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FOUR
Asha
A breeze whistles through the trees. The smell of approaching autumn suffuses the air with its leafy fragrance. I breathe it into me. Fall is about release. And today has been full of release. An unexpectedly emotional day, but necessary. I think perhaps it’s the quiet before the storm that’s put us all in a reflective mood. I’ve never felt closer to these three men as we stand in the gathering dusk, the last ribbons of bruised light wrapped delicately around them like gift bows.
It’s only a brief moment that I quickly stamp into memory before we turn back to our task. “According to your map,” says Max to Orson, “would you say the target’s left the vicinity?”
Orson nods. “If the use of magic is any indication, he’s been gone for at least a day, in my estimation, but there’s a small chance he simply isn’t using his powers and has remained here.”
“Then we’re unlikely to encounter him. We can split up without the threat of getting caught off-guard.”
We mosey back towards the SUV. Trouble bursts forth from the backseat when Orson opens the door, eager for more attention after his nap. His little stump of a tail swings back and forth as Braxton rubs him down, whispering about what a good boy he is.
I smile. How can such tough men also be so sweet?
While Braxton feeds his dog leftovers, Orson checks the map once again. “The fading signature looks to be contained within a three-block radius of our present location.” He shuts his laptop and returns it to his backpack. He looks back at Max and me, Braxton too distracted with Trouble to lend his attention. “Whatever magic he used was expended nearby.”
Uh oh. That means there’s trouble somewhere around here, and I’m not talking about the cute dog. My brother has been up to something, and whatever it is, it’s probably bad.
“So what’s the plan?” I ask, a pit forming in my stomach. “Check out the area for anything left behind?”
Max nods, back into Enforcer mode so fast it makes my head spin. “Break into two groups, cover the ground quickly, plan to wrap up our search before the stars come out.”
“Sounds good,” says Braxton, balancing the last french fry on Trouble’s snout.
Their calmness helps ease the growing anxiety in my belly ever-so-slightly. If they’re not terrified, I shouldn’t be either. Right? My brother probably isn’t here. And whatever he’s done, it can’t be any worse than what we’ve already seen from him.
I hope.
Max turns to his brother. “You and Trouble go with Orson to the east. Asha and I will head west. Call if you come upon anything suspicious.”
“Roger that.” Braxton nods and Trouble casts the fry into the air with an upward flick of his nose, then in the same instant catches it in his mouth. “Good boy,” Braxton praises, crouching to pet Trouble. The dog wags its stubby tail excitedly, but the moment its owner rises, he assumes a more alert posture. They set off down the road, the two men with the dog between them.
“Shall we?” says Max, but to my surprise, he offers me his hand with a slight smile.
A break from Enforce mode? He must really not be worried. Which is a good thing. Everything is going to be okay.
I slip my hand in his and give it a squeeze. “Let’s amble.”
As we make our way down the road, he says, “It’s a shame we had to meet this way.”
It catches me off-guard. This way? He talks like we were always going to meet, but that it might have been another way. Maybe one with first dates, flowers, and eager texts. But, somehow, I can’t picture that. Not in this life.
I look up at him, intoxicated by the scent of cedar trees caught in a morning shower. God, your wolf smells so good. “Why’s that?” I ask.
His thumb gently caresses the back of my hand and warm shivers wriggle through me. “In another world, I would have treated you to a date.”
What would a date with Max be like? I wonder if I’d like him on the first date, with him all tense and formal, or if he’d open up quicker in that setting. Or if I wouldn’t even notice, because I’d be so lost in his brown eyes, the cut of his perfect jaw, and the way his clothes cling to every inch of his perfect body.
Who am I kidding? I’d fall into his eyes, surrounded by his scent, and never want to leave.
The warm feeling envelops me. I drift closer to him, practically leaning against him as we walk. “Dinner and a stroll doesn’t count?” I ask, trying to fight the urge to climb into his arms.
He hangs his head and chuckles. “Take it where we can get it, I suppose.”
It would be dreamily romantic if not for the fact that his eyes are continually scanning the block. His actions put me on guard, so I leave all my senses, the physical and the magical, open to the out-of-place. But in my thoughts, I’m enjoying the beautiful night with a man that I love.
Twilight stains the world pastel blue and I feel swaddled by its tranquility. We continue along the sidewalk in silence, enjoying a symphony of crickets and mourning doves, the distant calling of bullfrogs, and the crunch of our own footsteps beneath us.
