Gaby washed up, added light makeup and dressed in casual blue jeans and plaid shirt. Cricket had filled her closet with clothes. In no time, they made their way to Rylee’s.
Cricket opened the door.
Rylee smiled. “Come in. Cricket, you can stay.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Since you are Gaby’s handler, you must swear to keep what I’m about to tell you to yourself.”
“Yes, ma’am. You know I’m good on my word.”
“Not even Slade can know, understood?”
“Of course.”
“Word of her secret could mean her death.”
Cricket looked at Gaby as if trying to find the word “target” on her forehead. “Promise.”
“Sit, both of you.”
Gaby obeyed, trusting Rylee’s decision.
Rylee winked at Gaby and then turned to Cricket. “Gaby is a wolf-segen, also known as a wolf charmer.”
“Wait, what?” Cricket furrowed her brow. “I thought wolf-segens were hunted to extinction?”
Gaby muttered. “Apparently, they missed a few.”
She pointed a finger at her. “You can out us to humans?”
“Yes, I can see wolf auras, but I’ve vowed not to do so.” She pushed her sleeve up to display her marks.
“You can really command animals to do your bidding?” Cricket asked.
Gaby nodded. “With the exception of werewolves.” Unfortunately.
“No shit.” Cricket cocked her head. “You do have a calming effect, but I thought it was because you’re a nice person.”
Nice people didn’t command animals to kill. “Thanks.” Gaby squirmed while Cricket stared at her with the amazement of someone discovering a living fossil.
Rylee spoke. “Which is why she was taken as a child and forced to work for covert group.”
Cricket nodded. “I understand why we can’t tell anyone else.”
“Precisely. Besides you, only Lev and Lunara know.” Rylee turned on a large flat screen.
Gaby gaped. “Dr. Tomlin.”
“The new head of Project Sabertooth.”
“Do you know where he is?” asked Gaby. In the event of being discovered, they had alternative hidden facilities, however, she wasn’t privy to the locations.
“No, but our intel confirms the project resumed running at their new base.”
“Presumably with the Keep in their underground chimera lab.”
“No. The Keep distanced themselves from Project Sabertooth. They are in deep undercover mode since a whistleblower exposed the Keep’s chimera lab.”