Pack of secrets, p.17
Pack of Secrets, page 17
He had no right to look at her like that.
“Now that is quite interesting,” Catori said, sounding amused.
I spared her a glance before focusing back on the orb. Did the bastard have to hold her so tightly? Was he trying to crush her? The thin material of his T-shirt covered very little of her flesh, and it kept sliding up her thighs. Grace’s reaction when the witch told her to disrobe made it clear she did not like being exposed, and here her friend was, practically showing off her ass he carried her.
Catori’s words sunk in, and I dragged my attention away from the orb to figure out what she was talking about. “What is interesting?”
“You. I have never seen you so enthralled before. Not even with Fleur.”
I stiffened, feeling my blood pressure rise with my temper. “We do not mention that name in this house, Catori. Ever. And I am not enthralled. I am… keeping an eye on my enemy.”
“Hm.” Her gaze drifted back to the orb. “Grace and Mackiel seem close. Do you think they will become lovers?”
Her question dug in beneath my skin, but I relaxed my jaw enough to grind out, “Not my concern.”
“Are you certain? You seem bothered by the sight of them so… intimate.”
She was fishing for information, but I refused to take the bait. Stabbing a finger toward the orb, I replied, “They have the fucking chalice, Catori. That is bothering me.”
My guardian appeared unruffled. “I am aware of the situation with the artifact.”
“Then why would you ask such a ridiculous question?”
“Because there seems to be something else on your mind. Something a little more feminine.”
I squeezed the back of my neck, wincing at the tightness. “How can anything be on my mind with this constant goddamn buzzing? I cannot think straight.”
The sleeping concoction Catori had slipped me had knocked me out cold, providing a few hours of much-needed silence. But then the buzzing grew until it woke me and had only intensified since. It would continue to worsen until I once more had the artifact in my possession. Which would not happen until…
I froze as realization hit me. “It is no longer underground.”
“What?” Catori asked.
“The chalice. They left it on the rooftop, where it will remain until Grace picks it up in the morning. I can fly there right now and retrieve it.”
Grace would be back in the den long before I made it to Seattle, so she would be out of my reach, but at least I could retrieve the artifact and end this incessant buzzing before it drove me out of my mind. I could worry about questioning and killing the beast later.
“No,” Catori said, her tone brooking no argument.
Surprised, I stared at my guardian. “What? Why not?” It would take me no time at all to reach the city in dragon form. Through the orb, I had seen enough of the building’s surroundings to locate it. All I had to do was look for the unnatural shadows. “This is the perfect opportunity. I can reclaim the chalice and be back within hours.”
“You cannot let your judgment be compromised by your discomfort.”
Stung by the harsh rebuke, I snapped, “There is nothing wrong with my judgment.” Did she not trust me to make a single goddamn decision? “An unexpected opportunity has presented itself, and I would be a fool not to capitalize on it.”
“Nonsense. You would be a fool to rush in there and get yourself killed. You are not looking at the big picture.”
“Everyone you care for will betray you,” whispered a voice in the back of my mind.
Gritting my teeth against it, I shoved the concern away. I had long ago decided to trust Catori, and she had never steered me wrong. Blowing out a breath, I collapsed back in my chair and stared at the ceiling. If she was advising caution, I should at least hear her out. If her argument was unreasonable, I could take off for Seattle as soon as she finished talking.
“Enlighten me,” I said, spreading my hands out. “What am I missing?”
“Grace is onto us. Either your wolf is paranoid, or she has felt us watching her all day.”
“She is not my wolf,” I snapped, sitting up so I could glare at my guardian. “I only want two things from her: information and her death.” The words tasted like lies, but I spat them out anyway.
Catori blinked. “As I was saying, she should not be aware of our surveillance, but she is. She appears to have empathic abilities, which might explain why she can sense us. But it does not matter. If Grace can sense us, we must assume the witch can, as well. What if she left the chalice on that rooftop as a trap?”
