I caught a short nap during the remainder of the flight only waking when we touched down in Heathrow. Mathias was in a hurry. Enough that he commandeered a wheelchair for my use, and then ran through the terminal to reach the Heathrow Express. How we didn’t get in trouble with security or locked in by crowds, I will never know. Somehow, we made it to the train. When we pulled into Paddington station, we had to change from the train to the underground heading for Euston. Upon reaching the station, Mathias once again put me in a wheelchair and sprinted to the ticket office. I kept my head down when I noticed a few 5s meandering through the crowd. Anyone above a 4 made me nervous now.
Then Mathias was back, two tickets clutched in his left hand. He pushed the wheelchair at a sprint until we reached the correct platform where I switched to using my crutches. By the time we were settled in a sleeping berth, the conductor was announcing the train was about to leave the station and I was in so much pain that I wanted nothing more than to sleep for a day. Mathias had given me the lower bunk of the two in our berth. The room itself was a little smaller than the bedrooms in the safe house. There was just enough room to move around, but I was more concerned about stowing my crutches and getting off my foot. At least my lack of height meant I wouldn’t have much issue with head room. I gingerly sat on the mattress trying to decide whether this was truly worth it.
“All right?”
I nodded.
Mathias didn’t question me further. Instead, he dug in his go bag pulled out an envelope and handed it to me. I opened it to find a new ID and passport identifying me as Leto Smith. Familiar enough with the routine, I handed him the identification I had been carrying as Amity Jones. He would dispose of it somewhere along the route.
The train pulled out of the station at fifteen minutes past eleven. I glanced up at Mathias. Part of me was glad he was still here. Another part of me was wondering if I was truly any safer with him than on my own. Yet, another part wanted to get him to talk about the change in him, what was causing him to be so cold at times. But weariness tugged at me. I rubbed my forehead trying to clear the cobwebs from my mind. Maybe I should start with easier questions. “How did you get tickets? Don’t overnights require ticket purchase well before leaving?”
“I ordered them over the phone. They were holding them for us.” Mathias looked down at me and then stated softly, “There were only norms managing the gates and boarding passes. No one knew to look for you.”
“I suppose that is something,” I murmured. A sigh escaped me as I unlaced my tennis shoe and slipped it off. I wriggled my toes and glanced over at where he was uncovering the sink. “Do you think we’ve lost the hunters now?”
He offered a slight shrug. “I do not know yet.”
“Mathias . . . Do you, umm, do you think that perhaps . . .” I trailed off, my aching head making it difficult to even figure out what I was trying to ask much less ask it.
Mathias’ voice softened ever so slightly as he brushed his fingers against my shoulder. “Get some sleep, Lauren. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a long ride tomorrow. We’ll be changing tracks in Inverness.”
I should have pressed him for more information. I should have tried to talk to him about Edinburgh. Instead, I laid down and closed my eyes. When Mathias offered some of the healing tea, I gladly took it despite knowing it would knock me out for at least six hours. The weariness was muddling my thoughts, confusing me, and I needed rest. Especially if I was going to deal with Mathias, and keep his coldness from turning into a PR disaster for paranormals everywhere. After three years observing, connecting the right people to incoming calls, and arranging meetings at Halliman’s, I felt I should at least be able to do that much for both our sakes. Maybe not as much as the trained personnel at Halliman’s who tended to relocations or the actual PR side of the business, of course. But Mathias . . . He needed help and I was the only one around to offer it right now.
* * *
Lauren
I stifled a yawn behind my hand as I observed the people flowing in and out of the various trains at Inverness station. For the most part they were 2s and 3s with the occasional group of 4s passing through the central hub of the rail station. So far only a few 5s appeared on the platform and most of them looked as though they were going to meetings. None of them looked over at where I was sitting on a bench guarding our bags while Mathias found some breakfast. They were all too busy checking the signs for arrival and departure times, and then heading to one side of the station or the other to catch their trains. Which, actually made me feel a little better.
