“What do you see, Gabby?” Winifred said.
We walked together in a cluster—the same arrangement we used for practices—toward our vehicles that we’d parked several blocks away.
“Mass movement in their facility to the north. So many are fleeing it. I see Olivia’s spark moving too.”
“Keep an eye on her,” Bethi said.
Gabby nodded.
“So what now?” I asked.
“We wait and see where they take Olivia and go after her,” Bethi said. “She’s the last of us.”
“And when we find her?”
We entered the parking garage, and my last word echoed around us.
“The Taupe Lady has been a little vague on that part.”
The who?
“But I’m still having dreams and learning. By the time we find Olivia, I hope I’ll know more.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. It was a huge maybe. I could see Bethi didn’t like it, either.
“For now, I think it’s safe to head back to the apartments,” Charlene said.
Carlos and I went to the car. This time Grey and Jim joined us. As soon as Jim settled into the front seat, he turned to Grey.
“Think we can stop somewhere to eat? Our fridge is cleaned out.”
If their food supply had been like ours, I didn’t see how that was possible.
“Where do you put it all?” I said.
“In my stomach.” He winked at me, which earned the bottom of his seat a nudge from Carlos.
“Nice bruise, by the way,” Jim said, studying my face. “What’s the other guy look like?”
“He’s still breathing,” I said.
Jim grinned then faced forward.
Grey pulled out of the parking garage, stopping to pay before joining the slow stream of traffic.
“Gabby says Olivia is moving,” Grey said. “She thinks a car maybe.”
“What direction?”
“So far, north.”
I nodded and hoped we wouldn’t need to follow her north. It was cold enough here.
Grey turned a familiar corner and pulled toward the garage door. The security guard opened the door and waited while our three vehicles drove in.
The security guard’s gaze stayed on Winifred as she got out. Because of the robe she was wearing, she showed quite a bit of leg in the process.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” the older man said, looking at her.
I grinned at his emotion and waved everyone to keep moving.
“We’ll see you upstairs, Winifred,” I said.
Sam frowned at me and lingered enough that he walked beside me.
The guard watched us leave, making no move to say anything more to Winifred.
“Why are we just leaving her?” Sam asked as he stepped into the stairwell.
The door shut behind us, and I turned to peek out the narrow security window. The guard was slowly walking toward Winifred.
“Because he’s sweet on her. And worried that she’s walking around in a robe,” I said quietly.
“Sweet?” Sam said.
I glanced at him when I felt his unease.
“As Elders we can’t—”
“Hush. Every woman wants to know she’s pretty. Winifred just exposed herself on national TV. Let her have this moment.”
I watched the man speak, though I couldn’t hear what he said. Winifred blushed, smiled, said a few words to the man, and left him with a small wave. She caught me grinning at her through the door.
“Time to go,” I said.
When I spun around, ready to sprint up the stairs, I almost took out Carlos. He moved aside and followed me up.
It was a relief when he closed our apartment door behind us.
“Well, that was an exciting morning. What should we do this afternoon to top it?”
“Rest,” Carlos said.
I wrinkled my nose and walked toward the fridge.
“Boring. What are you going to make me for lunch?”
“What would you like?” he asked from just behind me.
Since leaving the building that morning, I’d felt very little from him through our connection. Now, however, it surged forward. His complete devotion wrapped me in a mental blanket.
“What are my options?”
His hands settled on my shoulders.
“Burgers, pizza, cereal?”
I grinned and slowly turned. His gaze found and held mine.
“You speak my language,” I said.
He gently touched my face.
“How long will it take for this to fade?”
I shrugged.
“I dunno. A week. Maybe a bit more. Why?”
“Because I want to kiss you.”
My pulse leapt.
“So kiss me.”
He shook his head slowly.
“I won’t hurt you.”
I put on a fake pout, and he swatted my butt.
“Hey,” I said. “What happened to not hurting me?”
