She shook her head. A tear ran down her cheek, and she wiped it with the back of her hand.
“I can’t tell them the truth. I just can’t. Better let them believe Goldman and his family were involved in illegal animal fights. It’s gory enough as it is.”
Enzo nodded, but remained silent. He helped Nina up, and when he saw she couldn’t quite stand, he lifted her in his arms.
“My car is two blocks away. Let’s go.”
Penny and Kosta followed him.
“So? Can I come?” This time, there was more conviction in her voice.
“If that’s what you truly want…”
Penny felt more tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. She stopped and waited for Enzo to stop as well when he heard she was not following anymore.
“What about you, Enzo? Do you want me to come with you?”
He turned to look into her blue eyes. The tears running down her now dirty face made his heart ache.
“More than anything in the world. But, Penelope… you know… the curse… I can’t promise you anything.”
“I know.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Penelope poured herself a cup of steaming coffee, then stepped out onto the porch. The sun was shining high in the sky, and she had to shield her eyes until she got used to it. She had forgotten her sunglasses in the bedroom, as usual. For the third day in a row, she had overslept and missed breakfast with everyone.
“Will I ever get used to this?” She whispered to herself as she crossed the yard, opened the wood gate that led into the field, and headed to where she had seen Enzo tending to one of the many herds of sheep he owned.
Even though she’d left New York with Enzo and the shifters they’d saved a week before, Penny still found it hard to wrap her mind around the fact that she was in Spain now, living at one of his farms. The weather was killing her, too. She had never thought the air could reach such levels of hotness and dryness at the same time. She drank bottle after bottle of water every day, yet her body kept asking for more. Her skin was so dry that she’d had to get new cosmetics to compensate for the lack of hydration. She hadn’t gotten used to the time zone difference, either. All in all, it was a huge change, and even though she didn’t miss her home, she found it hard to adapt to the new, rather unfriendly environment. So far, the only things she enjoyed were the incredible landscape, the peace of the place, Enzo’s company, and the fact that she saw Nina and Kosta every day.
The twins didn’t live at the farm. Not yet. Once they had reached La Mancha, Enzo had taken them and the other shifters to the charity institute he’d founded years ago for sheep-shifters who’d gone through trauma. The buildings were not very far from the farm, at the edge of a forest. Enzo had told Penelope it was important for the kids to be somewhere far from the city, as crowded places and too much noise would cause them more anxiety, and surrounded by nature. Many of them had forgotten their true nature. Sure, they shifted, but not for themselves. Nina and Kosta had been lucky, but the other shifters who’d practically been slaves for years, didn’t know how to shift for the sheer pleasure of enjoying themselves and exploring their amazing abilities. The doctors and therapists working for the institute were shifters, too, and they were helping their patients heal and reclaim their identity and power.
As she approached Enzo, some of the sheep sensed her presence and greeted her cheerfully. Penny smiled and scratched a young ewe behind her cute, small ears.
“You’re up,” Enzo chuckled. “I left you some breakfast on the table, but I see you’re more interested in coffee.”
“You have great coffee in Spain.”
He stood up from where he’d been kneeling between his sheep and brushed off his jeans.
“I know you’re lying. Spanish coffee is pretty average.” He stepped closer to her and kissed her on the lips. “I can tell you don’t like it here that much.”
Penny shook her head and smiled.
“It’s only the weather. This horrible sun is giving me a hard time.”
Enzo laughed mischievously. “Well, I can’t wait to hear your review of our Spanish winter, then. Take my advice and enjoy the warmth while you can.”
Penny threw him a concerned glance. “Warmth? This is not warmth. These are the burning fires of hell!”
He took her hand into his, and they started walking in the general direction of the institute. Penny was still holding her mug of coffee and sipping at the dark, strong liquid from time to time. They walked in silence, for a while, simply enjoying each other’s presence. The air smelled nice, of green grass and blooming flowers, and butterflies and bees flew from one weed to another. Despite the uncomfortable heat, Penelope loved watching the fascinating dance of nature. Here, everything looked beautiful and untouched. The people working at the farm respected every tree, every bush, and every bird. They weren’t trying to change a thing. On the contrary, their goal was to adapt to the fields, the forests, and the rivers.
“How did you sleep?” Enzo asked her gently.
She shrugged. “I would have slept better if you hadn’t run off into the other room.”
Since they had gotten here, they hadn’t indulged in more than a few passionate kisses. It was driving Penelope crazy! At night, Enzo would hold her until she fell asleep, then sneak out and go to bed in the bedroom across from hers. She knew why he was doing it. She understood why he was trying to keep his distance. That didn’t mean she agreed. Until today, she had been too tired and too confused by all the sudden changes and everything that had happened in New York to have a proper discussion with him. Now, as she took a deep breath and filled her lungs with the fresh, green air of the fields, she felt ready. She stopped, forcing Enzo to stop as well.
