by Tamar Sloan
I swallow, not sure I like that this is the best we’ve got. Ants are going to dig us out? Maybe some squirrels when Avery musters up some energy? “How long will this take?”
“A day.”
My teeth clench. “We don’t have that sort of time.”
“Maybe two.”
I shoot up, and dislodged dirt splats and splodges behind me. “Kurt is out there, Avery! And so is your daughter!”
The one he’s said he loves so much.
Avery closes his eyes for a moment before opening them again. “She is well protected.”
I yank my phone up once more, glaring at the man. There’s calm and then there’s freaky serene level placid. Has this guy been hanging out with Yoda?
I press the speed dial button again, but Eden’s phone goes straight to message bank. I stare at the screen, not sure this cave is going to be able to contain my frustration. The battery icon has nothing but a fine line at its base. One percent left.
I speed dial again, this time calling Dad.
“Noah! Where are you? I’ve been trying to call for the last two hours.”
“Sorry. I had a lead.” Dad starts to talk but I cut him off. “I don’t have much battery left. Is Eden with you?”
“That’s why I rang.”
There’s a pause, and it’s not a silence I like. “And?”
“Eden is M.I.A.”
I shoot upright. “What?” My voice ricochets between the stone walls.
“She didn’t come home last night, said she was staying late at Seth and Emily’s.”
I want to pace, but can’t. “You have to find her, Dad.”
“I know. Everyone is out looking. She’s not answering her cell. When are you back, son?”
Dammit. Fear is hammering in my chest, the phone slippery in my palm. “I’m trapped in a—”
The phone cuts out and the screen goes black.
I look up at Avery, who is sitting up with alarm. “Eden is missing.”
Part III
Eden
Chapter Thirteen
“You said the last place would be the final one.” Seth’s voice, although not whiney, is certainly frustrated, maybe bordering on surly.
I sigh, fingers tensing around the steering wheel. “I know.”
“How much longer?”
Who knew bringing Seth would be an exercise in Fae patience. “I told you. Until I know it’s time to go back.”
“I was kinda under the impression that would be after a day or two.”
So was I. But I haven’t heard from Noah. I pull my phone from my back pocket, glancing at the screen. Its rectangular digital screen is blank.
“What happened to your phone?”
“I dropped it.” After I was given the news at the hospital. It had slipped out of my hand as I’d considered the words I was going to have to say. I’d gasped in dismay as I watched it crash to the floor and the screen crack down the side.
But in the end, it was a blessing. I’d texted Tara to let her know my cell was playing up and I’d be late. But then I’d got the phone call from Seth telling us we only had a couple of weeks until the sale, and I’d headed to his place, glad for the excuse not to go home.
And then Noah had told me he’s not coming home.
I keep my hand on the steering wheel, although there’s somewhere else I’d like to hold. I know Weres tend to do things quicker than humans, but it’s becoming apparent in only a few short days that I won’t be able to hide my secret for long.
Seth glances at his own screen, shoulders sagging. “Although reception out here is pretty crappy.”
I pause. “Have you heard from Emily?”
Seth’s hand tightens around the one link he has to the girl he loves. “Not much.”
“I’m sorry.” It was Seth’s decision to come with me that has caused strain on their fledgling relationship. Those two have been through so much, and only recently reunited. “Why don’t you go back? You’ve already done far more than you needed to.”
Seth’s shoulders straighten as he tucks his phone in his back pocket. “I chose to come, remember? No matter how much you argued against it.”
“Does Emily know how stubborn you are?”
Seth grins. “She says it’s one of her favorite things about me.”
I arch a brow. “Really?”
Seth’s grin grows, his brown eyes sparkling. “Mostly when I say I’m stubbornly in love with her.”
I roll my eyes. Seth and Emily have survived greater things than a few days of forced separation.
I slow as we come to an intersection. “Which way?”
Seth’s eyes narrow as he scratches his chin. “Right?”
“Being a little more sure would be helpful.”
“Hey, every mile we’ve headed further north we’ve driven further into the wilds. It’s been a while since I’ve visited the Langs.”
I indicate and turn right. The first few families we visited were scattered in small towns. Finding them hadn’t been hard seeing as Weres always seem to have some leadership role in the town. Everyone knew where the Bardolfs or the Lyalls lived.
But now that our campaign has gone longer than expected, our feelers are reaching out wider. Who knows if the Langs are going to welcome us the same way the others did?
The dirt road becomes a little bumpier and narrower as we continue. So far, reaching out to Weres to raise money for the Glade has been a success. Although there’s still more to raise, we have two more weeks and it’s been a promising start. The Glade is the holiest site for Weres, irrespective of their origin, and the threat of its purchase has mobilized them in a way I doubt Noah and I could have. They are uniting against a threat to what they hold most dear.
It feels good to be part of that.
“Left here.”
Seth points to an even narrower track up ahead, and as I turn, I discover it’s also bumpier. “Are you sure we’re going the right way? It doesn’t look like anyone’s driven down here in a while.”
