Chapter Fourteen

Luke

 

All night, I tossed and turned. My body ached with the hell of the previous day, but my mind was a snared viper’s nest, going in circles. Each question bit more deeply into me as I repeated it. Whether I should tell Reagan to leave my house. Whether I could. Whether I should apologize.

Whether she’d left yet. Only, I knew, from straining my ears, she hadn’t. I’d really thought she would. God, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to look Reagan in the face again.

I woke up late the next day. It had to be past eleven, the latest I’d slept in weeks. I dragged myself out of bed and downstairs. I stopped on the stairs, certain I was still asleep.

Xander was sitting on the couch, reading a book with the dogs snoozing around him. My eyes went to Reagan’s door. She wasn’t here. Pressure built up in my chest. I should apologize.

“She went to her family’s,” Xander said and closed the book.

“Okay,” I grunted and sat down on the bottom steps. Timber came over, and I rubbed his fuzzy head. “Thanks for taking care of the dogs.” I paused. “Since when do you relax? Are you losing it? Or are you hiding out here?”

“Are you all right?” Xander asked, ignoring my questions.

My face warmed, and I looked away. “Never been better.”

“Is that why you and Reagan have identical looks of pain in your eyes? She barely spoke to me this morning, but she did mention something about someone making sure your stubborn ass ate.”

I winced. “What do you want, Xander?”

“Stubborn people,” he muttered, and I almost laughed. “I came by because I need you to go to Belrush, and I need you to leave as soon as possible.”

“Why?” I asked. Belrush was a lonely outpost at the far northeastern end of Winfyre. Give or take, maybe seventy miles. A few days to a week, easy. But there was nothing out there. We didn’t have a shifter posted there, only emergency supplies.

“A courier is dropping off a message there,” he said. “Long story.”

“Regale me,” I said.

“Later,” Xander said. “Besides, I think you need a mission like this to cool your blood.”

I nodded. Fair point. I could use a few days away from—

“And bring Reagan with you. Perfect opportunity to figure out what she is.”

I gaped at my friend, feeling as though I’d been plunged under water. Both for the suggestion and for the fact that I’d forgotten all about finding out about Reagan’s abilities.

“No, I can’t,” I said. “Xander, old friend, that’s a terrible idea.”

“Reagan has already demonstrated that she’ll—”

“I’m renouncing the claim,” I said. “Nulling it.”

To my surprise, a smirk flitted across Xander’s face, and he sat back. “Are you, now?”

“Yes,” I said.

“Why?”

“We had a vicious fight,” I said and looked away. “I should have never brought her here. Hell, maybe we shouldn’t have let her in.”

“Hm, that sounds like even more of a reason to go,” Xander said. “Find out which is the case.”

“Are you listening to me?” I asked. “We’re not even speaking.”

“Then walk along in silence,” Xander said coolly and stood up. “Luke, I know you. And you don’t mean that. You’re not going to let Reagan go. Not after the way you ignored me and tore after her yesterday. You ran a marathon and a half in less than an hour. I’ve never seen you run that fast.”

“She—I, it’s not…” I trailed off.

“Luke, you’re already in too deep,” Xander said. “You’re a bit of a mess over this woman, sure, but I need you to hold it together. Learn what she is. Train her. Because I’d like to not banish her or her family from Winfyre, even if her sister is an idiot.”

I said nothing.

“Reagan isn’t just an unusual woman,” Xander said. “She’s a leader and good for you.”

“Shit,” I muttered into my hands.

“They’re good people, Luke.”

“Fine,” I snapped and looked up. “I should have known you were only here to twist my arm six ways to Sunday. We’ll leave at dawn tomorrow.”

Xander grinned. “At the very least, you’ll have a memorable trip.”

 

When Reagan got home late that afternoon, I already had a pack resting against the doorframe. She saw it and scowled, avoiding my eyes.

“Can’t wait to get away from me, huh?” she asked.

I was a tad surprised at that and shook my head. “Not exactly, since you’re coming with me.”

Reagan laughed. Then it trailed off as I stared at her. “Seriously?” she asked. “You-you’re serious?” I nodded. “Me and you. On a trip. Alone?”

“Yes,” I growled. “I have to make a trip, and I think it would be prudent for you to come.”

“Instead of getting rid of me, you’re taking me on a trip?" Reagan sassed, with a little bite to her words. “Ironic.”

“Go pack. I got you a new bag and some supplies.” I fell silent, trying to think if there was anything else. “Anyway, we’ve got a hell of a long trip.” Not to mention awkward. “Rest up.”

