57. Jax

57

Jax

Lunessa was exhausted. We were within several miles of the coordinates given to us, and she already looked the part in the role that we were about to play. Dirt streaked her face and clothes, and dark circles hung under her eyes, and I knew it wasn't the glamour she'd donned. I'd seen her shimmer from her dark hair to blonde, from her dark eyes to blue, adjusting the structure of her body and even shortening her height and giving herself more curves.

There'd been no dirt on her then. We'd moved as fast as we could, and the witch had lied about being all right with the pace we were making.

Now she winced from the blisters I knew had to be on her feet. I could smell her blood, and the quiet whimpers she thought she was hiding were built from rock-solid determination.

She had a stake in this fight. I didn't know if it was just about protecting the witches or her friends, and I had started to think of her as a friend, or something else entirely. Now that we were so close to the compound, I didn't dare ask. I could sense the eyes on us.

I'd caught only a glimpse of my own glamour in the reflection of some creek water. I sported red hair and green eyes, and my physique was smaller. I had to remember not to react to my own reflection when I saw myself in the mirror.

She'd used her magic to dampen both of our powers. It was enough that even my own senses were tricked. Where there once was a powerful witch now stood a woman with just barely a spark of power in her.

For the first time, it gave me pause. If I needed her at full strength, would she be able to call it as easily as I called my wolf? Or were we even more vulnerable than I thought?

In addition to dampening my power, she'd also cloaked my mating bond. Not darkened it. I did not think I could live through that again. I needed to feel Anna whenever I reached for her, but no one else would be able to sense it.

We were too far away for me to feel Anna's emotions. Too far away for me to send her comfort, but I could still feel her there, our bond connected to my heart.

"I think we're being followed again," Lunessa said in a gravelly voice as she looked over her shoulder.

Not again. For the first time. Someone had latched on to our position.

Obediently, I swiveled my head around and pretended that I didn't know exactly where they were. Reaching out, I took her hand. "It's almost dark. We'll need to make camp soon. You can't keep going like this."

There was no need to read between the lines. If none of the cult members reached out before dark, we would have to stop before we stumbled onto their compound accidentally. I wanted her to be in better shape if we faced an attack.

Lunessa shook her head. "We can't stop. I'm telling you; someone is following us! It's him!"

I looked behind us again. "We lost him days ago, Lulu. You're just feeling another wolf."

Lulu. Oh, I could tell she did not like the name, but the annoyance only flashed in her eyes. "Fine, Ken. I guess we should make camp. I'm hungry."

The trees rustled around us, and two wolves dropped down from the branches. A human stepped out behind them. "We might be able to help with that." Lunessa shrieked and huddled behind me. The stranger put up his hands. "We're not here to harm you. You're straying a little too close to our home, and we're just making sure that you're not here to harm us. Are you in danger? Is there a wolf after you?"

"Not a wolf," I told him. "Another witch."

"Lover's quarrel?"

I growled. "She's mine. But no. He wants her magic."

At that, the figure straightened. "Does he now? Follow me. We will give you food and shelter for the night. Perhaps longer. My alpha would not wish to see a witch harmed on his territory."

An alpha. The head of the cult was a wolf? I wasn't expecting that.

I didn't budge. We couldn't seem too willing. Any alpha worth their salt would smell a trick. "If it's all the same to you, we'd just like your permission to cross through your territory. Or edge around it. We don't mean to be any trouble."

The stranger smiled. "You're protective. I understand that. But surely you can see that your mate is injured, exhausted, and starving. Let us help you both prepare for the journey ahead."

"Please," Lunessa whispered loudly. "Please, I don't think I can make it anymore."

I clenched my jaw before nodding. It was all I could do not to say take me to your leader.

The compound was underground. I was impressed. Either they'd build it in secret a long time ago or they'd found it abandoned and commandeered it. I suspected it was the former, considering the size. Occasionally we'd find old bunkers in the mountains, but never an underground facility.

Everything was dimly lit, none of the halls were marked, and we'd taken so many turns. At some point, my senses told me that we'd gone in a circle. A tactic clearly meant to disorient.

They didn't want us to leave easily.

We were shown to a room. Lunessa wasted no time in showering, and I followed. They were quick showers. Neither one of us wanted to leave the other alone for too long. Clothes were provided for us. Simple pants and plain tee shirts. Clean socks. No shoes. I'd allowed them to take our clothes to be washed, and no doubt analyzed, but I would not let them take our shoes.

Lunessa chattered on, like a witch who thought she'd found sanctuary. I'd detected the camera in our room with three additional mics, which seemed like overkill given the size. The bathroom was, thankfully, clean.

The tech gave me pause. I expected the place to be shimmering with magic, but that often didn't go well with tech. It was surprising, but also in our favor.

Lunessa noticed as well. "It's so great to be clean. And it's so quiet here. So peaceful. I've never known a pack to live underground. Do you think this is the Snake Valley Pack? Have we traveled that far?"

"No. That's in the opposite direction. You rely too much on magic. Your own eyes and ears deceive you now."

Her gaze sharpened. Eyes and ears. Cameras and mics. I didn't know for sure if she could sense them, but at least she knew now. "Not anymore," she muttered as her smile faded. "What if it doesn't return? My magic? I didn't even know someone could take it from me!"

"We'll rest here, and then we'll go somewhere that they'll never find us again. I promise."

"Ken, you took that document! What if it was important? It had all those names on it! He may very well hunt us to the ends of the earth to get it back!"

Just a little added bonus to make sure we got to see whoever was in charge.

"Shh. Don't worry about that. Get some rest. I'll see if I can find us some dinner."

I opened the door only to be immediately greeted by another wolf. I already knew he'd been standing outside my door. I just wanted to see how they would react to me trying to leave.

He placed a pleasant smile on his face. "Oh, hello, friends. I hope I didn't startle you. I was just about to knock on your door."

Oh. They were going to lie.

"If you and your mate are feeling up to it, you've been invited to dinner. I'm happy to escort you down."

I turned to Lunessa. "Honey?"

She smiled brightly. "I'm starving."