by Holly Hook
And Mr. Russell drops his plate, which shatters on the floor.
“What's going on?” Mrs. Russell asks, emerging from the back room. She's already in pajama bottoms with horses on them.
“I saw the Savage King,” I repeat. “Biggest Wolf I've ever seen. Like something out of a Norse nightmare.” I sink to the old, ripping couch and hug my knees like a small child. The sight of Romulus has taken all the bravery out of me.
Or worse—the fact I killed someone and could become that way.
“We have to call the rest of the coven and have them come here,” Mr. Russell tells his wife. “We can't hide Brie anymore. There's no point in holding onto pride. If the Savage King came here, then he knows she still exists. And he's here to finish the Nobles.”
She shakes her head. “I have been trying to gather them, but your uncle hasn‘t been agreeable.”
“I hate him," Mr. Russell says, pacing. “He won‘t let the past go or overturn our disownment. Why doesn‘t he realize that they need to come back here, and now? Brie needs the whole coven.”
“I'm standing right here,” I say. Then I tell them exactly what I saw.
“You're not leaving until we know for certain it's safe,” Mr. Russell says. “We did not think he was coming into this territory yet. Until now, we thought he was waiting somewhere in the shadows to attack. For thousands of years that's how the Savage King has worked.”
“That's nice to know,” I say. “He's coming out of hiding just for me.”
“Maybe he already did a while ago, and you now just saw him for the first time.” Mr. Russell draws closer, leaning down to stare me in the eye. I sense something pained there. “For all we know, he could stay in town. We don't know everything about the immortal Savage King or what he and his warlocks can do. Rumor has it he has a cult who serves him.”
I shudder when I think of Brett. “On penalty of death.”
“Exactly,” Mr. Russell says.
“I think you're scaring Brie,” Leonora says.
I face her. “Is this disownment thing why the Coven hasn‘t helped Cayden yet?”
“Partly," Mr. Russell says. “They will not speak to me or my wife or allow us to say a word. My family might practice light magic, but they‘re not accepting people. The responsibility went too far to my uncle‘s head.”
“Then maybe someone else can talk to him?" Leonora asks. “I'm not disowned, am I?"
I appreciate her effort. "Now I need to get back to the Lowe cabin.” The Russells might be witches, but their family are still people.”
“You're not leaving, princess,” Mr. Russell says.
“Don't call me that.”
“Maybe that word can communicate how important you are,” he says. “Staying here for the night is your only option. And do not tell the alpha that the Savage King is here. That's what he wants.”
“Romulus wants Cayden to come back here and die,” I say. “I know that.”
“Yes. And he will do anything to lure him back. That's likely why Romulus didn't come after you earlier tonight. He's waiting. That means Cayden's distance is keeping you safe for now.”
“If that's true, I should be able to leave.”
Mr. Russell screws up his face. “Fair point.”
“You agree with her?” Leonora asks.
I eye the phone in her hand. On the other side of it is Cayden's voice. I want nothing more than to talk to him again but he'll hear the nerves in my words. Then he'll break and come back. The tug deep within me is still there, pulling me to him, hungering for him, and I know he feels the same.
But while he's gone, I'm in charge. Romulus could go after the pack to get Cayden back here. Or he could hurt others.
“Well, maybe Leonora can talk sense into the coven if they don‘t consider her taboo," I say. “And Romulus will move sooner or later. He'll hurt people to get Cayden back.”
“I fear she's right,” Mrs. Russell says.
“I fear so, too,” Mr. Russell adds. “Leonora. It‘s a bad idea for you to stay here. I might have to find somewhere to send you for the time being. Do you know where Cayden is?”
Leonora gulps. “I don't want to leave my friends.”
“Your life is more important than your friends.” Mr. Russell talks down to her. “You get on a bus and leave here tomorrow. Your mother and I will get you money. You know where the alpha is?”
“Yes.”
“Then follow him.”
“Go to Cayden, Leonora,” I say. “Make sure you stay safe. And see if you can find the rest of the coven.” My thoughts turn to Noah and Ellie and even Olivia. Romulus could go after any of them. Anyone Cayden has ever liked or worked with. He's the ultimate Savage.
