Chapter 3
Barnabus was sat in his office, staring at his computer, drumming his fingers on the desk.
He wanted to contact rogue shifters, like Pete had suggested, but he had no idea how to do that, especially as his computer skills were basic at best. He had been taught how to search for anything he wanted, but when he typed ‘how to find rogue shifters’ nothing came up.
“It shouldn’t be this hard to contact rogue shifters,” he said angrily, staring at the computer.
He stood up and rounded his desk. He needed someone who had more computer knowledge than he did.
If only that turncoat Tatum was still at his side, but no, he turned tail and ran away as quickly as he could.
He even found two mates. He looked at his shadow.
“Find that turncoat.” His shadow vanished.
Barnabus walked outside and saw that everyone was taking a break; they were sitting or lying on the ground breathing heavily. “I need someone who is good with computers. Who is your best computer person?”
“Jason Blackwell, but he left to join Blake Hayes,” someone told him
“Then why mention it, idiot. I need someone who is here now.”
“I’m quite good with them, Alpha,” a female pack member said. She had been standing off to one side watching the training.
Barnabus stared at her for a moment. “Good, then come with me.” He turned and walked back towards the pack house, the lady following.
“So, can you do it?” Barnabus demanded, after explaining what he wanted her to do.
“I can search the dark web and try and locate some rouges, then I can ask them to spread the word.”
“Will it take long?”
“I honestly have no idea, but I can start my search now. Do you want me to use your computer or my own?”
He waved his hand to the computer. “Use this one and make note of the sites you use. You can also show me how to search the dark web,” he pulled over another chair and sat and watched what she did.
Puff walked out of his lessons, Maddy at his side, when they ran into Blake and Baylan.
Blake opened his arms, and Maddy walked into them and hugged him while Baylan put his arms around them both.
“Puff, how were your lessons?” Baylan asked, looking at him.
Easier thanks to Zeus. He replied via the pack link. All Puff’s life he had been dyslexic and found reading and studying hard, but Zeus gave him a gift and took that away from him.
Baylan frowned. “How’s your throat?”
Still sore but getting better. It’s hard not talking, though.
“I can imagine. Maddy, do you want to come and spend some time with us, at Baylan's special place?” Blake asked her.
Maddy nodded, looking at them both. “Yes, please.”
Blake looked at Puff. “Do you mind?”
Puff shook his head. Why would I? That’s why there are three rulers. Go have fun, rest and just spend time together. I’m planning to spend some quiet time with Mateo and Atticus soon, so you can cover for me.
“I will indeed. I’ve seen Tudor so he knows what’s happening, and now we’re off.” And just that quickly the three of them vanished.
Puff shook his head. Blake looked so stressed. Secretly he was just as stressed. He had dragon lessons, school lessons, king duties and two mates to get to know. Truth be told it could get a bit much, not getting to know his mates, but everything else.
He walked outside and spotted Tudor, walking back from the new pack lands, Gentzen by his side, both of them laughing.
Puff walked over and joined them.
“Puff,” Tudor said happily, pulling him into a hug.
Puff hugged him back. He classed Tudor as one of his best friends. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with the happy gargoyle?
“How are you feeling did you see Blake he Baylan and Maddy are going off to have some time alone not that I blame them you could do that with Mateo and Atticus I’m going to with Alex soon.”
Puff touched his arm. Breathe Tudor.
Tudor took a breath and laughed.
I saw Blake and Baylan, and yes, I am planning to spend some time with Mateo and Atticus soon. Puff looked at Gentzen. How are you doing?
“Better than you. Is your throat no better?”
It’s getting better slowly, like really slowly, but I can manage.
“I had a thought earlier about Barnabus I was going to mention it to Blake but I’ll tell him when he gets back.”
Gentzen touches his arm. “Take a breath, sire.”
Tudor did. “So I was thinking about Barnabus and what I would do if I was him do you think he would release demons from Tartarus as he knows where the secret exit is.”
Puff gasped. I never thought of that. We should probably go and see Frederick; he’ll need to warn Hades.
“Frederick was holding a training session earlier. We could start there?” Gentzen suggested.
Puff nodded and linked his arm with Tudor. How are you doing after everything that’s just happened?
“I’m still angry and sad some of our guards died and the funerals were sad I’m glad I didn’t cry though.”
“You did very well, sire,” Gentzen told him.
Tudor looked at him. “Tudor.”
“Yes, sire,” Gentzen replied, grinning.
Tudor laughed, and Puff gave a silent chuckle.
Tudor stopped laughing and looked at Puff. “How are you Puff if you don’t mind me saying you’re looking a little stressed as well.”
Puff sighed. I’m trying not to stress, but I am a little. Along with king stuff, I also have dragon lessons and school lessons. It’s a lot, you know?
