Dani eyes flashed gold. “You know as well as I do that if they were going to send Dale away then it’s already done. As harsh as this sounds, the life we had before is over now. Even if you get out of Ashby and manage to run back to the hunters, they will kill you. They won’t see you as a freed prisoner and we both know what happens to traitors.”
She knew the words were true but that didn’t lessen the pain. Her teeth gnashed together and through a clenched jaw, she said, “He’s my dad. What does that say about me if I don’t even try to save him?”
“That you’re alive,” Dani reassured and put a hand on June’s shoulder, softly squeezing. “Dale would rather have you here, breathing, than dead.”
June wiped her eyes and attempted to lighten the mood, forcing a laugh, “As long as someone doesn’t shoot me again.”
Dani grimaced, made a gesture of crossing her heart, and held out her hand. “Truce?”
June rolled her eyes and pulled her cousin in for a hug. A weight lifted off her shoulders when Dani embraced her back. Letting go, she stated, “If you ever shoot me again—”
“You’ll return the favor, I know, I know,” Dani smarted with a grim laugh. “In my defense, I wasn’t in the right mindset. All I could think about was getting back to Noah. Sorry.”
“If it makes you feel any better, Donovan ordered that no hunter could have medical aid,” June said with a shudder. The memory of her shoulder pain was still clear in her mind. “He’ll definitely never forget how we met. It was so cliché. I literally passed out in his arms. Who does that?”
Dani snorted and opened her mouth to respond but then her head whipped towards the stairs. Turning back to June, she sobered, saying, “Your friends are here.”
Goosebumps formed on June’s arms when the doorbell rang. She jerked her head to the end of the hall. “Let’s not keep them waiting.”
Together, she and Dani went downstairs. At the door, Dani held up a hand and June frowned. She watched as her cousin undid the locks, realizing her mistake a second too late. On the porch Lycos stood beside a woman who wore a long black robe, the hood drawn over her head, hiding her face.
Dani’s jaw dropped at the sight of the pair. “What the hell is going on?”
When June realized that Lycos wasn’t going to answer, she sighed with frustration, “It’s a long story but to sum things up…Lycos was planted in the complex by Nyx. His job was to make sure I met Donovan…by any means necessary.”
Her cousin quickly caught on to what she was saying, and this time, her eyes didn’t flicker gold. The color quickly replaced the brown as she seethed, “You used me?”
“I assure you it was for a good cause,” Lycos professed in an attempt lighten the mood and flashed Dani a slim smile.
June was starting to think he was smarter when he had pretended to be Eddy. Dani’s fist was a blur, swiftly connecting with the guide’s already bruised jaw, jerking his head to the side.
“Dani! You can’t punch him!” June shouted and pulled her cousin away as she reared her arm back to strike again.
Déjà vu washed over her as Lycos cradled his face. “I can see that both of your fathers taught you two to act first, talk second.”
“Yeah, sorry,” June apologized and pulled Dani backwards. “She’ll be okay in a minute and then we can get started. I’ll go get you some ice while the two of you make yourselves at home, okay?”
Without waiting for Lycos to come inside, she pulled Dani out of the living room and into the kitchen. She pushed Dani against the fridge and pinned her by the shoulders. Locking eyes with her cousin, June pushed past the fear that was telling her to run away as fast as she could. “Breathe, Dani. Lycos is an ally.”
“Are you sure?” her cousin asked, sounding more animal than human.
No, June thought but she nodded anyway. “Yeah, he’s with the goddess. If I let you go, will you behave?”
The gold in Dani’s eyes gradually faded but June stayed where she was, ready to restrain her cousin. Dani caught on to her plan and rolled her eyes. “I’m fine. You can let go.”
She stepped back slowly. When Dani didn’t race for the exit, she nodded to the freezer, saying, “Get him some ice. I have a feeling that your right hook is going to be the least of our worries today.”
