Page 160 of Red Marked

I should be exhausted after studying half of last night. Instead, I’m bouncing on my toes. I’ll probably crash as soon as we get back.

After everything stalled, it finally feels like we’re actually going to do something constructive. This feels right. I know I only looked at a picture of Holt’s eyes in his dragon form, but the more I think about it, the more I’m sure it’s him. I recognized something of him. I’m sure of it.

I know it could be wishful thinking and that I shouldn’t get my hopes up. I look out over the black. The jungle looks quiet, and the only thing moving is a guard walking the far fence.

Rift is the first to arrive. She looks me up and down. “You look far too peppy for someone who took a hard-ass exam first thing this morning and then still worked the day shift.”

“It’s my first night flight.” I grin at her. “I’m excited. It feels good to be finally doing something.”

“You’d better be careful. It’s dangerous out there with a smaller team. I have a feeling Flint will be crazy protective over you.”

“Nah.” I shake my head. “I doubt that very much.”

Rift gives me a look.

Does she know something?

Surely not.

Flint has barely even looked at me.

I want to ask her what she meant when the males come through the door in a bunch. Brian jogs out behind them with the rifle bag over his shoulder and the dart case banging against his leg.

“Hi, Pearl,” he says. “You did great today. Congrats on passing your test on the first try. That’s impressive.”

“Thanks.”

He already said as much earlier today.

“So we’re going training.” He winks at me. “I’m glad you’re on the team.”

Flint comes in last and glares at Brian. The human’s eyes widen, and he scampers off.

Flint gives me the smallest of nods.

I nod back, but he has turned away, so he doesn’t see it.

“Bring it in, everyone. Come in close. I have something to say,” he says.

We bunch up around him. He watches the guard on the fence until the male turns the corner, and then he talks low and fast.

“On paper, this is night training with a trainee along. But, as you know, we’re actually going after a male called Holt. It’s the first male we caught and released, and we suspect he’s Star’s ex-boss.”

“Are we allowed to call Star, Star?” Brian asks. “I love that name. It suits you better than Pearl.”

“No…fuck! Can you give it a rest, Brian? Let’s stick with Pearl; otherwise, someone is bound to fuck it up.”

“Okay, okay,” Brian says.

“Holt, as in the big copper bastard?” Dane raises his brows.

“That’s him.” Flint nods.

Rift rubs her ribs. “He threw me into a tree.”

“He’s pretty big and a lot feral.” Flint tips his head at me. “But he may also have been Pearl’s boss at the vaccination clinic. If he is, he read the email that got twenty-four people dumped in this jungle, and he might know who sent it. We’re hoping that it’s him, and if it is, that there’s enough of him left to have a conversation.”

“Wow! That’s a biggie. Don’t get your hopes up.” Rift has pity in her eyes. “He was pretty mean.”