Safe Travels

by Alex Dafney

  Within minutes I feel my eyelids getting heavy. I roll to my other side, facing him. He shifts to his back allowing me to settle my head on his chest as he wraps an arm around me. “I’m just going to close my eyes for a minute.” He chuckles as he runs his fingers through my hair. “A nap sounds great.”

  I wake up to a knock at the door. Picking my head up I look out the window to find it’s completely dark outside. I untangle myself from Cooper and walk to the door, pulling it open to find Dom and Raven. She gives me a smirk. “Did we come at a bad time?” I blink rapidly as I put my hand to my hair. “Oh gosh. Sorry. We fell asleep. Ya’ll come on in.” I say as I push the door open wider.

  I close the door behind them and turn to walk into the room, crashing right into Raven’s back. “Geez. Sorry, I must still be asleep.” I look up at her, seeing her eyes are locked on something. I turn to find Cooper, shirtless at the bottom of the steps. He gives a little wave before jogging upstairs. Raven fans herself with her hand. “Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Why in the hell would you have us over when you could be getting down with that all night?”

  I let out a nervous chuckle as my cheeks redden. “We, uh, we just fell asleep on the couch, we weren’t, uh, yeah.” She looks at me with a mischievous grin. “You weren’t, or you haven’t?” My eyes widen as I shake my head. “Oh my God. You haven’t, like ever?!” She says as Dom walks up behind her, elbowing her to get her attention as he passes her a beer. “Haven’t what?” He asks as he looks between us. “Nothing.” I reply while giving her a pleading look. She twists the lid off her beer, taking a long pull, the whole while looking at me. “Apparently nothing.”

  A knock at the door breaks the moment. I step back over to the door, pulling it open wide to find Charlie, Micah and Grant. “Hey! Ya’ll come on in!” I step back so they can enter, each weighed down with packages of beer. Just as I’m about to close the door I see Zane and Ryder walking toward the house. I give a little wave as I step back inside. Charlie bumps her hip against me. “You may want to do something with that rats’ nest on the top of your head.”

  I reach my hand up with wide eyes. “Oh, shit. I’ll be right back.” I dart up the stairs, straight into my bedroom, crossing quickly into the bathroom. I take in the sight of my hair and frumpy clothes. “Crap. No wonder Raven thought we were having sex.” I mutter to myself as I reach for my hairbrush sitting on the counter. “What was that?” I clutch my chest as I turn to find Cooper leaning against the doorframe to my bathroom with a smirk.

  “Damn, Coop. You scared me!” He chuckles as he strides toward me. He’s changed into jeans and a gray T-shirt. Stepping behind me he looks at me in the mirror as I finish brushing out my hair. “I wish I would have thought better than to invite them over. I could’ve stayed on the couch with you all night.” I turn to him, letting out a content sigh against his chest. “Too late now.” He chuckles as he pulls back from me. “We could just go straight to bed and let them have it.” He waggles his eyebrows at me as I chuckle, playfully slapping his chest.

  We walk down the steps together to find everyone, except Reese, in the living room. An assortment of takeout containers and pizza boxes litter the kitchen table, and everyone seems to have a drink in hand. “Reese couldn’t make it?” I ask as I sit on the couch arm next to Dom. “He said he might come later, but I doubt it. Reese is kind of a loner.” Raven jumps up from the couch, throwing the game controller she holds into her seat. “This is bullshit! Who in the hell decided to play Mario Kart?”

  Ryder grabs her hand, pulling her back down to the couch next to him, slinging his arm around her shoulder. “Come on, babe. Don’t be a sore loser.” She flips his arm off of her. “Don’t make me put your ass down for real.” She scowls as he holds his hands up to her, snickering.

  Cooper comes back from the kitchen, handing me a drink in a plastic cup. I look at it before looking up to him with a raised eyebrow. He gives a little shrug. “We’re out of wine, I know you don’t like beer and I remember you drinking something with vodka at that Fraternity party.” I give him a little smile as I take a sip of my drink.

  “Bloody hell to this rainbow road!” Grant yells while waving his hands in the air. A chorus of laughter follows. I look over my shoulder at the front door following a knock. “I’ll get it.” Cooper calls as he strides to the door. He opens it and I watch as Reese steps in, carrying a six pack of beer. Cooper takes it from him and walks toward the kitchen as Reese walks in the living room, gripping a beer in front of him nervously.

