Page 59 of Dark Dragon’s Wolf

She’d managed to talk to some of the wolves that had been there the longest. She’d been sifting through their memories, comparing what they told her, and now she repeated it all back to Tristan, including mental images.

Thorne and Rebel were in charge of collating the intel and turning it into a mission plan, assisted by Sloan, Kira and Flynn.

Through Tristan, they gave Mayah more questions to ask, more information to look for.

They tried again four hours later. They couldn’t reach her.

Tristan paced and growled for the next four hours, until they thought it was safe to try again. This time she was there.

She wouldn’t say what exactly had been going on when she didn’t answer. Just that there were people around.

Tristan wanted to bleed whoever was nearby.

We’re coming for you, he told her, as he had a dozen times already. Nothing’s going to happen to you.

I know, she said. I’ve told the wolves you’re coming—that the “dragonwolf” is finally coming for them. Did you know you’re the White Wolf Savior?

Seriously? You actually set me up as a savior?

Is that any way to say ‘thank you’ for me making you a superhero legend? I can make you a costume, too. One touch from me, and you’ll be Spandex from head to toe. You’re welcome.

She was so damn brave. All alone in captivity, and still making jokes.

He asked, Can you make me that Batman body armor, that makes me look super-buff? Like, more buff than Flynn or Tank?

Flynn, still lending his power along with Kira and Emon, gave an amused snort.

Sure, Mayah said. And a codpiece. You know. That thing that goes over your dick and makes it look like you have a giant boner all the time.

I do have a giant boner all the time. At least, I do when you’re with me.

Emon said, You know we can hear you, right?

Mayah ignored him. I’ll make your superhero outfit so it fits over the python in your pants.

Tristan clenched his jaw. He couldn’t make any more jokes. Not even to make her feel better.

I love you, he said.

Hey. Don’t worry. They won’t kill me. I’m too valuable.

He couldn’t stand it, that she was the one in prison, and she was comforting him.

I can’t lose you, he said. I can’t handle the thought of you getting hurt.

You’ll come for me, she said. And if I’m hurt, you’ll heal me. Together, we can do anything.

But they weren’t together. Not yet. He tried not to project that thought to her, but she seemed to hear it anyway.

We will be soon. I’ll be waiting. She paused. In the meantime, can you talk to my dragon? I don’t know if she can see what’s going on. I can’t feel her.

I’ll try. I love you. Stay strong.

I love you too.

Chapter 27

After some loud and near-violent discussion, they decided that Mayah’s intel was more important than talking to her dragon. Tristan was getting nosebleeds again, despite Tyr’s potions, and the headaches had stopped going away when he and Mayah weren’t connected. They just receded to a dull throb.