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"No, I think you have your own issue with me and I think I know what it is. But it has nothing to do with me personally, so I'm going to try not to take it personally. And, while I might be enjoying this--" He lifted his hand, which was still clasping mine. "I know it's as temporary as a love spell. Give it a few hours and she'll hate me again."
"Hate's a strong word," I said.
"Strong emotion is better than indifference." He grinned at me, then looked at the others. "Now, if we can stop bickering for a few minutes, I'll tell you my plan." His gaze moved to Sam. "Which I'm sure Maya and Daniel will change, if they don't outright reject it, and I'm fine with that."
"What did you have in mind?" Daniel said.
THIRTY
RAFE'S PLAN WAS SIMPLE: get us to the mainland. His mom had given him t
he names of some people there. Supernaturals who had worked on the experiment and then left it. One was a woman in Vancouver.
Rafe hadn't made contact with any of them earlier because his mother had told him to reach out to them only as a last resort. This was, Rafe figured, a last resort.
Sam wanted to leave right away. Rafe thought we should get a good night's rest. Daniel agreed, and Corey seconded Daniel. As the three of us long-time residents pointed out, getting off the island at night wasn't easy.
Next the guys were heading out to find a house we could hole up in--someplace the Cabals wouldn't expect to find us. Sam's leg wasn't up to scouting, and Rafe thought I should stay with her, take a break, get a hot shower, and put on the fresh clothes I'd brought from home. That may have been his nice way of saying I really needed that shower.
As the guys headed downstairs, I called Daniel back. Rafe hesitated even when I waved him on, but after a moment, he went with Corey.
I led Daniel to the master bedroom and closed the door behind us.
"What's up?" I whispered.
"Hmm?"
"You've barely said a word since Rafe showed up. You don't trust him."
"What? No. Of course I trust him. The guy fell out of a helicopter so we wouldn't."
"But something's bugging you. Is it his story?"
"No. It's a miracle he survived, but like you said, he's part cat. They always land on their feet." He smiled, but it was strained.
"Then you don't buy the part about how he got back here."
"I do. He said he left the motorcycle behind the Blender. Easy enough to check. If he was lying, he'd say he ditched it in the woods somewhere."
"Uh-huh. You've thought this through, I see. Which means it's bugging you."
Daniel put his hands on my upper arms and leaned down to look me in the eye. "Nothing's bugging me, Maya. Well, except the fact that our town is empty, and we have no idea where anyone is or how to find them."
I dropped my gaze. "Right. Sorry. You're quiet because you have other things on your mind. I'm worried, too. I know it doesn't seem like it, because Rafe's back and obviously I'm happy about that, so maybe I'm not as focused as I should be. I'll snap out of it."
He gave me a quick hug. "Don't. Something in this whole mess has gone right for you. You're allowed to be happy." He met my gaze. "Okay?"
I nodded.
"Go have a shower and try to relax," he said. "You're going to need your energy, and I'm going to need my cocaptain."
I was in the Tillsons' bathroom, still dressed, starting the shower, when I heard a faint click, and I wheeled to see Rafe coming in, holding a card he'd used to pop the lock. His free hand covered his eyes.
"Excuse--" I began.
"Oh, sorry. Didn't know you were in here," he said, his hand still over his eyes as he frantically motioned, apparently trying to stop me from stating the obvious--that he'd broken in and knew full well I was here.
I pulled his hand from his eyes, and mouthed, "What the hell?"
