by E Hall
There is no denying Kenna’s power. I’d never admit this, but it scares me.
I float back in time to when I was young, discovered my ability to shift, and life here on this rugged coast. Then I move forward, trying to pick out pieces of more recent memories, but they’re obscure like the misty marine layer rolling in.
After a while, Kenna and Lila return from the beach.
Kenna hums with energy like she just had a shot of espresso.
Lila moves sluggishly as if she requires caffeine. “I must rest. I’ve told you what I can. I wish you luck opening that cube.” She winks.
Startled that she knew we took it, we both fumble over words before thanking the former fae for her time.
Before we leave, I look to the ocean, once more feeling the gap between the past and present.
Kenna gets in the car and waves. “I know someone who help can us with this. Let’s go back to where we started today and get some doughnuts.”
I pull down the long, dusty road. “Of course, you’re hungry.”
“I’m more on fire than anything else. Even though we didn’t learn a ton from Lila about what we need to do, I feel more confident wielding my—” A sizzle of light bounces between her fingers.
“Wolf pack rule. No magic in the car.” I use my most commanding Alpha voice.
She stuffs her hands under her thighs.
“We got some valuable insight and this.” I shake the cube. “But what does it have to do with doughnuts?”
“And Pepper.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Sounds like an odd combination.”
“Pepper the person. She solves puzzles. That’s her thing.”
“She just lost her grandfather,” I remind Kenna.
“All the more reason she’ll be invested in this.”
“But can we trust her?”
“She knows about the magical world. And I hate to say it, but it’s all we’ve got.”
I shrug. “I could just smash the thing open.”
“And potentially break or unleash whatever is inside. Nope. I vote for doughnuts and pepper.”
“I didn’t know this was a democracy.”
“Consider it the United States of Kenna. Homeland of wolves and fae alike.”
I want to ask her about her inclination toward fae but hold back, afraid of the answer.
“There are so many unknowns as we try to get this figured out, how we can stop it. But I feel as though we’re close like it’s right there on the tip of my tooth.”
“Tongue,” I correct with a soft chuckle. “The expression is on the tip of my tongue.”
She laughs and lightness and assurance return. Just from that sound alone, I can almost breathe again.
“I know that. I just needed to see you smile.” Kenna leans over the center console and pecks me on the cheek.
When I park at the landing strip, it’s dark. The moon provides enough light to illuminate the gentle slopes of my mate’s profile. I kiss her forehead, her nose, each cheek, and then land on her lips.
I get is a kiss in return that doesn’t last long enough, and I’m afraid our time together might be the same.
Chapter 13
Kenna
Asking Pepper to help is a longshot, especially considering her current circumstances, but I don’t have a better idea. Again, we try the bakery, but it’s dark inside.
No surprise since it’s well after they typically close for the night.
Corbin and I sit in the Jeep, trying to figure out where she might be. I recall the time I knocked on her window in the middle of the night.
“Let me go see if she’s in her room,” I say, getting out of the Jeep. Corbin trails me. Once more, not letting me out of his sight.
I climb the fire escape and tap on the window. Like before, a small shape is curled up on the bed, but her shoulders shake.
“Pepper,” I whisper, not wanting to startle her but also knowing when someone needs a hug.
She opens her eyes and they gleam in the dim twinkle lights. She slides the window open not at all surprised to see me here.
“Are you ok—?” I cut myself off. “Dumb question. Never mind. I am so sorry about your grandfather.”
She sobs. “He gets up early to bake and usually takes a walk before dawn since he’s stuck inside all day. He didn’t come back and—”
I shimmy through the window and wrap my arms around her in a big hug. “Oh, gosh. You’re burning up. Are you sick?”
She shakes her head. “No. I don’t know. I’ve been hot like this since this morning.” She presses her palm to her head. “I feel fine except for sad and confused and mad and sad. Mostly that.”
“I know. Trust me. I know.” I let out a breath. “This might make me sound like a weirdo, but—”
“But the fae killed my grandfather.” She says this so matter of fact I’m caught off guard.
Corbin hovers outside on the fire escape. I twist to meet his eyes. He gives a subtle nod.
“That’s exactly it. They’re out of control, and we’re trying to stop them.”
“Yes, I’ll help.” Pepper wipes her eyes and stands tall. “I’ll do whatever it takes.” She stuffs some items in her backpack and slings it over her shoulder. “Let’s go.”
“And we didn’t even have to ask,” I mutter to Corbin as we crawl back through the window.
I pause on the ledge. “Your grandma?”
“She has no idea and is very upset, but she’s tough. I’ll check on her in the morning.”
Back on the street, we get in the Jeep.
“Okay, where to?” Pepper asks.
“I’ve never brought a human to Headquarters.” Corbin doesn’t start the Jeep and seems hesitant.
“The police have been there,” I remind him.
Corbin turns in his seat. His eyes narrow as he gazes at Pepper. Curiosity melts the crease between his eyebrows. “Have we met before?” He shakes his head. “Never mind. I thought—”
“Déjà vu again?” Pepper asks.
Corbin tucks his chin. “How’d you know?”
