Eyes on the Pride (Awakening Pride Book 8) by Lacey Thorn Page A

the call,” Darby vowed. She prayed they’d be in time to help the person who needed them.

 
     
    Chapter Ten
     
     
    Darby left a message on the machine that picked up, followed by her number then the number Tah had given her. There was nothing further she could do until she heard back from someone within the network.
    Tah walked them to the lab. Darby thought part of the reason was because he thought she might get an immediate call back. She’d tried to tell him and Abby it would be at minimum of twenty-four hours before she heard anything, but most likely, it would be after the person who received her message contacted another watcher to step in.
    Tah was adamant he know what was going on, citing that if it turned out the MQJ was Miles Jensen’s daughter, she was part of their extended family. That Isaac Erikson was involved in the woman’s situation appeared to play a role, as well. Apparently, the pride had made it their mission to decipher the cryptic papers Isaac had left behind and correct whatever he’d done. Darby had a feeling if this turned out to be Quinn, as the pride referred to her, she would be just the beginning of them learning the extent of what Isaac Erikson had put into place.
    “These are the new arrivals then.” A short man with a crop of unruly, white hair seemed to fly across the room to them. Darby knew he had to be the professor. He approached Calloway first, poking his stomach, palpitating his neck then tugging his upper lip until Calloway snarled at him, canines flashing as he stepped back. The older man laughed. “Prickly lot you shifters are.”
    Tah sighed. “This is Professor Mueller. I should have warned you about his habit of annoying people.”
    “Research, Tah. I can’t treat what I don’t know.”
    “I’m not sick,” Calloway rumbled.
    “But you’ve been injected with drugs, and Gideon mentioned that worried you. Sit.” He pointed to a stool. “We’ll take some blood, run some tests and see what’s what. Cougar right?”
    Calloway nodded and took a seat on the proffered stool.
    “And you’re the watcher.” White, bushy brows lifted as he skimmed his avid gaze over Darby before focusing on Calloway once more. She watched as he prepped her mate’s arm then slid a needle in. “I’ve got journals you’ll want, but only when the time is right.”
    “Journals! Where? How?”
    He waved his hand as he removed a filled vial from the needle in Calloway’s arm and inserted another. “Picked them up here and there when I came across them. Interesting reading. I imagine more so for you.” He went about changing vials again then set everything aside, tossing the used needle in a bin and turning fully to her. “Up you go,” he said to Calloway, who stood quickly and moved aside. “Now, it’s your turn.”
    He motioned for her to take the stool Calloway had been sitting on and went about pulling out fresh supplies.
    “So whose journals do you have?” she asked as he poked her and began filling tubes with her blood.
    “Mmm, different people,” he answered, his attention clearly focused on what he was doing.
    “Is something wrong?” Darby asked as he seemed to visually analyze her blood.
    “As much writing as you all do, I expected you to bleed ink,” he murmured.
    Her eyes widened until he glanced at her again and she noted the twinkle in his gaze. Tah laughed.
    “Open,” the professor demanded, and she responded without thought. He swiped a huge swab in her mouth, running it over her inner cheek.
    “What’s that for?” she asked as he turned and handed Calloway another swab, gesturing for him to do the same to himself.
    “He’s bitten you.” He nodded toward the mark just visible at the collar of her shirt. “Changes seem to begin with the introduction of their saliva into your bloodstream. Have you noticed any differences from how you were before?”
    She nodded. “My hearing’s better. Actually, all my senses are increasing.”
    “Good,