Tudor nodded. “I do know well that is I keep putting off my king lessons I know I really shouldn’t but even the thought of me being king is terrifying especially with everything that happened lately but I know it needs to be done it just makes it kind of real you know?”
Puff gently tapped Tudor’s arm, and he took a breath.
“Did the coronation and crown not make it real, sire?” Gentzen asked, trying not to laugh.
“It did but I can still pretend it didn’t happen.”
By this time, they had reached the old training ground, which was situated next to the sentinel and enforcers' dormitories. It was a large area made up of a large square of grass and sawdust. From the looks of things, Frederick was having them practice hand-to-hand combat.
Puff looked and saw Mateo sparring with Battle.
“I wonder when Battle got back,” Gentzen asked generally, watching them.
Puff didn’t really take much notice of Gentzen; he was too busy watching Mateo. Look at Mateo; he looks amazing. Puff said to Tudor.
At that moment, Mateo looked over and grinned, momentarily taking his eyes off Battle, who spun and kicked him in the chest. Mateo went flying and landed on his back with an oomph.
Mateo, are you hurt? Puff asked him as they rushed closer.
Battle dropped next to Mateo. “I was expecting you to block me,” Battle said, trying not to laugh.
Mateo groaned. “I would have done, if my future mate hadn’t distracted me.”
Me? Puff queried, kneeling next to him. What did I do?
“Told me I looked amazing,” he replied, sitting up and holding his chest. Battle and Puff helping.
But I only thought that to Tudor, Puff pointed out.
Mateo shook his head. “To me as well.”
“And me,” Battle said, looking at him and grinning.
Oops, still true though. Puff said with a shrug. Are you hurt?
Mateo shook his head. “No, but if Atticus asks, yes, and I’ll blame you.”
Those that heard him laughed.
Battle stood up and held his hand out to Mateo, helping him up.
“That’s it for this session people,” Frederick called out.
More than one person sighed in relief, and as soldiers, enforcers and sentinels left, they saluted both kings on their way past.
“No need to salute us honestly just on formal occasions or maybe not even then we’re just normal people.”
Puff grinned and nudged Tudor’s shoulder. Sure, we’re normal.
Tudor looked at him and grinned.
Puff touched Mateo’s arm. Sorry.
Mateo laughed. “It’s fine. It was the only blow Battle managed to land all session.”
“Hey now, I’m sure I landed more than one punch,” Battle protested.
Mateo patted his arm. “Keep telling yourself that.”
Everyone laughed as Frederick walked over to join them, shaking his head at Mateo.
“I was distracted,” Mateo got out quickly, forestalling him.
“There are always going to be distractions, Mateo, you know that,” Frederick reminded him.
“Yeah, but not every distraction will be your future mate saying you look amazing,” he pointed out.
Frederick grinned. “I’ll add that to the training programme. Anyway, was there a reason you were distracting Mateo?”
We actually didn’t come to distract him, but to see you. Puff replied.
“What’s up?”
“I had a thought earlier and wondered if Barnabus would try and break any demons out of Tartarus I mean if I was him that’s what I would do and he does know how to get out of there we were thinking you could talk to Hades and he could have guards at the entrance and exit so no demons can escape.”
“Breathe, sire,” Gentzen said, touching his arm gently.
Tudor took a breath.
“That’s good thinking, Tudor. I’ll message my mate and see what can be done to stop that from happening. Thanks,” Frederick said.
“I need to run. I’ve defence team training in a bit,” Battle said. He looked at Mateo. “Sorry for putting you flat on your back.”
Mateo grumbled. “Next time, you’ll be the one going down.”
Battle clapped him on his shoulder. “Sure, I will.” He looked at the kings, “Later dudes,” and with that he hurried off too much laughter.
As they were laughing, Hades and Zeus appeared in front of them.
Frederick smiled at his mate and pulled him into his arms, kissing him hello.
“If you’re looking for Battle, Lord Zeus, he went that way a few moments ago,” Mateo pointed towards the new pack lands.
“Perfect, thank you, Mateo. See you all later,” and with that he vanished.
Puff leant against Mateo. I’ll be sure to tell Atticus you fell dramatically.
Mateo laughed and dropped a kiss on the side of his head. “Thank you.”
Finally, Frederick and Hades drew apart.
“I’m glad you’ve arrived. Tudor had a good thought earlier. He wondered if Barnabus would try to release demons out of Tartarus.”
Hades stilled for a moment. “Good thinking, Tudor. I’m off to make sure that doesn’t happen.” He looked at Frederick and held his hand out “Want to come with me?”
Frederick took his hand. “Yep.” He looked at the others. “Be back later.”
“Have fun,” Mateo said, and just that quickly Hades and Frederick vanished.
It must be dinnertime about now. Who fancies food? Puff asked.