Page 106 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Aelryn reached up to caress Scott’s cheek.I’ll call. But I’ll be safe. I know him.

He swallowed.At least, I thought I did.

Scott left him, and Aelryn stood, his back rigid as he pushed aside sentimentality and affection.

Time to be the leader he was born to be. A leader worthy of his bloodline.

Rudy Myers stepped inside the command tent, and Aelryn noted his hesitation, his sweeping gaze that took in his surroundings, the sharp bob of his Adam’s apple.

Rudy was nervous—unless Aelryn imagined it.

He pointed to one of the chairs that had been set up for his briefing with Johan. “Sit down.”

Rudy blinked. “No greeting? No explanation for why you sent a truck to collect me at too damn early o’clock? Why am I here, Aelryn? I’m not part of this mission. At least, IthoughtI wasn’t.” His lips twitched. “Did I miss the memo?”

“Why are you here? I’ll give you the short answer.” Aelryn fixed him with a steady gaze. “You gave details of this mission to the Gerans.”

His eyes widened. “What? Of course I didn’t. Why would—”

“Please, don’t try my patience,” Aelryn interjected, one hand raised. “We have proof. Undeniable, solid proof. But before Igive the order to have you taken from here and… dealt with, I want to know one thing: Why?”

Rudy’s eyes were like saucers. “‘Dealt with’?” All the color slid from his face.

Aelryn stared at him. “This isn’t an action that requires a slap on the wrist, or even a formal reprimand. Surely you knew what would happen if you were found out.”

Silence.

Aelryn could almost hear the cogs clicking in Rudy’s head as he undoubtedly went through every conceivable response, every possible denial. Then Rudy crumpled, his broad shoulders sagging, his shaved head bowed. “I wasn’t thinking about the consequences of my actions,” he whispered.

“Then whatwereyou thinking about? Apart from helping the enemy to thwart our plans, of course.”

Rudy raised his head, and tortured eyes met Aelryn’s gaze. “My only thought was… my mate. His survival.”

Oh, by the gods….

Aelryn froze. “You found your mate? When was this?”

“A month ago. But… it’s complicated.”

He sat in the chair facing Rudy and leaned back, arms folded. “Tell me. Everything.”

“Now isn’t the time to—”

“You are not leaving this tent until you’ve told me.” Aelryn scowled. “It’s no secret I have a mate. I need to know this isn’t some ploy to gain sympathy.” Except he didn’t believe that. HeknewRudy. “And you’d better make it convincing. Because if you’re treated the wayalltraitors are treated, what happens to your mate? Think about how much he’d suffer without you.”

“At least he’d be alive to do it!” Rudy snapped. Seconds ticked by, and at last he sighed. “This might be the only chance I get. Okay, then. Last month, I was in New York….”

RUDY HADto admit the exhibition was fascinating. He’d thought Colchis was a figment of some screenwriter’s imagination, the place where Jason and his Argonauts went to find the golden fleece. He’d had no idea it was a real location, a place of ancient tombs and documents….

Call yourself a history teacher? For shame.

The Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at New York University hadn’t been his idea of a tourist spot—a friend had recommended it—but so far he’d spent a few hours gazing at the artifacts and reading the displayed information.

Then his senses went on alert.

Someone’s watching me.

He turned and scanned the room. There were only three other people present. Two of them were peering into a glass cabinet.

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