Chapter fourteen
“This is it!” Mavericks says his voice hushed as he points to a small, aged, wooden sign. “Hoods up guys. Thank god its not summer.”
Occultatum, I read as I pull my hood over my purple hair.
The words are barely discernible but it’s clear enough that we can read it.
There’s a few basic, single story houses dotted along the side of the dirt track and they gradually get closer together and more of them appear the closer to the little village centre they get.
The dirt track also changes from packed red dirt into cobblestones.
This village is a lot smaller than the towns we have seen so far, there’s no surrounding wall that circles the entire place.
It’s left open much like the small towns I’m used to back home.
“Excuse me, Sir.” A boy around fourteen asks as he approaches.
We pause and look at him curiously. “Would you like us to watch your horses. We have a stable where locals and travellers stow their horses whilst they do business in the village but new comers quite often miss us.” He explains.
Kysen watches him warily for a second.
“I have the official papers Sir. Newcomers tend to be wary of that too.” He smirks flashing small fangs as he pulls out a small scroll of paper.
He hands it up to Kysen who reads it curiously and then grins.
“Thank you. That would be great, please excuse our caution.” He says.
The boy nods quickly and then starts walking in the direction of what looks like an old English pub but off to the side are a line of stalls under cover.
Its like parking for horses and I don’t know why it amuses me so much because everywhere in the Earth realm used to be like this not that long ago but it really does make me smile for some reason.
When we get to the stalls, a guy in his mid-twenties and one a bit older come out and ruffle the teenagers hair.
“What have we told you about, approaching random strangers, kid.” One of them admonishes, kindly.
“I know but they don’t look like trouble.”
“Just be careful.”
The kid nods and I grin.
We dismount off of the horses, the two guys and the kid coming over to take the reins. Before they walk off with Dave i pull one of my saddle bags off and root around inside until I find the bag of coins. I pull out two of them.
“Here you go, half now and half when we get back. Please keep them saddled for us?” I say offering the coins to the wide eyed guy.
“Please miss that’s too much.” He starts gently pushing my hand back towards me.
As soon as I dismounted and got a proper look at them and their buildings it became clear that they need a bit of help.
I’m in the position to give it so that’s what I’m going to do.
There have been several times in my life where the unexpected kindness of strangers has been the difference between eating and starving.
I will forever be grateful to those few people and since its unlikely that I could find them to repay them I will pay that kindness forward now that I can.
“Please I insist.” I say.
“Keep it quiet that we’re here please?” Levi asks coming up behind me. “We’d like to stay under the radar. You know how small towns can be.”
“All too well. Don’t worry Sir we can be discreet.” He smiles and then walks off with Dave.
“I love your heart Darling.” Levi says dipping and kissing me hard.
Of course his words make my heart pound in my chest as thousands of butterflies take flight!
I know my smile is dopey when he pulls back and he chuckles.
“Ok so what now?” Kai says bouncing on his feet clearly amped up.
“Did Nyx tell you where to find him?” Mav asks.
“Nope. She didn’t tell me anything I was floating above the scene watching.” I try to explain. “I guess we could see if we can find the alleyway where they were meeting maybe that will at least point us in the right direction. Oh and he’s a panther shifter.” I add as I remember.
“Sweet!” Kai exclaims.
“That’s as good a plan as any!” Hunt replies.
Despite the village being called small it actually isn’t and the cobbled streets are wide.
It almost looks like a fairytale complete with mystical creatures.
I have to admit that although it can be stressful and nearly losing Levi put me through the ringer not to mention that I’m eventually supposed to defeat the Order and I’ve got to find and rescue my parents as well as hopefully the other Centres and Bonded.
Despite all of that, I really do love my life. I’ve got my men, some amazing friends and I get to go on adventures and explore beautiful places.
Life could be worse, trust me I’ve experienced much worse.
“Lead the way Sage.” Jax smirks, knowing full well that I am absolutely abysmal when it comes to directions.
“I swear if we end up in fucking London it’s not my fault!” I exclaim defensively as we start to walk.
“Wait isn’t London in the Earth realm and across the world from the Earth academy?” Kysen asks interrupting the guys laughter.