  I stand and face him with a cheery smile. “I’m glad you decided to come. There’s pizza, and I don’t even know what else to eat.” He nods in response, walking by me to sit next to Grant on the loveseat. “Here. This game is impossible.” Grant says as he passes the game controller to him. He takes it, turning toward the TV. “Woah. This is a blast from the past.”

  Cooper drags one of the kitchen chairs into the room seeing as there’s no available seating. He makes a slight scowl when he sees I’m sitting next to Dom. I roll my eyes as I stand, walking over to him and perching on his knee. He wraps his arm around me, settling his hand on my thigh. “Hey! Let’s play a game!” Charlie bounces on the couch, sandwiched between Raven and Micah.

  I narrow my eyes at her, thinking of what kind of game she may be suggesting. “What game?” She waves her hand at me. “Not like, strip poker or anything. Let’s just take turns telling a bit about ourselves. I know our team, but I don’t know much of anything about the rest of you.” Ryder groans and rakes his hand over his face. “I’d rather play strip poker.” I raise a hand. “I second that.” Ryder gets an excited look on his face as I roll my eyes. “I meant I second getting to know each other.” Laughter ensues the room.

  “Okay! I’ll go first.” Charlie sits up straight, looking around at the rest of us. “My name is Charlie Newburg. I’ve been here at the compound for almost a year. Before that, I lived with my foster parents in Ohio. They think I’m at some fancy college.” She gives a little chuckle with an eye roll. “I’m a past shifter. I have no idea who my biological parents are, so I don’t know if I’m a first-generation shifter or if they had the gift as well. I assume I’m first generation since I can only travel about five years into the past.” She gives a little shrug. “Um, I was a cheerleader all through school. My favorite color is purple, I love coffee, like, love it! I wanted to be a ballet dancer when I was little, but here I am!” She finishes by throwing her hands out to her side and looking over to Micah sitting next to her. “Your turn!”

  He clears his throat and sits forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Alright. I’m Micah Almasi. I’m originally from Egypt, but my parents moved here when I was very young, so I don’t remember much of it. I’m a present shifter, my parents are both present shifters. I have a younger sister, Neith. We don’t know if she has the gift as of yet. I grew up in New Jersey, and my family is still there. My Dad was Assembly, as well as his father. In high school I was on the debate team, the football team, the engineering team, the robotics club, the President of the student council, and the editor of the student newspaper. I’ve been here for about four years.”

  He sits back, grabbing his beer from the coffee table. Charlie looks around the group. “Dominic. You’re up.” Dom rolls his eyes. “Sure. Dominic Dupre. I’m from a small town in Louisiana. I’m a past shifter. My Mom was Assembly. Don’t know much about the bastard who gave me his last name. I’ve been here for two years.” He stands up, making his way to the kitchen.

  Charlie shrugs. “Alright then. Zane?” He looks up from his phone. “Yeah?” I chuckle as Cooper kicks the couch next to him. “You’re go, man. And put your damn phone away.” Zane grumbles something as he shoves his phone in his pocket. “Whatever. Zane Parker. I’m a past shifter. I grew up in California. My parents were both Assembly, but now they’re enjoying the beach and sun while we’re here in this frozen hell. I could have gone to college to play football but chose to be here instead. Hell, I don’t know.
I like pizza and beer and football.”

  I chuckle as he sits back, accepting the beer Dom hands him. Charlie looks around. “Who’s next? Reese?” All eyes turn to Reese who looks uncomfortable with the attention. “Uh, yeah. Okay. Reese Baldwin. I’m from Colorado. My parents have a cattle ranch back home. I’m a present shifter, my Dad as well. My Mom is a normal. Dad was in the Assembly for a few years but left to start a new life. I have two younger brothers, Riley and Richard, neither of which have the gift. They don’t even know about me or Dad yet. They think I joined the military.” He gestures at his tall lanky frame with a scoff. “Like I could ever be military.”

