You’ve found them?Sam shouted, suddenly frustrated that he couldn’t speak as a leopard. Luckily, Alice was on the same wavelength.
“So, you know where they are?” she asked, and Sam pawed at the floor.
“We’re narrowing it down, but Ti was the computer guy. Head to the war room, Jax and Sythe are figuring it out while we weapon up.”
Sam didn’t even let Riley finish before he tore through the house, sliding across the wood as he raced down the stairs. The war room was essentially a large dining table surrounded by screens, boards, and weapons. Jax frowned when Sam entered, but turned back to the computer screen where Sythe sat.
“Oooo who’s a pretty kitty,” Sythe said, lifting his hand as if to pet.
“I wouldn’t,” Jax said in his usual monotone. “Sam will likely bite your fingers off.” Sam growled low in his chest, and Jax’s upper lip twitched. He had once tried to stroke Sam when he was sunbathing, and in return had met with his claws. It had only been a little scratch, and Sam still remembered the shocked expression as he had returned to his nap.
“I see you’re feeling better,” Sythe muttered. “J, are you sure you’ve given me the right details?”
Jax glowered behind him, having to bend to see the screen over Sythe’s shoulder. “Yes. I told you the trackers were experimental. Ti wasn’t even supposed to use the fucking bullets without testing them first. They could have exploded straight from the gun.”
“What bullets?” Alice asked as she came in, having changed her wet shirt to something closer to what the Guardians were wearing. Sam always assumed it was leather, but he scented something else as it moulded to her body perfectly. The sheath she kept tight to her spine held her unique sword, newly added crystals hanging from the pommel.
Jax stepped away from Sythe, who was quietly swearing beneath his breath. “Ti and I have been experimenting with the idea of trackers.”
“Genius actually,” Sythe added, frowning at the screen. “So if we came across a Daemon we could tag them, at least for a short distance. It would work if Jax knew the fucking software.”
“Ti’s the compute guy. I’m the weapon guy,” Jax growled. “Look, just move and I’ll do it.” He yanked at the chair, and Sythe punched him in the arm.
“What’s the progress?” Riley asked as he entered, wearing the same armour as Alice. He had knives strapped down his chest, and a gun at his hip. Lucifer, Kace and Xander followed behind, all matching except for Lucy, who had a bright pink bum bag strapped diagonally.
“Look, red dots.” Sythe pressed his finger hard into the screen. “Those are the trackers, right?”
Jax frowned. “I have no fucking idea.”
Sythe pushed away from the computer, throwing up his hands in frustration. “You’re as helpful as a chocolate fucking teapot!”
Xander moved towards the screen. “The trackers are popping in and out, but it looks like they’re still in the city.”
“You think we can strengthen the signal?” Riley asked.
“What part of experimental does no one understand?” Jax growled. “If Ti was here, then probably.”
“I can pull someone from my team,” Sythe began, “but I’m not sure if they can work with Ti’s software.”
“Leave it, we don’t have the time,” Riley said, turning to the others. “We have a rough area, that will have to do.”
“Let’s do this!” Lucifer hollered, clapping his hands together. “Can’t you guys sense them or some shit?”
“If they’re conscious,” Xander muttered. “We ready to head out?”
Sam hissed, drawing their attention before he began to shift back. It took longer than he would like, his body still recovering. “I’m coming,” he said when he had human vocal cords. “I need to be there.”
“That was assumed,” Riley said before Alice could protest. “But you’re a liability.”
Sam let a growl vibrate his chest.
“He’ll stay out the way,” Alice said, turning to face Sam.We’ll do this together,her face read, and as Sam nodded something hit his chest.
Lucifer shook his head, gesturing to the towel that Sam had caught. “Your cock’s fucking out, mate.”
Chapter33
Axel
