Page 115 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

“Well, I don’t,” Saul retorted. “Why are they offering to exchange Vic for this Valmer? How can we exchange someone we don’t even have?”

“Exactly.” Fatigue laced Aelryn’s voice. “And if we say, ‘Hey, we can’t do that because we don’t have him’ it’ll be seen as a refusal.”

“Giving them the excuse they need to go on the offensive—to launch an attack.” Horvan sounded pissed.

“Then what’ll happen to Vic?” Crank’s gut was in turmoil.

“That we don’t know,” Aelryn admitted.

Horvan peered at his screen. “Aelryn, I’ll call you back. Milo’s trying to get in touch. This could be important.”

“I’ll be here.” Aelryn disconnected.

Crank started pacing until Saul grabbed him. “Hang in there, okay?”

“Doin’ my damnedest, but fuck, it’s hard.”

Just let me hear Vic’s voice. Just once.

Horvan held up a hand, and they fell silent. “Milo, what’s the news?”

“There’s been a change of plan with regards to Fielding.”

Crank stilled, his gaze locked on Horvan.

“He’s still coming, right?” Horvan’s brows knitted.

“Yes, and his ETA is still Friday afternoon. But it seems he’ll be leaving here Sunday morning.”

“You mean he doesn’t wanna be around when we attack.” Horvan snorted. “Too bad he’s gonna get a front row seat.”

Dellan burst into the tent. “Milo,” he called out. “Dellan here. What about my dad? Do you have any idea when they intend taking him out?”

“No, but—” There was a pause. “—would you say Fielding is the kind of man who’d want to be there when they pull the trigger?”

Horvan let rip with another derisive snort. “Fuck yeah. Let us know if there are any more developments, Milo.”

“I will. And I’ll email you with the final arrangements.” He hung up.

“That fucking bastard.” Saul’s mouth was an ugly line.

Horvan scraped his hand over his bald head. “Okay. We go in Saturday morning as planned, and we take Fielding alive. Because if anyone will know where Vic is, it’s him.” His phone buzzed again, and he groaned. “Now what?” He stilled. “It’s Aelryn again.”

“Something else you need to know,” Aelryn said quickly. “Once this is over, we’ve got another mission—to find the contents of a tomb. I’m not going to explain it all now, just to say this could be crucial to every shifter on the planet.”

Crank jerked his head to stare at Saul.What the fuck?

Saul shook his head.Beats me. But Aelryn doesn’t strike me as someone prone to exaggeration.

“Aelryn, if you hear any news about Vic….” Crank’s throat tightened.

“I’ll let you know, of course.”

Horvan pointed at Crank. “You’re our best sniper. Fielding’syourtarget. But you’ll be using tranq bullets, okay? We want that fucker alive.”

“What makes you think he’ll talk?” Aelryn asked.

Dellan’s grim expression was so unlike him it sent cold inching through Crank.

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