Chapter 28

I screamed when Jaz charged, but she dodged around me and tore into someone I hadn’t seen sneaking up behind us.

“I must face Drake,” Oliver said. “Nimbus will protect you. As soon as you see an opportunity, run for the forest and the wolves will find you.”

In most other circumstances, that statement wouldn’t have been comforting, but I certainly wasn’t in most circumstances. Well, I’d come to Beechworth because of the rumors that this place was different. I just hadn’t realized how different. And yet, how very much the same. At least this time, I wasn’t alone.

Oliver shifted into his shadowy shade form, the six-legged wolfish shadow creature that smelled of baked goods. Oliver was the only shade that smelled like cinnamon, and I liked it. Reaching out, I offered a touch, and, after a slight hesitation, he slid his head under my hand like Nimbus would have. I gave him a quick scratch, marveling at the cool smoothness of a living shadow under my hand.

He seemed to wink at me before bounding off and slamming into the other shade—that was just now appearing out of the shadows that clung to the side of the building.

They tore into each other, and tears fogged my vision. I thought about dropping my shield and trying to do something to help, but a stray bullet pinged off the magical bubble just then and changed my mind. That would have hit me. Probably killed me. I needed to protect myself and Nimbus.

Fortunately, the cloud puppy tucked himself between me and the wall to take full advantage of my protection, then stared out at the combatants. After a moment of contemplation, he rooed quietly to himself. I looked out and saw gravel fly through the air, streaming into one of the shades.

I didn’t think it would hurt the creature, but it certainly distracted it, giving Oliver enough time to get an advantage and drive the other shade off.

The guns stopped firing one after another and at least one body fell from the rooftops. The lights also began to fail, leaving the courtyard in heavy shadows punctuated by a few bright lights. Katsuro?

And Jaz reappeared, a manic grin made grizzly from a coating of blood on her face. “Let’s go.”

I followed. Not without misgivings, but I followed.

She led me through the shadows, and straight across the courtyard into the wolves. A pack of wolves that positively mobbed me, rubbing against me and sniffing me as if they couldn’t get enough of my scent. They gave Nimbus space until he rooed and touched noses with them, then we were both included in the press.

Before long, Clare and Bridger, along with another large wolf I thought might be Davin, joined us. Some of the wolves had blood on their faces. They were kind enough not to rub it all over me. Davin was positively red up to his shoulders, and he kept his distance though his ears perked when I waved.

Katsuro joined us moments later and not long after, Oliver galloped into our midst, still in shadowy six-legged dog form.

“Let’s go,” Katsuro said.

We took off into the woods at a run. My vision sharpened with a bit of magic, but it wasn’t long before us mere humans struggled to keep up with the others. Bridger was doing the best, but even he lagged.

Nimbus increased his size until I could climb on his back.

“Buddy, be careful, okay? Last time you passed out.”

He grumbled but wagged his fluffy tail. I hoped that meant he was better able to control his powers this time. He also bumped into Clare until she climbed up behind me.

Bridger got a second wind, possibly literally. He ran on his own two feet, but I felt gusts of wind and thought maybe Nimbus was propelling him along with us.

Time lost meaning while we ran, though I cast a wary eye to the sky through the canopy of trees. The stars were fading. Dawn had to be soon, and the vampires needed to be under cover before that happened.

The sky had lightened to slate gray from black by the time we broke out into a small clearing. A small hunting lodge with a bunch of surrounding cabins was a welcome sight. Especially when the wolves broke off from the pack and went to different cabins. I guessed this was pack territory.

I averted my eyes as they began to shift. I knew they were comfortable with their forced nudity, but I wasn’t part of their pack, and I didn’t want to stare.

The group of wolves surrounding us headed for the main lodge. The wolf I was sure was Davin went up the steps first and shifted. Yep, definitely him.

Blushing, I stared down at Nimbus’s black and white fluff for a moment until I was sure he was inside. The vampires hurried inside after, and Nimbus stopped by the steps so Clare and I could dismount. She patted my shoulder before climbing off the giant cloud puppy.

I hugged him tightly, before also sliding to the ground. He nudged me gently before shrinking down to his normal size.

We all staggered up the steps, Bridger right there with us, and went inside.

It was warm, well lit, and welcoming, but all I wanted right then was a shower, a bed, and someone to hug me and tell me it was going to be okay. Maybe not in that exact order, but that’s what I wanted. Food, I also wanted food.

Davin came over to me, wrapped in a towel.

“Hannah, are you okay?”

“Never better,” I stammered, before the tears flooded my eyes.

Nimbus pushed against my side, and Davin wrapped me in a one-armed hug and let me sob onto his shoulder.

