“Ditto,macushla.”
~/~/~/~/~
If the Scottish Wolf shifters helped them, Dylon’s last problem would be solved. Waiting for Colton and Ian to join him, he went over his plan again, checking everything from what would happen when, to who’d be doing what. The door to the suite opened and Loganentered with Cody, Colton and Ian following him. After they were seated around the table, Dylon began by handing out copies of his plan of attack and rescue. Giving everyone time to read it, he said, “Our reconnaissance mission tonight was successful…first in confirming the location of Slate and, second, in determining how many shifters we’re up against.”
“Did you see Slate?” asked Ian.
“No, but we learned he’s in bad shape…we either get him out tonight or it’ll turn into a recovery mission,” Dylon answered grimly. “We also found out the mercenaries and Slate are protected by 55 shifters. I don’t know who they are and don’t have the time to find out, so I’m assuming they’re trained soldiers-for-hire, which means we must be prepared to fight to the death.”
“Do we have enough enforcers to handle 55 shifter soldiers?” asked Colton.
“Yes, but I can’t use them. I need them here to protect Fionn and everyone else who remains behind. For all I know, taking Slate was just a red herring to get us to leave Fionn unprotected when we attempt the rescue. Remember, Dakota told the kidnappers he wanted to talk to Slate before he’d tell them the whereabouts of Fionn’s hoard. If their goal was actually to get possession of the hoard, they’d have had Slate call Dakota, but no call was ever made. That leads me to believe their target is still Fionn. My guess is his father intends to have Fionn tortured by the mercenaries before, ultimately, killing him.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but if Slate is that close to death, how do you know he’ll survive another day?” asked Colton.
“We don’t. While time is of the essence, what’s more critical is how we’re going to rescue Slate when the odds are against us. To put it bluntly, I need about 50 to 75 shifters I can hire for the rescue mission and the only ones close enough are your Scottish Wolf shifters. So I need your permission to speak to them about it.”
Ian looked at Colton for a few seconds, then turning to Dylon, said, “I don’t have any objections, but these shifters have never met me, so my permission is worth nothing, even though I’m their king,” Ian paused, before saying, “but I know someone whocanpave the way for you with them.”
“Captain Brian Crannach,” Logan said, grinning.
“Yes, he knows them quite well,” Colton chuckled.
“Where can I find him?” Dylon asked.
“He runs sightseeing tours on Loch Ness,” answered Logan, snickering, “you know, for tourists to snap photos of the Loch Ness monster.”
“What’s so funny?” asked Dylon, puzzled by Logan and Colton’s reaction. “It obviously has something to do with Crannach so care to share so we all can enjoy the joke?”
Logan smirked. “Ever hear of the Loch Ness Monster?”
“Of course, who hasn’t heard…you’re fucking with me! Crannach is the Loch Ness Monster?” asked Dylon.
“No shit!” exclaimed Cody.
“Well, actually he is a sea serpent shifter but a human once called him that when he saw Brian swimming in the loch and it stuck,” Colton explained. “Ever since Ian’s father died, he’s been helping the Scottish Wolf shifters so he’s your man.”
“Perfect! How do I get hold of him?” Dylon asked.
Colton shrugged. “He’s always at his boat.”
“Doesn’t he have a phone?”
“Nope, not as far as I know. If you want to see him, you have to go to his boat,” Colton said.
Dylon looked at Logan. “I’m going to need a lift.”
Glancing at the time, Logan said, “If we leave right now, I can get you there while it’s still dark, pick up the Captain and fly you both to Ian’s subjects, but when we come back, I’ll have to land outside of Inverness because it’ll be getting light. I won’t be able to fly you all the way back to Edinburgh.”
“Fine, I’ll hire a car to drive us back,” Dylon said.
“I think I should go with you,” Ian said.
“No!” exclaimed Colton. “You’re pregnant and you’re not getting on the back of a dragon to fly anywhere.”
Ian stared at Colton intently, then said slowly, “Did you say ‘no’? I thought we settled the issue of your need to over-protect me.”
“Why don’t you both go?” asked Logan, mediating the disagreement. “I know you’re fully capable of going by yourself, Ian, but it would make me feel better if you had Colton along in case there are any problems with the Scottish Wolf shifters.”
