Chapter 9

They all met up in the parking area of The Joint and headed in.

"Let's grab a table rather than sit at the bar. I don't want our backs facing the door," Amira said as she strode over to an open table facing the entrance.

Once she sat down, she noticed some of the same staff members who'd worked last night were here in the afternoon. She thought it odd but dismissed it since they may have all been full-time employees. The bartender, who had his back to them when they came in, let them know he'd be right over.

"Well, I know I want a fish sandwich," Gregor said.

"I'm going for the salad," the hare shifter announced.

"You and your vegan diet, Harriet!" Stan laughed.

"Stan, you know I only eat fruits and veggies."

"Yeah, I know, but this bear can't survive on that alone. I'm going for the burger."

Amira shook her head. "That's a heart attack waiting to happen with all that grease, cheese, and bacon. Do they have anything healthy for a meat eater to consume?"

"Amira, we're at a bar. No bar food is healthy—not even the salad," said Richard.

"Well, there goes my calorie count for the day. I guess I'll opt for the nachos. They seem to have the fewest calories at a whopping 1200—yikes!"

"How about I share them with you? Calories shared don't count—at least that's what my grandma used to say," Richard whispered into her ear, followed by a smile and a wink.

Heat rushed through Amira's cheeks. "My, is it hot in here? I think I'll order a glass of water."

The waiter, someone new, smiled and took all of their orders. Only Stan and Gregor ordered beers.

When the server came back, Amira practically downed her water as the server handed every other beverage out. Only after the server went back to the kitchen, did she take her last swallow and notice the water tasted funny. It was sweet.

"Excuse me, but could I get another glass?" she called out to the bartender, who still had his back turned to them. "I don't think this one was properly washed. My water tastes sugary."

The server, who was now coming from the kitchen, gave Amira a thousand-watt smile and went to the bar to retrieve another glass of water for her. Once he returned with the glass, Amira thanked him and smiled after she took a sip. This time, the water seemed normal.

"You know, Stan, we don't all have to sit with you. We can sit at another table to give you and Gregor some private time to catch up," said Richard.

"With Zagan on the loose, I'd rather be safe than sorry. We'll stick together," Stan said. After taking a sip of his beer, he made a sour face. "That beer tastes funny. They must not have tapped the keg properly. I may order a blonde for the next round if yours tastes fine, Gregor."

"Yeah, mine seems fine."

Stan gave Gregor a nod and then looked over at Richard and Harriet.

"Are your drinks okay? It seems weird that Amira and I are both having issues."

Harriet nodded, but Richard winced after sipping his coffee.

"I never put sugar in my coffee."

"We definitely should stay close to one another," Amira mused. "Something seems off. Richard, did you notice it's almost all the same waitstaff as yesterday? And why aren't there any other patrons here?"

"Now that you mention it, Amira, they are a lot of the same people."

Stan pressed a hand to his forehead, as Gregor did.

"Guys, my head is fuzzy," said Stan as his face turned a few shades of green.

"We should leave now. The same thing happened to us last night. I didn't mention it because I assumed it was from something, uh, else," said Richard, placing a hand on the back of his neck.

"Agreed," said Stan.

The five placed several bills on the table before getting up to leave. Before they made it to the entrance, the bartender walked up to them and blocked the exit.

"Don't leave just yet," he said as the server turned off the neon "open" sign and locked the door before heading into the kitchen.

Stan now feeling the full effects of whatever was in his drink shook his head to think clearer. Realization came to him. The bartender and server were guys he'd collared before. They both worked for Zagan!

"We've got some unfinished business," said a voice from behind them.

The five turned toward the voice, and it was Zagan.

"Fancy meeting you all here. Especially you, Stan. I'll admit I planned to infiltrate FUC Academy to capture you, but since you're here now, why bother with the extra mess? Sam, tie them all up!"

The distinct clacking of cowboy boots rang through the bar as Sam came towards them.

"What makes you think we'll give up so easily?" Stan said in a low growl.

"You won't have a choice in the matter because your drinks were all laced with a potion, and if you want the antidote, you will all do as I say."

Amira's breathing became shallow as her head clouded. She must have had a lot of the potion because she'd downed almost two glasses of water before they tried to leave.

"What did you give us, Zagan?" Her snowy owl was barking her statements at this point.

Zagan's steely gaze locked onto her.

"Amira! It's always a pleasure, and it will be so nice to have you back for my experiments. Have you seen Quinn lately? If not, you needn't worry. He'll come back to the fold sometime soon."

He grabbed her by the wrists and forced her into a chair. She looked toward Richard for help, but he was bracing himself against the wall, his eyes closed as whatever drug was coursing through his system took hold. Seeing him in that state sent a primal urge through her system. Almost as if she was sobering up, she shook her head to rid herself of remaining bits of whatever they gave her. She couldn't let that come between her and saving Richard! Because seriously? How dare you incapacitate my man like that!

The dread at seeing Zagan again and the fear for herself paled in comparison to the protective instinct that rose in her. Zagan was tying the last knot on her restraints when Amira shifted. But instead of her fluffy lamb emerging, her other side finally made its appearance. It was happening! It was finally happening! Her snowy owl—the predator within her and the one that could overcome the lingering effects of that stupid potion, emerged.

Her arms transformed into silky white-feathered silver-tipped wings, and she quickly slipped out of the rope. Zagan was prepared for it, though, and clasped a hand around her neck.

"Don't touch her, asshole!" Richard had come finally around after shaking his head, fighting off the drug, and he now transformed into his llama. Quicker than Amira could comprehend, Richard's llama kicked Zagan in the back with his front legs.