“Go sit, and I’ll cook for you.”
I went to the couch and turned on the TV. A news feed ran on the bottom.
“Check this out,” I said as I read it.
Carlos closed the refrigerator and came to stand beside me.
Live air interruption causes widespread speculation. Are werewolves real? Tune in at 10.
“Well, we seem to have gotten the attention Bethi wanted,” I said, lifting the remote to check other stations. Similar messages displayed on several of the channels. One mentioned Blake by name and had a phone number for anyone to call with his whereabouts.
Carlos drifted away from me. While I continued to watch the coverage, he made burgers.
“Crap,” I said when one of the stations cut over from the regular programming with images of Carlos hitting one of the Urbat in the head. The angle was from behind the Urbat so the camera caught me too. Full face.
Carlos came to stand by me again. We watched the replay together as the men fell to their knees, and Carlos knocked them both out. The screen changed to close ups of both of our faces.
“Well, the good news is that I’m barely recognizable thanks to the bruise and swelling.”
“Grey and Winifred are coming to watch.”
A second later, the door opened. I kept my eyes glued to the TV. Someone had obviously gone through the security footage. In addition to the close ups of Carlos and me, there were grainy images of Gabby, Luke, and Sam. Clay was fairly ambiguous because of his hair, and Bethi often walked with her head down. Somehow, each image only managed to catch the back of Grey’s head, and he consistently blocked any clear image of Charlene.
Well, that’s convenient for her, I thought.
“Perhaps we should leave New York,” Winifred said.
“We don’t know where we’d be going yet,” I said. “I think we should hole up, let this blow over a little bit, and give Gabby a chance to figure out where Olivia is headed and Bethi a chance to dream some answers.”
“I think Isabelle is right,” Grey said. “We are safer here than driving around out there.”
Winifred sighed heavily and nodded.
“Reach out to everyone, Grey, and let them know of the aftermath of what we’ve done. We need to keep our people safe.”
He nodded as she stood and walked toward the door.
“I’ll speak with Bethi and see if she has any guesses where we might go from here if she doesn’t receive any new information from her dreams.”
Grey ate burgers with us as we continued to watch the news stream. When he finished, he left to check on the others. I didn’t move from the couch.
Reporters took to the streets, asking random people what they thought of the day’s revelation. Some were still unaware and showed their shock. Many claimed it was a hoax, as I’d anticipated. That, in turn, led to several very detailed analyses done by “experts” on the live footage of Winifred shifting.
“How detailed can this report be if it was done in just a few hours?” I said under my breath as I listened to the current analyst claiming Winifred’s change to be a hoax.
I wanted to applaud the news anchor when she asked, “If this is a hoax, why then is there a large scale search being done for Blake Torrin, the named Urbat leader?”
They continued their debate for several minutes before the station cut to commercials.
“This is kind of fun,” I said, standing to get myself a glass of water. “Who would have thought mere minutes of air time could turn into hours of speculation? Do you want something to drink?”
“No, thank you.”
I went to the cupboard, grabbed a glass, and filled it at the faucet.
“You haven’t said what you think of everything,” I said, turning off the water. I took a drink as I turned and almost spit water all over Carlos.
I swallowed quickly and scowled at him.
“You’ve got to stomp when you move around. You’re going to kill me with this sneaking.”
“I like surprising you.”
“Really. Why is that?”
“The surge of adrenaline,” he inhaled deeply, “changes your scent.”
“Um, I’m guessing in a good way?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. Well, you’re just going to have to find a different way to make your sniffer happy because scaring the daylights out of me for the rest of our lives isn’t going to cut it.”
He stole my glass and took a drink before handing it back.
“The rest of our lives. I like the sound of that.”
“Of course you do,” I said, moving away from him. “Because you like how I smell.”
“And move,” he said.
I exaggerated my walk and heard him make a small, pained noise.
“Come on, big guy. Let’s snuggle.”
