“You want us all to keep watch, too,” Lizbeth Schäfer guessed, fine lines spreading out from her dark gray eyes as she frowned in concentration.
Aden nodded. “The Consortium works by creating divisions along existing fault lines. By working together, we deprive them of their major weapon.”
“I’ll make sure to pass on the message through the terrestrial and aerial packs,” Lucas said, folding his arms. “Miane, I assume you’ve already warned your people?”
“Yes. The news should reach even our most remote packmates within the next month.” Miane’s hair blew back in the wind where she stood, her comm panel apparently placed on an outdoor wall, since Aden could see waves behind her and her image moved in time with the motion of the sea. “The Consortium’s tactics are dishonorable and cowardly and BlackSea has no argument with working with everyone to cut off their heads.”
“The Alliance will also alert its network,” Bo said, his flint-hard gaze turning to connect with Miane’s. “We’ve lost a small number of people recently—they were hired away on plum contracts before disappearing from sight.”
Miane’s expression grew even more grim. “We should pool our data.”
“Let’s talk after this.”
Lizbeth Schäfer had a troubled look on her face. “We’ve been working with a human settlement in Kenya that lost ten of its older teenagers six months ago,” she said, her English flawless and accented with the rhythms of her native tongue—German. “The teens left saying they were heading out to join a group that would make the world ‘a better place.’ No trace has ever been found of them.”
It fit the Consortium’s MO, but it could as easily be a small guerrilla or mercenary organization that had seduced the teens. “We have to be careful not to see a conspiracy at every turn,” he said. “That could hamstring us.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“If you wish,” Aden added, “I’ll send in a team to track the teenagers.”
Clear relief on her face. “I would very much appreciate that. Many of their families are distraught.”
The entire group spoke for over an hour, putting together more troubling facts that meant nothing on their own, but together painted a disturbing picture.
“I have a proposal,” Aden said toward the end.
Once he set out that proposal, the discussion was vigorous, rough details hammered out so the various attendees could go back to those they represented to ask for feedback.
Switching off the system after the last person signed out, he turned to the woman who’d watched from the shadows. “It could take years.”
“You’ll do it.” Absolute, unflinching faith from his mate.
“If we can hold the connections, forge them ever deeper,” Aden said, “the world could become a fully functioning triumvirate again.”
Zaira wove her fingers into his. “It’ll happen. This is your destiny, Aden.” Her kiss was fire and love and primal possessiveness. “Your parents dreamed too small when they wanted you to become the leader of the squad. You’re about to lead the entire world out into a new dawn.”
“My dream,” he said, “is right here in my arms.”
Firelight traveling through their bond, a psychic kiss from his dangerous, beautiful, perfect commander.