Chapter 4

FOUR

Asha

A breeze whistles through the trees. The smell of approaching autumn suffuses the air with its leafy fragrance. I breathe it into me. Fall is about release. And today has been full of release. An unexpectedly emotional day, but necessary. I think perhaps it’s the quiet before the storm that’s put us all in a reflective mood. I’ve never felt closer to these three men as we stand in the gathering dusk, the last ribbons of bruised light wrapped delicately around them like gift bows.

It’s only a brief moment that I quickly stamp into memory before we turn back to our task. “According to your map,” says Max to Orson, “would you say the target’s left the vicinity?”

Orson nods. “If the use of magic is any indication, he’s been gone for at least a day, in my estimation, but there’s a small chance he simply isn’t using his powers and has remained here.”

“Then we’re unlikely to encounter him. We can split up without the threat of getting caught off-guard.”

We mosey back towards the SUV. Trouble bursts forth from the backseat when Orson opens the door, eager for more attention after his nap. His little stump of a tail swings back and forth as Braxton rubs him down, whispering about what a good boy he is.

I smile. How can such tough men also be so sweet?

While Braxton feeds his dog leftovers, Orson checks the map once again. “The fading signature looks to be contained within a three-block radius of our present location.” He shuts his laptop and returns it to his backpack. He looks back at Max and me, Braxton too distracted with Trouble to lend his attention. “Whatever magic he used was expended nearby.”

Uh oh. That means there’s trouble somewhere around here, and I’m not talking about the cute dog. My brother has been up to something, and whatever it is, it’s probably bad.

“So what’s the plan?” I ask, a pit forming in my stomach. “Check out the area for anything left behind?”

Max nods, back into Enforcer mode so fast it makes my head spin. “Break into two groups, cover the ground quickly, plan to wrap up our search before the stars come out.”

“Sounds good,” says Braxton, balancing the last french fry on Trouble’s snout.

Their calmness helps ease the growing anxiety in my belly ever-so-slightly. If they’re not terrified, I shouldn’t be either. Right? My brother probably isn’t here. And whatever he’s done, it can’t be any worse than what we’ve already seen from him.

I hope.

Max turns to his brother. “You and Trouble go with Orson to the east. Asha and I will head west. Call if you come upon anything suspicious.”

“Roger that.” Braxton nods and Trouble casts the fry into the air with an upward flick of his nose, then in the same instant catches it in his mouth. “Good boy,” Braxton praises, crouching to pet Trouble. The dog wags its stubby tail excitedly, but the moment its owner rises, he assumes a more alert posture. They set off down the road, the two men with the dog between them.

“Shall we?” says Max, but to my surprise, he offers me his hand with a slight smile.

A break from Enforce mode? He must really not be worried. Which is a good thing. Everything is going to be okay.

I slip my hand in his and give it a squeeze. “Let’s amble.”

As we make our way down the road, he says, “It’s a shame we had to meet this way.”

It catches me off-guard. This way? He talks like we were always going to meet, but that it might have been another way. Maybe one with first dates, flowers, and eager texts. But, somehow, I can’t picture that. Not in this life.

I look up at him, intoxicated by the scent of cedar trees caught in a morning shower. God, your wolf smells so good . “Why’s that?” I ask.

His thumb gently caresses the back of my hand and warm shivers wriggle through me. “In another world, I would have treated you to a date.”

What would a date with Max be like? I wonder if I’d like him on the first date, with him all tense and formal, or if he’d open up quicker in that setting. Or if I wouldn’t even notice, because I’d be so lost in his brown eyes, the cut of his perfect jaw, and the way his clothes cling to every inch of his perfect body.

Who am I kidding? I’d fall into his eyes, surrounded by his scent, and never want to leave.

The warm feeling envelops me. I drift closer to him, practically leaning against him as we walk. “Dinner and a stroll doesn’t count?” I ask, trying to fight the urge to climb into his arms.

He hangs his head and chuckles. “Take it where we can get it, I suppose.”

It would be dreamily romantic if not for the fact that his eyes are continually scanning the block. His actions put me on guard, so I leave all my senses, the physical and the magical, open to the out-of-place. But in my thoughts, I’m enjoying the beautiful night with a man that I love.

Twilight stains the world pastel blue and I feel swaddled by its tranquility. We continue along the sidewalk in silence, enjoying a symphony of crickets and mourning doves, the distant calling of bullfrogs, and the crunch of our own footsteps beneath us.

Peace . A taste of it, anyway, and I give up a silent prayer to whatever god will listen that more of this awaits me at the end of our hunt. Max draws in a deep breath and releases it slowly. I look up at him and see the moment taking effect. It’s made sweeter by each other’s presence.

Another peculiar feeling sweeps over me, one I haven’t felt in a very long time. Trust. I’ve completely put my faith in him and feel vindicated for doing so. Which is why, when I stop to tell him something, I believe he’ll receive it well. “Max,” I say, and he turns to face me, recognizing the gravity in my tone.

“What is it, Asha?”

He needs to know. Where I stand. What my future entails. Before we go any deeper.

“After we put this whole thing behind us, there are going to be survivors. Blood Pack members who will need help and guidance.”

He nods, his eyes focused intently on mine.

I continue, “I’m going to have to be around for them. They’ll need someone who isn’t, well, as fucked up as they are, frankly. Someone who knows them, who they can trust, looking out for them. And that person is going to have to make them their priority.”

He nods again, solemnly. “I understand completely. You have a duty to fulfill.”

And you do too. But maybe there can be more than our responsibilities. Maybe there’s room for this too.

I take his hands in mine and hold them between us. “That doesn’t mean I need to leave you.”

He smiles, like I’m stating the obvious. “Of course not. You know, despite your experience with the Enforcers, there are actually agents with lives outside of work. Maybe I could be one of them, now that I have something else to focus on.” He takes a breath and gazes off into the distance, as though watching this future unfold. “A pack is usually more than four. We could use an expansion.” He looks back at me. “I joined the Enforcers because I wanted to help people. I don’t know another group of people more in need of help than your pack.”

My heart swells. Does he really mean it? I search his face for any traces of doubt and see none. Unable to stop myself, I throw my arms around him and squeeze him tightly. He reciprocates, planting a kiss atop my head.

As we embrace, everything is perfect with my world, until the acrid scent of dark magic cuts through the melange of trees and plant life to spoil the moment. He feels me stiffen in his arms and asks, “What is it?”

More attuned to the odor of dark magic, I’ve scented it before he has the chance. “I smell him,” I say. “He was here recently.” Once I pick up on it, the feeling overwhelms me. Even though I know he’s no longer in town, it feels like he’s right over my shoulder.

“Where?”

Too close. Which means trouble.

I turn and follow its repellent trail, leading Max by the hand back into the real world.