"We'll enter here, a side tunnel that connects directly to The Misery Vault." I say, pointing at the map unfolded in Flash's tent, the only indoor place out of the rain even now beating against the slick outer layer of leather that stinks of lanoline that was used to prevent moisture penetration and acids from the tanning process.

The dark clouds keep the sun from warming the surrounding forest, making the area feel as nippy as a mid-winter day.

"Sounds like a welcoming place," Flash says with a slight hiss, leaning over the map the Imperial lent us for this journey.

"Deadly welcoming. If we time it right, we will get in and out with no one the wiser. Questions?"

Heather raises her hand. I nod to her.

"How do you know all this?" she asks, waving at the map and the detailed plans and times I drew out depicting the guard schedule.

I couldn't well tell her that my past is still very connected to my present. There is a vast array of personnel at my disposal.

The Masters created a weapon filled with knowledge. The perfect warrior and assassin.

Their pride blinded them to the truth. In creating the perfect weapon, they also created the very thing they feared most. A monster stronger than them, with their resources at his disposal.

"I have been to this city many times in my past occupation. It grants certain knowledge of situations such as this." I reply.

She raises one brow, but thankfully retreats into the crowd around the table without another word.

I look around, wondering if anyone else has a suggestion or question.

They stay silent.

"I'll go alone, and if all goes well, will return just before the midnight bells. If not, leave and do not return."

The cats around me hiss and Heather growls low in her throat.

Flash claps a hand on my shoulder, ignoring the flinch.

"You need help. Don't forget, you aren't a one-man army. Not anymore. You have friends now." His face is devoid of the mischief that normally coats it in spades. Instead, there lies a slight humor mixed with a seriousness I rarely see in the mischief loving Were.

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I nod at him, taking his council as just that. I shove a hand through my chin length, black as night hair. It needs a good cut, I just haven't taken the time to do so.

"Fine. What would you have me do?" I ask as politely as possible.

He nods, giving my shoulder a brotherly squeeze before releasing. "You need at least one other to watch your back, and the rest of us should wait by the exit in case you run into trouble or get impaired." The last is said with a wide grin and raised brows.

I groan into my hands.

"I said I'm not coming out injured this time, alright? That was one time!" I say in exasperation.

"Actually, it was three. It seems you end up everywhere crippled." Heather speaks up, delight and humor sparking in her gaze.

Where did the nice, sweet Shifter go? This one is a demon in disguise.

I run a hand down my face. "Can we get back to the plan?"

"Of course. Your wish is our command, Your Highness," Flash says with a theatrical bow and a wave of his hand.

I don't like him, my internal voice grumbles.

You wouldn't, I grumble back. He's just like you.

"Don't call me that," I command, meeting Flash's twinkling gaze with a glower of my own.

He looks away first, and I turn to the gathering of Were. The sharpened and honed instincts—and weapons—of those around me have my wolf prickling in both fight and flight.

Remember the goal. I remind myself.

"Who would like to come with me?" I ask at last.

Heather immediately raises her hand.

When I glare and give her a firm, "No," she just smiles.

"You need me. I have the nose of a wolf, which, no offence, is better than a cat."

Groans follow her words, but with her kind and teasing smile lightening the entire tent even on this cold and windy day, the cats can't be angry.

Her eyes turn back to me and the smile slowly drops from her lips. "I know healing. I'm a skilled hunter. Plus, you know me. We can work together at this and be better than we are separate."

Flash watches her with admiration in his eyes, which makes me protective of her for reasons I don't wish to dive into.

"How can you argue with that? I'm going too!" Flash says, rubbing his hands together in excitement.

"NO," I growl, and his shoulders almost seem to droop. "You have no concept of silence. I need you to stay here and be ready for my return."

I don't particularly like the gleam in Flash's eyes as he recovers from his slump. "Ahhh. Like that, is it? The Torture Vault sounds like a wonderful place for a first date. You two are dating, right?"

My fangs elongate slightly and I have to tamp down the urge to shift.

He slaps my shoulder, and I just bite back the urge to stab him. I force my fingers to loosen from the hidden lorascas blade.

"Lighten up, Wolf. You need some humor in your life."

"I need a cat out of my life, more like. I'm surrounded by fools," I grumble under my breath. I speak up, "Heather, you're with me. We leave at dusk."

She nods, eyes filled with pride as a smile teases at her full lips.

What did I get myself into? This is too much work. I shouldn't have attempted to get around folks again.

You didn't. They adopted you and didn't give us an option in the matter.

Huh. True enough.