The wind is knocked out of me when we impact the ground. Thankfully, I take the brunt of it.
She climbs up my body and pulls my tie free, nuzzling my shoulder where she'd bitten me before. Her teeth grip my flesh, and I hate to admit it—I come in my pants instantly.
She doesn't break the skin, but she holds me there for a few moments.
"You are not less than any of the others." She presses the tip of her nose to mine.
The words hit me harder than the ground did. She felt my jealousy. She knew.
She climbs off and heads toward the SUV.
"She'suneasy about heading into the town. She doesn't scent anything living in the area beyond wildlife." Diaval says without taking his eyes off the SUV.
"The town is abandoned?" Torben lifts his nose to the wind, closing his eyes, focusing on the minute scents traveling on the air. "My nose isn't as sensitive as Feray's." He looks back at us. "I don't smell anything living either."
"Let's be prepared for anything, then." I look between my bondmates.
Diaval glances back at the car, then between Torben and me. "Keep Feray with you." He looks into Torben's eyes, and Torben gives a firm nod. "Easton and I will handle whatever threat comes. Shift and get her out of the area fast."
"Wouldn't you get her out faster?" I tilt my head.
"No. I take too long to shift, and we'll be vulnerable in that time. Khal is a good second option to get her out." Diaval taps his chin, looking down the road.
"Why is Khal getting me out?"
Feray's voice catches us off guard, and I almost jump out of my skin.
"Just in case there's danger, little wolf." Torben moves to her side, stealing her from Khal, and presses his lips to her forehead.
"All I've known is danger since my amulet broke." She rubs the area over her sternum where the missing amulet must have sat. "Hopefully soon we'll know why."
I motion down the road. "Silver Falls is on the other side of the hill. Hopefully, we can find answers in what remains of the town."
Every tiny movement of the skin around her eyes tells me she's not thrilled. She gives me a sharp nod, then moves back to the SUV and climbs into the backseat.
Drawing in a fortifying breath, I return to the vehicle and drive down the dirt road.
Rollinginto town is like the start of the horror movies Feray and Khal watch at night.
Dead and dying trees surround the outskirts. Entering the town limits, it's more of the same. Most buildings are dilapidated beyond repair. I wonder when someone last lived here.
I park just inside the town, concerned about making too much noise.
"We'll walk from here."
My eyes find the others, and they nod firmly, resolve flickering in their eyes as they come to terms with what may come.
We don't know if we face an army of the dead, a horde of wendigos, or worse yet—feral vampires nesting in the heart of town.
I refuse to voice my concerns, yet Diaval pops into my thoughts, expressing the same fears I have. Mythics and ancient wyrm dragons can communicate without words in close proximity.
I'm ready to burn the town to the ground to protect my mate—and now my bondmates.
Feray looks skittish yet resolved to go through with this adventure. Her wolf lurks under the surface, ready to rip free to protect its human counterpart. Torben's bear feeds off the anxious energy she's giving off.
This, regardless of how it turns out, is going to be a major turning point for my mate.
Either we're going to find the answers to her universe, or hopefully at least a direction to find them.
