Page 50 of Emerald Flame
“Over three hundred to-date.”
“Jesus.”
“Exactly.”
His fellow alpha, leader of the Gordion Pack, then relayed the latest recon on Warren’s compound. The number of Julio’s spies had now doubled since the battle at Ralph’s club. “He’s still after you. Everything in order at Caldion?”
Warren sipped his beer then nodded. “Spoke to Alessandro before you arrived. He’s got it locked down. No one in. No one out.” Warren then smiled. “Except for your men to pick up my socks, apparently.”
But Fergus didn’t laugh. Instead, he was scowling. “Good thing you built a fortress over there.”
His comment sobered Warren. His severe introduction to Five Bridges and facing death within the first week of hisaltertransformation had given him an equally tough view of their world. A fortress seemed a given once Warren had become alpha of the pack.
Now Julio was making a play for the entire territory. If the Gordion Pack fell, it wouldn’t be long before Julio managed to take over all the packs. “The situation with Julio has gone on long enough.”
“I agree. My pack is feeling the threat as well. Many of my wolves wake up in the middle of the day howling. But I have a question for you. What’s with the invisible thing? I’m happy as hell Kiara possesses a skill that saved so many people, but what else has she been doing? Has she been spying on all of us and how many other spellcasters from Elegance can do this?”
“Not many.” He chewed slower. “We both think a wizard has backed Julio’s play.”
Fergus drummed his fingers on the table. “That would explain a lot.”
“Yes, it would.”
“So, why would a wizard be here? What’s his game? This is Savage Territory, not Elegance. The Tribunal wouldn’t let a wizard set up shop permanently in another territory.”
“He could if he remains invisible and Julio makes a superb puppet.”
“Bastard.”
“You got that right.”
Warren huffed a sigh then focused on his steak once more. In between, he sipped his beer.
Five Bridges had always presented problems, but after Fergus had defeated a powerful witch and a snake-like wolf a few months ago, he’d hoped they’d turned a corner. But the drug cartels were more active than ever. When the economy in the human part of the United States suffered, the call for drugs increased. Too many people wanted an escape.
“What I know is this,” Warren said. “Julio and his wizard buddy are after me. They both know if they can kill me and my pack falls, they’ll come after you next with the same incapacitating power they conjured before. Here’s the million-dollar question: Do we know yet how they were able to take over the last two packs?”
Fergus shook his head. “My intel is the same as yours. All we know is that a bizarre wave went through the compound, an energy blast of some kind. The alphas were captured and probably executed, though their bodies were never found. What I don’t get is with so much power, why haven’t Julio and his wizard taken on another of the lesser packs? Why have they gone after you specifically? Why not my pack or anyone else?”
Warren sliced off another chunk of the tender meat. He appreciated that Kiara had seen to his needs in this way. His staff at his compound would have done the same thing. Wolves, especially after battle, needed meat, the bloodier the better. “I don’t know, but I’m beginning to suspect Kiara might be a target as well.”
Fergus scowled. “What do you mean? You’re not suggesting she’s in league with Julio’s wizard.”
“No. God, no. But it would make sense that a man of his power would be aware of Kiara.”
“You think he’s trying to get rid of her?” Fergus asked.
“If she’s protecting me, I think it’s a possibility.”
At that, they both fell silent.
After a moment, Fergus glanced at the wall next to the table. “She’s used a lot of stone in her burrow. I like it.” He blew the air from his cheeks. “All right, what’s our next move?”
Warren smiled. “I think we get off our asses and go after these pricks.”
A very wolfish growl left Fergus’s throat. “I’m in.”
“In what?” A familiar, feminine voice floated across the dining room.
