She couldn't help herself. She inhaled deeply, reaching for Dimitri's woodsy scent. It was faint, but she caught it, still lingering on the Lycan's wrist. She took that familiar scent into her lungs and just held it there, suddenly desperate to see him.
"Your ankle is very swollen. This must hurt."
"I walked more than I should have on it," Skyler admitted, putting one hand on his shoulder to steady herself. Deliberately she wobbled and clutched his arm a little lower to keep from falling.
Her heart began to beat hard again. In her fist was the tiny little tracking device Josef had made. She just needed an opportunity to sweep her hand down that coat to one of the side pockets. She had a feeling this particular man would be tough to fool.
"The cold stream will be good for it," Zev told her. "We'll give it a few minutes, and then I'll take you back to your camp. It isn't safe in these woods. The forest is home to many predators and you're just about snack size for some of them. The very wolf pack you're trying to study would be happy to give you a firsthand experience."
Skyler managed a small smile. "I have a very vivid imagination. Believe me, I thought of that many times."
She sank down onto the rock, allowing her hand to naturally brush down his coat as if she was still unsteady and afraid of falling. The flap was over the pocket but she was well versed in making small objects obey her. The flap lifted and the transfer was smooth and complete.
Josef had told her many times that he couldn't feel her energy when she used her art on objects, but still, she held her breath, afraid this very savvy Lycan would pick it up.
"You can't be very old; why would your parents allow you to come to such a remote area where it's so dangerous?" His concern was genuine.
Skyler smiled again, this time more naturally. "I just look very young. I'm actually twenty-five. I've got my degree and am working toward my master's. I volunteer at the various wildlife research centers as a way to travel. I mean, I'm genuinely interested in the work, but I've gotten to go to so many countries and see many amazing places, as well as meet some very cool people."
Zev raised his eyebrow. "In a million years I wouldn't have guessed your age. If anything, I thought maybe fourteen or fifteen."
Skyler shrugged. "I get that all the time. At least I've reached the fourteen or fifteen mark instead of the ten or twelve."
He laughed, suddenly relaxing. The tension completely eased from his body and he sank down into the grass beside her while she bathed her swollen ankle in the icy stream.
"That must be annoying, having everyone tell you you look so young."
"In some ways. Especially when I'm traveling. There are a lot of creeps in the world and having some man who preys on children . . ." She trailed off, realizing genuine anger had crept into her voice.