Chapter 18 #2
How nice that would be. In our own bubble. Away from everything. From fate, from bonds, from the torrent of guilt and anxiety that I know is waiting for me. I wish I could stay here. Life would be so much simpler. Fate has other plans and the world continues to turn.
We enjoy a lazy morning with one last dip in the springs with a couple of mimosas. We're basically on holiday so what's a tipple of alcohol first thing in the morning?
After a while we dress and pack up. The travel is easy now from when I cleared the road yesterday. I make sure to touch the minds of nearby animals to steer them away from the moving jeep.
We're halfway home when I feel a ripple of alert go through the forest. Flowing through the trees. Like the forest is signalling an intruder. I stand up. Squeezing my head and shoulders through the sunroof.
“What is it?” Lukas asks scanning the trees.
“Something is out there.”
“How far?”
“A couple miles. It's moving away from us. North.”
We start to drive down a steep decline and I use the opportunity to have the trees bend to the side.
Opening up a clear view of the forest. I see the ranch five miles away and to the right of that moving at speed is.
.. something. I focus on pinpointing it desperate to see what it is.
To touch it's mind to find out what could give off that vibe but it's like trying to catch smoke. I grind my teeth in frustration.
“What the hell are you?!”
It's getting farther away, along with my chances to understand this intruder. The alert pulsing through the forest tells me it isn't natural. It shouldn't be here and I won't allow it to roam my forest unchecked.
I funnel my anger and determination into a ball and force it into the ground meters from the signal. When it reaches it I let it go and the earth explodes outward sending a shock wave through the trees.
I catch a glimpse of bright red and a shape of a person before whatever it is disappears out of my reach.
“It's gone! It ran too far and too fast.” I grumble as I slouch back down in my seat.
“Did you try and blow it up?” Lukas asks with a raised brow.
“Only so I could see what it was. There was a flash of red. It looked like a person but no way was it human. It was too far away for me to see it clearly. I should have felt their energy, but I felt nothing.”
“There's only two things that I know off that are alive but yet aren't.” His jaw tenses and his hands tighten on the steering wheel. “Vampires and Skinwalkers.”
That he knows off. We're going to find out Zombies are real at this rate.
“Maybe.” I mutter. “But I couldn’t feel death. Like I do with Alistair.”
“Alistair isn't a Vampire. Him and Hades created vampires. To werewolves they smell different so it stands to reason they would feel different.”
“Yeah that makes sense.” I sigh. “Honestly I'm kinda hoping it is a vampire because the idea of a Skinwalker really freaks me out.”
We get back in no time and the ranch is exactly how we left it. Everyone is waiting for us at the front of the house. My Mum rushes over as soon as I get out of the car.
“Honey what is it? Did you cause that explosion?” Her voice is worried.
“I did. There was someone out there. I couldn't feel their energy to know who or what they were.”
She spins to look at my Dad with wide eyes.
He squares his shoulders, his eyes narrowing.
“How close was it?”
“About three miles from here heading North.”
“Caleb's cameras should have alerted us if it was that close.”
I look around and that's when I realise he's not here.
Penny is stood with Jason her head tucked under his chin looking worried.
Izzy is just next to them scanning the trees around us as if whatever it was will jump out at any second.
Lukas is stood next to me the back of his hand brushing against my own.
I look to my right having picked up Caleb's energy. He's jogging back to the ranch from the direction of the explosion I caused.
My Dad turns to him as soon as he nears the ranch.
“Did your cameras pick up who it was?”
Caleb has his iPad out and is clicking away.
“Not that I've seen yet. I heard the explosion and rushed to go and see what it was.”
I step forward. “That was me. I sensed something that didn't belong. I couldn't see what it was so I tried to blow them up into the air.” I shrug. “I saw a person and a flash of red. They were too fast for me to get a decent look.”
Caleb's eyes widen a fraction. “I guess that's one way to scare of an intruder.
It's a good thing you came back when you did.
I'm going to scan through the footage of all the cameras in that area. Krista would you mind popping into my cabin in a second to show me the exact location of where you first sensed this person?”
“Sure. I'll be there in a bit.”
My dad gives him a nod and he rushes off into his cabin.
“Could Hades have sent a scout to prepare for an attack?” I ask my Dad.
His brow furrows in concern. The muscles in his neck tensing as he glances to my mum.
“Potentially... but after what you did to Alistair-” His looks at me with pride. “I didn't think he would dare to try it.”
My mum takes his hand. “It's could have been a rogue. We don't know whether this vampire belongs to Hades army. Some only belong to themselves.”
“That's one possibility. The other isn't much better.” He scratches his chin as he turns to face everyone.
“I want everyone to report any animal or human that doesn't feel right.
If it smells wrong or acts strange in any way then steer clear and call for backup.
For the time being I want a wolf on patrol at all times. We'll do an eight hour rotation.”
Jason takes a step forward. “I'll take the first shift.” He offers.
