by Janna Ruth
No look from him. “Of course I did. Your NAV is higher.”
“I’m not even trained,” I remind him. Going to the academy is out of the question after the warning I got in Budapest, but not attending it means I’m nothing more than a civilian, high NAV or not. “You said I needed to pass the academy first before I could even think about it.”
Wulf’s movements come to a stop. “Does that mean you’re interested in going?”
It’s hard not to bristle at the note of hopefulness in his voice. “No.”
He bunches his shoulders in disappointment. “Your choice.” It doesn’t sound like he approves.
“Look. I don’t want to lead this team.” That much is true. “I am many things, but a leader is not one of them.”
His eyes soften uncharacteristically as he looks at me again. “A good leader inspires their people, they show empathy and decision skills and aren’t afraid to adapt to new situations. Or old,” he adds quietly before returning to cutting the flattened dough into thin stripes.
“Doesn’t sound like me.” Or does it? I certainly don’t inspire people, or he wouldn’t have given me such a hard time ever since we met.
Wulf chuckles to himself. “You don’t often look in the mirror, do you?”
“Couldn’t fit one in the backpack.” The words are out before I can truly process his.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean… Sorry.” He lowers his head again.
I know that’s not what he meant. But the distraction is exactly what I need to avoid dwelling on his words. “Don’t worry about it. I was joking.”
Wulf looks up, frowning at me. “I see.” He’s way too serious to truly see it. “What I meant to say was that you embody all those qualities. You showed off your decision making when we fought the nymphs in Budapest, you’re certainly a pro at adapting to new situations, and your empathy is off the charts when it comes to spirits.”
But not humans, I add quietly.
“And you inspire people. Or what else would you call Leon’s show of support for you yesterday? And Camille?” He still sounds hurt about it. Someone so revered by people probably isn’t used to them turning on him.
“And you?” I don’t even know why I’m asking. I know the answer.
Wulf wets his lips. “I guess, me as well.”
“What?” I guess I did not know the answer.
“I said you inspired me as well. At least, what you did outside was inspiring. Mesmerising.” Once again, it looks like he’s holding his breath, and I begin to understand that we are both walking on eggshells around each other. “The way you approached this… madness.” His eyes are turned inwards as if it’s all replaying in his head. “You looked like some sort of fairy.”
He must have totally forgotten I was sitting right there in front of him, because as soon as his eyes fall on me, his ears redden considerably. I fold my hands under my chin and lean forward, not even trying to feign ignorance. “A fairy, hmm?”
Quickly, Wulf turns around, pretending to hang his pasta. “Or some alien,” he says, matter-of-factly.
I can’t help but smile at his back. “Well, I better leave you to your pasta.”
I get off my chair and walk towards the door. There, I remember something else. “Uhm, Wulf?”
He turns around to me, the tips of his ears still a bit red. “What is it?”
“Grune came here for a reason.” Now that I recall the images the dryad showed me, I feel sick. Whatever crawled out of the trap looked like a living nightmare. “A polluted spirit appeared in the forest. He assumed we deposited her there. I promised to help him get rid of her before she did too much damage.” Now, this is where being in command would come in handy. “Do you think we could take out the team to check it out?”
Despite his frown, Wulf says, “Sure, it’s your call.” When I wince, his eyes soften. “Let’s talk it through tomorrow morning.”
Preorder Back to Nature (Spirit Seeker Book 3) to continue the journey!
Back to Nature
Spirit Seeker Book 3
Some things are better left in the past, especially when they’re spirits with a grudge.
Rika has proven herself a true spirit seeker – one that protects and communicates with spirits. And finally, Wulf seems to be on board with the changes. After finding a mention in an old diary, the Berlin Team is off to Dublin to investigate the connection between druids and spirit seekers.
For several years now, Dublin has reported no major spirit attacks, making them an anomaly in the SSA. But if Rika and the others thought, they’d be welcomed, they are sorely disappointed. Dublin’s spirit seekers mistrust Wulf and refuse their help when it comes to digging up the early history of the SSA. It is up to Rika to earn their trust, but the more she learns the more she begins to doubt Wulf and her place in his team. And if that weren’t enough, the city is suddenly under attack by vengeful dryads.
Watch the Spirit Seekers grow as they travel to Ireland and get your copy now to find out who’s friend or foe.
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Natural Selection
A Spirit Seeker Prequel
Nature has declared war on us, and we're here to answer that call.
Wulf might be the greatest spirit seeker the agency who leads the war against nature has to offer. A new mission calls him and other elite spirit seekers to Italy where they face off against an active volcano. Two thousand years ago, Vesuvius obliterated the city of Pompeii. Now the fire spirit has set his eyes on Naples.
Leading the spirit seekers into the volcano, Wulf begins to realise that his biggest challenge might not be the spirits but keeping this group of big egos in check. Tensions rise as the heat is turned up and one false move could spell out their death.
Join the Spirit Seekers in this prequel to meet the greatest of them all in action!
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Witching with Dolphins
A New Zealand Fantasy Novella
Harper's best friend Valerie is everything she is not: beautiful, confident, and the most powerful witch on Banks Peninsula. Together, they run the coffee shop »La Petite Sorcière« and keep the balance between magic, people, and the environment. It's an honour for Harper to be Valerie's sidekick, if only they weren't in love with the same man: dolphin whisperer Ethan.
Friends before magic (or boys) has always been their prerogative, but their determination to hold onto it is tested when a local scientist finds out about their secret and makes Valerie a tempting offer. Harper's envy and feelings of inferiority lead to a massive fall-out between the two friends that might put both their lives at risk. Yet, when push comes to shove, Harper is willing to give up everything for her friend: Ethan, her life, or even the little magic she has.
Set in Akaroa Harbour, this witchy novella takes you on a magical trip of swimming with the dolphins. It is a story about love, the ocean, and most importantly, friendship.
Buy Witching with Dolphins
More books by Janna Ruth
www.janna-ruth.com