Legend of the Ir'Indicti 5 - Destroyer Read Free Page B

werewolf here in Texas."
    "They killed somebody? I'm not surprised," Lewis reached out a hand to shake with Bear. He could tell by scent that the Star Cove Principal was a shapeshifter, just as he knew that Winkler and Trajan were werewolves.
    "This is William Winkler and his Second, Trajan Gibson," Bear finished the introductions.
    "As in Winkler Security William Winkler?" Lewis held out his hand. "Damn. Never figured you were a wolf. I'm a deputy for the Russellville Sheriff's department. At least I was, till those two shot me with a tranquilizer gun and locked me in a cage, somewhere."
    "About six miles from here, in Shirley Walker's cotton fields," Ashe nodded in the proper direction. "I figure they hauled him here on one of their trips and left him in that bomb shelter. He was about to starve when I found him."
    "What were they planning to do with you?" Bear asked.
    "They said a distraction on the full moon. That's all I know," Lewis replied with a shrug. "Is there any chance I can borrow a phone? I have people to call."
    "Hold on a little," Winkler raised a hand while he pulled his cell out of a pocket with the other. In seconds, he had Matt Michaels on the line. "Matt, we need to run a little interference for a missing deputy from Russellville, Arkansas," Winkler said when Matt answered.
    "I heard about that," Matt said, tapping on his laptop. "You have him?"
    "We do, now. The kid found him in an old bunker not far from here. Tranquilized and kidnapped by those two we have locked up."
    "I'll call the Arkansas Bureau. We'll take care of it," Matt said. "He'll have his job back and no questions asked."
    "Tell them he'll be in touch come Monday," Winkler said. "Trajan, get Trace on the phone and have him pick up some clothes for Deputy Sharpe."
    "Dude, isn't Arkansas one of the worst places to be a deer shapeshifter?" Ashe asked softly. Lewis Sharpe barked a laugh.
    * * *
    "Mr. Tanner, we have to do it on the full moon. Our target is moving into the fortress today—two weeks ahead of schedule, according to my informant."
    "Then I hope your informant is prepared to help," Zeke Tanner growled. Josiah hadn't wanted to make the call; he knew Zeke would be more out of sorts than usual this close to the full moon. He just didn't want his head snapped off by the rogue werewolf.
    "My informant will most certainly be ready to go," Josiah did a bit of growling himself.
    "Good. I want a call, first thing Monday," Zeke said and hung up. Josiah ended the call with a sigh; he had last minute plans to make.
    * * *
    Ashe eyed his new bedroom furniture critically, trying to decide if he liked everything where it was. "I want the bed here," he said, gesturing with his hands. "So I can see the water when I wake up in the morning."
    The set was moved before the mattress and box spring were placed. Ashe gave a thumbs-up to the furniture delivery crew. The mattress was settled on the bed and Ashe pulled the new comforter and sheets from his closet to make it up. His clothes and other belongings had arrived an hour earlier. Lewis had gone home with Bear Wright to talk over his kidnapping with the Star Cove Principal. Ashe knew Bear also wanted to discuss organizing the shapeshifter community with the Arkansas deputy.
    Ashe pulled his cell out the moment it rang. "Randy?"
    "Ashe, meet us at Pasquale's," Randy said. "About fifteen minutes. Can you make that?"
    "Sure," Ashe replied.
    * * *
    "Mr. Winkler, Trajan, I'm meeting Randy at Pasquale's," Ashe announced as he walked into the spacious kitchen. Winkler's new cook, a werewolf named Craig, was busy preparing a meal for the others while familiarizing himself with the new kitchen. He looked up from his work when Ashe entered.
    "Be home by eleven," Winkler said, sipping a mixed drink Craig handed to the Dallas Packmaster.
    "Will do, boss," Ashe nodded and walked out, disappearing before he reached the front door.
    * * *
    "What's up with the kid?" Craig asked as he handed a plate of appetizers to