by Robin Roseau
"How are we getting back to the car?"
"That's why we kept the second SUV," she said. "We'll drop it off at the end then drive to the beginning."
"Ah. I thought we were about to return it."
Elisabeth stepped up to our other side. "They're through security and at their gate, and their plane is boarding. We can leave."
I turned back to the cars. Serena stood by the door of one of the SUVs and opened it as we approached. I climbed in, Lara next to me. Serena got behind the wheel and Elisabeth took the front seat. Karen moved to the other car, and then we were on our way.
"I couldn't have dressed the way you wanted today, anyway," I told Lara quietly.
"You look lovely," she said.
We made small talk for the next ten minutes, but then Elisabeth turned around to look at me. "Fox, is the only reason you haven't taken helicopter lessons is due to the cost?"
"Well, I've had a lot on my plate, but I would have made room if it wasn't so expensive."
"If I pay for it, will you learn to fly helicopters?"
"Head enforcer," Serena said.
"You have concerns?"
"Trainer helicopters are two-seaters," Serena said. "There is nowhere for me to sit."
"I would just be-" I started to say.
"No!" said Serena. "Head enforcer, I am the team lead for Michaela's security detail. I have objections, and I expect you to listen to them."
Lara pulled her phone from her pocket and made a phone call. I heard June answer.
"Alpha, they're closing the doors."
"Can someone learn to fly helicopters in a four-seat aircraft?"
"If it's the right aircraft and the right instructor," she said.
"Thank you," Lara said. "Have a good flight."
She relayed the conversation to Serena and Elisabeth.
"Elisabeth," said Serena, "I will ride in the back seat or you may replace me as the head of her security detail."
"No," I said. "I don't want anyone else. I won't do it if it means I lose Serena."
Elisabeth frowned and turned to look fully at Lara. The two of them studied each other. Finally Elisabeth said, "I'll pay for it."
"It's my responsibility," Lara replied.
"I'm the one who wants it. If you wanted it, you would have done it years ago."
"Elisabeth," I said, "Why don't you do it?"
"I make myself airsick, Michaela."
"June said you go fly aerobatics with her."
"Only in smooth air, and June is a very, very good pilot. She only does some maneuvers with me, the ones that don't make me sick. She once bet me she could have me airsick in twenty seconds."
"Who cleaned the plane up?"
"That was part of the wager. I did."
"You're fine on the water," I said. "There's more bobbing around there than in an airplane."
"I know," she replied.
"You would really fly in a helicopter I'm piloting?"
"I want Angel to learn, too," she said. "And I really wish my sister would." She turned back to Lara. "I'll pay for it, but I would like a helipad at the airport and another across the road from the compound, and that's where I want to keep the helicopter."
"Elisabeth, aren't they millions?"
"No," she said. "Well, they can be, but not the one I'll get. If the pack ever needs that serious of an aircraft, the pack can pay for it."
"They can't learn across the road, Elisabeth. It will need to stay at the airport until they've had a lot more experience."
Elisabeth looked at me. "I want you to have three hundred hours before you begin your college classes. Will you do that for me?"
"Why, Elisabeth? I don't want to wait for college any longer." I paused. "Angel says she'll attend business school but only if it's with me, and I have a four-year program but couldn't possibly attend full time."
"I didn't know that," Lara said.
"Michaela," said Elisabeth, "I'd ask June to do it, but she's in Bayfield most of the time now. I've asked and asked Lara, but she refuses and won't even tell me why."
"I took lessons, Elisabeth," Lara said quietly. "It scared the crap out of me."
We all turned to her. "What?" I asked.
"I'll let you do it, honey," she said, "but the sight of the ground between my feet, it just scared the crap out of me. I don't even know if I can ride as a front seat passenger. I tried to push though it, but it wasn't any better after ten hours, so I quit."
"You fly airplanes and climb mountains," I said. "I don't understand."
