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Crew and Eli looked at us like we were crazy, and I didn’t blame them. Our fighting was not a great way to start our residence here in Haven.
“I’m not a pack alpha,” Crew said. “I’m not a monarch or anything like that. I do what I can to keep this place safe and save anyone who needs saving. I won’t tell anyone what they can or can’t do unless it puts the rest of these people at risk. Kira is free to make any decision she feels is best. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t have made it this far onThe Reject Projectif she was an idiot or couldn’t handle herself. From what Zoe says, she was a decorated Tranquility operative. I’m sure she can do what needs to be done.”
I had to bite my lip to prevent myself from grinning at Crew’s vote of confidence. Wyatt looked ready to explode, but he couldn’t argue with straight facts. Crew had stayed calm even under the withering glare of Wyatt Rivers. He’d gained even more of my respect in a few short seconds.
“Dammit,” Wyatt muttered. “Fine. If we’re doing this craziness, I’m going to get ready.”
He stomped away, and I let him go. He’d need some time to blow off steam. Once we headed out, he’d be locked in and focused.
As he departed, Chelsey appeared around the corner, walking down the hall toward the dining area J.D. had been in earlier. I noticed the way Crew watched her. The sad longing in his eye made my heart hurt, but I still wondered exactly what was going on there. Why reject her if he truly had feelings for her? Or maybe he only realized he had those feelings when it was too late?
Chelsey clearly still wanted nothing to do with him. She glanced at us as she passed, but looked away from Crew, walking faster until she was out of sight.
Something about this relationship didn’t make sense. I was starting to think some awful, heartbreaking mix-up may have occurred between them. Maybe once we found and saved Leif, I could dig a little more. Who knew, I might end up playing matchmaker for more than one couple in this underground compound.
“Meet us at the cave entrance in ten minutes,” Eli said. “We’ll have a fae or witch there to disable the traps for you. I’ll send a runner to tell Wyatt.”
I didn’t bother waiting and headed straight there. When Crew and Eli arrived a few minutes after me, they seemed surprised to find me ready to go.
“You’re punctual. I’ll give you that,” Crew said.
Wyatt came down the corridor a few moments later, looking dour but ready. He looked at me and shrugged apologetically. “Sorry I blew up at you.”
“Apology accepted.”
“But remember, we will look for Leif out there, though it has to be quick,” Wyatt warned. “Not a long, drawn-out thing. I hope we find him, but it’s no good if one or more of us are killed trying to save him. We aren’t even completely sure wecanhelp him. Don’t endanger yourself for what might not be a sure thing.”
“We’re on the same page,” I said. “I promise. I’ll play it safe.”
He smiled and sealed my promise with a kiss. It still felt weird to be open about our relationship after hiding everything for so long around the cameras and staff of the show.
Crew raised an eyebrow. “Are we good? Or…”
“We’re good, yeah,” I said. My cheeks went a little red at how ridiculous Wyatt and I had been acting in front of our new host.
Crew glanced at Eli. “Do you have what we need?”
Eli handed him a pair of gloves and a small pouch. “Fae finished these up a few minutes ago. It’ll keep the plants from burning us.”
Crew took them and stuffed the items in his back pocket before looking at me. “Let’s go.”
A witch walked with us, disarming and rearming the traps as we went until we were at the hidden mouth of the entrance cave.
Crew turned to the witch. “We’ll be back in a little while. Wait for my howl.”
“Be careful.” The woman looked at Crew with what could only be called reverence.
In the jungle, the sun was high in the sky, which made no sense. “How long were we asleep?” I asked.
Eli smirked. “Over fourteen hours. You guys were wiped out.”
Fourteen hours? Jeez, we really must have been tired. I pushed that information away and followed Crew and Eli deeper into the jungle. The two crept along carefully and quietly. I couldn’t even hear their footsteps. I thought Wyatt and I were good at stalking, but compared to them, we sounded like lumbering elephants.
“What are we looking for, exactly?” I hissed.
Crew knelt, inspecting the ground. “There are certain plants we need to run Haven. We use them for potions, medicines, and to help things run smoothly. Today, we’re looking for sunburst vines. If the fae have enough of those, they can mix it in the soil with some spells, and our fruit and vegetable plants can produce more fruit even though they don’t get full sunlight.” He plucked a leaf from a nearby plant and rubbed it between his fingers. “All we have is a huge fae light in the farm chambers, but that isn’t quite enough. It doesn’t produce as much light as the sun, obviously.”
“Is that what the gloves are for?” Wyatt asked.
