Pursued: Silver Falls University 4, page 16
I just had to remind myself that we weren’t leaving the snow globe; we were creating a new one. Transferring the location.
I was surprised when Caedmon brought in a large suitcase for me, although maybe I shouldn’t have been since the man was somehow always prepared. As Tore helped me wrap my snow globes in clothing, Caedmon crouched down and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.
“Just focus on what you really want and care about. We can replace anything else,” Caedmon assured me. I nodded because I knew the man would always ensure I had everything I needed and then some.
After about five more minutes of packing up, I had a suitcase, the bag I’d come with, and my backpack filled with as many of my belongings as I could manage. My mates each had about the same number of bags as I did, and when I offered to help bring them down to the car, Julian swept me up and carried me to the kitchen, sitting me on the counter. I watched as he pulled something out of the freezer, smiling when I saw the Bagel Bites.
How had it been such a short time ago that I’d been sitting here, eating food I’d never heard of as I met my mates? It felt like ages ago.
“I’m ordering food to be delivered to the house while we wait on them, but I need you to eat. My wolf isn’t going to let it go.” He chuckled softly, but I could tell it wasn’t a joke. In fact, I could practically feel Coffin pacing back and forth, staring at my wolf, who clearly hadn’t clued in.
Nope, she was rolling around on her back and trying to play with him. So freakin’ embarrassing, I swear.
Once the Bagel Bites were done, I didn’t hesitate to eat them up, ensuring that Julian ate a few as well. I knew my mates ate enough, at least from what I could tell, but there was always a part in the back of my brain that was saying ‘Not enough.’
After we finished, he helped me put on my jacket and led me towards the elevator doors. I curled into him as I gave the dorm one last look before burying my head into his chest. I couldn’t look as the elevator doors finally closed, tears stinging my eyes.
Hastain was taking something away from me—something I loved—and I wouldn’t forget or forgive that.
17
TORE HANSEN
The summer house was one of my favorite properties I’d lived in, even if it had been for a short amount of time. Mind you, I hadn’t lived in many places in general outside of my parents’ house on the pack lands, but this still stood out as one of my favorites. Mostly because of the view.
The property came right up to a cliffside that dropped into Lake Michigan, thickly forested land surrounding it. To get to the house, you had to go down a driveway that wound through the woods for about a mile and was barred by a gate at the front of the house. Security cameras and lighting were placed regularly throughout the property, making it a very safe place to be—exactly what I wanted for Effie.
I could tell that she was on edge, and her power, which had grown dramatically since the interaction with the Fengari Stone, was nearly vibrating the car as we made the drive over. I don’t think she realized how much this situation was affecting her, and in my mind, the sooner we got away from this damn place the better.
“Wow,” she whispered as we pulled up to the cabin-style house, though its four floors and sprawling size made it much larger than a typical cabin. “This is beautiful.”
“It is,” I agreed. The house didn’t really fit in with the rest of Kirkwall, but then it wasn’t really trying to. It was hidden from view unless you knew it was here, which was one of the only reasons I was okay with staying in town right now. I’d nearly lost my shit the entire time we were on campus.
After we pulled into the garage, I let the others handle the bags, taking the food we’d had delivered from Julian as I led Effie into the house. Her gaze ran over the interior with appreciation, but I noticed it wasn’t at the same level as with the London property. I was glad that her emotions were so apparent and open because it was beyond obvious to me that the London property was where we belonged.
Effie wanted to be there, so it was that simple.
“Let me grab some plates. Where are they?” Effie asked, going to one of the cabinets that I’d nodded towards.
Once we’d eaten, I would show her around until the blood-bonded pack and her friend were here. In retrospect, I was glad we were meeting here rather than running into them in the dorms. It wouldn’t do any good having the eight of us blood-bonded pack members squeezed together in the same room. Our magic could only take so many pulls for dominance in one damn space.
Well, mine was that way, at least.
“Oh, Chinese food,” she said excitedly as she helped me pull out the various packages. I had done my best to ensure she ate while we were traveling, but it was always harder than when we were in one place for a long time. It didn’t help that our sleep schedule was all thrown off, the time change making it feel more like night than the middle of the day.
In fact, if tonight was going to consist of leaving for Milwaukee as well, I was about to suggest she take a nap.
As the others joined us, only bringing in a few of our bags so we could shower and change, I noticed Effie was humming happily while setting out plates. I sat there watching her, loving the small moment and how the idea of us eating together made her so damn content.
When we began to sort out food, she picked a little bit of everything, and the way she savored each bite while closing her eyes, made me wish we’d tried more cuisine while overseas. Next time I would make it a priority.
During the meal, I briefly noticed that she was watching each of us eat as we engaged in light conversation, her gaze filling with satisfaction that I knew partly came from her wolf. The shift of their relationship, the two of them growing closer each day, was something I loved and found fascinating. I knew as her magic grew, their bond would only build until it was impenetrable and unbreakable.
When we were done, I helped her grab the plates and wash them in the sink, the familiar routine making something in my chest relax. The meal couldn’t have taken more than a half an hour, and as she looked around the space, I saw her eyes go to the couch.
