Page 178 of Ash

Better this way,Tyrez provided.If the questions are important enough, I’ll pass them on.

He banked and looked for a spot not already filled with Dires or Sabres or Dragons. Razir was here, he’d carried Taran and Jacques with him this time.

Don’t splat,cautioned Ash.Would give entirely the wrong impression.

Might squish Dani, too,Tyrez said.

He backwinged and neatly touched down in a spot that should have been far too small for him to do so.

Didn’t splat,he pointed out with no small degree of satisfaction.

Don’t get smug.Despite his attempt at humor, Ash’s mindvoice was strung pretty tight. He wasn’t the only one nervous about what was to come—Dani had been silent and kept a strong grip on his neck spikes for the entire trip.

He was aware of many Dires staring at him. Tyrez noted that there were a good many present. They held themselves with the confident, slightly arrogant air of alphas, and stood close to Alex and Emily—well away from the cluster of Sabres.

Tyrez grimaced. That divide between Sabres and Dires was going to pose issues for assembling this army. The logical thing would be to put the Dire packs beneath the Sabre umbrella. The big cat Weres had combat training that would be beneficial. But the Dires would not willingly serve under a Sabre.

The personalities needed to be managed with care, or their little coalition would fall apart in an instant. Much of it hinged on the three Dragons in the mix.

The Gryphons settled to the ground just beyond him. They were both female, Elders for the clan, here to offer their support. They earned their own stares—Gryphons seldom strayed far from their home realm.

There weren’t many places that a group like this could congregate without drawing unwanted human attention. This farm was owned by one of Kade’s mates, a powerful Cryptid Empath named Zach. He trained horses in his spare time, which was why he’d insisted on the Dragons coming in low and from the north.

Apparently, Dragons and horses were not a good mix.

Tyrez had used the gate in Cara’s garden and then flown here, but many had come through the one the Watcher had installed in the forest nearby. The Watchers were busy shifting the gate between locations to bring in those from other areas.

Human forms stood in clusters throughout the pasture. The specifications of their beasts carried through to the human side. The Sabres were distinctive, with their heavy muscles and rugged features. Not as big as Dragons, but close enough. The Dires were big by human standards but smaller and lighter than either Dragons or Sabres. They were built for speed and maneuverability. Sabres were designed to stand and fight.

Dragons were all about the storm from above, not below.

Dani slid off the instant Tyrez’s front limbs touched the ground, as though she wanted to put distance between them. He felt a pang when she stepped away.

Give her time,Ash coached.

She trailed him as Tyrez shifted to human and joined Razir and Taran.

Tyrez greeted his brothers with a sharp nod. He was relieved to see Taran, although they both appeared tense and stiff. It didn’t bode well that they’d come alone.

“What news?” he asked.

Razir peeled his lips back from his teeth. “The Emperor does not acknowledge this venture.”

A frisson of ice traveled up Tyrez’s spine. “Surely he can see this is the only way to combat Rindek?”

“He has our scientists looking for a way to stop the parasite,” Taran stated. His features remained calm, but Tyrez detected the tension vibrating through the words. His arm gestured, and Tyrez realized it was the one he’d lost.

He was wearing Jacques’s prosthetic.

Tyrez knew better than to comment. Especially when he had other things to discuss. “We don’t have that kind of time. He won’t commit any resources? The Dragons cannot fight directly, but there is much they can do.” The Dragons’ power and mobility could be vital to the effort.

“His views on that were quite clear,” Razir growled. “I quote, ‘I refuse to let my warriors be used as beasts of burden.’”

It rendered Tyrez speechless. His father had completely lost grip with reality.

Taran shook his head. “I informed him that I was lending my expertise to this venture. He objected, but short of disinheriting me—and he’s running out of sons—he wasn’t given much choice.”

Tyrez briefly gripped his brother on his shoulder, grateful that Taran had put his neck, and his future, on the line.

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