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I threw my arms around Zoe, not caring that I was covered in dirt or that I’d told myself I wasn’t going to get too close to her.
Zoe stiffened, then patted me on the back. I quickly released her. “Sorry. Yes. Please. If she wants to come, please get her out.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” she said. “But if I do this, I need something from you.”
“Anything.”
“I’ll explain tonight at Luke’s house, okay?” She looked expectant, as if she wasn’t sure if I’d agree.
I nodded. Knowing that Jasmine might have a chance to get away from my father’s pack would change everything. It wasn’t just that it would make me feel less alone; it was that in my bones, I knew it was safer here even if I wasn’t part of this pack. Things were always tense in the Copper Pack and while the bar held a special place in my heart, I finally let myself realize that it wasn’t enough. I wanted more. Maybe Zoe could help us remove that mark on Jasmine and the two of us could finally find a place outside the pack once this whole life bond thing was solved.
“Good. I’ve got something else I have to take care of, but I’ll see you tonight at seven.”
I wondered exactly what I was in store for, but I wasn’t lying when I said I would do anything to make sure my friend was safe.
ChapterFourteen
Luke
“This better be good,”Scarlett complained.
“You know as much as I know,” I said as we made our way through the underbrush. I pushed aside low-hanging branches and continued forward, following the path Clayton and Zoe had left for us.
I didn’t know how this kind of magic worked, but it didn’t matter. The glowing firefly looking lights led us forward. As one vanished, the next appeared, giving us only one step at a time. She’d used this before, when we were kids. The gold lights only appeared for the person they were left for. It was an impressive bit of magic, but Zoe had assured me it was a basic spell. It made me wonder if there were other trails out there left for whoever or whatever we were hunting.
“She knows I hate the woods,” Scarlett said.
“I thought all witches liked nature,” I commented.
“I like white sand and a margarita in my hand,” Scarlett explained. “Nature is subjective. I can be in nature without being covered in bugs and traipsing through mud.”
Indeed, the ground was soft and moist. It had rained the night before, leaving everything more green and lush than usual. I liked the woods. I felt more free when I was here, though it was a challenge to keep my wolf inside. He wanted out; he wanted to chase the gold lights and sink his paws into the soft earth. Unfortunately, Scarlett wouldn’t be able to keep up so human form it was.
Finally, I caught sight of Zoe standing next to a bizarre tree. It was devoid of all needles and the empty trunk and branches were black as obsidian. The texture looked wrong. Instead of the usual bark, or even a charred texture from lightning, it looked like stone.
I reached for it and Scarlett grabbed my hand, pulling me away.
“Are you insane?” she hissed. “You don’t just go around touching things like that.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“I told you it would be worth it,” Zoe said knowingly.
“Fuck, I was not expecting this,” Scarlett said. The note of awe in her tone was tinted with fear. I could sense it all around us, but I had no idea what this tree represented.
“What are we freaking out about?” I asked.
“This tree is a portal,” Zoe said.
“It looks like a dead tree.” Okay, it looked like a creepy as fuck dead tree, and I knew it was wrong, but how could a tree be a portal?
“Shit.” Scarlett circled the tree, keeping a healthy distance. “We were right. This isn’t just witches we’re dealing with.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“Demons,” Scarlett said.
“This is still our territory,” I realized. “They opened a portal inside our lands?”
