15. Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Things were quiet leading up to Commander’s Weekend; even the poltergeist and Thorsen were creepily quiet and I couldn’t help but feel it was the calm before the storm. Even so, I was grateful because I really wanted the weekend to go off without a hitch. I would spit nails if something interfered with me seeing Connor; the need to be in his arms was almost like a physical ache.

The week seemed to drag interminably and I was also feeling rather down on myself for not having solved the mystery of whatever the fuck was going on. Luckily we’d had a strenuous set of classes to keep me busy, including taser and expandable-baton training on top of our theory lessons. What they didn’t tell us beforehand was that we had to experience all the modes of control before we got to use them. Believe me, being tasered hurt like a bitch; I definitely wouldn’t be doing it to anyone else willy-nilly.

By Thursday we were all bruised and tired. Blood took care of my injuries but I felt bad for my shifter and magic-user friends. The shifters rarely found the time and space to shift, except for Danny who couldn’t resist flying around his dorm room at night, and the magic users couldn’t find the time and ingredients to brew up a potion to fix themselves. Like the humans, they kept on going with a regimen of paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Thursday class was the worst – it dragged to twenty times its usual length because I was anticipating seeing Connor so much. Sidnee was also antsy; she’d invited Thomas to come and see her but he hadn’t managed to confirm. I hoped for her sake that he’d come.

She checked her phone and flopped onto her bed. ‘He’s not coming.’ Her voice wobbled.

‘What?’ I’d been too busy daydreaming about getting horizontal with Connor to pay attention.

‘Thomas – he isn’t coming.’ Sidnee sighed. ‘He’s been hired to track down a feral werebear that attacked some kids. I know that’s a valid reason not to come, but I was really hoping for a visitor.’

I went over to lay beside her on the narrow bed. ‘I’m so sorry, Sid.’

She sniffed then squared her shoulders. ‘It’s okay. I guess I’ll stay around here and see if I can get some more dirt on Petrovich Peril.’

At that moment, my own excitement seemed petty. ‘I promise Connor and I will come back here and help.’

She gave me a wan smile. ‘Don’t you dare! One of us should be having a good time. Anyway, it’s for the best because I’m still not sure if this thing with Thomas will work. It would be hard to always play second fiddle to his job, you know? Besides, I really don’t have great luck with men.’ She gave a small, helpless shrug.

‘Thomas is a good one, Sidnee.’

‘I think he is, but at this point I’m not sure what my judgement is worth.’

I cuddled her. ‘Hey! You have great judgement. I’ve seen it time and time again. Chris was the outlier but you can trust Thomas. I’ve seen how he looks at you and how careful he was when he saved you from the otterman. He’s good people – when he isn’t hunting supernats. I bet it’s killing him to let you down.’

‘I suppose. But the whole thing with the MIB gave me pause.’

I blinked. ‘What thing?’ That was the first I’d heard of Thomas being involved with the MIB.

‘Oh, I thought you knew.’ She bit her bottom lip. ‘I probably shouldn’t have said anything. Anyway, he doesn’t work for them anymore.’ She gave me a playful shove and half-knocked me off the bed. ‘Go on! You need to get ready. You don’t have time to mope with me.’ She swept her eyes up and down me critically. ‘You need a transformation of the highest order.’

‘Hey!’ I objected, but she wasn’t wrong. I was covered in mud from the obstacle course and I definitely needed a shower.

Sidnee’s news had dampened my mood a little, but I was still nearly dancing with anticipation. Connor had already messaged that he was here in Sitka and he’d gotten us a place for the weekend. He was picking me up in an hour.

When Sidnee wasn’t looking, I pulled out my phone and texted him. Thomas can’t come for Sidnee. Gunnar and Sigrid are run ragged but could you maybe see if Stan can come? And then make it happen? Helicopters? Private jets? Whatever you need to do? Please, Connor?

I grabbed my stuff for the shower and went to clean up. By the time I was back, I had a response. I hope helping you with that blowhard bear gets me major boyfriend points. He’ll be a little late, but he’s on his way.

I suppressed a squeal of joy. It would be better for Stan to surprise Sidnee so, with an effort, I kept a lid on my happiness. You are literally the best boyfriend in the whole world. I can’t wait to see you! Xx

60 minutes and counting, came the reply. They couldn’t pass fast enough.

I impressed myself by showering, shaving my legs and doing my make up in only forty minutes; I really was a miracle worker. But as I was pulling on my black-leather boots, complete with stiletto heels, the shouting and screaming began.

And like all heroines in horror movies, I bolted towards the sound.