The Guardian finally agreed to allow Adrian to run free on these twelve hundred acres of federal land in Wyoming. Their boss had a unique relationship with important humans high in US government as well as counterparts in other countries who knew about the Gallize.
That would be a verysmallnumber of humans even though, as of eight years ago, the world was aware that shifters existed.
Those officials trusted the Guardian to ward this area in a way that put no humans at risk.
Justin walked up to the twenty-foot-wide space between two imposing oak trees that stood tall as natural guards.
He passed through first, feeling a tingle from the ward magic. Cole and Rory entered right behind him.
The ward shimmered when it recognized them. Any Gallize and natural animal could enter, and Justin’s group could leave, but Adrian couldn’t. Humans would avoid this area and not realize why they’d altered their paths. Supernatural beings who were not Gallize couldn’t pass through the ward.
Rory rubbed his arms. “Makes me itch every time I go through that magic.”
“Might not be the magic. Maybe you need a flea collar,” Cole said in a deadpan voice.
Justin grunted out a laugh, encouraged to see the return of Cole’s humor.
He doubted Rory had been born with any.
Rory said, “My cat is itchin’ to sharpen his claws when you least expect it.”
“Gray Wolf needs the exercise,” Cole tossed back. “I hear cat fur makes a soft pillow. Might take you a while to regenerate that though.”
“This is gonna be one long fucking week with you two,” Justin said, smiling.
“What are you so happy about?” Rory asked. “We have a week to do the impossible and not even running water. I’ll rough it, when need be, but I don’t mind a nice bed, flat-screen TV, and hot meal at night.”
Justin argued, “This place is beautiful and full of wild game. We’re gonna run and hunt and save a good friend. What’s not to be happy about?” Before Rory could answer, Justin added, “Do you good to rough it for a bit. Never know when we’ll have to go somewhere nasty again.”
“True,” Rory conceded.
The breeze carried a fresh evergreen smell, and a nice touch of cool air Justin likedfarmore than the hot bayous of Louisiana where he’d spent too many unhappy years. He’d loved this place the minute he saw it. So much natural beauty across the land,with timber sprouting all around them and streams full of fish, then it opened into an occasional bald hill like the one where the cabin stood.
Mountains climbed to the skies for a breathtaking backdrop.
Justin really hoped Adrian had soaked up the peacefulness here, but even he had doubts about Adrian being ready next week.
When the Guardian agreed to this deal, he added one caveat. Their boss had said, “Adrian has three months to prove he can control his wolf, which is predicated on his showing significant improvement by the time I make my first visit.”
That initial review was coming up next week.
Cole stopped with a fist in the air, a sign for all of them to pause. He lifted his head, sniffing.
Rory paused and slowly turned around, taking a closer look at their surroundings.
Justin frowned. “Adrian’s scent is everywhere. What’re you smelling?”
Rory uttered, “Smoke.”
Of the three, Justin had the best sense of smell, seven times that of a bloodhound. “I picked that up way back. Smells like someone burned logs in a fireplace.”
“I don’t think so,” Rory said and pointed.
Following Rory’s gaze, Justin saw a tendril of smoke swirling above the treetops. “Shit, that’s where the cabin is.” He took off.
––––––––