Leonora swallows. “Okay. I will.”
“I know you want to help, and you'll help by working with Cayden to get rid of his curse.” I'm sending another girl to spend time with him, but I know Leonora won't try anything. And Cayden and I have such a strong bond he would never cheat on me, anyway.
“Are you sure you're safe to go home?” Mrs. Russell asks. “We have no problem letting you stay for the night. It might be better if you stay and escort Leonora to the bus stop in the morning.”
“I will,” I agree.
But as I do, I face the dark just outside the Russells' cabin, a dark so deep anything could lurk there.
Chapter Six
I walk Leonora to the bus stop the next morning. We talk a little. Even in broad daylight, I keep my eyes and ears peeled for the slightest disturbance. Just birds and occasional rabbits dart through the snow and the trees. Our boots crunch snow. Nothing else. The smells all stay ordinary, too.
But still we stay quiet.
Sneaky. And I don‘t move more than a few feet from Leonora.
This place doesn't feel like home anymore. It feels like a trap, with a hunter set loose. And the worst part is, I won't sense the Savage King coming until it's too late. Last night proved that. Maybe he wants me to know I'm prey.
We step through the gate and my throat closes at the memory of Cayden boarding one. Being Sunday, few people are coming and going—mostly going.
Leonora doesn't dare speak until we step through. “I guess I‘ll make myself useful from far away," she says. “Tell Remo I'll come back as soon as I can.” Sadness fills her eyes as she faces the bus station. She might not see him again and we both know.
But I let that silence drag out and hang between us. “Well,” I say, feeling a little better now that we‘re out of the woods. “You're the second person I've said goodbye to this weekend. Sucks.”
Leonora manages a grin. “I'm kind of excited to get out of Breck for the first time in my life.”
“Well, enjoy it,” I say. “You're lucky your parents had that box of money they've saved.”
“Buried in the backyard,” she says. “I'm sure Chicago will be—oops.”
“Chicago!” I say.
“Okay. Cayden‘s there. But don't come after us in case someone follows you,” Leonora says. “I got excited for a moment. I'm going to Chicago.”
I swallow. I wish I could board the bus with her and go on an adventure that doesn't involve Savage Wolves. Leonora is human and free to go do these things. I still have a territory to guard. “Have fun. Enjoy the time of your life.”
“I won't be doing too many fun things,” she says. “They have libraries there I'd love to check out. Maybe I can figure out how to take off Cayden's curse. It's a long shot, but--”
“Brett says only his family knows the secret,” I say. “It has something to do with their dark spirits or the ugly parts of nature, or whatever. You don't work that kind of magic.”
“I know,” Leonora says. “But I'm willing to learn. And don't tell my parents that.” Her face hardens.
“You‘ll learn dark magic?”
“Mom says it‘s only for people who don't care about karma or whatever. But light magic won‘t stop Romulus. I might not have experience, but I've been thinking. Light
magic hasn't stopped the Savages in the past and now you and your aunt are the only two Noble royals left. My family doesn‘t have a great track record. Maybe we need to fight darkness with darkness.”
“You're saying darkness is stronger than light magic.”
“Maybe. I don't know anymore. The more I see, the more I wonder.”
“I get your point,” I say as a heavy feeling fills me. “Enjoy Chicago. Though I don't think there's a lot of magic there.”
“My parents say magic is inside us,” she says. “I'll keep you updated on Cayden. If I can figure out how to send texts.” Leonora extends her arms for a hug. “Good luck.”
“You too.” I'll miss her. Leonora might have annoyed me when we first met at Sterling Grocery, but she's turned into an amazing friend. "We'll go to Teeyah's again and I'll make you get another coffee.”
I watch her board the bus before I turn and head home, to a place that no longer feels safe.
* * * * *
When I walk into school the next day, Monday, I find Noah leaning against my locker. He grins at me and says, “No more falling trees?”
“Worse.”
