Page 87 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Dellan shook his head. “No, there’s more to it than that.” He turned to Rael. “Think about what happened to me. I was in that cage for a year, and I couldn’t shift—except when they forced me to.”

Rael nodded, his face tight. “We figured they’d drugged your food… something to prevent you from shifting.”

Dellan cocked his head to one side. “So what if all the shifters in the camps are drugged in the same way?”

Horvan scowled. “I don’t like this. Drugs to suppress a shift, drugs to force a shift…. I need to talk to Doc about this. Because once we get all the inmates out of there, we have to check ’em out. God knows how the drugs have fucked ’em up.”

“And if you asked any of the people who set up the camps, they’d probably tell you the end justifies the means. I believed that—once.” Milo’s Adam’s apple bobbed sharply. “Not anymore.” He stared at Horvan. “This mission you’re planning… I want in.”

“Me too,” Eve piped up.

Saul chuckled. “You’ve got no choice, Duncan. This is what you signed up for. Speaking of which, there’s a training session at the barracks tomorrow. We’ll get to see you in action. No denying you look good on paper.”

Her eyes sparkled. “In real life? I’m even better.”

Roadkill snorted. “I’d say you don’t suffer from a lack of modesty, but my instincts tell me you’re probably telling the truth.”

She widened her eyes and gave him a mock glare. “‘Probably’? Oh, you aresoin for it tonight—baby.” Hashtagguffawed, and she flashed him a glance. “Sure, laugh it up now—pay for it later.”

You know, I almost feel sorry for them.Crank peered at Saul with a grin.Almost.

“I’m going too, right, H?” Brick’s voice was quieter.

To Crank’s mind, the fact that Horvan didn’t reply right away was telling.

Brick let out a loud snort. “Don’t even think about keeping me here. And if you order me not to go, I’ll go anyway. Besides, you need me.”

Horvan sighed. “Everyone is going. I need my best team.”

“Does that include me?” Aric gazed at him.

“And what wouldyoudo on a mission? Lick ’em to death?” Then Crank grimaced. “Mind you, a cat’s tongue feels fucking awful, the way it rasps—”

“Not helping,” Saul muttered.

“Excuse me?” Milo glared at them. “Can we get back to the part where I said I wanted to be on the team for this one?”

Horvan met Milo’s gaze, and Crank winced. He knew that look.

Milo isn’t gonna be a happy bunny.

Horvan took a deep breath. “You need to go back. You’re more use to us at the camp.”

“No!” Milo’s voice was strident. “I want to—” A phone buzzed, and he pulled it from his pocket. Milo stared at the screen in obvious dismay. “Well, crap.”

“What’s wrong?” Horvan asked.

Milo huffed. “Seems like you’re going to get your way. This is from the camp. They want me back. Tomorrow. They’ve canceled all leave because of the inspection next weekend.”

“And there’s our confirmation right there,” Saul muttered.

“Right.” Hashtag got out of his chair. “Before you go, I’ll give you a burner phone so you can stay in contact with us. All messages will be encrypted.”

“But I want to fight,” Milo protested.

“I get that,” Horvan replied. “But you can do more on the ground.”

Eve got up and went over to Milo, crouching beside him. “Besides, how does it feel being parted from Jana?” She covered his hand with hers.

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