“We have to keep him in line.” Even I had to admit I was impressed with how easily Gage had taken her out. Jerry was powerful, and he was completely untrained.
“I agree.”
“How is he? Do you think he’s going to shift again?” I wished I had more experience dealing with new Dires. I only had one other example to compare him with, and that guy had taken months to settle down.
“No. He’s calm.”
“I want Marni to stay with him around the clock. She keeps him calm.”
Chet mumbled something unintelligible.
“What was that?”
“Nothing. We’ll stop in Chattanooga.”
Chet knew when to push things and when to listen. “Relay that to Semi.”
“I will. Don’t enjoy your company too much.”
“She’s sleeping.”
“You getting her to save her energy for later?” he laughed.
“Something like that. She just doesn’t know it yet.” I was most able to joke with Chet. He was my second in command for a reason. He’d be a good leader if the time came that he needed to be one.
“Talk to you later.” He hung up.
I replaced my phone in my pocket and focused on the sleeping girl beside me. Maybe she didn’t remember anything from the dreams, but it was her. I knew it in every grain of my body, and whether she understood it consciously or not, she knew it too.
Chapter Eleven
Gage
The drive was monotonous. I sat in the backseat of the SUV, stuck in the middle between Marni and some guy I’d never met before. He hadn’t even looked at me yet, and I wasn’t too keen on starting a conversation either. Instead I put my head back and took a nap. My dreams were hazy and full of violence. Screams, fire, and blood all swirled together until I woke up, relieved that at least for the time being things were calm.
“What were you dreaming about?” Marni asked when I opened my eyes.
“Nothing worth repeating.”
“You were mumbling in your sleep.”
“Oh yeah? What was I mumbling?”
“I couldn’t tell. That’s why I asked you.”
“It isn’t important either way.”
“It could be. Dreams can be very significant.”
I groaned. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those girls.”
Chet laughed from the driver’s seat.
“What?” I leaned forward. “Is she one?”
Marni shook her head. “He’s laughing because you’re equating supernatural dreams with the human art of dream interpretation. They’re two entirely different things.”
“Supernatural dreams? Does that mean dreams that supernatural creatures have?”
“Not exactly. We have plenty of dreams that aren’t special, but some are. It’s especially true when we’re touched by magic, and those witches definitely touched you with it when they held you captive.” She emphasized the word touched.
“I didn’t have sex with those things.”
“Things? You mean monsters?”
“They’re worse than monsters.”
“I kind of assumed that’s what they were using you for.”
“You thought wrong. Besides, I got out before they could do much.”
“You mean Hunter rescued you.”
“I would have found a way.” That was delusional thinking. They’d nearly killed me, but I wasn’t admitting how indebted I was to Hunter.
“I’m sure you would have.” The guy next to me said. “Because humans take out super powerful witches all the time.”
I turned to him. “Nice to meet you too.”
“I’m Denny. You’re Gabe, right?”
“Gage.”
“Like the car part?”
“And Denny is much better?”
He frowned. “It’s not a car part.”
“Don’t mind him.” Marni leaned over. “He hasn’t held a conversation with anyone in months.”
“I would if there was anyone worth conversing with.”
“Oh yeah? We’re not good enough for you?” Marni scowled. I felt like I was stuck in the middle of a sibling dispute.
“Do you always have to turn new people against me?”
“Maybe if you got to know new people it wouldn’t be a problem.”
Chet looked into the back seat. “Don’t mind them. They always fight. It’s a good thing they don’t see each other much.”
“What, are they exes or something?”
Marni made a choking sound. “Gag me. He’s my brother.”
“Oh.” I guess my sibling idea had been right. “Great.”
“You have any sisters?” Denny asked.
“No. I’m an only child.”
“Lucky you.” Denny crossed his arms. “Sisters are a pain in the ass.”
“I’ve heard that.”
“Brothers are annoying too, I had one of those,” Chet added. “But what can you do?” He sounded nonchalant, but I picked up on the use of the word ‘had’. He talked about his brother in the past tense. Was he dead?
“Nothing.”
“What’s the plan?” I’d shut up and gotten in the SUV when I was told to, but now I wanted some idea of where we were going and how long it was going to take.
“We’re going down to New Orleans apparently.” Chet watched for my reaction in the rear view mirror.
“Any reason why?” That couldn’t be a random choice. “Don’t you usually go for the middle of nowhere?”
“We do, but Hunter seems set on this.”
“And you guys always go along with Hunter?” I knew the answer, but I couldn’t resist. I was still trying to figure out how the move was going to fit into my plans.
“Gage,” Marni warned.
“I’m just saying.”
Denny laughed. “I kind of like this guy.”
“You would.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I nudged Marni.
“He always likes the crazy ones.”
“I’m crazy now?”
