Shift:A Virals Adventure(12)

Sometimes, when flaring, Tory could send us messages mind to mind.

At times, I’d been able to send back.

Telepathy? A pack mind? Is this what wolves experience every day?

I didn’t know, but the whole business scared me to death. Fact: The idea of someone reading my thoughts gives me heart palpitations. Even Tory. Some things are just too personal to get comfortable with.

Tory is always the nucleus. The rest of us can’t kick-start a mind link. We wouldn’t know where to start. But even she doesn’t understand how the link works. She can’t control it either—the ability comes and goes without warning. Go figure.

One more puzzle to unravel.

Being Viral can be scary business.

Reaching the fence, Tory paused and placed the sliver under her nose. A moment passed, then she nodded.

“The residue has a funky mix of odors,” she said. “It’s mainly earthy, like grass or wheat. But there are traces of . . . sweetness. For some reason, I keep thinking of raisins.”

“Get after it, hound dog!” Hi crouched, slapped his leg twice, then jabbed a finger down the fence line. “Track!”

Ben delivered a second head smack. “Dope.”

Hi rubbed his dome. “That’s assault, bro. Times two. And flare slaps hurt more.”

“Sue me.” Ben turned to Tory. “Ready?”

She nodded. “Circle the compound. Sweep each building. Catch the scent.”

“Works for me.” I fell into line.

“There’ll be repercussions, Blue,” Hi warned, taking up the rear. “Shock and awe. Punitive damages.”

“Looking forward to it,” Ben replied without turning.

We moved slowly along the perimeter. Building One. Shed Three. Vehicle Depot A. Building Four. Tory shook her head each time.

A hundred yards, and we reached the back of the complex. Turning right, we hustled past the rear gate to the opposite side of the courtyard and the second row of buildings.

To anyone watching, it would’ve been a bizarre scene. Four teens in sunglasses, creeping around LIRI’s perimeter, following a redheaded girl who sniffed the air like a Labrador. Thankfully, there was no one in sight.

Tory was methodical. At each structure she’d probe the back door, or any other opening, breathing deeply. Then she’d move on, disappointed. In no time we’d returned the front gate.

Tory stopped, jaw clenched in frustration. “This isn’t working.”

I won’t lie—I was relieved. “Let’s tell Kit what we know.”

“We didn’t go in the buildings,” Ben pointed out.

Unconsciously, my fingers rose to my earlobe. “We can’t sneak inside every one. We don’t have that kind of access. And I’m not taking a third chance with security. Too many lies.”

“So let’s buzz the front doors,” Hi suggested. “Maybe we get lucky.”

Tory nodded. “If that fails, we’ll try something else.”

I suppressed a sigh. “Something else” didn’t sound like my suggestion.

We moved along the inner courtyard path, until we drew level with Building One.

“Let’s skip it,” Tory said. “Security will be a pain. We can always come back.”

That’s when my ears perked.

Without flaring, I’d never have heard it. I was sure the others didn’t.

Swish. Hum. Swish.

The doors!

“Building One!” I hissed. “Somebody’s coming out!”





Running is not my thing.

Tory might exercise for fun, but not me. That’s what video games are for.

“Move it, Hi!” Ben hissed, then bolted after Shelton and Tory.

“Why?” I whisper-shouted. “We didn’t do anything! I’m comfortable giving up!” But the others were barreling for the hedge on the opposite side of Building One.

You’re flaring, you idiot! Haul ass!

“Not cool!” Fortunately, I can be quick when necessary.

Flaring, I could practically fly.

Head down, I booked past the front doors just as two figures emerged from inside. Kit. Hudson. Their heads turned as I zoomed by and out of sight.

My faster buddies were already hunkered behind the greenery.

“Keep going!” I didn’t slow, kept hauling full speed. “I think Hudson saw me!”

Shelton winced. “The last thing we need.”

Now in the lead, I sped past Shed Three, then zagged behind a row of dogwoods. The others piled in beside me.

“There’s no cover here,” Ben warned. “But the vehicle depot has a retaining wall. We can duck behind that.”

He and Tory sped forward in a blink. Wolf powers unleashed, they moved like smoke. Shelton followed on their heels. I watched the trail behind us. Somebody had to.

I heard sneakers on concrete. Knew they’d reached the hiding place.

“Moves like Jagger,” I whispered, then pounded after the others.

Behind me, my enhanced ears detected footfalls.

Frick!

Twenty yards. My objective lay dead ahead.

My shades flew as I vaulted the chest-high wall.

And landed on Ben.

“Ack.” He toppled backward with a thud. “Get off me, Double Stack!”