Page 35 of Healing Creek (Arena Dogs #3)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Grace walked hand in hand with Creek through the halls of Haven Base.

Standing next to him had become familiar.

Feeling worthy to be there among these fierce, proud people was new.

The halls of the Haven base were lined with Arena Dogs welcoming them back.

As they moved through the corridors, Creek spoke soft words of gratitude for everyone who’d helped search for Grace and all barked back in acknowledgement.

Many reached out and tapped his shoulder or his back as they passed.

This time when they walked into the meeting room, only the members of the guiding council and Mercury’s pack were present.

Samantha was first to come forward, hugging Grace and squeezing Creek’s hand. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

One by one they each welcomed them back.

Last to step forward, Maximus and Eve were no less generous in their welcome.

With her curly black hair around her shoulders and tired eyes, Eve looked softer than the last time Grace had seen her.

Maximus looked strong as ever, the fatherly figure for all the Dogs of Haven.

Eve spoke first. “I’m sorry Grace. I take full responsibility for my error in judgement that placed you and Creek and all our family in great danger.”

Creek acknowledged the apology with a brief bark. “Where is Zachary?”

“He’s locked in the level one storage room,” said Maximus. “After being questioned all night, he gave in to exhaustion.”

Eve frowned. “So far he denies acting as a double agent for Roma and claims to have told them nothing.”

“It might be true. He told me the same thing when he was holding me captive. I think he saw an opportunity to make a breakthrough in his research and only cared about who could provide the best support for that. He told me he planned to give the cure to the free Arena Dogs as well as to Roma.”

“That’s insane,” said Samantha. “How could he think Roma would allow that?”

Grace thought of her family and how obsessed they sometimes became with their projects. “Scientists can get lost in their research sometimes. They ask can I do something instead of should I do it . Especially if they’re working in isolation.”

“He wasn’t isolated here. We treated him like family,” said Eve.

“I mean without other scientists and researchers. People who understand the risks and ask the tough questions. You didn’t do anything wrong,” Grace assured her. “Whatever his reasons, he’s still responsible for his actions.”

“But you think it is really possible that the base is safe?” Eve’s expression was almost pleading. Grace could understand. It would be hard for them to give up everything they built.

“Yes,” she said. “I do.”

Emotion moistened Eve’s eyes and she turned to Maximus and slipped her arms around him. “Our family might still be safe.”

The big Dog wrapped his arms around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Please, everyone, sit.”

They all settled in at the large table. The last time she’d been in this room Grace had been too nervous and too worried about Creek to pay much attention to the aesthetics.

This time she noticed that original art hung opposite the large windows looking into the ravine.

The style was akin to primitive or tribal art she’d seen in the past. If she squinted, she could almost see exaggerated Arena Dog faces in many of the pieces.

There were also clear claw marks etched into thick paint on some of them.

They were beautiful. Somewhere on the base was a talented artist.

As the scrape of chair legs and seating adjustments came to a natural stop, Maximus spoke. “Thank you all for coming. Mercury has asked to speak to the council.” He nodded in Mercury’s direction.

“First, on behalf of my pack I wish to thank you for all you have done to free us and other Arena Dogs. I also wish to thank you for your assistance in recovering Grace.” A symphony of friendly growls rose around the room and Mercury waited for them all to settle.

“We came here hoping we could become allies. We have a common goal. To free all our brothers and sisters.” The guiding council was quiet in response to this, but they all nodded their agreement.

“We come offering strength to add to yours. We have a powerful ship, allies among the independent shipping alliance and others. You have a network of agents within Roma and your own transport. We had hoped together we could make a direct attack on Roma, but it seems we have two pressing problems to deal with before we can address our main goal. Jennifer Doudna and the forced breeding program.”

Creek reached for Grace’s hand and twined their fingers together.

Paloma Ravi, a human woman on the Guiding Council spoke. “A direct attack on Roma could get us all killed.”

“It is possible,” said Mercury. “Death is always possible, even near, for our kind. But with or without your help, we will not put off our assault on Roma for long.”

Voices went up all around the table. Maximus pounded a fist on the table, calming the chatter. “Let us not fight amongst ourselves. We all know time for change is coming, but as you say, we have problems to tackle now.”

Eve spoke. “Jennifer Doudna cannot be allowed to continue her research.”

Samantha leaned forward in her chair. “This breeding program must be stopped.”

Creek released Grace’s hand and sat straighter in his chair. “Neither of these problems is as big as an attack on Roma. Can we not divide our forces and tackle them at once?”

Mercury grinned. “My thoughts as well.”

Eve sighed heavily. “The breeding program is currently taking place in my mother’s compound on Roma. I’m the only one who can get us in without starting a war. However, leaving with all of her new breeding stock will certainly set one in motion. It could get all of our agents killed.”

“Get word to your agents and get them clear at the same time,” suggested Mercury.

Eve nodded. “That means we’ll have no help on Roma when you eventually make your attack.”

“We’ll deal with that problem when the time comes,” said Mercury.

“Which will have to be soon after, since I can’t imagine the owners will wait long before making another try at setting up a new program,” Samantha huffed.

“Agreed,” said Eve.

“So, that leaves us with the Abundance to raid the research compound,” said Mercury. “You will give us the location.”

Grace’s heart raced. So close to getting to Jenny.

He hadn’t made it a question, but Maximus answered. “Yes. We’ll provide the coordinates and all the intel we have on the facility.”

Grace’s heart felt ready to burst with hope…and fear that her sister would be dead before they got to her.