She perked up. Her big blue eyes opened and even sparkled slightly. “Another vacation?”
Talon cut in. “You will not be going.” His voice rang out deep and authoritative “We cannot lose all of you.”
Haven pouted and stomped her feet, putting her hands on her hips. Even her bottom lip came out a little. That was Haven—a ten year old in a twenty-four year old body—cute in every way, but also temperamental as hell.
The Master of Witches, Zia interrupted. “Do you wish to do this, Nexi?”
I glanced toward her. She gave me a smile that only intensified her beautiful features. Her strawberry hair seemed to do that thing you see in models when a fan is on them. Blow with beauty. Yeah, that was her—simply breathtaking.
This wasn’t even a question. I owed Valor. Even doing this wouldn’t repay my debt to him for all the hairy situations he had gotten me out of. “I do. It is a small thing he asks. Plus, I feel bad for this wolf. It’s scary as hell waking to this world, and I didn’t shift into a wolf either. Who knew what I would have done if that happened?”
Zia inclined her head, showing pleasure in the decision made. “You of all people should be able to help her.” She looked to Talon. “We can do without them for a while, can’t we?”
Talon grumbled something incoherent, which made Zade, Brax and even Valor laugh. Apparently, their super hearing understood words. After clenching his jaw, he sighed in resignation. “Go then. Contact us tomorrow night to advise us how things are going.”
Not that he wasn’t up for us helping Valor. It was obvious that wasn’t his issue here. Suddenly, I saw a little inkling of his true feelings and it just sent a shot of happiness right through my soul. He had missed us. Would he ever declare it? Never. However, his qualms weren’t about the situation, he didn’t want us to go.
Instead of embarrassing him by pointing out such things, since he would be considering the way Supes were, I just smiled and followed the others out. As I turned, I saw that clench in his jaw again and a little bit of longing reached his eyes. Needing to acknowledge him, I focused on the gifts I’d been given as Spirit Witch. I let the wall of protection down as Zia’s Spirit flooded my mind. This was the one gift as Spirit Witches we shared¯the ability to communicate telepathically.
When I felt her presence completely, I said, “Tell him we missed him too.”
When I glanced over my shoulder, she was whispering in his ear. As Talon raised his head and met my gaze, he smiled.
Chapter Two
We arrived at a large log house surrounded by green grass, dozens of shrubs and trees. Enormous wide windows sat along the front side of the home where low lighting poured out into the night. Four chimneys had dark smoke drifting from them and there were no flowers in sight. Snow would make it a perfect Christmas escape.
“Your home is incredible,” I said to Valor.
“It’s home.” Valor sighed, obviously tickled to be home.
Couldn’t say I blamed him there. The house was nestled into mountains with miles upon miles of wilderness.
“Come this way.” Valor waved toward the house. “Briggs is waiting for us.”
Kyden and I followed him up the stairs to the front entrance. Valor didn’t hesitate and swung the door wide. The moment I stepped through the thick wooden door, my breath was stolen as I looked up. The ceiling had to be forty-feet high, with wood everywhere. The walls were decorated with large paintings of wolves frolicking.
Valor led us to a living room that was just off the entrance. A fire burned brightly with two oversized couches hugging around it. Briggs was sitting on one of them—concern tightened his normally lighthearted spirit. Not only was he Kyden’s closest friend, but he was also as mischievous as they come.
Usually, a smartass grin would fill his slender face, along with yellow eyes and high spiked brown hair, but that is not what I found tonight. As Valor’s Beta—his second in command—he was always strength personified. Now, his appearance led one to believe he was only a pack member with no ranking at all. As we stepped into the room, his head snapped up toward us and he stood immediately. “You have arrived.” His voice was hurried as he rushed over to me and pulled me into a fierce hug. His entire body trembled.
“Hi Briggs,” I managed through his tight squeeze.
He reached out touching Kyden’s shoulder and released me from his hold. “You doin’…”
Kyden interrupted him. “I am well, Briggs.” He examined his friend curiously. “You alright?”
Briggs never answered, just glanced over his shoulder.
