“Actually yes,” Zane grinned. “He rented a house in Inverness for a month, so I believe you’ll find him there.”
“Why the fuck didn’t you say that first?” growled Logan.
“For a very simple reason. Whoever, or whatever, he is, Reif has gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal his identity. It’s the best job of it I’ve ever seen, so I ask why? What’s he trying to hide? Who he is? Or what’s he done? I wanted you to understand this about him because there must be a reason he’s hiding,” replied Zane.
“Are ye saying my mate’s up to naw good?” Brian asked Zane.
“Absolutely not! There could be a thousand different reasons he feels the need to do this. I’m just saying that before we rush over to his house, we should have a plan so we don’t scare him into fleeing.”
“Zane’s right,” said Logan. “The most important thing is to find him so Brian can claim him. Everything else can wait till that’s done.”
“How about what Ian found?” asked Dakota.
“I was just getting to that,” said Logan. “Ian, anything to add?”
“The only thing I can add is Reif is not any kind of shifter currently known to the High Council.”
“What exactly does that mean?” asked David. “Is Brian’s mate a shifter or not?”
“Obviously he is and, as Kieran pointed out before, a serpent. But I can’t find any kind of serpent that can do what Reif can do…disappear on land, doesn’t leave a scent or footprints. I think we’re looking at a new species of shifter,” Ian said.
Silence filled the room as Ian’s proclamation sank in.
“You’re sure about this Ian?” Logan finally asked.
“As sure as I can be without examining Reif,” replied Ian.
“Is it possible he has other abilities? Ones we don’t know about…yet?” asked Slate.
Shrugging, Ian said, “Anything is possible.”
“Shit. Zane’s right. We need a plan. Any thoughts?” asked Logan.
~/~/~/~/~
After breakfast, Reif found himself striding towards the marina to check on his mate, driven by a need he couldn’tunderstand.Dammit, what the fuck is happening? Why does he have such a hold on me?Just like the treasure, the answers about his mate eluded him, pissing him off.Fucking great! Two fucking mysteries to solve and not a fucking clue how to do it.
Reaching the marina, he skirted its buildings, trying to see if his mate was aboard his boat, but since he couldn’t feel his mate’s bond, Reif felt it was deserted.Yeah, like it was yesterday.Unwilling to take a chance, he stayed hidden on land this time, but then, hearing someone approach his location, he faded into the shadows, disappearing from sight.
Undecided about his next move, a series of jaw-cracking yawns made him realize there was only one choice and that was to get some sleep. On the way back to his house, Reif began plotting how he could touch his mate—maybe even give him another kiss tonight without being discovered. Even though it was dangerous, the bond between them was pulling him closer and closer to the sea serpent.
Opening the front door he stepped inside, pausing as he sniffed. Satisfied, he let his guard down and removed his hat, throwing it onto the hook. Carefully studying the room to make certain nothing had been disturbed since he left, he then grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, taking it with him into the bedroom.
~/~/~/~/~
“Listen up,” Logan said, waiting for the living room to fall silent. “Theo, Norm and Fionn, this is the first time you are going out on a mission so the number one rule is to follow orders. If your team leader tells you to shift, then you shift but not before you hear their order.”
“What happens if someone attacks one of us?” asked Norm.
“Not to worry since each of you will be paired up with someone who’s been in combat before. Let them take the lead. This is where you must trust that your team members won’t allow any harm to come to you. I don’t expect anyone’ll need to fight since our mission is to locate and talk to Reif. Now, Fionn, you’re with me. Kieran and Theo, your team members are Dakota and Slate. Norm, you’re with Colton and Ian.”
“What about Zane and David?” asked Theo. “Do they have someone to protect them?”
“Don’t worry, Theo, they’ll be fine,” Kieran assured his friend. “Brian, you’re with us, okay?”
“Ay.”
“Okay, the cars will be here shortly,” Logan said, pulling a buzzing phone from his pocket. Reading the message, he looked at the white dragon and said, “Fionn, Penn must speak with you right away.”
