Page 45 of Bear Protector
“We’ll see.”
They made it to the large wooded area a few minutes early, and found some thick foliage a few yards away from the meeting spot.
“Okay. We have good camouflage here. It’s at an ideal vantage point. Set up here,” Xander instructed him, heading to where Kiera would be expecting to see him.
She was ducked down beside a large rock, with the botanist witch at her side.
“Kiera? What’s going on?” he asked, stretching out a hand to help her to her feet.
“Come with us. It’s not safe here. The guards will be passing by to make their rounds any minute.” She picked up a dark-colored sack and passed it to him. “Here. Put these over your clothes. It’s a good thing I brought a few.”
“What is it?” he asked, opening the drawstring at the top.
“A few of the winter capes the fortress guards wear.” Kiera pointed in the direction where he had come from. “Who’s with you?”
“My second in command. I felt it best for Liam to be here. I’ll get him.”
Kiera nodded. “We’ll wait. Please hurry.”
Xander turned to head over to Liam, but his friend had already started toward them.
“What do you think you’re doing, Xander? Are you insane thinking we should just follow them inside? I am not putting on those disguises, and I’m not going in there. You’ll let these women get us both killed!”
“Shhhh,” Reena hissed, shaking her head. “You heard everything about going inside but you ignored the part about shutting the hell up?”
Liam glowered at her, but then he smirked. “Reena. I should have guessed.”
“I gather you two know each other a lot more…personally than I’d first thought,” Xander said.
Reena nodded. “How do you think Coco knew what cabin you lived in when she flew all those notes to you at the camp?” she asked, eyes still on Liam.
“Okay. I don’t want to hear any more about the two of you,” Xander huffed, raising his hand to his temple. “Liam, we’re going inside.”
“Well, I say we at least find out why they want us to go in there with them.”
Kiera approached him, extending her hand for a handshake. “I am Kiera,” she introduced herself. “We met a few days ago…informally anyway.”
“Liam. And I know who you are.” He hesitated for a moment, then took her hand.
“Nice to meet—” Kiera started, but the very instant her hand made contact with Liam, she jumped backward abruptly. It was as though someone had shoved her hard. She stumbled, but caught herself before Xander could reach out to steady her.
“What just happened?” Reena and Xander asked simultaneously.
Kiera looked at Liam’s hand, then down at her own. “Whoa, sorry about that. I’m not quite sure. That was so strange, but can we go inside? I’m sure there is a reasonable explanation. We just have no time right now.”
Liam folded his arms. “Xander, I don’t think it’s safe.”
Reena spoke up. “Look, we took a big risk inviting you here. We want to help…and if we don’t move from this spot in the next few seconds, you both may as well go on home. The guards will be here soon. Will you at least give us a chance to get you inside so we can explain?”
Xander nodded sharply to Liam, who got his meaning. “Lead the way, ladies.”
* * *
Xander stared at Kiera as they entered the prisoners’ tunnel, wondering if it was possible for her to come around so quickly without him ever having to ask for her help. He never thought it would be this easy to sway the Chosen, and now, here she was, volunteering, not needing to be coaxed in one direction or another. Could her heart really be so open to helping the shifters?
Reena led them through the tunnel, past the abandoned grotto, and up a stone ramp that led to the prison cells. Xander remembered most of the area. Everyone had access to the fortress before he and the first shifters were turned. Minassus put an end to all visits soon after he had recovered from his coma. Only the Chosen, a select group of witches, and some of his personal guards were allowed inside.
The moment Reena took the corridor leading away from the dungeons, his inner bear bristled. Liam stopped in his tracks too. Danger was lurking.
