Kingdom of Fangs, page 4
“Besides,” Wyatt said from somewhere behind Callon, “none of our males would do well in captivity. They’d probably go crazy and wind up killing a bunch of humans. It would be bad publicity.”
“We don’t have any sort of publicity, idiot.”
“Not the point, Kian,” Wyatt retorted.
“I agree with Roan,” Taras nodded firmly, his gaze shifting towards the Shaman in a silent show of solidarity.
Lola pulled Callon’s hands from her face and nudged him to the side so she could see the rest of the room again. She was amazed that the migraine that had been about to make her puke on the floor was gone, as if it had never been.
“Okay, we’ve worked out absolutely nothing because—let’s face it—we have no clue what’s going to happen to these chicks,” Maddie pointed out. “So, what’s our next move? You know, after we tell these women, ‘Just kidding, you’re free to go, or you can be shipped off to a different kingdom and live there a hella-long time until your soulmate comes along, which may be hundreds of years from now. Surprise!’”
Everyone stared wide-eyed at Maddie. She raised her hand like a student in a classroom. “I vote we haul-ass to New Orleans and get our bestie back before she gets herself killed. You guys don’t know her well, but she has a tendency to be uncooperative, even at the best of times. I can’t even imagine the hell she’s currently putting her kidnappers through.”
Lola couldn’t disagree with her friend. Obviously, Katy’s kidnappers wanted her alive. Lola could only assume it was to find out if Katy was the mate to one of the males in their kingdom. But the girl could seriously push them too far. Eventually, they might put themselves out of their misery… by taking her out for good.
“We will get your friend back. The entire might of the Kingdom of Claws will ensure it.” Lyra’s tone was one Lola would never want directed at her. “But we have to be smart about it.”
“In other words”—Taras smiled—“we can’t just haul ass and run headlong into a situation we don’t know enough about.”
“We’re not completely in the dark, Prime.” Wyatt changed his stance and rested against one of the giant windows. He could have been leaning on nothing for all that was seen; the glass was so transparent that it gave off an illusion of invisibility.
Taras glanced at him and dropped his chin slightly. “True. You have some information that will be helpful. Still”—he looked at the group of them that had been in Lola’s room—“I need to know everything that happened tonight.”
Callon took Lola’s hand in his and pulled her back over to the spot next to Maddie on the love seat and once again guided her into his lap. She looked at him. “Really?”
He shrugged. “Get used to it, Sazzi.”
Those who’d been standing also took seats in the plush, leather chairs and a couple of couches facing the Prime. Lola settled against Callon, giving in to the fact that he wanted her in his lap. And truth be told, she really didn’t mind, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to give him shit about it. She drew strength from his nearness. The gentle caress of his thumb soothing small circles over the back of her hand might have distracted her from the present matter if the Prime’s face hadn’t suddenly done that half-human, half-animal thing briefly before returning fully to human. The fierce look in his eyes made it clear he was in beast mode. Okay, that’s totally going on a shirt. Katy and Maddie would be all over it.
The Prime leaned forward. “Now, tell us everything.” Authority rang in his deep voice.
Chapter 3
We'll Shake The Trees And See What Falls Out.
“Emotions are a pain in the ass. I think I liked it better when mine weren’t bouncing around like a toddler hyped up on caffeine and sugar.” ~Callon
Callon listened as Lola tried to give as much detail as she could recall about the chaotic events of the last twenty-four hours. She told them everything that had happened from the moment she and Callon had left the very office where they currently sat until Roan had called Taras from Lola’s bedroom. He and the others added clarifications when needed. By the end, grim determination shone brightly in the eyes of the Kingdom of Claws’ rulers.
Tack leaned slightly forward in his chair, his eyes wide and his jaw clenched. Faith sat in his lap, her back pressed against his chest as he tightly wound his arms around her. His expression was one of disbelief and fear, mingled with a hint of disgust. His blue eyes looked as cold as a glacier. “You mean you had no recollection at all when you were in the berserker state?” His voice was tight and incredulous.
