“Bite me,” I mutter.
Grim barks out a laugh, and I watch as a flush creeps up Kol’s neck into his cheeks, turning his entire face a bright red.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing,” Kol mutters. He stands and ducks away from me, shoving Grim with his shoulder, and I know I’ve just said something wrong. But neither one offers to explain, and when Kol turns around again, he looks somewhat recovered.
“I’m going off script by protecting you, Elidi. I’m not going to lie and tell you this will work out for either of us, but I can promise you that I’m not going to let anything happen to you out there. I’ll die before I let anyone hurt you.”
His words feel enormous, and I try to remember if I’ve ever been promised something so meaningful before.
“Thank you,” I say. “And I believe that you’ll keep your word.”
He reaches for my hand and wraps it in his.
“We have to leave Black Peak,” he says. And the way he searches my eyes with his makes it all feel like a question. Like he’s asking me if this is okay. Like we really are planning it together. A team.
“You’re too weak to survive behind the veil. The Earth plane is dangerous now, but I know somewhere we can go while you wait for your ascension.”
“One condition,” I say as if I’m in any kind of position to make demands.
“Name it,” Kol says.
“Teach me.” I look from him to Grim. “Show me how to ascend or be a goddess or whatever. And if you don’t know how I can do that, then train me. I need to do more than run away and hide where I’m safe when shit hits the fan. I have to be able to find Aerina, and if there’s any chance of saving her, I have to do that too.”
Kol looks back at Grim. “Do you think she’ll let you get away?” Kol asks.
I frown, wondering who they’re talking about.
Grim nods gravely. “I’ll need some time to set it up. Where should I meet you?”
“We’ll go to the Wryneck,” Kol says, a strange note in his voice.
Grim’s brows shoot up. “Do you think that’s wise?”
Kol shrugs. “It’s safest. That’s what matters.”
Grim glances at me with an interest that makes me shift in my seat. What the hell is a wryneck? Before I can ask, Kol turns back to me, and his jaw is set.
“Grim will meet us there once he’s made his own arrangements. He’s the best option for your goddess training.”
Both of them fall silent, waiting for my answer.
“Okay,” I say. “I’ll go with you.”
“Really?” Kol blinks, clearly surprised. “Damn, that was easier than I thought.”
“You’ve proven already that you can protect me. I’m alive because of you. Besides, I’m really tired of this magical narcolepsy thing, so it’s not like I can stay here anyway.” I yawn and catch sight of Kol’s smile and Grim’s barely contained laughter. “But can we wait until after my nap? I’m really tired of waking up in new places.”
The last thing I hear before I drift off is Kol’s laughter and the words, “No promises on that one.”
Chapter Nine
I wake to sunlight and enough jostling that I groan as I sit up. Kol has obviously disregarded my last request. I look down at the leather strap fastened low over my lap. A lap that is still clothed in the leggings and tunic from before. At least I haven’t been undressed again, so that’s something.
“You lied,” I mumble, exhaustion robbing the words of venom.
Underneath me, Kol’s shoulders shake with laughter.
Actually, I promised nothing.
“Ass,” I say, which only makes him laugh harder. “Where are we?”
Almost there, he replies in my head.
“Where is there?”
No answer.
I open my mouth to blast him for sucky manners when a gust of wind blows through the treetops at our backs. Panic rises, leaving a bitter taste in the back of my throat. The last time the wind swept in like this, it had ushered an army toward us.
Kol turns his head to get a look at the sky.
Just like before, the leaves shake, and branches sway as the wind rushes by. My hair blows into my eyes, and I shove it back with a weak hand. My breath shortens with the simple movement, and I realize we must still be in Black Peak if I’m this run-down.
My fear subsides a little. “Whatever’s out there can’t get to us in here,” I whisper. “Right?”
They’re beyond the gates, Kol says. Waiting.
