Trent nodded to me “Do you, uh, want to hit the wall again?”
I did but when Trent said it, it sounded less like a good idea. “I think I’m good now.”
“Good, did Doc get an I.D. on the attacker?”
“No, he was unfamiliar and by the smell of him, he was human. I also thought I scented residual magic when I came to, but I can’t be sure”
He nodded “I don’t smell any magic, dude but it’s possible, either way a human, even one with some power is a strange choice to hire when you want to kill a werewolf.”
“Yeah but it doesn’t tip off the species responsible for hiring him so it was also damn smart. He might not have been a match for Doc’s strength but he had plenty of silver on him, so he couldn’t shift and he took him by surprise.”
“Right well, you guys seem to be doing ok so don’t worry about it. Speaking of which, last I heard you were pretty messed up. How’re you holding up?” He looked down at my bandages. “Your side must hurt like a bitch.”
I barked a laugh “Yeah, I’m not allowed to shift for a few days because of the stitches but when I do, it’ll heal everything else. No big.”
“Stitches huh? Nice, haven’t had to have those in a while, man. How many?”
“15 but don’t mention it to Kira. That way she won’t notice when they’re gone two days later.”
“True. Let’s go check on her and get her home.” We walked into my uncle’s office where I saw him, the guys, and Kira talking and laughing.
Everyone seemed fine. I, on the other hand was barely containing my fury. “Ready to go?” The quicker we left, the quicker my father could get a crew to come check out the scene. I wanted to talk to them, hunt with them but I could admit when I was in no shape to do that. Plus I would make sure Kira got home safely. It was the least I owed her. “Yeah, I’m ready.” Kira said. She pulled out files from her purse and handed them to Doc, “Here” she mumbled. “Don’t want to forget the whole reason I came here.” she said. It looked like she tried to smile but it didn’t quite work.
**************
Kira
“You think we could stop for some fast food?” Max said from the back seat.
I heard a smacking noise and an “Oww”, then Logan say “Hey Einstein, the girl was just attacked and she wants to go home, the last thing on her to do list is to get you your milkshake.”
I ignored the chatter in my car and considered my options. While running was probably the smartest survival-wise, it wasn’t a viable one. It would only make things worse and send out red flags to everyone. It was clear that for now my secret was still safe and Doc hadn’t told anyone else thus far. I knew that these guys were willing to protect the human Kira at all costs. Right now I could use the protection and I would take it as long as I could get it.
“Now that you mention it, I could definitely go for food, I’m starved. Know any drive-thru’s that are still open? ” In the end it was decided that I would be “allowed” to drive my car but I had to agree to let Will, Logan and Max in the car with me while Trent, Jay and Brandon followed in their car right behind us.
In the corner of my eye I saw Max fling an arm out and hit Logan. “Food would help after a traumatic experience, that’s why I mentioned it. Also, I do really love chocolate shakes.”
I laughed, my entire body feeling lighter “Well it’s decided then, trauma equals lots of fast food, guilt free. Should we call the other guys and let them know our change of plans?”
Will spoke from seat next to me, phone in hand “Already on it” and hit the speed dial to Trent. In my rear view mirror, I saw into Trent’s car and watched as he picked up the phone.
On speaker, Will explained about the fast food but before Trent could reply I heard Jay in the background. “Trent, give me the phone.”
Oh crap. I worried that he would freak out. He was not in the best mood. I heard some jostling noises and I held my breath, waiting.
Finally his voice filled the car “Thank God, I’m starved. There’s a local fast food joint that serves the best burgers you ever tasted on
53rd street. You down?” I blinked in shock. Logan shouted from the back seat “oh hell yeah, Juno’s is the shit, good thinkin’, man.”
I again glanced at my rear view mirror, I couldn’t be sure because it was dark out but from the passenger seat, I thought I saw Jay wink at me. Apparently shock made you delusional. I turned back to the phone, “um yeah, sounds like a plan” then turned to Will. “You know how to get there?” He nodded, a satisfied look on his face. As usual that’s the most I’d get out of him.
He went to disconnect the call when Jay’s voice emerged again, “but here’s the catch, as with all good things, you got to work for it and Juno’s drive-thru closes in 20 minutes, you down with a little speeding, princess?”
Princess? Ha . “I guess we’ll see. Tell Trent to try and keep up.”
***************
Jay
Trent turned the corner into the drive-thru so hard it almost tipped the car over but we successfully stayed behind Kira the whole way. Although Speedy Gonzales may have given the average driver a run for their money, Trent had no problem staying on her tail.
It’s true that we made sure to stick by her tonight for her safety but by the sound of his stomach growl I can’t say Trent wouldn’t have driven that fast anyway just to get here before it closed. Either way, the break neck speed was all worth it when our car rolled up and we heard one of the best phrases a famished Were could ever know, “Welcome to Juno’s can I take your order?”
**************
Kira
The guys got out of the cars and got out into the parking lot of my apartment complex. They tried to convince me to let them come in for a while but I put on my best offended face and they backed off. I acted the part of a human girl who didn’t think a random burglar would be able to find my home or have any reason to come to my home.