Callon didn’t know if he would ever forgive himself for the way he’d treated Lola because of his own pride. But even worse was the fact that he hadn’t remembered that he’d done it. He dropped his eyes from the white tiger, something he never would have done before. But his shame ensured he couldn’t even hold the gaze of one lower than him in the pride. “That is correct.” His voice was rough and his throat so tight it hurt to even speak.
“Damn,” Kian muttered, which was followed by similar mutterings from the other males in the room.
Lola’s soft fingers intertwined with Callon’s. A surge of electricity traveled from his chest throughout his body, along his skin, then down into his muscles, veins, and nerves. His heart rate quickened, and he fought the instinct to sweep her up into his arms and take her away to a place where they could be alone. Knowing that wasn’t an option, at least not yet, he settled for pressing his face into her hair, his nose brushing her neck as he took a deep breath. Her scent filled his lungs, stirring the beast inside of him. Okay, he had to get a grip. He was drawn to her in ways he never thought imaginable.
“So according to Bane’s senses”—like a bucket of ice water, his father’s voice pulled Callon from his fantasies of having Lola all to himself— “this Antonio person is somehow aligned with the Kingdom of Venom. Do we know if he’s a human or a beastwalker?”
Bane shook his head lazily from where he rested in a plush leather chair. His laid-back posture was deceptive. Callon did not doubt that, if need be, the panther could react in a split-second. Bane’s senses were on high alert. It’s how the Prime expected their warriors to be trained.
“I detected no animal scent on him,” Bane answered. “But as a panther, my nose isn’t as sharp as that of a canine. The scent of the other was definitely a reptile. And it could have messed with my ability to detect anything from Antonio. I might have missed subtle clues.”
Taras nodded. “The wolf tattoo on Katy.” He looked at Roan. “You never sensed anything?”
Irritation flashed in the Shaman’s silver, swirling eyes. “Never.” His jaw clenched as he shifted in his seat. “But as I mentioned to Callon earlier at Lola’s apartment, the rules have changed. Visata made that clear. Maybe the rules of how a Shaman detects animi have altered as well. If a Shaman even retains the ability at all. It may be the beastwalker from a certain kingdom can sense an animus now.”
“Will that make it harder to find human women that are animi?”
“Lola, it might mean sending out groups from each kingdom in larger numbers than we have before,” Taras answered. “It depends on how the animi are discovered. The Shaman were able to sense the power in the females. If Visata has transferred that ability to the beastwalkers, it might be a scent or touch. We know that all of the animi found have always been within the city where a kingdom is located. They are exposed to our magic in a larger dose, so to speak, than someone we might come in brief contact with when in a city that isn’t our home.”
“We will trust our Creator.” Lyra sat up straight, her head held high. “He has always taken care of us, and we know He will continue to do so.” That seemed to settle the matter as nods went around the room.
Taras let out a resigned sigh as he rubbed his hands together. “If Katy is the mate to a member of the Kingdom of Fangs, we’ll need to contact Nox.”
A slew of low curses and groans passed through the room.
“I’m guessing he’s the Alpha you mentioned in Lola’s room.” Maddie’s voice rose a bit as her eyes widened.
Taras held up a hand to quiet the group. “He has the right to know that she exists and that she’s in danger.”
Callon felt Lola tense. She, no doubt, vividly remembered Callon’s ominous words about unleashing the wolves on New Orleans.
Maddie scooted forward in her chair as she pointed at Callon. “But your son said that would be like unleashing chaos.”
“He’s not wrong,” Taras conceded grimly. “Wolves have little restraint when one of their own is threatened. But we cannot conceal the abduction of a potential mate from Nox. He would declare war for such treachery.”
“Perhaps we can negotiate terms for his aid that minimize collateral risks,” Lyra suggested.
Always the diplomat.
“I’m not sure he will be in a negotiating mood once he knows about the female,” Taras said grimly.
Callon sensed Lola’s conflicting emotions. She couldn’t seem to figure out which she should let have full reign. He felt uneasiness, curiosity, excitement, fear, and determination. He reached up and grasped her chin, turning her head toward him. “I know it’s a lot. But we’re going to figure it out. I will make this right.”
