Page 46 of Monster

Chapter Nine

Two days later…

“We saw no military coming through to check security along this route,” Bull said to Deacon. “A few days out, I would’ve sent a team to check all was still clear. There was no aerial or ground support checking anything. There was no sign of any tactical teams moving through in recent weeks.”

Deacon was thoughtful a moment.

“Same on ours,” Malachi said.“And there were too many logistical nightmares for it to be the route they’d choose.”

Cal rose and moved to the board with the map. “We did see a security sweep or two.” He turned and faced the map. “There are spots here… and here… where they set up small operations, likely preparing to guard the transport. If we commandeer these spots, we’d have perfect visuals two miles out.”

“They could be traps,” Cutler added.“You’d need to send in a small team to take the spot and have a backup team ready to intercept an attack.”

“Good idea,” Deacon murmured to the human.

Cutler turned to Deacon.“Might even want a floating team, prepared to jump in—if the backups were hit, too.”

“If only we had a dragon to provide aerial support,” Malachi said before lifting his stare to Deacon.“That won’t be you.”

“I’m stronger.It’s been a few days, and I feel more like myself,” Deacon spat. He wasn’t lying.The rest was finally paying off.

“More like yourself isn’t exactly like yourself,” Malachi said.“I was wondering more about the two dragons who came with you. Any news on their injuries being repaired?”

“No, and even if we did, there’s no time for them to heal before this thing goes down,” Deacon said. “It will be months before they’re truly ready to be put into play—at best.So that leaves your best dragon opportunity me.”

“No,” Bull said.“We need you whole first. We have the heli. Plus a dragon in broad daylight? You know as well as I do that’s not happening.”

Sitting at the head of the conference table, Deacon looked over the pictures the teams had brought back. There was still a lingering doubt in the back of his mind—this very well could be a trap.

Yet he also sensed it could be a major victory for them. If they could collect a few more beasts to rehabilitate, they’d be all the stronger.

Damned if we do, damned if we don’t.

He leaned in, sensing everyone seated at the table take an inward breath, awaiting Deacon’s call. “We do this.”

Turning to Malachi, he smiled.“Okay, logistics master.Let’s plan this attack.”

Malachi returned that smile, an excited gleam to his eye.

* * * *

Sleepless nights…

For two days, Drake remained in bed. Jaeger brought him food on occasion and checked in on him. The sleep was fitful, filled with dreams of Luca. It was as if the man was calling out to him, begging for salvation.

The dreams often twisted into nightmares… the animals attacking again. He’d wake up in a cold sweat, the need to go to the man beating like a tattoo in his chest.

He did feel stronger, but only by increments.

Without being able to shift, he couldn’t heal as rapidly as he once had. The dragon within was just as imprisoned as Luca and slowly withering, too. Using the powers he had was a drain on the beast.If he could only shift, he’d be able to energize his mind and body—and potentially save Luca in the process. Had he been stronger and able to shift, he could’ve attacked the animals and gotten past them.

Drake suddenly sat up in bed.

It’s not real. There’s no logic.

A smile played over his lips.

He knew how to save Luca.

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