He made it to the couch before I did.
Barely containing my smile, I curled up against his side and laid my head on his shoulder. We watched the news like that for almost an hour. Most of our faces were displayed, but our poster child remained Winifred.
“What’s everyone else saying about all of this?”
Carlos was quiet a moment before he answered.
“Bethi is freaking out. Grey’s words, not mine. Gabby is quietly watching the Urbat movement, which appears uncoordinated, and Michelle is on the phone with her lawyer, seeing what she can do to help Bethi.”
“Why’s Michelle trying to help Bethi? They didn’t get a good image of her.”
“Bethi’s mom recognized her and called the station. Bethi can’t reach her mom, now.”
My heart went out to Bethi.
“Let’s have them over for dinner. We can order takeout. Pizza.”
Carlos nodded.
A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door.
Carlos had just stood to answer it when it burst inward. A sobbing Bethi flew toward me.
I caught her in my arms and held her tight, pulling away the worst of her emotions until she breathed normally again.
“You can hit me all night long,” Luke said. “Thank you.” His hair stood out in disarray like he’d been running his hands through it in frustration for the last hour.
“No problem,” I said over Bethi’s head. I tried to ease away from her hug. “Hey, what do we want on our pizzas?”
“Valium,” Bethi said. “Lots of it.”
“Michelle has the connections to help find your mum,” Luke said. “Trust her.”
Bethi nodded despondently.
“Could you manage to hug me for a while?” he said, still watching her.
Her lips twitched, and she finally loosened her hold on me. My skin felt tight and my stomach full, as if I’d just eaten.
Carlos and I looked at each other as the other two went to sit at the breakfast bar and find pizza places in the phonebook.
“Want to go for a quick run?” he asked.
“Can we?”
“We don’t have a choice, do we?”
I shook my head.
Bethi looked up from the phonebook as I grabbed my jacket.
“I’m sorry, Isabelle.”
“Nah, don’t be. I’ll get rid of this, then come back for seconds in a bit.”
She gave me a weak smile.
“And I like extra cheese on my pizza. None of that deep dish crap, though. I want the toppings to overpower the dough.” I slipped on my shoes as I spoke.
“Got it,” she said.
* * * *
Carlos and I ran for a long while. My breath gusted out under the streetlights. We wove our way through the streets, sticking to the nicer neighborhoods. Whenever I found a quiet spot, I pushed out some of the emotion I carried. We kept moving until a bakery’s display window had me slowing.
“Something catch your eye?” Carlos said.
I nodded and pointed, unable to speak normally.
He glanced at the decadent chocolate mousse tuxedo cake decorated with artistic dark and white chocolate shavings and drizzle.
When his gaze returned to me, I felt his love and his need to make me happy.
“All right. Let’s go in.”
“I’ll stay out here. My face was on TV more than yours, and with the bruise, I’m hard to miss.”
“Stay put.”
“Bring me cake, and I will.”
He nodded and stepped inside. Through the glass, I watched him approach the counter. I stepped back and turned away as he pointed to the cake in the window. The woman looked down at the register as she said something to him. Carlos frowned and said something back. Too bad I couldn’t read lips.
A sliver of frustration poked my mind. It wasn’t my own. What could possibly frustrate Carlos?
He turned, without my cake in hand, and walked back out the door.
“Um, you’re missing something pretty important, buddy.”
“They take orders for their cakes. They don’t have any premade.”
“That’s bull.”
More frustration crept in, and I realized just how much he’d wanted to get me that cake.
“It’s all right. Cake’s overrated. I would have ended up splitting my new stretchy jeans.”
Disappointment filed in with the frustration.
“You’re just a barrel of emotions tonight,” I said, stepping close to him and wrapping my arms around his waist. “What else can we throw in there? I know. How about some anticipation? You can chase me again.”
“No.”
I’d hoped he’d say yes.
“Why not? Now that I bit you, I’m not a challenge? It’s no fun anymore?”