  Grant slaps a hand on his shoulder, a gentle smile on his face. “You are military. The military for the Assembly. Don’t sell yourself short, mate.” Reese shrugs as he sits back with his beer. “Grant, you’re turn!” Charlie sing songs. Grant clasps his hands in his lap. “Very well. I’m Grant Ainsworth, from North Yorkshire. I’ve been here for three years, with these arseholes.” Boos erupt as Zane flings a couch pillow at him. “Kidding, boys. Don’t get yourselves in a tizzy. Both Mum and Dad were Assembly, and as soon as I came of age, I was shipped here. I’m a present shifter, and I enjoy pina coladas and getting caught in the rain.”

  Everyone laughs as Grant stands and takes a slight bow. “Okay, Raven.” Charlie bumps Raven’s shoulder with her own, causing an extreme eye roll. “This is ridiculous. I’m Raven Abernathy. Grew up in Georgia. My Mom was taken by the Hunters when I was a small child, so it’s always just been my Dad and me. When my Mom was taken, I knew I would become Assembly. Oh, and I’m a future shifter.” She says as she folds her arms across her chest, looking over to Ryder. “Your turn.”

  He gives her a wistful smile. “I’m sorry about your Mom. I had no idea.” She waves her hand as she rolls her eyes. “It was a long time ago. Get talking so we can end this, so called, game.”

  Ryder nods as he scoots to the edge of the couch, clasping his hands between his knees. “So, I’m Ryder Teague. I grew up in South Dakota. My parents are still happily married twenty fives years later. I have two younger sisters, Brooke and Isabella. I’m also a future shifter. I joined the Assembly because I want to take down the Hunters.” He shrugs as he sits back.

  Charlie looks across the room at me. I remove my arm from around Cooper’s neck, sitting up a little straighter. “I, um, I’m Ophelia Oakes. I’m a past shifter from Alabama. My Mom and Gamma are both Society, but my Dad was Assembly. From what I know, something went wrong on a mission and he was killed. I didn’t know I had a gift until I was ten years old. I declined the Society invitation because I don’t believe in the Neanderthal idea of matching the best candidates to procreate in order to create stronger shifters.” I sneak a glance at Cooper’s grinning face. “Oh, and up until a few weeks ago I thought I was just a regular shifter until I met this guy at a fraternity party.”

  I tap his chest lightly. “Your up.” He clears his throat as he sits up, shifting me a little so he can see everyone in the room. “Cooper. Cooper Clark. I’m originally from Scotland, but my parents moved us to the states when my brother and I were around five. Carter is my twin brother. After my parents were killed when we were sixteen, I joined the Assembly and Carter joined the Society. I’m a past shifter and I’ve been the lead of our team for the last three years.” He pauses taking a moment to look at each of his team members as he raises his beer. “To the cyclones.”

  They all raise their beers. “To the Cyclones”, they say in unison. I look over my shoulder at him. “That’s y’alls team name?” Raven scoffs from across the room. “Better than our last team name. The cicadas.” My team shares a laugh together. “Wait. You all had a team before? What happened?” Ryder asks. Raven rolls her eyes. “Our lead thought he would be better suited with another team. Apparently, we weren’t good enough for him.” She gestures her hand to our team.

  Cooper sits up straighter with a mock enthusiastic face. “Wait. You can do that? I would have traded these jackasses years ago!” A round of boos followed by an onslaught of couch pillows flies our way as Cooper uses me as a human shield. “Wait! I didn’t say anything! I would take ya’ll as my teammates in a heartbeat!” I yell as I cover my face with my arms. Another round of boos comes from my team, followed by more flying objects. ”That’s not what I meant!” I squeal as everyone laughs.

  Once everyone settles down, I stand, grabbing my drink from the floor. “Anyone need a refill?” Everyone raises an empty glass or bottle. “I’ll help.” Micah says, standing and taking the others empties in his arms. He follows me into the kitchen as I grab a handful of beers from the fridge before making myself another drink. Micah leans back against the counter. “What’s the deal with Charlie? Is she seeing anyone?” I shrug my shoulders. “I really don’t know much about her.” He nods, giving me a knowing smile. “It’ll get easier. The fact that they all came tonight shows you’re doing something right.

  I give him a half smile. “Thanks. I needed to hear that.” He pats me on the shoulder before gripping a few beer bottles in his hand and walking out of the kitchen. I grab my drink and the remaining bottles, following behind him.

