Chapter 21
Zane, with his solid white Eagle wings that indicated his air element, was circling the trees over the manor, so Major took to the sky and followed the helicopter.
One good thing about the property where the safehouse was located was that there was nowhere for the helicopter to land close by.
Xavier had ensured Tabitha’s grandmother was safe when he built the fortress.
It didn’t surprise him when the helicopter landed at the old farmhouse where Shawn had launched the drone.
What did surprise him was who climbed out after the rotors stopped turning.
“How are we supposed to get in there?” This man sounded younger, but Major couldn’t tell his age since he had his back turned.
“We’ll go through the woods.” Perry looked nothing like the asshole who had helped himself to Tabitha’s cake and more like an armed guard.
“There are three vehicles there, which means an unknown number of guards. I don’t like those odds.”
Perry reached into the helicopter and retrieved a box. When he opened it, he pulled out several hand grenades. “These will level the playing field.”
“Where did you get those? I don’t—”
“Look, this was your idea. If you’re having second thoughts, you can keep your ass here. I haven’t come this far to back out now. Think about Zola.”
“If I get shot, you might as well do yourself in because the old man will hunt you down.”
“With the money you’re paying me, I’ll fucking disappear before that happens. Are you coming with me or not?”
“Fine.” The stranger gestured for Perry to lead the way.
Major flew back to the safehouse. When he got close to Zane’s Eagle, he let out a squawk, and Zane followed.
Major landed, found his clothes, and threw them on, not bothering with his boots.
He carried them as he ran toward the back door.
Zane was slower getting there, so Major didn’t wait.
He ran through the house until he reached Tabitha, Tessa, and Gregor.
“It’s Perry,” he and Tabitha said at the same time.
Zane rushed into the room. “Perry as in Trista’s agent?”
Tabitha tapped her phone against her hand.
“Yes. I asked the Trio to look into him. Perry Collins doesn’t exist. Well, not this one.
The one attached to his Social Security number and driver’s license died a year ago, and this Perry assumed his identity.
Nikita and Madsen tracked down Vanessa, Trista’s usual agent.
After they explained that she could go to jail for accessory to attempted murder, she admitted that Perry threatened her if she didn’t coach him in all things he needed to know about being Trista’s agent or else he would kill her family. ”
Major stepped closer to his mate. His Gryphon was agitated after seeing the explosives. “He’s with a younger man who is paying Perry, and they’re on foot headed this way. Perry has a rifle and several hand grenades.”
“Shit.” Zane spread his legs and crossed his arms. “How are we going to handle this?”
“We could shift and attack from behind before they get close to the house. There’s not enough room in the trees for our Gryphons, but our Lions should be able to disarm them.”
“I’ll go with you,” Gregor offered. “If they have guns, I’d rather them shoot at me than either of you.”
“You better not get your ass blown off, Stone. I’m rather fond of it,” Tessa warned. Major coughed to keep from laughing, but she pointed a finger his way. “That goes for you, too. I won’t have my daughter mourning the loss of her mate five minutes after she found you. Is that clear?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Tabitha grabbed Major’s arm, turning him toward her. “What she said. I didn’t find you to—”
Major cut her off with a hard kiss. “I’ll be safe. We all will. I’ll voice them both and bring them here for questioning. If you and Tessa would, please stay in here so that Zane and I can shift on the patio.”
“You know there are cameras out there, right?”
“Then text the Trio to hide their eyes.”
“Will do.” Tabitha ran a hand through his beard, tugging the bristles. “We’ll be waiting.”
Gregor removed his shirt and tossed it over the sofa.
“Let’s go.” He led the way through the house, and when they got outside, Major and Zane stripped there instead of hiding in the woods.
They took to their Eagles, and Gregor released his large, leathery wings.
Major led the way. He’d never flown with a Goyle before, but the flapping of Gregor’s wings was nearly imperceptible.
Major prayed there weren’t drones in the area to catch sight of the Goyle.
The sound of leaves crunching met his ears before Perry and the other man came into view.
Major gave a low chirp and flew past where they were walking.
Instead of following, Gregor circled back, getting in front of them.
Major didn’t question his decision. Tabitha’s dad was over six hundred years old and had fought both Unholy and other Gargoyles.
Major flew lower with Zane on his tail feathers.
