The Prisoner's Release and Other Stories by Kyell Gold Read Free Book Online Page B

had felt on top of Sasha’s, but Pike touched his lips with a finger.
    “ I’ll tell Tally I don’t want to do blow jobs for a couple days. Don’t worry, no permanent damage done.”
    “ I didn’t know we could do that.”
    “ You can’t. Age has its privileges.” Pike stood on tiptoes and touched noses. “It’s not as bad as it feels, kitty. Trust me. Okay?”
    “ Yeah.” Jonas stepped back. “Thanks.”
    The glow of morning was creeping into the sky, making it easier for him to get his bearings. He found his way back to the main road, and trudged back towards the Jackal’s Staff, turning his back on the dawn.
    He couldn’t escape the feeling that he was returning to jail. Having been given a taste of freedom, would he be able to tolerate his life for much longer? What he really needed was someone he could trust, someone he could devote himself to, and he didn’t think he would find that at the Staff. What choice did he have, though? Alexan was gone, and there was nobody else in his life he could trust.
    His paws slowed. Alexan hadn’t gone yet. The gates would be locked until dawn.
    Tally had given him the day off. He wouldn’t be expected to come in.
    If he were to be stuck at the Staff for years to come, at least he would not have passed up every chance to make a new life for himself. After a glance in the direction of the palace and the Jackal’s Staff, he turned and walked purposefully towards the rosy skies over the eastern gate.

Chapter 4
     
    Jonas beat the sun to the eastern gate by a few minutes. He hesitated at the back of the fifteen wagons waiting to leave, mounts asleep in their traces, the owners just stirring. Alexan would be near the rear of the pack if he’d been to the Staff the previous night. As stealthily as he could, Jonas investigated the rear wagons, but none of them held the smell of fox. Heart pounding, he padded through the darkness to the wagons closer to the front, and now that the owners were waking up, he could stroll by and see that only one contained a fox, and he was short and stocky, definitely not Alexan.
    Jonas had just walked past the next-to-last wagon when a heavy paw fell on his shoulder. He was not accustomed to looking up at anyone, but he had to raise his muzzle when he turned in order to meet the eyes of a large, muscular wolf guard.
    “ Looking for something?”
    “ A friend,” Jonas said.
    “ Right. Clear off.”
    Jonas twisted away from the guard’s hold. “Really, he’s supposed to leave today and I lost track of him…” He trailed off, realizing how improbable it sounded.
    The wolf stared down at him. “I suppose you wouldn’t mind waiting with me and the other guards over at the guard house to see if any of the drivers recognizes you.”
    “ No, not at all.”
    That surprised the guard. “Really?”
    “ Sure. I’ll help out if there’s anything I can do.”
    “ I’m sure you’d like that. No, we’re appointed by the King himself and you’re not. So there’d be nothing for you to do but stand there all day.”
    “ That’s fine.” Jonas started to walk towards the guard house.
    “ Hey.” The guard hurried to catch up with him. “Look, you can’t just stand at the guard house.”
    “ You told me I could.”
    “ I thought you were a thief!”
    “ Well, I’m not a thief.” Jonas folded his arms. “Will you help me find my friend?”
    The wolf looked at the guard house, then back at Jonas, his nose twitching. Jonas suspected that for the first time, the wolf was really taking his measure, and he leaned forward politely to return the scrutiny. The wolf was one of the largest he’d ever seen, and his scent was rough but clean. And also, Jonas noted, not the least bit aroused. He was sure the wolf could sense even the mild appreciation Jonas felt for his sturdy form and soft brown pelt.
    “ All right.” The wolf stepped in front of him and gruffly motioned him forward. “But only this one day.”
    “ That’s fine.”