What else do I have to do? Sit in my empty cabin and brood? At least this might be interesting.
“Fine.” I gesture toward my front door. “Give me five minutes.”
I don’t wait for his response. I head inside, strip off my sweaty clothes, and step into the shower. The water is ice cold, just the way I like it, and I let it run over my overheated skin until I feel almost normal again. Then I crank up a smidgen of heat and wash off with shower gel.
Once done, I dry off quickly, throw on a clean shirt and jeans. Drake is still waiting by his SUV when I emerge.
“I’m driving,” he says.
I grunt as I climb into the passenger seat, and he pulls out of my driveway without another word. The silence between us is comfortable. Drake has always been one of the few people who don’t feel the need to fill every quiet moment with useless chatter.
Another thing I like about him, even though he’s an asshole.
We drive for about half an hour, heading away from town and deeper into the island’s interior. The paved road gives way to dirt, and then the dirt road narrows until it’s barely more than a trail through thick jungle.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask, watching the dense foliage fly past my window.
“We’re almost there.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one you’re getting right now.”
I grunt and lean back in my seat, arms crossed. Fine. Why does he have to be such a prick? I hate cryptic bullshit almost as much as I hate surprises.
Another ten minutes pass before Drake finally pulls off what’s left of the road and parks in a small clearing. He kills the engine and climbs out without a word.
I follow. The air here is thick and humid, heavy with the scent of earth. Drake heads into the jungle, following what might be a path or might just be a gap between trees.
We walk in silence, pushing through hanging vines and ducking under low branches. Sweat is already starting to bead on my forehead all over again, and I’m beginning to regret coming along on this mysterious little adventure.
At this point, it’s pitch black, and I’m grateful for my enhanced vision.
“How much farther?” I ask after what feels like forever.
“Almost there.”
“You keep saying that.”
“Because it’s true.”
I grunt.
Minutes later, I squint when there’s movement up ahead. Two figures are standing in a small clearing, deep in conversation.
As we get closer, I recognize one of them.
“Is that Shadow?” I ask.
Drake makes a noise of confirmation.
Shadow used to be the Academy Leader until she disappeared. I haven’t seen her in the longest time. It must be going on a year now.
The other figure turns to face us, and my blood turns to ice. The male has red in his tattoos. I can see it all over him.
It’s a fucking Red, and he’s here on Draig soil.
A Red.
