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“They want you captured,” a man, a fox shifter, says.

“I figured. Is there anything else?” I ask.

“Everyone has been instructed to find you and bring you to Zypher Fallins and Brion Morwen alive. They don’t care what is done, as long as you are alive when you get to them,” he says.

“Wonderful,” I say, my tone remaining even. “Anything else?”

“There is a large group of fox shifters being held in a warehouse. We have tried to get to them, but they have a hell of a lot of firepower,” he says.

“How many and where?” I ask.

“We came up from Arcwatch. We flew over Estroria, and that is when we found out they were being held at a large warehouse near the northern border. I’d say there are probably three hundred, maybe more. It’s all the ones who live there,” he explains.

“Fuck,” I groan.Fucking bastards.

“What?” Dad asks.

“That’s where I grew up,” I say. “Those are the people who raised me.”

“It’s a trap,” Leli says.

“I know it is,” I say before turning back to the man. “Can you show me the exact location on a map?”

“Lilith,” Daemon says quietly.

“Stop,” I tell him as I take a map from Vash, who is holding one out for me.

The man comes up and looks at the map. “Ah. Right here,” he says, pointing to the map.

“Can I get a pen?” I ask. Leli comes over to hand me a red permanent marker. I circle the spot on the map that he pointed to. “What else is going on nearby?”

“Nothing that we saw. I know they are hiding in the building nearby, but I don’t know how many or where. I just know that we couldn’t get close enough without getting shot at,” he says.

“Can you get me close?” I ask.

“Lilith,” Daemon says in a grave tone. I ignore him and wait for him to answer me.

“I can,” Vash says.

“Perfect,” I say to Vash. “Give me some time to think this through, and I’ll let you know what my plan is. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he says and bows. Daemon, Kael, and Callum look angry. This is not a battle I want to have right here, so I decide to turn my back to them and address the crowd again.

“Now… anything else? Does anyone have questions?” I ask. A man, a panther shifter, steps forward and waits for me to address him before speaking.

“What’s your name?” I ask.

“Eldric,” he says simply.

“What is it, Eldric?” I ask.

“So… Zypher announced yesterday to warn us about you. He has declared you an enemy of the state.”

“An enemy of the state?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes,” Eldric says. “Basically, Zypher said that you pose a threat to the country and… well, the world.”

“Okay?” I say, confused. “Is there more to this story?”