“Oh, it’d be fun.” He leaned forward and gently kissed my cheek. “But I don’t want to risk any more damage.”
My heart melted just a bit.
“But what if I really, really wanted you to chase me back to the apartment?”
He took a slow breath.
“Not happening.”
“I think it just might.” I stood on my tiptoes and moved my arms from his waist to around his neck.
His hands smoothed down my back, stopping just at the curve before my swerve. I nipped his neck.
“I can feel your excitement,” I said against his skin.
He shuddered.
“Race you back,” I said a moment before I ducked out of his hold and bolted down the sidewalk.
Before I reached the garage door, Carlos caught me from behind, spun me, and backed me against the building.
Out of breath, I did nothing to deter him. He pressed lightly against me so I felt his heart beating as he rested his forehead against mine.
“Do you know how much I like watching you run?” he said. “You’re in my blood, Isabelle. Without you, I would die.”
“Sweet words,” I said, “for a man who forgot my cake. For a man who won’t kiss me because my bruised face scares him.”
He pulled back and frowned at me.
“Kiss me, Carlos. Kiss me like you meant every word you said about not leaving me alone. Ever.”
He growled lightly and lowered his head. I closed my eyes, ready to feel without fear of hurting him. His lips settled against mine, light and loving. He kissed me until I shivered then reluctantly put some distance between us.
“Let’s go see if we have pizza waiting,” I said.
We walked into the garage and up the service steps together. The quiet, emotionless hall worried me more than relieved me, though. I impatiently waited for Carlos to open our door. Inside was empty as I’d suspected. We found a note on the breakfast bar along with an untouched pizza.
You took forever.
~Bethi
That girl needed help in a major way. I just wasn’t sure that what I could do for her was helpful. I wasn’t kidding when I’d told her I was like crack. Hopefully, with the worst of her emotions gone for now, Luke would be able to comfort her.
Pushing aside my concern, I grabbed a lukewarm slice of pizza and took a big bite.
“So good.”
Carlos walked to the cupboard, removed two plates, and handed me one.
“How are we going to live together forever? I’m such a slob compared to you. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you move my shoes and line them up next to the door. They are at a perfect ninety degree angle to the wall.”
He smiled slightly.
“I like being the center of your storm.”
I tilted my head and studied him. He really was the center to my storm. He was everything I needed and more. Giving me an out had been smart. It had given me enough courage to grasp for something I’d never dreamed I’d have. A future with someone I cared about. A future that didn’t involve the need for long breaks.
He held my gaze as I settled my mind and let what I felt for him surge, hoping he’d feel it and understand without me having to say the words.
“Good,” I said. “I wouldn’t want you getting tired of it.”
“Does that mean—”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll keep my Claim.”
* * * *
The next morning I woke alone and shuffled into the kitchen, looking for Carlos. Instead, I found a bowl of cereal waiting on the counter and our bags next to the door.
Our time was up. Not cool. The group’s uncertainty over what would happen next worried me. I mean, look what had happened so far.
I ignored the cereal, grabbed my bag, and closed myself into the bathroom. Ten minutes later, I reappeared, clean, fresh, and repacked.
Carlos sat at the island, waiting for me. A smidge of worry drifted from him.
“You should be worried,” I said. “I saw what you did. Who folds underwear? Seriously.”
He shook his head slightly, clearly amused as I’d intended.
“We’ll have company soon.”
Someone knocked on the door before he even finished speaking.
“Come in,” Carlos called.
Grey opened the door and stood aside as everyone poured in. My gaze found Bethi’s. She looked tired and sad but wasn’t broadcasting like she had the night before.
“What’s going on?” I asked when Sam shut the door.
“Gabby’s been tracking Olivia,” Bethi said.
“Olivia’s not alone,” Gabby said. “Someone’s with her. Urbat. I can’t tell who beyond that. But I’ve been watching and think they might be heading toward the Compound.”
