“From what I’ve heard…there are not enough members…and now that their Legion has been decimated…they’re losing control.” Matt shook his head. “Bloody Dragons just won’t admit it.”
“So the debate then,” Talakai’s voice remained calm despite the cadence instigated by the running, “is whether the realms require that level of control.”
Spoken, I thought, like a true mobster. Matt apparently agreed with me.
“Mate…the Watchers are all over this gig,” the Aussie Dire said. “If there’s any group that knows what’s needed…it’s them.”
“If you don’t agree.” I looked at Talakai. “Then why are you here?”
“Didn’t say…I didn’t agree.” The words remained calm, but the Dragon’s eyes glowed. “The question…however…has merit.”
Matt’s brows had dropped low, and his mouth opened to reply.
“It does,” I agreed quickly to head off an argument. “Any organization has to be held accountable for its actions…and I’m sure the council is no different.”
“If someone doesn’t stand up for the average bloke,” Matt huffed with heat, “the underworld…will become…the overworld.”
Talakai’s stride hitched. “Perhaps.” But he moved off a few steps, and I sensed he’d pulled away mentally. For some reason, my heart ached.
I gritted my teeth and refocused on the task at hand.
The five male shifters in Team Firelizard were running like a pack of lovesick puppies, bouncing off each other’s shoulders and laughing as they did so. They fell silent as Matt, Talakai, and I caught up to them. I sensed their eyes slide off the two men, and focus on me.
Their intensity ramped up as they started to really run.
I let them forge ahead, keeping my pace steady.
I glanced at the last team member, who was only about four feet tall, with flattened features and a slim body wrapped in a loose, flowing tunic that was the distinctive academy black. I recognized him as one of those local to this realm. Despite his stature, he seemed to be running well, his shorter strides fluid and easy.
We ran together for about a mile, and then the other two slowly dropped back. We closed on the Firelizard Dires. I assessed the way their bodies rolled with each stride, their knees bowing outward, and knew we’d have them soon.
I was right. Moments later, we moved up among them again. And they sprinted away.
Matt snorted. “Stupid bludgers.” He didn’t even sound out of breath.
I glanced over at him. “Do you run…as a human?”
He nodded. “We aren’t allowed to shift while cage fighting…not unless it is a special event…And the fights are long…A bloke needs endurance…So I run as a two legger whenever I can…My mates tease me all the time sitting on their ATVs.”
The warmth in his voice when he spoke of his home hit me hard. Beyond this last year, I had no memory of my own. But there was pain, too, and it spoke to the flipside of the coin—he missed his old life.
He shot me a glance. “How about you…Angel? You run like a bloody deer.”
“I ran every day back home…Was training to go into the military.”
His brows rose. “If that’s anything like the Aussie equivalent…that’s a tough gig…Especially for a sheila.”
I stifled a surge of irritation. “Not forthissheila.”
He grinned. “Nope…You’re tough…You could do it hands down.”
The words warmed my heart, although Matt certainly hadn’t seen enough of me to have any idea.
“That is a type of militia?” The query rumbled from my other side. Talakai had moved close once more.
“Yes…But they get involved in relief efforts mostly…Helping people.”
He ran in silence for a few strides. Running between Matt and Talakai was a heady experience. I’d never had a running partner, and here I had two that paced me perfectly. And now that he was in motion, Talakai seemed to be a part of the team.