“Let’s hope you’re wrong.”
June didn’t respond and gave her back to Dani. With each step she took towards the living room, her trepidation rose. Instinct told her that she wasn’t going to walk away from Lycos’ lesson without losing something in the process.
/CHAPTER EIGHTEEN/
When she had told Lycos and his friend to make themselves at home, June hadn’t realized that the guide was going to take her seriously and redecorate. In the few minutes that she had been gone, Donovan’s leather couch had been pushed against the south wall along with the coffee table and lamps. Even the rug had been rolled up and set aside.
June eyed the small mountain before turning to the culprits. Lycos and the woman were pulling candles out of a bag that she hadn’t noticed and placing them in a wide circle along the floor. In the center were three red throw pillows that had to be made of silk.
Approaching them slowly, she asked, “What is all of this?”
Lycos looked up from the ground after he put down the final candle, closing the circle. “We’re establishing a nexus to breach the spirit realm.”
“Who’s breaching what?” Dani chimed as she stepped out of the kitchen. She held the ice pack in her hand out to Lycos with a grim expression. “Sorry.”
He took it with a stunted smile. “No worries. I’ve suffered worse injuries over my time of existence. In my last life I died from decapitation.”
“In your…,” June trailed off. “How old are you exactly?”
“Older than time itself,” he answered. “I can still remember when humanity began tracking their limited days. Most of my memories come in flashes but Nyx has graced me with the ability to retain that of which is useful for my current position.”
Dani sucked in air. “That’s harsh, bud.”
June shot her cousin a withering look, silently telling her to shut up, before giving her attention back to the guide. She waved a hand at the circle. “So, how do we do this? I doubt Donovan has any Ouija boards lying around.”
The guide looked grateful for a change in topic and gestured to the hooded woman standing slightly behind him, saying, “No Ouija boards are necessary when we have Mira. She is the most talented seer in The Order. Not only can she hear the spirit realm but can see into it, an exceptionally rare gift. If my suspicions are correct about your abilities then the two of you will have much in common, Luna.”
At the declaration, Mira rose two withered hands to her hood, pulling it back. June blinked and then jumped when Dani gasped. Lycos’ companion was certainly something. If June had to guess, she would place Mira in her late twenties. Her brown hair was matted together by sticks and mud. Dirt caked her face, highlighting the deep white claw marks that trailed from either of her cheeks down to her neck, disappearing under the robe.
What really stood out, however, were Mira’s eyes. They were milky white with no pupils. Despite this, June could still feel the seer watching her and she quickly looked away.
“When you’re prepared, Luna, we’ll begin,” Lycos remarked. “Dani, I don’t usually allow observers, but June wants you here, I’ll make an exception. I only ask that you be silent and do not interrupt us.”
Dani saluted the guide and jerked her thumb her shoulder, pointing at the couch. “I’ll just…yeah.”
June waited for her to sit. Taking a deep breath, attempting to calm her nerves, she stated, “I’m ready.”
“Mira,” Lycos said. The seer’s robes dragged across the floor as she stepped into the circle. She walked around three times before lowering herself on one of the pillows as the guide continued, “As you can tell, she’s very particular. Go ahead, Luna. I’ll start lighting the candles.”
&
nbsp; June stepped over the candles and sat to Mira’s, folding her hands together to keep herself from fidgeting. The smell of vanilla and lavender wafted through the air, helping her slightly relax.
Once all the candles were lit, Lycos pocketed his lighter in his jeans and joined them. The fit was tight, their knees and shoulders pressed together. Without being prompted, the guide and Mira interlocked hands. Getting the gist, June joined in and jerked when a bolt of electricity traveled up her arms.
“The nexus is now closed,” Lycos announced, his voice adopting a smooth tone. “Now, we’ll close our eyes and picture it expanding towards the goddess. By her grace and power, we that pray she’ll grant us access to the spirit realm and bless our souls so that we may return.”