Carter nods and Jason gives Penny a kiss then runs into the trees pulling off his shirt as he goes.
Moments later I knock on Caleb's door.
“It's open.”
I enter his single bedroom cabin. Various security equipment dominates the front room with two doors leading to what I can only assume to be a bedroom and bathroom.
The walls are filled with screens showing the view of cameras dotted around the area.
There's a two seater sofa with a book case one side and a drinks cabinet the other.
The constant whirring of computers and huge hard drives is the only sound.
There's a small, tidy kitchen across the room and a two seater dining table.
Caleb is sat at his desk going over camera footage. A tumbler of Whisky beside him.
“Thanks for helping out. Here's my map of camera locations.” He points to another screen. “Can you pinpoint the route you think this thing took? So far I'm coming up blank.”
“Sure let me see... It ran along here before I tried erm-”
“Blowing it sky-high?” He says with a small smirk.
“Yeah.” I chuckle. “And then it went this way.” I say running my finger across the screen.
Caleb starts tapping on his keyboard.
“These are the only cameras I have for that area.” He brings up their views on the screens as he takes a sip of Whisky. “Sorry where are my manners.”
He stands and grabs a tumbler. “Care for a glass?” He holds up the bottle of scotch. “I'm more of a rum man myself but it's about time this bottle got opened.”
“Normally I'd say it's too early but after this morning!”
He laughs and hands me the glass before picking up his own and holding it up.
“To keeping our sanity with threats at every corner!”
I laugh and clink his glass. The Scotch is strong but delicious.
Caleb sits back in his chair and flicks through the camera footage.
“None of the cameras have picked up on movement at all. This one was triggered by a Coyote but other than that, there's nothing.”
We go over the footage for another hour but whatever it was slipped by totally unseen. Which is incredible really considering how many cameras Caleb has around this place.
I slump back in my chair taking a sip of my drink as I look around the place. That's when I notice Alistair's phone over on the dining table.
“Any luck with the phone?”
“None. I've run it through all the software I have but it's locked up.” He sighs.
“Seems today is full of dead ends.” I mumble.
“I wouldn't say that. You and Luke are going well. No dead ends in sight there” He says with a side glance.
Damn I forgot I stink of Lukas and Sex. No privacy in this place whatsoever.
“That is my cue to go take a shower.” I stand and down the rest of my glass. “Thanks for the drink. It's really good Scotch.”
He spins in his chair and picks up the bottle. Flicking his long brown, almost black fringe from his face.
“Take the rest if you want. As a thank you. I know I wasn't the most welcoming since you came here but I'm thankful for everything you've done for the pack. Lukas is my best friend and I think you'll be really good for him.” He says sincerely.
I smile and take the bottle.
“Thanks.” I smile at his kindness.
This is the most we've spoken and it's been nice getting to know him a bit more. He definitely strikes me as a nerdy introvert with a lot of shields around himself. He pays attention to every small detail and misses nothing.
I head into the house and straight for the shower. When I get out Izzy is sat on my bed.
“Wash all you want you still stink of Lukas so come on spill!” She's practically bouncing on my bed.
“There's not much to spill! We had a lovely night away.” I say as I shrug on a vest top and yoga pants. “And what do you mean I still stink?”
“His scent is imprinted on you. It'll ware off eventually but I doubt you guys will let it.” She winks.
“No privacy!” I sigh exasperatedly as I flop on the bed next to her.
“Soooo.....” She bumps me with her elbow and I smile.
“It was amazing.”
“Aha I knew it!”
“But it's nothing serious! I don't want the pack to start thinking we're some sort of mated couple. It's... casual.”
She stares at me blankly and I feel the need to elaborate.
“I've got enough going on with my whole life being turned upside down and I'm 18! Apparently I'm gonna live for millenniums so maybe I don't wanna settle down right now.”
“Uh-huh...” She gets up from the bed looking solemn.
“Izzy what is it?” Out of everyone in the pack I thought she would understand.
“Is your life still upside down? We're all settled back home and things are finally back to how they should be.”
“Yeah but...” I sigh. “There's still so much I'm trying to figure out and I don't know where my future will take me.”
“Here. This is your home. You're the future of this pack and you're future is here with Lukas. What's there to come to terms with? It's simple.” She smiles with hope in her eyes.
“There's a whole world out there and I can use my powers to help it.”
She comes over and takes both my hands.
“There's also Nymphs across the world. Not many and not as powerful as you but they all have their place to protect. Yours is here. Why would you want to leave?”
Sadness settles on me like a blanket. In this moment I feel alone.
I thought Izzy would understand. She's adventurous and fearless.
Now I realise everyone in the pack wants me to stay here and never leave.
More than ever I want to go back to Birchwood.
To sit and chat with Cassey all through the night.
I feel a lump form in my throat but I swallow it and smile as I pull Izzy into a hug.
“You're right.” I whisper.