Page 62 of Crossed Fates

Alaric’s frown deepened. Clearly, he did not share his father’s amusement.

“So you probably didn’t hear it over all your snarling,” I added as though he hadn’t already caught on to my jibe.

“Cute,” he drawled.

“Aren’t I, though?” I winked, then focused on his dad. “Any leads on Neo?”

“Not yet, but I only sent out the request after we spoke yesterday. It’ll take a bit to gather the packs’ files, especially with everything else going on.”

I nodded. “Okay.” I drained the rest of my second cup of coffee and set it on a nearby table. My attention went back to the board, my body thrumming with caffeine. Tapping my jaw, I studied the documents. “I feel like I’m missing something, and it’s driving me crazy.”

We’d added a new section to the board while talking to Hawk—a spot for things that seemed to point to experiments. Like the silver packages, which we assumed had been manufactured somehow, and the hybrid, because how the hell had he been made? Hawk had had no suggestions. He’d been pretty alarmed to learn about the fire-breathing capability, as had I.

Still think he’s some sort of dragon breed,I thought, narrowing my gaze at the experiment part of the wall.

“Okay, we have a hybrid, maybe two, and silver tools… so some sort of lab?”

The Ferris wheel of facts in my head suddenly slowed, and one by one, they jumped off the ride and grouped together.

Hybrid.

Silver tools.

Lab—or a warehouse…

“A warehouse!” I exclaimed as I spun around to face the men. “A warehouse on Grand Street.”

“What about a warehouse?” Alaric asked, clearly confused by my outburst.

“After Vex’s phone call about the silver, he specifically mentioned a warehouse on Grand to Neo.”

Alaric frowned. “Well, that’s an interesting detail.” He checked the time, then glanced out the windows. After a beat, he looked at his father. “I can’t leave to check it out.”

A gleam entered Hawk’s gaze. “Why not?”

“Because it doesn’t feel right.” He palmed the back of his neck and blew out a harsh breath. “I… I feel…needed.”

His dad nodded. “That’s your wolf talking.”

“I know.” He flinched. “He won’t let me go even if I want to.”

“Because the alpha in you senses a threatclose to home. Listen to those instincts, son. They’ll guide you.”

Alaric sighed. “Then who is going to check out the warehouse?”

“E.V.I.E.” The idea just sort of tumbled from my mouth without thought, but it made complete sense. Although, I supposed offering to go would make even more sense.

However, I sort of understood Alaric’s comment about not being able to leave. My wolf felt similarly, something I’d have to investigate more later. Maybe she just missed Silver Lake?

I shook off the sensation and focused on Alaric. “Maybe Jude can send someone to check it out?”

Alaric already had his tablet in hand, pulling up a text screen to shoot a message. “On it.”

He finished typing, then looked at me and his dad. “How soon until the files on Neo are rea—”

His question was interrupted by a ringing. I half expected it to be Jude, only the sound came from Hawk’s phone, not Alaric’s.

Hawk pulled the mobile from his pocket, answering, “Calder.”