Chapter 8
AMELIA
“We’re leaving,” I told Theia and Ren as we passed through the throngs of werewolves dancing to the classic, Footloose.
“We’re going back to the lodge?”
“No.” I held her hand. “We’re leaving this place. I’ll meet my family at the house later.”
“Hey, Amelia!”
I groaned as I heard Walker. I paused and composed myself before I turned around. “Hi.” He looked cute, though, in his white shirt and dark pants. He combed his blond hair back. His brown eyes were shining in excitement.
“You’re leaving already? We haven’t even danced.” He inspected me from head to toe and paid more attention to my chest. “And you look great, Amelia.”
“I have both left feet. I’m sure you can remember that I don’t dance. Anyway, Theia must have eaten something that upset her stomach. She wants to go back to the lodge.”
“Did I?” Theia asked in confusion, trying to embarrass me. I wanted to elbow her to shut up. Sometimes, she talked too much, sometimes she was also funny which could light up our gloomy days. That was why I loved her very much.
“We have to go. Maybe some other time, Walker. You look nice by the way.” I dragged Theia out of the dance floor towards the exit.
We got back to the truck, and Ren grabbed the key from Theia before we settled in the backseat.
Once we got back to the lodge, I changed into jeans and a T-shirt and wiped off my makeup while Theia went to the bathroom. My ass hadn’t reached my bed, Ren knocked on the door.
I opened it. “What’s wrong?”
There was a frown on his forehead. “I could ask you the same thing. Is it the bond?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The reason you’re trying to escape.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “No. We came here to heal my brother and see my parents. We’re not supposed to expose ourselves, but now Ryden knows, my family knows, and so as the others. Then everyone will know, as well. This is not a part of our plans, Ren. We’re supposed to be finding earth and water. Now, we’re stuck here, and Ryden hasn’t given back my sword.”
“Maybe it’s supposed to happen.” Theia just came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her head.
“What do you mean?”
“Maybe you both can’t find them alone. Maybe Zarah can help. She seemed very capable and powerful. Asking for someone’s help isn’t a weakness. Or maybe your mate is one of you.”
“He’s not,” I grunted and pursed my lips.
“How do you know that? You unlocked your power pretty late. Maybe he won’t get his until it’s necessary or his life is in danger. How else could he see your runes if he’s not one of you?”
“He’s not. I’m sure of it,” I insisted even if I hadn’t proof.
“You don’t know that.”
I turned to Ren. “Why are you suddenly silent, Ren? Have you spoken to your parents?”
“Yeah. They said hi to both of you and to be careful.”
I sat on the bed, realizing all our plans might go down the flames. “I feel ashamed of your parents who pay for my expenses.”
He snorted. “You know you’re like a family. You and Theia. And it just happens that my parents are rich. If the situation is reversed, I’m sure you won’t hesitate to do the same.”
“He’s right. Now it’s not the time to feel sorry,” Theia said.
I met her gaze. “Easy for you to say, you literally have a job.”
“What? By driving both of you around? Well, how’s this? You have each other’s back. That’s one hell of a job. And let’s just say that his parents are funding our trips because the world is hanging in a balance, and the two of you are the only ones who can save it. And this time, it’s not just the supernatural world, might as well be the entire universe.”
“You’re overexaggerating it again, T.” I sighed deeply.
Before I could drop my head to the pillow, a bluish light appeared in the middle of our room. It began to expand into a swirling, glimmering wave of blue light the size of a small closet door.
“What the fuck?” Ren went rigid and extended his arm ready to fight.
“Oh, my Goddess!” Theia’s eyes glowed as she snarled towards that thing.
I instantly felt the hair rise at the back of my neck. My body began to warm, blood rushing up my head. My fingers tingled and my eyes glowed golden.
Then Zarah came out from that thing. “Easy, kids. It’s just me.”
My eyes widened. “What the hell?”
“A portal,” Ren said, relaxed a bit.
“Wow.” Theia hadn’t even blinked but took a step forward, trying to reach out to the portal, but Califf and Knight just walked through it causing her to jump.
“Sorry.” Knight chuckled. “It always got the same reaction all the time.”
“You can do that?” she asked Zarah.
“Among other things, Theia. Welcome to the crazy weird world,” Califf said. “Shadow put our little princess to sleep. Nirvana is taking the guys to her grandpa.”
“Wait. Why are you guys here?” I got up when the portal suddenly disappeared. I inwardly groaned when I sensed Ryden about to knock. “He’s here.”
“You can sense him, too?” Zarah asked me while Ren went to the door.
“Yeah. Our senses are heightened more than ordinary werewolves.”
“And here I thought my wife was special.” Califf chuckled.
“She is. I wish I had her gift.” I watched Ryden walk into the room, making it suddenly small. He loosened his tie, but he looked handsome like always.
“Now that we are all here.” Zarah clasped her hands together and threw them in the air. “This room is sealed. No one can hear us from the outside. Let’s talk about what’s bothering you, Amelia.”
“What do you mean?” My cheeks instantly heated.
“I can feel it, too,” Ryden agreed. “There’s something you’re not telling us. How else can we help you if you don’t want to tell us?”
I glared at Ryden. “I want my sword back.”
“You will have it by tomorrow.”
“We need to find Earth and Water,” I started. “We’ve traveled for months, searching for signs like unexplained phenomenon, but no luck.”
“Because you don’t have a witch with you,” Califf replied. “Now that you have us, we might be able to help you. You can trust us, Amelia. I know what it feels like to be alone. My mate has been rogue for many years, and she didn’t trust anyone, even me, but you need the help you can get.”
“Why do you have to find them?”
I looked at Ren before I answered Knight, “We’re stronger together.”
“Why do you have to be stronger together?” For the first time, I felt Ryden’s concern. He was sincere enough that I believed him. “What are you up against, Amelia?”
I sighed deeply because I needed that strength before I would tell them half the truth. “One of the main reasons why I did not come to visit my family was because of this thing, Ryden. I don’t wanna put you all in danger. The lesser you all know, the better, but at the same time, it will come to you one way or another. If this thing has reached Vegas, then it won’t be longer to be in California.”
“Shit. I hope not another evil warlock,” Knight recalled.
“This power inside us may come in handy, but it also comes at a price. A huge price. Before Amelia could read the name of this thing, the book was burned in her hand,” Ren explained in a shorter version.
I went to open my suitcase and picked up the envelope. I gave it to Zarah. “That’s the only piece I have. We’ve searched everywhere for that book, but we couldn’t find a copy of it. And the worst part is, we didn’t even know the name of the book.”
“You went to the wrong place.” Zarah held it and it burned in her hand.
An audible gasp erupted from everyone, but Zarah just smiled. “Well, someone doesn’t want to be found out his identity.”
“His?”