Page 19 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

The Fridans must think we’re really stupid to fall for that.

But even if itwasa blatant lie, there was something seductive, even comforting, about the idea that there was someone out there made for Milo, someone who was a perfect fit. He’d had little luck with girlfriends. Dating a guy in the military made for an uncertain future, and what with his shifts, the remoteness of his detail…. Milo wasn’t a hookup kinda guy, but that was all there seemed to be on offer.

Maybe that was why the thought of having a mate appealed to him.

That didn’t make it true.

Once his mind started turning over the rumors, he couldn’t stop it. Insidious thoughts snuck into his dreams. He watched the inmates, searching for anything that might provide him with answers. Milo was always ready to act when he saw any signs of insurrection, escape planning, inmates congregating where they shouldn’t. Two or three attracted his attention—one in particular—and he resolved to keep a close eye on them.

His resolution shattered with the arrival of Jana.

“SIR? Anew batch of inmates has arrived,” Coleman informed him. He handed Milo the tablet. “Thirty of them. They’re being processed right now.”

“Great. Let me know when they’re done.” Milo had a little speech he reserved for new arrivals. Mostly it was a warning.

Do as you’re told and there’ll be no problems.

Mess with us and wewillmess you up.

Then he’d point to the towers around the perimeter, each topped with a lookout and equipped with guns.You see those guards up there? If none of my men down here spot you trying to escape, be suretheywill, and theywillshoot you dead.

He skimmed through the details of the newbies, searching for anything out of the ordinary. None of the names were accompanied by the logo of a hand with an eye across the palm—the icon designated for those rare shifters who possessed psychic ability. Because now the Gerans knew such shifters existed, you’d better believe they were searching for more of them.

A resource with unlimited potential, waiting to be tapped.

Milo made his rounds, walking the perimeter of the compound, his eyes ever watchful, his hand resting on his rifle, ready to react to any sign of danger. Not from the inmates, who were already beaten down when they arrived, but from the outside.

If the Fridans really have taken two camps already this year, then we need to be ready for any eventuality.

No one higher up had said as much—in writing, at any rate—but the word was out.

Be extra vigilant.

His earpiece burst into life. “Ready when you are, sir.”

Milo headed for the reeducation center, where the new arrivals were always taken after processing. Coleman and three other guards stood at the back of the main room, where inmates sat at tables, heads bowed, silent as the grave.

He walked to the front and faced them. The faces before him all seemed the same—tired, fearful, devoid of hope. That made his job easier.

He cleared his throat and launched into his speech. When he got to the part where he told them this was not some kind of extermination camp, he couldn’t miss their relieved expressions. He scanned each row of tables, searching for any potential troublemakers, but he found—

One face stopped him dead in his tracks.

Milo froze.What the fuck?He stood rooted to the spot, unable to move.

She was maybe in her midtwenties, with long reddish-brown hair, tied back. She wasn’t looking at him, her gaze lowered.

Milo couldn’t take his eyes off her, and he had no idea why. There was nothing out of the ordinary about her. Had they met before? He searched his memories and came to an unsatisfying conclusion.

I don’t know her.

Then why did some sense keep on insisting that he did?

He consulted his tablet, scrolling through until he found her. Jana Guzek, age twenty-four, originally from New Hampshire. He had to smile when he saw what kind of shiftershe was. He didn’t think the Geran military would have much use for an otter.

Scrolling further, he noted this was her first internment.

He still couldn’t tear his gaze away from her. If anything, the feeling of being unable to look away from her was intensifying.

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