Edging towards the trapdoor, I talk over my shoulder.“Go see Mickey.Set up a search party for Jake’s body.And then offer the family gold as compensation.But only under the condition that they don’t report the death.Or comply with the authorities.”
It feels so good to be sitting astride my Harley again.Luna and I can spend the night together—a little prelude to how it will be in the future.I will watch her prepare supper as we chat about the brewing process.We can discuss how to normalize life on Landslide so that we can be together.
And it is definitely time for me to move out of the commune and into my own space.Luna will like that.
Gunning the engine, I check the fuel gauge and oil level as a reflex.Shit, fuel’s low.I need cash.
Muohta comes jogging from behind the clubhouse.He barks at me.
“This won’t take long, buddy.”
Leaving the engine turning over, I duck back inside as quick as a river running.
The trapdoor is still shut, but this doesn’t stop me from overhearing what the Riders are saying above me.
“Should I be the one to tell him?Or do you want to?”Rundas.My trusted and loyal veep.What the fuck?
“Hellfire, brother, you do it.”Artim.“And if you want my opinion, that’s the reason why Ifan bounced.Okay, it was a little bit to do with Tempest’s defiance at protecting that half-breed brat from vengeance, but that aging process is a bitch.”
Theron interjects.“Tempest was still fine when Ifan was around.But maybe he was making sure to stay ahead of the curve.No one wants anold lady,old lady, y’all know what I’m sayin’?”
Roars of laughter at Theron’s joke.
I have to bite my lower lip with my fangs to force myself to stay quiet.
Grabbing the cash we keep in an old ceramic bowl, I leave.
Mu is standing next to the growling Harley.The dog is mewling up at the night sky.I haven’t seen the dog doing that since Tempest left.
Kneeling down in front of Muohta, I grip the dog’s head so he is forced to look at me.Silently, the Samoyed sends me his message.
With shaking fingers, I reach for the note under his collar.
Wulf is here.Come quick.
I can smell her fear and distress rising off the papery cloth.
At this moment, I want to lift my face to the night sky and howl like a hound.I want to blast into the forest and punch down trees.Smash rocks.Pummel steel.Turn the water red with the blood of my enemies.
For the first time in my long life, my immortality feels like a heavy and cursed burden.If Luna is no more, then what is the point of my never ending chain of sunsets and sunrises?
I am deep in thought as the darkness controls my hope for an infinitesimal beat.
There will never be another Luna.I had my chance, and I fucked up.
The roar of anger and anguish builds up inside me as my inertness fades.
Running faster than the wind, I head for that white house on the hill.All the inhabitants of Landslide will hear as I blast past is the clap of thunder with no lightning going before it.A sonic boom.
My rage reduces me to a sound, a vaguely unsettling feeling, an ill omen.
Standing in Luna’s living room, I glare and growl into the emptiness.Sniffing, I detect their faint aroma.
Luna and Wulf spent some time together in here.A lot of time.He sat on the chair, and she was on the couch.
What did he say to her?
At least there is no scent of fear or death.Is it too late to hope he had a polite conversation with her before leaving?