“Then I will kill her.”
Catori stared at me, her expression incredulous.
I resisted the urge to squirm under her gaze. “What?” I asked. “I will.”
“Great Arborvitae, save me from the arrogance of youth.”
“I will kill her,” I repeated.
“Do I need to remind you that the Peace Council found traces of witch magic at the scene of your mother’s death?”
My mother had been away on business for the Peace Council, the group formed to end The Eradication, when she was murdered. The Council claimed ignorance as to the nature and attendees of the meeting, but they had provided Catori with a report that included their crime scene evaluation.
“Trust me, I have forgotten nothing about my mother’s murder,” I gritted out.
I was a child when she was taken from me, but I had wanted to hunt down her killer and avenge her. Unfortunately, being away from the chalice for any length of time had been out of the question. Mom had secured the box with fire and magic, and since I could not open the box, I was confined to the estate while her murderer walked free. The Council had launched an investigation, but it was nothing more than a formality so they could pretend they took care of their own.
“Your mother was both powerful and wise, yet she fell. Sereana is unpredictable, child. Do not underestimate her.”
“Mackiel,” a male voice said in the orb.
I looked up to see another shifter nod a greeting to the wolf. A sentry, perhaps. They were back underground, and Mackiel still carried an unconscious Grace. I considered Catori’s warning as the wolf adjusted her weight before ducking into a tunnel.
“Besides,” Catori continued, “I am not certain you could even touch the chalice.”
That got my attention. My gaze swiveled back to her. Her attention was on the scene in the orb. “What do you mean?” I asked.
“Did you not see the way the witch reacted? She reacted out of fear, and you cannot for a moment believe the lie she told Grace.”
No, it was clear the witch had lied. I had spent more time around the artifact than anyone, and it had not even allowed me to lay eyes on it. “But I am the chalice’s guardian. It is my curse.”
Catori inclined her head. “Are you not curious why the box never opened for you?”
I wasn’t curious; I was enraged. I had tried everything I could think of to get that damn box to open. Magic, pry bars, fire, ice, swords, maces, hammers, nothing had even made a dent. In moments, the little wolf managed to do what had eluded me for years.
As time passed and I accepted the box would not open, I built up my tolerance to the curse. Once a month, I would fly until the buzzing started, and then I would see how long I could stay away. Although my threshold had increased, I had never made it past five days.
“It does not matter why the box opened for her,” I replied. “I have to get the chalice back.”
I felt Catori’s gaze burning a hole into the side of my head, but I refused to look at her. Instead, I watched Mackiel open a door and awkwardly carry Grace through. I recognized her house as he passed the bar and entered her room, bending to deposit her on the bed. Once she was settled, he pulled a thin, worn blanket over her and knelt on the floor beside her.
“Oh, Chipmunk,” he murmured, shaking his head fondly. “What have you gotten yourself into?”
She did not stir.
“Doesn’t matter. You’ve always had my back, and now I got yours. I’ll protect you. I promise.” He swept a lock of hair away from her face and then bent to kiss her forehead.
“You are growling again, Arioch,” Catori said.
I snapped my mouth closed.
Mackiel stood, set Grace’s backpack beside her bed, and walked out.
“Have you considered the possibility that she is a pawn in all of this? Like you?” Catori asked.
“I am no pawn,” I snapped, offended that she would even suggest such a role for me. Dragons were not pawns. We flew above the chessboard, ready to swoop down and gobble up the chessmen as they fought amongst each other.
“Oh?” Her eyebrows shot up. “Please remind me what you did to deserve this curse.” When I neglected to answer, she continued, “Would you prefer the term victim?”
“Would you prefer to be a block of ice?”
She eyed me. “I will let your impertinence slide because you are distraught.”
I set my elbows on the desktop and dropped my head into my hands. “A beast can still be a pawn.”
“Indeed.”
