Chapter Sixteen
IT TOOK Horvan less than a second to realize few members of his team were buying what Milo was spouting, not that he could blame them for that; it was a fantastical idea.
And Saul was leading them, gimlet-eyed. He folded his arms, his jaw set. “This is a plot. We throw all our forces at these camps, and guess what? They’re waiting for us.”
“But what about the mates part?” Horvan was determined to be the voice of reason, especially because no one else seemed to be keen on the role.
Seth said to listen to him.
Crank rolled his eyes. “What about it? The Gerans know about mates. Hell, they tried to convince Saul that Vic and I were already mated, and that was a fucking lie.” He pointed at Milo, who despite his size and build, shrank back, trembling. “All that shit you came out with? It’s nothing but a line, designed to make us believe you.”
“Hey, now wait a minute.” Aric’s cheeks were red as he glared at Crank. “Seth told me he was coming here.”
“That still doesn’t mean we should just roll over and take his word as gospel,” Brick yelled. Then his eyes went wide, and he clutched Aric to him, burying his face in Aric’s hair. “I’m so sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to yell at you. I’m angry and frustrated, but I should never take it out on you.”
Horvan’s heart ached for them. This business has to end, and soon. It’s tearing too many people apart.
Aric managed a chuckle. “It’s fine. Seth tells me all the time how frustrating I can be. He’s said I could make a nun curse.”
Brick didn’t crack a smile. “Maybe Seth was duped into believing this shit, but it doesn’t mean we have to be. And let’s not forget, he’s a fucking Geran.”
“And?” Eve’s eyes flashed. “So was I, but I didn’t see you kicking me out the door.”
“That’s because you’re different,” Brick retorted. “You’re Hashtag and Roadkill’s mate.”
Her eyes bulged. “So?” She pointed at Milo, her hand shaking. “ He’s someone’s mate too, and the thought of losing her has driven him to this. Do you have any idea what he must have gone through to resort to coming here?” She swallowed. “Because I sure do. I always thought my job was what I lived for. I truly believed what we were doing was right, that this is the way it was supposed to be.”
Milo nodded, his face pale. “I felt the same way. Until I met Jana, I thought we were doing the right thing.”
Horvan felt the shock that reverberated through Dellan before he even opened his mouth.
Aw shit.
“The right thing ?” Dellan snarled. “How is taking a scared one-year-old kid and turning him into some kind of monster the right thing? They made him murder people in cold blood, for fuck’s sake. Including Brick’s family. So right now, Brick’s lost his parents, his mate…. But I’m really glad you had an epiphany, Milo.” His voice was heavy with sarcasm. “Pity you couldn’t have had it before it affected you.”
Then Dellan was out of there, Rael chasing after him, and Horvan couldn’t help but sag with relief. Dellan had been seconds from shifting and pouncing on Milo. He could see the images in his head of what Dellan wanted to do.
And if he had attacked Milo, would I have stopped him—or helped him?
Milo stared after Dellan, rubbing his chin and blinking. “Monster? What’s he talking about?”
Unless Milo was a supremely accomplished actor, it appeared—to Horvan, at least—as though he didn’t have a clue.
His voice low, Horvan filled him in on Alec, with Saul adding a word or two.
Milo recoiled, his eyes wide and staring. “Oh my God. I didn’t know. You have to believe me. This is the first I’ve heard about it.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “There has to be some way I can convince you that what I’m telling you is true.” He stilled. “I can hear her thoughts in my head.”
Saul huffed. “The Gerans know about that too.”
Stalemate.
Except….
Dellan? Can you come back here, please?
When there was no response, Horvan tried another tack. Rael? I need him. Do what you can.
There was a pause. I’ll try. I’ve only just got him to calm the fuck down.
Please. I know he’s hurting, but this is important.
Horvan gestured to the couch. “Take a seat, Milo. There’s something I wanna try that might help resolve this situation.”
Milo’s eyes reflected his incredulity. “I don’t see how you can.” He snorted. “After hearing about Alec, I sure as hell wouldn’t trust me. We’re at an impasse.” Nevertheless, he did as asked.
“Maybe, maybe not.” Horvan jerked his head toward the door as Dellan entered, Rael behind him. “Come here, baby.”
Dellan walked over to him, his face blotchy, and Horvan held him for a moment.
“You said you wanted to know if you’ve inherited any of your dad’s abilities. I think we should find out.”
“What do you want me to do? Read his mind?” Dellan was as incredulous as Milo.
