Page 48 of Flock Around and Find Out

“Wolf?”

“Tiger.”

I frowned. “I’ve never heard of those.”

“They’re rare, even more so because he is a white tiger. However, if anyone remembers the old rituals, he would.”

“Maybe we should talk to the other clans about any rituals they might still do? See if there’s anything useful there?” I suggested.

“I doubt they would tell me anything, but you are welcome to try.”

I got the sense he didn’t like saying that, as though he had a distaste for sending me off to do work like that—especially with the other clans.

“I would start with the Natures.”

“Yeah, Kelvin doesn’t seem veryritualto me, and the Minds…” I trailed off when I couldn’t bring myself to admit that Harrison had still not reached out. How long had it been since everything had happened, since I’d killed his brother to save him and myself?

“Still no word?” Galen asked, his voice gentle.

I shook my head, then let out a hollow laugh. “I guess he’s as good at holding grudges as I am.”

Galen lifted his hand, as though to reach across the table and hold mine, but paused before he did so. He closed his hand into a fist and pulled back.

What the hell is that about?

“I’ll make the arrangements to go see the tiger.”

“When are we leaving?”

“We aren’t. I am.”

I let out an exasperated breath. “Come on, Galen, haven’t I proven myself yet? I’m the one who found this.” I tapped the book. “I want to know what he says.”

“You don’t need to get any more involved in this than you are.”

“You’re the one who’s always talking about mates, but you won’t even accept my help?” I knew that was a dirty card to play, but I couldn’t help it. I’d come this far, helped this much, I couldn’t stop now.

And whether Galen wanted to admit it or not, Iwashelpful. I didn’t see the world as he did, as most of the Spirits did, because I wasn’t one of them. So the things they took for granted, the truths they just assumed, I questioned.

“Given the situation with the strays, I don’t know if the tiger will be safe or not,” Galen admitted.

“So? I’ve seen you take on a werebear.”

“I don’t think you understand. This weretiger is thousands of years old, maybe more. I don’t know how strong he is, or whether or not I could protect you.”

“Well, good thing I can protect myself.” I moved my hand to open my personal bay, the portal shimmering into sight where I could put my things—one of the rare advantages to my job as a courier—and pulled out a small black device that fit into my hand. “See? Stun gun. I’m good!” I tossed it back in when he looked less impressed than I’d hoped, and closed the portal.

“Grey…”

“Look, I’m going whether you want me there or not. If you try to leave without me, I’ll just follow you. If you try to trap me, I’ll escape. If you make it really difficult to go with you, then I’ll find him and go myself. So, your options are to take me with you or let me go on my own, but make no mistake—I am going to go meet him.” I picked up my coffee to drink it like a badass.

Only I had forgotten just how hot it was, so the large gulp I took burned my mouth and tongue, and I spit it back into the cup with a pained hiss.

So much for looking like a badass, huh?

Still, even with that little display, Galen sighed. “Fine. If those are my options, I guess taking you with me is the safer of the two. We’ll leave in three days.”

“How far is it?”

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