Chapter 2
Barnabus felt himself waking up. He took stock of his body.
He had a few aches, but nothing like before.
He sat up and looked down at his chest and saw, just as the shaman had predicted, that it was now completely healed.
He glanced at the time and saw he had been asleep for nearly five hours.
Plenty of time for the shaman to have called the spear.
He would have a shower and something to eat, then go in search of the man.
An hour later, Barnabus walked out of the pack house and saw Pete, the pack Beta, watching pack members training. There was no formal training ground, just a grass area near the pack house.
“Their skills are pathetic,” the demon spat out.
“They’re trying their best, Alpha. We’ve never fought non-wolves before. If we are attacking packs and the Kings send multi-species defence teams, we’ll need help to beat them.”
“What do you suggest?”
Pete looked at Barnabus. “Contact rogue shifters, band them together under this pack, and use them to help fight the Kings’ soldiers.”
Barnabus smiled. “That could work.”
Pete stepped forward and lowered his voice, hoping those training were too involved to hear them. “I know you’re not Alpha Tom. The shaman said you were the demon, Barnabus.”
“What of it?” Barnabus demanded. “I’m just doing what Tom Hayes couldn’t.”
“The rogues would probably unite under a demon; use that to your advantage.”
Barnabus nodded. “I will see what I can do. Now I need to see the shaman.”
“He was helping heal the more seriously wounded when I last saw him,” Pete told him.
“Was he now? Then I will try and find him. His usefulness is coming to an end,” and with that the demon stomped off.
Two hours later he still hadn’t found the shaman, so he went to his house and banged on the front door.
When it wasn’t opened in a timely manner, he kicked the front door open and walked inside.
The place was a mess, with draws opened and items littering the floor.
Using his senses, he couldn’t find the shaman and cursed up a storm. The shaman had packed up and left.
Barnabus seethed. He would find that useless man and drag him back if he had to; he wanted that damn spear.
He made his way back to the pack house; he needed another plan.
He suddenly stopped when the perfect idea popped into his head; indeed, he couldn’t believe he hadn’t had it before.
He would call forth demons to help him. He could release the worst of the worst from Tartarus.
That should keep everyone busy. Barnabus smiled to himself, happy he now had a better plan.
Let the defence teams try and stop demons; they would all die trying.
Blake and Baylan walked around the outside of the pack house, hand in hand. Not really talking, just taking everything in.
Both the dragon and gargoyle dormitories had been relocated to the new pack grounds, as had the hospital, courtesy of Dask and Demi, the grounds looking almost back to normal. The training block was still there, and soldiers were currently hard at work training.
“I messaged the council earlier and asked them to send some council guards here,” Baylan said softly. “I’ve not checked yet to see if they’ve replied.”
“Thanks, I meant to do that but kept being side-tracked. I can’t see the council saying no. We should probably set up a meeting with the council and discuss the Barnabus situation and warn them about the coming war.”
“I’ll contact them later and copy in Tudor and Puff,” Baylan replied.
He pulled Blake to a stop. “How about we collect Maddy, and I take you both to our special place. We can have a picnic, play with Maddy and just chill for a few hours. Puff and Tudor will be here if anything needs doing, and Ash can look after the pack.”
Blake leaned into Baylan. “I love you; you know that? That sounds like a brilliant idea. I’m sure Maddy will enjoy it as well.”
“Class is due to finish in about half an hour. We can use that time to let the others know we’re leaving, then collect Maddy and have some fun.”