The directions Grace had uttered under the witch’s spell tugged at my thoughts. “Look past the old land out to the sea and find the island of paradise, gifted by God but seized from sinful man. Follow the canyon of stone that burns to lime. There, you will find what you seek at the heart of life birthed from the blood of two brothers.” I quoted. “Do you know what that means?”
Catori turned her gaze on the sleeping female. “No, but we do not need to know. The girl will be going with them, and they will have to reveal their destination sooner or later. When they do, you will follow. You have always wanted to travel, Arioch. Here is your chance.”
“Once I retrieve the chalice, then question and slay the beast, I will be able to travel all I want.”
“Careful, child. Do not become a beast yourself in order to slay one. Vengeance always requires a price. Make sure you are willing to pay it.” A shiver passed over my skin as her warning resonated. “Go get some rest.”
“I do not require rest; I require the artifact.”
“Then go brood elsewhere. I need a break from your presence. I will watch her and alert you the moment your wolf awakes.”
“She is not my wolf, Catori.”
My guardian sighed. “So you say.”
Grace
I woke up a failure.
The instant my eyes opened, the events of last night crashed into me. I’d drunk from the chalice, and then… nothing. Focusing internally, I could feel my wolf, but she was still locked away. I hadn’t released her.
It was over.
Time to accept that I’d never be a real shifter. Despair crippled my will to get up, and I rolled over, pulling the blanket over my head. My nose twitched as it registered that something was off. I smelled like Mackiel. Flinging off the covers, I sat up and looked down at myself. I was wearing his shirt. What had happened after I’d drunk from the chalice? I couldn’t remember anything.
“Mornin’, sleepy head,” Mackiel said. My gaze sprung to my doorway to find my friend dressed in a different T-shirt and sweats and smiling down at me. “I was about to pounce on that bed and wake you up.”
His cheerful demeanor only made me feel worse. “I didn’t shift,” I groaned. Heat stung the backs of my eyes, but I blinked it away. Tears had never fixed anything, and they’d do nothing to improve my situation. I was never going to shift, and I needed to accept that reality. Resigned, I collapsed back on the bed.
“No, you didn’t shift.” Mackiel’s voice was softer now. “But it’s not all bad.”
“I failed. I don’t see how it can get any worse.”
“There’s still hope.” He stalked forward, pausing at the foot of my bed. “Apparently, the chalice demands a payment. It… I don’t know, possessed you last night, and you rattled off some riddle about where to find what it wants. Sereana decoded the riddle, and you, me, Rust, and the alpha will be heading to an island in the Middle East in about a half-hour. I brought you breakfast, and you need to get up, pack, and get ready to go.”
I sat back up and frowned at him. He’d provided a good deal of information, and I was still half asleep. “Wait. What? The Middle East? How are we getting there? Are we… flying? In an airplane?” I’d read about those, but I’d never seen one. I wasn’t even sure they still existed.
“No. The alpha said we’re taking a portal.”
I had to still be dreaming because nothing my friend said made sense. “As in teleporting? Like in a science fiction or fantasy novel?”
He chuckled. “I’m pretty sure they intend for us to teleport in real life, but I could be wrong.”
“I have so many questions.”
“Same, so don’t direct them at me. I’m here to get your ass up and out the door so we can meet the others at the bikes. If you want answers, try the alpha.”
I stood and remembered I wore nothing but Mackiel’s T-shirt. It was so big it almost reached my knees, but the thin cotton material made me feel exposed, which was weird since my friend had seen me naked last night.
“Did you dress me?” I asked, heading for my dresser.
“Yeah.” The slightest hint of pink colored his cheeks. “Sorry. I had to. You were out cold. Most everyone was out on the run, but a few security guards were still roaming around, and I didn’t think you’d want them to see you naked.”
He was right, awkward naked moment or not, and I was touched by his thoughtfulness. Selecting clothes from my drawers, I said, “Thank you.”