I adjusted my scarf using the movement to stretch some more. We’d arrived in Inverness just before nine in the morning, and Mathias purchased tokens to get us into the guest lounge where the showers were available to sleeper passengers. I was so happy to have the option of showering that I actually considered kissing him for it. Fortunately, I kept my head and didn’t embarrass myself.
The shower certainly helped loosen some of the knots in my neck and shoulders. Freshly clean and almost relaxed . . . no wonder I was struggling against the urge to nap. It also helped that after being in the station for about an hour with no hints of pursuit, I was almost ready to declare that we had given Weard’s hunters the slip again. Of course, no sooner had I thought that than I glimpsed a new number in the crowd. A 7, and its owner was coming toward me. I looked around as panic started beating its wings against my ribs, but Mathias was nowhere to be seen. I twisted back to the approaching danger and caught a glimpse of the 7 surrounded by a group of tourists, marked by the cameras around their necks and maps clutched in their gloved hands, who were all 4s.
I struggled to my feet, grasping my crutches, but I didn’t have an easy way of grabbing both bags. My heart started pounding faster and there was a ringing in my ears as my breath came in fast gasps. The 7 pushed through the tourists and I caught a glimpse of a black man, his eyes half-shadowed by a flat cap and a wool coat that was unbuttoned as though he didn’t truly feel the cold in sharp contrast to the heavily layered and triple bundled tourists. Definitely a paranormal, and his attention was fixed on me. He strode toward me, purpose in every step, as I stood frozen to the ground.
Then, the 7’s steps slowed down until he came to a halt. I tensed half expecting him to lunge at me despite the fact that he stood far enough away for a family of Sprites pushing a two-seater stroller with sleeping twins to pass between us. When the Sprites cleared the way, the 7 was still there but he didn’t come any closer. Instead, his attention shifted to something behind me. It was only then that I realized someone stood beside me once more. I risked a glanced to my right and saw Mathias. His expression was cold and unreadable as he locked eyes with the 7. My grip on my crutches tightened as I realized they might fight here and now.
My gaze shifted to the people flowing around us. This was the worst possible place to have a fight. Especially between high numbers. My breaths came faster as I returned my attention to the two men who were still staring at each other. The 7 flickered, almost becoming an 8, before it settled back into a steady 7. The man nodded to Mathias and then he spun on his heel, striding away from us.
My good leg almost gave out as I stared after his retreating form, before the crowds swallowed him once more until even the 7 was obscured by the other numbers. I turned back to Mathias and hissed, “What just happened?”
Mathias didn’t answer right away. Instead, he picked up our bags. “Come on. The train will leave soon.”
“Leave? For where?”
I thought we were stopping in Inverness and switching to a different method of travel. Perhaps I’d misunderstood his comment from last night. I followed him to a different platform. Fewer people were here than on the other side of the station. Mathias went over to a bench and dropped our bags on one end, then motioned for me to sit as well. I did so and then shivered as Mathias sat next to me. He handed me the bag of food he had brought, murmuring, “Best eat it now.”
I chewed mechanically, hardly paying a
ttention to the food, as I kept a wary eye on the people slowly making their way to join us. I swallowed a bite and then asked softly, “Who was he?”
“One of Weard’s foremost hunters.”
A cold sensation ran down my spine at the words. I darted Mathias a questioning glance. He still looked detached and definitely not at all worried. “Why did he let us go?”
Mathias shook his head. “Just focus on eating. The train will be boarding soon.”
I considered pressing him further, but I already knew it wouldn’t work. Glancing around the platform, I noted more 5s and a few 6s. A few wings marked the short-statured Sprites. Perhaps the others were more Fae. I turned my face so I was practically nose to shoulder with Mathias. His arm around my shoulders tightened slightly, but he didn’t say another word.
Finally, we were allowed to board the train. We sat tucked in the back of the last car. No one else was in the car with us, which was almost too good to be true. I stayed tense until we pulled out of the station. “Where are we going? Wick?”
