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“And I know who you are. And I know what you did. You’re poisoning the animals.”
“Excellent work, detective. It took long enough for you two Sarvas to figure it out. And now, your little cowboy is going to get a message of his very own. Duggan! Pechik! Once I give the signal, go to House Deimos and deliver the gift.”
Hope wished she were the one going home to Deimos instead of these goons. Or even just a way to warn him. She was terrified, speculating on what the gift might be. Going by what she had overheard, what if it was a bomb?
But then again, they didn’t seem to have the backbone to declare war on Deimos. They showed they weren’t above preying on the innocent before attacking their target directly. First, animals that couldn’t defend themselves. Then a visitor from Earth, barely over five feet, whose life’s mission was to care for weaker creatures, whose sole purpose for coming was to help members of the dragon clutch. To help the leader of the dragon clutch.
“Is your gift a wooden horse? Now that you’ve made all the cows sick.”
“Funny. That’s an Earth myth I’m familiar with, unfortunately … the less I concern myself with the society of Earth, the happier I am.”
“As a member of Earth society, I would be happy to remove myself from your concerns. Take me back to Deimos. Now.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. My acquaintance with you became a necessary evil as soon as you came along as the new farm hand in town. But don’t worry. Once we take care of Deimos, I don’t plan on concerning myself with you for very long. You might have heard dragons have a fondness for meat that comes from Earth. We’ll see how yours compares.”
“You’re disgusting.”
“You are what you eat. So maybe it’s just you.”
She clutched at her chest and focused all of her energy on reaching out to Deimos like a beacon to share what she felt and where she was. She had no idea if it would do anything, but a force compelled her.
“What’s the gift that your men are delivering?”
“It’s supposed to be a surprise. I’ll only tell you if you promise not to share.”
“Who am I going to tell?”
“I don’t know what sort of sorcery you Earth people practice. As I said, I try my best to ignore you as much as possible.”
“Okay. Sure. I won’t tell.”
“I don’t believe you. I think I’ll just keep you in suspense. Maybe the anticipation will make you even more tender. In life or death. I’d like to try both ways.”
“You’d be killed even before you tried.”
“I’ll take my chances. High risk, high reward. But I admire your audacity. It’s a love potion, sealed in a little vial with a little love note. May I read you the message that I sent with it?
‘D-
I’ve included a little gift to reward you for your laboratory results. The cows seemed to enjoy it. I thought I would share the recipe.
T.
P.S. I’ve taken your little cowpoke off your hands. She’ll be thriving in no time now that she’s in the care of a real man.’”
“You look simply exhausted, my dear. Here, let me get you a sleep mask.”
She smelled something acrid as he slipped the hood over her face. The darkness began to give way to a void.
Deimos, I need you, she thought to herself before slipping into unconsciousness.
TWENTY
DEIMOS
Deimos sensed something was amiss even before they came to the door. With their heightened senses, Shifters could detect a menacing presence, and the two goons working for Tura certainly fit the bill.
Thyone Neveztamno and Qev Avylnat were at Deimos’s house in the city. They were not only two of his best friends but also the head of the military and the head of the civil service, respectively. The warrior and the diplomat with personalities that matched.
