Mary spoke quickly. All four of the nearest wolves are down. Warren is heading back in the direction of the original cell. The rest of the team has subdued the others who were outside the cell. I think a couple of them are dead. Warren just got there. He’s issuing some orders. I think your team has secured Sydon’s force in the cell.
Fergus turned the opposite direction. He stood twenty feet from a broad, ascending staircase leading to the second belowground level. With all the gunfire, someone must have heard. Mary, is anyone coming down the stairs to this level? Do you see anyone?
No, there’s no one. Wait. I’m seeing movement from the ground floor. Let me check it out. A few seconds passed, before Mary continued, It’s Sydon. I see him now. He’s already reached the second level. He’s heading in your direction toward the third level.
I can hear him, heavy boots on stone. But he didn’t hear any other sounds. Mary, doesn’t he have a guard with him?
He’s alone.
More arrogance. That’s good news. Thanks.
For a split-second, Fergus thought about taking Sydon down with a single bullet. But he knew in order to regain his pack, he’d have to battle Sydon again in another dominance fight.
The Savage Pack Council didn’t have a lot of rules, but assassination would have removed Fergus from ever becoming alpha to the Gordion Pack again. Though for a few seconds, he actually considered doing Savage a favor and getting rid of Sydon for good anyway.
Living as an alter wolf had forced Fergus over the years to develop his own creed. In the chaos of their world, the values he upheld kept him sane.
So, instead of killing Sydon flat out, he moved back into the long hall again, just a few feet, so Sydon wouldn’t be able to see him. He waited.
What Fergus couldn’t believe was Sydon’s arrogance that he would come down to the dungeon level alone, without back-up, when by now he would have learned or possibly even heard that shots had been fired.
What weapon is Sydon carrying?
A sword, right hand.
Okay. I’ve got this.
Fergus rounded the corner and Sydon came into view as he reached the bottom step.
Fergus took several steps in Sydon’s direction, his Glock pointed at chest level.
Sydon stopped in his tracks. “Impossible.”
His black brows rose as he stared at Fergus. His hair was as oily-looking as ever and hung in long curls past his shoulders. He had an emaciated look and coal eyes which had always made Fergus wonder if Sydon took witch herbs.
For one of the first times ever, Sydon actually looked surprised. “You’re supposed to be dead.”
“Not quite. Drop your sword.”
The weapon clattered on the stone.
Sydon sneered. “You were flat-lined in the Goddamn Graveyard.”
“I had some help.” To Mary, he telepathed, How we doin’? How’s Warren? Anyone else coming up the hall?
No bad guys in any of the nearby halls. I’m moving the dreamglide closer to the dungeon. Okay, I’m here. I can see you at one end and Warren is issuing orders at the entrance to the dungeon cell. Whatever happened in there appears to be over.
Good.
Fergus shifted his attention back to Sydon. As he stared at the wolf who consistently caused misery in Savage, he wanted nothing more than to put a bullet through his heart. But the best he could do was make the situation clear to Sydon. “We’ll be battling again soon. Though, for now I’ll be keeping you in a cell down here.”
He wasn’t taking any chances, however. He lowered the angle of his Glock and fired. The bullet pierced Sydon’s thigh.
Sydon shouted his pain as he fell, then shifted into his wolf state and lay trembling on the floor. He was a black wolf with a stripe of silver down his back.
Fergus moved to stand over him. “You should be able to heal yourself by tomorrow night, then we’ll have a real battle, you sonofabitch.”
He contacted Warren. I just shot Sydon in the leg to incapacitate him. Do you have his rogue wolves contained?