I shake my head. “No, it’s the same guy who was shadowing her up in Sparkle weeks ago. Clearly he has powers to infiltrate level one without us detecting him.”
Traggar grunts. “A malefic, you think?”
“More likely a human trained by one and utilizing dark magic,” I agree. “This is the first time they have have sent a spy into our territories. Up until now, only programmed humans have worked here, but that guy had evil intent, and agency to carry it out.” I shudder. “I doubt if he is a true malefic, because we managed to truss him up with the rest of the soldiers and he was crapping himself.” I rub at a tusk, frowning. “The mystery is how he evaded the volunteer sheriffs we’d posted at the portals. He was able to get hold of a motorbike, disguise himself into a Jax look-alike and avoid detection. There has to be dark magic involved.”
Traggar nods. “That is a problem. But monsters terrorizing and trussing up human soldiers is a graver problem.”
“There was no other choice,” I say grimly. “We couldn’t leave Clem there. Jax tore down their surveillance monitors as soon as we got into their office, hopefully before we could be identified by the Sparkle authorities,” I say. “And of course, Jax’s virtual chip will be recording him in some other location, so that will confuse the picture.”
“A green orc and a werewolf will hardly go unnoticed and unreported. We’ll need to work faster than originally intended.”
“The system is ready to go.”
Traggar nods. “You will need to bring forward phase two.”
“I trust my team, but Jax passing out cold has put a dent in our plan. You reckon he’s up for phase two immediately?”
“Jax has far more powers than even he is aware of. Magical forces are ready to act like wings on his heels.”
“You’re talking in riddles,” I mutter.
“It’s the prophecy. Those are the exact words.”
I manage to contain my frustration. Sometimes wolves get ahead of themselves. Being a solutions kind of guy, it frays my rational nerves at times, but I guess Traggar being a wolf sage, has access to a well of ancient wisdom that I don’t understand.
I sigh. “I hope you know more about this than I do, because so far, our magic is limited to the cape and a few spells that are hit and miss. And the computer system I’ve set up, I guess, if you can call that magic.”
“Like I intimated, there are powerful forces for good yet to be unleashed .”
I raise a brow. “Yeah?”
“Yes. It is unsafe to say more, even here in my den, but trust me, the time is nigh.”
“Shit, you hold your cards close to your chest, Traggar,” I grumble.
“Believe me, even these old rock walls may have ears. Unlikely, yes, but we did not expect malediction down here so soon. You will have to trust my silence.”
I narrow my eyes, but say nothing.
I do trust Traggar. He was of immense help and comfort after our own personal tragedy. The place where Dad died is still a ruin not far from here. The Trojan pack are solid, I remind myself. They chased the Braden pack into the dark corners of level three, and still keep them at bay. They fought side by side with monster troops during the rebellion, and saved many withtheir quick actions. They have chosen to keep their distance, stay within their pack on level three, but we monsters know they can be counted on in times of danger.
Now, it seems, that time is almost upon us.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
OTIS.
It’s late when we arrive home.
No denying it’s been a long and traumatic day.
Our steps slow as we walk, and my little human lags behind me. Finally, despite her protests, I pick Clem up and carry her the rest of the way.
Her head lies heavy on my chest and she sighs. Her arms sneak around my neck, and I lay soft kisses on her scalp.
“I love you,” I murmur, and I hear her whisper back, “I love you too.”
Whatever happens, we have each other, and I will protect my mate to the last.