  The next morning, I wake up at five again, only this time with a pounding headache from lack of sleep. I groan as I roll out of bed, heading straight for the shower. I make my way downstairs quietly as to not wake Cooper, only to find him in the kitchen in nothing but workout shorts. He looks over his shoulder as I stand admiring his physique. “Good morning, love.” I smile as I pour myself a cup of coffee. “You’re up early.”

  He gives a little shrug as he slides a pile of eggs onto two plates. “Thought you may need a partner for training.” I raise an eyebrow at him with a smirk. “You didn’t think Dom was good enough yesterday.” He scowls at me as he carries the plates to the kitchen table. “I still don’t trust him, O.” I think back to my conversation with Gamma. Someone on your team is going to betray you. I shake the thought from my mind as I sit down. “I don’t know. He apologized for being an ass, and he did get Raven and Reese to come over last night.” I give a little shrug as I eat.

  Cooper shakes his head. “I’m still keeping an eye on him.” A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth as I look at his creased forehead. “Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Coop.” He gives me a pointed look. “I wasn’t jealous. He had his hands all over you, and he’s already made it apparent he’s attracted to you.” I tilt my head to the side, giving him a ‘really’ look. “We were sparring. He did not have his hands all over me.” He huffs as he inhales his eggs. I smile to myself as I finish my plate. Jealousy actually does look kind of cute on him.

  After breakfast we ride together to Headquarters, Cooper driving as he holds my hand on the console. I turn to him just as we pull in the parking lot. “Oh, hey. I almost forgot. After training I have a meeting with Jim and then I’ll be heading out for the weekend.” He shuts off the car before turning to look at me. “What are you talking about?” I sigh. “Mom got home yesterday. I need to go home and get the rest of my things. I’m basically circulating the same three outfits.” I gesture to my workout clothes that I’ve worn everyday this week.

  He shakes his head slightly, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and finger. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. Of course you need the rest of your belongings. After the meeting with Jim we’ll go straight there.” He starts to pull his hand away to get out of the car, but I pull his hand back. “You don’t have to come with me. I’ll just be gone for the weekend.” He runs his hand through his hair, letting out an exasperated sigh. “I’m not letting you out of my sight while the Hunters are going after shifters the way they are. Either I go with you, or you don’t go.”

  I pull my hand from his, scowling at him. “You can’t just tell me I can’t go somewhere. I’m not your property Cooper.” I say angrily as I get out of the car, hitching my purse up on my shoulder and quickly walking across the parking lot for the building. “Ophelia! Ophelia, wait!”
He yells behind me, but I continue my fast pace. He catches up to me, placing his hand on my elbow and spinning me to face him. “Dammit, Ophelia. That’s not what I meant at all. The Hunters have taken another ten Society members. We’ve gotten word from Headquarters in Australia that five Assembly members are missing. Something is happening and I can’t have you out there alone.”

  He runs his hand along my cheek, looking down into my eyes. “You are definitely not my property, but you’re mine to protect.” He leans toward me quickly, his mouth finding mine. My lips part and his tongue dives in my mouth, causing me to moan softly against his lips. My whole body tingles as I wrap my arms around his neck, running my fingers through his dark hair.

  “Get a room.” I abruptly pull back to find Dom striding past us with a smirk. Cooper places his forehead against mine, a low growl coming from his throat. I lower both of my hands to his chest, feeling his heart pound under my hand. “Come on, Coop. Let’s get through training, then we’ll figure it out.” I step back taking his hand in mine as we walk into the building.

  Training goes relatively quickly. Niko keeps up with the team against team theme, pairing me against Zane this time. He takes me down more quickly than I care to admit, knocking the breath out of me. This nearly caused a brawl between he and Cooper. I had to jump in between the two of them with a hand on each of their chests. “Stop, Coop. I can’t learn this shit if I only ever go against you, and you take it easy on me.” Niko stepped forward, placing his hands on Cooper’s shoulders. “She’s right, and you know it.”

  Cooper had shrugged his hands away and headed straight for the elevator, leaving the rest of us to finish training. As soon as we were done, I said goodbye to my team, apologized to Zane for the tenth time, and made my way to Jim’s office to find Cooper leaning against the wall next to his door. I roll my eyes as he faces me, running his hand through his hair. “I owe you an apology, O.” I shake my head, knocking on Jim’s door.