“Is there another way out?” I ask. “A different—”
My question goes unanswered as the wind suddenly sends a tree crashing toward the forest floor—its thick trunk aimed right for us. Kol launches sideways, narrowly avoiding being smashed. Leaves fly, wind howls, and Kol’s powerful body races along the ground at an impossible speed.
On our right, dark shadows move through the trees, running parallel to us. They don’t move closer as they keep pace, and I barely have time to wonder what’s keeping them back when I catch sight of a pair of iron gates up ahead. They stand wide open, but nothing’s rushing the entrance. Whatever’s tracking us remains outside—a fact that does nothing to comfort me since we’re headed right for the opening. Right for them.
A scream sounds, and its ear-piercing octave is one I recognize immediately.
The Silenci
Nicnevin.
Goddess of the Dead.
She’s here.
“It’s Nic—”
I know.
Even in my head, Kol’s tone is like steel—hard and determined and focused on the path ahead as we bound closer and closer to the gated opening before us. These gates are different than the ones we passed through on our way in, but there’s no time to ask why or where they lead.
Just beyond, shadows loom. Winged creatures whose hooves don’t quite touch the ground. Red eyes stare back at me from where they’ve gathered to wait for us. Even though they’ve stopped, the wind continues to spin around me, urging us closer.
“Kol,” I yell, desperate now and wide awake thanks to the gallons of adrenaline my body is circulating.
Ten more steps.
Eight.
Six.
The gate is so close now.
The monsters, the red eyes—
“Kol!” I scream.
Hold on!
His voice is a command and a warning and gives me only enough time to bury my fists in his thick fur before he leaps.
I shut my eyes and am shocked when several seconds pass and Kol’s paws have yet to touch the ground.
I open my eyes, braced for the worst. But nothing waits for us as we finish our leap. The shadows are gone, and by the time Kol’s paws touch down again, the scenery before us has completely shifted. The forest is gone. In its place is a dirt path wide enough to be some kind of farming road. It’s deserted and winding upward with low shrubs growing along either side. The chill has suddenly become a melting heat, and the sun hangs behind the mountain that rises up before us.
My confusion becomes awe as Kol continues to run, winding up and around the mountain road where we’ve landed.
I twist hard to look behind us, fully expecting to see the red-eyed monsters pursuing us. But there’s nothing. No shadows. No glowing eyes. No wind.
We’re alone. But most importantly, we’re safe.
“What the hell just happened?” I ask on a deep breath that’s meant to test whether or not I’m actually alive.
The Silenci were waiting for us. I had to veil-jump again. How do you feel?
I can feel the weight of my exhaustion as my adrenaline rush fades.
“Tired,” I admit. If he tells me to go to sleep again just so he can transport me somewhere else I haven’t asked to go—
I couldn’t avoid it. Not with The Silenci waiting for us. It’ll pass now that we’re back on the earth plane.
I hope he’s right.
Kol steps off the path and comes to a stop.
Kol reaches back with his teeth and pulls on the end of the strap buckling me in, releasing me. Before I can catch myself, I slide off and land in a heap on the ground beside him.
Kol makes a strange growly noise in his throat that sounds suspiciously like a laugh.
I sit up, rubbing at the places where sharp gravel has dug into my skin, and glare.
“I thought you said your job was to protect me.”
Kol takes another step back, and then his fur begins to shimmer, and his body trembles. I blink at a sudden small flash of light, and when I open my eyes again, Kol looks human.
My eyes dip lower to his broad, bared chest and the tiny shorts that cover yet highlight his most impressive part.
Kol clears his throat.
My eyes snap back to his, and I don’t miss the gleam he wears. My cheeks heat. So busted.
I scramble to my feet and busy myself with combing dirty fingers through my crazy hair. Kol reaches for the bag that’s now on the ground beside me and produces a candy bar from one of the pockets.
“Here,” he says. “Eat this. It’ll help with the exhaustion from the veil-jump.”
