Chapter 25

Anna

I woke up to the warmth of sunshine over my face. I blinked and then squinted, trying to get my bearings. I felt different and I tried to figure out why. I felt more whole than I ever had before. I hadn’t realized it until now, but I had been missing something. The scents in the room seemed crisper, the sounds clearer.

“Good morning, sunshine!” A voice chirped from the doorway.

I turned my head slowly and inhaled the scent. “Sam?” I could sense her in a way I never had before, I could feel her presence in the room.

“Yeah, how are you feeling?” She asked in an overly bright tone.

I groaned. “Like crap.” I peeled my eyes back open, so I could get used to the light. Sam’s dark hair and bright smile came into view. She looked happy, but I could see the edge of worry around her eyes.

I sat up abruptly. “James?” I asked urgently. “The rest of the guys?”

“They’re fine. He’s fine.” Sam laughed. “At least he says he’s fine. He curses at anyone who tries to suggest otherwise.”

“Sounds like James.” I said with a smile. “That was quick healing even for one of us, though.”

Sam frowned. “It’s actually been two days since they brought you back.”

“Two days!” I sighed. “Well that explains why my bladder is about to burst.”

I sat up and moved to swing my legs over the side of the bed. Sam rushed over to me to help but I waved her away. “I feel really sore, but that’s probably from lying in bed too long.”

She hovered over me when I shuffled to the bathroom. I didn’t try to lock her out because I was feeling a little light headed, the last thing I wanted to do was fall and crack my skull open. I flinched when I looked in the mirror while washing my hands. I looked awful. A shower was my next point of business to take care of.

Sam watched me, probably looking for signs that I was going to pass out. “I’m taking a shower.” I announced. “Can you fill me in on what happened while I was out?”

She took a seat on the counter while I stripped down and got the water running. “Big news, you missed a lot.” She hesitated as if not sure what to say. “The first thing I should tell you is that you weren’t there that night.”

I grunted. This should be interesting.

Sam continued cautiously. “The only reason I know the whole story, or at least what they told me, is because they needed my help with you.” She cleared her throat. “The official story is that James and Cody went on a recon mission to check out a lead. James got shot, Cody called for help, and the pack arrived in time to take out the bad guys.”

“Huh.” I said I as washed the grime out of my hair.

“This is where it gets interesting.” Sam told me. “Austin had to report the incident to the council in case any humans were involved. They sent out a clean-up crew. But…Caleb was there ahead of them and confiscated all of their laptops, cellphones, and other useful stuff.”

“And?” I asked as I washed the last of the shampoo out of my hair.

“And, drumroll please… The mastermind appears to be Austin’s father!”

“How is Austin doing with that?” I asked worriedly.

“He seems okay, but like he’s burying himself in work to deal with it.” Sam told me in a disappointed voice. “I think you might be the only person who was not utterly shocked by that.”

“Nothing can shock me right now.” I told her seriously. I was still feeling numb after everything that happened.

“Well, this might. Austin’s father disappeared when word got around that he was involved. No one knows where he is.”

I frowned. “He’s still out there?”

“Yeah.” Sam sighed. “The council said they are doing their best to find him. But personally, I think they are more concerned with the power vacuum left in his wake. They all want to be the new number one council member.”

“What happens to his pack?” I asked curiously.

“Well, they’re a mess right now. But Austin’s brother is ready to take over when the dust clears.” Sam told me contemplatively. “At least, that’s what everyone is saying.”

“Hmmm.” I focused on trying to scrub the dirt and the charcoal smudges off my skin without thinking about what had caused it. I needed something to focus on other than the events of that night.

“I saved the biggest news for last.” Sam told me dramatically.

“What is it?” I asked when her pause started to drag on too long.

“Austin is a temporary council member!” She told me proudly.

I was surprised by that. “Why is it temporary?” I asked her as I scrubbed my face.

“I think because they need Austin to hold together the alliance with the lamia. They are not pleased about any of this.” Sam told me.

“You know all the good gossip.” I told her gratefully as I turned the water off and reached for a towel.

“Right? But I’m glad you’re awake because you have a ball to go to tonight.” Sam told me with a glint in her eye.

“Okay, you managed to shock me.” I told her, shaking my head. “Are there still balls now days? I thought they went out of fashion in Cinderella’s time.”

She rolled her eyes. “Nope. Apparently when one of your council members turns out to be a psychotic killer intent on destroying his son’s life the best thing to do is to throw a ball.”

I snorted. “Sounds about right.” I wrapped a towel around myself and wandered towards my closet. I needed clothes if I wanted to go in search of food and my guys.

“The guys were freaking out a little when we couldn’t get you to wake up.” She told me seriously. Her voice got quiet. “They called me because they thought it might have something to do with magic?”

“You know a lot about magic?” I asked curiously.

“Nope. But they thought I did because the Jaguars in South America are known for having shamans who practice magic. I grew up in the US as an outcast, though. So, I know nothing about that.”

I sighed and tried to change the subject away from magic. “I’m a little surprised none of them are here now.”

“It’s because I scared them all away.” She told me with a smirk. “I thought you might prefer some girl time when you first woke up. You know, before they all start to smother you.”

I laughed. “There will probably be smothering and squeezing. But that’s what I plan on doing to James when I see him, whether he likes it or not.”

“You’re brave.” Sam told me seriously. “That man scares me. And I don’t scare easy.”

It was my turn to smirk at her. “What are you talking about? James is just a big puppy.”

She laughed incredulously. “Right… Even Trevor hesitates to get on his bad side.”

I just shrugged and got dressed in some comfy clothes. “Thanks for taking care of me, Sam.” I told her honestly. “I really appreciate you.”

She looked uncomfortable. “No worries, I wouldn’t even be here right now if it wasn’t for you.”

I smiled at her and gave her hand a squeeze. “You’re coming to the ball with me, right?”

“Hell, no.” She said emphatically. “I’m getting the fuck out of here as soon as I deliver you downstairs. I’ll leave all that girl stuff to you. You need me to shoot some shit, you can give me a call.”

I sighed. “Why do I have to be the girl?”

She laughed. “Because you are sugar and spice and everything nice.”

I made an effort to laugh, but on the inside I was being ripped apart. After what I had done no one would ever call me sweet or nice ever again.