Page 196 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf

“Once again, they just showed up.” Julius shrugged. “You have to understand, I was just trying to survive. All I knew was that Grace said that the people who saved me wanted me to train all those men because I had a natural talent for battle strategy, and if I didn’t train them, they would kick me out. I had nowhere to go and no one to turn to.”

I sighed, nearly over the conversation. The one thing we’d learned was that Dick was the contact, but there was someone else out there. “Where did you grow up?”

“In the house you were taken to.” Julius pursed his lips. “I lived there my entire life, and two years ago, Grace left, right before Topp—Dick showed up. I’ve been on my own since then.”

Most likely because they didn’t want the lady to see Dick. Just another clue that there were so many more people involved than we’d originally thought. “How did you get your orders?”

“At first, Grace was the one who talked to whomever—until the day Dick appeared.” Julius growled in frustration. “After that, he’d call me and tell me when people were coming, where to send people, and what training needed to be accomplished. They kept me out of the loop for the most part.”

It was as if every time I felt like we were getting closer to the truth, we took several steps back.

I hated to keep pushing, but we needed answers. “I’ve seen at least two guys take their own life instead of being captured. You trained them—why did they do that?”

“Because if they’re captured, their families will die.” Julius grimaced. “It’s for safety measures so no identities get released. I was willing to run because I didn’t have anyone to risk.”

His words hit hard. He was that alone.

“Look, he’s telling the truth.” Bart sighed. “We all know it. At least part of his hellacious past is gone.”

Yeah, maybe. But I hadn’t gotten much closer to the truth other than realizing that someone else was still out there. A woman—which didn’t make sense, as Dick had such a problem with people of that gender being in charge.

“Look, I’m sorry, but…I need some time.” Julius ran his hands through his hair, and his pain pulsed through me. “I…I just…” He turned and walked out the back door, rushing toward the woods.

I took a step to go after him, but Bart grabbed my arm. “It’s best if you let him go for now. He’s been on his own a long time, and has to process things his way.”

“I hate that I caused him pain, but we’ve got to get some answers.” The longer we stayed in the dark, the more death and chaos might result.

Bart patted my arm. “I know. But now he’s connected with his wolf. He’s mellowing out, though it’s going to take a littletime. Don’t push too hard, or he might shut down again. Let me go run with him, and I’ll connect with you later.”

“Okay,” I sighed as Bart hurried after him.

Still, I couldn’t help but think that maybe this would’ve all been over if Julius had told us everything to begin with.

A few weeks later,Sierra entered Griffin’s Shadow Ridge kitchen and yawned, placing several bags of food from Dick’s Bar on the table. “So, what are we doing tonight?”

I’d hoped that they would change the establishment’s name, but Saga had moved into the back of the restaurant in Dick’s office and insisted on keeping it the same. Almost as if it would serve as a reminder of what we’d done to them.

I wanted Sierra to quit, but she was insistent that the tips made it all worthwhile. I finally relented when she promised she’d let us know if something went wrong or if anyone shady showed up.

“We?” Griffin arched an eyebrow and placed some canned drinks on the table. He sat in the seat closest to me and pointed at one of my best friends. “Why does she always assume that she’s hanging out with us?”

“Because she’s part of the group.” I winked at Sierra and settled back, feeling the happiest I’d felt in forever.

Rosemary sat on the other side of me with Killian next to her. We had one open seat that Sierra had dubbed hers since the first night we’d all piled in here together.

“And I always feed you.” Sierra pulled out a styrofoam box that hadGriffinwritten on it. “But I mean, if I’ve overstayed my welcome, I can take this and the rest of the food back to my house.”

“Yourhouse?” Killian snorted. “Can you even still claim it? You’re still staying here with the rest of us.”

“Speaking of which, why are we all still staying together?” Griffin glared at everyone. “I mean, maybe Sterlyn and I could get acclimated to ourownspace.”

“Sorry, but I want to spend more time with my distant cousin and be here, since this whole predicament isn’t over.” Rosemary snatched the container with her name. “We have a lot of catching up to do, and Mom thinks it would be wise for me to stay out of the city while things are so tense with the angels. She’s afraid a civil war could break out at any second.”

When I’d told Rosemary the truth about my heritage, her face had lit up with surprise and relief. She’d felt a strange connection with me that she hadn’t understood, since I was all wolf. But the revelation of our real relationship explained our familial pull toward each other and mine to Yehaliah when I’d seen her in the council room. Apparently, it was my angel genes recognizing our family.

After Dick died and Luna and Saga were banished, the mood in Shadow City had darkened. The angels were beginning to divide, either siding with Rosemary’s parents or Azbogah. Of course, the other races weren’t thrilled about Dick being kicked out of the city and his subsequent death, but there was no denying that Dick had broken into Griffin’s house. However, Griffin killing Dick had elevated his alpha status within the shifter community. The change was good, but I hated that it had taken that for the shifters to actually look at him as their leader.

A leader should inspire confidence, not instill fear, and I had a feeling that Griffin’s acceptance was due to the latter at the moment.

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