Chapter 16
Effie Harlow
“I’m guessing this isn’t one of those things where we ask them to stop following us?” I said, turned in my seat to watch the cars behind us. I knew that wasn’t the solution—it was a silly suggestion—but I needed something to break the slowly mounting tension.
The further we drove, the closer they seemed to grow, weaving in and out of cars on the highway but never getting close enough for us to see through the front window so we could try and identify them. That paired with the threat they posed overall was making my mates tense, which made me upset.
It had already been a long night and morning with me being sick, and this was the last thing they needed.
“I have a feeling they aren’t planning to stop us. I think they’re either making a point or relaying information and don’t care if we see them,” Ryder said.
“It is weird how far behind they’re staying. They could have made it up here by now,” Dakota admitted, turning in the front passenger seat. “If they wanted us to stop, I think they would’ve tried to cut us off by now.”
“I don’t know if I agree with that,” Tore said, his hand slung over the back of his seat in the last row of the SUV so he could look behind us easier. “In fact, I would bet they’re waiting until we get out of this traffic and away from possible witnesses.”
And it was fairly heavy traffic, though I knew it wouldn’t last long. I didn’t know exactly where we were going, but it was somewhere out of the city, so if Tore was right, I predicted they would have their chance soon.
Julian’s hand rested on my thigh, his face was oddly expressionless, but I had a feeling that it was his attempt to keep Coffin from freaking out.
I could feel their connection more than I’d been able to before, to the point that I felt like Coffin now resided between and within our bond instead of only within Julian.
I liked it, and more so, my wolf loved it.
Not only did she have her other mates’ magic, but now Julian was fully present.
“Fuck—you were right, Tore.” I was pulled from my thoughts at Dakota’s curse, my attention going over my shoulder as Caedmon did the same.
He had been extremely quiet since getting in the car, and I had a feeling he was trying to hide how he felt about the possibility of this being his father’s people.
Of course none of us would blame him, but that wouldn’t necessarily stop him from blaming himself.
The black SUVs sped up the minute traffic thinned out, and we took an exit onto a rural road that led to the airport. Ryder made a low rumble. “Effie, do me a favor—make sure you’re buckled in, and put your head down.”
“My head down?” I questioned, though I immediately followed his instruction. Caedmon placed his jacket like a pillow on his leg so that I could lay down comfortably, Julian tightening my seatbelt.
“In case they shoot.”
Oh. I hadn’t considered that.
The next few minutes were nerve-wracking, especially since I wasn’t able to see what was going on.
Between Ryder speeding up the car and the boys talking in low, dangerous tones, I couldn’t help the panic mounting in my chest. With Ryder’s warning, I found myself wanting all of them to do the same, but I knew that wasn’t possible, let alone reasonable.
“Shit,” Caedmon cursed. “Those are my father’s people—I recognize the first driver.”
Which meant they were driving close enough to us to be recognized—this situation was getting progressively worse.
“Keep your hands on her—this is going to get bumpy,” Ryder said, and I let out a small scream as we suddenly turned so sharply that I jolted my head against Caedmon’s leg. I had no idea where we were going, but the terrain wasn’t nearly as smooth.
“It’s okay, preciosa,” Julian soothed. “The minute we’re in the gates of the airport, we’re good.”
“Which reminds me,” Ryder said to Dakota, taking another sharp turn. “Press that blue button for me.”
Whatever button he pressed caused the sound of a phone ringing to echo through the car before someone picked up.
“Mr. Bosu, we’re ready to take off.” The polished voice instantly made me feel better.
“Get ready to take off immediately—we have a tail. We’re almost at the gate.”
If Ryder’s words bothered the man, it didn’t come through in his voice, the man instead just saying “Absolutely” before the call was disconnected.
I let out another squeak as we nearly spun out, and I curled further in on myself.
