“You were at the hut, right?” asked Channing.
“Yeah.”
What he needed was a weapon. What he needed was fucking information. What he needed was her. Here. Now. In one piece.
“Then you would’ve been out of range, maybe.” Channing raised a shaking hand. “Plus, I only just upgraded the system to alert you if the cameras get triggered.”
“That’s thanks to me, right?” interrupted Moki, smirking.
Channing shot a stormy look towards Moki. “It’s thanks to my work, not your bloody hack job…”
“Focus.” Kodiak put a hand on Channing’s shoulder. They didn’t need another fight between members. The vampires were their enemy, not their packmates.
And Tamaska… He needed a plan.
“Kodiak… There’s more. I think there’s a vampire there. Hard to tell, you know, since they don’t show up on camera,” said Channing, stress clouding his eyes. “But if there is…”
“Then she’s still there.”
And the vampire was trapped, until full dark. Shit.
“Shouldn’t have let a human into the pack. It will only cause us constant trouble,” said Moki, still painting the last section of the wall.
“Shut up, Moki. You’re out of line again, and I’m ready to break bones right now. I don’t care whose,” Kodiak growled as he started for the door, the others following close.
Moki clamped his mouth shut, and the glimmer of fear in his eyes satisfied Kodiak. Moki wouldn’t cause any more trouble for him, at least not at the moment.
“How much time do I have before dark?” asked Kodiak, turning to Channing.
“Less than half an hour.”
“I’ll come, too,” Onai said.
Channing nodded. “Me too.”
“No.” They jumped at Kodiak’s sharp tone. “I do this alone.”
“We can’t lose you, too,” said Ash, coming up from behind. “We’re a pack. And you’re the alpha.”
“You don’t know how many there are,” added Channing. “It’s nuts for you to go by yourself.”
Kodiak held up his hand when Onai opened his mouth to speak.
“You’ve got your jobs to do. So, let’s get on with it.”
Ash moved to speak.
“No, I don’t want to hear it,” he said. I’m going to get Tamaska. I’ll be back within the hour. If not, you can come and get me.”
“I’m setting my timer,” said Ash, getting her phone out. “If you’re not back in an hour and a half, I’m bringing Onai with me.”
“You won’t need to do that,” answered Kodiak. “I’ll be back by then. You just ensure that the painting gets done and everyone is ready to go to the hut for the ceremony.”
“We will,” said Ash. “You just get back in one piece, and hurry.”
Half an hour. He got in his car and roared off. That was more than enough time. He could get to her.
He hoped.