Page 59 of Wolf Roulette

The last time I was here, Wade was missing, and everything exploded in my face.

You did it,Booker said.

I killed the engine.We did it. And there’s far more to do before we can celebrate.

The head team lined up on the manor stairs. Leaving my stuff for now, I climbed to meet them.

“Welcome back, Head Steward.” Roderick bowed slightly.

I nodded. “Thank you.”

A few of the regular manor staff had gathered too. I stopped at the top of the steps and faced everyone. “I’m calling an immediate meeting so I can get up to speed on tribe affairs. Pascal, please get in touch with Wade so he can join us.”

“Join?” Nathan said.

“Yes. Wade has proved himself to me time and again, and he will be by my side if he chooses it.”

The head team filed inside, and I nodded at the trainer, Gerry, Tip-toe Eleanor,Ha!Heather, and tree-hugger Jessi, who stood with around ten other stewards from the kitchens and grounds. “Thank you all for being here.”

Gerry extended a hand. “I didn’t give you a chance when I heard the rumours. Rhona had no right to treat you that way. I’m sorry, Andie.”

I couldn’t recall the trainer ever stringing so many words together. “Thank you for the chance now.”

“Eleanor, is my usual room empty?”

She hesitated. “Yes, but there’s some damage.”

Let me guess.“Then Herc’s old room will do.”

I entered the manor.

It was time to eat some hearts.

I stopped at my office to check the contents of the desk. The surface was a mess of doodles and notes scribbled. After an attempt to decipher Rhona’s musings, I swept the whole lot into the trash basket. The office was a mess, but the relevant information was in the drawers.

“Wade was called?” I asked, entering the meeting room.

The head team took their seats.

“He’s on his way,” Pascal replied.

Good.I took my seat. “Any word from Rhona?”

Nathan clenched his jaw. “From Foley. She’s refusing to return.”

If she stayed away until next Wednesday, I could still help the pack win Grids. “Did Foley say why?”

“Nothing. Just that she’s partying in Bluff City and we need to move on without her.”

Partying in a city owned by vampires. I couldn’t do anything to help her if she was harmed.

Well, I did have one contact there. Maybe it was time to place a call.

“Is there anything else before we get started?” Stanley prompted.

“Yes.” I peered across the table. “This new nose tells me many things. You don’t like me, Nathan.”

His colour deepened.

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