This has to work, dammit! It crashed into the bubble the second time, piercing it like the tip of an arrow. For a moment nothing happened. Then a shallow gust of air blew by my ears, seconds before a huge explosion ripped my mind apart.
Power raced back into my body like a shock from a defibrillator. My eardrums exploded on impact and my jaws crashed together. My body bucked and I gasped in a huge breath at the same moment my wolf sprang onto all fours in my mind, snarling fiercely.
Then my heart gave a single quavering beat.
Without pause, my body began to shift back to my human form so rapidly I almost couldn’t process what was happening. In the next blink I was panting and na**d on all fours.
“Well, thank goodness that worked,” Tyler said, ducking his head as he walked into the small cavern. He went to my pack, which was lined next to the others along the wall, and dug around, tossing me some clothes. I caught them with one hand. Thank goodness my outfits were easy to pack and took up little space. “I guess we can chalk that up to a success. You appear to be your normal self.”
“Normal is up for debate.” I pulled on the shirt and leggings. “What time is it?”
“It’s three a.m.,” he said right as Danny strode in.
Danny stopped in his tracks, his face comical in its surprise. “You woke up! I thought I felt something different. Clearly I’m going to have to get better at reading these blood connections between us. But, blimey, I didn’t think it was possible! You hadn’t taken a bloody breath in ages.”
“I couldn’t have done it without Tyler.” I nodded in his direction. “It was all him. He woke me up.”
“Well, it’s good to see you’re speaking in full sentences.” Danny grinned. “I’m assuming this means you’re not brain damaged then?”
“No. There aren’t any lingering effects as far as I can tell.” I chuckled. “Can I ask where we are?” I glanced around the shallow cave. Nothing but dusty rocks and a damp smell.
“Naomi flew you up the mountain and found this cave and we followed with the gear,” Tyler said. “The vamps say we’re very close to the entrance to Selene’s lair, which is apparently camouflaged somewhere above us.”
“Where’s Ray?”
They both stared at me blankly.
“You know,” I prompted. “The irritating, inconsequential human who keeps making our lives harder? Did Naomi bring him back after you found this hideout?”
“The vamps are out scouting now,” Tyler hedged. “Naomi was upset about your condition and Eamon paced outside the entrance egging her on to leave. Ray’s name didn’t come up. I know you think I’m crass and unfeeling, but I’ll say it again—he doesn’t register on my radar. He never even enters my mind.”
“What time are the vamps due back?” I asked. I couldn’t blame Tyler for being who he was, even if I didn’t agree. Naomi was the only one who knew where Ray was anyway, so there was no use arguing. “We need to start moving. No more distractions. We need to reach Selene by morning.” A niggling feeling of loss crept into my psyche. Rourke had a very short time left. I could feel it. I needed to reach him. No exceptions.
“They should be back soon. We have about three hours until sunup,” Danny replied.
“Let’s refuel quickly,” I said. “I hope you have food, because my stomach just ate its own lining.”
Tyler dug in his bag as Danny sat down. He pulled out several bags of protein mush and tossed them to both of us. I caught one right as the sat phone buzzed.
Danny plucked it off the floor and handed it to me.
I glanced at Tyler. “How many times has he called?”
“Twice.”
I pressed the receiver on. “Hello.”
“James has gone rogue.”
19
“I’m sorry, what?” My head snapped to my brother and Danny, who had clearly heard the missive. Both of their faces were stark. I’d been expecting another tirade from my father about our lack of communication. Not this.
He cleared his voice once. “James is missing.”
“What do you mean missing?” I jumped up, my breath hitching. “Was he taken? James would never leave willingly on his own.”
My father growled, “He left Pack of his own volition.”