The others saw it as well.
“You know, they probably won’t be here for another hour, if you want to get some rest,” Julian pointed out. She nodded, seeming to like that idea a lot. I followed after her and threw on a nature documentary as I pulled a blanket over her frame, loving that she didn’t hesitate to rest her head on the pillow I’d placed on my lap, allowing me to run my hands through her hair in a gentle and hopefully soothing pattern.
I wasn’t used to being either of those things, but Effie seemed to always enjoy my touch, whether it be hard or soft.
Images flashed in my head at just how hard I’d touched her before, but I tried to shake them from my thoughts. I couldn’t afford to get hard right now, especially with the way she was falling asleep so easily in my grasp. I didn’t think she would mind knowing I was turned on, but I also knew she needed rest more than I needed to be buried inside of her.
At least that was what I would continue to repeat to myself.
I wasn’t sure what I thought would happen after we mated—maybe I’d expected that my savage need for her would be sated, but that had been wrong. In fact, I wanted her more than ever, and seeing my mark on her soft, vulnerable neck had me feeling so many different things.
“I hope they get here soon; I feel so on edge,” Dakota said as he joined me on the couch. Caedmon nodded in agreement as Ryder and Julian stepped outside, the first on a call and the second listening in. If I had to guess, they were briefing the extra security.
I’d sensed when they arrived, unsurprised that Ryder had called in a team. Even if we were only here for a few hours, it would be too long. I wanted to believe I was being paranoid, but it was too quiet, and the eerie sense of something looming on the horizon had me wanting to wrap Effie up and get her the fuck out of here.
Speaking of my mate…she made a small concerned noise, turning over so she was facing me. Her hands, which were tucked against her chest, began to glow a soft pink. I eyed her face cautiously, wondering if I needed to wake her up, but before I even had a chance, her magic sparked and surrounded the four of us in a pink bubble. I looked around in awe, loving the display of true magic, especially in such a pure form like hers…before everything went dark.
When I opened my eyes, I knew immediately I was in Effie’s dream. For one, there was nothing substantial around the three of us, but more importantly, Effie was standing a few feet away surrounded by pink.
“You guys are here?” she asked in confusion, looking around the dark void we found ourselves in. “That’s never happened before. I’ve been able to see some of your dreams and memories, but…this is different.”
Making my way towards her, I ran my hand over her shoulder as Dakota and Caedmon joined us, each looking extremely on edge. I couldn’t blame them—this was trippy. Although Dakota didn’t seem to mind as much as Caedmon and I did.
“What were you dreaming about that made your magic explode out?” Caedmon asked.
“Nothing.” Effie frowned. “I don’t even remember dreaming, let alone calling you here—”
“That’s because I did.”
A near growl left my throat as Mona appeared. I had a lot of fucking issues with this situation, namely that Mona was using Effie’s compassion for others to get her ‘job’ done. It was bullshit, whether Mona was her mom or not.
I’d kept that opinion mostly to myself, but I was reaching my boiling point. Effie had been put in danger again and again, for what? To not even be given the next piece of the puzzle? I wasn’t even sure our bond had been strengthened like Mona claimed it would.
My grip tightened on Effie. I kept my mouth shut for now, deciding to see how this would play out.
“You called them here?” Effie demanded, protectiveness flashing in her gaze.
“I called you and they were nearby, but I figured it would be easier than having to relay the message to all of them,” she said, her gaze moving to the pendant. “The fact that you were able to bring them shows how much your power has grown. Imagine what it will be like once you know how to use it.”
“I don’t care about that,” Effie hissed, suddenly looking frustrated. “I want to help the others that are in danger. Y-you told me that the pendant would explain where the gate is, but it hasn’t done anything. It’s the only reason we’re back here to begin with.”
“Yes,” she drew out, the guilt flashing across her face making a violent sound break from my throat. “It’s not exactly the pendant, although it will help you know if you’re on track. It’s more that I wanted to wait to give you the next set of directions, as they are particularly…difficult.”
“Is this a joke?” Dakota growled sharply, not hesitating in calling her out. “You waited to tell her because, what? You didn’t want to scare her? Wanted to wait until we were in so deep we had no other choice?”
Mona opened her mouth in shock before looking at the obvious betrayal on Effie’s face, her hands going out in a pleading gesture. “Surely you understand why it’s needed now—”
“I do,” Effie said, “but is he right? Were you waiting to tell me because you knew it might scare me so much that I didn’t even take the first step?”
“In part,” she admitted.
Caedmon shook his head, tucking Effie against him as I stepped forward to block Effie from view.
“I wanted to make sure you were committed to the cause. The Homura and Fengari Stones are relatively common knowledge compared to what I’m about to tell you.”
“What about our bonds?” I asked, unable to keep it in anymore. “Did you lie about that too?”
Mona’s gaze lowered to the ground. “They’ll be strengthened when the gate is open.”
I turned towards Effie. “Just say the word, lil bit. You don’t have to do any of this—you don’t owe her anything.”
