Ever Marked (Mystics of Mercy Ridge #1)

19. Bellamy

Chapter 19

Bellamy

E verything sucks and I'm dying.

I was prepared for supernaturals trying to take advantage of my abilities. I was prepared for arrogant assholes and trigger-happy humans.

I wasn't prepared for the bugs.

“Son of a bitch,” I grumble, slapping my neck. We get our fair share at the compound, but these fuckers are a different breed and clearly plan on eating me alive.

The real world really isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The forest surrounding the compound wasn’t too bad… until the ground gave way and dumped me in a ravine. It’s all been downhill from there, leading to a smashed phone, eight thousand bug bites, and a desperate need for a shower. At this rate, I cannot imagine it’s going to be remotely difficult to convince Ever to leave this hellscape behind to come home with me.

Adjusting the strap of my backpack, I continue trudging down the endless strip of blisteringly hot wasteland. As far as the eye can see, it’s just withered crops, dilapidated barns, and miles upon miles of highway. Eventually, I catch sight of something up ahead and tense, hand hovering above the hunting knife strapped to my hip as I carefully approach. Before long, the car takes shape, two slim figures hovering near it. I give them a wide berth, avoiding their gaze like the plague and picking up the pace.

“Wait!” one of the women shouts, and I glance back warily. She twirls a lock of brown hair around her finger and smiles coyly. “You wouldn’t leave a couple of single ladies stranded out here with a flat tire, would you? I’d be so grateful if you could help us out.”

I don’t even have to think about it.

I keep walking.

Not Ever, not interested. Maybe I’d have helped them out if they weren’t flirting to try and manipulate me into it, but I’m not going anywhere near that minefield.

Her friend hisses, “Stacey, what the hell? He’s probably dangerous. What type of guy would be walking around out here unless he was up to something shady ? Or like, on the run?”

At least one of them has a sense of self-preservation.

“I’d rather get murdered than have to sit in this heat any longer.” The first whispers, “It’s him or we start walking and pray we make it home in time for my shift tonight, or we’re not going to be able to cover rent this month.” Louder, she calls, “You didn’t break out of prison or anything, did you?”

In a manner of speaking.

Reluctantly, I turn back to at least set them at ease that I’m not about to murder them or anything. But I’m hot, exhausted, and miserable, so once the words start flowing, I can’t seem to shut up. “I'm trying to find my friend. Her shithead ex cheated on her and she disappeared. I need to make sure she's okay and isn't sleeping in her car, or-” I run a hand through my tangled white hair.

Fates, so many horrible things could happen to her. Could be happening to her right now.

Twirly hair- Tracy? Stephanie?- warily asks, “ You’re not the shitty ex she’s running from, are you?”

That shocks me enough to stop my mental spiral in its tracks.

“Why on earth would I want to look at another woman, let alone touch one? Ever’s my dream girl. If she gave me a chance, I'd never be stupid enough to lose her. I’d treat her like she’s my everything, the most important person in my life… because she is. And when I finally find her, I’m going to prove it.”

“Well, damn. All the good ones really are taken,” the quieter of the two says, pulling her phone out of her purse. “I’m assuming either your phone’s dead, or she’s avoiding her friends while licking her wounds. Want to try calling her from my phone to make sure she’s not dead in a ditch somewhere?”

“Thanks for that visual,” I grumble, thanking her though as I dial Ever’s number from memory. My heart sinks when it goes straight to voicemail and I hand it back with a sigh. “Thanks anyway.”

Another damn bug tries to gnaw on my jugular, and I smack it with a curse. I'd like nothing more than to get back to my search, but they were nice enough to try and help me out, even when I made it clear I planned to walk away. And Lacey was only flirting out of desperation to get someone to help her so she didn’t miss her shift at work, not because she’s actually interested. I may not mean them any harm, but what if the next person she tries that tactic on does and takes advantage of there being no one around to hear them scream for help? If it was Ever that was stranded somewhere, I’d hope someone would be kind enough to help her instead of leaving her to fend for herself.

Note to self, make sure Ever knows how to change a tire.

I sigh, setting my bag aside. “Go ahead and pop the trunk.”

Macy squeals an, “Oh my god, thank you thank you thank you!” and runs to do so.

“Don’t get too excited, you’re going to help. Both of you.”

Her smile drops. “But isn’t it a one-man job? Carrie and I can hold the tire or something, I guess, but can’t we just lean that against the car until you get the old one off?”

Setting the jack and tire iron beside me, I give them both a stern look. “If your emergency plan is waiting around for someone else to save you, you’re in for a rude awakening some day. Why would you expect a stranger to fight harder for your life than you’re willing to?”