"It's not rational," she admitted. "Phobias rarely are."
I took her hand and squeezed it. She rarely admitted any weaknesses.
"No one says a word about this," I ordered. "That is a direct order from your alpha."
"Yes, Alpha," Serena and Elisabeth said immediately.
I turned to Elisabeth. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes. Other than letting us protect you, I never ask you for anything. Please do this for me."
"And you're going to ask Angel to as well?"
"Yes. If I'm already paying for the helicopter, I want to get good value from it."
"All right. I'll fully apply myself, but I'm starting college in the fall, if it's not too late." I turned to Serena. "Does that fit your schedule?"
"Yes."
I looked at Lara. "May I?"
"Yes."
"Elisabeth, I don't know if I'll have three hundred hours by September. I am not going to build hours just for a number. It should be meaningful. Am I disappointing you?"
"I need you to learn to fly very, very smoothly by September, Michaela," she said, "And I want you able to land at a helipad across the road. No, you are not disappointing me. Thank you."
"Thank me? You're the one spending all the money. I'm the one who gets a new toy." I grinned. "Who cleans the aircraft if Serena gets sick?"
"June once gave me the same wager she gave Elisabeth," Serena said, glancing at me in the mirror. "It was for one minute. When I won, she asked for five. I got a month's worth of baby-sitting out of the deal."
I shook my head. "All these wagers."
"You're as bad as any of us," Elisabeth said.
"I learned from all of you."
"It comes from being competitive," Lara said. "At least the wagers are creative. You wouldn't believe what some of our members wager over?"
"Who can grunt the loudest?"
Serena snickered.
"What?" I asked.
"That one would be a tame version of the noises they make."
"Eww," I said after a moment. I sighed. "When am I going to find the time?"
* * * *
I worked my way entirely around the field, using eyes, ears, and nose to search for anything awry. I was terribly afraid Deirdre reported me to her vampire, and without my weapons, I was easy prey. I may have faster reactions than the vampire, but I bet he ran at werewolf speeds, if not faster. I wondered whether he was as good at tracking as they were. I wished I had asked Carissa.
I found no signs of trouble and eventually stepped out into the field. Even with the extra time I spent, it was somewhat earlier than the previous two nights.
I was anxious to be done with this. A portion of me hoped she handed me the necklace and sent me on my way, and I know that was what Lara wanted, but a much larger portion of me wanted to please Carissa. The thought of disappointing her physically hurt.
The thrall remained intact, but at least I could think about her without losing my ability to think.
I waited thirty minutes, trying to act as fox like as I could, before Deirdre appeared on her balcony. She searched the field for me, and we looked at each other, and then she disappeared inside. I moved to the edge of the field where we had talked yesterday and then waited for her. A few moments later, she strode across the field towards me. I made sure she saw where I stood, then disappeared into the trees and shifted to human, waiting for her.
"Michaela," she whispered.
I could tell from her expression she had decided to stay.
"Please, Aspen," I said. "You are not safe here. This vampire will learn of the search for you. If he is too stupid to put two and two together, then he is too stupid to keep you safe."
"It is too dangerous to you if I leave with you," she said. "I must take my chances here. He asked me what I was doing outside."
"Does he sleep during the day?"
"Yes, but he locks me with him. I have only a few minutes after dusk. I must stay, for your safety."
"We can get you free," I said. "I am not alone."
She stiffened.
"They are not close," I said quickly. "You and I are alone now."
"Wolves or vampires?" she asked.
"My alpha and several enforcers," I said. "It would be enough. Carissa fears war with Atlanta if she comes herself."
She shook her head. "I'm sorry. Tell Carissa I am sorry we fought and I accept her apology." She smiled. "Did she really beg?"
"She told me last night she will meet you from her knees, Aspen."
"I should send the necklace back," she said. She reached behind her neck to undo the latch. "Do you have a way to carry it?"