I asked if we were still on for tomorrow and a debate ensued. Trent and Brandon said yes. Max and Will said no. Logan said no but only because he felt bad and Jay had yet to give an opinion. I had a feeling if Jay gave his opinion then the conversation would be over. So maybe he was refraining for a reason. I waited while they hashed it out.
Finally Trent said “It’s safer there. We can reevaluate things from there. If more attacks happen while we’re gone then we know it was something serious and if they don’t then it was most likely just those kids trying to finish off Jay.”
Everyone turned to Trent. “That’s a well thought out plan, Trent.” Max said smiling.
“I’m in frickin’ law school. We do the whole logic thing occasionally, dude.” He said grumbling.
Brandon looked around, “That’s odd.”
“What?” I asked.
“I don’t see any other signs of the apocalypse but Trent just made sense.” Trent went to throttle him.
Will intervened. “Chill guys. We should figure this out.”
Finally Jay stepped forward. He was battered and bruised but in that moment he portrayed all the authority of a king. “Trent’s right, it’s probably best that we get away for a couple of days. By then the authorities will know more such as whether the attack was personal, a burglary, or something else entirely.”
“The authorities?” I interjected. “I thought Doc said he wouldn’t call the police.” I was looking at Jay but out of the corner of my eye I saw worried faces.
He spoke, capturing my attention again. “With my father being the mayor, scandal is unacceptable. The authorities have been notified but in a private manor. My dad will call in some favors and work with the police but mostly with other privately hired figures to get this sorted out.”
It made sense and it reminded me that my new friends were powerful people in this town. That alone could have made them a target but I had a feeling that whatever Jay really was, possibly what all of them really were, had more to do with it. “Great. I hope they find out what’s going
on. As for tomorrow, I could use a vacation so I’m down with the plan. I talked to Doc before we left and he said he’s fine with it if we still go. I’m going inside now. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” There was no arguing with that, so off they went, grumbling and growling.
Hurrying to the second floor, I checked all my wards; they were still in place without a metaphysical scratch on them. The moment I got in, I locked my door, and sagged against it down to the carpet. So my mom had been right, I was involved in an attack. There were dark shadows but only one of them intended to harm anyone. I was grateful for my mother’s warning and grateful I had made the protection potion. I was worried, however, about the consequences of my offensive spell wielding.
Not to mention the fact that my new friends were some kind of supernaturals. Here I was, desperately trying to be normal and my best friends turn out not to be any more normal than I am. What’s next, Christina’s really a ghost?
I should call my parents, have them get me, and go into hiding. The problems with that were infinite, however. If I was already being tracked, this would put them in danger too. I couldn’t risk that. Never mind that it would take me away from my future career and life that I was finally able to build for myself. What kind of person puts their family at risk to save their own butt?
My other option was to stay and hope it will blow over. I felt that Doc would keep my secret and maybe he had been keeping it for some time already. It was hard to tell how much he knew and how long he’d known about me. My head spun with questions and I decided to ignore them all.
Christina came out of her room. Kira? Is that you.”
I put my hand over my heart to somehow slow it’s intense thundering inside my chest and turned to her peeking out her bedroom door. “Yeah, sorry did I wake you?”
“No, I was just watching T.V., Xander dropped me off a little while ago. How was girl’s night? Sorry I couldn’t come.”
I yawned to cover my anxiety. “It was fun and it’s no problem. How was your date?”
“Pretty good.” She said shyly and I knew she was so into him.
“Cool, listen I’m heading out to Jay’s beach house tomorrow with the crew so I won’t be here the next couple of days.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Well, well now that is exciting. You’ll have to tell me everything and send pictures or it didn’t happen.”
“Deal. I’ve got to go pack and get ready for tomorrow.”
“Ok, goodnight.” She said and hugged me.
“Night.” I went to my room and hoped packing would take my mind off things. Conversely, the first item on my list wasn’t a bikini. It was the rest of my protection potion bottles. Even though I tried to ignore it, if I was ever on high alert, it was now.
Chapter 17
Jay
9 a.m. and both Trent and Will’s cars were loaded up with luggage and people. My beach house was only about three hours away but it felt like we were going to a whole other world. I sat in Trent’s car with Trent, Logan, Max and Kira. Will’s car wasn’t far behind, holding himself, Demi, Annabella, Brandon, and Mena.
After we got home last night, Will and I spent a few hours sitting on the couch, flipping through channels. We didn’t talk much but what we did say meant a lot. Will explained that when he left for Texas he thought it would be easier on everyone if he just cut himself off for a while. He apologized for being an idiot and I apologized for being a selfish dip-shit and not being more supportive and crap like that.
He didn’t bring up Demi but I knew that was something he was going to have to deal with on his own. I doubted he wanted to talk about what he couldn’t fix. He apologized about a thousand times for leaving me at Doc’s but we both knew the attack wasn’t his fault. I told him so but there was only so much I could say. One of the biggest things we had in common was taking on every problem as our own. I guess that came with the Alpha and Beta territory though.
We weren’t instantly as close as we used to be but it was a huge start. After that, I tried to sleep but the physical pain prevented me from doing so. Luckily I didn’t have to pack because I had everything I needed at the beach house.
