“Can you do that same move again?” he asked.
It sort of felt like I’d mixed wind with shockwave. “I think so.”
He pointed to the hay bale. “Try it on that.”
I glanced at Brayden, Maddy, and Nora, fast asleep on the porch, and shook my head. If that sound hadn’t woken them, this wouldn’t.
Taking in a deep breath and harnessing wind, while also pulling my Greywolf powers up, I threw the combined power at the hay bale and it burst into hundreds of straw pieces.
“Whoa.” I looked at my hands in slight fear.
Artemis smiled proudly at me. “You’re a decent student.”
I chuckled. “You’re not a horrible teacher.”
Reaching out, he pulled me in for a side hug and it caught me off guard. It was such a pure moment, caught up in his pride for me, that tears pricked the edges of my eyes.
He cleared his throat, dropping his arm as he seemed to be emotional as well.
“Well, I think we can get two hours of sleep if we head in now,” I told him.
He waved me forward. “You deserve that.”
My limbs screamed out in joy at the thought of resting. Screw showering, or eating, or even drinking water. I was going to faceplant the bed and pass out.
Shuffling past Brayden, Maddy, and Nora on the porch, I decided to let them rest. It was a little chilly out, but nothing three werewolves in hoodies couldn’t handle. Maddy and Brayden were sitting on a bench with Nora sprawled across their laps, and it was the most adorable sight to see.
Slipping inside the house, I walked across the hallway to the bedroom and my phone buzzed. I pulled it out of my pocket, totally forgetting it was there. Brayden had gotten me a new one so I could call my mom. I’d spoken to her earlier to tell her I was moving back to Sandpoint in a week or so.
When I saw my mom’s name on the caller ID, I frowned. It was pretty early for her to be calling but maybe she had just worked a graveyard shift.
“Hey, Mama,” I answered.
Deep breathing greeted me and chills raced down my spine. I froze, my heart hammering in my throat.
“Mom?” I said again.
“Mommy’s tied up at the moment,” a raspy but familiar voice came through the line. My stomach tied into knots.
Novus.
“Don’t touch her,” I warned as fear took hold of me and Artemis’ face swam into view with concern.
“I want nothing from a weak human. It’s you I’m after.” He inhaled into the phone, causing me to cringe. “I can almost smell your power from here.”
“I’m coming. Don’t hurt her.” I rushed to the front door without a second’s thought.
“Come alone or mommy dies.” He hung up.
Surged on by adrenaline, I rushed outside, Artemis trailing behind me.
Keys. I needed the car keys!
I spun and slammed right into Artemis’ chest. He was holding the keys. He’d heard everything, I knew it, and if he tried to stop me I’d have to wind-shockwave bomb him.
“I’m coming,” was all he said.
“Have to go alone,” I growled, snatching the keys from him.