“Of course. I’ll step out so you can change.”
Mackiel left, closing my bedroom door behind him, and I shucked his shirt, dressing in my usual dark tactical pants and T-shirt. Stuffing my daggers into the sewn-in thigh holsters of my pants, I straightened and opened the door. Mackiel stood by the bar where a plate of food waited. The scent and sight of biscuits and sausage gravy made me ravenous.
“Did the alpha say how many days I’d need to pack for?” I asked, darting to the food.
“No. He said pack light, we’ll be moving quickly. Might want to bring your bedroll. I’m sure we’ll be camping, and I don’t know how comfortable the desert ground will be.”
Reaching my breakfast, I shoveled food into my mouth and let my mind wander free. We would be teleporting to the Middle East. The prospect of going somewhere new and exciting was insane enough, but the reason behind our travels… I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. Swallowing, I said, “We’re going to this island on the other side of the world to retrieve something for the chalice so it will release my wolf?”
“Yeah.” Mackiel grinned, showing off his dimple. “Crazy, right?”
Crazy didn’t begin to describe the plan. “But we don’t know what all’s out there. Is this island even in Terra Fera? Or will we have to go into a Mondeine territory?”
My friend shrugged. “No clue.”
“All to free my wolf.” That was the part I had the most trouble with. I knew Dad would go to the ends of the earth for the pack, but for me…? I hadn’t seen that coming. I took another bite, chewed, and swallowed. “How are you doing with all this?”
“I’m fine, Chip. In fact, I feel better than I have in years. I forgot how good it feels to be around you.”
Because I eased his sadness. He may not realize why he felt better around me, but I knew the reason. No point in reading more into it. With all this focus on releasing my wolf, I’d slacked in my duties and felt a tad bit guilty. Opening my other sight, I reached for my friend’s darkness and started soothing it. “But you just got home. Your family—”
“Will be fine for a few more days without me.” He stepped closer, his face lighting up. “We used to always talk about getting out of the rain and gloom of Seattle and seeing the world. I never thought it would happen, but this is… legit. There is no way in hell I’d let you go without me.”
Sliding another dark thread from the knot of sorrow inside him, I soothed and released it to settle against his tapestry before finishing off the last of my breakfast. Then, I stood and hugged him. “Thank you. For everything.” I withdrew from his spirit. I wanted to unravel more of his sadness, but I was still tired from last night and needed to get ready.
He patted my back and held me close. “My pleasure.”
A knock sounded on the front door.
“I’ll get it,” Mackiel said. “Go pack.”
I hurried into my bedroom and grabbed my backpack. Sereana had supplied me with containers filled with my most frequently used herbs. I refilled the labeled baggies in my pack before checking my other necessities. Lockpicks, check. Rope, check. Canteen, check. Tali’s voice drifted from the living room. Assuming she was here to say goodbye to her brother, I kept at my task, adding clothes to my bag. Finished, I turned to head out and found the girl standing in my doorway.
“Hi Grace,” she said, her big brown eyes bright and her hair messy. “Mom and Dad said you and Mackiel are leaving today, so I wanted to stop by and say goodbye.”
Guilt tugged at me. “I’m sorry to be taking him away right after he got home.”
The knowing look Tali gave me didn’t belong on someone so young. “We know how the pack works. You’re not responsible.”
“Tali,” Mackiel said, her name a warning to watch her words and tone.
“I didn’t even say anything bad.” The girl rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I wanted to give you this.” She held out a small brown and white paw toward me.
“Your lucky rabbit’s foot?” I asked, eyeing the gift Mackiel and I had given Tali for her fifth birthday. We’d found it in a surface store during one of our clandestine adventures. Mackiel hadn’t wanted to give it to his little sister because he was afraid someone would see it and she’d rat us out. I had more faith in the girl. Even then, I knew she was stronger and more intelligent than anyone gave her credit for. “But that’s to keep you safe and protected.”