The next morning came too soon. Tristan was going to take the dogs, even though I’d wanted to take them with us. But Belrush was way too far, and they might be needed here.

Plus, what a surprise, it had been another one of Xander’s unexpected calls. He was really pushing this alone time with me and Reagan. I’d never pegged him for a cupid, even if he did have wings.

We were taking the long route north, winding along the coast. It was close enough to the water that no Rotted should bother us. Usually, they didn't appear near any large body of water, and I’d had enough encounters for the next millennia.

When we set off, quiet and with the air prickling between us, I’d been sure Reagan would break first. She always had questions. Yet mile after mile, she stubbornly kept her lips pinned.

Half the day passed without either of us uttering a single word beyond what was necessary. Only by then, the silence was starting to get absurd, especially since, as we went along, I thought of a bunch of things that might be important for Reagan to know. Her curious side glances that I caught from time to time didn’t help.

However, the silence lasted until early evening, when, much later than I’d have guessed, Reagan broke the silence. "Wouldn't it be easier to run up the coast as a wolf?" she asked. “And faster?”

“Probably,” I said, a little relieved. “But a trek like this also builds up stamina in this form, which is helpful when shifting. Plus, it’s less conspicuous.”

“Aren’t we well inside Northbane territory?” Reagan asked.

I nodded and swept my arm towards the ocean. “The ocean offers protection, but it’s also a giant blind spot. We’ve heard stories about things crossing the waters. You never know who or what might be watching. It's better to keep it low-key."

Reagan let out a laugh, although she’d shuddered a little at the mention of things. “That’s a phrase I haven’t heard in a while.”

I nodded, and we fell back into the silence. But now it was more companionable, though tension still hummed underneath. Unable to resist, I snuck glances at Reagan, watching her take in the glimpses of the Pacific through the trees. This was an undeniably beautiful walk, a rare and untouched piece of beauty in the Farthing Mountains.

“It’s strange how Rift names cropped up,” I said out loud after a while.

“Like Farthing?”

“Yeah,” I said. “Like a name we always knew. Shifter, too.”

“A word waiting to be remembered,” Reagan added.

“Or Fall,” I said with a sigh, thinking of the cities and places that had vanished post-Rift.

Silence descended. It was far briefer this time around, though, and broken again by Reagan.

“Have you done this trek before?” she asked, and I nodded. “Am I slowing you down?”

“No,” I said. “We have time to get there. Almost a week.”

“A week?” Reagan asked. “Wait, is that how long it’s going to take?”

“Yes, I told you that,” I said.

“Pretty sure you didn’t,” Reagan said. “Not sure I packed enough panties.”

I choked and glanced over at her. “Uh, sorry? I—uh…”

“It’s fine. I have plenty of clothes. I’ll just have to go commando a few days.”

That got a laugh out of me, and Reagan smiled. “You almost had me there,” I said.

“What can I say, I miss the bad jokes,” she said.

“But you admit they’re jokes,” I said before I could stop myself.

Reagan let out a soft cough. “Yeah.”

The strain in my shoulders and back loosened. Although Reagan wasn’t able to resist sniping at me from time to time as we continued, nor I for that matter, it was milder. More reminiscent of how it had been between us during those first weeks. Strange to think she’d only gotten here a month and a half ago. I still knew so little about her.

“Tell me about before,” I said during a lull of silence.

Reagan gave me an alarmed look. “Excuse me?”

“What did you do for work?” I clarified, and her look became even more suspicious. “Fine, I’ll go first. I was Special Forces, did a lot of work overseas, and did not plan on staying in there so long. Originally, I’m from Virginia. Accounts for the slight twang.”

“Grew up outside of Seattle,” Reagan said. “Not quite in the ’burbs, but close enough that it never felt like real country.” Her eyes traced around us. “Not like this.”

“Country over city?” I asked.

“Always. Um, let’s see. I was doing temp work at a doctor’s office because of the flexible hours. I’d just started grad school—I wanted to get my nurse practitioner degree. Before, I’d been a research assistant, and I liked that work, but I was restless. I thought I should work with people.” She blew out a sigh. “Just before all that, I’d had a few years where I’d been aimless. Waitressing, dog walking, and backpacking. Mostly with my grandfather.”

Your grandfather didn’t make it, did he? There was an unmistakable ache of pain and guilt twisting through her voice. The pain of a Rift loss. Just like Pop.

“Backpacking,” I said lightly. “Anywhere interesting?”

