Page 39 of Beta Hybrid
We’re walking into an Origin’s territory, better safe than sorry. Just because Zen was invited—or lured—doesn’t mean we’re welcome.
I don’t know how far we are from the cabin in the tree my mate described, but there might be warnings, traps, or sentries in place. Or all of the above. I don’t want any of us caught off guard.
We’re deep within the mountainous woods. It wouldn’t take me long to run back to Noah’s camp in my wolf form—a few hours, pushing it—but help is far away. If something does go wrong, reinforcements won’t be coming to our aid.
I glance at Zenna. Have you ever met another fae?
No.
Are you excited? I’ve never met one, either.
I’m not sure, she says down the bond. I keep alert. Luckily, the woods are my element. I’m used to the cacophony of mixed smells, able to identify all the usual ones of water, bark, trees, animals and the hint of rain from above.
Zenna’s blue eyes find mine. ‘What if there doesn’t have to be a war?’ She says aloud for the group to hear. ‘What if it’s only Drusilla who wants trouble? Who says it has to lead to bloodshed after all?’
‘What other option is there?’ Divina asks with interest. ‘I don’t imagine the undead want to return to their graves.’
Vale watches her. ‘Why would they want to be undead, though?’
‘Isn’t Drusilla, a vampire, undead already?’ Zen asks.
‘Yes,’ Divina says. ‘I suspect she was least affected by her, uh, awakening.’
The mountain begins to slope upwards under our feet, the start of our ascent.
I think we’re getting close, Zen warns.
I partially zone out of the conversation to focus on our surroundings. The woods aren’t exactly quiet. The normal skittering of bugs and small woodland creatures fills the air, as well as birdsong, the aching creak of old branches sighing in the breeze. But an unusual tightness in the air makes me hold a hand up.
I have to give the group credit. Despite the conversation, they all freeze immediately. Even Reagan.
What is it? Zen asks.
I don’t respond. My gaze scans every inch around us, taking in every leaf, every pebble on the ground, the angle of the mountain ahead of us, and the slope at our backs. Everything seems normal.
Except the tightness in the air, in my own chest, which tells me otherwise.
We’re not alone.
I shift into wolf form. Vale a moment behind me. Bones crunching, elongating. Teeth sharpening, my claws sprouting forth. I land on all fours, low to the ground. I can smell it now. Something different. Like earth, but sticky. Almost… copper-scented. Tangy.
Behind me, my Second bristles, and I know he smells it too.
What is that? It’s… it’s Fae. Zenna smells a little bit like that, but not much. I paw at the ground. I growl, telling whomever is near to show themselves.
A woman steps out of the brush, making the girls—not Divina—gasp.
Cai, Zenna reaches for me, alarmed.
I take two strides forward, heading our group. I know by instinct that Divina will take up the rear so no one can surprise us. I growl at the woman, but as I take in her appearance, it fizzles out.
She’s tall and slim, with pale-blonde hair to her waist. Her hands are clasped neatly at her front. The faerie woman wears a dress, a plain slip of blue, lighting up her bright blue eyes.
‘Zenna, she looks just like you,’ Jana gasps.
My shoulders relax, sensing familiarity.
The woman smiles, her gaze on my mate. ‘I think it would be fair to say that my daughter looks like me. Hello, Zenna. I’m so pleased to see you again.’