“Yeah.That’s the one.”
“She’s booked in for the next intake at the resort,” Saber said in a cool voice.“She wants to bring six guards with her.”
“We don’t want her here or her minions,” Leo snapped.“She’s dangerous, and any man she fucks will die.Betrys says they all perish, that I’m an oddity in this respect.”
“Betrys doesn’t know why you lived?”
“She has no idea.Apparently, it’s never happened in all the time she’s worked for Iseult.”
“If we let Iseult come to the resort that might open an opportunity for us to snatch Ricci while she’s not at home.”
“Betrys can’t go,” Leo said, thinking aloud.“She’d need to stay here and let Iseult think she’s searching for another male.The woman is dangerous, Saber.We need to have a solid plan in place.We can’t risk any of the men or let Iseult get her hooks into them.She’ll kill them.Saber, she’ll abuse and torture them.We can’t let that happen to anyone else.”
“Steady, Leo.We’re not going to let her touch anyone.We’ll drug her if we have to and keep her subdued.Betrys will know her favorite foods.Don’t worry.We’ll talk to Betrys and formulate a plan to keep her and her son safe.And if what Betrys says is true, we need to keep you out of sight.You’ll need to stay in feline form for the duration of Iseult’s stay or at least until we’re able to make sure Betrys’s son is clear of danger.”
Saber’s calmness soothed some of the angst riding Leo.He set his empty coffee mug aside and rubbed at the scar on his belly.The damn thing was throbbing again and it made him even more determined to best Iseult.
“Leo, you said Iseult is having trouble keeping her form.If we give her something to make her sick or incapacitate her, she might think the illness is another mysterious symptom.”
“That might work.I’ll talk to Betrys.Maybe she has other info we can use.Will you come and pick us up today?”
“No,” Saber said after a pause.“I’ll come and collect you tomorrow.It’s not as if we can do much today, not before we do some research.I’ll get Scarlett on the job.She’ll obtain the information we need, but it will take time.”
Leo nodded, even though his brother couldn’t see him.Spending more hours with Betrys wasn’t a hardship.“All right.I’ll contact you if Betrys can think of anything else that might help us.”
“Right.I’ll be there around mid-morning.Tell Betrys not to worry.We’ll get her son.”
“Thanks,” Leo said.
“Anytime,” Saber replied and cut the connection.
Leo idly rubbed at his scar, his touch easing the ache.He frowned and looked down at his naked form.Either he was putting on weight or there was something wrong with his stomach.He should be getting better, the pain lessening rather than increasing.
“Take more of the tonic,” Caspar said from the doorway.
“Do you know what is wrong with me?”Leo asked, turning toward the familiar voice.
“I am no medical man, but I suspect you’ve picked up a parasite.It happens.The tonic will help to kill off the organism.”
“Crap.”An understatement.Leo scowled at his puckered scar and prodded the swelling.More questions for Betrys and more research for Scarlett.
Caspar smiled.“I like young Ricci.Betrys has an intelligent son.He was full of questions during the journey back to his sleeping body.”
“Most children are curious,” Leo said.“I remember my younger brothers asking questions, and I’m sure I asked my share.”
“There are more of you?”Caspar asked in clear interest.
“I have four brothers and one sister,” Leo said.
Caspar’s grin held joy and expectation.He rubbed his hands together.“I can’t wait to meet the others.Do they have mates?”
“Not all of us.Saber and my second brother Felix have mates.”
“I’ve met Saber and the beautiful Eva.Perhaps your siblings could come to visit.”Caspar peppered him with more questions.
Leo answered Caspar’s queries until Caspar halted him.
“Betrys is awake,” Caspar said.“I will inform her that I escorted Ricci home, then leave you in peace.”
