Page 150 of Bruised MC Bear

19

Xander

Xander was morerestless by the time he returned to the camp. He immediately went to the weapons staging area to look for Liam. There was no time to stop and strategize. If Kiera could read Minassus’ thoughts, could she read his too? Had she? It was almost nine o’clock at night, but that question sent his mind right back to full alertness. He found Liam just as his friend was leaving one of the storage sheds.

“How are the preparations coming along?” Xander asked.

“So far, so good. By the way, I’ve already sent six of our best men to keep watch over Mrs. Oslo. They should be there within the hour.”

“Thank you.” He looked around. “Where is Reena?”

“She gave me half of the wild indigo powder and took the rest with about a quarter of our troops…and her brother, of course. He’s one of the trainees.”

“Yes, I recall.”

“Reena wanted to begin preparations with the Nauru right away, starting in the north. We’ll get the biggest benefit from bolstering the containments now on the outer walls, so connecting her with the Nauru was at the top of the list. I split the rest of the camp into three teams. I will take one group north to begin adding her potions to the traps and weapons there. The second team will head west to do the same, and the rest will stay here in camp with you. Make sense?”

“Yes.” He pulled his friend aside. “Walk with me. I need to look for something in my cabin. Liam, just to be clear, how did you distribute the trainees scheduled to be turned at this year’s ceremony?”

They took the back exit, cutting through a gravel walkway that led to their row of cabins. “Half will go north with me, and the other half will head west. It makes sense to keep them as far away from the fortress as possible.”

“Good thinking. Listen, have you been in contact with any of the witches in the last little while?”

“Only the two we met with today,” Liam answered. “Why?”

Xander stopped at the front door of his cabin. “Are you certain?”

“Positive. What is this about?”

“You saw the way Keira responded to you when she shook your hand, right?”

“Yes. Maybe I look like someone she knows. Or maybe she read my mind and figured out I can’t stand witches.”

“Kiera’s familiar believes a witch may have cast some magic on you. Her abilities grew stronger right after that handshake.”

“What? That’s crazy. I don’t see how it’s possible. You already know I don’t trust witches far enough to throw them. If anyone has put a spell on me, it was not with my permission.”

“Let’s leave it alone for now. There’s so much to do over the next few days.” Xander put his arm on his friend’s shoulder. “Did you ever think this day would come so soon?”

“Honestly? No. But then again, I always wondered why all the witches in the fortress never stopped to question what’s been going on. I mean, Minassus has basically been getting away with murder for years. It was only a matter of time before someone stood up to that bastard.”

“Lucky for us, Kiera came on board. She may have a few extra tricks up her sleeves. We’ll know soon enough.” Xander noticed Liam sniffing up into the night air. “What’s wrong? You smell something?”

“Not sure. Is it me, or does it feel like the temperature is dropping?”

“Possibly. The first storm will be here in a few days. We have had weather in previous years where it was a lot colder, and as early as October. So when are you heading out with your men?”

“First thing in the morning. They will need at least a few hours rest this evening to—” Liam squinted and looked up at the sky again before finishing what he had been saying. “Look who it is. Your girlfriend’s bird witch.”

Xander squinted up at the dark sky, worried. He had not been expecting to hear from Keira so soon. “She probably has another update.” He waited as she swooped down and landed on the branch of a tree nearby.

“Xander! Keira is in trouble. Our plan is going to hell! Minassus is back and he knows everything. The storm! The ravagers! I should’ve known it was too good to be true.” She squawked frantically, and made no sense at all.

“Coco, slow down. Just tell us one thing at a time.” He opened his cabin door and turned to Liam. “Get her some water inside. There’s a pitcher on the counter.” Turning back to the bird, he extended his arm out in her direction. “Here. Come closer. Tell me everything.”

She flew down to him and landed on his forearm, gently curling her talons around to steady herself. “We have to change everything about our plan. There is honestly so much that I have to tell you, and all of it is important, so please, I can already guarantee it’s going to come out in the wrong order.”

“First, have a drink,” Xander told her, nodding over to Liam, who had poured some water into a soup bowl for her. “Start where you can.”