Chapter 3

Three

"Does she really have to bring him?" Ruby groaned, pinching her pierced nose, exaggerating her disgust.

I rolled my eyes at her muffled words, tossing my bag into the trunk of Cain's car. Ruby sat in the middle of the backseat of the muscle car, Jinx to her left and Lazarus to her right. Alastair planted himself in the front seat, his tongue hanging from his open mouth, excited for the road trip.

"Yes," I drawled, approaching the passenger side of the car. "Alastair goes where I go. We're a package deal, Ruby. You know this." My body leaned through the open door, scratching Alastair's muzzle as he licked my face. "Not to mention, we're staying in an old cabin in the middle of nowhere." My head poked over the seat, flashing her a playful smile. "I'm not trying to be a character from a horror movie, murdered by some crazy killer in the middle of the woods. Are you?" I asked with a raised brow.

"Oh please, I can take care of myself." She tossed her long hair over her shoulder, snapping her fingers with an attitude. A faint maroon flame ignited from her fingertips as she grinned, pleased with herself.

"Neat party trick," Lazarus teased, leaning forward as he quickly blew out her small flame. "Too bad that's all it is." He reached across the backseat to pet Alastair who licked his hand with excitement.

Ruby scoffed, crossing her arms. "Joke all you want Lazarus," she smiled at him, her maroon eyes glowing like my own, "but we both know I could kick your ass, even without my magic."

Jinx giggled, quickly moving her hands, signing as she spoke to Ruby. "Be nice,"she signed, lightly smacking Ruby's arm. She continued to move her hands, but Alastair's body partially blocked my view, making it difficult to see the rest of her conversation.

"What'd she say?" I asked Ruby.

"You know, it wouldn't kill you guys to learn some sign language," she snapped looking at Jinx. "Assholes," she signed to Jinx in response to me.

"I don't know," Lazarus moved his hands, leaning back. "It might." Ruby rolled her eyes as he smiled, signing something obviously obscene, messing with them both. Ruby groaned while Jinx giggled, playfully flicking him off.

Ruby and Jinx had been together for some time, making Jinx a big part of Ruby's life. I wanted to show my support for them and let Jinx know she was welcome in our little group, so I learned sign language, though I wasn't the best at understanding it sometimes. Lazarus on the other hand, pretended to know little when, in reality, he seemed to understand it almost as well as Ruby herself, whereas Cain didn't seem to care either way and refused to even bother.

"Jinx was agreeing with me, saying that Lazarus over here," she pointed to him, "had better watch himself." Lazarus laughed as Ruby and Jinx smiled, the three of them teasing one another. "She also said Alastair stinks." Jinx smacked Ruby's arm, shaking her head, her long ginger hair dancing around her soft face as she moved her hands. I couldn't help but smile at her innocent appearance.

"Stop causing trouble," she signed to Ruby.

"Fine," I playfully groaned. "I'll keep the windows cracked. Everyone happy?"

Ruby smirked, accepting my compromise as she wrapped her arm around Jinx's waist, pulling her close. She usually presented herself as a harsh individual, one quick to anger and defensive about almost everything, but with Jinx, she was different. The way she doted on Jinx and treated their whole relationship was warming. Jinx was an innocent, beautiful soul with long, naturally red-orange hair that reached her waist, along with vibrant green eyes that complimented her fair, freckled skin. She and Ruby made the most attractive couple, Ruby with her gorgeous, glowing maroon eyes that popped in contrast to her dark hazelnut skin and black hair, highlighted by a single, stark white stripe. I envied them and the simplicity of their relationship. They were open, honest, happy.

"You fuckers ready?" Cain shouted as he suddenly appeared, tossing his bags into the trunk, slamming it shut. He walked to the driver"s side of the car, beaming and excited, his grin instantly fading as he noticed Alastair filling most of the front seat. Annoyed, I switched spots with the large wolf, my body now separating the two alpha males, sitting in the middle of the front bench seat.

Cain plopped down in the driver's seat, slamming the car door as he started the engine, rock music instantly blaring through the radio. Jinx moved her hands around in the air, mimicking the beat as Ruby danced to the music, the two excited for our next adventure. Lazarus groaned, placing a pair of sunglasses on his face as he slouched against the car window, looking as if he intended to sleep the whole way.

"Alright, you restless spirits, let's go find us some fucking ghosts!" Cain yelled to everyone, putting the car in drive as he sped onto the road. "New Bedeville or bust!" He shouted over the blaring music from the car radio.