“No, of course not. All I’m suggesting is that you sit down with Milo, and… open yourself up to the possibilities. See what you can sense.”
“Your dad trusts me,” Milo blurted. “Why else would he have given me that message for you?”
Horvan squeezed Dellan’s hand. “You can only try.”
Dellan squared his shoulders. “I’ll give it a go, okay?” He smiled when Horvan kissed his cheek. “I’ll expect more of that when I’m done.” His eyes twinkled. “ And I’ll expect to feel those lips in way better places.”
“You’ll get it, I promise.”
Rael chuckled. “And my lips will be joining in on the action too.”
Horvan sensed resignation, but there was something else too, a trickle of anticipation.
He wants to do this. He wants to see where it leads.
Dellan sat next to Milo. “This is new, okay? I don’t even know if anything’s going to happen. But Horvan’s right. I have to try. Give me your hand.” Milo stared at him, and Dellan let out a sigh. “Look, I know I blew up just now, but I had my reasons. And fortunately for you, I’ve gotten past the point of ripping your head clean off your shoulders. Well, mostly.” He stilled. “By the way, what are you?”
“A gorilla.”
Eve’s breathing hitched.
Dellan managed a chuckle. “Okay, maybe the whole head-ripping thing might not have worked.” He held out his hand. “We’re going to have to try to trust each other. Are you willing?”
Milo sucked in a deep breath and took it.
“Don’t try to think of something specific, okay? I only want to see if I can sense anything.” Dellan closed his eyes.
Horvan didn’t dare breathe. It wasn’t until that moment that he realized how much he wanted to believe Milo.
This could be a game-changer. The break we needed. Not that he let Dellan see that thought. Horvan didn’t want him under any more pressure. He even tried to shut out Dellan’s emotions, to give him the space and privacy to attempt this.
Horvan glanced around the room. Hashtag, Roadkill, and Eve stood together: Eve kept staring at Milo, and Horvan got the sense that she too wanted to believe him.
Brick watched from the doorway, Aric in front of him, Brick’s arms crossed over Aric’s chest in a protective gesture. This has to be hurting them.
Crank and Saul stared too, and Horvan knew this had to be hardest on Saul: the Gerans had put him through hell, and this was probably bringing it all back with a vengeance.
Then Dellan opened his eyes and let go of Milo’s hand.
Horvan was at his side in a heartbeat. “Well?”
Dellan shuddered out a breath. “Well, that was… interesting.”
Rael knelt beside him. “What did you feel?”
Dellan shivered. “He’s in torment. His mate, what he’s learned about the Gerans….” He fixed Milo with a steady gaze. “I believe you.”
“Thank God,” Milo croaked.
Dellan turned to gaze at Saul. “And before any of you suggest I’m saying that because my dad is involved… no, that isn’t true.” He shook his head. “That was so strange. It wasn’t so much that I could see anything—it was mostly emotions—but I could feel Milo, feel his pain, his despair….” He returned his attention to Milo. “Your love for Jana. That was the strongest feeling.”
“What’s happening to Seth, Jake, and Jamie?” Brick blurted. “Tell us. You owe us that much.”
Milo hesitated before speaking. “On his arrival, Jamie was kept apart from the other detainees for—”
“ Detainees ?” Brick let out an explosive snort. “Call ’em what they are—prisoners.”
Horvan flashed him a warning glance. “Not helping, Brick.” He spoke in a low but firm voice. Brick had the grace to flush. Horvan gave Milo an encouraging nod. “Finish answering his question.”
“He was kept apart for two months. And no, I don’t know why. Seth and Jake…. They’ve spent a lot of time in the experimentation block, being tested.”
“Tested for what?” Dellan demanded. “What the fuck are they doing to them?”
Milo glanced at Aric. “Seth didn’t tell you any of this?”
Aric shook his head. “No, but I can guess why. He probably didn’t want me to worry.”
Milo cleared his throat. “They’re conducting tests to determine the full range of Seth and Jake’s psychic abilities. So far they’re the only two subjects.”
“Holy fuck.” Cold crawled through Horvan’s body. “We’ve got to get them out of there. Where’s this camp? This has to be our priority.”
“Northern Maine. Northern Aroostook County, to be exact. The nearest town is Allagash, population two hundred thirty-seven. The site was chosen for its remoteness. We’re talking one road in or out.”
“And where do your superiors think you are now?” Horvan inquired.
“On leave for a week, sitting out on a beach, sipping cocktails, and getting laid. I’m due back a week from Monday.”
“Then we’d better make good use of you while we have you. Let’s take this to the office,” Horvan suggested. “I have about a million questions.”