Taras cleared his throat. “Wyatt, you and Rafe fly back to New Orleans. Keep a low profile and see what you can glean. Do what you did before and hit up some popular supernatural hot spots and listen. There’s bound to be some talk once Katy arrives, because serpents love to brag. Then report back as soon as you know anything that will help.”
Wyatt lazily pushed up from the chair where he’d been sprawled. The effortless grace given to him by the beast that lay beneath the surface of the man was on full display. “You got it, Boss Man. We’ll shake the trees and see what falls out.”
Rafe stood and clapped Wyatt on the back. “Try not to piss anyone off this time. We need to gather intel, not start bar fights.”
Wyatt just smirked and shrugged. “First off, I didn’t start that fight. I simply finished it. Second, no promises. You know I can’t resist a good brawl. It’s food for the soul.”
Rafe scoffed. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
Taras cleared his throat. “Why am I just now hearing about a brawl while you were in New Orleans?” There was a clear warning in his tone.
Wyatt pulled out his phone, and his thumbs started moving quickly. “No time to talk about old stuff, Prime. We gotta get the pilot to the plane and in the air.”
“You all have your own plane?” Lola whispered.
“We’ve been around a while, Sazzi.” Callon watched in amusement as Wyatt tried to worm his way out of dealing with Taras’s ire. “That means we’ve built a considerable amount of wealth.”
Taras’s eyes flashed bright gold as he narrowed them on Wyatt. “Just don’t draw unnecessary attention to yourselves. Discretion is key. Any more brawls and I’ll pull you from the field. You’ll be on kitchen duty for a year.”
Both males sobered and gave brisk nods.
“What’s so wrong with kitchen duty? Is it because you have to wash dishes, which involves water, and cats hate water?”
Callon chuckled at Lola’s comment, then explained. “We are more than just our beast. We enjoy a hot shower as much as the next human. And being pulled from the field when you’re a warrior, what you’ve trained to be your whole life, is like having your arm cut off.”
As Rafe and Wyatt headed for the door, Taras turned his piercing gaze on the rest of the group gathered before him, his eyes landing on Callon. “Tell Riker that you and Lola need to meet with him and his mate at the compound. I understand that you two have just recently bonded, but it’s important that she be able to shift if she is going to be allowed to go on this mission. It would make her much safer.”
“Okay, everyone.” Maddie suddenly jumped to her feet. “Put a leash on your inner beast and hold the hell up!”
“Are we sure she’s not an animus?” Wyatt called from out in the hall where he and Rafe had exited. “Because she’s a spitfire, and I’m loving it.”
“Don’t you have a damn plane to catch?” Roan walked over to the door and slammed it closed in Wyatt’s laughing face.
Callon studied Roan’s expression as the Shaman turned his gaze back to Maddie. He glowered at her, and there was heat in that glare. But not the heat of anger. This was the burning look of a man that wanted a female but didn’t want to want her. Interesting. The momentary distraction served to allow Lola to scurry from his lap, and she now stood next to Maddie.
“Not. Yet.” Her hands rested on her hips as she frowned at him. “That’s what you said to me just a few nights ago on my fire escape.”
Heads swiveled as the door to Taras’s office opened and Wyatt’s head popped in. “Seriously? The conversation actually gets interesting after we leave?” He looked at Lola, his eyebrows bouncing up and down. “Did he turn down your advances, Lo? He’s a fool if he did.”
“I’m going to kill you.” Callon snarled as he got to his feet and took a step toward Wyatt. His Prime’s words were the only thing that stopped him.
“Callon, stand down. Wyatt, did you come back for a reason? If not, then get your ass on that plane, or I’ll let your general loose on you.”
“I wanted to see if we could take Drystan and Kian.” He nodded toward the two males in question. “The four horsemen can’t be the four horsemen if there’s only two of us.”
“Who calls you the four horsemen?” Maddie’s brow furrowed.
“No one,” Roan said dryly.
