Page 5 of Flesh and Fury

“Wait,” he said, sitting forward, “the rest of the pack doesn’t know about the abduction?”

“No, but I already told him that once you two start poking around up there, there’s a good chance they’ll figure out something is wrong. No one from the Agency has been out to visit the Bishop pack’s reservation for a very long time. I’m pretty sure another I.S.R. marshal hasn’t even driven through Bishop since the last time you and Gladys were there. In any case, I want this handled as quickly as possible, so you’d better get on the road.” She made the universal call me hand gesture at her ear as she mouthed the words.

Eoghan and Ari nodded and stood. Clearly, she had more to tell them on the burners, what with a bug in her office and all. “We’re leaving now, Chief.”

“Stop in and see Wordy on your way out and get a hold of those two marshals.”

“Will do,” Eoghan replied as they headed for the door.

As soon as they were through it, Ari looked at him. “What?” Eoghan asked.

“What? What?” Ari replied.

He wasn’t smiling or joking for that matter. Ari was such an easygoing person; it was really hard to see him so serious. Eoghan had a feeling he knew what was on his mind but if he guessed wrong, he didn’t want to be the one to bring it up.

“Nothing. You just look so…I don’t know…I guess you look deep in thought, that’s all. Are you worried about the werewolves?” Eoghan asked.

They got to the elevator and he pushed the button.

“To be honest, I’m a little worried, yeah,” Ari admitted.

“Well, if Priest was right about Alvin Walters, he wants us to help with negotiations, that’s all. It’d be even better ifthe marshals in Nevada could orchestrate a sit down with the Nevada pack. I’m even more worried that they’re gonna tell us it’s a totally futile exercise.” The elevator arrived and they stepped in.

“That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it, Eoghan,” Ari said.

Eoghan blew out a long breath. He really didn’t want to admit to the fear which was twisting him up inside. The last thing he wanted was to bare his soul by opening that door. He turned to look at Ari and almost reeled back when he recognized the expression of love on his face. He’d been expecting worry, sympathy, or worse, pity but the hazel eyes he adored were watching him with something much more than warm affection; it was as clear as the nose on his face. His own feelings of love suddenly rushed in, nearly swamping him. He was a heel for thinking he should hide his worries from his lover. They were more than partners and the man he shared a bed with. In less than six months, Ari had become his best friend and the man he was crazy in love with. He opened his mouth to admit it when the elevator stopped, and the doors slid open.

“You’re right,” he said. “I’m sorry.” He smiled and nodded to one of the IT guys who got into the elevator as they were getting out, and then headed to the armory with Ari by his side. “Let’s talk about this later, okay? It’s not that I don’t want to talk to you, but I’d rather do it once we’re alone.” He nodded and smiled at Night as she walked by them.

Ari grunted. “Fine, but wewilltalk once we’re on the road, Eoghan.”

Eoghan sent him a tiny smile and continued on his way to the armory. He knew there was no way of avoiding his feelings about his partner now…

…and he wasn’t sure he wanted to.

Chapter Two

ARI

When they walked into the armory, Wordy was sitting at his desk working on something. He looked up and waved.

“Be right there, fellas.”

“Take your time, Wordy.” Ari really liked the older man. Freddy Wordsmith was brilliant at figuring out how alien tech worked, but he also spent some time coming up with new and more innovative weapons. Wordy was always thinking about the marshals’ safety in the field which made him universally adored for that very reason. He pushed a pair of magnifying goggles up to his forehead and got up from his desk chair, walking over, carrying something in both hands. Ari stared down at it, noting it looked almost like some sort of fossilized shell.

“Is that an ammonite?” Eoghan asked.

“That’s what I was about to say,” Ari said. When he was a kid, he loved fossil hunting. To this day, he stopped flipping channels on the TV whenever a show on dinosaurs or fossils came on. The ancient world fascinated him.

Wordy frowned at him for a minute, holding out the shell-like thing so they could see better. It looked like a rock encrusted cinnamon roll and was about the same color, fitting perfectly in Wordy’s hand. “When it first came in, that’s exactly what I thought it was. Now, I’m convinced it’s not.” Wordy tapped on one of the swirly sides, holding it up to his ear, presumably to see if he could hear something.

“What convinced you that it’s not a simple fossil?” Ari asked, frowning down at the thing.

“This, of course,” Wordy said, pointing to the opening. As he held it up, a clear, gooey drop slid from it. It looked like slime.

“What the hell is that?” Eoghan asked, taking a step back.

Wordy glanced up with amusement dancing in his eyes. “I think it’s a spaceship.” The moment he said it, a tiny four-fingered appendage appeared at the slimy opening. It was a peachy pink color with almost translucent skin. The tips of the teeny fingers were a darker color, appearing to be itsy-bitsy fingernails.