Chasing Secrets - Jessica Sorensen Page 0,18

like I said, I’m probably just being paranoid … After everything that’s happened, I’m sure I am.”

“Maybe. But if you hear anything again, let me know.”

I nod, and he starts walking again. I keep my ears tuned in for noises around us but don’t hear the extra footsteps again. And that’s a good thing, yet I can’t shake this unsettling feeling stirring in my stomach that someone’s watching us.

By the time we reach the top of the hill, I’m more focused on getting out of this damn snow. I’m so cold, and I’m not even walking in it. I can only imagine how cold everyone else is.

“And there it is,” East declares, causing me to lift my head.

Squinting, I can make out a few twinkling lights at the bottom of the hillside.

“That’s the town?” I question.

“Yep,” East replies, folding his arms around himself.

I crinkle my nose. “But there’s hardly anything there.”

“All towns are small in Midnight,” East explains, wiping the snowflakes from his face.

“Let’s just hope this one has a hotel.” Arrow rubs his eyes again, the gadgets in his arms making a loud humming noise. “Or else we’re going to have to walk to the next one.”

“A hotel?” I frown. “Wait—we’re staying the night here?”

“We’re probably going to be staying more than one night,” Asher informs me. “And if it turns out no one here can point us in the direction of an energy reader, we’ll have to move on to the next town. This may take a while.”

“That sounds like it,” I mutter. “And no one even packed a suitcase.”

Again, they laugh at me.

Le sigh. Will there ever be a time when I don’t always sound completely clueless?

East reaches over and brushes his hand across my cheek. I don’t feel his touch, though, my skin way too numb from the cold.

“Don’t worry, little mouse; I’ve got you covered,” he says without explaining exactly how he has me covered. But, considering I’ve seen him create like ten rooms inside their worlds traveling vehicle, I’m sure that somehow he’s brought extra clothes for me. Or maybe he’ll just create them with his magic. I hope so. Honestly, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if we got to the hotel and East told me I was just supposed to walk around naked.

Suddenly, another thought occurs to me.

Are we going to get more than one hotel room? If not, then that means we’ll all be staying together in the same room, and that sounds like a very uncomfortable disaster in the making.

Harlynn

By the time we reach the town, I’m so frozen that I’m not sure if I’ll even be able to pry my arms off of Asher. Everyone has grown quiet, possibly because their lips are frozen shut. Every so often, I peel open my eyelids and peer around at the cottages and shops lining the frost-bitten street that pave through the town. For the most part, I just keep my eyes closed, the wind too chilly against my pupils.

“Here we go,” Asher finally says. “This one should work.”

I hear the creaking of a door, and then we move forward out of the wind. I crack my eyes open and sigh in relief. We’re no longer outside, surrounded by snow.

The space is quaint with wooden walls and a chandelier made of horns. Beams stretch across the peaked ceiling, and a fire crackles in the fireplace in the corner that has a series of cozy looking chairs around it. This wasn’t what I was expecting at all on a planet that the guys warned me was dangerous.

“Well, this is cozy,” East murmurs, sounding a little on edge. He steps up beside Asher and me and drags the hood of his coat off. Then he shakes his head, sending bits of snow and ice all over the wooden floor.

“Cozy is better,” Asher informs him, stomping the snow off his boots. “I know you like flashy and fancy, but places like that are rare around here. Plus, those places draw more attention. Here, we can remain more hidden.”

“True.” East slips off his gloves and blows on his hands. “You wanna check us in? Or should I?”

“I’ll do it.” Asher gives my leg a soft squeeze. “I’m going to set you down, little thief. Go warm up by the fire.”

“Yes, boss,” I mumble with a roll of my eyes.

“Glad you finally realize that,” Asher mutters under his breath.

I’m about to throw a witty comeback at him when he carefully sets me down. My legs are a bit