“Wait. What do you mean may return?” June gaped. “I’m not so sure about this anymore—”
“Luna, you’re safe,” the guide reassured but he wouldn’t meet her gaze. “Trust in the goddess.”
Easier said than done, she thought. How could anyone believe in something they couldn’t see?
“Close your eyes and feel the nexus,” he directed.
Shutting her eyes, June exhaled. She forced her mind to go blank, but nothing happened. After a long five minutes, she was about to tell Lycos that he was full of it when she felt a tugging sensation in her chest. Her body started to tingle with invisible sparks that felt like fingers lightly caressing her bare skin.
“Yes, Luna, like that,” Lycos praised softly. “Focus on spirit realm but don’t let it in just yet or you’ll—”
Whatever he was going to say was drowned out by the sound of roaring wind in her ears. The pull in June’s chest yanked her forward and her eyes snapped open. Bright, technicolor lights blinded her eyes as she fell. Before she could scream, she hit the ground. June waited for the pain to hit but it never come. Shaking, she pulled herself off the ground.
Fear filled her as she looked around the living room, or what looked like the living room. June could just make out the outlines of the furniture pushed against the wall, but it was hard to tell with the fog. It was so thick that it curled around June’s waist. The only reason she could see was because of the flickering candles that composed the nexus.
In the center of the circle, the light danced around a slight figure. They didn’t move but June could feel their eyes watching her. For a moment, she thought it was Mira but then the woman spoke, her voice low and earthy, “I’ve been waiting for you.”
June’s heart stilled and her stomach dropped to the floor. Her mouth disconnected from her mind as she stuttered, “N-Nyx?”
“Seriously?” she scoffed. All at once, the fog thinned, revealing a dark-haired young woman with her hands planted on her hips. “Do I look like an ethereal goddess to you?”
“Most people would take that as a compliment,” June muttered. The fog separated enough so that she could finally see the woman’s face. “Shit. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Yeah, my thoughts exactly,” Marigold said dryly. Her eyes ran over June’s form. “I never expected my brother to have mate. Nonetheless, you’re definitely…something.”
June wasn’t sure how to address the statement. Or rather, Marigold’s presence. Instead, she redirected the conversation, asking, “How are you here? I thought the spirit realm was for the dead.”
“Is that not what I am?” she asked. Marigold frowned, resembling her brother when a line formed between her thick brows.
“You’re comatose in the pack clinic,” June replied. “Donovan told me so himself.”
“Well, it’s nice to know he hasn’t burned me yet,” Marigold tutted and let out a short laugh. “How long have I been there?”
“A year.” She wasn’t sure what the alpha sister meant about being burned and decided it was best to not ask. “Is there with you’ve been the whole time?
Marigold shrugged. “Maybe. It’s all a blur, really. The last thing I remember is going to bed and now we’re talking. This must be a special place for people who piss off dream walkers.”
June’s heart hammered in her chest as she thought about the shadow figure from her dream. She had certainly pissed him off somehow. Nervously, she asked, “Does that mean I’m stuck here, too?”
“Goddess I hope not,” Marigold chided, “someone needs to tell my brother that this is far from over. I can feel her anger growing. I think she’s going to hurt him.”
“Who would want to hurt your brother?”
The thought of the alpha ending up in the same position as his sister made June’s heart twist. She clutched herself tight, willing her anxiety to not take her over.
“No, not him!” Marigold shouted and made the floors shake when she stomped her foot. “Clark! She’s going to hurt Clark!”
“The dream walker?” June ventured, feeling like a fish out of water. She looked around the room warily, swallowing at the sight of the cracks forming along the walls and ceiling. The alpha’s sister’s anger was going to bring down the whole room.
Marigold’s face shined with determination as she stepped out of the nexus. Her body wavered in and out of focus as if she was a hologram stepping out into the sun. With long, slow strides, she crossed the space that separated them.
