Page 20 of Ignited

There was a short pause broken only by whispered expletives, and then Boomer’s brother said, “You’re two miles from a road. Due south. Meet you there—follow my signal.”

The other dog tag began emitting a soft, high-pitched beep—one that was inaudible to humans. Wolves could pick it up just fine, though. And tigers too, apparently, by the way Karisma’s ears were twitching.

“I’m going wolf,” he told her. “Brace yourself for my epic animal hotness.” He heard his brother snort. He added to Karisma, “Follow the bouncing butthole.” And he Changed.

Chapter 10

She didn’t stay behind him; he’d never really thought she would. He had the feeling that she was even less of a follower than he was, if that were possible. They trotted shoulder to shoulder, although she still staggered a little every now and then.

He hoped she was going to make it without passing out.

Boomer’s brother, being the silent, sociopathic type, didn’t talk anymore except to check in when he’d reached the rendezvous point and parked his truck.

Luckily, Karisma was still on her feet when they got there. Bro was leaning against the side of the truck, an automatic weapon held loosely in his arms.

Not necessarily expecting trouble, but not ruling it out.

Karisma stopped about twenty feet from the truck, staying just inside the trees. Boomer didn’t know whether it was because she didn’t trust his brother, or him, or if it was just her natural hesitance to break cover. Her black and white hide blended perfectly with the snowy ground and bare black branches of the winter forest. Out in the middle of the road, not so much.

Boomer stayed next to her while he Changed, feeling the snow biting into his bare feet. “Hey, Bro,” he said quietly.

“Hey,” said his brother. “Any trouble?”

“Nope. You?”

“Not so far. I’d prefer not hanging around here any longer than necessary, though.”

“Tell that to the tiger. She wants me to go somewhere with her pretty bad, but she won’t say where.”

“Is that why she’s staying tiger? So she doesn’t have to answer any questions?”

Boomer hadn’t considered that, not being as suspicious as his brother. “I don’t think so.” He walked over to the truck, explaining about the dart and the dueling magic. Karisma stayed where she was.

“Magic?” his brother said. “Fuck. That’s all we need.”

“Well, life doesn’t always turn out the way we hope. Do you have fucking boots? My feet are freezing. Also my dick is a shriveled nub, and my balls are trying to crawl up my ass just for the warmth.”

“Boots, clothes for you and for her, vests, and extra weapons.”

“Best. Brother. Ever.”

“No question there.” His brother crawled into the back of the pickup, which had a raised hard top over the bed, making a large covered cargo area. He opened the electronic lock on the toolbox behind the cab with his fingerprint and started pulling stuff out, tossing it across the bed towards Boomer.

Boomer grabbed a pair of boxer briefs and some fatigue pants first thing. “Mr. Used-to-be-Happy thanks you.” He put on the rest of the clothes and the boots, then looked over at Karisma still standing at the edge of the woods, swaying slightly. She was also starting to give off little frustrated growls.

Like fireworks about to explode.

“I think she really can’t Change,” he said to his brother. “Because from the look on her face, if she could be yelling at me, she would.”

“Yeah well, we can’t take her where she wants to go unless we know where the fuck that is. And I’m not crazy about the idea of driving around with a tiger in my cargo bed. Any brilliant ideas?”

None. Boomer walked over and crouched down in front of the tiger, so they were face to face. Her eyes were unfocused now, and she was still growling.

Something was really wrong with her—besides the tranquilizer. He could feel it. And just like before, he felt the desperate need to help her.

Slowly, he reached out and put his hands on either side of her furry face.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” his brother murmured.