Coyote narrowed his gaze on the huge bear of a man who dared to enter his den with such unwelcome news. And there was only one who would be so bold. Snake was a full head taller, which given the fact that Coyote was six feet two was impressive. While his own hair was short and black, Snake's was shaved bald and an intricate snake tattoo started at where his hairline would be on top of his head. It coiled down his neck and both of his beefy arms into a symbolic pattern that only one of their people could read. To most, Snake would appear like a criminal. But Coyote knew him for what he really was.
An ancient warrior who, like him, had lain dormant for far too long. Who would have thought when they agreed to their duties centuries ago that they, who had once made the very earth tremble in fear of their strength and skill, would be relegated to a role that was only one step above nursemaid?
"Did you hear me, Coyote?"
He gave a subtle nod. "They've grown fat and lazy. Unable to hunt. I weep for what has become of our people." Most of all, he wept for what had become of them.
"With Choo Co La Tah weakened, we'll have better luck after this."
He wished he were so optimistic. Choo Co La Tah had turned back his scorpions faster than he'd expected. But it'd drained the old man. With luck, his next plague would weaken him enough that they could kill him, too.
With Choo Co La Tah out of the way, there would be no stopping them.
He could almost smile at the unexpected gift the human had given them. He'd hoped she would kill Renegade and Brady. Taking out his other enemy was a bonus.
It'd been centuries since he stood this close to his goal. So close, he feel the breath of it on his face.
But nothing was certain. Nothing should ever be taken for granted.
And never, ever underestimate Choo Co La Tah. Even though he and Snake outnumbered the old man, they still had the problem that while Coyote was the Guardian for the East, he'd only obtained it by trickery.
It wasn't his right.
The legitimate Guardian still lived, even though it was as a Dark-Hunter and so long as he did, there was always the possibility that he'd step forward to claim his station and kill Coyote where he stood.
I would gladly step down. But the true Guardian had made it clear that he wouldn't allow it. Not at the price Coyote demanded.
Snake looked up at the sky above them. "The cycle is drawing close."
At last. He didn't say it. He didn't have to. They'd both been waiting for the Time Untime for far too long.
If the Butterfly and the Buffalo were to unite during the Time Untime, he and Snake would be destroyed. And all the Guardians replaced by those they chose.
But if he could stop it, he could rise on the eve of the Reset, and then he would have the power to select the new Guardians himself. With them under his control, they could unite their powers and return the world to their people. The Pale One would be defeated for once and for all.
The reign of the Coyote would be absolute. Uncontested.
Their enemies would be driven back into the sea.
And the elders and earth would weep for the wrong it had done to him. Blood would rain from the skies, and the Coyote would eat the sun and cover this earth with his vengeance.
He could already savor the taste. Soon this world would be his, and with his raised army, he would subjugate everyone.
The one thing he wanted most would then be his. No one would ever remove it again from his possession.
All he had to do was destroy one more Guardian.
So simple ...
So damned hard.
But he wouldn't fail this time. This time, he would succeed and the world of man would finally understand what true misery meant.
The Reign of Coyote was about to begin, and the world would never be the same.
"You know, Jess. If something breaks in and eats me while you're gone, you're going to feel real bad about it. You've seen the movies. Read the books. You know it happens. Sidekick and girlfriend always get kidnapped, snuffed, or usually both by the bad guys after the good ones."
Jess rubbed his brow, trying to soothe the migraine Andy was causing. Not that Dark-Hunters could get migraines, but the boy was definitely putting that theory to the test.