Page 14 of A Cursed Noel

He nods, even though hedoesn’t understand. With a shaky hand he takes another drag, givingme plenty of space as he makes his way down the walkway.

In his wake the breezepicks up and the sky spits out the first few flakes. It doesn’ttake much for the moisture in the air to shift and the flurries tothicken and fall faster. I shove my hands into my pockets when thewind pricks at my wet skin. It’s going to be a long, cold night. Ineed to find this girl fast.

I think back to whatMimi said, wondering if I missed something important. The addictreaches the opening to the Emergency Department. I shake my head.Please don’t tell me I need this guy to get to her. Whoever she’ssupposed to be.

The male disappearsbeneath the bright red sign as the light switches ahead and more carsspeed by. This time, the Scorpion’sRock You Like a Hurricanegoes head-to-head with Bon Jovi’sBlood on Bloodand themost annoying song ever made,Dominic the Donkey.

The snowflakes becomedenser, making it hard to see far ahead. I’m not sure where I’mheaded. I just know I can’t keep standing here.

I start toward the rowof homes in the opposite direction of the hospital. Maybe the girllives close by and Mimi has terrible aim. But as soon as I turn, anunnerving energy stops me, and I can’t take another step.

My wolf comes to life,encouraging me back in the direction of the hospital and toward thebright letters of the emergency department. I listen, calling uponhim to warm me some more.

With the energy my wolfis using to keep me from freezing, my need to eat accelerates. HowI’ll eat is a different story. It shouldn’t shock me Mimi droppedme far away from my wallet and into a dirty pile of snow. I suppose Ishould be grateful that I didn’t land on the walkway with a bagfull of stolen money laying on my chest. That crazy hag would pullsomething like that.

I pause, thinking abouthow Mimi appeared when we were blown into oblivion. If she’s dead,does that mean I’m stuck here, in this time? I think through herlast few words. No. My time is limited. Just enough to help her andmaybe myself.

“Nice fuckin’ coat,dipshit!” one of the state’s classiest residents calls out, thisone blasting enough techno trash to split his POS car in half.

I don’t needreminding I’m not wearing a coat. It takes everything I have not tochase him down and pound the sarcasm out of him.

I’m halfway to theemergency room when my head shoots in the direction of the quiet lot.My muscles tense and my wolf releases a growl. Another predator isnear, warning me to keep my distance.

This isn’t my turf. Iget it. But I’m not leaving until I accomplish my mission and thisother preternatural will respect that.

I double-back, scanningthe area for any subtle movement. The feel of danger surges. I try tofix on the exact location except the falling snow is too dense for meto catch more than the aroma of nesting squirrels, the lingeringtrail of a few pedestrians, and the acidic smell of roaring mufflers.

For a moment, I thinkthis predator is further away, watching me from a distance, readyingto attack. As I near the spot where I landed, the threat from thatother monster shoves me more aggressively, cautioning me to stay awayor else.

“Or else what?” Irumble.

I frown, waiting for anattack that doesn’t come.

I advance cautiouslyforward, my fists clenching in anticipation of a fight. This predatorshould know better than to fight me in public. The hospital andnearby neighborhoods are full of witnesses who’ll recognize oursupernatural speed and strength, even in our human forms. Ideally, weshould settle our beef somewhere more private. Except while this areaisn’t a booming city, it’s not exactly secluded.

My gaze shifts. A fewblocks away, there’s a small park. The trees surrounding it shouldprovide enough coverage so I can take down this cat.

Cat?

I take in a deepbreath. Yeah, I definitely sense an undercurrent of jungle aroma thataccompanies big cats.

More out of instinctthan anything else, I pivot, walking backwards. A young woman in asleek navy running jacket and pants walks out of a side exit and intothe lot. She adjusts the drawstring backpack strapped to her back,unaware of a male who shadows her closely.

I adjust my position,walking parallel to them and keeping them in my periphery. I’m notfar and with the sidewalk elevated to the lot, I have a decentvantage point.

My brows furrow. I’munsure why I follow. Not right away. But it doesn’t take me long tofigure it out.

The male increases hisstride, digging his hands deep into the black coat covering his greensurgical scrubs. The female’s hips sway back and forth seductively.I don’t think it’s intentional. The male seems to thinkotherwise.

A small grin cuts alonghis face as his gaze drinks in her body. He likes what he sees. Ibeat back the disgust turning my stomach. At best, she’s barelylegal and although he’s young, he’s too old to desire someone herage.

This male deserves agood smack upside the head and a better dose of decency. He’spathetic and can’t possibly be the threat I sense. What alerts mywolf is formidable. Lusting after someone her age makes this idiotweak and classifies him as a different type of predator.

The female slows herpace and glances in my direction. I keep my attention ahead. Eyecontact will only reinforce her suspicion that I’m watching her.

The male hurriesforward. He doesn’t want her to escape. This is the opening he’swaited for. Instead of turning around and facing her stalker, sheeyes me up. I’m almost to the pile of snow Mimi body slammed meinto and am running out of walkway. This female isn’t my charge.But she’s become my business. I’ll have to temporarily abandon mytask to save her.

“Celia,” the malecalls out.