Amira's mouth was the last to transform, becoming her beak. Everything about her now was larger than life. She was a bird, yes, but as large as her lamb! As soon as she could, she clamped down on Zagan's hand. Zagan screamed and recoiled, shifting into his bull-griffon. He drove a horn into Amira's shoulder and flung her across the room.

Zagan then turned toward Harriet and lunged for her. The former king turned into his sea turtle and stood in front of Harriet, in an attempt to block her from any blow that Zagan might try.

"You really think your turtle has land legs?" Zagan cackled as he took flight and made a beeline to Harriet.

"Fuck you, Zagan!"

Stan shifted into his grizzly bear and swiped at Zagan's horns. Between their exchange, Stan managed to knock Zagan unconscious.

Ash smiled and lunged toward Gregor and Harriet as he shifted in mid-air, but Richard thrust his legs and kicked the snake across the room. Both Ash and Sam were now out cold.

Seeing that his backup was down and fearing capture again, Zagan took flight once more. The crashing sound of breaking glass filled the room as he flew out of the bar through the window.

Amira didn't look to see what the others were doing. She spun around and went after her prey: Zagan. She was about to fly through the window when Sam grabbed hold of her furry-clawed feet.

"Oh no, pretty thing! You aren't sending the boss back to jail!"

Richard was still in llama form and head-butted Sam, forcing the man to let go of Amira. As the llama reared back to stomp Sam, the man shifted into a snake and slithered away, attempting to escape through the window Zagan had busted through. But before Sam could reach the outside, Amira swooped down and had him in her claws. The snake wriggled and squirmed and made every effort to break free of her grasp, but it was no use. Finally, he transformed back into his human form, becoming too heavy for her to hold.

She dropped him, but freedom eluded him, since Stan was ready with cuffs. "These should hold you till we book you."

"Fuck!" Sam spat.

"Pretty sure you aren't talking about Furry United Coalition," Richard said with a chuckle after he turned back into human form.

Amira searched the skies for any hint of Zagan, ready to fly after him, but he had disappeared. Damn Sam for distracting me.

Stan called over to her, "Amira, change back. You are coming with me so I can train you on how to book a couple of perps."

When Stan glanced over at Ash, Ash shifted into his gecko and darted out of the bar window previously broken by Zagan. Amira soared up to fly through the window but stopped the minute Stan raised a hand.

"He's of little importance. We've got this one for now."

Amira shifted back into human form to ask, "But what about Zagan?"

"We got him once, and we will get him again," Stan said with a shrug of his shoulder. "Richard, please drive Gregor and Harriet in your car. I don't want Snakey Sam anywhere near royal blood." Stan glanced over to Harriet, who placed a palm over her belly.

Was she doing that out of protective instinct?

Amira shook her head slightly to clear the thought from her head. If Harriet was carrying the future king of Skyros, Amira didn't want to tip off Sam. Being the snake he was, he'd tell Zagan the first chance he got.

"Call in to Alyce," Stan added, speaking to either Richard or Harriet. "Let her know we're bringing a perp to the Academy for holding until he can be transported to another facility. And fill her in on Zagan."

"Will do," Harriet answered.

"You drive," Stan told Amira. "I'll be in the back with this one. Can't be too careful."

"Whatever you say, Stan."

The drive seemed longer than usual, probably because of the perp in the back seat. Once they got to WANC, Stan led the way to the facility's holding room and cuffed Sam to the table. He motioned for Amira to leave Sam, and the two of them stepped into the hall.

"This changes things. I really thought Gregor would be safer here than in Skyros. SHIT is happening—you'd think their focus would be on that. We'd predicted that Zagan would head that way, but clearly, we were wrong. I'm going to make the safe choice and send Gregor and Harriet back to Skyros on their private jet, but I want you to head out that way as well."

"Me?" Amira's eyes widened. "Fly to Greece?"

"Yes. I think it's best to get you out of here, knowing Zagan is in the area."

"You're sending me away to protect me?" she asked, her anger rising.

"Look at it this way," Stan said with a compassionate look. "It will be good experience for you to help out with the SHIT in Greece. It's added experience that will put you closer to the promotion you want."

She sighed. She couldn't deny that point. "When do I leave?"

"I'll have Cherry book you a flight to fly out early tomorrow. I'll make sure Quinn picks you up from the airport when you land."

"Okay." The thought of leaving for Skyros left her feeling conflicted. She hated the idea that she was being sent away for protection, but she was excited that she was being kept on the assignment—Stan certainly could have called it all off and sent Harriet and Gregor back without her. But she also couldn't help but think about Richard. She wished she had a moment to talk with him before she left, but she hadn't seen him since they'd gotten into separate cars at The Joint. She hoped he was okay. She also hoped things between the two of them were okay…

Stan showed her the booking paperwork and explained how FUC agents would come and collect Sam, and then he practically shoved her out the door to go home and pack. She started toward the exit but then took a quick detour to Richard's office, hoping to catch him there.

No luck. It was empty. She looked at her phone and realized she didn't even have Richard's cell number to call and tell him what was going on. She considered leaving him a note, but what was the point? She was sure Stan would fill him in.

Amira sighed and headed to her apartment. She packed a bag quickly and then headed to bedroom as soon as she saw that Cherry had gotten her on a three a.m. flight—an awful time to depart. The coffee shop at the terminal wouldn't even be open that early. She'd have to wait for her caffeine fix when they served drinks in coach. Amira let out a sigh before pulling the covers over her shoulders.