“He’s just mad we wouldn’t let him be in our gang.” Wyatt gave her a wink.
“Drystan can go,” Taras motioned with a dismissive wave of his hand, “but I need Kian here to help Jaxine and Zephyr do the tattoos.”
Wyatt saluted their Prime. “Sorry, K. We’ll tell you all about our escapades on the flip side.” Then Wyatt was gone, the door slamming exuberantly behind him.
“I don’t think he’s right in the head,” Maddie muttered, turning away from the door. She stopped her gaze on Callon, and he saw the light bulb that had been momentarily dimmed by Wyatt return to full brightness. “Shifting?” She nudged Lola.
Lola, whose hands had dropped from her waist at some point, now crossed them in front of her and narrowed her eyes on Callon. She looked especially cute when she was trying to intimidate him. He guessed he probably shouldn’t tell her that, at least not right now.
“I told you that I wasn’t a cat,” she started.
Callon nodded and mimicked her pose. “You did. And you were correct.”
“Then you said, ‘Not yet.’” She deepened her voice in an attempt to sound like him.
Callon tilted his head to the side. “I don’t think I sounded quite like that.”
“Close enough,” Lola snarked.
“If I recall, the night we sat beside each other on your fire escape…” He deepened his voice as his eyes dropped to her lips. A lovely flush covered her marbled skin. “You told me you weren’t going to touch that statement with a ten-foot pole.”
Lola shifted restlessly on her feet. “It was a fifty-foot pole, Leo. Get your facts straight.”
“Wait.” Maddie placed her hand on Lola’s arm. “He alluded to the fact that you might become a cat, and your too-curious-for-everyone-else’s-sanity ass didn’t jump on that like a starving man snatching up a hot woman?”
“That makes no sense. Why would a starving man grab a hot woman and not a hot dog?” Lola shot back.
“Do not try to change the subject by making fun of my linguistic skills, and I wasn’t eluding to the fact that he was starving for food.” Maddie scowled.
“I knew what you meant, Mads.” Kian interrupted the two females.
Roan turned his intense frown on the last panther in the room. “Her name is Maddie.”
Kian held up his hands while trying to bite back a smile at the same time. So, he’d figured it out as well. And knowing Kian, he would now poke Roan as often as possible about the Shaman’s feelings toward the willowy blonde.
Maddie stomped her foot. “Why on earth would you not tell Stalker Man to explain himself when he tossed out so casually that you’re going to be a pussy just like him?”
He ignored the jab, while laughter rippled around the room. He didn’t care what Maddie, or anyone else, thought of him. Lola’s opinion was the only one that mattered. Callon pulled out his phone and sent Riker a quick text. Then he slipped it back into his pocket and looked back at his female. “I know.” He held up his hands. “You’ve got questions, and I’ve got answers. You can ask them on the way to the compound.”
“Just what I was going to suggest.” Lyra’s voice was light. Callon could tell she was trying to defuse the situation. “I’ll join you. I need to address the animi.” Her voice didn’t sound nearly as light when she made that statement.
“I agree.” Taras nodded, then added, “Kian, you and Roan head to the compound as well. Roan, you can help Lyra. Kian, did you text Jaxine?”
“Yes, Prime.” Kian glanced down at the phone in his hand. “She agreed to meet us. I told her I’d explain when she arrived.” He paused and his gaze bounced to Callon.
Callon rocked back on his heels. “What?”
“She might have mentioned something about wanting to fill you so full of poison that your eyeballs popped out.” His eyebrows raised. “Because of her back room, or something like that.” Kian’s gaze darted away from Callon’s as soon as he was done speaking.
Callon held out a hand toward Lola. “She’ll get over it. Sazzi, let’s go.”
“What about me?”
“You’ll go with me, Maddie.” Roan spoke up. “You’re not a Damarian and therefore don’t fall under their jurisdiction, so to speak. Since you know about us, the Shaman are now responsible for you.”
Her brow rose. “And if I don’t want to go with you? Aren’t there nine other Shaman I can pick from?”