“Just shut up.”
“Why am I stuck in the middle back here while no one sits in the front? Are you really that afraid that I’m going to make a run for it or shift?”
“And you’re only asking that now?” Marni asked.
“I wasn’t in the mood to get in any more trouble.” I hadn’t cared. I’d been savoring my only little glance of Mary Anne.
“Be good this stretch, and I’ll move to the front for the next one.” Marni smiled.
“Be good?”
“Yeah. Prove you can stay calm. Are you forgetting that you completely lost it a few hours ago with the witches?”
“I thought I was justified. Isn’t that what you said?” I let her words sink in. She was right. I had lost it completely.
“That doesn’t mean we don’t need to watch you. You’re a loose cannon right now. We don’t blame you, you’re new, but we have to be careful.”
“Fine, I’ll go back to sleep. Does that count as good?”
“Absolutely.”
I closed my eyes and thought about Mary Anne. Those were the only positive thoughts I could muster.
Chapter Twelve
Mary Anne
I woke up with a start. I blinked a few times, trying to remember where I was. I couldn’t ever remember sleeping so deeply. It took effort to pull myself back from it. The sun had all but set. Had the day disappeared that quickly?
“Hey, Firefly.” Hunter said with way too much cheerfulness.
“Hi.” I rubbed my eyes.
“Have a good nap?”
“Kind of. Where are we now?”
“Outside Chattanooga. We’re going to be stopping for the night soon.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize we were stopping.” I looked out the window, noticing there was no snow on the ground. We were definitely further south.
“I have to meet up with some associates.”
“Associates?” I arched an eyebrow. “Dire associates?”
“They are not Dire, but I trust them.”
“Okay.”
“I need you to go along with everything I say.” He put a hand on my leg. “Can I count on you to do that?”
“Uh, that kind of depends on what I’m supposed to be going along with.”
“They need to think you are already my mate.”
“Why?”
“It’s important.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me more?” I already knew the answer, but I had to ask.
“It’s not something for you to worry about. It’s better this way.”
“Come on. Stop leaving me in the dark.”
“I’ll explain everything later, but I need you to go along with things. Please just agree.”
“I don’t exactly have another choice, do I?”
“You’re not going to get far running if that’s what you’re getting at.”
“I wasn’t planning to run.”
“You thought about it.”
“Get out of my head, Hunter!”
“I’m not in your head, but I know that you don’t want to leave Gage or break your promise to me. I’m glad I’m part of the equation keeping you here.”
“I wasn’t thinking about running. It was a fleeting thing.”
“Still a thought.”
“Drop it.”
He slowed the truck and turned off at an exit. “You’ve been a great passenger.”
“I slept almost the whole way.”
“You slept at my side. I enjoyed that.”
“In other words you prefer it to me actually talking.” I swallowed hard. I hadn’t had water in hours, and I was getting thirsty.
“Hey, I never said that. I love your voice.”
“My voice or the dream girl’s voice?”
“It’s the same voice.”
“No it’s not.” I leaned my head back against the bench. Despite all the sleep, I was still physically exhausted.
“It is.” He waited at a red light before turning left onto an empty country road.
I looked out at the barren landscape. “Couldn’t we have picked an exit that actually had stuff?”
“Like I said before we have to meet up with some associates. This is where the associates live.”
“Got it.” My stomach growled.
“And we’ll get food too.”
“It’s fine.”
“I’m not going to leave you hungry. It’s my job to take care of you.”
“What I really want is coffee. You don’t think they have Starbucks around here, do you?” It would serve the dual purposes of waking me up and giving me something to drink.
He laughed. “Where isn’t there a Starbucks?”
“Some places.”
“I’ll find you coffee too.”
“Thanks.”
“It’s my pleasure.” He took my hand. “I’m ready to get settled down again so we can spend quality time together.”
“Quality time?” I raised an eyebrow. “Meaning sex?”
“Sex could be part of it, but some time when things aren’t so crazy. We’re due some relaxation.”
“Do you ever relax?”
“Not often, but I bet it would be easier with you. You already put me in a good mood.”
“But you’re still hurt somehow.”
“I’m going to be fine as long as I have you.”
“Yeah…” I still didn’t know how I was supposed to help him with anything, let alone aid in his recovery from changing Gage.
He turned off onto a dirt road. I tensed.
“Relax, you’re in good hands.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“Do you really think I’d let anything happen to you?” He looked over at me.
“Eyes on the road please.”
“Then, answer me.”
“I don’t know. I still barely know you.”
“I will never let anything happen, Firefly. Protecting you is my job.”
“No. Your job is to help the Dires come out of hiding. I’m this little side item along for the ride.”
“Side item?” He brushed away my hair and ran his fingers over the back of my neck. “You’re mistaken. You will always be the main entree.”
