Wolf Born by Ann Gimpel Page B

governor. People have to go through extensive background checks. They’d never have even let a shifter run for office. He took his oath six months after the government decreed all of us needed to go to prison.”
    “I know what I know. You’ll trust me more as time goes by.”
    Audrey’s eyes felt heavy. She closed them, and an image of Max danced in the darkness. She started to lecture herself on how it would be really stupid to get involved with him but gave it up for a lost cause. She could have the strongest intentions in the world, but once he trained his incredible blue gaze on her, she didn’t think she’d have the strength to resist.
    She considered just taking personal time off to cover her last two weeks. She had more than enough hours accrued to cover it. If I did that, I could leave tomorrow night. She mapped out the possibility but ran into a major stumbling block.
    I couldn’t do that to Max. He needs me. At least this way, there’ll be time for Human Resources to find a temp I can train.

Chapter 9
    Max sat in the shielded upstairs study with Johannes picking over the remains of dinner. Johannes had been busy at the vid feed, so Max worked through e-mails and documents on his wrist computer while he ate.
    “It’s nearly time,” he said, glancing at an antique grandfather clock. “What are you up to over there?”
    Johannes looked up. The skin around his eyes was pinched with worry. “Take a few deep breaths, friend.”
    Max straightened from where he’d been slumped in his chair. “What?”
    “I hacked into Audrey’s personal vid feed, the one from her apartment.” Johannes dropped his gaze.
    Max launched himself from his chair and flew across the room. He grabbed Johannes’ arm and peered at the wall screen. “Tell me.”
    “The last couple of nights, she’s been digging up intel on the shifter underground.”
    “Not possible. You must be mistaken.”
    “Max.” Johannes pried his hand off his arm. “It’s all right there. Look.” He clicked a few keys, and the display flared to life.
    “Shit.” A dull, lead weight settled in Max’s chest as he studied the screen. She’d had to confine herself to non-sensitive links, but she’d done a fair job of sleuthing nonetheless.
    “You know what this probably means.” Johannes’ voice was gentle.
    Max nodded. “The timing is too close to be a coincidence. She’s probably not the one trying to kill me, but it’s likely she’s linked to them. Aw, shit.” He sank into a nearby chair and pounded its arm with a closed fist. “Goddammit.” He nursed his reddened fist.
    “There’s got to be some other explanation,” his wolf piped up.
    ”Like what?”
    “Something. If she were our enemy, I’d have sensed it.” He paused. “It’s breaking the rules, but I could talk with her wolf.”
    “No.” Johannes jumped into the conversation. He’d apparently figured out Max and his wolf were talking and had focused his magic to listen in. “We’re not compounding one wrong thing with a second.”
    Privately, Max thought it was a good idea. The world had turned upside down since shifters had developed the rules they lived by. Audrey’s animal could yield some important clues. He filed the notion for action later when Johannes wasn’t close enough to listen in.
    “Enough of this.” Max waved a hand at the wall screen. “Do what you need to so we can funnel into the meeting. It starts in three minutes.”
    * * * *
    It was closing on eleven when the meeting ended, and Johannes sent the vid feed into sleep mode. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes with his fingers.
    “I suppose it’s a relief we know who’s after me,” Max muttered. “What O’Hare said about me being a traitor finally makes sense. It’s also why the assailants knew about me.”
    Johannes grunted and sat upright. “Yes and no. I’m really pissed it’s our own people. And to find out there are seven loosely-affiliated splinter groups scattered