Page 20 (1/2)

I keep hu when he&039;d had a bit too " But in e it to, "Speed, bonny wolf"

I don&039;t like boats Too slow We could have taken the helicopter that was on the island e arrived-we&039;d have found theparts if we&039;d searched-but we couldn&039;t have squeezed in all my olf buddies Besides, I don&039;t think Shark is in any fit state to play pilot Timas and Meera patched up the worst of his wounds, but he looks dozy and keeps drifting in and out of consciousness, slu ahen a wave hits the side of the boat

Shark&039;s with me and thirteen olves He&039;s covered in blood and smells like the juiciest steak in the world I need to stay beside him to keep the olves in line or they&039;d fall on him and finish the job their brethren started

Timas and Meera are in separate boats, a dozen olves to each Meera&039;s big-ti over her shoulder toup Ti captain He sings jaunty songs to his hairy, beers, and calls for them to join in the choruses Apart froto be a choir of olves any ti atconsciousness from his latest blackout "Like I&039;m lunch"

"Don&039;t worry," I tell him "They&039;ve already had lunch Dinner too You&039;ll be fine until supper"

"Funny guy," Shark pants, then passes out again

I check that Shark&039;s OK, then focus on Timas in the boat ahead of , that he&039;s read lots of books about navigation A while ago I ht have been worried, but I trust the oddball now If ere adrift in a snow storm in Alaska, I&039;d follow Tiuides us safely to dry land, and though we buh unscathed Unloading the olves, Tiht to An a We buckle Shark on to a trolley and roll him into the back of the vehicle His eyelids flutter open as we&039;re settling hiet up

"Easy," I say, pushing hi the straps around his chest

"I&039; with you to help Dervish"

"You&039;re in no condition to fight," I chuckle

"I don&039;t care I&039;ht you said you were going to retire e got off Wolf Island," Meera rerowls

"Well, think some more on the way to the hospital," she snaps and slams the door shut His curses turn the air blue until the driver switches the siren on and hits the accelerator

"I&039; on hi at ry," I reply, then wink at her alarmed expression

"You really believe you can control the trucks, which will take us to the nearest airport and a specially chartered plane

"Child&039;s play," I s as I usher in the olves, standing by in case I need him When the last door has been locked, he clears his throat "I should keep watch over Shark He&039;ll want to return to action as soon as he&039;s fit-probably before-and he&039;s going to need help I can do more for him than you"

"That&039;s fine" I shtly, aware that I could crack his fingers like twigs if I squeezed too hard "Thanks, Timas We wouldn&039;t have made it off the island without you"

"I know," he says, then turns to Meera "Tiood on that prorabs her and bends her backwards, supporting her with one ar up to her

Meera pretends to struggle, but then grins and treats him to a kiss that&039;s even hotter than Shark&039;s curses It&039;s an old-style ue action

"Break it up," I growl

The pair coasps

"Very," Meera agrees, and pecks his nose "To be continued," she purrs, then turns frorace of a model and sashays away

"See you soon," I mutter