"Tony, leemelone," I muttered, closing my eyes. My three words had been reduced to a single, unintelligible one.
"Just go to sleep, baby. I'll wake you again in a couple of hours so you can eat a little more." I was out like a light after that.
* * *
"Honored One." Charles had his laptop open in his hands and was standing in the doorway to Wlodek's study. Wlodek had brought carpenters in and his bookshelves had been replaced. His Monet was out for repairs; some Monks at a monastery were doing that for him. Surprisingly, the painting of Napoleon that Lissa had given him had survived, but it was smaller than the Monet and placed between bookshelves, which had most likely spared it.
"What is it, Charles?" Wlodek was at least in a better temper tonight.
"Please take a look at this email from Lissa." Wlodek's eyebrows rose a little. Charles brought his laptop in and settled it on Wlodek's desk so the Head of the Council could take a look. He read through it and then read it a second time. "Pull a list of all safe houses, caves and other places of sanctuary in and near these villages," Wlodek commanded, still looking at the email.
"I already have," Charles said, handing the information over. "Some of these places we haven't used for centuries and most of the Enforcers don't know they exist. I had to dig to find all of them, sir. My sire helped with this—he asked some of the Council and they provided additional information. Most of this isn't written down anywhere."
* * *
It took three days to get over the attack. Bill came in all three days just to watch over me during the day. Tony was busy and a little tired as well, but he offered to take me out, rent movies or do whatever I wanted. I told him I was fine and read some of the books he had in his study. Paul sent an email while I was laid up.
Lissa, we have a line on the blond man, he wrote. I and the other two are tracking him. If you have acquaintances, we'd appreciate the help. Feel free to hand out this email address; we can arrange something in that way—Paul.
My hands shook as I dialed Charles, begging him to pick up. He did on the third ring. "Charles, I know I'll get smacked for this," I said, "but there's a werewolf policeman in England and he and a couple other werewolves have a line on the blond man that everybody is looking for in those kidnappings. If Wlodek or the others have any interest in this case, I have his email address. I think he wouldn't mind some help, to tell the truth." I said all of it in a rush so I wouldn't lose my nerve. Charles and the rest of them most likely thought I was crazy.
"Give me the email address," he said brusquely. I did. Charles thanked me and hung up. I'd done as much as I could do on this side of the pond. I also had an email from Weldon and one from Winkler. Both said nearly the same thing.
Lissa, Weldon wrote, Karl Johnson is challenging Winkler outside a full moon. In case you don't know who that is, it's Kellee's father. I can't say this for certain, but I feel that Kellee is behind this—she and Winkler are definitely not getting along, so she's trying to remove him and keep her children at the same time—by making a challenge. If Karl wins, this will give the Dallas Pack to him and leave Kellee holding the reins to the Winkler Empire. The unfortunate thing is this; Karl is demanding the Seconds fight. This is his choice outside a full moon. Since Karl is not a member the Dallas Pack, Winkler has the right to choose anyone as his Second if he doesn't want his own Second to take it. Winkler has asked for you, Lissa. I've already approved this, provided you accept. If you don't want to do this, Davis or one of the others from the Dallas Pack will take up the challenge on Winkler's behalf. Let me know quickly. Karl wants to do this in five days.
I opened Winkler's email next; it was nearly the same thing except that he was busy cursing Kellee in every other sentence. Tony came in while I was re-reading the emails. "I need to go to Dallas really quick," I said. "Winkler can have his jet here for me tomorrow night."
"But what if I need you here?" Tony frowned. I let him read the emails. Tony whistled. "Damn, they aren't messing around," he said. "Fine. Go get this over with. I warn you, Lissa, you let a werewolf take you down, I'll never speak to you again."
"Ha, ha. That is so amusing, Director Boy." I was grumpy but there was no way I wanted Karl Johnson, aka Kellee's daddy, to bring in some thug who'd not only kill Davis but take Winkler's Pack away from him because little miss spoiled britches wanted it. There was the worry, though, in the back of my mind over what might happen. I had no idea who I'd be facing. Did the wolves have the equivalent of Bruce Lee or something? What was I going to tell Gavin and Merrill? Best not to think about that. I called Weldon on the phone.
"Winkler's sending the jet for me tomorrow night," I said after he answered.
"Then I'll come, just to make sure everything is handled fairly. Karl is out of his mind, Lissa."
"Yeah. I get that, too," I agreed. "Do you want to call Winkler or should I? And if you do, tell him I'm not about to stay anywhere near fancy britches. She'd stake me at high noon if she knew where I slept."
"I'll have Winkler fly you into Grand Forks to pick me up and we'll travel to Dallas together. We'll stay at the same hotel and I'll make sure you're safe. I'll contact Winkler right after we're done talking."
"Good." I really didn't want to talk to Winkler anyway. This was just too weird.
"I'll be waiting and I may bring an extra guard since I have to leave Daryl here with my grandbaby," Weldon added.
"Of course you do," I said. "Is he growing like a weed?"
"You got it," I could hear the grin in his voice. Weldon was awful proud of that baby. We hung up after that.
I called Merrill's cell, got his voice mail and told him that a bit of a problem had cropped up in Dallas and I was going there the following evening. I didn't elaborate. I'd explain if he called me back and asked. Gavin's cell rolled right into his voice mail so I told him pretty much the same thing. Then I went to pack with Tony dogging my heels the entire way.
He had me out to the airport in plenty of time and watched while Davis and the werewolf co-pilot loaded me into the jet, along with my luggage. Tony insisted on kissing me before I boarded and watched until they closed the door on the cabin. I called Thomas Williams, my current Packmaster, checking in with him while the pre-flight check was done. It was much earlier on the west coast.
"I know about it and I'm flying to Dallas, too," he said. "I just want to make sure there's no funny business since one of my Pack is involved in this." I was thinking that with Thomas and Weldon there, I wouldn't worry so much while I slept. The flight was uneventful and Weldon was waiting for us when we landed in Grand Forks. My old body bag waited with him, and he carried it on board with his bag. It was four in the morning when we flew out of Grand Forks. Weldon would have to get me inside the bag before we landed in Dallas. Kipp, the werewolf that Weldon brought along as an extra guard, was from the Fargo Pack and had helped guard Weldon when I first met him. Kipp grinned at me and sat across from Weldon, who'd seated himself next to me.