Seth grins. “Not particularly, but hey, who knows where we could end up?”
I shake my head. Seth’s happy resilience is great company, but also mildly frustrating.
I keep going, figuring he’s found all the other packs. The pine trees crowd in and brush the side of the truck. I hope it’s not getting scratched, I’d hate for it to lose value for when I sell it. The track takes one or two sharp turns, almost feeling like we’re doubling back on ourselves. Seth had better not be getting us lost…
But over the next rise it opens out, and the scene before me could aptly be described as Little House on the Prairie. A heavy-set log cabin hunkers down in a clearing, roughhewn timber fences surrounding it. One massive lodge pole pine tree has been left to stand guard over it.
“Yep, this is the Langs.” Seth has already opened the door before I’ve stopped the car. All the other times he’s waited for me to approach first, affording me deference as the Prime Alpha mate. But this time he’s bounded out and waiting at the gate like some excited puppy.
It seems the Langs are special people.
I join him, the usual nervousness starting to build. All the meetings have been positive so far, but the reality is, to them I am human. And I don’t have Noah with me.
Behind me, Seth says what he’s said each time. “You’re gonna win her over because you’re you.”
And every time he says it, I wish I could hug him.
Seth opens the gate and I walk through. A single person steps out of the door of the cabin to greet us—a woman. It’s the smallest reception I’ve had, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. In my mind, I revise my carefully considered spiel, pulling in a calming breath.
“Hello.” I’m keep my voice is light and warm. “I hope this is a good time.”
The woman nods her dark head once.
“I’ve come with news of the Glade. We need your help.”
The woman steps forward. “You are his mate.”
&
nbsp; I nod slowly. “Yes, I am. My name is Eden.”
Her smile is slow but sure. “Then the Lang Pack welcomes you.”
She steps to the side, a smile spreading over her features, and the tension tugging at my jaw lessens.
The woman indicates for us to enter and we step through. The cabin is simple, a nuanced mix of the simplicity of the East and the stark roughness of these parts. I can’t help my next thought; I don’t think this pack has much money. I glance around. I think this pack is a pack of one.
“Thank you for allowing me into your home, Mrs. Lang.”
“Please, call me Nian.”
My smile holds a hint of relief. This woman seems so calm and welcoming. Even if she doesn’t have much to contribute, I think I’m going to enjoy this visit.
“Thank you. I’m sure you’ve heard of the last Precept’s arrival.”
Nian’s nod is sharp and resolute. “It is what needs to be done.”
Seth leans forward. “And Noah and Eden are the ones to do it.”
I don’t swallow, although I want to. Pressure, much?
Nian crosses her hands on the timber table. “I came here, to America, to be close to the Glade, the oldest place of its kind.” Her gaze is steady as she looks between Seth and me. “Of our kind. It is the soul of so much.”
I nod, knowing she speaks the truth. “So you know it’s in danger?”
“It is a reflection of the divide and disconnect that is happening everywhere.”
I lean forward too. “Of Weres?”
Nian looks at me for the longest moment. “Of many things.”
I sit back a little. I have no idea what that means. I open my mouth to ask, but Seth jumps in first. “We’ve seen that. What do you know, Nian?
“The division is not new.”
I exhale, that’s what I was afraid of. The greed for power was planted in Kurt long before Noah and I met.
“But the discontent is hidden.”
Seth leans back, his arms crossing. “Less and less so, in fact.”
Nian angles her head, looking directly at me. “Let me ask you some questions.”
I have to make a concerted effort not to pull back, not sure how I feel about that. Instead I smile, waiting.
Nian’s features mirror mine, her dark eyes crinkling as her lips tip up. I don’t think much gets by this wise old Were. “Who are you uniting?”
“Ah, Weres.”
Nian’s smile dips a little. “And what for?”
I blink. “To conquer…”
The smile is gone now, and I want to squirm in my seat. I know I’m failing some sort of test. Her face is serious as she asks the next question. “Conquer what?”
I open my mouth, then close it. Looking away, I stare out the small square window. It frames the forest that is so omnipresent. “To be honest, I don’t want to conquer anyone.”
The smile bursts back, and I’m not sure why. I just told her that I don’t want to do what the last Precept is calling for, haven’t I?
Nian tilts her smiling face. “Nor are the Prime Alpha pair very united right now.”
Okay, now she’s getting pushy. I tilt my own, unsmiling face right back. “We’re never apart.”
My hand brushes over the pedant hidden beneath my shirt. Noah and I are connected in a way that means distance, even one so great that we can’t feel each other, can’t undermine it. That’s what faith is all about.
To my surprise, Nian leans back and lets out a bark of laughter, and with such gusto that she slaps the table as she comes back. I glance to Seth, not sure what that’s supposed to mean. Seth shrugs, but he’s smiling.
Still chuckling, Nian rises. “I thank you for taking the time to visit a lone Alpha. It’s been a pleasure.”
We both stand, because although she’s done nothing but raise questions, Nian seems to have her answers.
