Page 53 of Bear Protector
“Kiera! Open this door before I break it down!” the Chancellor roared.
“You and I will have to trust that our connection is strong enough, Coco. Get your hands on those seven shifter soldiers before you do anything else. Go! Now!”
Coco nodded, flapping her wings hard as she flew off.
“Coming, your eminence,” she replied calmly, hoping she could buy some time. She returned the scroll to the lockbox and tucked it underneath her bed. Smoothing down the front of her coat, she headed to the door.
Chancellor Minassus stood tall, pushing past her as he burst into the room. “Where is your familiar? Never mind. I will get to her in short order.”
“It is very late, sir. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Very smart,” he murmured with a smile.
“I don’t understand.”
The Chancellor tilted his head to the side. “Lies.”
“Sorry?”
“Do not play innocent with me!”
Kiera’s heart was in her throat. She swallowed hard, wishing she could keep feigning ignorance, but it was too late. He knew.
19
Xander
Xander was more restless by the time he returned to the camp. He immediately went to the weapons staging area to look for Liam. There was no time to stop and strategize. If Kiera could read Minassus’ thoughts, could she read his too? Had she? It was almost nine o’clock at night, but that question sent his mind right back to full alertness. He found Liam just as his friend was leaving one of the storage sheds.
“How are the preparations coming along?” Xander asked.
“So far, so good. By the way, I’ve already sent six of our best men to keep watch over Mrs. Oslo. They should be there within the hour.”
“Thank you.” He looked around. “Where is Reena?”
“She gave me half of the wild indigo powder and took the rest with about a quarter of our troops…and her brother, of course. He’s one of the trainees.”
“Yes, I recall.”
“Reena wanted to begin preparations with the Nauru right away, starting in the north. We’ll get the biggest benefit from bolstering the containments now on the outer walls, so connecting her with the Nauru was at the top of the list. I split the rest of the camp into three teams. I will take one group north to begin adding her potions to the traps and weapons there. The second team will head west to do the same, and the rest will stay here in camp with you. Make sense?”
“Yes.” He pulled his friend aside. “Walk with me. I need to look for something in my cabin. Liam, just to be clear, how did you distribute the trainees scheduled to be turned at this year’s ceremony?”
They took the back exit, cutting through a gravel walkway that led to their row of cabins. “Half will go north with me, and the other half will head west. It makes sense to keep them as far away from the fortress as possible.”
“Good thinking. Listen, have you been in contact with any of the witches in the last little while?”
“Only the two we met with today,” Liam answered. “Why?”
Xander stopped at the front door of his cabin. “Are you certain?”
“Positive. What is this about?”
“You saw the way Keira responded to you when she shook your hand, right?”
“Yes. Maybe I look like someone she knows. Or maybe she read my mind and figured out I can’t stand witches.”
“Kiera’s familiar believes a witch may have cast some magic on you. Her abilities grew stronger right after that handshake.”
