Page 100 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Dellan smiled. “And I also recall how useful we were. Aric will prove useful too, I’m sure of it.”

Brick glanced toward the tent flap. “I’m hoping to hear Seth’s thoughts. We must be close enough by now.”

Horvan patted his arm. “We’re going to get him out of there soon enough. Then you can hear his voice out loud.” He smiled. “You get to hold him too.”

Horvan’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen. It was from Milo.

Can we talk?

He clicked on Call. “Are you safe to talk?”

“For the moment. I don’t have any more news about Fielding’s arrival.”

“Then why are you calling?” Horvan’s bare arms erupted into a carpet of goose bumps, and it had nothing to do with the chill morning air.

Something’s wrong.

“Horvan, don’t ask me how, but… they know you’re coming.”

Chapter Twenty-One

HORVAN’S SKINwas like ice. “That’s impossible.”

“Theyknow, I tell you. The camp commander told me last night. I had to wait for the first opportunity to call you. So now I have to ask. Who knows about this mission?”

He thought fast. “It can’t be any of my team. I’d stake my life on it. Aelryn knows, of course.”

“And who hashetold?”

That was the question Horvan wanted answered too. “So what do you know?”

“They have no idea when you’ll be here. They’re waiting to learn what your schedule is, and once they know that, they’re bringing in extra guards. The plan is that not one of you will live.”

Horvan froze. “Waiting to…. But where are they getting their information from?”

“I don’t know! All I’m telling you is the talk around here isn’t aboutifyou’re coming—it’swhen.”

Horvan had a call to make. “Let me know as soon as you hear anything, okay?”

“You got it.” Milo disconnected.

Brick gaped at him. “Whatcan’t be any of the team? What information? What the fuck is going on, H?”

Dellan was pale. “The Gerans know we’re coming. No specifics, just that.”

Horvan’s mind was already trying to come up with a logical answer. But there was only one possible conclusion, and he didn’t like it one little bit.

He scrolled and hit Aelryn’s number.

“I take it you’re in Maine. So are we.”

Horvan recognized the voice at the other end. “Scott, I need to talk to Aelryn, and it has to be a private call. I’m not talking about you—you’re his mate, for God’s sake. I mean no leaders, no counsel,no one, okay?”

There was maybe a second’s hesitation. “I’ll get him.”

“And what are you going to tell him?” Dellan said in a low, urgent voice. “‘Hey, Aelryn, you’ve got a traitor’? We can’t prove that.”

Horvan clutched his phone to his chest. “I think we can.” He brought it to his ear.

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