Chapter 26
Hestia
My hand is numb from clutching Charm’s jacket, but I don’t want to let go.
I’m exhausted after walking for just an hour and a half, and so cold I feel hot. I know that can be a dangerous warning sign, but based on my GPS, we’re less than a mile from the cabin. There’s nothing else to do but hold on until we make it there.
I’m wearing enough layers, I’m sure I’m warm enough, my body is simply worn out. But I can last a little longer.
Our trek has been against the wind. The large alphas have blocked most of it for me, but I worry about Orion taking the brunt of everything.
We really should have stopped to switch out the lead.
I can only assume he’s doing okay. I comfort myself with the thought that his packmates would be able to tell if he wasn’t.
I think I’d be scared if I were with anyone besides this pack. I know how dangerous blizzards are, even for professionals. I should be concerned.
But we have Orion leading us to safety. He’s never deviated, never slowed.
I grabbed Charm’s coat early on, worried about losing him despite the rope connecting us. He reached back to pat my arm comfortingly and let me hold on to him like a child.
Cato’s had his hand on my shoulder this whole time, so I know he’s watching out for me, along with Henri and Magnus at our backs.
I’m too tired to think much beyond being thankful I’m with my teammates, and with Orion guiding us, I don’t need to.
I must zone out, because the next thing I know I’m running into Charm.
I bounce off him, but Cato steadies me, letting me rest against his chest. Charm turns around to hold me too, sharing his warmth.
I think I hear a voice on the wind, and a light breaks away from our group, moving ahead alone.
I check my GPS and realize we’re here.
I lean around Charm and find Orion gone, as I expected. I can’t see the cabin and can only barely make out Orion’s light flickering against the snow as he moves away into the dark.
Charm leans down so I can hear him, “Orion is going to check out the cabin and find us an entrance.”
I nod and press my face against his chest. With Cato on the other side, I’m safely sandwiched between them.
I understand Orion going in so we all don’t have to wander around, but I still wish he wasn’t alone.
Eventually his voice comes through our radios.
“Charm, can you hear me,” he says, the sound cutting in and out.
“We can hear you,” Charm responds.
“I got the front door open. Come a few degrees east of your location. You should see my light soon, it’s a straight shot,” Orion says.
Charm releases me but holds my hand, taking us in the direction Orion indicated.
I glance behind us, making sure the others are there. I can just see Magnus at the back over their heads. The sight of him is comforting. Even the blizzard can’t make Magnus look small.
We spot Orion’s light, and as we get closer, a cabin appears out of the dark.
It’s at least two stories and looks intact from what little I can see. Although even a partially collapsed shed would be better than staying out in this.
Charm and Cato hustle me toward the cabin now that we’re close, basically lifting me up the stairs onto the porch.
Orion shoulders the door open and ushers us in, closing it quickly after Magnus is through.
It’s warmer in here. Nowhere near warm enough to be comfortable, but enough that I loosen my scarf before shaking off the snow.
The cabin creaks and groans in the wind.
“Is everyone alright?” Orion asks, though he grabs my arms as if he’s only talking to me.
“I’m fine, just tired,” I say.
He nods after searching my face, but still looks me over before assessing his packmates. Thankfully, they’re okay too.
“I didn’t look beyond the entryway. The cabin seems to be in good shape, but be careful where you walk,” Orion says, our lights reflecting off wooden walls and floors. “Henri and Cato, find somewhere safe for Hestia to rest. We’ll search for supplies, and you can join us when you’re ready.”
We detach from the rope, half of them splitting off into different rooms or down the hallway while I follow Henri and Cato.
The air is stale and still, which is good news since it indicates the cabin is airtight.
They lead me further in until we find a giant living room with an enormous fireplace. Once again, they basically carry me over to the couch and set me down on it.
I flop back and close my eyes, holding my breath until the plumes of dust settle.
They take my gear off and set my backpack aside.
I manage to slit my eyes open as they tuck blankets around me.
When they’re done turning me into a burrito, they investigate the fireplace. Cato opens the flue and shines his light up the chimney, determining it looks clear enough to risk using.
There’s wood already stacked in the grate and more in a rack on the side.
It’s kind of eerie, this place looks like the owner could return at any time except for the layers of dust on everything.
I ignore the statistics floating in my head about house fires that started from an improperly maintained chimney as Henri strikes a match.
The wood catches quickly, and I close my eyes as the heat washes over me.
Cato and Henri pick up the couch and move me closer to the fireplace.
“We’re going to look around now, will you be okay here on your own? One of us can stay with you,” Henri says.
“I’ll be fine. You guys can go,” I say.
“Are you sure? Will you be able to keep an eye on the fire?” he asks, sounding concerned.
Cato sinks onto the couch next to me.
I sit up straight. Henri’s right, I need to watch it.
I’m feeling better already between getting off my feet and defrosting, so I wave them off again. “I’ve got it, don’t worry.”
I’m surprised Cato listens, but they stroke my hair and leave to check out the place.