The smile drops off his face. At least Olivia's not with him. She's coming around but still not friendly and besides, I don't want too many people around me. The Savage King will want to hurt those close to me. The other Savages do that. Why not him? But how can I tell Noah to keep his distance?
By telling him to keep his distance.
“Noah,” I say, holding him in my glare. “You need to stay away from me. The Savage King is in our territory, or he goes in and out under our noses. We don't know who's watching us, and to get to me, he'll go after everyone I care about. That includes you. I'm sorry.”
Noah pales. “The Savage King? He's real? He wasn‘t just some made up myth?”
“Yes.” I pause as a small group of people walks past us in the halls, heading to class. “I saw him. And you don't want to meet this monster. I wouldn't have stood a chance. I bet he wants Cayden to come back to town and he'll hurt people to make that happen. He knows the Nobles' weaknesses.”
“But don't you want Cayden back?” He raises his eyebrows.
“Let me explain.” And I do, speaking and eyeing the halls for anyone who might be watching. I explain why the Savage King wants Cayden to return and about our bond.
“You can't even talk to your boyfriend over the phone?”
“We can't take the risk. You don't get the pull we have towards each other. If Cayden thinks I'm in danger without him here, he comes back. And I know how he works.” Cayden loves me too much. He‘s dedicated.
“But he's your leader.”
“While he's gone, I am.”
Noah extends his arms for a hug. “You make a good one, I'm sure.”
“We have a pack of four.”
“Four's not bad. Could be worse.”
“I could have to lead fifty. Or I could get stuck mated to the Savage King and watch everyone else die.”
“Yuck,” Noah says. “I wonder what he's like in human form. He must have one if he was the first evil werewolf.”
“I can't imagine anything nice.” The image of a Roman god enters my head, complete with war gear. Weren't Remus and Romulus both princes blessed by the god of war or something? I can't remember the exact myth in the textbooks, but those were the human myths. The truth is likely different.
“Maybe he's like, a Viking with a braided beard,” Noah says. “Or some guy with pit stains who hasn't showered in a million years. Sorry. I'm just trying to lift the mood.” He eyes me with sympathy.
“I'm glad you do. That brings me back to it. Noah, stay away from me. Don't make it obvious you're my friend.”
“How can I do that? Do I leave you alone?”
“I'll sit with the Lowes today. What's left. We can‘t even look at each other.”
Noah frowns. Even his humor can't help much. “I guess we'll still be in rehearsal together. That's safe, right?”
“Jansen. Remember?”
“Oh. We‘ll keep an eye on him.”
“I have to act beside him. Maybe I should pull out of the play.” But if I do that, Mr. Saffron will be furious. I won't be taking part in any during senior year. And that will be a bummer now that Olivia is getting more bearable.
“I was hoping you could sit with us today,” Noah says. “Olivia will be. For the first time in years. I can't wait to see how Alesha and Tiffany react.”
“I'll listen for you.”
Noah sends me a sad look. “This sucks, Brie.”
“I agree.”
We walk to our first class, not speaking, like strangers.
And lo-and-behold—Jansen sits in the back row, right where he can watch everyone. Noah enters the room first and I wait before doing the same. We still have assigned seats and Mrs. Connors won't let us change again this year. Jansen glares at me and lifts his phone, studying it and keeping it out of my view.
He could just be a new guy I've crossed.
But then his warning re-enters my mind. The tree. The fact that Brett peeked into the auditorium right after Jansen showed up.
Mrs. Connors starts class, and I try to pay attention to the lecture and not look at Noah, but it's impossible not to study Jansen the whole time. And to make matters worse, every time I peek at Jansen, he's looking at me as if waiting for me to make a move. The more he's here, the more I hate him. He‘s not even hiding it.
My grasp tightens on the side of my desk. The longer he sits here, the more I want to confront him.
Despite that, the animal within me doesn't stir. If Jansen were Savage or infected, it would. Matthew's proven that. At least I know he's human. Perhaps he's part of Romulus‘s cult.
The bell rings, and Jansen books out of the room as soon as it does. I nod to Noah.