Mathias glanced down at me. “The train goes to Wick.”
Implying that we were not. I pursed my lips and changed the subject. “What happened back there? Why did a hunter stop?”
Mathias’ gaze shifted to staring straight ahead. After several moments of heavy silence, I had nearly given up on getting any answers out of the frustrating man. I turned to look out the window when Mathias suddenly spoke. “Royal and I used to be what most would consider friends. He was one of the few employees left at Weard that I trusted.” He paused, the corners of his mouth turning down, and then his voice frosted over as he added, “He knows what would happen if he attempted to take you from my protection.”
“Doesn’t that mean he is still your friend?”
“No.”
There was a finality to the single word, and no doubt Mathias wanted the conversation to be over. But I couldn’t let it go. Not yet.
I hesitated and then reached over to grab his hand. We were still wearing gloves, but the contact seemed to surprise him. I looked into his icy blue eyes and said softly, “If he let us go, he is choosing friendship over Weard. He is still your friend.”
Mathias smiled but it was cold as he shook his head. “I said I trusted him. Once. Friendship is a dangerous thing to have in Weard. It marks you as weak.”
“Mathias . . .”
“Royal is many things, Lauren. But, he has never been a complete fool. That is the only reason he decided to let us go. No doubt, he will report us in Inverness. Hunters will converge, but our trail will be cold by that time.” Mathias paused only a moment before he slipped his hand out from mine and added, “As I told you in Olympia, I have neither friends nor family.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to mention traveling all this time as his pretend wife. But, I choked on the thought. Even a pretense of marriage could be considered binding by some paranormal species . . . if you drew attention to the marriage when there wasn’t a need. And, the thought of being married to Mathias made me feel . . .
I refused to let myself finish that thought. Instead, I sighed. “And, I told you then that you have a friend now or is friendship with a rogue Spotter forbidden as well?”
Mathias didn’t respond. I glanced up at him. He had tugged his hat down and closed his eyes. Pursing my lips, I gave serious consideration to forcing him to continue the conversation. I lifted my hand to shake his arm, but habit made me balk before I could actually touch him. Mathias was being cold, and I simply couldn’t force myself to make him talk to me. Especially not when we were still fairly exposed.
Resigning myself to more unanswered questions, I turned to look out the window at the rapidly passing buildings as we headed out of Inverness and tried to ignore the far too taciturn man beside me. So far, the only thing that wasn’t different about Mathias was the 10 still glowing bright and golden in the air directly above his head. A sigh escaped me as I continued watching the buildings. This was going to be a long train ride.
* * *
Chapter Six
Lauren
“Lauren.”
The faint whisper barely disturbed me. “Mmmhmm.” Maybe whoever it was would go away and let me sleep now. I snuggled deeper against the pillow, which was warmer than usual . . . harder too. Still, I wasn’t ready to get up.
My pillow slid beneath my cheek, and I reached up to hold it in place. My fingers snagged on fabric, but it wasn’t smooth linen like a pillow should have been. It was fuzzy and of much heavier weight than a pillow. Not to mention warm. Smelled nice too.
A throat cleared and then Mathias sounded . . . strained and really close as something warmed my ear. “Lauren . . . you need to let go.”
Let go . . . I pried one eye open just a little. I could see my hand clutching dark grey wool. Then my gaze drifted up. A faint smile curled my lips as I met Mathias’ blue-green gaze. He looked . . . uncomfortable. The reason dawned on me. I was practically sprawled against his shoulder and his chest. I could feel the blood draining from my face as I remembered snuggling against the pillow, no, Mathias. Both eyes opened as I jerked back and I stammered, “S-sorry.”
Unable to even face him, I quickly turned to face the window. My cheeks were burning now and I plucked at my shawl, which had slid down off my hair at some point. As I arranged and rearranged the green fabric so it covered my hair once more and framed my face, I noticed the train had stopped. There didn’t look to be much out there though.
