Page 73 of Colton’s Mate

“At least it wasn’t me this time,” said Remy.

“Do you think she Changed before she hit the ground?” Callie asked.

“Probably?” Colt said. “I didn’t hear a splat.”

Jason just shook his head. “You people are fucked up.”

Brandon shrugged. “We’re Wild Bloods.”

Chapter 31

They stayed alert as they walked back out to where they’d left their vehicles, but no one followed them.

It looked like the crows had gotten the message.

“I still want to get out of their territory,” Brandon said. “Let’s go home.”

“I second that,” Colt said. “This is over. Let’s ride.”

But Rohene had stirred up Callie’s mind, and it was buzzing with memories she hadn’t thought of in forever—including one particular one.

“No it’s not,” she said. They all looked at her. “Over, I mean. I know where the artifact is.”

Everyone stared at her. Then at least half of them looked over their shoulders, as if the crows might be listening. They drew in closer. “Don’t you think we should leave it alone?” Brandon said.

Jason said angrily, “You said you didn’t know where it was.”

“I didn’t,” she said. “But Cruella shook something loose with her mind probe. Sucks for her it took this long for it to come to the surface.”

She said to Brandon, “I know this sounds crazy. But I really think it has to be done now.”

He gazed at her. “You’ve been through a magical attack. So has Colt. And Remy’s hurt. It really can’t wait?”

She shook her head. She didn’t know why she felt that so strongly, but she did. She turned to Remy. “I’m sorry. I know you’re hurt. Do you mind?”

He grinned at her. “What kind of a wussy do you think I am?”

She nudged him with her shoulder. “One with wings. So inferior to paws.”

“I don’t think so, fur creature.”

Brandon sighed. “Anyone object?”

There were headshakes all around. “Okay then.”

They piled into the two trucks, Colt and Callie riding with Brandon and Kitty in the lead. Kitty produced a water bottle and a first aid kit and they cleaned up their bloody noses, while Callie gave Colt directions.

It was a place about halfway between the Corsairs and Farville. They drove the trucks up a barely-there dirt road, as far as they could, before they had to ditch them and walk the rest of the way.

During the ride up, someone in the other truck had managed to make a sling for Remy’s damaged arm, but Callie knew it must hurt like hell. Colt had his arm around her on one side, but she moved up and took Remy’s good hand with her free one.

He dropped her hand and messed up her hair, just like a brother would—but then he reached down and took her hand again.

The ache of missing Tex, always somewhere in her heart, eased a little. She had a brother again.

After about ten minutes’ walk through the woods, they came to a flat area ending at a tangle of underbrush. At the far end was a tree with slender branches. Its leaves were dark red, even though it was spring.

Everyone stopped, looking around. Callie said, “Tex brought me here for a picnic once, not long before he died. It was after the crows loyal to Kirk started disappearing.” She looked over at the tree, remembering how they’d sat under it, reminiscing about their childhood.