Sensing my dilemma, Alcuin leaned out the tiny entrance and stared into the distance. “They’re gone.”
“The strangers?” I hoped.
“They delivered their message.” He said minus expression.
“Bring her down!” Zane commanded from the darkness below. “Alcuin! Now!”
“He’s so bossy,” I apologized, but had to admit I was relieved to hear his voice.
“Don’t I know?” the vampire agreed.
“I heard that,” Zane grumbled.
“Of course you did,” Alcuin said. “May I?” He extended a pale hand.
I stared at it reluctantly, afraid to take hold. “We’re not …” My stomach responded with a lurch.
“No, Doll, we’re not teleporting. We’re jumping.”
***
Chapter 13
Attempting to shield my eyes from the morning brightness, I searched for a clock. I could hear birds singing and dogs barking somewhere in the distance. Awakening to a dog — my Wednesday was off to a great start.
Day three of my new existence had arrived right on schedule. This new version of my life included far more than lions and tigers and bears, oh my, as Zane had so eloquently stated. It included a bunch of supernatural creatures and their hybrid counterparts upsetting any prior predictability I might have enjoyed. Figuring out their vast differences, diverse diets, and uncanny abilities would have to wait.
I was going to Vegas.
“I thought I felt you wake up.” Zane strode into the room, oversized coffee mug in hand.
“Gimmie,” I begged, forgetting how that one word could be misconstrued by my wannabe-lupine-lover. I couldn’t recall a cup of morning java smelling so inviting. Even more inviting was the man sipping it.
Ignoring my plea for caffeine, he maneuvered his muscular frame into the room’s one chair. His gaze trained on me. “You met Alcuin?” It was a statement more than a question.
“You already know the answer.”
“Indeed; and what did you think?” he probed.
“About what — the mysterious non-human non-animal visitors, or my first experience teleporting? Wait. Maybe you’re wondering how I felt about flying through the air when I jumped from the tree house. I did think Alcuin was helpful keeping me on my feet for a rather spectacular landing. What do you think? Do I get a ten?” For a moment, I pictured three werewolf judges holding up score signs displaying the number ten for a cheering audience. That would be one highly-rated reality show.
“I’d say you get a ten in my book for all your moves.” He leaned back, looking pleased. I’d passed some sort of test.
“Did I hear a request for coffee?” Michael danced into the room and handed me my own super-sized mug of steaming pleasure, before adding, “There’s bagels and OJ in the kitchen.”
Peering at Zane over my cup, I realized for the umpteenth time I was far more interested in the steaming pleasure he could provide.
“Oh, I called Luke for you.”
My steamy thoughts collided with my pride; I snapped, “I said that I would call. Wasn’t that a little strange, your calling for me like a parent calling the teacher?”
“It made perfect sense. I called to explain that Mack and Michael would be over to the park by 9:30 and that I’d heard you mention a little vacation with your mom. I thought I did you a favor.”
Michael hurried from the room, eager to get away from our latest disagreement. He turned to shut the door before realizing the door no longer existed. I noticed then that someone had taken time to clean up the mangled pieces of wood from last night’s door-busting heroics.
I grudgingly accepted my overreaction, forcing myself to apologize, “I’m sorry; you did do me a big favor. I’m beyond overwhelmed. Even your vampire friend recommended that I get my erratic emotions reigned in.”
As always, my emotions were causing discomfort, not just for my new friends, but for me. I wanted off the rollercoaster of extremes once and for all. But considering my present predicament, I was certain that counting to ten, or even one hundred, wouldn’t do the trick. Maybe a few days in Vegas would.
“Your emotions make you unique. Maybe I’m biased, but I don’t know many humans who could handle what you have in such a short time. You’re too hard on yourself,” Zane said.
“There you go again, surprising me,” I said keeping it light, when in truth, Zane’s words did far more than surprise me. They reassured me that being me was okay; something no one had bothered to tell me growing up.
“Chloe, Princess, you’ve just discovered monsters are real, yet you’re more concerned about what we think about you. Don’t you