“First, what’s the Compound? And, second, why do you think they are going there?”
“The Compound is where we live,” Charlene said. “A collection of buildings in Canada that we’ve made into a home for any werewolf.”
“Canada?”
Gabby nodded.
“And I think that’s where they are going because they are consistently making their way west. Sometimes they detour, but they always correct and return west. What else is up there for them?”
“But why the Compound?” I said.
“Because he knows we need to be together,” Bethi said.
He. Blake. He wanted us together to do that Judgement thing she’d mentioned.
“What exactly are we supposed to do together?”
“Make a Judgement. Change the world.”
“And how do we do that?”
“I’m not sure yet. But the dreams keep coming. I’m sure they will give me the answer.”
* * * *
Grey, Carlos, and I rode together in the car. As we slowly made our way out of the city, Grey kept us informed on Urbat movement.
“Gabby’s reporting that most of the Urbat have scattered, and their movement appears random. However, they are generally heading toward the southern and west coasts.”
“Makes sense. We announced where their home base is. They’ll want to move in the opposite directions,” I said.
Carlos glanced at me in the mirror. He did it often, not liking that I’d insisted that Grey ride shotgun.
“Eyes on the road,” I said. “Any word on Bethi’s mom?”
“Nothing,” Grey said.
It was a good thing they were a couple of cars ahead of us so I couldn’t pull in what she was feeling.
We rode in silence for several minutes before I unbuckled and reached forward to turn on the radio.
“You could have asked,” Carlos said, annoyance lacing his words.
“But then I wouldn’t have been able to brush up against you.” I continued to search for a station with good music or interesting news.
“Isabelle, buckle up.”
Grinning, I found a station talking about the possibility of werewolves and then sat back. Carlos watched me in the mirror until I clicked in again.
“You’re such a worrier.”
“Only with you.”
He said the best things.
The two men on the radio claimed our attention for the next hour as they took numerous callers with opinions on the subject. It was entertaining, for the most part, until one man came on over the air breathing heavily.
“I got one,” he said to the host. The thrill and vindication in his tone sent chills through me. “I woulda thought it was just a big dog running through the alley before that white one showed herself on the news—”
“Grey,” I said, getting worried.
“I’m telling the others to listen,” he said.
“But when I saw it, I knew. I shot it and it turned into a f—” an annoying bleep covered the speaker’s word, “man as it fell down. Butt naked. I called the cops, said what happened, and they said they’d send someone over. Only it wasn’t just the cops who showed up. It was the Feds too.” The man was talking so fast and in the background, his steps echoed. He was running. Why?
“They circled him, guns drawn. The guy pulled himself off the ground and growled at them. Dumb sh—. He didn’t even try to hide what he was. They shot him up, but not to kill him. When I saw them dragging him into the back of one of their vans, I bolted. I’ve got pictures of this sh—.” The radio’s censors bleeped it out again, then went straight to commercial.
Neither Grey nor Carlos spoke.
“Is it one of your kind?” I asked.
“We don’t think so. No one has reached out to us. We’ve sent a call to report any injuries and instances involving humans.”
A minute later the radio host came back on air.
“Our anonymous caller has sent over his photos. They’re on the station’s website. Check them out, but hurry because I don’t think they’ll be there long.”
Talk turned to government conspiracy, and Grey reached over to turn the radio off.
“Winifred and Gabby checked the images. They believe it was an Urbat, one of the few remaining in the city, according to Gabby.”
Grey spoke with quiet regret, an emotion I didn’t share.
“They killed Ethan,” I reminded him. “They tried to take Gabby and me. Don’t expect me to pity them.”
“Not them. You. The six of you. If your purpose is to maintain balance between humans, werewolves, and Urbat, I think we’ve just made your job a lot harder.”
I sat back against my seat and looked out the window. He was right. We’d started a crap storm, and it was only going to get worse.