She gazes at the ceiling. “I’ve never told anyone this because they’d think I’d gone insane. But you both shift into wolves so it can’t be any crazier than that.” She draws a deep breath. “I’ve seen the map of memories.”
“The what?” Corbin and I ask at the same time.
“The map of memories. At least, that’s what I call it. I’ve seen the magical past. Yours too, Corbin.”
He inhales sharply.
I squeeze Corbin’s thigh. “Pizza?”
“I was thinking of steak.”
We speed to HQ as Pepper explains her visions. “They happen at the strangest times, but usually at dusk or dawn. Suddenly, in my mind, I’m gazing at a map of this area. It’s printed with names and dates then a spot on it glows. It’s like I’m sucked through time and space into the past. I always know who I am and what’s going on as if I drop into the person’s mind.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah. Exactly. At first, it freaked me out, and I wasn’t sure if it was real, but I was afraid to tell anyone because I didn’t want to expose myself.”
“What do you mean?” I twist in my seat to see Pepper.
She chews her lip. “I think I’m a dragon.”
Corbin skids to a stop. “What?”
She nods rapidly and puts her hands up. “I’ve never shifted, and I won’t hurt you. I promise.”
I widen my eyes.
“They’re the rarest of magicals and fiercest. Have memories more accurate than vampires, and they have a thing for shiny objects. Dragons are the keepers of magical memories much like the library of memories,” Corbin says rapid-fire. “Are you sure?”
“Sometimes my eyes flash gold.”
“But you haven’t synthesized?” he asks.
She shakes her head.
“A dragon and clever. We need help cracking this cube.” I hold up the wooden object as Corbin pulls into the garage.
Renewed by hope with my friend’s help and trust in us, I stride inside. I’m almost through the door when I notice she lags.
“Are you sure it’s okay?” Her voice is small.
“You’re a dragon going into a den of wolves. I think you can take care of yourself,” Corbin says.
Her eyes bug out.
I playfully swat my mate. “He’s kidding. Everyone is nice. Trust me. I was Magical’s Most Wanted, and all they did was prank me a few times.” I wink then link my arm in hers. “Come on. They’ll love you. Plus it’s all denim and flannel all the time.”
She giggles at one of our earliest conversations about cute guys. I don’t dare mention anything about Clove yet.
Corbin fires up the grill, I toss a salad, and Pepper sits under the spotlight of the stained-glass lamp that swings above the kitchen table. The kitchen is otherwise quiet at this hour—not that midnight snackers are uncommon. I would know.
After rummaging in the pantry for dessert, I only come up with prepackaged cookies. My nose twitches and I follow it to some containers stacked with brownies—double fudge, some with peanut butter, and the jackpot chewy with chocolate chips. I pour three glasses of milk and bring everything to the table. Best to be prepared with dessert.
Pepper passes on the steak but helps herself to salad and a peanut butter brownie. “I’ll have to get this recipe,” she says around a bite. “After all these years of testing and tasting, Grandma is unsatisfied with hers.”
We chat another minute about the bakery, then I put the cube squarely on the table.
Pepper’s eyes go wide at the symbol printed in the center. “It’s a crescent like the scepter.” She turns it over in her hands as I did. “My dad has brought me something like this.”
“The question is, will you be able to open it?” Corbin pushes his empty plate away.
In several swift turns, Pepper has the first two pieces out, then another and another. “Where’d you find it?” she asks without lifting her gaze.
Endeared by Pepper’s honesty about the map of memory, and with my sweet tooth satisfied by the brownie, I opt for the truth without further mental debate. “We visited Lila...and took it from her house.”
Pepper’s eyebrows wriggle with worry. “You found her? Did you steal it?”
“Yes and yes. But is it breaking in if the door was unlocked?” I say in my defense.
Corbin smirks. “We found it in an old chest. And there’s one that’s almost identical to it at Lonsdale.”
“That’s my haunted Victorian manor,” I add for clarification.
The corner of Pepper’s lip lifts as she removes the last piece of the puzzle cube.
We all peer inside the box to find another box.
I lift the top. Nestled on a creamy velvet cloth rests a greenish-blue jewel the size of a quarter.
“Whoa.” Pepper’s eyes flash a deep shade of gold for a moment.
“I wonder if Lila knew,” Corbin says.
I hold it up to the light. “This must be the Fae Jewel,” I whisper.
“It belongs to the scepter, doesn’t it?” Pepper says.
“We had it, but...” I swallow. “Clove took it. Also, he’s my brother. And he betrayed me,” I say in one long breath.
Pepper’s mouth forms a round O shape. She sputters.
I fill her in on how he deceived us and seized the scepter.
“That tweed-wearing, lying, sneaky—” Her face falls. “I think he knows about me. The dragon part I mean.”
“But you said that you haven’t shifted, right? Then how?”
“He’s asked me a lot of questions.” She sets her brownie down. “I gave him a lot of answers. Oh, no. Oh, no.” Her lips tremble.
“Pepper. It’s okay. We have to focus on right now.”
An arm clad in plaid flannel dips over Pepper’s shoulder and nicks a brownie. She gazes at the hand and then follows the cookie up, up, up to Ethan, a subordinate who’s a favorite among the single female wolves.
