by Cherie Marks
There had to be a way to shift. I needed to think back to the last time I changed form. It had been accidentally—on the river during my escape. I’d been stressed out as my boat felt out of my control. I didn’t think I could recreate that moment, and frankly, I didn’t want to.
Yet, I felt my mind drifting once again back to my rescuer. The young man on the side of the river had pulled me from my panic then. The whole experience had been unusual and haunted me still today.
His eyes mesmerized me even now when I pictured them in my mind. So much thoughtfulness seemed to be behind them.
I closed my eyes once more and pictured the boy’s amber eyes, staring so intently in my direction. Only this time, I imagined him as a man, full-grown. I saw him as he would be today—just as gorgeous but much more mature. Once again, lost in my memory, I couldn’t look away from him.
But, surprisingly, it was exactly what I needed. I felt the fur begin to form on my skin and dropped down to all fours. I didn’t quite understand how it all worked, but I was suddenly small enough to fit inside the cave.
I opened my eyes and got my bearings. I glanced down at the large, feline paws, impressed by their size. The last time I shifted, I’d been smaller myself, so the growth in my bobcat form was slightly shocking. I should’ve expected it, but it hadn’t occurred to me until I saw it in that moment.
I didn’t let it slow me down too much, however. One of my closest friends needed that stone, and that was exactly what I was focused on. I trotted into the mouth of the cave and began making my way toward the first bend. I was following the path Evie had laid out for me, and as the cave narrowed until I was on my stomach, I crawled along paw after paw. The light from outside was completely blocked after I turned down another offshoot. Fortunately, bobcats had excellent night vision. Even the smallest amount of light was enough for me to see.
Right where she said it would be, I found a small, velvet bag. I used my paws and nose to bat it along until I could pick it up with my teeth. I carried it back toward the front of the tunnel. After some time, I made it to the entrance once more and spied the box I’d laid out for this moment. I placed the bag into the box and nosed the lid closed. The minute I could, I shifted back to my human form and picked up the box with my hands. It had gone so much smoother than I’d expected.
I tucked the box under my arm and started down the path toward my car. I breathed a relieved sigh. As I listened to the sounds of the forest around me, I realized just how silly my fears had really been. The world hadn’t ended at all. Nothing had collapsed in on me, and my safety net was still in place. I’d been abstaining from shifting for most of my life for no reason at all.
I was already planning to come back this weekend and shift again when the strangest thing happened. A familiar voice sounded loudly in my head as it said, “Mine!”
I stopped where I was, feeling my knees weaken. The voice had deepened and grown harsh over the years, but I recognized it immediately. I’d only ever heard it one other time. On the river.
That voice had been my savior then, and now, it felt like my doom.
* * *
Hours later, I left the hospital, glancing over each of my shoulders every second. Evie and her adorable son Orion were healthy and resting after an easy labor and delivery. Orion looked like he belonged on the front of a catalogue for baby items. Dane was acting the part of the doting father, and I felt giving the family some private time to bond was the best course of action. Besides, I was no use to them the way I kept jumping at every sound and startling at everyone who entered the room. It was downright nerve-wracking, and more than once, Evie asked me if I was okay.
So, I headed home quickly, my unease feeling like ants marching over my skin. There was only one thing I could do. I needed to talk out what had happened with Nana Johanna and benefit from her bottomless wisdom. I knew she’d be able to ease my anxiety about the whole situation, and that was exactly what I needed right now.
The truth was, I was probably overreacting completely. More than likely, I’d imagined the whole thing. My worry about shifting had clearly conjured an audible hallucination that had freaked me the hell out, but that was all. Once I explained the whole scenario to Nana Johanna, we’d have a good laugh, she’d fix us something to eat, and we’d enjoy a quiet evening at home. It was my favorite way to spend an evening.