“I hope I have all the answers.” Milo stood. “I don’t suppose I could have some coffee? I sure could use some.”
“I think we can manage that,” Rael told him. “I’ll bring it to you.”
Horvan led the way out of the living room, Dellan and Milo following.
“Wait up. I’m coming too,” Saul yelled after him.
He chuckled. “Yeah, Mr. Joint Team Leader. Get your ass in gear. We need you.”
If Milo could provide detailed information about the camps, Horvan was going to break all records for the fastest assembling of a team.
Dellan, we’re gonna bring your dad, Seth, and Jamie home.
brICK COULDN’T sit still. All he could think about was Seth.
Are we really closer to finding him?
He had a few million questions of his own, ones that only Milo could answer. As the minutes ticked by, he got up and went outside. He needed to expend some energy, and the lake provided the perfect solution. Unfortunately, shifting wasn’t possible. The houses on the other side of the lake might not be all that close, but he was certain they’d easily spot a polar bear taking a dip in the calm waters.
“I should be in there,” he muttered.
A small hand closed around his. “No, you really shouldn’t.” Aric’s voice was gentle. “Let them do their thing.”
Brick couldn’t miss the wave of fatigue that rolled over Aric. “How much sleep did you get last night?” He’d been aware of tossing and turning on the other side of the bed.
“Not much.” He sighed. “Okay, none.”
Brick did a quick mental assessment, then grabbed Aric and lifted him into his arms before carrying him out of the room, heading for the staircase.
Aric chuckled. “Okay, two things. My legs still function, and where are we going?”
“To our room to cuddle up and take a nap. It’s better than sitting around down here, waiting for something to happen. They could be hours yet. Someone will yell when there’s news.” He climbed the stairs, holding Aric against him as though he were fragile and precious.
Fragile, no. Aric had been through stuff Brick didn’t even want to think about, and he’d survived. As for precious, he was all that, and more.
“You still don’t trust Milo, do you?”
Brick lowered him onto the bed. “No, I don’t. He’s a Geran. What’s that saying about a leopard never changing its spots?” He kicked off his shoes and lay on the comforter, spooning Aric. “Now close your eyes. Even half an hour is better than nothing.” Brick kissed his shoulder. “Please, baby.”
Aric didn’t answer, and it was only after registering the change in his breathing that Brick realized he’d fallen asleep almost instantly.
Sleep, pretty kitty. The world’s still gonna be here when you wake up.
Unfortunately.
ARIC KNEW it was a dream, but he didn’t care. Seth was holding him, kissing him. He felt warm and alive, and that was good enough.
“I have one complaint. I can’t smell you in my dreams.”
Seth chuckled. “Yeah, I noticed that too. So… has Milo arrived yet?”
Aric relayed the morning’s events. “It wasn’t pretty.” He shivered. “I thought Brick was going to kill him.”
“How is he?” Aric caught the note of concern.
He paused to open a mental lockbox. He didn’t want Brick peeking in and seeing his thoughts. “Fraying at the edges, to be honest. I worry for him. For his mind.”
Seth sighed. “Brick has experienced so much loss at the hands of the Gerans that his reaction isn’t unexpected. You need to tell him…. Milo is the key to freeing us. Brick has to play nice for a while longer.”
Aric noted Seth’s furrowed brow. “Something’s wrong.”
“Not wrong , exactly…. There’s something going on here. It’s a kind of electricity. I can feel it. They’re getting ready for a visit.”
“What kind of visit? Who’s coming, the president?”
“Some VIP or other. Jake’s been listening hard all day, trying to find out what he can. From what he’s gleaned, this big shot is arriving this weekend, and yeah, he might as well be the president for all the preparation they’re doing.”
Aric knew he should be paying careful attention, but he was more interested in the feeling of being in Seth’s arms. “Can’t wait until we can do this for real.”
“Me too, baby.”
Aric smiled. “Brick calls me that. I like it.”
Seth froze. “Sorry, but I’ve got to go. I’ll try again tonight, okay?” He kissed Aric on the lips. “Take care of our mate.”
“You know I will.” Then Seth was gone, and Aric woke up with a start. Brick enfolded him in his muscular arms, and Aric sighed.
“You dreamed of Seth, didn’t you?”
He nodded, then repeated Seth’s message.
Brick made a low grumbling noise. “I guess I can play nice, if he’s that important.”
“Brick? Aric?” That was Hashtag. “Quit jerking each other off and get your butts down here.”