I rip into it, silently fighting the urge to kiss him on the mouth for the chocolate. “So now you’re back to taking care of me again?” I ask around a mouthful of milk chocolate and caramel.
“I never said I’d take care of you. I said I’d protect you. Totally different.”
I roll my eyes. “Tomato, potato.”
He cocks his head and opens his mouth then apparently thinks better of it and shuts it again.
“Eat up,” he says finally. “We have a bit of a walk.”
“Bossy much?” I take another bite.
He scoops up the bag and then looks at me, one brow arched. My stomach flips, and I silently curse myself for how much I like looking at him.
“Actually, I’m doing that protector thing,” he says. “We’re in the desert, and the sun’s rising high, which means it’s going to be hot as Hades very soon. I’d like to spare us both from heat exhaustion if you don’t mind.”
“Can werewolves get heat exhaustion?” I ask.
“I am not a werewolf,” he says tightly, and I hide my smile by shoving what’s left of the candy bar into my mouth.
“Right, sorry,” I say around the mouthful of sugary goodness. “Can guardians get heat exhaustion? I mean, don’t you heal quickly from injuries?”
“How do you know that?” he asks.
I shrug. “Your ear was hurt during the fight, but when you came out of the river, it was healed.”
His eyes narrow. “You noticed that all by yourself?”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not a complete idiot.” He snorts, and I glare. “Is it some kind of secret or something?” I demand.
“No. Yes. Sort of.” He sighs. “Crossing into Black Peak is good for my wolf side. It’s healing and gives me a kind of a boost to be where my pack’s magic is so strong. But yes, even outside the borders of Black Peak, we heal faster than humans. And gods.”
“See?” I shoot back. “Was that so hard?”
Kol turns and starts walking.
He’s headed in the opposite direction of the road, and I have to hurry to catch up.
For the next few minutes, we walk in silence. The sun beats down on my head, and a light sheen of sweat begins to coat my skin.
Without breaking stride, I peel off the tunic to reveal the thin tank top underneath. The sweat coating me has plastered both the shirt and the leggings to my damp skin, but it’s slightly cooler without the tunic on.
“You should leave it,” Kol says, and I catch him side-eying me. “The tunic will help keep the sun’s rays off so you don’t burn.”
“I don’t burn anyway,” I tell him. “Never have.”
He doesn’t look convinced, but he doesn’t argue.
I tie the tunic around my head to cool my hair, and we continue on.
On either side of us, the dusty landscape is open and arid, dotted only with low-lying shrubs and cacti stretching as far as I can see. The only good thing about our surroundings is the lack of glowing-eyed monsters.
Kol’s gaze is watchful and constantly scanning though I have no idea if he’s looking for a threat or for some sign we’re actually going in the right direction. Everything looks the same to me.
“Where are we going?” I ask when my legs ache and the silence has become loud between us.
“To see a friend,” he says.
At his succinct answer, I glance over and see the sweat coating his chest and arms. His cheeks are flushed, and his hair is wet and slicked back from running his hand through it. Every inch of his exposed skin is bronzed and chiseled and glistening. It’s a trifecta that makes me drool the little bit of moisture I have left in my mouth.
He looks over, and I quickly look away again. What was I saying?
“The Wryneck?” I ask. Kol cuts me a surprised look, and I sigh. “Again, not an idiot. Also, you and Grim talk in front of me like I’m not even there.”
“Yes,” he says. “Her name is Iynx. She’s a goddess with an affinity for protection borders. Her property is ringed in an impenetrable shield, which means even if our enemies find us, they won’t be able to get inside.”
“Huh. Seems like a smart move.” His brows lift, and I realize he wasn’t looking for my praise. Whatever. “How did they know where to find us anyway?” I ask. “The Silenci waiting at the gate, I mean.”
“They probably caught our trail before it disappeared into the river. I’m guessing they put sentries on all gates leading away from Black Peak and just waited.”
“Wait. Does that mean they’ll find our trail here?”
