Gregor removed his shirt and tossed it over the sofa. “Let’s go.” He led the way through the house, and when they got outside, Major and Zane stripped there instead of hiding in the woods. They took to their Eagles, and Gregor released his large, leathery wings. Major led the way. He’d never flown with a Goyle before, but the flapping of Gregor’s wings was nearly imperceptible. Major prayed there weren’t drones in the area to catch sight of the Goyle.
The sound of leaves crunching met his ears before Perry and the other man came into view. Major gave a low chirp and flew past where they were walking. Instead of following, Gregor circled back, getting in front of them. Major didn’t question his decision. Tabitha’s dad was over six hundred years old and had fought both Unholy and other Gargoyles. Major flew lower with Zane on his tail feathers. Zane chirped, getting Major’s attention, so he landed on a nearby branch.
Zane stalled out, hovering as his Eagle grew larger. All Gryphons had the ability to change size as needed, and Zane’s wingspan was roughly eight feet. The force of his downdraft along with the air Zane called on built into a mini cyclone of wind and dead leaves. With one powerful flap of his massive wings, he knocked both men off their feet, sending them forward several yards. Zane squawked, and Major launched from his perch to join his fellow Hound. Both morphed to their Lions, and when Major landed on Perry’s back, his claws gripped the man’s shoulders, pinning him to the ground.
Perry screamed, and the younger man yelled as Zane put his massive fangs against the young man’s neck. Gregor landed in front of them, retracting his wings while extending the claws of his right hand. As he approached Perry, Gregor said, “I’ve got him.” Major released the man, backing out of Gregor’s way. Gregor jerked Perry to his feet and ripped the vest that held the hand grenades from his body. Major and Zane could have handled two humans, but having Gregor’s help was a boon.
Perry, whose face was scratched from landing on the hard forest floor, stammered, “Wh-what are you?”
“No, no, please, don’t hurt me,” the young man begged. Zane had one massive paw on his back, his snarling Lion inches away from the male’s eyes.
Gregor tossed Perry’s pack to the side before removing the rifle from around his shoulders. Gregor checked the weapon before aiming it at Perry’s chest. “You fucked with the wrong people. Now, we’re going to finish the trek through the woods, and then we’re going to have a little chat.”
“You have no idea who you’re messing with,” Perry sneered.
“You’re right, since you stole someone’s identity, Perry. Get him up.” Gregor gestured to the younger man, and Zane shifted to human, gripping the guy by the shoulders and pulling him to his feet. “Walk,” Gregor demanded, waving the gun. When they started moving away, Major shifted to human and grabbed the downed pack. No way was he leaving grenades where someone could find them. Besides, they would need them when they handed Perry over to the authorities.
“Please. I have money,” the young man offered.
Major voiced the man. “Shut up. You do not speak, and you do not look behind you.” He didn’t care if Perry knew it was him. He’d find that out soon enough, but he and Zane were naked. If they figured he and Zane had shifted from Eagle to human, he’d have to erase their memories.
“Tabby?”
“Hey, Hottie. Do you have them?”
“We do. We should be there in about thirty minutes.”
“Ten-four.”
Perry strode ahead as though he were out for anafternoon stroll, but the younger guy stumbled while walking with his arms wrapped around his waist. He wore a heavy coat since it was cold, but he was probably scared shitless. Most humans would be after being attacked by monster-sized birds.
When they were close to the edge of the trees, Gregor commanded the two men to stop. He looked behind them to Major and Zane. “Go on ahead.” Major and Zane jogged back a hundred yards before shifting. Major’s Eagle was on the larger side to enable him to carry the pack. Once they reached the manor, they returned to their human form and got dressed. Major stuck his head inside and called for Tabitha and Tessa, then the four of them waited on the patio.
Tessa was still holding a sword, and Tabitha held two daggers. Her handgun was secure in a holster at her waist. Gregor and their captives exited the tree line, and Perry stumbled upon seeing the women. “Keep moving.” Gregor poked Perry in the back with the rifle. When they reached the courtyard, Gregor told them to stop.
Major and the others moved forward. Tabitha asked the younger man, “Who are you?”
“Keep your mouth shut,” Perry muttered.
Major approached Perry and punched him in the gut. Perry doubled over, coughing. Major turned to the young man. “Answer our questions. Truthfully,” he added with his Gryphon’s influence. “That goes for you as well,” he said to Perry.
“Iggy. Uh, Ignatius Crowley.”
Tabitha stepped forward and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Major. “As in the Crowleys of Talmet?”
“Yes.”
“Are you responsible for the attack on Craig Kilbrook?”
Iggy’s eyes widened, and he glanced at Perry. “Attack? No. I only wanted to find my father. My real father.” Iggy glared at Perry. “What did you do?”
“What you paid me to.”
“I asked you to find Donnel.”
“And I found the bastard. He was playing house with someone who is not your mother.” Perry spit toward Iggy’s feet.”
Tabitha punched Perry in the mouth with the hilt of her dagger. “Spit at him again, and I will cut out your fucking tongue.” Perry’s eyes were filled with hatred as he licked the blood off his lip.
