Ares’ chest rumbles and he releases my hand, beginning to pace like he has just far too much energy to burn off. And that’s when it hits me, the answer staring us in the face the entire time.
“Energy. They can only do so much with their abilities because it drains them, but if they could steal energy from others?” I look pointedly at where Ares is pacing like a, well, caged beast. “And shifters have far more energy than any human I’ve ever met.”
* * *
By the timewe agree to stop for the night, I’m a jittery mess. Not only from having someone literally in my head, but the closer we get towards the city the more nauseous I feel. Who knows what all my father or Jax’s family have done by now. Did they report me as a missing person? Should I dye my hair? Are they blaming Jax’s death on me or Osiris? The news has been scarily devoid of any mention, so it was easier to push to the back of my mind when I was so far away it felt like a different world. Now? It’s almost a constant state of looking over my shoulder.
“Ares can take you home, you know,”Ozzy offers, head resting on his paws on the seat beside me.“Cole and I can handle this.”
Was I projecting again?I can still barely wrap my head around this, let alone getting a grasp on the fundamentals.
“Nah, you’re just easy to read. You’re as tense as Ares up there.”He tilts his head to where his brother has a death grip on the steering wheel to prove his point.
I take a steadying breath, but don’t magically feel any more confident than before.And let both of you get killed? What happened to pride before the fall?
He snorts, both in my head and out loud. “I was right. You’re worse than Cole.”
“I should go check us in,” I state, unbuckling. “You guys stay here and out of sight, if possible.”
Ares pivots in his seat. “You shouldn’t go alone.”
I smile at the overprotective tone, but if there’s one thing I’m confident in, it’s my decision to protect them. “We have no clue what could be waiting for us, let alone the fact we’re trying to pull off an abduction. The less memorable we are at any given place the better, and a shifter strutting around in any town will be not only pretty fucking memorable, but seen as a threat. Add in you two as well? We’ll be lucky not to end up in a confrontation just trying to grab dinner somewhere.”
Ozzy whines low in his throat and Ares looks like he wants to argue. Cole, on the other hand, cracks the window and gives me a sad smile. “We’ll keep an ear out for trouble, beautiful. Just shout if you need us to swoop in and save the day.”
I lean forward to awkwardly kiss the back of his shoulder before getting out, taking a few deep breaths of the crisp night air. When I feel less like I’ll come across as someone on the run and more just a weary traveler, I stride across the parking lot and into the motel lobby.
It’s nicer than the one Ozzy and I stayed at on our way out of the city, but certainly nothing noteworthy. I’m actually a little hesitant if they’ll accept cash or demand a credit card for booking a room, and resign myself to the fact we might be sleeping in the truck tonight.
The man behind the counter looks up from his phone as I approach the desk and ask for a room. “A hundred twenty per night.”
I start pulling out cash when he confirms my fears and asks for my license and a credit card. Biting my lip, I take a gamble, trying to look pitiful yet understanding.
“They were all in my husband’s name. Sorry to bother you. Have a nice night.” I turn to leave without confrontation or pleading, praying it will be more effective.
When he groans, I have to quickly smother my smile and continue walking until he breaks. “You trash the room, my boss will have my hide. And it’ll be an extra thirty for putting my ass on the line.”
Thanking him profusely, I pay and take the key card, heading back outside. It’s an open air set up with concrete steps leading up to the second floor and a clear view of all of the doors on this side of the building. Luckily, we ended up with one around the back, but it’s still the second floor. Good to hear anyone coming, but bad for ushering in an ocelot unnoticed.
Ares pulls the truck as close as possible as we argue in a hush about the best way to get him in unnoticed. Finally, Cole grabs the throw blanket from the back that they insisted on bringing, still convinced I’m going to freeze to death if they aren’t careful.
“Come on, baby Ozzy. Looks like Rin ran out on her husband with her secret love child and boyfriend,” he decides, wrapping Osiris up like a toddler that passed out in the car and cradling him to his chest. “Such a good bo- OW!” He shakes out a finger, looking at me with wide eyes. “He bit me.”
I snicker while Ares rolls his eyes. “You three go first and I’ll hang back to make sure everything’s clear. If so, I’ll wait twenty minutes before following.”
With that decided, I grab my backpack and fall into step with Cole, hurrying up to our room. We just barely get the light on and shut the door before Ozzy is thrashing to get down, baring his teeth at Cole.
That’s not very nice.
“I’m not sure how best to describe it, love, but predators don’t much care for being in a vulnerable position like that. My instincts are on fire and it makes me feel less likemeand more…”
Like a wild animal?
He purrs, but keeps the tone low enough no one will overhear. While we wait for Ares, I just end up pacing, unable to fully let my guard down.
“Why don’t you take a shower and start getting ready for bed?” Cole offers and I pause mid-step.
“How am I supposed to relax? What if he ran into trouble? What if we need to leave? Then I’m naked!” I throw my hands out in agitation, resuming my pacing. “Or if he needs us to come save him? I’m not just going to jump into the shower before things are settled.”
