The heat of the snake rises behind me, and I know that the bastard is breathing right down my neck. The thing could incinerate me any time it wants, and I shake Alisha roughly, ready to run with her in my arms if it comes to that.
“Brad?” she whispers, and she blinks several times, the beautiful violet light returning to her eyes as she looks up at me.
“Yeah,” I answer, my voice thick with emotion. “It’s me. I’m here.”
“Paul was here,” she mutters. “I think he’s gone now.”
“Yeah, he is,” I reply. “But we have bigger problems now.”
Slowly, I turn around with Alisha in my arms. The plants have all curled away, whipping back towards the forest, and Paul’s body is a crumpled heap on the ground. The snake is coiled before me like a cobra, the main length of its body behind it as it rears its head above us.
It’s the same size as the stone…it could coil itself round and round and cover the rock exactly, down to the last scale. Is that how it was trapped?
The snake tilts its head, a long, forked tongue of pure silver flicking out of its mouth. Grace comes up beside me, and my Shadows gather behind us.
Well, at least we won’t go down without a fight!
High above us, the ancient spirit weaves back and forth, then dips down and makes a low hissing sound, almost like laughter.
“You’re getting closer,” it whispers. “I’m having so much fun watching the pieces fall into place…”
The words shock me. Not just that it can talk, but it seems intelligent. It looks down at Alisha in my arms, and she clings to me, looking up at the snake in terror.
To my surprise, it turns away to look at Grace. The huge head bobs slightly, as if appraising her.
“You should be ready, witch,” it says.
Before any of us can react, it turns upon itself, slithering into the trees. It seems to hover above the ground, moving through the air instead of on the earth, and when it wants to move with stealth, it disturbs nothing, even though I know from our observations that it can melt sand into molten glass.
As the snake disappears, the air shimmers, and the rock feels cold against my feet. I stumble forward, holding Alisha tightly against my chest.
“Brad,” she whispers. “Take me home.”
“Yes, baby,” I answer, kissing her forehead gently. “We’re both going home.”
Chapter 24 - Alisha
The ride home is a blur. I’m vaguely aware of Grace and Scarlett talking to me, expressing their relief that I’m okay. We seem to be walking through crowds of soldiers and pack members. Noises and colors swirl around me in a disorienting wave.
The only thing I’m truly aware of is Brad’s strong arms around me as he carries me back to the truck. When we get in, he still doesn’t let go of me as Grace drives. I sink against Brad’s chest, feeling his heartbeat and the warm rush of his breath.
Safe. Finally safe now.
Images of the fight pound in my head, but they are disjointed, like pages randomly torn from a book. I know that Paul died, and it was somehow my doing. I remember connecting to the plants on a cellular level, and I could see the life force of all nature connected around me.
I remember running out into the circle to stop Paul, not even thinking of my own safety. A great power rose inside me, and I threw it at him with all of my strength. After that, images fall together like pieces of a shattered stained glass window.
The movement of the truck lulls me, and I doze against Brad’s chest. I’m not really aware of time passing, but I hear a brief exchange between Grace and Brad, making me realize that she’s dropping us off at home and then taking the truck so she can take the others to town.
“Tell them I’ll call in soon,” Brad says, holding on to me tightly as he gets out of the truck.
“Don’t worry about it,” Shawn says. “We’ve got your back. You can come in tomorrow and do the alpha part. For now, just look after your mate.”
I feel Brad’s arms tighten around me as he thanks his friend, then takes me inside. The cool, dark room soothes me immediately, and Brad puts me down on the couch.
“Alisha,” he says. “Are you alright? You haven’t said a word all this time.”
“I’m okay,” I mumble. “Just…tired.”
