“I’ll be right out,” Zane said.
“Ay, we’ll be waitin’ for the signal from our lookout.”
“Thanks,” Zane said, closing the door after Angus turned away. Looking at his mate, who was now sitting up in bed, eyes wide at the news, he knew David had to leave—he wasn’t a fighter. “Babe, I need you to bop out of here so I know you’ll be safe.”
Pain pierced David’s heart at the thought of leaving his mate. “No, I won’t. If you’re going to fight, so am I,” David said, folding his arms across his chest. Zane thought for a moment. He had to admit his mate did know Michael better than anyone here and, most probably, he’d be leading the attack.
Staring at his resolute mate, Zane smiled to himself at the cuteness of David’s pose but, ignoring that, heresponded, “Babe, you can’t shift and even if you did, how many times have you fought as a wolf? And what about killing? Because I can guarantee you Angus and his men will kill every intruder they can sink their teeth into and so will I. Are you ready to kill someone tonight?”
Lowering his head, David stared at the floor. Everything his mate said was true but there wasn’t any way he was going to leave him to face Michael alone. Thinking about how he could help, one possibility came to mind and he was pretty sure it would work. Raising and locking his eyes on his mate’s, David said, “Together we are stronger than apart. I won’t leave you alone. I can poof around and confuse the men who are after me. Please,cuore mio, I can’t leave you. Please don’t ask me to!”
Zane saw tears swimming in his mate’s eyes as he pled his case for staying. He thought about what David had suffered and realized this was a chance for him to regain some self-respect that the High Priestess and her accomplice had robbed him of. Taking his mate’s suggestion under consideration, Zane smiled as he formulated a plan. “Okay, babe, we’ll fight together but you have to do exactly what I say.”
Beaming, David said, “Grazie…thank you! I promise! Tell me what to do.”
Sitting down on the bed next to his mate, Zane said, “Okay, here’s the plan…”
~/~/~/~/~
It was early morning when the High Priestess heard the knock she was expecting. Rising from her bed and slipping into her silk robe and slippers, she walked over to her desk, unlocked a drawer and took out a smallpistol. Slipping it into one of her robe pockets, she headed to the door, then paused. “Who is it?”
“Me.”
Softly chuckling to herself, she unlocked and opened the door, pulling the man inside before closing it quickly. “I’m assuming you received your order to kill me.”
“I did. He sent it to me by text if you want to see it.”
“That’s not necessary. I’ve been expecting it sooner or later. Follow me and I’ll get your money.” The High Priestess walked to her desk and, picking up a key, moved to a large, ornately-carved wooden chest sitting against the wall. After inserting the key and raising the lid, she withdrew two, large heavy bags. “Here, you can use my desk to count it if you wish.”
“Not necessary. I know where to find you if there’s a shortage.”
“That you do. Nice doing business with you…and don’t forget to let Michael know you were successful in your mission tonight.”
Shrugging his shoulders, he said, “Fine, if that’s what you want me to do.”
“Yes, please. I trust you can find your way out.”
Nodding, he hefted the two bags over his shoulder, opened the door and left.
Closing and locking the door, she then returned to her desk, placing her gun back in its safe spot. Then sitting down in one of the plush chairs facing the window, she stared contentedly at the moon, grateful her time as a whore had given her access to the underbelly of shifter society.
~/~/~/~/~
Kieran felt his mate’s urgency with each downward stroke of his mate’s big wings as they were carried to the remote site. His eyes roamed the landscape, hoping to spot the men who wanted David and Zane.Fly higher, macushla! As Logan responded to his request, Kieran was able to see far ahead and finally spotted a group of wolves running north along mountainous terrain.Macushla, there, there they are, down there! They’re heading towards Angus and his men.
Logan’s dragon eyes scanned the dark until he spotted the wolves. Changing course, he headed for them.Tell Slate and Colton to hold onto Dakota and Ian. I’m going to swoop low over them to make sure they aren’t Angus’ men before attacking.
Turning his head to the side, Kieran shouted Logan’s instructions to Slate and Colton before concentrating on the target.Macushla, I counted twenty wolves.
Yup, me too. Hang on babe, here we go!Logan flew low over them, picking up their scent. Satisfied they were the enemy, he gained altitude and circled before swooping down on his targets with a roar of fire, igniting the ground in front of the hapless wolves and sending flames soaring into the air.
Kieran giggled as he watched the forward movement of the group come to an abrupt halt—the leading wolves skidding to a stop, clawing the ground, trying to keep from being pushed into the fire by those behind them.
Logan repeated his attack, using fire to cut off any route to the north, finally forcing the wolves to turn around and head south. Following them, he kept up his fire barrage, shooting flames behind them, making it clear as to whichway he wanted them to go. Finally, Logan circled around and headed toward the Scottish Wolf pack. Pouring on the power, he sped through the night, hoping he’d arrive in time.
~/~/~/~/~
Michael was pissed. He barely had enough men with him to attack the Scottish wolves. He’d stayed far enough away in the woods so they couldn’t be scented but the longer they remained there, the greater the chance their location would be discovered—certainly it would happen when the sun rose. Still, he waited, fuming, as his reinforcements from the south had yet to make an appearance.
