Many of them likely belong to other animali who are bonded to students at Shadowbone, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t try to harm me.
Lifting to my feet, I can just see the lights of Shadowbone shining above the trees. I’m pretty sure I even spot the window of my dorm. I wonder if Kenzie is getting worried about me, but then I remember that she’s grown accustomed to me randomly disappearing because the guys like to steal me away without leaving notice. She probably thinks they’ve returned by now and whisked me to their rooms.
My attention goes back to Bonfang. I study the massive wolf, taking in his shaggy black fur, and the cruel scars on his body. All of the animali are impressive, but Bonfang remains one of the largest that I’ve seen. In fact, my guys all have some of the largest animali.
When I walk toward him, Bonfang stands and growls at me. I stop, staring at him warily. He’s terrifying, all fangs and high haunches, but I’ve seen him when he’s truly angry. I saw the way he was when he’d attacked Craig and sent him hurtling against that tree, and this is different. He’s warning me.
“Thanks,” I say, because I realize then that I hadn’t said it yet. “If it weren’t for you, Craig would have killed me that night. Probably after Ed and Ian had…” I trail off. I can’t say it.
Bonfang growls again, and this time there’s a hint of that same anger I witnessed that night. The night of the hunt.
I smile, trying to keep the conversation upbeat. A conversation I’m having with an animal, and yet, it doesn’t seem weird at all. Bonfang’s ears twitch like he’s listening.
“But you showed up,” I chirp. “And I’m still here, all thanks to you.” I’d like to pretend that no matter what, I would have survived. That I would have found a way to fight off Craig and the others, but who am I kidding? It was six to one. There had been a moment when I’d thought my animali was waiting in the bushes and they would help me, but now that I realize the animali wouldn’t even help me when I was falling to my death, I’m guessing that was another delusion.
Bonfang stops growling, and he lifts his head a little. I like to think it’s because he’s proud he helped me, but more likely, he’s just trying to show me his true height, so I’ll be even more intimidated. I mean, he is bonded to Knox, and that seems entirely like something Knox would do if he were an animali.
Another thought occurs to me then. “Wait, if you’re out here but Kazer and the others aren’t, does that mean Knox is at the academy?” It hadn’t dawned on me before, because I assumed the guys must have left without their animali, but if Kazer and the others were here, they would have made an appearance by now. Which leads me to believe my arrogant fourth mate may still be at Shadowbone. Of course, Bonfang doesn’t answer me, but I decide to take his silence as confirmation. “He is, isn’t he!” I say, crossing my arms.
I realize this is my chance. I’ve wanted to confront Knox about the missing students. To ask him whether he has something to do with it, but he’s always kept his distance, orwe’ve been around too many people to discuss it. But tonight, I could finally get some answers for Kenzie and for me.
“I bet he’s in that little clearing he loves so much isn’t he?” I muse aloud, again taking Bonfang’s silence for confirmation. Convinced, I go to step around Bonfang, heading further into the forest, but the large wolf blocks my path. He tips his nose back to the academy building like he’s trying to tell me to head back. I attempt three more times, moving away to avoid Bonfang, but each time he steps into my path, blocking my way and pointing his nose back at the building.
Frustrated, I plant a hand on my hip. “I’m not leaving this forest until I find him,” I say, keeping my voice firm. “That man has some answering to do, so you can either help me or at least leave me to it.”
Bonfang stares at me for a long moment, and to my surprise, this time when I try to pass him, he doesn’t stop me. Instead, he plods silently behind me, following as I weave further into the forest. Which is a good thing, because as the night grows darker more red eyes peek from between the trees, and my instincts start screaming a warning at me. Soon the only thing stopping me from turning and running for the academy building, is the sound of Bonfang’s paws steadily padding behind me.
We walk for hours.
Okay, so it only feels like hours. It’s a shorter timespan than that going by how the moon is moving in the sky, but it still feels like forever. I started by following the running trail we use during Thane’s physical training classes, but the moment I deviated from the path, I lost my way completely. At this point, I’m starting to think I’m going in circles, because there are a few trees that are beginning to look painfully familiar.
I spin, turning to Bonfang, and he stops, staring at me with his large red eyes.
“Okay, you’re up buddy,” I tell him.
He blinks at me, his tongue lolling from his mouth. I’m so tempted to try and scrub around his neck, because now that I’m not worried he’s going to eat me, I can’t stop thinking about how he looks like a giant shadow puppy. But thankfully, I’m not stupid enough to try it. The wolf might be protecting me for now, but that doesn’t mean he won’t tire of me. Especially when he’s been following me for who knows how long.
“Look, you can either show me the way to Knox and his dell, or I’m going to spend the night out here searching,” I say. “And I’ll probably die in the process. Just think of how upset Kazer and the others are going to be when they realize you let me die.” I have no idea if Bonfang can understand my words, or if he’d even care if his friends were upset, so I’m surprised when he closes his mouth, studies me for a moment, and then moves in front of me, leading me through the forest.
I’m pretty sure he’s not guiding me back to the academy building, and when the trees start to seem familiar again, I realize I’m right. Knox’s dell comes into view, and we pop out into the small clearing Thane had taken me to the last time when I’d encountered Knox in this forest.
And there, just as I predicted, is Knox. He’s standing near the pool of black water, staring at the moon’s reflection.Man, this guy really needs to get some hobbies. How long has he been out here?I wonder that, until I remember Knox does have hobbies, and they include torturing students.
My brows lower as the professor turns, looking like he’s been pulled from a trance, and he is not happy to see me.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
~ Shade ~
“Before you get all angry, it was Bonfang’s idea,” I blurt, freaking out because Knox isn’t just glowering at me, the man lookslividto see me. His gaze slides to Bonfang, and there’s a hint of betrayal in his features.Oh, crap.
Bonfang bares his teeth at me, and I give him a sheepish smile. “Sorry! Sorry!” I rush out, lifting my hands in a placating gesture and drawing Knox’s attention back to me. “No, it wasn’t Bonfang’s idea at all. It was mine. Completely. Bonfang was simply kind enough to stop me from getting eaten. Or lost in the forest. Well…more lost. He’s a good wolf.” I stare back at Bonfang. “Such a good wolfie.”
If wolves could roll their eyes, I could swear that’s what Bonfang does. Then, like he’s tired of being there, he slinks into the darkness of the trees and out of sight, leaving me to face the furious professor alone. Which I guess is fair, seeing as it was my dumb idea to come here. It was one thing to decide to confrontthe shadow daddy, but now that I’m here, Knox’s power pulses around me, and my bravery from earlier fizzles away.
“Why are you in my dell, human?” Knox snarls, looking like I’ve invaded his inner sanctum. Which I obviously have. It was different coming here with Thane. Thane had been the one to bring me, and even then, I’d felt unwelcome. Now, the sense that I shouldn’t be here is even stronger.Oops.On the bright side, I doubt Knox would hurt me considering he knows his friends wouldn’t like that, but it doesn’t stop me from eyeing him warily.
“Whaaat? Is this your dell? I had no idea,” I pretend, not at all sounding convincing.