“Mmm. My favorite.”
Pepper stares at him.
He does a double-take. “You’re the girl from the bakery in Polaris.” He lowers into the seat. “Did you make these?”
She shakes her head.
“But you’re bakery girl, right?” he asks, smirking.
“Uh, yeah.”
“So conceivably you could make brownies this delicious?”
Pepper hides behind her ginger hair.
“Maybe we can get together some time and you can teach me to bake.”
“Sure. That would be great...” Pepper trails off.
“I’m Ethan, by the way. I’m guessing if you’re here it’s for good reason.” He taps her shoulder and lets his hand linger there for a moment.
Pepper’s cheeks flush.
Corbin hides a smirk.
I waggle my eyebrows. For a moment, the magical world with all its conflicts recedes, and I’m warmed through with young love.
“We just need the Wolf Jewel and the scepter. You solved one puzzle. Maybe you can help. How do you feel about an epic scavenger hunt?” I ask Pepper.
“I’m in,” Pepper says.
“Me too,” Ethan calls from across the room. “Whatever it is.”
Corbin lifts an eyebrow. “You’ll sit this one out, pup. We need you looking after the bakery.”
Ethan rolls his eyes and then hits Pepper with a smolder.
I stifle a giggle. “I say we start in Lonsdale.”
“What about Clove?” Pepper asks.
“That’s exactly who we’re looking for.”
“Speak for yourself. I want to see what’s in that look-alike chest,” Corbin says.
Chapter 14
Corbin
We leave for Lonsdale in the morning. Ethan shows Pepper to a guest room. Kenna goes to her room. As I pass, she sings in the shower. I lean my head against the closed door and listen to her melody: strong, tempting, beautiful. I shiver. She’s singing the songs of the fae.
I linger there, lost in her voice, drifting, sinking into the enchantment.
Then Melchior’s comment about her being our undoing weaves through my awareness. My chest hollows at the thought.
Steam billows when Kenna exits the bathroom wearing a black pajama set covered in cherries. She smells fruity and floral and clean. Like heaven. The hall is quiet except for the tick of my pulse.
“Corbin,” she says. “I k now you’d want to watch over me while I sleep, but you should probably get some rest too.”
“I had something else on my mind.” I step closer, resting my hand on her shoulder.
She reveals half a smile. I fill in the other half. Our lips press together. I smile inside, at my luck, despite everything that’s happened. I’m in love with this amazing, smart, beautiful girl and right now, we have this. Right now, this is more than enough. Afraid it’ll soon melt away, I’ll take what I can right now.
In a few short steps, we’re seated on her bed, kissing, kissing, and kissing the days and weeks away. Forgetting the uncertainty, fear, and loss. Magic exists and I believe much of it comes from two people coming together in loyalty, love, friendship, and honesty.
Her damp hair trails over her skin. My heart hammers in my chest.
“So, when are we going to get married?” I ask.
“Not soon enough, but how about after we save the world?”
“I was afraid you’d say that.” I tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear. “We’re sealed mates. I can wait. But this only means we have to succeed.”
“We’ll start in the morning.”
I give her one more kiss before saying goodnight and lowering into my usual chair.
She giggles and plops into bed. The light on the nightstand blinks on and the scratch of pen moves across paper.
“Writing in your diary?” I ask.
She nods. “Today was...interesting.” Seated in the middle of the bed, I watch as Kenna’s hand moves over the page of the diary. I lean back,
reviewing the day as well when she hums. Like before, the song is enchanting, mesmerizing.
“Where did you learn that song?”
“Hmm?” she asks while still writing.
“It’s a fae song.” I lean forward.
“I—” She blinks a few times as though realizing what’s happening. “I was singing along with—” Her expression craters. She pulls out the diary we found at Lonsdale and passes it to me.
It’s still old.
Still blank.
Still missing pages.
“I hear it,” Kenna says softly.
“You hear it?”
“Singing.” She winces. “Talking sometimes.”
“Remember what I said about magical objects.”
“I think we need to find the missing pages.”
“That’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
“Or paper in a secret room. I think it’s there. I think all of our answers are there. My father intentionally created that collection.”
“Good thing we’re heading there at first light. Now, get some sleep. And no more singing. It entrances me.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“If I weren’t already in love with you, sure. But you don’t need to use your fae wiles on me.”
She lifts an eyebrow. “My wiles?”
“It’s an old-fashioned term.” I kiss her forehead and return to my chair.
It’s a good thing wolves need little sleep. Even if I want to, rest is elusive as my mind churns with information and unknowns. I’m certain the matching chests at Lila’s and Lonsdale connect to the Triad Jewels. Where the scepter is located, is another matter entirely.
The next morning, Kenna is perky and ready for doughnuts. Pepper sits quietly and pensively in the back of the Jeep as we drive into town.
Like Jackie sensed with Clove, I felt like something was different about her, but because I’ve never encountered a dragon, my wolf didn’t pick up on the scent. Now I catch whiffs of a campfire combined with old books. Either that or she has a thing for roasting marshmallows and reading.
“I’m surprised the bakery is open,” Kenna says when the glowing windows of the building comes into view.
