Jacques shrugged. “C’est très vrai. But who wants afurieuxDragon breathing down your neck.”
“I will speak with him,” Cara said.
“Non!” the Satyr snapped. “It isbon. I have already picked out my newdomicile. He has agreed to lend us Dragoncharpentiersto help with the build. But he wishes to close down my gate access, and that is an issue.”
Cara’s mouth twisted. “He will have to apply to the Liberi Elders for that to be possible. I will see if I can get the gateway moved to your new location.”
Jacques shook his head. “J’ai des doutes. My gate access, and the fact Ivoyagerso widely, is likely the problem. He does not trust me.” His eyes rose to mine, and he frowned. Beneath the hood, my face was in shadow in the diminishing light. But his gaze suddenly grew more intense…
Cara moved between us. “It is not you he distrusts, as much as your connection to me, Tyrez, and ultimately, the council.”
“What is he up to?” Jacques asked.
The Watcher laid a hand on his arm. “Let me worry about that. I see you found us a wagon.”
It distracted him beautifully. He waved a hand at it. “Had to get my threecousinsto help pull it here. Mytatiewas using it as a planter.”
That certainly explained the bits of dirt lining the interior. And I think I spotted a few petals, too.
The Watcher clapped her hands together. “Thank you for your trouble, Jacques. Please don’t say a word about this to anyone.”
He clearly recognized it as a dismissal. He gestured, and both Phoenixes flew to land on him—one on each shoulder. “I will send Flash back to you after I have fed her. I recently acquired some kumquats.” And with that, he wandered off down the forest path.
Cara turned to Havoc. “That’s your cue, big guy. Fly, be free. Find yourself a lake resort.”
The big red Dragon shifter glared at her. “What would you guys do without me?”
“We’d find another Dragon,” Marcus groused. “Be sure to cover those scales as much as you can. Red isn’t useful for sneaking up on anything.
Havoc didn’t bother to reply, although the narrowed gaze he shot at Marcus, and the flash to his eyes, indicated the remainder of the conversation may have gone telepathic. He reached up to his neck, and something bounced out onto it.
I stared. Covered in pinkish fuzz, it seemed to have a lot of legs. I barely had time to peruse the creature before it leaped to Riley.
Or rather, toward her—it would have missed, except she reached out to catch it.
“Isn’t that a Webspinner?” Breana asked.
“Yes,” Riley said as the creature scuttled up beneath her hair. “Her name is Fang. She’s a pet.”
Breana leaned closer, rather than away. “Aren’t they venomous?”
“Oh, yes,” the Jumper replied. “But she only bites people she doesn’t like.” Her mouth twitched as she met Havoc’s eyes. “Or if she’s really pissed off.”
The big Dragon shifter shot her a glare as his face lengthened and his muscles writhed around his bones. His Dragon was an impressive beast. But it became a little less impressive when he rolled in the dirt. He straightened with bits of shrubbery dangling off his spikes.
“Very nice.” Marcus’s lips quirked.
Havoc lifted his own, revealing all his teeth.
“Remember, you’resneakingup on the lake resort,” Rafael said. “If they notice you, we’re screwed.”
“You think I can’t fucking sneak?” Havoc snorted.
“Your usual style,” Marcus laughed, “is more like a drunk Centaur in a ceramic shop.”
This time, Havoc upped his game and snorted steam at him.
“Okay, off you go,” Dani said.