"You will need to wrap it twice around my neck as fox," I said. "She would rather you brought it to her yourself."
Deirdre unlatched the necklace and knelt down, waiting for me, but right then, I felt Carissa calling me.
I snapped my head to the southwest, towards New Orleans. "Mistress?"
"What is it?"
"She is calling me," I said, my voice filled with distress. "Why is she calling me?"
I turned back to Deirdre. "Look for me! Something is wrong. Watch for me, Deirdre!"
And then I couldn't resist the call. I ran, flowing into fox, and ran.
I must have run two miles before I had enough sanity to think. She couldn't possibly mean for me to run from North Carolina to New Orleans, but she must know that's what the call would do to me.
And then it stopped. The call stopped, but not the effect.
She wanted to see me, and I was helpless to resist. But I changed direction, heading for the rendezvous point.
Halfway there, and the call began again. I stumbled and fell, curling into myself, the need was so great, and then I was on my feet, running as hard as I could.
My mistress called.
It ended again, but no sooner had it ended that she called again. And then again.
Why was she doing this?
And then it stopped. I struggled to think, but I couldn't. All I could think of was this: My mistress needed me, and I would go to her.
I could barely think, and still I ran. And then I could hear Lara, howling for me.
I ran to the howl. Lara would get me there. Lara could fly me to New Orleans. Lara would help me go to my mistress.
I yipped, but I was too far away; Lara would not hear me. But I could hear her, and I pinpointed her location, two miles ahead, slightly right of my current path, but I knew the route I was on was easiest, and I continued to run.
She howled again, and then when I thought I was close enough, I yipped, five quick yips at the top of my voice, still running. She howled once more for me.
And then I broke out onto the road. I turned right, and there was the car, Lara in fur, the rest on two feet, watching for me. I yipped, and they all turned to me.
They waited for me, but as I drew close, Elisabeth opened the door. I didn't even pause, but simply jumped into the car, yipping and yipping.
"Hurry," I wanted to say. "Hurry!"
They all climbed in, and Lara pulled me into her arms, human now.
"Shift," she ordered. "Right now!"
I shifted to human in her arms.
"She calls me, Lara!" I said. "She is calling me. I have to go to her. You must take me to her! You must!" I turned to Karen. "Drive, Karen. Please drive."
"Look at me!" Lara commanded firmly, and I was helpless but to obey. "Report, Michaela."
"Deirdre accepts the apology but chooses to remain. She was about to give me the necklace when Mistress began to call me. We must go to her!"
"You will answer my questions, Little Fox," she said, "And then I will let you talk to Carissa."
"I must go to her!"
"Answer my questions. Did Deirdre say why she wasn't coming?"
"She said it is too dangerous to us, and she will take her chances."
Lara pursed her lips, and it was Elisabeth who answered the next question. "Is she expecting you again?"
"I told her to watch for me, but the call was too strong."
"When, Michaela? When will she watch for you?"
"She said her new master locks her in with him. He sleeps during the day, but she has a small amount of time after dusk." I looked back to Lara. "Please take me to her, Lara. I have to go to her!"
"Get dressed," Lara ordered. "Elisabeth, take her."
"Come get dressed, Michaela," Elisabeth said, and I was helpless but to obey. I turned to her and let her help me into my clothes. Beside me, Lara struggled into her own clothes, her larger size making it more difficult in the car.
I turned to Lara, watching her put the last of her clothing on. "Please, Lara, take me to her. We can fly there tonight."
She looked at me sadly then pulled out her phone. A moment later, I heard Carissa answer.
"Mistress!" I screamed.
"Let me talk to her," she told Lara.
"We will have words, Carissa," Lara told her frostily, but then she handed the phone to me.
"Mistress," I said, "I am coming."
"Listen to me very carefully, Michaela," said my mistress. "You will remain there."
"But you called."
