing the boat—“pre-undocking things. But I havegotto go to the restroom, and let me tell you it will not be good if I have to try to hold it for however long it’s going to take us to get where we’re going, not to mention, did you know it’s actually bad to hold your bladder? Like it can do serious damage to your kidneys and whatnot. I saw a bathroom.” She pointed over her shoulder back up the dock. “Just over there. I can run over there and take care of business really quick. Like two seconds.” She was already moving to thegunwale. With a little hop, she gracefully jumped from the boat back onto the wooden dock and began jogging off.
Callon followed, stepping easily onto the dock, minus the hop. “You’re not going anywhere without me.”
“I’ve got a privy on the boat.” Jack motioned toward some stairs that led down into the interior of the boat. “It’s clean.”
“Oh, no, that’s okay,” Lola said over her shoulder. “I like my privacy.” She was already moving away, but Callon caught up quickly.
He glanced over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes at Jack. “Do not leave without us.”
The man paled, which meant Callon’s face and tone of voice had done what he wanted—scare him stupid.
Lola and Callon rounded the corner of a small concrete building housing restrooms. Callon grabbed her arm, gently pulling his mate to a stop. “What are you doing?”
“Going pee.” She looked at him as if he was an idiot who hadn’t heard the whole exchange. “Let me go so I don’t pee on myself. It’s really not the ‘in’ look this year.”
“So you really do have to go? It’s not because of the text from Gage?” He released her and folded his arms in front of him.
“Oh, no, it’s totally because of that text, but it just worked to our benefit that I also indeed need to use the restroom.” She continued to the door that had the image of a woman on it. Callon followed after her into the bathroom.
Lola rolled her eyes and tried to push him back. “You can’t come in here.”
“Let someone try to stop me,” Callon challenged. He didn’t hear or smell a human inside with them. Mostly, he smelled chemical cleaners.
“I’m not going with you standing outside of the stall. You heard what I said to the captain. I like my privacy.” She held his stare and finally he relented.
“I’ll be right outside the door,” he warned.