They blink in surprise before averting their gazes.

Admittedly, I use the excuse of teaching them to hide the fact that this is the first time I’ve actually changed one myself. I’ve seen videos and know what to do in theory, but the only vehicles around the compound are for supply runs and the retrieval team, and I never took a rotation with the mechanics, finding my niche with computers young. Still, we get it changed relatively quickly, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to fall off.

Hopefully.

Grabbing my bag, I sling it on my back and give them a half-hearted wave. “Good luck, remember to replace that spare or you’re really going to be in trouble next time.”

“Let us give you a ride into town, it’s the least we can do to thank you.” Mary says, sheepishly tucking a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. “Not just for helping us out, but for the wake up call.”

Instinctively, I want to refuse their help. Outside of the compound, help comes with strings attached.

But I already paid my dues for it, so theoretically, I wouldn't owe them a favor.

As much as I’d rather avoid civilization completely to play it safe, my search will go a hell of a lot quicker if I can replace my phone. Hell, even getting my hands on a map so I can narrow down my search for mountain cities in the area that start with ‘Mer.’

“Yeah, actually, I’d appreciate that. Thank you.” I climb into the back seat, and the second the door’s closed, Carrie swivels in the passenger seat to ask, “You said you're trying to break out of the friend zone right?”

Heat spreads across my cheeks. When she phrases it like that…

My plan sounds really fucking stupid.

What the hell am I thinking? That I’ll swoop in to rescue Ever, and she’ll suddenly realize how perfect we are together and agree to be my mate so I can avoid getting in trouble with the elders for bringing her to the compound? Do I prep her for the whole ‘I’m actually not human’ thing before we get home, or let that be a fun surprise after we’re already bonded?

Good in theory, poor in execution.

“Yeah,” I mumble, scratching the back of my neck. “I’m starting to see that it's a little more complicated than I originally thought when I left.”

She gives me a sympathetic smile. “Been there, no judgment. It sucks, but maybe we can help. She just got cheated on right?” At my nod, Carrie continues, “so she's going to be hesitant to jump into a new relationship. You're her friend, so that'll help because she's going to need to lean on someone she can trust. Show her she can count on you.”

Stacey adds, “But you can't wait too long, or you’ll be trapped in the friendzone permanently. Be there for her, but start dropping hints that you’re into her. Flirt a little. Lay the groundwork for a couple of weeks.”

Carrie picks up where her friend left off like they’re sharing a brain. “Then ask her out. But a low pressure first date. I cannot emphasize that enough. She needs time to wrap her head around seeing you as a potential boyfriend instead of just a friend. A grand gesture or kissing her out of nowhere to confess your feelings is going to blindside her and not go the way you think.”

“So no proposing and promising to take care of her for the rest of our lives?”

Thank the Fates we’re the only ones on the road, or Stacey would have killed us all as they both whirl around in their seats to gape at me in horror.

“Only if you want to send her running for the hills and never talk to you again.” Wide-eyed, Carrie emphatically says, “Date. Her. First. Unless you’re a billionaire prince and she’s on the verge of homelessness or starvation, no sane girl is going to marry a man they haven’t gone out on a single date with.”

So I just need more money? I can totally hack into a bank. Ever’s as good as wearing my ring on her finger already.

Carrie interrupts my engagement planning to ask, “What sort of stuff does she like?”

Oh, that’s easy. “Gaming and free food.”

Stacey chuckles. “Well shit, sounds like my kind of girl. Maybe I should ask her out instead of helping you.”

That gets my full attention. I narrow my eyes on hers in the rearview mirror. “You better not. Ever’s mine. ”

She flutters a hand to her chest. “Damn, bring that energy, and you'll win her over for sure.”

Waggling her eyebrows, Carrie pulls out her phone. “Okay, operation Happily Ever After is a go. Let's brainstorm date ideas.”

“Good luck!” the girls shout as they drive away from the gas station they dropped me off at.

I’m feeling far more optimistic about my plan now, and I walk through the door into the air conditioning with relief. Grabbing a cheap burner phone, some water, and three bottles of bug spray, I drop my haul on the counter before a giant map mounted on the wall catches my eye and I go over to study it. It’s riddled with holes, and is probably decades out of date, but…

Running my finger over the mountainous area nearest the You Are Here star, I flatten a torn piece back into place and make out a few familiar letters.

An elderly man starts ringing up the things I left on the counter. “Looking for something, son?”

“Yeah, actually. What can you tell me about Mercy Ridge?”