"Do not interrupt me," she said. "You will remain there. I-" she paused. "I panicked. I am very, very sorry. I should not have done that. I sought to bind you more closely to me so that you would do my bidding, but I am ashamed of myself for it."
"Mistress?"
"Michaela, you will obey your mate. Do you understand?"
"You want me to obey Lara."
"Yes."
"You do not want me to come to you."
"No, Michaela. You will obey your mate."
I was confused. She had called me, but now she didn't want me.
"You don't want me?" I asked in a small voice.
"Michaela," she said gently, "I want us to be friends, but we cannot be friends if I come between you and your mate. I made a mistake. Now, let me talk to Lara."
Immediately I handed the phone to Lara.
"What?" said Lara.
"I can't break the thrall, but I can transfer it to you."
Lara was quiet for a moment. "How long before it fades on its own?"
"If I never draw on it again? A year, perhaps two. But she will spend much of that time seeking to be with me. I am so sorry."
"This woman must mean a great deal to you, Carissa. You do not have this reputation."
"She does," my mistress said.
"We will try one more time, but then we leave here."
"Come to New Orleans. It is difficult, but I can transfer the thrall to you."
"I would rather you break it."
"I'm sorry. I cannot."
"You said Deirdre broke it."
"I don't know how she did it."
Lara paused.
"You owe us, Carissa," Lara said firmly.
"I do," she said. "How does she look?"
Lara looked at me. "Like she is about to crawl across Elisabeth's lap and run to you."
"She will obey you."
"She better. If you have killed her or taken her from me, I will never forgive you."
"I am sorry, Alpha. I will do my best to repair this."
Lara hung up and returned the phone to her pocket. Then she turned to me. "Michaela, listen to me and listen good. You are not to leave my side unless it is on orders from Elisabeth or Ser
ena. If you become separated from us, you will find one of us. You will make no attempt to leave. You will make no attempt to go to New Orleans until we are ready to take you. Tell me you understand."
"I understand, Lara."
"Karen," she said. "Drive."
* * * *
For the next twenty minutes, all I could think was, "Remain at Lara's side," and I took it very literally. I plastered myself next to her, clutching her arm. But, slowly, I was able to start thinking again.
"Lara?" I asked quietly.
"Little Fox."
"What happened?"
She took a breath before answering. "The Queen of New Orleans received word. Her enemies have located the fae woman. They are coming from too far and will not arrive tonight, but they will be here by midnight tomorrow."
"We have to warn her, don't we?"
"No," said Lara. "Elisabeth, Deirdre knows how to break the thrall. We're getting her out of there. Plan it."
Part Three
Planning
They spent the car ride throwing out ideas, most of them poor. We arrived at the hotel, and I remained next to Lara as we strode to our room. As soon as we arrived, Lara turned to me.
But I was taking her literally, so as she turned, I rotated with her, staying at her side. She kept turning to face me, and I stayed glued to her side.
Elisabeth chuckled watching it then took pity on me. "Michaela, come here," she ordered.
I immediately turned to her and nearly ran to her, coming to a stop in front of her.
"Serena," Elisabeth said, "Take care of Michaela."
"Michaela," Serena said gently, "Look at me."
I turned to face her. She stepped forward. "Hold out your hands to me." I reached for her, and she took my hands. "Come with me, Michaela."
I stepped forward, and she drew me away from Elisabeth, taking me to the bed. She crawled backwards across the bed, still holding my hands, and I followed. Then she said, "Make yourself comfortable, Michaela."
I made a little nest and curled up on my side, watching her. She lay down next to me, looking into my eyes.
"Tell me what orders you are currently following."
"Obey Lara, Elisabeth and Serena. Go with Lara. Go with Serena. Tell if I can't answer a question. Think for myself. Stay in North Carolina. Obey my mate. Do not let Carissa become a wedge between Lara and me. Stay at Lara's side unless it is on orders from Elisabeth or Serena. Find one of you if we become separated. Come with you. Make myself comfortable."