I followed his gaze to see a small wolf cowering in the corner. Her eyes were frantic as she whimpered. “Ahh…poor baby,” I soothed.
Briggs’ gaze swung back to me. “She is not well.”
“Yeah, I see that.” I started to approach her and she yelped loudly. Her entire body trembled. I froze, meeting her terrified gaze, then I saw her injuries. Blood was seeping from too many wounds to count. “She’s hurt,” I stated harshly.
“We cannot heal her,” Valor said softly. “She won’t let us get close enough to offer aid.”
I glanced back at Kyden. “This may be harder than I thought.”
“She is very frightened.” His gaze locked on the wolf, in classic concern for Nexi protective mode.
“What can you do?” Valor asked urgently.
Before I had a chance to respond, Briggs shouted, “You must do something! Please, you have to help her.”
My brows furrowed a little at his unexpected outburst. “Are you okay, Briggs?”
He looked about ready to explode. He shook his head, his eyes tight with emotion I had never witnessed in him before. “You need to help her.”
“Do you know her?” Kyden asked the obvious question as he examined his friend inquisitively.
“Not until tonight. I had never met her before but…”
As the silence grew thick, my gaze lingered on the trembling wolf. Suddenly, a light bulb clicked on. Briggs was attracted to her. Which came as a shock, since he’d never seen her human form, nor had an actual conversation with the little wolf for that matter. I could only assume it was some wolf thing I didn’t understand.
“How’s fluffy doing?” A loud voice came from behind me.
When I looked back, a woman around my age entered the room. Her shoulder-length hair flipped out at the ends, brown eyes surrounded by thick beautiful lashes and a pouty mouth that people paid good money for. She was one of those—the naturally beautiful type—I wasn’t even sure she was wearing makeup. Instantly, I was envious of her. It was obvious from the pajamas she wore, she had just got out of bed. When I wake up, I look like something that came out of a tornado—nothing like this loveliness in front of me now.
Valor’s growl came loud and rumbled along the floor. “Isla, I told you not to come in here.”
She huffed at him, dismissing his remark with a wave of her hand. “Whatever, old man.”
Holding back my laughter was impossible, realizing just who she was. Valor had once said that I reminded him of Isla, his daughter. Immediately, understanding dawned.
Valor gave his daughter a reprimanded look, before he did turned toward me. “Nexi, this is Isla.”
Isla’s eyes widened. “Nexi.” She stuck her hand out hurriedly. “It’s great to finally meet you.”
I shook her hand and nearly had my arm ripped off by her fierce handshake. When she let go, I flexed it a moment just to get the feeling back in it. “Nice to meet you too.”
Isla’s chin lifted as if she’d just received the compliment of the year. “Kyden,” she said, keeping her eyes focused on my face.
“Pleasure to see you again, Isla,” Kyden responded, even though she didn’t appear at all interested in him.
“Now go back to your room,” Valor ordered.
She snorted, snapping her gaze to her father. “Get serious! I’m not going anywhere.”
Valor’s looked at me with perfect understanding. “I did tell you once, didn’t I?”
I nodded, laughing. “You did.”
Isla turned on him, squared her shoulders, her hands firm on her h*ps and even threw in a stomp of her foot. “What did you say about me?”
“Nothing of importance,” Valor laughed.
Through the laughter, came a low harsh growl. Then unexpectedly, Briggs shouted, “Isla, go back now. We do not have time for your games. Get out.”
Isla looked completely shocked, which was soon replaced by a pissed off beauty queen. “You don’t talk to me that way.”
Briggs stepped closer, glared down to her. “I will talk to you however I damn well please. We need to help this wolf and you are wasting time.” He pointed to the foyer. “Now go.”
Kyden reached out to Briggs, placed a hand on his shoulder. “Relax, Briggs.”
Briggs shook off his hand, full of something that was far past enraged. “We need to get on with this.”
“Okay.” I stepped in, trying to ease him. His body was wrapped so tight in fury, I was a little concerned he was going to lose it. “Listen, Isla, it was super nice to meet you. Briggs is right, though, we have to get back to this. Can I come see you later?”