“The supply shipments come from Duvain warehouses,” she said. “And the standing order was signed by my father. I checked the signature against samples from that period. It’s authentic.”
Baylin studied the projection intently. “Remote. Very remote. It would take weeks to reach overland, and the terrain…” He shook his head. “Brutal. Even for a Vultor.”
“There must be a reason it was built there,” Rykan said. “Isolation that extreme isn’t accidental.”
“Privacy?” she suggested. “Whatever this relay was designed for, someone wanted to make absolutely certain it couldn’t be found.”
“Or whoever was using it couldn’t be found.” Baylin’s eyes hadn’t left the map. “People hide in places like that when they don’t want to be discovered.”
The implications hung in the air between them, unspoken but understood. A secret tower. Automated supplies. No records, no oversight, no acknowledgment.
“I think we need to investigate,” she said.
“I’ll go,” Baylin said immediately, and she saw Rykan tense.
“Are you sure?” she asked. “It could be dangerous. The terrain, the isolation. You’ll be alone for weeks.”
“I can handle the terrain.” His smile was sharp and hungry. “And alone is something I know how to do.”
Rykan looked at her, concerned but supportive, trusting her judgment even though she knew he hated his friend leaving so soon after they’d reunited.
“All right,” she said finally. “But let’s wait until after Soren’s visit. It’s waited twenty-two years; it can wait a few more weeks.”
Baylin acquiesced with a nod, although she could see the restlessness in his eyes. Despite his security skills and his friendship with Rykan, he had never quite settled into their household. This mystery would give him a chance to leave the constraints of civilized life behind for a while.
She’d give him that chance.
In the meantime, it had been a busy week and she hadn’t spent as much time with her mate as she would have liked. As soon as they left the table, she led Rykan toward the gardens and the sprawling forest beyond, needing the wildness that settled both of them. They walked quietly, both lost in their thoughts, until he pulled her to a halt beneath a huge tree.
“Up you go,” he said as he stripped off his shoes and shirt.
“You expect me to climb a tree? In a dress?”
“I can take care of that,” he grinned and his claws flashed. Half of her gown slipped to the ground although he left enough for modesty. Barely.
“Are you sure this isn’t just an excuse to get me naked?” she teased as his gaze lingered on her bare legs.
“If you insist,” he began, reaching for the neckline of her gown, but she laughed and backed away.
“I’m definitely not climbing a tree naked.”
He gave an exaggerated sigh, but then he lifted her up against the trunk, showing her how to find purchase on the rough bark, hovering behind her as he guided her up into the branches.He didn’t make her climb very far, just high enough to see the sprawling estate laid out below them as they settled back against the trunk.
“Are you worried about Baylin?” he asked, sensing her thoughts.
“A little. He still seems so... restless.”
“He’s been a lone wolf for a long time, Ember. It takes more than a few weeks to unlearn that.”
“What about you?”
His arm tightened around her. “I stopped being a lone wolf as soon as I found you.”
She rested her head on his shoulder, content. The sun had already set below the horizon and the thick purple twilight began to creep through the forest.
“You know,” she whispered. “I’ve been practicing my stamina.”
His eyes began to glow, golden in the dimness.
