In silence, I waited for his answer. It took a few minutes.
“There’s a station up ahead,” he said. Anger laced his words.
I felt the vehicle slow.
“Don’t try anything when we get in there.”
“Do I ever? I know where my loyalties are.”
When the car stopped, I remained in the back until I heard my door open. He tapped impatiently on the frame as I unbuckled and slid out. The shadows of the Others zipped around us, painting my world grey so I could see my way toward the gas station door.
I pulled the sunglasses from my pocket and placed them on my face.
“Take ‘em off,” Frank said from behind me.
“We’re not supposed to call attention to ourselves. And, my eyes will do that,” I said.
He growled and opened the door. As I stepped past, he leaned in.
“He’s not here to know,” he whispered.
I kept moving, not allowing any worry or fear to surface.
In the bathroom, I exhaled shakily and splashed water on my face. Frank was dangerously close to losing control. Since the moment Blake had called him back into the office and told him to drive me west, Frank’s resentment had grown. Why would Blake tell him, a pure and strong Urbat, to listen to a weak, blind Judgement? Frank’s failure to obtain the provider had cost him much within the Urbat ranks. He’d lost Blake’s respect and was desperate to get it back. That’s why he’d been ideal to drive me across the country. However, his desperation wasn’t keeping him in line as planned.
After quickly using the facilities and washing, I opened the door. My sense of smell wasn’t anything compared to either the werewolves or the Urbat, but it was better than most humans. Even without the shadows dancing around Frank’s body, I knew he was standing right outside.
“I’m sorry I took so long.” My quiet apology was sincere. If Frank lost any more of his composure, I would suffer.
Frank didn’t immediately answer or move. I hesitated, listening. Although the shadows gave me basic outlines, there was much I still couldn’t see. Things I needed my other senses for…like the faint sound of Blake’s voice.
“You called him?” I said in surprise and concern, not bothering to suppress either emotion.
Frank disconnected the call on Blake’s recorded message.
“Yeah, and he isn’t answering. It’s your turn.”
“He was clear when we left. He doesn’t want to hear from either of us until we get there. If I try contacting him and he asks why, what am I supposed to say?”
Frank stepped close.
“Something is wrong. I can feel it.”
My pulse jumped in panic, and I looked around as if suspecting whatever he sensed was within the gas station.
“Not here. With Blake,” he said.
One of the shadows started swirling crazily around the person behind the register.
“We have the attendant’s attention,” I said softly, facing Frank. “We should make our purchases and go back to the car.”
“Do you know how close I am to not giving a shit about what Blake says?” Frank asked with menace.
“Yes.”
I waited, wondering what he’d do.
“Then stop acting like you’re Blake. I don’t listen to you.”
