32. Thirty-two

thirty-two

I prowled the woods, just out of sight of the tree line. My eyes flicked between Zeus, who leaned against a black SUV, and Kendal's window. She'd turned the lamp on for me. I hadn't thought to ask her, but being able to see her pass by every so often gave me a sense of peace.

Kragen's assurance that if something went wrong, they'd save Kendal first, didn't hurt.

My instincts screamed that something would go sideways. I felt the same way before the mission that took Thurl's sight. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something was off.

We had gone through every aspect of our plan several times. We made minor adjustments, but in the end neither I nor Kragen could find any fault with it.

So why was I so unsettled?

The thin line of glowing dots stretched between me and Kendal. I had to look to see them, and they faded out in my peripheral vision. I was fine as long as they didn't disappear entirely.

I had no idea that when Kendal asked to bond that it would be just as welcome for me. Knowing I could find her, that I would feel if she were injured, gave me reassurance I didn't think possible.

As long as she was okay, it didn't matter what happened to me.

Headlights swept the trees around me and my ears pricked. A low-slung sports car pulled up next to Zeus and a tall, lanky man got out.

His short blond hair was an artfully arranged tousle meant to look like he'd rolled out of bed that way, but it probably took hours to perfect. He walked with a rolling gait as he rounded the hood of his car and stuck his hand out for Zeus.

"Aymar."

"Zeus. Why have you brought me to the back of beyond?"

His voice was soft, but had a note of steel.

"Like I said, I have information to pass along."

The fae looked around and scrunched his face. "Well, pass it along. I don't want to stay here long."

Zeus shook his head. "Impatient, as always I see." Zeus's voice took on a hard edge. "I'll need something from you in exchange."

"Of course." Aymar waved his hand in an airy circle.

"I've come across some knowledge of a new creature existing right here in Damruck."

He tried to hide it, but I could see the fae's demeanor perk up. "What sort of new creature?"

"One capable of taking on dragons."

Aymar's hand fluttered around his neck, but his shock was only performance deep. "Well, that is a worthy piece of news."

"Word on the street is that these creatures are associated with a human."

That was my cue. I moved closer to where the two men stood. I kicked a pinecone, sending it skittering in front of me as I made my way through the sparse pines.

I kept my nose pointed deeper into the woods. My eyes would give too much of my location away.

I'd gone maybe fifteen feet when I heard Aymar gasp.

"Did you see that?"

"I saw a firefly flicker orange."

"No, not that."

I moved deeper into the woods, having confirmation I'd been seen. A low hum directed my attention skyward. The dim light of a small moon made it hard to see, but the object darting overhead had followed us on so many missions, it was easy to recognize.

"Drone!" I called out to my brothers stationed nearby. I didn't have time to do anything more. Multiple soft whistles heralded the hundreds of darts that rained down on me. I threw my forearms over my head and roared in frustration. There was nothing I could do.

"Stand down! Regroup. Kendal will know where to find me."

Men in tactical gear, weapons raised and eyes wide darted toward me. My vision went blurry. I sank on my haunches and held my palms out. If I could escape capture without serious injury it would better my chances during any rescue attempt.

I sought Kendal's window as nets wrapped around my body from three directions. Her hands were pressed against the glass, her face ashen. The fear in her eyes was the last thing I saw before the drugs sucked me under.

It wasn't the first time I'd been drugged, and I knew it would wear off quickly. I'd also learned to stay still and silent, feigning unconsciousness for as long as possible. The time to assess my situation was invaluable.

The scientists always put more faith in their sedatives than they should.

Slowly, the sounds separated and became distinct. I was inside a transport, my wrists and ankles bound. Two guards rode in the back with me, and I heard a driver and a scientist from the front.

The guards were whispering, trying to keep their conversation unnoticed.

"Can you believe this shit? What is that thing?"

"I don't know, but I hope like hell it doesn't wake up before we get to the facility. I don't want to tangle with it."

"Aww, c'mon Carl. It gave up without a fight. Maybe they have some sort of control over it."

"Or maybe it knew the drugs were gonna knock it out and decided to bide its time."

"I think we could take it. Nothing survives a point-blank rifle shot."

I'd love to tell him that he would need to make damn sure the bullet entered my brain. And hope my reflexes were so dulled I didn't gut him before he could pull the trigger.

I tuned them out and focused on the front of the vehicle. The scientist's voice seemed familiar, but I couldn't place it. She was quietly giving the driver directions, which the driver acknowledged with grunts. Neither of them were as chatty as my two guards.

It didn't matter. Like the smarter one said, I would bide my time. They would make a mistake. They always did.