Psyche Shield (34 page)

Jason shifted his questions back to me and Glenn. “Is he
telling the truth?”

“I don't smell a lie.” Glenn assured his Alpha, leaning back
in his seat. Confident my request would be approved, he winked at me.

“This is all above board, Jason. He's the real thing.” I
replied hastily, seeing success in sight.

“Mage, if you’re lying and they disappear I’ll come to
Ontario personally and bring my two strongest Wolves with me. Understand?”

Silas showed true courage with his shaky reply. “I
understand. If anything happens to them it won’t be because of me or my
friends. I can promise you that.”

“Sadie, do your mindspeech crap and check in with Billie
regularly. Be home by tomorrow night. Try not to bring any strays home this
time.” Every time I'd encountered a Mage I'd come home with a newly freed Wolf.
The last one had spent forty years collared and didn’t survive it with his
sanity intact.

“Are you suggesting I leave someone behind?” My eyes flashed
mischievously. I couldn't help deliberately antagonizing him and spoke without
thinking. Fortunately Jason didn't mention my ability to uncollar Wolves.

“I'm suggesting you stay out of trouble for once in your
life.” He growled.

Glenn didn't bother masking his smirk, but no sound came out
of him. I had less self-control and snorted. “I'd love to. Trouble follows me,
not the other way around.”

He gave a disbelieving grunt and growled a final order.
“Guard my Wolf, Sadie.”

“You know I will.” That was good enough for him, and he
ended the call. I gave Glenn a triumphant look. “I think he's starting to like
me.”

Glenn disagreed. “Nah. He can’t stand you. He would have
kicked you out the door weeks ago if he could do it without losing Billie.”

Silas looked pale after the conversation with Jason and
pointed weakly at the silent cell phone. “That did not make me feel better.”

“He's responsible for the safety of the pack. He's lost too
many Wolves to Mages to treat this lightly. Did I just defend Jason's rudeness?
Maybe I'm starting to like him.”

Glenn poked a loaded finger at me shrewdly. “You like him.
You pretend not to so you can torment him.”

“You deliberately antagonize an Alpha Wolf?” Silas looked
ready to pull out the straightjacket again.

Glenn chuckled and answered for me. “She’s not the smartest
member of the pack.”

“Hey!” I defended before turning to the more important
question. “Tomorrow then? When and where?”

“Okay, um. Public place.” He considered it and suggested a
café near our hotel at noon.

“I'll be there, without Glenn. We have to get going, but I
am glad we ran into you.”

“So am I.” Glenn told the Mage, extending his hand as we
stood. Silas looked as if the hand would bite him and shook it carefully. We
paid and left, leaving a bewildered Mage finishing his beer.

Billie, you'll never believe it!

Jason just called. He was very smug when he realized you
told him before me.
She replied with unmasked amusement.
I'm happy for
you. I wish I could be there.

You'd only scare them anyway. Glenn and I are headed back
to the hotel to get ready for the convention. Would you do me a favor and give
Glenn a hard time about me pretending to be his wife?

Her wicked sense of humor surfaced.
What do you have in
mind?

I think it would be fun to watch him sweat for a few
minutes.
I stifled the grin so Glenn wouldn’t notice.
A threat about his
behavior should do the trick.

I’ll play it up! He’s a good Wolf. I’m glad you’re
getting along and he’s coming around again. I love you.

I love you too.

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