“They’ll look for it. But we’re a thousand miles away. That veil-jump should mask us at least long enough to reach Iynx. Once we cross her barrier, we’ll be safe.”
“Does this barrier involve crossing another veil?” I ask.
“No. Iynx’s barrier is more earth-magic than god-gifted,” Kol says.
“Right. Obviously,” I agree as if I understand any of what he’s talking about. He shoots me a glance.
“Earth-magic is something the human world is tapped into. It calls upon the favor of a god or goddess to activate, but it’s not otherworldly. It still adheres to the laws of this dimension, which means your mortal body won’t have a reaction to it.”
“I still don’t understand how I’m allergic to god-magic if I am one.”
“You’re a goddess ascending. It’s different. And you’re not allergic.”
“So you all keep saying”
“You’re only mortal until you ascend. Ascension means coming into your power. It also means leaving your mortality behind.”
“Whoa. Hold the flip up.” I stop and stare at him. “Do you mean that once I ascend, I’ll be immortal?”
Kol stops and faces me. “Yes. You’re a goddess, Elidi. That means you’ll live forever.”
“Wow.” I take a moment to let that sink in then ask, “Are Guardians immortal too?”
Kol blinks then looks away. “Guardians become immortal when they become bonded.”
“Okay,” I say, when he doesn’t say more. “And your bonded half is…?”
“No one. At least not yet,” he says. Then he clears his throat and rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.
I cock my head. “Did I step in some shit again?”
His brows crinkle. “What?”
“What did I just say? And why does it feel awkward? Look, I don’t know what any of this means, Wolf-man. That’s what I have you for, remember? So you can’t—”
“Wolf-man?” he repeats, arching a brow.
I shrug. “Yeah. So?”
“That’s . . . what? Your nickname for me?”
I nod.
“You couldn’t come up with something better than that?”
“Wolf-man’s very manly,” I say, grinning.
I start walking again,
vaguely aware he’s just avoided answering my questions. But maybe one batshit crazy truth at a time is enough.
I’m immortal.
Or I will be.
Suddenly, I’m the one who needs a distraction.
“Fine. What do you want me to call you?” I ask.
He slants a look at me as we walk on. “How about Guardian Hotness? Or Ninja Warrior Wolf?”
My nose wrinkles. “Those are even worse than Wolf-man.”
He grins. “They’re more inclusive of my skills though.”
I roll my eyes. “Your only skills are running really fast and being grumpy. Maybe I should call you Fast and Furious.”
His confusion only makes that funnier, and I double over, laughing hard at his expression.
“That’s ridiculous,” he says, obviously clueless.
“Don’t worry. It’s also already taken,” I say then wipe my forehead.
“I’m not trying to suggest you do all the hard work in this partnership, but if you were a wolf right now, we could run across this desert, and we’d be there by now.”
“First, that’s not a suggestion. It’s a fact. I’ve done all the work so far. You’ve merely survived.”
I stick my tongue out. “Surviving is hard.”
He chuckles. “For you, that is probably true,” he says, and I glare back at him. “But for your information, I can’t cross Iynx’s barrier as a wolf. The magic won’t allow it.”
“Why won’t it—”
Something thick and jelly-like hits me. It’s invisible and not quite solid enough to stop my forward momentum. As I pass through it with a half-open mouth, whatever the substance is fills my mouth. I come out the other side, back into real air, and heave up the invisible contents coating my tongue.
A wad of jelly-like spit hits the ground—yellowish and no longer invisible.
“Ugh. Ew. Gross.” My stomach rolls at the aftertaste. I bend at the knees, spitting into the dirt again and again. “I might be sick. What the hell was that?”
“Plsdntbskhlp.” Kol’s voice is muffled.
I turn to see his arms and legs frozen in mid-stride. His nose is mashed against some sort of invisible wall, and I can see the muscles in his biceps contracting as he tries to pull free of whatever has him locked in place. It’s not working.
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