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“There are plenty of good places for that. If you wish, I could find one and we can rest before continuing?”
It’s tempting. Sweet baby kittens, is it tempting. But I know the guys are going out of their minds with worry, even if they know I’m alive and well. I want to return to them as quickly as possible.
I’m opening my mouth to say as much when I stumble over a root that I swear wasn’t there just a second ago, and go crashing to my knees. Kohaku is by my side in an instant, hauling me up to my feet and then into his arms, where he cradles me against his chest.
“I can walk,” I protest, even as my arm curls around his shoulders and my head nuzzles into his neck. He smells amazing, like a Christmas candle, pine and spice and frost. I don’t know how that’s possible, but that’s what it reminds me of.
He turns his head to brush his pouty lips over my forehead. “Mmm, I’m sure you can, but I think I would like to carry you for a moment, if that is okay?”
I sigh and snuggle closer to him. “I guess if it’ll make you happy, I can allow it.”
He chuckles, low and deep, and it does things to my insides that it shouldn’t. “It does make me happy, little warrior. Get some sleep. I will continue to head inland, and wake you if we come upon civilization.”
I nod, my eyes closing. “Probably a good idea. Can’t have anyone seeing you with fox ears and six tails.”
“Indeed,” he rumbles, and I think he might say something else, but I’m already drifting off.
“Wake up, little warrior.” Kohaku’s voice rouses me from sleep and I frown. Not because he woke me, but because of the urgency with which he spoke. No, not spoke, whispered. He’s whispering to me, which means he doesn’t want to be overheard.
Big hands smooth over my face, cup my jaw. “Please, wake, Rosalind.”
My eyelids flutter open, and I blink up at him. Only, only, I’m not greeted by Kohaku as I know him. No. I’m looking at Kohaku if he were just a human man. Short curly red hair, gold eyes, pale skin dotted in freckles, not an ear or tail in sight. “Kohaku?” I say groggily, reaching up to run my fingers through his silky soft hair, where his ears should be. “What happened to you?”
His thumb presses into my mouth, stilling anymore words. The urgency and worry in his eyes wakes me up a bit more. I turn my head to take in our surroundings. Still in the woods, still surrounded by trees, but we’re on the ground, huddled behind a large fallen log. Kohaku is crouching over me, in his totally human form, and I can’t see what has him so spooked.
His forehead presses to mine.We are being hunted,his voice comes in my brain.I believe there are eight of them, but I am not sure.
I curl my hands around his wrists to keep myself steady.Eight of who? What is going on?
I am not sure. I only know they have been following for quite some time, and are closing the distance between us. I don’t know if they intend to harm you or speak to you, but I did not want them to come upon us as you slept.
Yeah, good call.
Contact your other mates, let them know what is happening.He pulls back from me, drops his hand and turns to stand, facing the trees around us, watching for threats.
My mouth drops open. My othermates? What the hell does he mean by that? I mean, I understand what a mate is, but I’m not sure what he means by other mates. Is he including himself in that? Does he consider himself my mate? And if that’s the case, is he okay with sharing?
Kohaku glances over his shoulder at me.Now is really not the time for this conversation, little warrior. Tell them what is happening.
My face heats as I realize that once again he’s heard all of my thoughts. Stupid bond, and stupid not being able to block it yet. First priority once we’re out of this situation, ask Kohaku to show me how to block him.
I brush the communication rune behind my ear and activate it.Hello? Is anyone there?
Sweetheart? What’s happening? Why aren’t you calling?
Kohaku says something is hunting us. He wanted me to reach out and let you know. You might… You might need to use the location spell to find us.
What do you mean something is hunting you, love?Hardin’s voice sounds low and dangerous and full of violence.
I’m not totally sure. To be honest,I push myself to my feet, scan the forest.I was asleep. Kohaku was carrying me. He woke me up and said we’re being hunted by eight… somethings.
Somethings? Not people?Ezra sounds on the verge of panic.Can you get somewhere safe?
I inch closer to Kohaku while tugging my phone out again to check how close we are to the nearest town… Only this time, it doesn’t work at all. Like my battery died, even though I know it was fully charged before we left the house for the Library and I haven’t used it once.
My phone’s dead.
Jesus, Sweeney.Censure is thick in Fielder’s voice.