“I’m home!” I strolled in, feeling slightly less tense in the comfortable surroundings. Nana Johanna loved the look of natural wood with white trim, and I had to admit, there was something about the look that spoke to the soul. She also liked hardwood flooring with patterned rugs spread around the area. As I stepped into the great room, my gaze was immediately drawn to the plush, bright-red chair and sofa combination. I’d seen it many times before, but this time, something was different. Nana Johanna had a guest. A guest I had met a couple times before.
The insanely bright, eighty’s-era clothing and the unmistakable air of being hashtag-boss-as-fuck revealed her identity immediately.
“Whatever happened, I didn’t do it.”
Baba Yaga smiled and said, “So glad you could join us, Celia. Have I got some news for you!”
“I already know about Orion. The delivery went off without a hitch. Everyone is doing really well.”
“Yes! How exciting! The first male Hale witch in centuries. I like that they’re going to use a hyphen between Hale and Calvin, and I have a feeling he’s going to be quite the magical handful. But that’s not my news.”
“I probably should sit down for this.” I trudged to the open spot on the couch beside Nana Johanna, and she reached out a reassuring hand to pat my knee. “Lay it on me.”
“It’s about your parents.”
I felt the blood leave my face. My parents? So many times, I’d wondered about their safety. My breathing stopped as my heart picked up its pace. I just knew that she was there to give me the news I’d dreaded for so long. For the first time in a long time, I had nothing to say. No snappy replies. No smartass banter. I simply waited for what she would say next.
“They’re alive, but they need you.”
“What? What are you saying? They’re alive?”
“They are…for now.”
I felt like I’d just been punched in the gut. “All due respect, Baba Yaga, but I’m confused by this conversation. You’re telling me that my parents are alive, but they’re in danger?”
“That pretty much sums it up, sweetheart. Good thing it’s summertime because you’re about to take a trip.”
I swiveled my gaze to Nana Johanna, who seemed to be less confused than I was. Was she keeping something from me? “A trip? Where am I going?”
Nana Johanna smiled broadly and said, “It’s time to go home, Celia. We know what happened in the cave. It wasn’t your imagination. He’s coming for you, and there’s no fighting your fate any longer, my dear.”
“Wait! What?” I sat up straighter. They knew about the cave? “Who’s coming for me?”
Baba Yaga sighed loudly, and I could tell she was growing impatient with me. “You heard the voice. You know who it is. Right now, we have to maintain a balance, and if you stay, it will throw everything off.”
I stared at Baba Yaga again, shocked at what I was hearing. “You’re kicking me out of Assjacket?”
“Well, you do have a choice. You can go on your own, or you can wait around for Mr. Call-of-the-Wildman to show up. Your decision all the way.”
“Yeah. That sounds like a non-decision if I’ve ever heard one. How long do I have until he shows up?”
Baba Yaga glanced down at her wrist. Surprisingly, she wore a colorful watch there. “It’s a Swatch. I’d say it’s probably already too late, but if you leave now, you might get enough of a headstart that you can find ways to slow him down.”
“And what do my parents have to do with anything?”
“Oh, that’s right. Your parents. Weeellll, turns out, you’ll have to negotiate their release.”
Again, I straightene
d until my back was as stiff as a pencil. “My parents are being held against their will?”
She giggled. “Who hasn’t been at some point? Am I right?”
“Um, no. Most of us come and go as we please. Anything else is pretty much criminal.”
“Indeed. Perhaps that is a conversation you need to have with your prince.”
Now I was getting pissed. “He’s not my prince, and this is getting crazy.” I stood up and started toward my bedroom. “I’m going to throw some stuff in a bag and go stay at Liz’s house until sanity returns to Assjacket.”
“Not sure your parents have that kind of time, but honestly, the choice is about to be taken from you anyway.”
“Are you saying he’s close?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “I think my work here is done. Good luck, darling. You’re going to need it.”
Rising from the chair, Baba Yaga stood with grace. She waved her hands freely in the air as she said, “You’re one of a kind, Celia. And it’s about to be on.” With a puff of pink smoke, she disappeared, and a knock sounded at the door.
