Today is our last day off, and we’re using it to prepare for the weeks ahead. Orion is reading reports from the other rescuer teams in the mountains. Henri is meal prepping, and the rest of them are checking equipment and catching up on chores. I bounced around the station, helping with whatever I could.
They finally dismissed me this afternoon to rest up. I was happy to leave them to it because I’m tired after our lively few weeks. Plus it gives me a chance to catch up on my knitting.
I finished one sleeve already and started on the next. I’ve been lucky so far and the variation between skeinshasn’t been noticeable. This locally-spun yarn I bought in Starsfalls is great.
I need this to come out perfectly. I’ve been poring over the pattern to make sure I don’t miss a step, even though I basically have the instructions memorized. I don’t want to mess this up, and there isn’t time to frog it and start over.
My yarn catches, and despite tugging on it, the ball won’t unravel anymore. Ugh, I’m mid-row. I don’t want to pause here and have the tension get all weird. I try again, but it won’t budge.
With a sigh, I carefully cap the needles and set my project aside.
I unzip the bag and pull out the yarn. There’s a bunch of fuzz twisted around the strand, which must be what caused the problem. I clip it off, and I’m about to put the ball back when something moves.
I freeze, staring into the dark recesses of the bag.
Nothing else happens.
Maybe it was a trick of the light.
I drop the yarn in and scream as something flies out at me.
Chapter 51
Charm
I’m almost done checking our climbing equipment for damage.
As the pack rope expert, I’m in charge of these monthly tests.
So far, I’ve only found a few frayed spots on our tow ropes, which I was able to repair. Our climbing ropes and harnesses are in perfect condition, so all that’s left is?—
Hestia’s scream erases every other thought, and it feels like I teleport directly to her nest where I find her cowering on a bench against the wall.
My packmates are right here with me, and Orion and Cato reach her first.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Orion asks frantically, looking her over as if he’ll find a fatal wound.
I’m doing the same. Whatever’s wrong has rendered Hestia nonverbal. Her eyes are huge and she’s whining, shifting from foot to foot.
Aside from the burned scent of her fear, I don’t see any injuries.
Cato has ahold of her arm, ready to snatch her up andcarry her to safety. He’s tense, eyes darting around the room looking for threats.
There’s nothing to see though. Her knitting is on the bed, and some of the blankets are strewn on the floor like she knocked them off, but nothing else is out of place.
“Did something happen here?” I ask, moving closer to the bed.
Hestia whines louder and points at it, arm waving a warning.
Before I even reach it, a dark blur darts at my face. I stumble back and swat it away, knocking it off its course toward Hestia.
Hestia squeals, and I feel my packmates panic in the bond. Everyone’s confused and in motion, but no one knows what we’re fighting to protect our omega.
Whatever it was disappeared in a pile of pillows. Magnus, Henri, and I converge on the area.
As soon as we get close, thethingaggressively launches at us.
I’m ready for it this time and hold my ground—but someone else is faster.