“I should be so lucky,” Brick muttered.
Aric had a feeling that once they got Seth back, they wouldn’t see beyond their bedroom door for at least a week.
Maybe two was nearer the mark.
They hurried downstairs and followed the sound of voices into the living room. Everyone was there. Horvan and Saul stood by the fireplace, talking, and Rael and Dellan were busy pouring coffee.
Horvan arched his eyebrows when he saw Brick. “Glad you could join us.” He surveyed their faces. “Okay, I’ve gotten through talking with Duke and Aelryn. We’re gonna need every team we can mobilize if we’re gonna liberate the camps. They assure me that if we put a plan together, they’ll get us the manpower we need—which might be more than ever before, now Vic’s spreading the word. Aelryn’s talking to the west coast leaders. Well, as soon as he can get them all to wake up.”
“How many camps are there?”
Horvan flashed Milo a glance before answering. “About two hundred.”
Aric’s gasp was echoed around the room. So many?
“They’re everywhere,” Milo added. “I don’t have precise coordinates for all of them but I can get them.”
Hashtag let out a low whistle. “Now I understand why we’re gonna need to mobilize everything we’ve got.” He peered at Eve. “Did you have any idea of the number?”
She shook her head.
“How many inmates are there at the Maine camp?” Brick asked.
“About one hundred fifty, with an armed force of around seventy, give or take. The camp is fortified, with towers along the perimeter.”
Saul snorted. “Goddamn concentration camp.”
“There’s an airfield too,” Milo told them. “You’ll have to take that out first.”
Horvan nodded. “Our biggest problem is surprise. The camp is out in the open, with an airstrip to the east. There are trees on two sides, and it’s built on land in the loop of a river, the Saint John. That’s their water supply.”
“So we could launch an attack from the trees, the river, or both,” Brick suggested.
“Yes. We can target buildings using drones, but we wanna minimize loss of life. That means a night raid. Milo is going to draw us a plan of the camp, showing the barracks, the sleeping quarters, the lot.” Horvan stared at Hashtag. “It’s a fair bet the camp won’t be visible on the regular sites, so you’re gonna need to hack that satellite again.”
Hashtag gave a sharp nod. “I’m on it.”
Eve blinked. “I’m mated to a hacker?”
“Hashtag? He’s the best. And that satellite H mentioned? He neglected to say it was a US spy satellite.” Roadkill grinned. “And now you know why Dellan has a fucking huge antenna in his backyard.”
Hashtag buffed his fingernails on his shirt, and Eve chuckled. “Consider me impressed.”
“So when do we go?” Roadkill demanded.
“As soon as we’ve got enough bodies. Milo goes back in a week, and he’ll stay in touch, informing us of any changes. And when we do raid the camp, he’ll be captured along with the rest of the guards. Gotta make it look right.”
“Hey!” Aric’s skin tingled. “There’s something you need to know.” He told them about the VIP visit the following weekend.
Horvan glanced at Milo. “You know anything about this?”
He shook his head. “It must be a recent thing. Did Seth say who’s coming?”
Aric frowned. “I’m trying to remember.”
Saul snorted. “I bet it won’t be that bastard Fielding. Can’t see him setting foot in a camp.” His face contorted. “More’s the pity. What I’d give for five minutes with that fucker.”
“Fielding?” Aric froze, his eyes wide. “But that’s him. That’s the name Seth mentioned, I’m sure of it. Their VIP guest.”
“And he’s going to be there in a week’s time?” Dellan jerked his head to stare at Horvan. “H….”
Horvan got his phone out and stabbed at the screen. “Duke. Change of plan. … Yes, I know we only just finished discussing this, but something’s come up that we can’t ignore. … Duke, you need to pull out all the stops on this one, call in every favor you’re owed. … Why? Because we’re going in next weekend.” Horvan listened, grinning. “Yeah, I know, I’m a pain in the ass, but you gotta trust me on this one. You remember that fucker who tortured Saul? Who is probably the same guy who had Anson Prescott torn apart, by the way. Well, he’s gonna be there.” Horvan’s eyes gleamed. “Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Fielding’s about to learn payback is a bitch.”
Dellan shuddered, and Rael put his arm around him. “If anyone knows where Alec is, it’ll be Fielding.”
“And you think he’ll volunteer that information?”
“Probably not,” Brick said. “But we can be pretty persuasive.” His smile sent a chill through Aric.
He was glad his information had provided impetus, but he wasn’t about to lose sight of the goal—to free all those poor shifters.
To bring Seth, Jake, and Jamie home.