Page 82 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Horvan led the way out of the living room, Dellan and Milo following.

“Wait up. I’m coming too,” Saul yelled after him.

He chuckled. “Yeah, Mr. Joint Team Leader. Get your ass in gear. We need you.”

If Milo could provide detailed information about the camps, Horvan was going to break all records for the fastest assembling of a team.

Dellan, we’re gonna bring your dad, Seth, and Jamie home.

BRICK COULDN’Tsit still. All he could think about was Seth.

Are we really closer to finding him?

He had a few million questions of his own, ones that only Milo could answer. As the minutes ticked by, he got up and went outside. He needed to expend some energy, and the lake provided the perfect solution. Unfortunately, shifting wasn’t possible. The houses on the other side of the lake might not be all that close, but he was certain they’d easily spot a polar bear taking a dip in the calm waters.

“I should be in there,” he muttered.

A small hand closed around his. “No, you really shouldn’t.” Aric’s voice was gentle. “Let them do their thing.”

Brick couldn’t miss the wave of fatigue that rolled over Aric. “How much sleep did you get last night?” He’d been aware of tossing and turning on the other side of the bed.

“Not much.” He sighed. “Okay, none.”

Brick did a quick mental assessment, then grabbed Aric and lifted him into his arms before carrying him out of the room, heading for the staircase.

Aric chuckled. “Okay, two things. My legs still function, and where are we going?”

“To our room to cuddle up and take a nap. It’s better than sitting around down here, waiting for something to happen. They could be hours yet. Someone will yell when there’s news.” He climbed the stairs, holding Aric against him as though he were fragile and precious.

Fragile, no. Aric had been through stuff Brick didn’t even want to think about, and he’d survived. As for precious, he was all that, and more.

“You still don’t trust Milo, do you?”

Brick lowered him onto the bed. “No, I don’t. He’s a Geran. What’s that saying about a leopard never changing its spots?” He kicked off his shoes and lay on the comforter, spooning Aric. “Now close your eyes. Even half an hour is better than nothing.” Brick kissed his shoulder. “Please, baby.”

Aric didn’t answer, and it was only after registering the change in his breathing that Brick realized he’d fallen asleep almost instantly.

Sleep, pretty kitty. The world’s still gonna be here when you wake up.

Unfortunately.

ARIC KNEWit was a dream, but he didn’t care. Seth was holding him, kissing him. He felt warm and alive, and that was good enough.

“I have one complaint. I can’t smell you in my dreams.”

Seth chuckled. “Yeah, I noticed that too. So… has Milo arrived yet?”

Aric relayed the morning’s events. “It wasn’t pretty.” He shivered. “I thought Brick was going to kill him.”

“How is he?” Aric caught the note of concern.

He paused to open a mental lockbox. He didn’t want Brick peeking in and seeing his thoughts. “Fraying at the edges, to be honest. I worry for him. For his mind.”

Seth sighed. “Brick has experienced so much loss at the hands of the Gerans that his reaction isn’t unexpected. You need to tell him…. Milo is the key to freeing us. Brick has to play nice for a while longer.”

Aric noted Seth’s furrowed brow. “Something’s wrong.”

“Notwrong, exactly…. There’s something going on here. It’s a kind of electricity. I can feel it. They’re getting ready for a visit.”

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