Page 21 of The Lamb and the Llama
“Fuck!” Sam spat.
“Pretty sure you aren’t talking about Furry United Coalition,” Richard said with a chuckle after he turned back into human form.
Amira searched the skies for any hint of Zagan, ready to fly after him, but he had disappeared.Damn Sam for distracting me.
Stan called over to her, “Amira, change back. You are coming with me so I can train you on how to book a couple of perps.”
When Stan glanced over at Ash, Ash shifted into his gecko and darted out of the bar window previously broken by Zagan. Amira soared up to fly through the window but stopped the minute Stan raised a hand.
“He’s of little importance. We’ve got this one for now.”
Amira shifted back into human form to ask, “But what about Zagan?”
“We got him once, and we will get him again,” Stan said with a shrug of his shoulder. “Richard, please drive Gregor and Harriet in your car. I don’t want Snakey Sam anywhere near royal blood.” Stan glanced over to Harriet, who placed a palm over her belly.
Was she doing that out of protective instinct?
Amira shook her head slightly to clear the thought from her head. If Harriet was carrying the future king of Skyros, Amira didn’t want to tip off Sam. Being the snake he was, he’d tell Zagan the first chance he got.
“Call in to Alyce,” Stan added, speaking to either Richard or Harriet. “Let her know we’re bringing a perp to the Academy for holding until he can be transported to another facility. And fill her in on Zagan.”
“Will do,” Harriet answered.
“You drive,” Stan told Amira. “I’ll be in the back with this one. Can’t be too careful.”
“Whatever you say, Stan.”
The drive seemed longer than usual, probably because of the perp in the back seat. Once they got to WANC, Stan led the way to the facility’s holding room and cuffed Sam to the table. He motioned for Amira to leave Sam, and the two of them stepped into the hall.
“This changes things. I really thought Gregor would be safer here than in Skyros. SHIT is happening—you’d think their focus would be on that. We’d predicted that Zagan would head that way, but clearly, we were wrong. I’m going to make the safe choice and send Gregor and Harriet back to Skyros on their private jet, but I want you to head out that way as well.”
“Me?” Amira’s eyes widened. “Fly to Greece?”
“Yes. I think it’s best to get you out of here, knowing Zagan is in the area.”
“You’re sending me away to protect me?” she asked, her anger rising.
“Look at it this way,” Stan said with a compassionate look. “It will be good experience for you to help out with the SHIT in Greece. It’s added experience that will put you closer to the promotion you want.”
She sighed. She couldn’t deny that point. “When do I leave?”
“I’ll have Cherry book you a flight to fly out early tomorrow. I’ll make sure Quinn picks you up from the airport when you land.”
“Okay.” The thought of leaving for Skyros left her feeling conflicted. She hated the idea that she was being sent away for protection, but she was excited that she was being kept on the assignment—Stan certainly could have called it all off and sent Harriet and Gregor back without her. But she also couldn’t help but think about Richard. She wished she had a moment to talk with him before she left, but she hadn’t seen him since they’d gotten into separate cars at The Joint. She hoped he was okay. She also hoped things between the two of them were okay…
Stan showed her the booking paperwork and explained how FUC agents would come and collect Sam, and then he practically shoved her out the door to go home and pack. She started toward the exit but then took a quick detour to Richard’s office, hoping to catch him there.
No luck. It was empty. She looked at her phone and realized she didn’t even have Richard’s cell number to call and tell him what was going on. She considered leaving him a note, but what was the point? She was sure Stan would fill him in.
Amira sighed and headed to her apartment. She packed a bag quickly and then headed to bedroom as soon as she saw that Cherry had gotten her on a three a.m. flight—an awful time to depart. The coffee shop at the terminal wouldn’t even be open that early. She’d have to wait for her caffeine fix when they served drinks in coach. Amira let out a sigh before pulling the covers over her shoulders.
10
Amira couldn’t believe she slept an extra half-hour after she’d set her alarm for two in the morning. Actually, scratch that, she could! Why anyone would want to wake up before the sun—on purpose—was beyond her.
Good thing she’d set a backup alarm. She unequivocally despised mornings.
She was still groggy by the time she arrived at the airport and parked in long-term parking. On the shuttle to the terminal, she suddenly couldn’t remember if she’d packed her passport.
