"You're sure about this?" Winkler looked at Ashe.
"Yeah."
"Trajan will be relieved."
"I sure hope so. I don't want him to feel slighted or upset."
"Let's find out." Winkler grinned. "Kid, I don't know what that was, but it really is scary as hell. Trajan!"
* * *
"Boss, this is such a relief." Trajan sighed. Ashe hadn't waited around after Trajan whooped with joy when Winkler gave him the news. He'd scooted straight out of Winkler's office and disappeared inside his bedroom. "Mom always wanted it to be a love match," Trajan added.
"Then you'll have that chance. Ashe said Thomas Williams, so she's getting Thomas Williams."
"Boss, try not to shove him down her throat. Why don't you just casually introduce them and see how that works out?"
"All right, we'll go the politically correct route," Winkler agreed. "You can wear that new suit at the engagement party."
"Suits me," Trajan laughed.
* * *
"They are here—the humans call this Lac Savard. It is in Quebec, in the country of Canada," Parlethis was proud of his newly developed map-reading skills.
"Then let us make arrangements to be there tomorrow evening. That will take them by surprise, I think." Friesianna pretended to study the paper map. Rabis had offered to bring her an electronic version. She'd refused.
"I will bring Prince Beldris to you personally," Parlethis bowed deferentially. Rabis held his breath and counted. He had no desire to display his distaste over Parlethis' obsequiousness. That would court disaster with the Queen. She wasn't listening to Rabis anyway. He wished she'd just let him go. He knew where he'd like to be—somewhere watching his grandchild grow into adulthood and come into his talents.
"I care not if he is dead or alive when you bring him," Friesianna remarked icily. "Just bring him. Perhaps we shall offer the Prince to his brother, in exchange for the Dark crown."
"A fitting reward, my Queen." Rabis wanted to relocate just to get away from the fawning Parlethis.
"Rabis," the Queen snapped, bringing Rabis out of his thoughts. "Show my Captain the most advantageous location to mount our attack," she shook the map at her Foreseer.
"Respectfully, my Queen, one place is no better than another," Rabis replied softly.
* * *
"My contact is ready to go," Josiah spoke to a waiting Ezekiel Tanner. "I'll be nearby, ready to help if necessary. We have things well in hand. William Winkler will be dead and you'll have your trophy soon."
"Don't muck this up, Dunnigan. I'm warning you. You've already lost a good contact to that moth-infested patch of fur. Fail me in this and I'll send someone after you."
"There will be no need for that, I assure you," Josiah was glad he was speaking with Zeke on the phone instead of in person. A werewolf as old and experienced as Ezekiel Tanner could smell fear a mile away, and Josiah was certainly afraid. Josiah worked to keep that emotion from his voice. It made him more determined than ever to take William Winkler down quickly.
"When you get done with that, I could use some help here," Zeke suggested. "Supply problems, you understand."
"But," Josiah sputtered. He wanted his ranch in Wyoming, no strings attached.
"Had you worried, didn't I?" Zeke cackled. "Do this for me and we're done unless you need another favor sometime."
"I appreciate the offer," Josiah lied.
* * *
"School starts in two weeks," Sali grumbled to Dori.
"I'm looking forward to it," she said. Sali leaned against Dori's legs on the Anderson's deck. Dori sat in a deck chair, Sali lounging at her feet and sipping iced tea that Cori made. Cori lay on her stomach on a chaise nearby, dressed in a bikini. "I can't wait to get into college," Dori added.
"Two more years," Cori muttered into the chaise cushion.
"We'll be juniors, Sal," Dori wiggled a toe against Sali's side.
"Randy's girlfriend from Chicago is coming in on Friday," Sali leaned back to squint at Dori. The sun was shining right in his face.
"He's taking her to a hotel near the beach," Cori said. "But he still hasn't told his mother that she's coming. That ought to be a surprise."
"She's not leaving before the run?" Sali couldn't believe Randy so remiss as to forget about a full moon.
"Flight back is Monday morning early," Cori said, turning over. "She's a vet. Makes good money, according to Randy."
"Maybe she can take a look at Sali," Dori snickered.
"Hey, now," Sali slapped Dori's leg playfully. Dori dumped her iced tea down Sali's back, forcing him off the deck in a blink. Sali tickled her mercilessly after that, making Dori squeal with laughter.
"What's going on?" Wynn came through the patio door to witness Sali and Dori wrestling playfully.
"Kids," Cori muttered.
"Mom and Dad gave permission for me to date Ace," Wynn sat on the deck beside Cori's chaise.
"How old is he?" Cori asked quietly. Sali and Dori were still play fighting.
"He's forty-six; young for a werewolf," Wynn sighed. "I know there's an age gap, but he's just," she didn't finish.
"He's the right one? I think I got that vibe from Ashe, too. He thinks the same."
"I think we'll miss Ashe in school this year," Wynn said. "I can't believe he's just going to leave all of us behind like that."
"Ashe is different," Cori said and left it at that. "What did your parents say to Ace?"
"That he had to mind his manners," Wynn blushed. "He said he understood."
"The werewolf-shifter community is different, too," Cori agreed. "Werewolf females can be married off to somebody three or four times their age. I heard Mr. Winkler's wife was twenty-two when he married her at age eighty-six."
"Really? He's over a hundred now? He doesn't look it," Wynn breathed.
"Yeah. Mr. Winkler comes from strong stock," Cori said. "Anyway, that's what Marco says."
"Ace says he wants to give me a ring the minute I turn eighteen," Wynn said dreamily.
"Wynnie, are you sure you want all that so fast?" Cori sat up and looked at Wynn.
"I think so. Anyway, Mom said she was glad I had somebody who would protect me."
"Understandable," Cori sighed, leaning back again.
"What about you and Marco?"