36. Kairhyse

36

Kairhyse

T he four-hour drive only takes three, for which I'm thankful. Not that Sydni is happy being woken; she doesn't fight it and downs the gas station coffee in what seems like a single gulp.

"Thanks…" she clears her throat. "Ten minutes until the entrance, do you smell her?"

I shake my head, "No, but even if she is up here, I wouldn't. By this time, her scent would have been confined strictly to the van." The road isn't meant for a sports car, and as we turn off the paved streets, I slow. "They would have had to open the doors to the van. I'm guessing they got gas somewhere, but it wasn't at that gas station."

She releases a heavy sigh, "The sun's going down, do you think it's smart to be driving these roads?"

Probably not, especially not with a Mundane in the car. I would normally take these windy roads as though I don't care if I roll from them, but with her in the car, I have to go slowly.

"I'm thinking," I know she won't like it, but it'll be quicker. "I park next to the ranger's post, and I go for a quick run. That way, I can pick up any scents that may be familiar. You'll be safe there, and I'll be no more than five to ten minutes in each direction. "

The soft hum she releases is followed by, "Okay, take your phone and I'll watch your location."

I can't help but shake my head. "Stalker."

A minuscule laugh comes from her throat. "She's surrounded by them, it would seem."

It doesn't take us more than ten minutes to get parked in front of the ranger's office. After instructing her to tell them that I went for a piss if they ask why she's there alone, I'm off.

She commented that she'll pretend to sleep and will play on her phone to make sure she doesn't accidentally fall into a slumber. It's not as though she could come find me if something happened, so even if she does fall asleep, it's fine.

I start off by going north, climbing the mountains with ease. The trees surrounding me fall silent as I listen for her. Whether it's her steady heartbeat or her gentle breathing, I'm only looking for her. The scents of spruce and grass filter out as I seek just the scent of her cherry blossom and soft peony, with hints of ripe strawberry. It never ceases to surprise me how sweet she smells and how opposite it is to who she is.

After running for so long, I stop, and instead of running back to Sydni, I shoot her a text.

"I didn't find anything north. Are you okay? Can I head east?"

Butterfly [20:34]

Yes, I'm good. Rangers haven't come to see me.

I'll text you when I get there.

I'm going to destroy them for taking Xeraphine from me, and Sydni. I know she doesn't want a savior, but I don't give a fuck. Them, and whichever Hause they belong to if they do, will burn, and turn to ash for ever thinking they could lay a Gods damn hand on what is mine.