“It’ll be over soon. Just hold on to me.”
“It is nothing like the portals or magicked panels of home.”
No, he would suppose not. For the Fae, many could use portals strategically placed and guarded around the city to come and go from high-traffic areas. When those weren’t available, they used a panel—a flat seating area with a forcefield around it—to travel back and forth. They still used animal driven carriages most of the time. It made for cleaner air and less impact on the lands, but it was slower by comparison—portals were the fastest method.
Heath continuously scanned the area, knowing Kallan and Eiravel were doing the same from each of their cabs. If danger was coming, Heath wanted to see it long before they arrived. But it seemed he worried for no reason. They reached the Cirque Inn without so much as a peep. They had a problem though. They needed to pay the drivers.
“I’ve got it.” A large, dark-skinned male with golden eyes met them at the taxi. “Smelled you a mile away.” His smile was sharp, a cruel twist of his lips, but he paid the drivers and sent them off.
Heath was always uneasy around him, even when they worked together. Bastion was a New Orleans native Renegade, and he always seemed to just toe the line of the rules.
But his nose was the best they had, and Heath trusted it.
Heath raised a brow. “Thank you. The others?”
“They are keeping down confusion. I’m running communication. Alpha thought you’d come here first when you arrived and wanted to make sure he knew about it.”
Heath nodded. “We will stop here for a bit, but we will be traveling to Lombardi Pack lands soon.”
“Good.”
“We aren’t trying to fight the wolves, Bastion.”
Bastion shrugged. “A pity. It’s been a good while since I’ve had a challenge. But we joined your cause, so we will stay the course.”
“About that, things may be changing.”
“Oh? Don’t have the stomach for it?”
Heath bristled. “More information has come to light.”
“Ah. Well, we shall see.”
“Yeah, we fucking will.”
Bastion chuckled, shaking his head. “You are all so easily rattled. It’s a wonder you’ve survived so long. Go on in. I’ve got rooms for you.” His eyes danced over Ash. “I thought you might like a suite to yourself. I guess I was right.”
“She’s my mate,” Heath explained, speaking in a way the wolf would understand as he took the key cards from Bastion.
Immediately, Bastion stood taller and the smile he’d thrown at Ash disappeared from his face. “I meant no offense.”
No wolf wanted to violate that sanctity, and it was something Heath could appreciate. “None taken. Get the wolves together to move out. We’ll just be here for a few hours.”
“Done.”
Bastion loped off as Heath escorted Ash and the others inside. The cool, air-conditioned air slid over his skin, a welcome sensation after the stagnant state of the In Between and the heat outside. Their shoes echoed on the floor as Heath directed the group to the elevators. There were no bottom-floor rooms available, but Heath always wanted to be close to the first floor in case they needed to escape quickly. He wasn’t disappointed when he saw Bastion had booked them space on the second floor.
He’s a cocky shit, but he gets the job done.
“I’m going to rest,” Kallan said.
Cynes shrugged. “Fine. Eiravel and I can be on first watch. We’ll switch with you and Teague in a few hours. Heath, don’t stress about out here. We’ll get you if there’s trouble.”
Heath was thankful for that. He didn’t say anything as he unlocked the door closest to the stairs and ushered Ash inside. She hadn’t said a word since the car.
“Are you okay, Foraltae?”
She turned to him. “I am so happy to be free. It’s scary, and I do not understand everything around me, but I am free. It was hard to celebrate out there.”