Chapter 4
For too long, I stared at the front door. Did I lock it when I came in?
The knock came again, followed by a ring of the doorbell, and I sprang into action.
“Nana, do you think you can distract him long enough to let me slip out the back door?”
She stood and straightened her apron. “Of course, sweetheart, but you should know that running away won’t work this time. He won’t give up. He can’t.”
“Well, I’m certainly not going to make it easy for him.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to.” A sly grin slid onto her face, and I got the sense that she knew more than she let on. But my getaway time was too short to think about it. It was time to go.
I took one last, longing look at Nana Johanna’s sweet, oval face. She honestly didn’t look too much older than I did because shifters aged so much slower than humans. Yet, she wore her hair in a bun and sported an apron. Not to mention, she cooked up a storm, quilted blankets, and knitted scarves. She might look like a supermodel with excellent genetics (Christy Brinkley, anyone?), but she acted like everyone’s grandmother. She’d been especially important in my life.
She’d raised me through some of my toughest years, and the thought of leaving her right now was tearing me up inside. I’d already left people I loved because of this crazy situation, and here I was again, doing the exact same thing.
I turned toward my room. It wasn’t fair. I shouldn’t have to do this twice in a lifetime.
With quick movements, I threw a few items of clothing in a backpack. I grabbed some toiletries, a jacket, and a stash of cash I’d been tucking away in my underwear drawer for a couple years. As they say, old habits die hard.
I’d been planning a cruise with that money. That was one more black mark on the wild shifter prince who kept putting me in this situation.
I stared at my cell phone a few extra seconds before deciding not to bring it along. Being tracked through GPS seemed like something I wanted to avoid. If this all blew over by tomorrow, I wouldn’t miss my phone for a day. I had to try to kick into survival-mode, and that meant doing my best to hide from detection. A quick, longing glance at my laptop was all I gave myself. I needed to leave it behind too. I couldn’t risk it getting smashed or broken.
As I slipped out of my room, I reassured myself that I could do this. I wasn’t helpless, and I had survival instincts to help me along the way.
I heard Nana Johanna making conversation in the front room. Almost involuntarily, I paused to hear the sound of his deep voice. “…know she’s here…” I shivered, absorbing the intensity he put into each word. A strange part of me was so curious to see what he looked like. I just stopped myself from creeping back into the living room instead of taking a turn into the kitchen. But, I forced myself toward the back door—toward freedom, I reminded myself—and opened it as quietly as I could. On the balls of my feet, I snuck outside, eased the door closed behind me, and took off for the forest behind the small cottage.
If I could just get an hour or two headstart, I could begin to put obstacles and snares in his path. Hopefully, after a while, he’d give up and let me go back to my life.
But then, there was the problem of my parents.
I couldn’t very well leave them in captivity for the rest of their lives. I’d have to go back. I’d have to rescue them, and then we’d all run far, far away.
It occurred to me that I might still be planning an escape like a sixteen-year-old instead of the twenty-six-year-old I currently was. Was I being ridiculously adolescent about this whole thing? Couldn’t I talk things out with this guy like two adults would? Couldn’t I be mature and handle this like the independent woman I had grown into? I could tell him that I had no intention of going with him now or ever, and that he should return my parents to me immediately. It would be the reasonable way to handle the problem. Even if he wasn’t, wasn’t I a reasonable person? Shouldn’t I stick around and get it all straightened out?
Naaahh! This was the right course of action, and no one could convince me to do things differently. Call me immature. Call me unreasonable. If I could help it, one thing you would never call me—captive.
I dashed straight through the woods, keeping to the well-worn path at first. The weeds and grasses were overgrown and creeped toward each other, brushing my lower legs, and I knew I was leaving a significant scent trail. I needed to get to the small stream on the other side of the hill. I’d follow that to the road. If I was lucky, someone would be driving by. I’d get a ride into town, and I’d make my way toward the diner. From there, I’d call an Uber and get the hell out of Assjacket.
