WINIFRED…
She says we’ll need to stop soon, Grey sent me.
Stop? That made no sense.
“How close are they, Gabby?” I asked.
“About thirty miles behind us. I’m not sure if they have our scent or if they just know we’re on this road.”
“Perhaps it’s time to detour. Is there anything close?”
Gabby looked down at my phone, using the map app and her extra sense to guide us.
“Logan, Utah would be ideal. We should get to the exit before they reach us. It’s out of the way through a mountain pass. If they aren’t following us, but guessing, they’d pass right by.”
“And if they aren’t guessing?”
“It’s a big city. We should be able to hide.”
“Do you really think she is leaking our location?” Bethi asked.
The switch in seating arrangement had been a necessary precaution.
“I hope not.”
How is Paul? I sent Jim.
In heaven, just like his brother and cubs. Michelle is the best for picking this place for them.
The place she’d selected was a high-end ski resort in the mountains just outside of Salt Lake. When Michelle had seen pine trees decorated with lights, an outdoor year-round heated pool, and suites fit for royalty, or a family who’d just lost everything, she hadn’t hesitated.
She doesn’t think they will look for you there. Everything else we’ve used has been cost efficient and low profile.
I don’t think they’ll look here either. How close are you? Will you meet us here or should we pull out and meet you in the city?
Stay where you are for now. We’re being followed by some Urbat and plan to stop in Logan, Utah to correct that. We’re only a few minutes from the turn off.
Stay safe.
“Text Michelle and let her know that her brothers are doing well and love the resort she picked for them,” I said to Gabby.
“Wish I was at a resort,” Bethi grumbled.
“We’re going five star when this is done,” Luke promised her.
She snorted. “I doubt it. You heard what she said. It won’t be okay.”
Luke sighed. I could smell his frustration and annoyance. I knew neither were at Bethi. That was the other reason I’d put Olivia with Grey. Bethi had enough of her own negativity. She didn’t need Olivia adding to it.
“It will be what it will be, Bethi. You’re not facing this alone,” I reminded her.
She sighed, and Luke grunted.
“She’s out again,” he said. “I hope this ghost lady gives her the damn answer soon. I’m going crazy seeing her like this.”
“We’ll take care of her, Luke.”
“Take the next exit, Sam,” Gabby said.
Sam turned on his signal. The scent of his worry mingled with Luke’s. He glanced in the mirror at Gabby.
I wanted to offer him some comfort, but couldn’t. I knew what she meant to him. She was the daughter he’d wanted the first time he’d looked at me. A daughter he was never meant to have.
OLIVIA…
The vehicle veered slightly to the left. I hoped that meant we were stopping soon. Each passing minute tingled along my skin. Like a clock ticking down, I could feel the final hour drawing to a close. So few minutes left.
When the car increased speed, and I could feel the tilt in the road and hear the engine work, I began to worry. This wasn’t an ideal location to stop, but the Others and my hold wouldn’t last any longer.
“We need to pull over,” I said.
“It won’t be safe,” Grey said. “We need to go further.”
“It won’t be safe if you don’t stop. Please.”
“If we stop here, the Urbat following us will see us. According to Gabby, there are—”
Another stab of anger speared my mind. Isabelle swore, and I reached for the door and fought to push it open against the wind. Carlos braked hard and swerved to the side.
Before the car came to a stop, I fell to my knees on the snowy shoulder. My heart hammered as I ripped the oversized sweater off and pulled it to my chest, leaving my back exposed.
“Now,” I told them. “And, take your payment quickly.”
I tried to bury the fear, but I knew what was coming. Pain flayed the skin on my back, from shoulder blade to lower rib on my right, along my spine, and shoulder blade to lower rib on my left. I could feel flesh separate as the Others ripped three long, thin strips of skin from me. I screamed at the white-hot agony, though I didn’t want to, and fell forward into the snow, a shivering heap.
Outrage and fear consumed me.
Vaguely, I heard one of the men yell something and car doors open. Hands pressed snow onto my back, numbing some pain but creating more. Through my tears, I watched the Others dance away with my skin and disappear into their side of the veil.
“Olivia!” Isabelle’s face got right in mine. “Olivia, what just happened? It looked like something invisible just ripped off your skin and disappeared with it.”
“Charlene has the strength to lead us.” My words were a stuttering slur. “Bethi has the wisdom to guide us. Isabelle’s serenity, and Michelle’s prosperity keep us safe. And, Gabby is the hope that brings us together.” I gulped in a breath of air as the hand on my back pressed more snow onto the wounds.
“I have the courage to be the sacrifice. Courage to do what I must to save not just one race, but all of them.” I breathed through the pain. “Blake will now know where we are.”
“How?”
The pain made me drift and remember that moment in the garage. The moment I did as the Lady told me and asked Blake to pick me up. I remembered him grunting in disbelief before he did as I’d asked. My little hands had settled on the shoulder of his suit jacket as he started walking out of the parking garage.
“Now, bite him,” she had said.
I’d tensed, knowing what she’d asked was wrong. Children shouldn’t bite.
“He won’t be angry. I promise.”
Leaning my head against his shoulder, I’d put my arms around his neck and held him tightly.
“Good girl,” he’d said.
Trembling, I’d opened my mouth and bit him hard. He’d grunted and stopped walking. He’d pulled me away from him and held me out to stare at me. For a long time, he’d said nothing. I remembered the rush of emotions spinning through my head, though. Feelings I hadn’t understood at the time. Anger and lust had battled with suspicion until an overwhelming sense of resolution had filled me.
“That was probably for the best. I’ll be able to keep you safer this way. Come on. Time to take you to the pack.”
I inhaled shakily and focused on the present and the current emotions swirling in my head. I hadn’t shielded him from the pain. He’d felt it. Felt my agony. And he continued to rage and fear for me. I was his tool. He couldn’t afford to lose me, too, like he had the rest.
“Blake will know because of me. I Claimed him. He can sense me. There will be no hiding from him now. Tell Bethi to hurry.”
I closed my eyes and let the black take me.