Page 97 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Yeah, I got that part.Even his whiskers appeared dejected.

Now I know why you asked me to keep in mind that I love you. ‘It’ll come in handy later.’ You were planning this all along. How did you breathe in there?

Check the bottom of the bag. You might find a few… slits.Aric flexed his claws.And did you really expect me to stay at home? Dogs follow instructions—cats don’t give a shit.He barfed again.

“Great.” Brick placed Aric on his lap, stroking a hand over the silky fur and sighing.I’ve got you.

Horvan handed Brick a wipe. “When we land, we’ll find something for him to wear. Unless he packed more than one shirt in your bag, and I think you’d have noticed that.” His eyes twinkled. “Let’s face it. He’d be swimming in your fatigues.”

A tremor rippled through Aric, and Brick gave him a mock glare.

It isn’tthatfunny. And don’t be too keen to shift. Just because you’re my mate doesn’t mean I’m not gonna put you over my knee.

Is that meant to scare me? Bring it on, big guy.

Brick fuckinglovedhis feisty little mate, and although he’d never admit it, Aric had shown a lot of balls sneaking into his duffel.

Let this be a lesson to me. Never underestimate the kitty.

HASHTAG ADMIREDEve’s cool. She appeared completely unruffled. If anything, she seemed bored.

That’s because I am. Can’t wait to get off this thing and see some action.

Roadkill snickered.You and me both.He gave Hashtag a warm glance.And you’ll be watching over us from Operations, a kind of muscular guardian angel.

Eve gave his hand a surreptitious squeeze.I know it’s not what you wanted, but—

Hey, it’s fine. Roadkill’s right.Hashtag didn’t want to think about being parted from them. He gazed at the team around him, some asleep, others reading, the rest talking in low voices.Then he noticed Doc Tranter’s furrowed brow. The doc sat alone, hands clasped over his stomach.I bet he makes an impressive elephant.

Eve blinked.Really? African or Indian?

How would I know that?

She smiled.By the shape of his ears.

Then I wouldn’t know, because no one’s ever seen him shift.

Eve gazed thoughtfully at him.He has the appearance of someone in a quandary.

Hashtag had had the same thought.Think I’ll go keep him company.

She smiled.You’re a good man.

He left his place and wobbled across to the other side of the plane. “Hey, Doc. Can I join you?”

“Of course.”

Hashtag dropped into the empty seat next to him. “I thought you said something about retiring, last time we spoke.”

“I’ll retire when we’ve done something about the Gerans. And when we’ve shut down these infernal camps and schools.” Doc’s face darkened.

He huffed. “And how long is that gonna take?”

“It’s not something we can achieve quickly, that’s certain, but even making a serious dent would be a good start. Right now it feels as if we’ve barely scratched the surface. I have to say, I’m worried what we’re going to find at this camp.”

Hashtag frowned. “Can’t be worse than the last one. And that was only a few months ago.”

“Sure, and since then we’ve discovered what the Gerans can do when they really put their minds to it.”

---