“Entree? You better not be planning to eat me.” Was he trying to make me nervous? Things were getting weird again.
“Why? Does the thought of my mouth on you that way bother you?”
I could feel the blood rushing to my face. “You know what I mean.”
“Do I?”
“Hunter. Stop. I’m nervous already.”
“You tell me to stop a lot.”
“Because you frustrate me so much.”
“I’m glad I evoke strong feelings in you.”
“Even if they’re bad ones?”
“Bad? No. Passionate. Passionate feelings aren’t bad.”
“What does passion even mean? Just strong feelings?”
His hand wrapped around the back of my neck. I shivered, but it wasn’t from fear, and I knew it. “I’ll make sure you know what passion is.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Yes it will be. It’s essential.”
“Essential?”
“Yes. I promise you’ll understand later.”
“You’re making a lot of promises about things I’m going to find out later.”
“I’d love to show you them all now, but it’s not the right time or place.”
“Because we’re meeting your associates.”
“Does it shock you that I know people outside my pack?”
“It doesn’t surprise me that you know people. It surprises me that you’d call them associates. That’s such a business term.”
“You don’t think I understand business?”
“Do you?” I wasn’t going to apologize for my assumptions. I’d done much worse.
“How do you think we’ve managed to live without holding jobs?” He moved his hand. “One of these days you’re going to stop underestimating me.”
“One of these days you’re going to tell me things before I am forced to make erroneous assumptions.”
“The same could be said for you.”
“What haven’t I told you?”
“What have you told me on your own accord?”
I sighed.
“Not to mention all the things you haven’t shown me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m lost.” Was he being cryptic?
“I may be different, but I’m still a man.” His lips quirked into a twisted smile.
“Oh. Hunter. Stop.”
He laughed. “That again? I can’t wait until you start saying ‘Hunter, start’.”
“That’s not going to happen.” I crossed my arms. “I’ve agreed to be your mate, but remember I’m only doing it because I have to.”
“That’s not true, and we both know it.” He patted my arm. “But your secret is safe with me.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“Glad you’re finally seeing that.”
“That’s not the kind of unbelievable I meant.”
“I know what you meant.” He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it. “You’ll get used to my sense of humor one—”
“Of these days. Right? Add it to the list.”
“Let me say it again, you’re a great passenger.”
I pulled my hand back. “Keep driving us to your associates.”
“We’re almost there.”
“Great.”
“Don’t sound so excited.”
“The very fact that you’re calling them your associates keeps me from getting excited.”
“Does associate equate shady in your world?”
“For a backwoods wolf, yes.” I put a hand over my mouth. Had I just called him that?
“Glad to know how you really feel.” He kept his eyes focused intently on the road.
“Sorry.” I bit my lip.
“Don’t tak
e this out on your lips. I want them in good shape.” He ran his finger over my bottom lip. “And don’t tell me to stop. We can both agree that you’ve overused that line.”
“Fine. I won’t say anything.”
“But you were going to say it, right?”
“Maybe.” I smiled. Despite all his flaws, at least he had a sense of humor.
He slowed down and parked in front of a sprawling yet rundown house. Even in the near darkness I could make out the faded siding and the overgrown yard. “Here we are.”
“The associates have a nice place.”
Hunter smiled. “Is this the real you?”
“You mean the sarcastic comments?”
“Yes. Are you finally showing me your true colors?”
“You act like I’ve been hiding them from you forever.”
“I like it. You’re kind of feisty.” He winked. “Feisty is fun.”
I didn’t take the bait. Instead I went for the important question. “How is this going to work?”
“The two of us are going in. Everyone else is going to wait out here.”
“Is that safe?” I didn’t know who these associates were, but I definitely believed in the safety in numbers idea.
“I assure you, we’ll be fine.” He turned off the truck and got out. I didn’t move until he came around and opened my door. “Are you going to join me?”
“Do I have to?”
“Be brave for me, Firefly.”
“Are you going to keep calling me that?”
“You like the name. I can see it clear as day on your face. Why wouldn’t I use it?”
I sighed. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.” I accepted his hand and hopped down.
He held onto my hand and started toward the porch. I tried to swallow down my nerves. Letting people know you were nervous usually wasn’t a good thing.
Hunter knocked on the door twice. Nothing happened at first, but then the door was yanked open.
“Hunter!” A woman probably in her late twenties wrapped her arms around him. “It’s been too long.”
“I told Isaac I was coming. Don’t act surprised, Jocelyn.” Hunter detangled himself from her embrace.
She turned as though finally noticing me. “Your mate is lovely.”
“I know.” Hunter wrapped his arm around my waist. “Would you expect anything less?”
“No. It’s crazy seeing her. She’s even prettier than her picture.”
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