Page 13 of Kin of the Wolf

Yeah, I wasn’t enthused by the idea of Abrams as a legal guardian either, not when his goal had apparently been to form a werewolf army. That mightstillbe his goal. Though, if so, I wondered why he’d waited thirty years after Duncan’s escape to try again. Twenty-two years, I corrected, assuming my guess at the boy’s age was accurate.

“I don’t think I would have any legal responsibility,” Duncan added after a thoughtful pause, “but I can’t help but feel… Now that I know he exists and that he’s just a kid…”

“You want to help him,” I guessed.

“My childhood wasn’t always entirely loathsome—I have fond memories of the times I escaped into the library to read—but it wasn’t… pleasant.”

That had to be an understatement. I eyed his wrists, though his jacket covered the shackle scars.

“I’ve been considering if it would be possible for me to return and rescue the boy,” Duncan admitted. “He didn’t seem like he was being treated that badly, and if he was out hunting in the fields that night, he has more freedom than I ever did, but… I can’t imagine Abrams having evolved into a decent father. Even if hehad,he brought the boy into the world to use him.”

“I’m sure he’snota decent father. Both those guys were nothing but pushy and manipulative schemers. They tried to haveyoushot, remember. And me kidnapped. And they shot mymom. And Emilio. They’re bastards. Both of them.”

“It’s possible the brutes they hired for those missions took liberties with their orders, but Abrams would not have cared about the deaths of anyone involved. Of that I’m certain. And the other man… I obviously do not know him, but he had the vibe of a scheming megalomaniac.”

“No kidding.”

Duncan paused. His magnet had caught on something. “Even with my strength, I might find it difficult to get back into thatcompound and retrieve the boy. Theyletus in last time. Because they wanted something from you.” He gazed at me.

I shrugged. Radomir had ordered me to touch the medallion, wanting to see what it would do for me. It had glowed brightly but nothing more, as far as I’d been able to tell. Something told me they’d expected more dramatic results.

“They definitely lured us in,” I said in agreement. “Laser beams might shoot out if you showed up on the premises again.”

Duncan tugged at the magnet, but it didn’t rise. “That would also be science-fictional.”

“I know. My world has turned veryStar Warsof late. The next bad guys who show up will be in white stormtrooper armor.”

“They’d be much less dangerous than werewolves.”

“Are you sure? It would be hard to bite through that armor.”

Duncan scoffed and waved a hand. “Easier than opening a can of beans.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Have you done that?”

“No. I rarely cravebeanswhen in my werewolf form.”

“I don’t crave them in my human form either.”

“I have used a canine to get into a can of tuna fish.” Duncan touched one of his pointed teeth.

“You’re a beast.”

“As many ladies have told me.” He had been grim-faced throughout the discussion of the boy—of hisclone—but he smiled now, even managing a wink and a bow. The humor faded quickly though, and I could tell the previous week’s revelations weighed on him. “I’ve probably got a bicycle frame here,” he said.

“That’s not going to buy groceries.”

“It could be a safe.”

“I’m sure those get heaved into duck ponds all the time.”

“You never know.” Duncan glanced at the time on his phone, then dug into his pocket. “In case we’re not able to find suitabletreasure before the store runs out of eggs, here. Please replenish your supply.” He tugged out a wrinkled hundred-dollar bill.

“I don’t know if they’ll make change for that there.”

“Change?” Duncan looked blankly at me.

I started to explain but stopped. He probably thought I should buy ten pounds’ worth of bacon and dozens and dozens of eggs. “Never mind. If you don’t want money back, I’ll clean them out.”

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