Mathias murmured, “Come on, we need to get off here.”
I wasn’t even certain where here was, but I was currently too embarrassed to ask him for anything. At this point, I was ready to be anywhere other than on the train. Mathias was already moving away with our bags by the time I gathered my crutches and got out of the seat. A quick glance around proved the car was still empty except for us. At least that meant there weren’t any witnesses to my embarrassing actions.
My cheeks still felt warm as I followed Mathias to the door. I could only hope that between my complexion, my shawl, and the relative dimness of the light outside that he wouldn’t notice. The conductor helped me maneuver down the steps until Mathias could reach up to get me the rest of the way down onto the platform. His touch sent shivers of awareness, chased by embarrassment, running through me as his hands closed around my waist and he lifted me off the steps and down to the platform. I could hardly look at him. He kept one hand on my arm as he reached up for the conductor to pass my crutches down, and I was far too aware of that point of contact.
When Mathias handed me the crutches, he removed his hand as soon as he was certain I was steady. I felt the loss of his touch a little too keenly. Then, I shivered for an entirely different reason as a cold wind cut through my wool coat. I was beginning to understand why January was not considered prime tourist season in Scotland, especially in the Highlands. Desperate to get my mind off of Mathias and how easily he could make me feel . . . everything, I looked around the narrow platform as the train moved but it didn’t proceed forward, it reversed. Latching on to the scant distraction, I nodded toward the train as I asked, “Why are they doing that?”
“They are going to Thurso before they come back here to go to Wick.” Mathias glanced down at me, but didn’t seem to notice I was still blushing. He gestured toward a stone house. “Come on. I need to find a lorry and you need to get out of the wind.”
It was difficult for me to focus on much other than the wind cutting through my coat and gloves as I maneuvered over the snowy ground trying to avoid both drifts and patches of ice. Fortunately, it didn’t take too long to get inside the stone building serving the station, which was a good thing because I didn’t see many other houses around. A Brownie was manning the ticket counter. I quickly moved to the far side of the room acting as though I was only interested in warming up by the fireplace. The last thing I needed was for a Brownie’s ingrained sense of hospitality to lead him to come over and attempt to help me.
I could hear
Mathias’ low voice as he spoke to the Brownie. His accent provided a delicious counterpoint to the Brownie’s pronounced Scottish burr, and I caught myself relaxing at the sound. I blew out a breath as I tried to pull myself together. This was the worst possible time for my attraction to Mathias to rear its inconvenient head.
Then, there was a warm presence behind me but I didn’t dare turn around. Mathias leaned in closer and murmured, “He knows you just want to warm up at the fire while I get us a lorry. Georgemas Junction is fairly isolated, and he lives here not in the village of Halkirk. Norms don’t even realize he mans this place. Don’t act scared.”
There was a brush against my arm that seemed to sink through the wool to my arm. Maybe I should have gotten a heavier coat. I heard Mathias’ steps retreating and then the sound of the door opening and closing. I stayed in front of the fire feeling as though the Brownie was watching me, but never daring to turn around. Worried he would come over to check on me, I made a show of warming my gloved hands while balancing on my crutches. Fortunately for my fraying nerves, it didn’t take long for Mathias to find us a ride. As soon as he came back in, I was more than happy to see him even when I followed him back out into the cold to a battered old truck.
I still felt . . . aware, electrifyingly aware, of his touch as he helped me into the passenger seat. My hands fumbled with the crutches when he handed them to me, and he helped settle them between me and the driver’s side of the bench seat. He shut the door and tossed our bags in the back, protecting them from the elements with a tarp. I took a deep breath trying to distract myself from his touch. Closing my eyes, I once again questioned why I had to feel such a strong attraction to a 10. Especially a 10 who wasn’t even sharing information, except in bits and pieces. The cab was still cold despite the heater being cranked to high. Perhaps it would numb my ankle.
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