“Yep.” I reply, “That’s how bad I am at directions. It’s an actual possibility that we could end up there.”
“That’s reassuring.” He replies raising his eyebrow.
“Don’t forget to listen in to conversations around us.” Levi reminds us, thankfully moving the conversation away from me and me missing directional skills.
“It would probably be best if we slowed down a bit checked out some of their shops if they have them or stalls. You know didn’t look like we are on a mission and searching for something. People will instantly be suspicious and too busy watching us and not gossiping.” Maverick suggests.
“That’s smart where did you learn that?” Hunter asks curiously as we all slow our pace.
“I couldn’t sleep one night and thought a psychology book would help me get back to sleep. Turns out its actually really interesting and I ended up staying up until morning to finish it.” He admits his cheeks tinting slightly pink.
I can’t help but take his hand in mine and squeeze gently. He looks down at me, curiosity filling his gorgeous multihued green eyes.
“I love how smart you are.” I admit quietly, a massive step for me since it’s so close to admitting that I love him.
His step falters for a moment and his eyes widen in shock before the emotion I’m not ready to admit to myself quite yet fills his expression. His throat bobs as he swallows down whatever emotion was trying to rise.
“Thank you Titch.” He says softly although I sense he’s holding back.
He makes us pause and gently brings my face around so I’m looking at him.
He stares at me for a second searching my eyes, as he gently runs his thumb across my cheek bone.
I can’t help the smile that stretches across my face and my cheeks pink.
Whatever he see’s in my expression must be good because his smile is blinding and my breath catches in my chest. His lips fuse to mine in a kiss that does nothing for my breathlessness.
My toes curl and my hands tug him closer.
His tongue runs across the seam of my lips and I open, our tongues dancing.
“The villagers are going to be talking about you too if you don’t calm down especially if you set something on fire Sage.” Kysen says loudly and I pull back, groaning.
“Whoops,” I say, “Sorry?”
“No your not.” Levi chuckles.
“You’re right I’m really not.” I grin.
Mav threads his fingers back through mine and Jax comes up on the other side and wraps his arm around my shoulders.
It sounds like an awkward way to walk but I promise its not.
We somehow make it work. We get a few odd looks, mostly since we’re such a big group.
People soon go on about their daily lives.
I pull Mav and Kai over to one of the stalls that smells absolutely amazing, they make desserts that look like pastry’s.
All in different shapes with various toppings, some fruit I recognise and some are completely foreign to me.
whatever it is smells delicious though and I’m hoping that it tastes delicious too.
There’s quite a long line for it which is promising.
People aren’t likely to be queuing up for things that suck.
The others move away dispersing through the minimal crowd to the other stalls.
As we slowly inch forward in the cue I scan the area to see if I can spot the alley from my vision but none of them look familiar granted it was over three hundred years ago in the vision and a lot can change in that amount of time.
I know that there has to be a clue somewhere around here.
This cannot possibly be a fruitless and pointless mission.
“You know I told you about those people that were seen being escorted by Bart and his men?” A woman a few people behind us says in a hushed voice.
“Yeah?”
“They were a bit like them. All touching apart from the one that had turned into a bear they had him pretty heavily tranquillised.”
I squeeze Mav’s hand tightly and he dips his head to my ear, making it look like he’s kissing my cheek.
“I heard. Don’t worry, I’ll let the others know through the Bond.” He says softly barely moving his lips.
He could’ve sent that through the Bond but I think he just wanted the excuse to get closer and if I’m honest his attention has calmed my nerves a bit.
“Guys we’re fairly certain that some people behind us are talking about Sage’s parents. They haven’t mentioned a location yet. Can you get a visual on them but don’t approach. It’s clear from their conversation that they are innocent in this. Just witnesses.” Maverick sends.
“Got it.” Levi responds immediately.
“Why can I hear you?” Kysen questions through the Bond, “Can you hear me?”
“Yes we can and honestly I know the answer but I can’t tell you. Just trust me ok?” I admit finally, taking a gamble, I don’t feel any bad intuition after I’ve told him though so I’m hoping that’s a good sign.
“Ok.” He says without pause. “I trust you. You’ll tell me when you can?”
“Of course.”
“You took that better than I thought.” Mav comments.