“See you at rehearsal,” he whispers. “And I'll watch out for falling things.”
“Thanks.” I can breathe now that Jansen's out of the room.
When I get into the hall, I see him nowhere. The PA beeps and Mr. Saffron reminds the Drama Club that there is, in fact, another rehearsal tonight and we're expected to be there. I sigh. For one, I'm not looking forward to it at all.
At lunch, I sit with the Lowes, and Jansen doesn't even show up to lunch. The guy gets more suspicious the longer he's in school. Nothing he does makes sense.
“So you can't point this guy out?” Everly asks.
“He's not here right now. But you'll see him,” I say, not sounding confident. That's the last thing I need in front of Everly.
Remo eyes the cafeteria. “I just smell cafeteria food and armpits.” He speaks like he's not there. I know where his mind is, and it's Leonora, who's now across the country. Remo's separated from his girlfriend just as I'm separated from my boyfriend. But he doesn't dare say anything in front of Everly. As she studies the cafeteria, she has a calculating and serious look in her eyes.
Then she stares at me. “Stop going to rehearsal,” she says, fixing me in her glare.
“Stop going? I can't do that,” I say. “If I duck out of this play, I'll never be able to go to another one.”
“We have to think of our safety,” Everly says. “That Jansen guy is there, and he's likely telling Brett where you are at all times. Someone doesn't have to be a Wolf or into magic to be dangerous.”
“Mr. Saffron won't stand for it,” I say. As much as I'll hate working beside Jansen, I don't want to give the enemy the satisfaction of making me change my life.
But I also don‘t want Cayden sensing me in danger.
“Who cares?” Everly says. “To keep Cayden away and safe we have to make sacrifices. If another tree falls on you or you get hurt, he'll be able to sense it and he won't be able to stay away.”
She has a good point. Cayden already has. If I keep going to the play, Jansen will keep reporting to Brett and maybe even Romulus himself. Then I'll be open to whatever attacks he has up his sleeve.
The thought hits m
e and I deflate. Everly watches for my reaction and I catch zero sympathy on her face.
“Why do you have to be all business all the time?” I ask.
“Because it's the way it is,” she says. “If I'm not, what will happen to the pack?”
“I'm in charge,” I say, rising from the table. The Savage King is ruining everything in my life, and there's no one here to take it out on except Everly.
“This is tense,” Remo says.
“No kidding,” Everly says. “I'm trying to talk sense here. It's good Leonora left.”
Remo's expression darkens. “You're just jealous of those of us who know how to have fun.”
“Whoa,” I say, holding up both hands.
“That's what it is,” Remo says. “Everly thinks she can't do anything, so she tries to drag the rest of us down.”
“I do not,” she says, flushing.
“Crabs in a bucket,” Remo says.
I'm not used to seeing Remo like this. “Well, Everly is just trying to make a point,” I say. It's her attitude getting to me, not her logic. And while I think Remo's right about her, this isn't the time to argue about petty stuff. “Jansen is a problem and we have to figure out how to stop him from reporting to Brett. Stealing his phone might be a start. But I have to go to rehearsal to get away with that or otherwise track him.”
“But you almost got crushed by a tree,” Everly says. She won't look at Remo, who has a balled fist on the table.
“I know I did. But waiting around won't get us anywhere. Look at what happened with Matthew. We have to try something.”
“I don't want you or Cayden to get hurt,” Everly says. Her eyes well as she lets emotion come to the surface. Remo's hit a nerve.
“You're just trying to help. I know that. Just try not to sound bossy and things will go a lot better. And Remo, don't pick on your sister. We're all stressed. Fair's fair.”
“Help, too,” Everly tells me. “Keeping Cayden alive means the difference between the Savages dominating the world.”
I let out a breath and sit down. Sometime during the argument, I stood. “We do,” I agree, eyeing everyone in the cafeteria. Noah and Ellie sit on the other side of the room, and Ellie waves at me. I return it, feeling sick. Noah glances at me before looking down at his tray. He can't tell Ellie the truth. But Olivia sits with him today. Noah has his arm wrapped around her.