June attempted to move away but her feet remained rooted in place. In fact, her whole body was frozen. She was helpless as Marigold grasped her face and wailed, “Find him!”
The room spun and the ground under June’s feet disappeared. The technicolor lights came back, eating the room whole. The last thing she heard was the sound of a woman desperately crying out, “Please, find him. Please.”
/CHAPTER NINETEEN/
The café was bustling with activity when Marigold Holloway pushed open the glass front door. She adjusted the heavy backpack on her shoulder as the scent of sweat and burnt coffee assaulted her nose. Her skin crawled at the number of people that littered the room. It was never this busy on a Tuesday, but finals started next week, and every student was cramming.
There was one person who Marigold knew of that hadn’t stopped studying. Standing on the tip of her toes, she peered over the crowd, smiling when she saw him in the back, hunched over a textbook.
Clark was always in the same booth every weekday, drinking cold coffee and reading. They met when Marigold had mistakenly taken his table one early morning. Being a shifter, she knew the importance of territory and had stood up. Clark took her by surprise when he asked her to stay. A month later, he mentioned that he felt at ease around her, a rare thing since he suffered from crippling anxiety. Marigold knew it was because of her alpha lineage. It wasn’t uncommon for anyone, shifter or human, to be drawn to a natural born leader.
Knowing he hadn’t spotted her yet, Marigold skirted around the edge of the crowd towards the booth. Nowadays, she spent more time in the café than her dorm. It made her wonder what her dad would think.
He wasn’t like her mom or Donovan. He had believed that humans were below their kind. If he was still alive, he wouldn’t have let her go to Ivy U. He would’ve shipped her off to Alaska and enrolled her in a shifter college in hopes that she would find her mate.
She shook off the thought as she approached Clark. He flinched as she dropped her bag on the bench across from his. Marigold gave him an apologetic smile before sitting down and reaching into the side pocket of her backpack. After a moment of digging, she found what she was looking for and placed the small package on the table. She pushed it towards the human. “Happy birthday!”
Clark eyed the small box. His pale cheeks turned bright red, making his flaxen hair turn white. Slowly, he took the box and turned it over in his hands, muttering, “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
Marigold sat back and shrugged. “Of course I did. Besides, if it makes you feel any better, my brother’s credit card took care of it.”
“What? Maggie, no,” Clark protested, his tone frantic as panic filled his eyes. “You’ll get in trouble…I can’t…no. Return it.”
“Are you sure?”
Marigold nodded and pulled her hand away, saying, “Open it.”
Clark hesitated, as if waiting for her to change her mind. When she didn’t, he slowly pulled back the corner of the plain blue wrapping paper. At the sight of the label underneath, he froze and looked up, breathlessly asking, “Is this what I think it is?”
“Maybe,” she teased.
The rest of the paper was ripped off, littering the tabletop. Clark didn’t even seem to mind that it had found its way onto his textbook as he stared down at the earbuds with wonder. Ever since the product had hit the market six months ago, it was all her friend had talked about. He had saved every penny from his tutoring sessions. However, between keeping his phone on and paying the chunk of his tuition that his scholarship couldn’t cover, he didn’t have even a quarter of what the noise blocking earbuds cost.
“Did you know that they don’t even need music to work?” Marigold asked. “That’s the updated model, by the way. They’re not even in stores yet. Donovan called in a favor to get them early.”
“God, Marigold,” Clark sniffed and looked up. His eyes shined with relief that was reflected in his tone as he said, “Thank you. This is the best present ever.”
She wished her friend was kidding, but knew he wasn’t. He had once told her that his impromptu foster parents were either too poor for birthdays and Christmas presents or they just didn’t care enough to make an effort.
“Go ahead and try them out,” Marigold told him. A thought crossed her mind and she asked, “Have you seen Lena by chance? She was supposed to meet us and should’ve been here by now.”
Genesis: (Book One of the True Luna Series) Page 15