Jess, finding Tally and the others could’ve been way more complicated than this. Instead, it’s all here for the taking. What if Tally had been taken by someone we didn’t know, couldn’t find, and had no idea how to get to? Yes, this will most likely turn into a shit show, but it’s a show happening right at our feet. We should count ourselves lucky.
He had a point.
I catch your drift. I’m changing. I’ll be down soon. You’ll be happy to know your cute roommate is changing too. I couldn’t resist. You know, she’s the first roommate you’ve had in quite some time.
I’m not going there with you, he stated evenly.
Why not?
Because I’m scared enough about it as it is. I don’t need you to add anything to stir the pot.
What are you scared about? I asked.
Everything. What if she doesn’t accept me as her own? he asked. A million things could go wrong.
Why wouldn’t she accept you? It’s clear that you two are mated. I knew the first moment I saw you together. It just takes time. Go slow. Think about Danny and Naomi. It took them a long time to accept the facts, but everyone comes around at some point.
I hope so. I have to go, he said. Julian is insisting each of us take a cigar. Man, these things are stinky. How can other supernaturals stand the concentrated smell? The stench will linger in my nostrils for a year.
You have an overly sensitive nose, both a curse and a blessing, I told him. I’m on my way down now.
I came out of the bathroom, and as I passed the French doors, a whooshing noise sounded. A nanosecond later, Ray stood in front of me with his hands on his hips.
I pressed my index finger to my lips.
Ray got the hint, but instead of nodding and flying away so we could talk later, he stepped forward and grabbed my waist. We were in the air before I knew what was happening.
16
“Jesus, Ray!” I exclaimed once we’d landed. “You could’ve given me fair warning!”
“There’s no way to give you fair warning when this place is crawling with spells. Plus, I found something you’re going to be mighty interested in, so I had no choice but to take you.”
“Where are we?” I looked around. We appeared to be standing in the middle of the vineyard. The villa wasn’t visible from here. “Are we still on Julian’s property?”
“Yep,” Ray answered. “I’ve been out here these last few hours scoping it out. He keeps his wolves in bunkhouses a couple miles away, which is strange. None seem to be hanging around the main house except for Lucas and a few drivers. There are two buildings, and they look to hold fifty to sixty wolves, twenty-five to thirty in each. But that’s not the most interesting news. I found what appears to be an underground bunker, or at least the entrance to one. I scented that witch we were tracking around the area, so I didn’t get too close. I didn’t want to leave my signature for them to find.”
“Where is this bunker? Is it nearby?” I asked, turning in a circle, trying to get a better view of the area.
He nodded. “It’s down the road about three miles. There were other smells lurking as well. One that smelled like jasmine and mint. Definitely female. I couldn’t pick up on what kind of supe it was for sure, but it had a familiar ring to it, close to someone’s I know.”
“Whose?” I asked.
“Selene,” he said.
My eyebrows went up. “That must be Ceres. They’re both goddesses.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” he agreed.
“What about Tally? Did you pick up on any witch smell?” I asked. “It’s risky for Julian to keep them on the property.”
“I didn’t scent her, but she’s been gone awhile. If she hasn’t been outside, her scent signature could be covered up. Plus, I didn’t get that close. If we want to investigate, we’re going to have to bring Marcy here, so she can clean up after us.”
“Okay, all this is good information. Now take me back to the villa. They’re expecting us, and we have to meet my father’s plane.”
“There’s one more thing,” he said.
“What?”