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“Let’s go,” Zev said, walking out the library doors.
We followed him out into the cool night, to experience something we hadn’t done since we had been cursed. This entire night was becoming a beacon of hope that maybe next year we could experience this and so much more.
21
KATARINA
The October night made me shiver, but the alcohol in my system kept me warm. I hadn’t expected Aeon and Zev to show up. I definitely didn’t expect them to play, and it made me feel things that I knew were pointless.
I had loved every single minute of it, so glad I could give them a piece of normalcy that they so desperately needed. Once we gathered together, I expected to watch from the sidelines, but Aeon pushed me into their circle.
“Goddess, it has been many years since we have honored you in a run. We’ve lost our way, but tonight we have found our way back to you,” Zev spoke, with such reverence that I was not ready for it. “Bless this run we are about to complete, allow our ancestors to join, and allow us to feel their presence.”
The guys took off their shirts as Zev pulled a vial out of his pocket, going to Aeon first, placing his thumb in it, then creating a half circle on his chest. He did the same to Lucien before he stopped at me. He looked conflicted.
“You don’t have to,” I whispered.
His yellow eyes seemed to see into my soul, as he looked down at me. He looked conflicted, the rage in his eyes told me he still hated me, but the hesitation I was feeling made me feel like maybe we were starting to move past it. I was about to step back, so he didn’t have to decide. When he put his thumb on my chest, I stilled.
He finished the circle, doing the same on his chest when the air felt charged with energy.
“Let’s run,” he growled, unbuttoning his pants as Lucien and Aeon did the same thing. My mouth dried up at each of them undressing, with all their muscles on display. They stood up for a moment in all their nakedness, and I didn’t know what to do with myself. The need to clench my thighs was strong, but I didn’t want to give Aeon or Zev the satisfaction of seeing me squirm for them.
They all shifted instantly as Zev barked. Aeon and he took off. Lucien trotted to me.
“Go, I’ll be right behind you,” I said, running my hands through his fur.
He licked me before he took off to join his pack. The bond was thrumming with happiness, igniting relief in me. This is why I wanted to celebrate, and why I wanted to do this together. If I knew anything about pack life, it was that the pack did better when they were a solid unit.
I took off behind Lucien, running through the trees. They yipped, barked and growled as they ran. The energy they wove together on this run was amazing. You could feel each of their magic, until I began to feel others on our run. I couldn’t see anyone, but I could feel at least ten other people with us. Their running slowed when they realized we were not alone. My bond was overwhelmed with joy, sadness, but also relief.
It made me wonder who came to visit Lucien. Zev howled long and loud until the others howled joined in, running faster. I picked up my pace as much as I could, but I was slowly losing them. My legs ached, my lungs were on fire, but I kept going, still seeing them in front of me.
That’s when I felt her, my grandmother. I don’t know how I knew it was her, or what made me think of her, but it was her. Tears came to my eyes immediately, missing her more than ever.
“Grandma,” I whispered, needing reassurance just in case I was losing my mind. “What are you doing here?”
I didn’t expect an answer. I was so engrossed, listening to her, that I didn’t see the guys had stopped. We had already completed a full circle around the property. They were all separated looking like they might be in groups when I felt my grandmother again.
Closing my eyes, I reveled in her energy, wished I could talk to her, feel her or see her.
Katarina, use your blood…
A loud growl made me snap my eyes open. Zev stood in front of me baring his teeth. Did the clock strike four already? Stepping back slowly, I wondered if I could just lunge myself at him to get him back.
“Zev, look—”
He shifted quickly, not missing a step coming towards me.
“What was she doing here?”
He grabbed my upper arm.
“I don’t know!” I said, confused.
“She didn’t invite her, the goddess allowed Katarina a relative to come to her.” Aeon pulled me away from Zev, stepping in between us.
“Don’t make excuses for her, why was her relative here? Giving her options on how to get rid of—”