I reach out a hand to shake hers. “Thank you, Nian. You’ve been truly gracious with your wisdom.”
Nian grasps it with both of hers. “My pack will help anyway we can.”
I glance back at the roughhewn cabin, inhabited by this one woman. My guess is she makes enough to survive in this wild part of the world and not much more. “You’ve already given enough.”
We’re out the door and back in the truck before Seth speaks. “You know she’s loaded, right?”
I turn, keys poised to go in the ignition. “What?”
Seth grins. “Yeah, Nian is descendant from one of the great Chinese dynasties.”
“Oh.”
His grin grows. “I’d say your Glade fund is about to get a healthy top up.”
I look back at the simple log cabin. If that’s the case, I’ve come away with far more than money. Nian’s questions have got me thinking that I don’t have as many answers as I thought.
We drive back out down the narrow, rutted track. My guess is this awful road is a deterrent for anyone thinking of heading down here. Seth checks his phone, and I look at him askance.
He shakes his head. “No reception.”
I sigh. The separation from Noah is almost a physical pain. Deep in my chest, my heart knows that something is missing.
As we reach the main road again, Seth’s phone dings. Then dings again and again and again. His grin is one I only see when one person is on his mind. It looks like Emily is missing him just as much.
Pulling over, I grab my own phone. I turned it onto silent long ago thanks to Tara’s own campaign. There is a text or a call on the hour, every hour, and they are almost descending into some pretty raw language. Even Adam has stopped, figuring that the one Were barrage Tara is coordinating would have to wear me down.
But she wouldn’t understand. I can’t go back. Not yet. At the rate I’m going, why I’m staying away is going to be noticeable even before Weres will be able to scent it.
Scrolling through the veiled threats, I find the one text I was looking for. Is he home yet? Is he calling me back to his side?
Except there’s nothing but the one I received yesterday. Noah’s gently glowing words make my eyes sting, but they aren’t about coming home. I love you. Looking forward to uniting xoxo
“So where to next, Alpha?”
Tucking my phone back into the console, I pull out. “You know I hate that title.”
“Which is pretty much why I use it.”
I look at the road stretching out before us. I want to go home, but I can’t yet. “Who else have we got to see?”
“There’s only one more pack in the area…”
Why does Seth have that cautious, warning note to his voice? “And?”
“Well, it’s the Tates.”
It takes a few moments for the name to trigger a response, but when I remember who the Tates are, I suck in an involuntary breath.
Daniel Tate was the Were who was banished after almost exposing the existence of Weres. Noah told me of Daniel’s treason, his blatant desire for Weres to show their power.
Maybe it is time to go back. We’ve raised a significant amount of cash, a good start that will hopefully be enough to bid Alexis out of the Glade.
And Seth wants to go home. He’s testing his new relationship with Emily when it’s the last thing they need.
I pause at the intersection, knowing turning right would have me in the direction of home.
Where the Phelans are. Possibly without Noah.
And where the Glade is.
My heart feels like it just capsized. I grew up with Alexis. I know the tax brackets she plays in. I’ve seen the wealth which her deals can generate. She won’t be coming to that auction with tight purse strings.
Every dollar counts.
I turn the indicator onto left. “Let’s squeeze one more in.”
Seth’s brown brows spike up. “Just head down the highway. You can’t miss the Tate Ranch.”
As I accelerate, Seth begins to text. He’s probably apologizing to Emily about not coming home tonight. I wish I could speak to Noah, even though I k
now I can’t.
Nian’s questions have managed to stick in my head. They whisper of the fact we’re stumbling in the dark as we follow this Prophecy. There’s so much that is still unclear. But ultimately, there’s one question that I’ve been ignoring. Avoiding because I don’t know the answer.
Noah has never considered it. Nian never mentioned it.
But it’s one that has grown roots in my mind
How do I unite them when I’m not one of them?
Chapter Fourteen
Seth was right. You couldn’t miss the Tate Ranch. Even from a distance you can see the multiple green roofed buildings, proudly announcing their importance through their size. The main homestead looks like a small motel, whilst the barn is big enough to house a plane. To top it all off, a pool glistens out the back.
I tell myself I’m not intimidated by money. I grew up with an abundance of it and have seen firsthand what it does to people. The addiction to the power they believe it carries is one of the reasons I’m here. My mother’s never-ending thirst has meant she isn’t willing to let it go, even for her own daughter.
Still, I’m conscious enough of the status money brings, making me doubly aware I’m approaching the ranch in a top of the range brand spanking new truck. The thought has me frowning, it suggests there’s more of my mother in me than I’d like to acknowledge.
We move slowly down the circular drive, taking in the white timber fence with a rose planted at every post.
My fingers are tense around the steering wheel as I glance at Seth. “You’ve been here before?”
Seth’s jaw works like he’s gritting his teeth. “Yeah. I met with Daniel once.”
Being reminded of Seth’s history, and the time he aligned himself with Kurt, has me slowing even more. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea.
If there’s anywhere we’re going to find the division that Nian spoke of, it’s here.