“Switzerland, Cambodia, Africa,” Reagan said and frowned. “So weird to have lost the world just like that.” She snapped her fingers. “Where were you when it happened?”

My steps slowed, and I looked around. “Here.”

“Oh,” she said. Reagan gave me a fleeting look I couldn’t read.

“What about you?”

“Northern Washington. My grandfather owned this beautiful property in this pretty little mountain town.” Reagan paused. “Cassidy wasn’t there. She was with her fiancé.” Reagan’s jaw worked. “At first, we weren’t going to go back—she was supposed to come to us—but her fiancé was opposed to it. When things got bad, me and Grandpa went back to get her. Good thing we did…I was there the first time it happened. Her fiancé dumped her after.”

“Let me guess—he didn’t like that your sister can shift into a panther now,” I said dryly.

“To put it mildly,” Reagan said. “Hey, how’d you know about the panther?”

“It’s in Cassidy’s papers,” I said.

“Seriously?” Reagan asked, and she caught up with me. “She put that down?”

“Yeah, you know, you shouldn’t lie on those things,” I said mildly, wondering if Reagan would jump or change the subject.

But her eyes were sparkling at me as she enthused, “That’s such a good sign, Luke. You have no idea.” I couldn’t help but grin at her. “No, I mean it. Maybe she did it because she was tired, but it’s like pulling teeth to get her to admit she’s a shifter, never mind a panther.” Her eyes closed. “Maybe she’ll finally be okay and accept this.”

“She’s in the right place, but you can’t force it,” I said, and my throat ached. “Trust me.”

“What happens if she doesn’t?” Reagan asked.

I hesitated a beat too long. “I wouldn’t worry about it. She’ll come around.”

“Luke,” Reagan said as she caught my arm and stopped me. “If you know something that might help her, or if you know something that might happen to her, you should tell me.”

“Trust me when I say it won’t. Don’t worry, Reagan. Your sister is not the first shifter to fight tooth and nail against her fate.”

“You won’t tell me?” Reagan’s eyes were wide. “Is it that bad?”

“Well, see, I don’t know if you’re going to go tearing off into the woods, and fall right into the lap of some monsters…” Reagan rolled her eyes, but she still held on to me. “So, I think I’ll play it safe and close to the vest.” Now she gave me a narrow-eyed look. “Listen, she’ll get sick, but we know the signs. There are things in place for this. Ways for us to help her.”

Unlike a year ago.

“Sick—like what? Like the flu?” Her hand tightened on my arm, and I glanced down. Still holding on to me. “Or like what you have? Do you fight it?”

“You know, Reagan, if I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you were into me,” I drawled, and her hand let go of me like she’d been burned. “There we go. Back to normal.”

“You have to tell me,” Reagan said as we began walking again.

“Actually, I don’t,” I said. “That wasn’t in our contract. But maybe we could make another wager and add it in.” Reagan made a face. “Or we could switch off on questions, just this once.”

“Isn’t that what we’re doing?”

“No, you’re hammering me with inquiries and giving me doe-eyed looks so I’m guilted into giving you information,” I said. “Meanwhile, I get nothin’ in return.”

Reagan smiled. “You want something in return?”

A lazy smile crossed my face, and my fingers brushed against hers.

Reagan jumped away like a scared rabbit, and I laughed. “Don’t flirt with fire, darlin’.”

“Please,” she blustered and fiddled with her ponytail. “I already know you’re a sucker for a doe-eyed look. Can’t take it back now. I’ll always remember that.”

“You do that,” I said, amused.

“Any other weakness I can manipulate?” Reagan asked with a toss of her hair and a smile.

I swallowed hard as I met her eyes. “Nah. And look at that, the doe eyes wore off.”

“Oh,” she said, and her eyes fell, eyelashes long on her cheeks. “So, is Belrush near Veda?”

"I mean, it's the closest settlement and…goddammit.”

There I went, answering her questions again. Reagan laughed and bumped her shoulder with mine. It took everything in me not to sling an arm around her shoulders and apologize. To make her laugh and answer every damn question she could think of.

I also couldn’t lie to myself. I was almost giddy after this exchange. I’d been worried I’d sabotaged everything. That Reagan had to be afraid of me now. But, incredibly, she wasn’t.

Sooner or later, I’d apologize for last night and the night before that.

In fact, maybe now—

“So, Luke,” Reagan said and bumped her shoulder with mine again. “Tell me about the shifters who don’t accept shifting.” I shook my head and sucked in a breath as her eyes went huge. Again, dark eyelashes fluttered at me. “Please.”

Later, definitely later.