The fire crackles merrily like it has no idea there’s a blizzard raging outside. Which I suppose it doesn’t.
Just having solid walls between me and the wind is a gift. The howling was difficult to withstand mentally, on top of the cold.
I listen to the fire and the creaking of my teammates moving around.
Magnus returns first, bringing more firewood. He stacks it next to the fireplace and kneels in front of me.
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
“I’m good,” I say, or try to, but it’s like there’s cotton in my mouth, and it comes out sounding like “I’mmmmgoogh.”
“I think you’re overheating,” he says, pulling me out of my cocoon.
Now that he mentions it, I do feel hot. Like, super hot.
Magnus unzips my coat and I try to help him get it off, but can’t get myself to move. It doesn’t matter though, he shifts me around like a doll as he takes off my outer layers.
I should’ve paid better attention. I was already too tired to help search for supplies, the least I can do is take care of myself. I don’t want to drag my team down.
Now that I noticed how hot I am, all I can focus on is my panting breaths.
I try to take a deep inhale and slow my breathing, but it doesn’t work.
Magnus holds up my canteen for me to drink. The cold water shocks me, ice filling my stomach, but it’s better than feeling like I can’t catch my breath.
Henri and Charm come in, and Charm rushes over to feel my hot face.
“What’s going on?” he asks.
“She’s overheated,” Magnus says.
“I’m sorry, Hestia. I thought you’d be cold without the blankets. I should have stayed to watch you since I don’t have a camera in—I should have stayed,” Henri says, feeling my neck and smoothing back my hair.
“It’s okay, it’s not your fault. I just didn’t realize how warm I was,” I say, and I’m already talking normally again, though my vision is a little blurry.
Henri is still stricken. I can’t imagine how he’d look if he heard what I sounded like a minute ago.
He soaks a bandana with his water bottle and puts it around my neck.
The heat recedes as quickly as it came, and I try to reassure them that I’m fine so they stop hovering.
When Cato returns, he’s carrying a bunch of tin cans. He sets them on a table and shucks his clothes until he’s down to just pants.
I’m still in my flannel shirt, leggings, and wool socks, but the fire has warmed up the room enough that it’s a comfortable temperature.
Magnus and Charm follow his lead, taking off their shoes and outer layers. Magnus hangs my clothes near the fire next to his to dry.
Cato joins me on the couch and brushes my cheek. I must feel cooler because he doesn’t fuss.
“I’m okay, Henri,” I say, since he’s still fluttering around me.
He has all his clothes on except for his hat. I can’t have him getting overheated now. I tug on Henri’s coat, and he finally strips down like the rest of us.
“What’s the cabin like? It seems like it’s in good shape,” I say.
Orion isn’t back yet, but I assume they checked most of the place.
“It’s sturdy and well-stocked,” Magnus says, nodding at Cato, who is prying the lid off a tin can with his multi-tool.
Cato fishes out a pear slice and takes a bite before offering the rest to me.
I take a big sniff first, but it smells and looks okay. As long as the can wasn’t damaged, it should be safe, though it won’t be flavorful if it’s old.
I eat the pear from his hand and chew slowly. It still has the usual fruity taste and isn’t totally mushy.
It’s pretty good, actually. One of the best canned pears I’ve ever had.
I chew faster, my body suddenly deciding I’m hungry.
“Unsurprisingly, the electricity won’t turn on.
I’m sure the service is shut down,” Magnus continues as Cato feeds me more.
“There’s a generator connection, but I didn’t go out to look for one because of the storm.
There’s plenty of firewood in the attached garage and the water is working, so we’ll be okay until the blizzard passes. ”
I nod since my mouth is full of pear. A night or two in the cabin should be no problem. We have our own rations in addition to whatever’s around here.
Henri adds another log to the fire and joins us on the couch. Charm and Magnus sit in the chairs and stretch out.
Cato finishes feeding me, and we relax in silence.
The smell of the fire grows—no, not the fire, Charm. His woodsy scent is stronger now that he’s not covered in winter gear.
All our scents are richer than normal. There’s no air filtering system in here and our descenters are wearing off after a long day of exertion.
We smell like the perfect cozy winter evening, eating desserts by the fire, warm and sweet.
I inhale deeply.
We’re missing one. A winter night isn’t complete without candy canes.
“Where’s Orion?” I ask.
“He said he was going to check the exterior walls for damage when I passed him,” Magnus says.
“Shouldn’t he be done by now? I can’t imagine there’s a gaping hole somewhere, there aren’t any drafts,” I say.
“Orion likes to triple-check everything. He’s probably making a list of supplies and where they’re located too,” Charm says.
I frown. “He needs to rest. You can help him make a list, right? Orion doesn’t have to do it all himself.”
Cato chuckles, and I turn my frown on him.
“We don’t disagree with you,” Charm says. “It’s just difficult to get Orion to believe he doesn’t have to do it all alone. We’ve tried.”
Well, I haven’t tried.
I throw off the blankets that somehow got tucked around me again and head out to look for him before they can argue.
I’ll make him stop running himself ragged, no matter what it takes.