“Of course.”
As if on cue, one of the wolves emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray and a cob salad.
While she ate, a plan began to formulate in his mind and he shifted
his gaze to Fergus. “What do you think about Kiara and I scoping out Julio’s compound?”
“I think it’s exactly what’s needed. The more we know about his set-up, the better.”
Chapter Eight
A half hour later, Kiara flew beside Warren. He’d quickly developed the habit of drawing her tight against his side before he took off into the air. Though she could levitate perfectly well, she saw no reason to discourage him. Being this close to him had become a treasured sensation in the short time they’d started working together.
None of the territories were very large, only a few miles square. As more alters entered Five Bridges, the buildings either went up or descended underground. So, it was a short trip to Julio’s combined pack, El Lobo Grande.
When Warren began to slow, Kiara knew they were getting close. Julio’s compound was on the western side of the forest. The packs he’d taken over were two of the less affluent ones and part of the compound included a rundown strip mall. The rest of it was pieced together with adjoining homes and a lot of cement in-between. Word had it Julio was doing renovations.
As Warren took them past the forest he hovered above the strip mall. There were at least a hundred vehicles, all makes and models, in the parking lot, but no one was around.
This seems odd. Where is everyone?
I have no idea. But these two packs now have a large underground area, probably bigger than the spread of the external compound.
Her nose twitched. Am I smelling emerald flame?
I think you’re right. He began a slow descent and the smell grew stronger.
He angled them toward the commercial air conditioners. Once above them, the scent of the drug was everywhere.
Shit, it’s only been two months and already the cartel has set up an operation in the pack compound. I have no doubt half his wolves are processing drugs.
They’ll all be addicted soon, if they aren’t already. She surveyed the situation and it seemed to her there was only one thing they could do. We need to go inside.
She sensed Warren’s hesitation. I’d hoped we’d be able to learn something from this vantage. I hate the idea of taking you underground, even if we are invisible. What if Glissane is down there?
Kiara understood his concerns and there was a strong possibility the wizard was in residence in the El Lobo Grande compound. But a few weeks ago, when she’d found herself in Maeve’s rescue hospital and recovering from her wounds, something had shifted in her soul. From the first year of her residence in Five Bridges, she’d been part of many rescue operations and she would continue that work as long as she had breath. But the presence of a dark witch like Veyda in Elegance and now Wizard Glissane in Savage prompted a resolve to do all she could to get rid of these evil alters.
If her ability to create an invisibility spell could allow her and Warren to gather enough intel to forge a battle plan, she had to be part of it. Besides, the strong smell of emerald flame spoke to the urgency of getting rid of the monsters that had enslaved two of Savages more vulnerable packs.
While hovering in the air, she shifted enough within Warren’s hold to meet his gaze. I know both you and Fergus want to take the fight to Julio. Well, so do I. People I cared about died tonight in a brutal act. It seems the least I can do is use my invisibility shield to find a way to help exact revenge.
She could feel him grow very still as he mulled this over. On his own, he wouldn’t have a lot of choices. If he attacked directly with his force of wolves, either Julio would make use of his wave ability and they’d all be knocked unconscious. Or if there wasn’t a wave attack, the fighting would be brutal. An enormous amount of lives would be lost on both sides.
One thing she knew about wolves. They took death hard. Packs mourned as a group for anyone they lost. Wars were avoided at all costs for that reason. Even more than the human world, the loss of individual lives took a terrible toll on each community.
She added. I don’t see you bringing a huge force over here and risking all those lives. Use me, Warren. I want this. I hate a lot about our world. But I make up for it by doing everything I can to help the good and the worthy of each territory.
Warren had never looked more somber. What if Glissane is here? We won’t stand a chance. You could get hurt. You could die. I couldn’t live with that.
She caressed his cheek, something she loved to do. She loved to feel his scars beneath her fingertips. They’d been part of him for years, for as long as she’d known him. And what if this is something I’m meant to do?
You mean like fate?
In a way, I suppose. I mean, I shouldn’t have survived Veyda’s poison. In that sense, every day I’m alive is a gift. Let me do this for you and for Savage. You must understand. I’m prepared to die. I think I have been for a long time, maybe since I arrived here. What matters to me is that should death come, I want to be doing something to make Five Bridges a better place.
You really mean that.
I do.