Page 11 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

He believed that with every fiber of his being. It was all he clung to in order to keep himself from going under, from sinking beneath the waves of despair that continually battered him.

“So have you heard anything else that might tell us where we are?” He and Jake listened as the guards talked, hoping for any clues as to their location.

Jake nodded toward the north of the compound. “Apparently, Canada is thataway.”

Seth smothered a snort. “Wow. Nowthere’sbreaking news.”

“No, I mean it seems we’re real close to the Canadian border.”

“Which means we could be in any one of numerous states.” Seth glanced toward the gate of the exercise yard. “Don’t look now but we’re gonna have company.”

Three soldiers approached the gate, followed by five individuals who blinked in the sunlight, their faces haggard.

“They’ve been kept in the reeducation center for two months,” Jake murmured. “I remember when they arrived.” Another scowl distorted his handsome face. “Reeducation, my ass. I wonder what they did to end up in there.” All five shifters were painfully thin. He glanced at Seth. “Did you hide some bread this morning like you usually do?”

Seth caught on fast. “It’s in my pocket, wrapped in a piece of tissue.” Hunger had become a part of their daily lives, but the sorry state of the newly released shifters touched him.

Their need is greater.

He watched as they stood in a clump, clearly assessing their surroundings.

Not a lot to see here, guys. And no way to escape.

The guards around the perimeter and in the towers saw to that. True, helicopters and military planes made regular landings at the airfield Seth had spied to the northeast of the compound, but as for getting through the wire and stealing one?

Yeah. Seth wouldn’t get more than five feet before he’d be shot.

He could see that knowledge sinking in as the new inmates took stock of the compound. Then he froze. “Jake, one of the newbies is heading straight for us.”

Jake didn’t turn his head. “What can you tell me about him?”

They were careful not to overshare with others; who knew if one of their fellow inmates could be a plant?

“You need to see this guy,” Seth whispered. The newbie was young, in his midtwenties, maybe a little older than Seth.

Jake frowned. “Why?”

“Because he’s staring atyou.”

“Describe him.”

Seth spoke quickly. “Tall, dark brown hair, nothing that really makes him stand out.” Then the guy got closer and Seth scrutinized his face.

Oh my God.

“Jake? I think we have another one.”

“Another what?”

Seth gripped his arm. “Jake, he looks like you.”

Jake turned slowly. They stood rigid, waiting for the young man to reach them, and Seth knew by the catch in Jake’s breath that he’d seen it too.

He had to be another of Jake’s children.

The guy stopped in front of Jake, locking gazes with him, and Seth knew what was coming. He’d heard it on numerous occasions since he and Jake had been brought to the compound.

I think we’re related.

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