Grounding Gracus (First Wave Book 6) by Mikayla Lane Page A

smiled. “I apologize, we were hoping to catch him. He’s been unexpectedly called back in for duty and we’re supposed to have him back pretty quick,” Grai lied, hoping the kind woman would tell them what they needed to know without much prodding.
    Blanche’s face fell. “Oh Grai! I’m sorry. I had my cousin drop him near Becca. You should have seen the look in his eye,” Blanche said with a sigh. “He’s in love with her.”
    Niklosi burst out laughing while Scaden punched him in the side to try and get him to shut up as Blanche looked at them strangely.
    Grai cleared his throat. “Becca? You mean little Becca Carson?” Grai asked, remembering the adorable little girl she had been and his promise to her grandfather.
    Blanche smiled and nodded her head. “That’s her. She turned into a real beauty since the last time you were here. Been running her grandpa’s business just as well as he ever did. That girl has the forest in her blood so your guy is in good hands,” Blanche said with a proud smile.
    Grai smiled back at her and nodded his head, he knew exactly what the young girl had in her blood. “You know what route she takes? We really need to find him,” Grai said, hoping that they could get to Gracus quickly.
    Blanche looked at Grai oddly. “Can’t you call your other guys and have them find him? They have to be closer.”
    Grai looked up sharply. “What other guys?” He asked, trying to sound casual.
    Blanche’s smile faltered at his tone of voice. “There were five of them. Came in about a week ago. They were all really big, dressed the same and kind of looked the same, so I just assumed they were some of yours,” Blanche said, wondering why Grai seemed so tense.
    Grai forced a smile and nodded his head. “It’s hard to keep up with them all. Everyone loves coming here for a break,” Grai said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
    Blanche heard Frank’s kitchen bell and headed off to go get their food. As soon as she left, Grai turned to the table, “I don’t have anyone here but Gracus.”
    “Oh damn,” Scaden said as he sucked in a sharp breath.
    “What would they be doing here?” Amun asked.
    Grai shook his head, unwilling to say anything else unless he had to. He pulled out his comm and sent a message to Traze as Blanche came back to the table with their food.
    Grai smiled at the kind woman. “Blanche, this smells wonderful! Thank you.” The others all politely muttered their thanks as well.
    Blanche beamed with happiness. “Now you guys eat up and I’ll get you a map of Becca’s usual route. You want me to call my cousin to drop you where he left Gracus?” Blanche asked with a smile.
    Grai shook his head. “Thank you Blanche, that won’t be necessary. Just the route. We have our own chopper on standby to get him anyway. You’re a wonderful woman and I can’t thank you and Frank enough for taking such good care of my guys,” Grai said, meaning it.
    The townsfolk here had always been wonderful to him and his people when they came here to use the cabin to rest or take a break from the endless missions. He hated to think that he might have put the humans in danger. But, he would take care of the threat now among them. And deal with little Becca Carson and Gracus.
    Blanche’s smile lit up her whole face and the men at the table couldn’t help but smile back at the lovely woman. “Nonsense, you know we love your guys. Now, you all eat up! I’ll go get that route for you,” Blanche said, before she turned and headed towards the kitchen.
    Grai looked around the table. “She’s right. Eat up. Our gear will be waiting for us in the transport. We’ll be picked up at the cabin.” Everyone nodded their heads before digging in to their food.
    “What the hell would they be doing here?” Scaden asked the table.
    Niklosi turned to Grai. “Would Dagog be after natural resources in the area?”
    Grai shook his head. “There isn’t anything here that can’t be found