Instead I stared up at the ceiling and thought of the past few days. It seemed everything had been changing and it all went back to one thing, Kira. I wondered if anyone new coming into our lives would’ve given us the shake-up we needed or if it was just her. Either way it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that last night I was fighting for my life with my best friend at my side. It felt too good to be true but when it came to Kira, I knew it was real.
Here in Trent’s car I gave up my usual spot in the passenger seat for Max because he tended to get carsick on long rides. I looked over at Kira sitting in the seat next to me. Logan was in the back row sprawled out so we had the middle seats to ourselves. I thought again about how she had saved my and my uncle’s life last night. I hadn’t realized I was staring at her until she said “What?”
I blinked. “Nothing, I was thinking I should thank you.”
She turned her head down, embarrassed. “Oh, I really didn’t do anything. I was just at the right place at the right time but I’m glad you and Doc are ok.”
“Me too.” I said and turned back around in my seat.
Max had on some oldies station and I wanted to somehow remove my own ears. Trent called out to me. “We should stop to get gas, know of any cheap stations along the way, Jay?”
“There’s a rest stop in about 40 minutes, we can pick up snacks and stuff while you get gas. Can we make it till then?”
“Yeah, the tank should last. Can one of you guys call someone in Will’s car to let them know?”
Max raised his hand, a phone already in it. “I’ll do it.”
At the rest stop Logan, Brandon, Max and I were on snack duty for our cars. The girls went to the bathroom together and Will and Trent filled up the tanks.
Inside, there were a few tiny shops with junk food and drinks, a few fast food restaurants, stores with tourist merchandise and a coffee cart. Brandon held up a shirt with a pink flamingo wearing sunglasses on it that said Florida across the top. “Logan, this would fit in perfect with your collection.”
Logan smacked him on the back of the head. “Shut up. Let’s get food.”
We headed over to a junk food store. I grabbed a few different flavors of chips, two boxes of chocolate chip cookies, a trail mix, and some soda cans. I was sure there was food at my house on the beach but what could I say? Werewolves liked to eat. The girls came in a short time later and peered through the magazines and books.
Kira announced “I’m going to get a coffee. I’ll meet you guys in a few.”
Annabella turned to her “Want me to wait with you in line?”
“Nah, I’m good. If you guys are gone, I’ll head out to the car.”
Annabella pulled her arm “Oh, wait Kira can I borrow your phone, I want to call Teresa to see how the remodel is going. I forgot to charge mine last night.”
A few seconds later Kira handed her phone over. “Here you go. I’ll meet up with you in a little.”
“Thanks girl.” Annabella replied, already dialing Teresa.
Everyone piled all of their stuff at the cash register and left me to pay and carry it all, which was fine. I used my father’s money for everything. He encouraged me to spend all I wanted, live off of his money and not even hold a job as long as I was in school and oh yeah, going to walk in his footsteps someday. Apparently freedom could be bought. I grabbed the bags of junk food and magazines.
I noticed Kira still in line and headed over to her.
*************
Kira
I debated whether getting coffee was actually worth waiting in this ridiculous line but my brain kept screaming “Yes.” So I waited.
Unfortunately my paranoia had yet to subside and I felt like I was being watched. I turned around for what felt like the thousandth time when I noticed eyes peeking over a magazine looking right at me, for real. I turne
d back around and discreetly got out a mirror from my bag. I pretended to fix some make-up but turned the mirror towards the watcher. It was a man and he had put the magazine down and began moving closer to me. I turned back around but he paused, fiddling with a phone.
He wore a burgundy, silk button down shirt and tailored black pants. I don’t know how I knew but I knew that something was going on and I couldn’t take my chances. I got out of line and began to walk blindly toward the exit. I turned once more and the man and I locked eyes and he nodded. I began to run but a wooden fruit stand combusted in front of me, blocking my exit. “Wait” he shouted into my mind “Please I just want to talk to you.”
Yep, speaking into my mind and self destructing fruit stands definitely equals a warlock. Crap. I jumped out of the way of the oranges and continued running.
I ran straight into Jay and the bags fell out of his hands. “Kira, what are you doing. What’s wrong?”
I pushed at him. “We have to go, now.” I pleaded with him with my eyes.
“Ok but this is the southbound exit, we need to go to the one on the other side. Let me just get this stuff. ” He leaned down to pick up the bags but I pushed him again.
“No, we don’t have time. Come with me now.”
He must have understood that I wasn’t kidding because he followed me out the exit and we ran through the lot of parked cars. I found a silver Corolla near the middle. It wouldn’t be that fast but it was a popular car and it would take a while for someone to figure out it was missing. I spelled the doors open. I hoped in.
Jay turned to me, eyes blazing “What are you doing?”
“Jay, you need to trust me. I’m getting in this car and if you trust me, you’ll get in too.”
He got in and as soon as he shut his door I spelled the engine on and flew out of the parking lot. I could feel the rage coming off of Jay before he shouted “You’re not human.”
Shifting Shadows (Sparks Collide Trilogy) Page 12