“Food!” Davin shouted. “Clean up and get food for everyone!”

I heard people reply in the background, but I was lost to my tears. This was all so much. We were safe, but now the overwhelming fear, well remembered from the last time I’d faced the human side of this operation, combined with my new fears. Fear for me, and for my friends, and for what I’d almost lost. Could I do this again? Did I have a choice?

Nimbus pushed his head under my hand and rooed softly. Davin held me close. Oliver and Bridger hugged me from behind, and I leaned into their support while I cried.

***

Hours later, I was fed, clean, and curled up under a down comforter and on the verge of sleep. Katsuro and Jaz had disappeared quickly, but everyone else had lingered until I was tucked into bed. Nimbus had curled up against my back and snored softly in that adorable way only a dog could manage. He didn’t normally snore, but I didn’t want to disturb him, either.

I lay there, still on the verge of sleep. There was no question that I was exhausted, but I could not tumble over the edge. Each time I almost made it, I jerked awake.

I heard a soft knock on the door and was relieved to be jerked awake for a different reason.

“Come in.”

The door opened, bringing in a hint of cinnamon. Oliver.

“Hey,” I said.

“Shouldn’t you be asleep, Hannah?”

“Trying,” I grumbled.

Nimbus huffed softly and twisted so he could look at me.

“Sorry, buddy.”

He gave me a soft nose kiss and went back to sleep. This time without the quiet snores.

I held out my hand to Oliver and when he took it, tugged him down onto the bed so he sat next to where I lay. “I’m glad you’re here. Thank you for coming for me.”

“Always, Hannah. Mind if I join you for a bit? I’m having trouble sleeping, and it seems like you are, as well.”

“Please do.” The amount of relief I felt having Oliver there was almost overwhelming. “We won a battle, but we’re not anywhere near safe. They’re going to come after us again, aren’t they?”

“Yes. But we’ll be ready. We’re going back to Beechworth and preparing the town. They can try to take you and Nimbus, but everyone will fight.”

“But, Oliver, that puts so many people in danger. Wouldn’t it be better to run somewhere with a lot of sun? Like the equator? Or like a boat that stays in the sunlight all the time? Can a boat even travel that fast?” I was babbling and being ridiculous and we both knew it, but I didn’t want an entire town fighting and possibly getting hurt, or killed, just to save me.

He twisted around and pressed his lips to my forehead. “This isn’t just about you, Hannah. Yes, we want to save you, obviously, but Vito and his people have been skirting the edges of Beechworth’s sanctuary for years now. They’ve just made a direct attack on something that is ours, and if we don’t respond, they’ll just keep coming. And now that they’ve attacked us, we have the excuse we needed to go after them.”

“What did they attack that’s yours?” I couldn’t remember them going after anyone but me or Nimbus. Well, maybe when they’d attacked us at Bridger’s house. Or maybe when they’d staked Katsuro?

“You, Hannah. You and Nimbus. You’re part of Beechworth and they broke the truce by going after you.”

My throat thickened with emotion for a moment before I got control of myself. “But I just moved here. Surely they will say I’m not really part of the truce.”

“There’s an entire town that would disagree with you, and with them should they argue against it.”

“I don’t even know what to say. I’m honored.”

“And we’re glad to have you.”

At my invitation, Oliver lay down next to me and wrapped his arms around me so I could snuggle into his chest. Needing to be closer, I tangled my legs with his and pressed against him as tightly as I could.

“I don’t want anyone hurt on my account.”

“I know, Hannah, but remember, it’s not just because of you. This has been coming for a long time, but we weren’t going to be the first ones to break the truce.”

“Okay.”

I inhaled his scent and tilted my head so I could kiss his neck. Oliver’s hands tightened on my back and his breath hitched. The energy between us shifted, and he looked down at me, hunger in his eyes.

“Will we disturb anyone?”

Amusement joined the hunger in his expression. “We’re in a house full of beings with super senses. Yes.”

“Oh.” Disappointment tempered my growing lust.

“Hannah, they sent me in here to make sure you were alright.”

I perked up. “Did they, now?”

“Yes. Undoubtably, there were multiple willing individuals, but you and I have already been together. I’m sure they won’t be surprised if we do more than just cuddle.”

My needy desire roared to life, and I licked my lips. “Do you want to do more than cuddle?”

“I would like nothing more at the moment.”

I thought I detected a slight tremor in Oliver’s hands where he clutched me against him.

Nimbus huffed before jumping off the bed, leaving us alone.

Anticipation chasing away the last vestiges of fatigue, I pressed my lips to Oliver’s.