Page 47 of Dark Dragon’s Wolf

Tristan broke in. “You knew the Winterhome pack?”

Tyr paused, blinking at him. “Yes, years ago. Did you?”

Tristan said slowly, “My parents were born there, but my grandparents left back when the pack split. Like, forty years ago.”

Of course, Tyr was a dragon, and was over a hundred years old. He could have been there in Tristan’s grandparents’ time.

“Damn,” Tyr said. “I knew Duke Adams, the old alpha, and his son Justin.” His face clouded. “But the last time I went up there, about ten or eleven years ago, they were all gone, and the village was destroyed. I never found out what happened to them.”

“Shifter hunters,” Tristan said grimly. “It’s a long story, and I’ll tell it to you sometime over a bottle of whiskey. We’re pretty sure the wolves in this facility are ones whose families left during the split, but I’m wondering if some of the other voices we’ve been hearing are from Winterhome survivors.”

“Damn,” Tyr murmured. “If they’re out there, I’d love to help you find them. Duke and Justin were good people, and I always wished I’d been there to help them.”

Tristan said, “I was there. I barely escaped. We could have used a dragon, come to think of it.”

“I’m sorry,” Tyr said. “One day, I’ll buy you that whiskey and hear that story.”

Tristan nodded.

“In the meantime, I’ll do anything I can to help you on this mission. I have some artifacts that should help you get through the wards and look at the rest of the facility. You won’t be hampered by the time restrictions that Rebel would have if she tried to do it physically.”

“Thank you,” Mayah said. “We really appreciate it.”

Tyr said, “Have you given any thought to what you’re going to do with them after you rescue them? I’m willing to help with the healing and psychological side of things, but we don’t have housing suitable for wolves. They need wilderness, and freedom to roam.”

“I know,” Mayah said. “What I’d like to do is take them home with us. We have plenty of space in our domain, and in spite of the fact that Gen-X managed to get through to the castle that one time, I think it’s safer for them than Earth. As a matter of fact, I want to go back there and talk to Emon about it before we come to you. Would tomorrow afternoon be all right?”

“That works,” Tyr said. “I’ll be ready.”

Chapter 22

That afternoon they traveled back to Emon’s domain. Tristan had another private talk with Tank before they left; he didn’t tell Mayah what it was about, but he was quiet and thoughtful for quite a while afterwards.

They met with Emon and told him about Kira’s plan. He agreed immediately to help with the rescue, and the destruction of the facility.

“If it’s those Gen-X fuckers, I owe them,” he said. They’d broken into the castle less than two months ago, thanks to Emon’s former Head Steward, Grange, who’d been their inside man.

“Don’t we all,” Tristan said, reflexively touching his upper lip. Mayah knew what he was thinking; she was thinking the same thing. If it hadn’t been for Gen-X attacking, he wouldn’t have fried his brain, and wouldn’t be having all these headaches and nosebleeds.

Hopefully, after this mission he could rest it for a bit. Maybe Tyr would even know of a way to heal him.

On the other hand, she couldn’t help but think that if it weren’t for the damage he’d taken, making it impossible to keep his ghosts at bay, they might not have ever realized who they were, and had the chance to rescue them.

Emon hesitated, then went on, “But I’m not sure about the red dragons. Even though they’re part of the clan, I can’t require them to go to another world and take part in a mission this dangerous.”

“We wouldn’t want you to,” Tristan said. “Tell them it’s strictly voluntary.”

Emon grimaced. “That’s the thing. They’re used to my being their jailer, not their clan leader. They had to do what I said. Even if I phrased it as a request, they might feel like they don’t have a choice.”

Mayah got that; no matter what Emon said, the other dragons had to feel like they were on shaky ground with him. Especially because he was so damn grouchy. They didn’t know yet what a soft heart he really had.

“I’ll ask them,” she said. “They don’t answer to me, so maybe they’ll believe me when I say they don’t have to come.”

Although she was going to do everything she could to persuade them, short of using her mind powers on them.

Emon gave a little huff of laughter. “Good luck with that.” Then he put his hand on her arm. “Whatever they say, I’m totally behind you, little sister. And I know Trish will be too.”

When Mayah couldn’t find Zakerek in any of the usual places, she knew where to look. Or anyway, what to look for.