Page 9 of Eclipse of the Pack

Ivy steppedout of the post office, avoiding the security cameras outside. Jon fell into step beside her as she shook her head.

“That’s the third dead-drop that’s a bust,” Ivy said quietly as they rushed up the street. “Something is definitely wrong.”

“What’s next?” Jon asked.

“My last-resort line,” she replied as she stopped at a keypad next to an iron gate.

She punched in her code and let them into an open courtyard. Jon followed her to a creaky staircase that led up to an abused-looking front door.

“This is me,” Ivy said as she let them into the apartment. The space was well-kept, and although Ivy never got too attached to her living arrangements, she couldn’t resist incorporating some personal touches.

She tried to ignore Jon inspecting the place as she beelined for her room. Ivy climbed atop her bed and loosened the screw holding her AC vent in place.

The vent dropped open, and Ivy reached in to grab the burner phone taped inside. The burner was her last resource short of hunting down the council. She pressed ‘call’ and held her breath.

The line rang twice… and then stopped.

“Hello?” Ivy said, dread creeping in.

“This whole thing is truly regrettable, Ivy.” The voice on the other end of the phone made her blood run cold.

“After so many years of working together, I would’ve thought you’d see how this ‘peace’ is beyond saving.”

“Malcolm.” Ivy forced out, her voice hardly a whisper.

She could hear the smile in his voice as he replied, “I wish it hadn’t come to this, though I do appreciate how easy you’ve made it for me to catch up to you and your…friend.”

Ivy flipped the phone shut immediately. She scrambled into her closet, reaching for the bag inside the door.

“Christ Ivy, how oldareyou?” Jon called. She whirled to find him standing in the doorway of her room, holding a photo of her at a Vietnam War protest.

His eyes darted from the open vent in the ceiling to the burner phone on the floor, finally landing on where she crouched in the closet with her black bag.

“Let’s go,” Jon said, the teasing in his voice gone.

“My network is corrupted,” Ivy forced out as she and Jon rushed out of the apartment. “Malcolm knows where we are.”

“Okay, what about PEACE? You’re an agent, won’t they help?” Jon asked.

Ivy snorted. “If you knew my supervisors, you’d know ‘help’ isn’t their style,” she said as she made a sharp turn across the street.

“Besides,” she continued, “It’s not like I can call and tell them everything.” Jon let out a sharp breath in response.

“We need to get to the airport.” Ivy finished. “It’s the fastest way to get to Griffin.”

“Griffin?”

“The Alpha, leader of the High Elders,” Ivy explained. Jon slowed beside her, grabbing her hand. She found his eyes, and the concern in his gaze made her stop alongside him.

“Are you sure about this, Ivy? The airport doesn’t seem like the best way to stay out of sight.”

She held his gaze before answering, “It’s our only choice.”

14

JONATHEN

Getting to the airport was surprisingly easy, so much so that Jon worried it was all a well-orchestrated trap.

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