Fang of Silence

The Merchant's Compound

The trading post sat at the valley's eastern edge.

Kael watched it from the treeline. Two-story building. Stone foundation. Wooden walls. A fence of sharpened stakes surrounded the perimeter. Humans moved inside. Armed. Watchful.

Gareth Vane's operation.

Kael had been watching for an hour. He counted six guards. Three at the gate. Two on the roof. One patrolling the fence line. All carried rifles. Silver ammunition. He could smell it from here.

He needed to get inside.

Mira had given him a cover story. A rogue wolf looking for work. Desperate. Willing to do anything. The Consortium needed wolves. Wolves who knew pack territory. Wolves who could guide human hunters through the valley.

Kael was the perfect candidate.

He stepped out of the treeline. His hands were up. His knife was visible at his belt. He walked slowly toward the gate.

The guards saw him immediately. Rifles raised. Voices shouted.

"Stop. Identify yourself."

Kael stopped. His voice was calm. "I'm looking for work. I was told Gareth Vane pays well."

The guards looked at each other. One of them walked closer. He was tall. Broad-shouldered. Human. His eyes scanned Kael's wounded arm.

"You're a wolf."

"I was. I'm rogue now."

"Why?"

"Framed for murder. The pack is hunting me."

The guard's eyes narrowed. "Why would Vane want a rogue wolf?"

"Because I know the valley. I know the pack's patrol routes. Their supply caches. Their weaknesses."

The guard was silent for a long moment. Then he turned and walked to the gate. He spoke to someone inside.

Kael waited. His arm throbbed. The temporary cure was wearing off. He had maybe five days left before the silver reached his heart.

The gate opened.

A human stepped out. Middle-aged. Clean-shaven. Expensive coat. Cold eyes.

Gareth Vane.

"You're the wolf," Vane said. His voice was smooth. Professional.

"I am."

"Who framed you?"

"A healer. Mira Dane. She set me up for murder."

Vane's face did not change. But something flickered in his eyes. Recognition.

"Mira Dane," Vane repeated. "I've heard of her. She's been causing trouble for months."

"She's the reason I'm here."

Vane studied Kael. His eyes moved to the wounded arm. To the knife. To the bloodstains on his clothes.

"You're wounded. Silver?"

"Yes."

"By pack wolves?"

"Yes."

Vane nodded slowly. "So you've been betrayed by your pack. Hunted by your own kind. And now you're here, offering me information."

"I'm offering you a deal. I give you the pack's secrets. You give me protection. And a way out of the valley."

Vane smiled. It was not a warm smile. "And what makes you think I'd trust a wolf who betrayed his own pack?"

Kael met his eyes. "Because I didn't betray them. They betrayed me. And I want revenge."

The silence stretched. Vane watched him. Kael did not look away.

Finally, Vane nodded. "Come inside. We'll talk."

The trading post was larger inside than it looked from outside. Crates of supplies lined the walls. Weapons. Food. Medicine. Human goods traded for silver.

Vane led Kael to a back office. The room was clean. Organized. A desk. Chairs. A map of the valley on the wall.

"Sit," Vane said.

Kael sat. He did not let his guard down.

Vane sat across from him. He folded his hands on the desk. "Tell me about the pack. The Broken Claw. What's their current strength?"

Kael had expected this. Mira had prepared him. He gave Vane partial truths. Enough to be useful. Not enough to be deadly.

"Fifty-three wolves," Kael said. "Fifteen fighters. The rest are runners, hunters, support staff. The Alpha is weak. He relies on his council for decisions."

Vane nodded. "And the patrol schedule?"

"I know the rotation. I can write it out."

"Do it."

Kael took the paper Vane offered. He wrote the schedule. The real one. The one Theron had written. The one that had gotten him ambushed.

Vane studied the paper. His eyes moved quickly. He nodded.

"This is useful," Vane said. "Very useful."

"I told you I could help."

Vane set the paper down. He leaned back. "There's something else. Something I need from you."

"What?"

"A name. A wolf inside the pack who's willing to work with us. Someone with access. Someone who can feed us information long-term."

Kael's heart stopped. This was it. The name Mira had been looking for. The traitor's contact.

"I don't know anyone," Kael said.

Vane smiled. "You're lying."

"I'm not."

"You are. I can see it in your eyes. You know someone. And you're not going to tell me until you get something in return."

Kael was silent.

"I'll make you a deal," Vane said. "You give me the name. I give you a full cure for the silver poison. And safe passage out of the valley."

Kael stared at him. A full cure. Freedom. Everything he needed.

But he didn't have a name. He didn't know the traitor.

Unless he gave Vane Mira's name.

He could do it. He could betray her. She had framed him. She had poisoned him. She deserved it.

But if he gave up Mira, he'd lose his only lead. His only chance to clear his name.

And Vane might not honor the deal anyway.

"I need time," Kael said. "Time to think."

Vane's eyes narrowed. "You have until midnight. Then I'll assume you're lying. And I'll give you to the pack."

Kael stood. His hand was on his knife. "I'll have your answer."

He walked to the door. He could feel Vane's eyes on his back.

Outside, the sun was setting. The valley was turning dark.

He had until midnight. And no idea what to do.

You're trapped in the human compound. Vane wants a name. You don't have one. Do you betray Mira to buy time, or do you find another way to get the information you need?