Chapter 23 #2
Glancing at the coordinates on her phone, Celine deliberately veers west, heading in the opposite direction of where we need to go.
It makes sense. If we’re being stalked by a supernatural, she doesn’t want to lead them to the gateway.
If it’s someone S’lach sent, we can’t risk stumbling onto an open-door teeming with reinforcements.
Whoever’s watching us might be alone, stationed by the gateway on the off-chance Celine showed up.
It doesn’t matter; whoever it is, they won’t touch her.
We walk in silence. Ten minutes. Thirty. The eyes remain on us, always out of sight. Are we being herded? Or are they waiting for the sun to set? We can’t keep this up forever. We’re losing too much time, and Celine’s frustration is building.
She tosses me a loaded look. I nod. Whatever she wants to do, I’ve got her back.
We climb a slight incline to a cluster of boulders. A stick cracks. I stiffen; something’s changed. They’re closer, less hesitant. I can sense it, like warm breath on the back of my neck.
Celine heads for the rock formation. I boost her up—there’s no time to waste—and she tugs me up behind her a second later, muscles tense, eyes hard.
We’re done being chased through the woods. It’s time to force a confrontation.
“It’s too hot out here for stalking,” Celine says loudly. “If you’re shy, just say that.”
Standing shoulder to shoulder, we scan the trees. The mix of greens and browns run together the longer you focus on them. It’s autumn here on Earth, but Georgia hasn’t gotten that memo yet. The heat is stubborn and sticky, and the foliage is barely beginning to change colors around the edges.
Something growls. It’s meant to be intimidating, but it’s enlightening instead.
Wolves. Of course. Pack-focused and territorial. We’re probably trespassing.
When the shifter steps out from behind a tree, neither Celine nor I react. It’s huge—forty inches tall—with a rich russet brown coat that blends perfectly with the tree trunks, dried pine straw, and patches of red dirt.
Another wolf appears to its right, then another, and another, until there are half a dozen. The others aren’t quite as big as the leader, but they’re all on edge, teeth bared, fur bristling as they stare at us.
“Nice,” Celine says cheerfully. “Can one of you shift so we can talk about this or should I play both parts?” She softens the challenge with a smile, and I grind my teeth.
Were they watching while I touched her? I hate that. Nosy dogs.
The largest wolf chuffs what could either be a laugh or a warning and squats, shuddering, rippling, and warping, before standing as a man. A naked man. His reddish-brown hair is long on the top and buzzed on the sides, showing off a raised scar above one ear.
“Hi there,” Celine says. “Do you want to explain why you were following us?” She plants one hand on her hip.
He chuckles low in his throat. “Maybe we should start with introductions, ma’am. I’m Sullivan Buchanan.” His voice is as sticky as the air, and the way he caresses each syllable before releasing it is almost melodic.
“I’m Celine. Just Celine.”
“Like Madonna?”
“Exactly.” She grins. “How can we help you?”
“Do you know where you are, honey?”
Celine wrinkles her nose. “Georgia, unless the plane dropped us off somewhere else.” Her voice is sugar sweet, but there’s a bite to it that puts me on guard.
She’s getting pissed. Subtly, I shift my weight.
“We are in Georgia; you’re right about that.” Sullivan shrugs, but I’m not fooled by his good old boy charm. “I won’t beat around the bush about it: you’re on pack lands, Celine. Buchanan pack lands.”
“Buchanan as in you?” She points at him.
He nods and grins, revealing gleaming white teeth and a dimple in his right cheek.
“Sully—can I call you Sully?” She gives him no time to answer.
“We’re only passing through. While we appreciate the escort, I can assure you we’ll be out of your fur in no time at all. ”
One of the wolves growls. The smile drops from Sullivan’s face, and he holds up his hand, a clear order for the pack to stand down.
Taking a step forward, he studies me with wary curiosity. “We’re neighborly down here.” Translation: nosy and suspicious. “And you can never be too careful in the Fringes.”
Celine raises her eyebrows. “Deep South Fringes? Can you believe it, Riven?”
“Yes,” I mutter. “Vegas is hardly unique.”
She nudges me roughly with her shoulder. “You take that back, right now.”
“No.” I roll my eyes, and the wolf takes another step toward us.
“Vegas?” He looks genuinely surprised now. Clearly, he had a different theory. “You’re a long way from Nevada, don’t you think?”
“I do think, Sully, thanks for noticing,” Celine says. “Let’s cut the bullshit, because we’re losing the light and your pack lands seem to be home to some large, hungry mosquitos. Are there any angels living around here?”
Yellow overrides the blue of his eyes, and he stands up straight, a new rasp in his voice as he says, “If there were, I wouldn’t tell you.”
Celine jumps down from the rock. I curse and follow her, but she’s already halfway to the naked man.
“That was the right answer, Sully, so I’m going to level with you.”
She thrusts her hand out, and he shakes it slowly, startled by her sudden decision to give up the high ground.
“My dad’s a dick. Whatever you’re thinking, he’s worse.
Riven and I just got back from the monster realm—fights to the death, miserable cold, imprisonment, and a bunch of other unpleasant shit.
It’s a long story, but in the process of escaping, my father took something that belongs to me.
I’ve been trying to get it back, and we were told there might be a gateway to the celestial realm in these woods.
If you let me check it out without a fight, I’ll owe you one. ”
“You’re an angel?”
Celine nods.
Sullivan holds her stare for a long moment, then glances at me. “My dad says anyone dumb enough to leave a veydra breathing deserves whatever happens to them next.”
Celine steps in front of me, all friendliness leaving her expression in a flash. “Riven will leave here breathing, Sully, I promise you that. Whether you do the same is up to you, but I won’t let you touch him. I’ve lost too much already; I won’t lose anything else.”
Two of the wolves growl.
I brace to fight.
Sullivan’s smile widens. “You didn’t let me finish, honey. I was going to say my dad’s a dick, too. You’re welcome to check out the rumor. It’s been too long since I pissed Pops off, and I never turn down an opportunity to earn a favor from a beautiful woman.”
Celine rolls her eyes. “Has anyone ever told you that you talk too slow?”
His gaze travels over her from head to toe. “Some things shouldn’t be rushed.”
I grind my teeth. He’s flirting with her, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.