My breathing became heavy before I’d even reached halfway up the hillside. It was probably because of how hard my heart was pounding inside my chest because, let’s face it, this felt so much more dangerous than before.
I was thankful I’d strapped on my kicks today instead of any cutesie pairs of shoes I owned. I just hoped all of this blew over soon. I couldn’t imagine living on the run for any longer than a couple of days—a week at the most. I knew my money would run out eventually, and though I could catch a fish or two, I wasn’t a survival goddess or anything. I certainly didn’t like the idea of roughing it, but I still could if I had to.
My feet hit the flat area just before the crest of the hill, and I paused long enough to catch my breath. I turned to look behind me, but I couldn’t see anything through the summertime fullness of the trees. The leaves were huge and green and blocking any early warning signs of his approach. Yet, I knew he had to be on the move. It wouldn’t take him long to realize my intentions or even which way I would go. My best chance was to get way out ahead of him.
A loud, faraway roar sounded from where I’d just come. I jumped and stared in shock down the path behind me. It was him, and he was pissed.
I pushed myself into motion again, running for the top of the hill. I hoped he wasn’t in any better shape than I was, but I wasn’t feeling as confident with my plan any longer. Once I hit the top of the hill, I veered off path. I knew it was a risk. I’d encounter more obstacles that way, but I knew this area better than he did. I could possibly have an advantage as long as I didn’t trip over a raised root or run into a bramble of briars.
With noise I couldn’t avoid, I crashed through the forest overgrowth and pushed myself straight down the hill. I lifted my knees and did a sort of hopping motion, making progress and feeling like I might just make it. I hit a plateau of sorts and ran along a few yards until I saw another break into the trees. Just as I was ready to dive back in, I looked up and caught sight of him at the top of the hill. He stood so tall, like an immense tower surrounded by tiny tents, and though he was still familiar to me, he was no longer a boy. He was all man. An unexpected thrill chased through my body at the sight of him. For some reason I didn’t quite understand, excitement filled me and butterfly wings batted the inside of my
abdomen.
Damn!
The minute he started down the hill, I woke from my stupor and swiveled to start my way down again. I leapt over a low bush and made my way toward a tree on the downslope. I caught myself on the tree and kept going to the next one. Like a sticky pinball, I bounced from tree to tree, trying to make quick progress without losing complete control.
“Toricellia!” Clearly, it wouldn’t be enough though. He was already behind me once more.
With a grunt, I dropped my backpack and tried to shift. Unfortunately, the stress of the moment seemed to be affecting any chance I had of using my ability. In a last ditch effort, I swiveled to the right and sprinted straight around the side of the hill. I wasn’t thinking, just reacting at this point, and I didn’t see the root until my foot caught on it. I dropped like a sale price, feeling a rock scrape my forearm as my knee landed on another.
But I couldn’t stop to nurse my wounds. I felt his footfalls as I scrambled to crawl along the forest floor, realizing just how fruitless my efforts were. He grabbed my ankles and pulled me back toward him. I flipped to my back and raised my hands, ready to fight for my freedom.
He loomed over me, and the breath caught in my throat as our gazes met. His eyes had haunted me for so long, and now that I could see the amber-colored glow so close once more, I couldn’t look away. Yet, they were different. A wildness I didn’t remember streamed from his gaze as he stared down at me. His lips lifted in a sneer, and I swallowed hard at the undeniable savageness that he presented in every motion.
“Run from me, will you?” He crouched down, still exuding danger in every tense muscle. “Didn’t you realize the animal side of me would like it?”
His rough honey voice sent shivers down my spine. The butterflies were back as his gaze slipped down my body and back up. My breathing hitched slightly as I felt every inch of his perusal. Rather than making me feel uncomfortable, it made me want to throw my arms above my head and give him a show he wouldn’t forget. I moved my arms slightly but resisted giving in to the insane reaction of my body.