Zane chirped, getting Major’s attention, so he landed on a nearby branch.
Zane stalled out, hovering as his Eagle grew larger.
All Gryphons had the ability to change size as needed, and Zane’s wingspan was roughly eight feet.
The force of his downdraft along with the air Zane called on built into a mini cyclone of wind and dead leaves.
With one powerful flap of his massive wings, he knocked both men off their feet, sending them forward several yards.
Zane squawked, and Major launched from his perch to join his fellow Hound.
Both morphed to their Lions, and when Major landed on Perry’s back, his claws gripped the man’s shoulders, pinning him to the ground.
Perry screamed, and the younger man yelled as Zane put his massive fangs against the young man’s neck.
Gregor landed in front of them, retracting his wings while extending the claws of his right hand.
As he approached Perry, Gregor said, “I’ve got him.
” Major released the man, backing out of Gregor’s way.
Gregor jerked Perry to his feet and ripped the vest that held the hand grenades from his body.
Major and Zane could have handled two humans, but having Gregor’s help was a boon.
Perry, whose face was scratched from landing on the hard forest floor, stammered, “Wh-what are you?”
“No, no, please, don’t hurt me,” the young man begged. Zane had one massive paw on his back, his snarling Lion inches away from the male’s eyes.
Gregor tossed Perry’s pack to the side before removing the rifle from around his shoulders. Gregor checked the weapon before aiming it at Perry’s chest. “You fucked with the wrong people. Now, we’re going to finish the trek through the woods, and then we’re going to have a little chat.”
“You have no idea who you’re messing with,” Perry sneered.
“You’re right, since you stole someone’s identity, Perry.
Get him up.” Gregor gestured to the younger man, and Zane shifted to human, gripping the guy by the shoulders and pulling him to his feet.
“Walk,” Gregor demanded, waving the gun.
When they started moving away, Major shifted to human and grabbed the downed pack.
No way was he leaving grenades where someone could find them.
Besides, they would need them when they handed Perry over to the authorities.
“Please. I have money,” the young man offered.
Major voiced the man. “Shut up. You do not speak, and you do not look behind you.” He didn’t care if Perry knew it was him. He’d find that out soon enough, but he and Zane were naked. If they figured he and Zane had shifted from Eagle to human, he’d have to erase their memories.
“Tabby?”
“Hey, Hottie. Do you have them?”
“We do. We should be there in about thirty minutes.”
“Ten-four.”
Perry strode ahead as though he were out for an afternoon stroll, but the younger guy stumbled while walking with his arms wrapped around his waist. He wore a heavy coat since it was cold, but he was probably scared shitless. Most humans would be after being attacked by monster-sized birds.
When they were close to the edge of the trees, Gregor commanded the two men to stop.
He looked behind them to Major and Zane.
“Go on ahead.” Major and Zane jogged back a hundred yards before shifting.
Major’s Eagle was on the larger side to enable him to carry the pack.
Once they reached the manor, they returned to their human form and got dressed.
Major stuck his head inside and called for Tabitha and Tessa, then the four of them waited on the patio.
Tessa was still holding a sword, and Tabitha held two daggers.
Her handgun was secure in a holster at her waist. Gregor and their captives exited the tree line, and Perry stumbled upon seeing the women.
“Keep moving.” Gregor poked Perry in the back with the rifle.
When they reached the courtyard, Gregor told them to stop.
Major and the others moved forward. Tabitha asked the younger man, “Who are you?”
“Keep your mouth shut,” Perry muttered.
Major approached Perry and punched him in the gut. Perry doubled over, coughing. Major turned to the young man. “Answer our questions. Truthfully,” he added with his Gryphon’s influence. “That goes for you as well,” he said to Perry.
“Iggy. Uh, Ignatius Crowley.”
Tabitha stepped forward and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Major. “As in the Crowleys of Talmet?”
“Yes.”
“Are you responsible for the attack on Craig Kilbrook?”
Iggy’s eyes widened, and he glanced at Perry. “Attack? No. I only wanted to find my father. My real father.” Iggy glared at Perry. “What did you do?”
“What you paid me to.”
“I asked you to find Donnel.”
“And I found the bastard. He was playing house with someone who is not your mother.” Perry spit toward Iggy’s feet.”