“The gargoyles didn’t see anything,” Tristan said. “Though it would be easy to hide from them. I kept them confined to the skies above the motel. How much do you think this pack knows about us?”
“More than enough if they really wanted to.” Austin braced one hand on the wheel and the other on his thigh, his eyes scanning our surroundings.
“A lot of those are rumors, right?” I asked. “As far as they are concerned, I mean.”
“Rumors that have been backed up by many trustworthy sources. I guess it depends on what he’s willing to believe. The more they know, the better. We aren’t trying to hide anything.”
I nodded, sending out a spell to see if anything waited in the woods. Small animals so far, out in the distance. Birds and things in the brush.
“But like…why allow Niamh and Mr. Tom, but not Edgar?”
“Maybe he has something against vampires?” Tristan replied. “They can be incredibly deadly when in their prime. Unpredictable and without loyalty. They are always a wild card. This alpha might not know our vampire is half senile.”
“More than half,” Sebastian muttered.
“Why my gargoyle crew but not any others?” I pushed. “Why not the usual team of gargoyles we bring to match the shifters. You’d think they’d want to know their story.”
Austin shook his head. “Maybe he doesn’t think it matters.”
I bit my lip. “Which would insinuate he doesn’t care about our setup, and he wasn’t planning to join up anyway.”
“Right,” Austin growled. “In which case, why allow us in? He can’t possibly think I would leave my growing and prosperous pack for his. That math just doesn’t work out.”
“Curiosity?” I offered. “He invited Hollace. He’ll get to see a mythical, spectacular being that isn’t as dangerous as a phoenix.”
“Or maybe he wants to pit himself against the biggest, baddest alpha out there,” Tristan said in a low tone. “He wants to see who’s the king of the mountain.”
“Bingo,” Austin said.
I sent out another spell to detect anyone lurking in the trees as we passed.
“Are you getting anything, Jessie?” Sebastian asked.
“Small animals, mostly. And birds.”
“Yeah.”
The sky boiled with clouds, but no storm had come. No rain, either. The dense wood cut down on the available light. The air was heavy and humid and rich with the scent of damp earth, pine, and wildflowers. The edge of a felled tree jutted out into the lane, forcing Austin to slow to go around.
Nothing of note interrupted my spell. Still, my gargoyle started to churn. I held out my hand to stop Austin but didn’t give the command. The urge to go airborne suddenly gnawed at me.
“What is it?” Austin asked, working the Jeep around the log.
Using my gargoyle’s connections, I checked on the people we’d left behind. I sensed worry and frustration, but no cause for alarm. Those in the vehicles behind us were watchful and alert.
“I’m still getting nothing,” Sebastian said.
I shook my head. Me, too. Except this gnawing need…
“Stop,” I finally said.
“What’ve you got?” Austin asked as Tristan leaned forward.
Nothing, that’s what I had. Absolutely nothing. Except…
I looked at the sky as the Jeep idled. My hand reached for the seatbelt release before I remembered I wasn’t wearing one.
“I’ve still got nothing,” Sebastian said.