I wouldn’t lie, flashes of the previous car crash ran through my head as I laid in Caedmon’s lap, and when I finally heard the screeching sound of the metal gate opening, followed by Ryder speeding through and the sound echoing again…
I found I still couldn’t fully relax.
I did sit up though.
Relief had my shoulders relaxing as I looked back to see the three cars stuck at the gate, but that feeling was only temporary as I saw men getting out and raising their guns. Ryder immediately swung the car so the passenger side was facing the jet as one of the attendants ran out to greet us.
Bullets began to fly and I steeled myself to exit the car, ducking as a bullet smashed into the driver’s side of the vehicle, making me realize the glass was bulletproof when it didn’t shatter.
I slipped out of the car and followed the attendant as the guys grabbed our bags and sprinted towards the jet, which was already open.
I whimpered as one of the bullets hit a tire on the car, and I turned around to see Ryder getting out last, jumping over the center console and out of the car—although how he did that at his height I had no idea.
The minute all of us were inside and the jet’s door was closing, I exhaled, falling into the seat, my adrenaline peaking as I began shaking in shock.
“They missed purposefully,” Caedmon said, confused. “What is he playing at?”
My hand pressed to my heart as I tried to find my voice, but Tore filled in, “Scaring us? Maybe they wanted us to get out of here and go back to Silver Falls—after all, he’s working with Hastain.”
Not for the first time, I found myself impressed by Tore. Also slightly worried because it was obvious the man had been trained to think this way, completely based on tactics.
As they broke into conversation, I looked out the window with Caedmon, his eyes turning darker and darker.
We watched the SUVs as the plane taxied to the runway, but they never moved, not bothering to even try to get into the airport and no longer shooting at us.
The only thing that happened was the door of the final car opening, Caedmon’s father stepping out.
“Bastard,” Caedmon murmured, tightening his fingers around mine.
The jerk offered a smile as if he knew we were watching, and as the jet lifted into the air, he put his hands into his pockets, looking incredibly smug.
Tore was right.
He hadn’t wanted us hurt.
He hadn’t wanted to capture us.
He wanted to scare us, to make us flee…right back into Hastain’s grasp.
***
By the time we arrived back in the Midwest it was mid-afternoon, but my body was telling me it was far later than that.
I hadn’t slept, not wanting to miss out on the conversation regarding our plans moving forward, but more so I’d been wracked with thoughts about the pendant around my neck.
Specifically, why I hadn’t been given any signal on what to do next.
What I did know? I had never been so sure of our plan to get out of Silver Falls. It hurt in some ways because there were parts of the school that I loved so much…but it wasn’t safe, for anyone. Not until something changed.
“It’s odd being back,” I murmured as we drove slowly towards campus. Ryder had already checked in with Aanya, and both she and her mates were up in Milwaukee unharmed, but besides grabbing our stuff from the dorms—especially before Hastain decided to raid them—I wanted to see if I could find Ruby.
I knew her blood-bonded pack would keep her out of danger, but I also knew how conniving Hastain could be.
“We aren’t back, lil bit,” Tore gently corrected. “We’re only going to grab what’s necessary and then get out. I don’t want him even knowing you were here.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s impossible,” Ryder hissed. “He’s probably had eyes on us since we landed.”
“I want to check on Ruby,” I said. “I don’t want to leave until I know that she’s okay.”
“If they aren’t upstairs,” Julian said, “I’ll message them, but Tore is right—we shouldn’t stay on campus a second longer than we have to. If you want to stay in town until you hear from her, it might be smart to go to the summer house.”
“The summer house?”
“Yeah, we share it with the BBP upstairs,” Julian said. “Although we always argue about who gets it.”
“Not anymore—I’ll buy it out,” Caedmon gritted out. “If Effie is staying there, I don’t want anyone else living there.”
I couldn’t help but flush at the intensity radiating off of him with those words. Before I could comment, we were driving onto campus, the feel of the wards barely fazing me—although what did faze me were all the pretty winter blue signs lining campus drive.
Frost Formal.
