Page 194 of Wolf Roulette

When Pascal killed the engine, I secured our boat to the ladder, then climbed to the top of the observation tower, taking care not to bang my saxophone.

I didn’t waste time.

For a while now, it had felt like a clock was ticking above my head.

I had a strong feeling there weren’t many seconds left.

Pulling out my phone, I studied my cues a final time as reports from team leaders sounded through my walkie.

“Frequency generators up.”

“Cameras in position.”

I’d needed some visibility under the surface.

“Bases in position.”

“Skis loaded.”

Ten minutes left.

I drummed my fingers on the rails. “Come on.”

“Wicked. Set up complete. Over.”

Perfect. She was in charge of two parts of our main operations.

Five minutes.

“Reindeer. Set up complete. Over.”

With two minutes remaining, her report was echoed by my other team leaders.

That was close,Booker growled.

They had a lot to set up. Ready, girl?

Let’s fuck some shit up.

My wolf was big on the swears. If she had her way, I’d be inked up with a permed mullet by now.

I changed the frequency on my walkie and brought it close to my lips. “Big Red. In position? Over.”

The reply from the designated head vampire—a woman called Laurel that Basilia had highly recommended—crackled through. “Affirmative. Awaiting your order. Over.”

Boom.

My heart pounded at the inside of my ribs to escape.

Peering to the opposite side by the cliffs, I watched the Luthers slip from the trees into the water. The stewards on the nearest cliffs opened fire, but as per usual, the pack largely ignored them.

“Two points to us,” Pascal said.

Better than nothing. That could be the difference if this grid was like our Sandstone win.

When the last of the pack was in the water, I lifted my walkie. “Big Red. Bats, prepare Operation Circus. Over.”

I left my cliff stewards to set up and drew my tablet out of my backpack. “I finally feel important,” I murmured, earning a soft laugh from Pascal.