Effie nodded, her face filled with sadness. “Tell me what you need to, Mona.”
“Right.” The woman swallowed nervously. “Before opening the gate, you need the key to do so.”
“The key?” Effie drew out.
“Yes, from the one who locked it.”
“Who locked it?” Ryder’s voice suddenly filled the space as his magic pushed into the dream, bringing Julian’s wolf form with him. Mona tensed, clearly not having expected them to join us. Coffin immediately came up to Effie, which seemed to calm her.
Mona’s gaze darkened. “The dark god.”
Was she fucking joking?
Silence filled the space before I let out a dark laugh, not feeling amused in the least. Ryder stepped forward, clearly having caught onto the situation. “You want us to retrieve the key from the dark god to open the divine realm? You want to put your supposed daughter at risk by asking her to go down to the shadowlands?”
Mona looked frustrated as Effie let loose a wounded sound that had my magic on edge. “Is he right?”
“Yes, he should still have it,” Mona gritted out. “But I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I didn’t think it was absolutely necessary, little moon.”
“Don’t call me that.” Effie’s eyes watered. “Do not ever call me that again. I understand that there is a very real problem here, but I won’t lie to myself. More importantly, I won’t allow you to lie to me. You are using me. You’re using me for a job. You didn’t come to me because I’m your daughter or to help protect my mate bond, you came to me because you needed me. Because your seer said that I am the one who can open the gate.”
“That’s not true—”
“Go,” Effie hissed, tears dripping down her face. “Just go. I’m not giving you an answer, and I don’t want to see you. Just go.”
“Effie—”
“Go!” My mate’s voice filled the space, louder than I had ever heard it before, pain echoing through every syllable.
In that moment, the dream shattered and we were ripped from her mind.
Effie buried her nose against my throat, a sob releasing from her chest as I ran my hands through her hair. This situation with Mona had been off from the start, but after this…
I would follow Effie’s lead, but Mona couldn’t be trusted to have Effie’s best interests at heart—a realization I knew felt like the purest form of betrayal to Effie. I looked around to find the others watching her with concern as well.
Effie drew back, sliding against the couch and trying to dry her tears with her sweater. “The worst part is that she isn’t lying about the women. This is a problem, a huge problem. As much as I hate that she put this on me, at least guilt-wise, I can’t turn a blind eye. We have to do it. We have to stop this problem from getting worse.”
Her heart was fully committed to this, so I knew there was only one thing we could do, and it was to commit ourselves as well.
“If you want to do this…” I drew out slowly, giving her a moment to counter.
“I do,” she whispered.
“Then we need to figure out if we can go to where the dark god is—which should be in the shadowlands—and how we would do that.”
Effie sat up straighter, her eyes flashing in realization. “I know who to ask.”
“Who?” Julian asked curiously.
“Ruby. She said that her and Reaper, who is the dark god’s son, were in the shadowlands. That’s where we should start.”
Right on cue, the doorbell to the gate rang. We would find out soon if Effie’s friend had an answer to our problem. Considering the danger it would put my mate in…I was sort of hoping not.
18
EFFIE HARLOW
The relief I felt at seeing Ruby was immediate, and I practically tackled her in a hug. I couldn’t help myself, because in that moment I fully realized just how worried I’d been about her, especially considering the similar position we found ourselves in being mates to blood-bonded packs. I knew Hastain already didn’t like the idea of his son having a mate that he hadn’t approved of himself, so I was terrified that she would become his target once I was gone.
“Effie!” Ruby laughed, the sound light and relaxed as she hugged me back. “I didn’t realize you missed me this much.”
I pulled back, examining her relaxed face, and spoke honestly. “I was worried Hastain would go after you next—that you would be his next target.”
“We would never allow that,” her lycan mate growled.
Ruby rolled her eyes but didn’t seem annoyed; instead she squeezed my hands before stepping back and patting him on the chest. “We haven’t been on campus, to be honest—I haven’t even been to class. I feel like shit about it, but it just doesn’t feel worth it.”
I nodded in understanding because it really felt like the minute we stepped into class or even an academic building, we were in Hastain’s territory.
“I think for now we’re going to go up to Milwaukee,” I told her. “Ryder has a place there, and until we figure some stuff out, it may just be safer.”
“I heard what happened at that damn dinner.” She scowled, looking back at Aaren. “Your father is a piece of crap.”
The man nodded, and I could tell that he not only agreed but that he truly disliked the man, a simmering rage visible right under his skin. With him being a fenrir wolf, it made me more than a bit uncomfortable, but any nervousness was absent since my mates were so close.
“I wanted to see you before we left. We aren’t going to stay here long.” I exhaled, walking towards the couch. “I did have something to ask you though.”
“Oh?” She followed, and I noticed that her mates were exchanging hellos with mine before moving onto a more serious dialogue, spreading throughout the room. Except for Ryder—once he’d greeted everyone he joined me on the couch, and I also almost immediately felt his magic expand out. I offered him a confused look.
“I put up a warded sound barrier so the two of you can talk without fear of any shifters overhearing,” he said, the action gaining approval from everyone in the room.