“We missed the dance,” I said softly. I’d forgotten the brief mention of it, but now that I realized we’d missed it, I was feeling sort of sad.
It wasn’t that I’d particularly wanted to go, but I wanted to be with my mates at what appeared to be a really fun party.
I knew that sounded lame, but that was really how I felt.
I craved to experience that type of normalcy with them.
Luckily, it appeared Hastain didn’t know we were on campus—-either that or wasn’t eager to meet us—because no security waited for us outside the dorm, and more importantly, students seemed to be going about their business as if it was any other day.
Though there was still the eerie feeling that it was far too quiet.
As we got out of the car and went to the elevator bank, Julian’s phone dinged.
“It’s Aaren. He says they aren’t on campus—don’t want to risk it.
Makes sense since we let them know what happened at that meeting.
Preciosa, do you want me to ask if they want to meet us at the summer home? I know you want to see Ruby.”
“Yes.” I exhaled in relief. “I just want to make sure she’s good. And Ryder, if you’re cool with it, I would like to go up to Milwaukee. Feels a bit safer.” And Aanya is there.
“Sounds good to me. Whatever you want, kitten.”
The sincere way he said that had my chest squeezing with affection. As we traveled up to our floor, I was hit with a weird sense of apprehension, and the minute the doors opened I knew why. Someone had been in here.
My mates spread out as I stepped into the room, Tore’s arm wrapped around my center.
The space itself looked untouched—the modern furniture as luxurious and comfortable-looking as before, the floors spotless, and the afternoon light showing off the scenic view of the lake. Something was different though.
“Let’s pack what you need and get out of here,” Tore said, leading me towards my room. I was mildly relieved to find my things untouched, similar to the last time someone had broken in, but someone had totally been in here.
Knowing that we may not ever come back here was difficult.
Not because I had that many personal belongings—although with everything Caedmon had bought me, I suppose that wasn’t entirely true anymore.
No, it was because I’d come to love this room.
It had come to symbolize so much to me, a level of safety and security with my mates that while not matched by the rest of the university, had made me feel like I was in my own personal snow globe of happiness.
I just had to remind myself that we weren’t leaving the snow globe; we were creating a new one. Transferring the location.
I was surprised when Caedmon brought in a large suitcase for me, although maybe I shouldn’t have been since the man was somehow always prepared. As Tore helped me wrap my snow globes in clothing, Caedmon crouched down and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.
“Just focus on what you really want and care about. We can replace anything else,” Caedmon assured me. I nodded because I knew the man would always ensure I had everything I needed and then some.
After about five more minutes of packing up, I had a suitcase, the bag I’d come with, and my backpack filled with as many of my belongings as I could manage.
My mates each had about the same number of bags as I did, and when I offered to help bring them down to the car, Julian swept me up and carried me to the kitchen, sitting me on the counter.
I watched as he pulled something out of the freezer, smiling when I saw the Bagel Bites.
How had it been such a short time ago that I’d been sitting here, eating food I’d never heard of as I met my mates? It felt like ages ago.
“I’m ordering food to be delivered to the house while we wait on them, but I need you to eat. My wolf isn’t going to let it go.” He chuckled softly, but I could tell it wasn’t a joke. In fact, I could practically feel Coffin pacing back and forth, staring at my wolf, who clearly hadn’t clued in.
Nope, she was rolling around on her back and trying to play with him. So freakin’ embarrassing, I swear.
Once the Bagel Bites were done, I didn’t hesitate to eat them up, ensuring that Julian ate a few as well. I knew my mates ate enough, at least from what I could tell, but there was always a part in the back of my brain that was saying ‘Not enough.’
After we finished, he helped me put on my jacket and led me towards the elevator doors. I curled into him as I gave the dorm one last look before burying my head into his chest. I couldn’t look as the elevator doors finally closed, tears stinging my eyes.
Hastain was taking something away from me—something I loved—and I wouldn’t forget or forgive that.