Page 112 of Death and Donuts

“Grab something from the kitchen,” Shepard said. “Eat. Drink. Use the next hour wisely, and be ready to head out when we return.”

I glanced back at Cross, who was walking between Vena and Anchor. Vena briefly saluted me before resuming her scowl at the men who were eyeing Cross, and I loved her even more for her unconditional support.

Shepard led us inside to his suite where Doc, Buzz, Detroit, Tank, Army, and Boulder waited with a map of the greater D.C. area. Vena lit up when she saw it.

“Vena, if you’d do the honors, please,” Shepard said, motioning to the map.

Her excitement fell as her gaze bounced between the map, the guys present, and Shepard.

“You’re going to use me to find the locations, and Everly and I will get stuck sitting in a city devoid of shifters while you go hunting.”

Shepard sighed. “You were in the room when Effora offered to watch over you, and as you mentioned, I’m not stupid. The only safe place for you and Everly is with us. You have my word you won’t be left behind.”

Her suspicion vanished. “Okay. I’ll scry.”

She removed her crystal and dangled it over the map, moving it in a slow circle that grew bigger with each pass. The crystal suddenly stopped over a spot to the northeast of the city.

“That’s not far from one of the dump sites,” Doc said.

She repeated the process until the crystal had covered every inch of the map and found five more locations, each within ten miles of the dump sites that had already been discovered.

Detroit removed that map and unfolded another one. I watched Vena’s crystal slowly circle over the entire East Coast, one state map at a time, until Shepard had a good idea of where all the nests were located.

“I felt a subtle vibration in the crystal’s chain when it was over the locations closest to D.C.,” Vena said. “It didn’t vibrate as much over the other ones, except this one in northern New York.” She pointed to the spot on the map. “I think the vibration means more vampires and not nearness.”

“Agreed,” Shepard said. “It would take more than six hours for our people to get there, so I doubt that nest would be part of Orphia’s plan. But I’ll notify New York’s Alpha and have him put eyes on that location. For now, we’ll deal with the larger nests closest to D.C.”

Shepard assigned locations to Buzz, Detroit, Tank, Army, and Boulder and said he would take the one west of D.C. himself.

“Cross and Anchor, you’re with me. Anchor, your only job is to stay with Everly and Vena. Doc, you stay here as our main point of contact.”

“You got it.”

“Everyone checks in with Doc before they go in and immediately after clean-up.

“We’ve got six hours of daylight left. Let’s get in and out of these locations before sunset to minimize the risk.

“No fewer than twenty-five wolves in each group. Find your volunteers outside. If the vampire presence in your assigned location is bigger than your group can successfully take on, wait. Call for backup. No risks. Do you understand?”

Everyone agreed, and the others left to coordinate their volunteers as Shepard’s phone rang. As he answered it, Cross took my hand and led me to a chair where he pulled me onto his lap.

“Will you be all right?” he asked.

I knew what he meant and nodded. “Vivian put a lot of effort into tracking me. I’d rather be with you than left behind where he’s probably lurking, waiting for another opportunity to grab me.”

“Our thoughts, too,” Cross said, looking at Shepard.

I did the same and caught Shepard’s scowl.

“It’s Effora testing his patience again,” Cross said softly. “She’s cooperating, though, so we should be able to leave soon.”

Shepard hung up the phone and looked at us.

“Ready?”

Cross helped me to my feet as I checked the time and saw it was just after three in the afternoon.

“Got somewhere to be?” Shepard asked with a smile.

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