It took longer than usual, but the door finally opened, and Kyle watched Jon’s footsteps rush through the opening. He followed and Isaac closed the door.
Have you recovered enough to help us?Jon persisted.
Give me a minute. I’m still lightheaded.
Kyle smiled. After working together for most of a decade, they knew each other well. Isaac continually pushed himself too hard. It was his teammates’ job to pull him back.
They waited until Isaac signaled that he was ready and then they rushed toward the guards.
Jon’s shield slipped for a moment as he dragged his guard into the rustic tower beside the gate. His arm was wrapped around the wolf’s neck and the guard’s eyes bugged nearly out of his head.
“They’re Shadows,” one guard warned, but Isaac slit his throat a second later.
As Isaac dragged his guard into the tower enclosure with Jon, Kyle choked out the final guard. The male was burly and strong, and it took forever to incapacitate him. The wolf spun in a tightcircle with Kyle riding his back. Kyle’s arm was wrapped around his neck, and he squeezed with all his might, but the fucker just wouldn’t go out.
An energy pulse arced through the air, singeing the top of Kyle’s leg. He bit back a yelp then let out a sigh as the guard’s knees finally buckled. Jon stood near the doorway to the tower with a pistol in his hand. Isaac, also visible, rushed over and helped Kyle drag the brute into the tower. They were all conserving energy, but being visible made Kyle nervous.
“You better bind and gag that one, if you’re going to leave him alive.” The surliness in Jon’s tone made it obvious that leaving him alive wouldn’t have been his choice.
Choosing a different option, Kyle held a mister in front of the guard’s face and administered a strong sedative.
“You’ve still got plenty of that for Babcock?” Jon asked impatiently.
“Of course,” Kyle returned just as impatiently. “This isn’t my first mission.”
Why were they snapping at each other? They usually operated seamlessly. Tara’s image appeared in Kyle’s mind and heat cascaded through his body. They needed to claim their mate. Her indecision made them tense and combative. Their coalition was incomplete, and it would be until she joined with them.
“Shields up,” Isaac urged. “Let’s get this done.”
Taking a deep breath, Kyle gathered energy and reactivated his covert shield. When they left the tower, the only thing visible was their subtle tracks in the snow.
Isaac led them directly to Babcock’s cabin.The entire village is inside. I’m going to knock on the door. Have the mister ready.
Uncomfortable with the idea, Kyle looked around. But Isaac was right. No one was around. Even the lights inside the cabins were filtered through shutters or thick curtains.
A firm knock sounded and then Babcock called out, “Who’s there?”
Isaac responded, but intentionally muffled his voice.
Babcock opened the door a few seconds later and Kyle ejected a thick cloud of mist directly into his face. He stumbled back, gasping, arms flailing. The Shadows rushed inside and closed the door.
“What… did you…” Babcock’s eyes rolled up and his body crumpled to the floor.
Isaac went to the window and peeked out. “Let’s wait a few minutes before we head out. I want to make sure this capture was clean.”
They’d loitered in the cabin for almost ten minutes when Jon snapped, “Enough. Let’s get out of here.” He heaved Babcock onto his shoulder and reactivated his shields. It took a moment for Jon’s shield to expand enough to conceal Babcock’s unconscious form, and then they were ready to depart.
They made it out of the village without incident, but they were hiking up the hill toward the cave where they’d stashed the hover cart when they heard a commotion below.
“Shit,” Isaac snarled, hurrying his pace.
“It might not have anything to do with us,” Kyle cautioned.
“Doubtful,” Jon grumbled. “See if you can spot whatever made the noise.”
Kyle crept toward the mouth of the cave and peered out into the night. Moonlight glistened off the snow, making escape even more difficult. Four wolves tromped through the forest below the rise, flashlight beams swishing this way and that.
“I’ll create a diversion,” Kyle said firmly. “Get him out of here.”
