Toby: Let’s talk when I get home.
Gessilyn: OK
At least that gave me a little time to mull things over. I climbed into my Hummer and turned it on, letting the engine warm. Victoria still hadn’t found Carter, so there was no way of finding her cure from the jaguars without sneaking in—and after what I’d gone through, there was no way I would let anyone do that.
If I sent anyone in, I was basically signing their death warrant.
It was looking more and more like our only option was to bring in the vampires, as much as most of the pack didn’t want to do.
My phone rang. It was the ringtone for Victoria’s number.
I accepted the call immediately. “Hi, sweetness. Are you—?”
“Toby.” She sounded like she was crying.
“What’s wrong?” I exclaimed.
“Everything.”
“Where are you?”
“At the Waldensian.”
“I’m coming over.” I shifted into reverse and squealed out of the parking spot.
“You can’t.”
“Says who? You’re upset.” I pulled out of the lot and into traffic. It was unusually busy.
“You know why you can’t come over.”
“Then you’d better tell me what’s wrong because I’m already on my way.”
“I just found out I can’t come back next quarter.” Victoria sniffled. “My funds for my room and board have been cut. Sasha’s already been assigned a new roommate from the waiting list. I have to pack everything up and move tonight. I shouldn’t be surprised. I’m not under the jaguars’ control anymore, and this was the last thing they were paying for.”
“You seriously have that little notice?” I exploded. But why would that surprise us? The jaguars had probably planned that, too.
The light turned red and I slammed on the brakes.
“The new girl is moving in tomorrow.”
“On Thanksgiving?”
“She’s from Canada and not going home for our holiday. She’s ready to move. Everyone wants to live in the Waldensian.”
I ran my hands through my hair and yanked on the ends. “It’s the full moon!”
“Explain that to the head of campus housing.”
“We’ll set you up with a room at Moonhaven. You won’t have to deal with a roommate. Plus, we’ll be able to see each other whenever we want. Maybe this is for the best. But I’m coming over.”
“No. Soleil’s here. She’s packing right now. Sasha’s going to be so upset when she gets back.”
My mind spun. “Can you two get everything packed before I shift?”
“I think so.”
“You think?”
“Yeah. I just don’t—ow!” Shuffling noises sounded.
“Victoria!”
“Are you there, Toby?” asked Soleil.
“What’s going on?”
“She’s been complaining about her bones aching. Looks like the shift is starting.”
I swore. “She can’t shift.”
“Yeah, I know. Look, I’m going to get her on the bed. You’re going to have to help me pack this stuff up. Stick on a hat and sunglasses so nobody recognizes you.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Just before I ended the call, I could hear Victoria whimpering in the background.
When I pulled into the Waldensian parking lot, I parked in the back behind some trees. Then I climbed into the backseat, searching for a hat. I thought I had one somewhere. The back was filled with enough stuff for an impromptu camping trip.
By the time I stepped outside, I was completely unrecognizable with a white trench coat, a Seahawks cap, and mirrored sunglasses. I locked the Hummer and hurried inside. A few kids raised eyebrows at me from the kitchen, but no one stopped me. I sniffed the air and found Victoria and Soleil’s scents. I followed them up the stairs and into a bedroom.
Victoria sat, doubled over on a bed which had been stripped of its sheets and blankets. I ran over to her. “Are you okay now?”
She shook her head. “This is worse than any of the other times.”
“And she took a bunch of pain pills,” Soleil added. “Help me zip this suitcase.”
I kissed Victoria’s cheek. Then I went over to Soleil and pressed down on the luggage. She zipped it all the way. “Thanks.”
Victoria cried out in pain. My heart constricted, and I ran back over to the bed, cradling her. “We’ll find the cure. I swear we will.”
She moaned.
“Let’s get this stuff loaded into the cars,” Soleil said. “I get the feeling she’s only going to get worse.”
The familiar ache set into my bones, warning me of my impending shift. “You’re right about that.” I turned to Victoria. “Will you be okay here for a few minutes?”
She mumbled something and threw herself onto the mattress.
“We’ll hurry.”
All the bags and luggage were piled around near the door. I grabbed two, stuffed them under my arms, and then grabbed two more. Soleil followed me down the stairs and we loaded them into the Hummer, going back upstairs for a few more trips until we had everything tucked securely inside.
“Can you drive her car?” I asked. “I don’t think she’s up for it.”
“Yeah, no problem.”
We headed back to the room. Victoria sat up, breathing heavily. “Is that everything?”
Soleil nodded. “If it’s not, Sasha will let you come back and take whatever you forgot.”
“Do you want me to carry you?” I asked.
Victoria shook her head. “People will ask questions. I don’t—ow!—want to bring any attention to you.” She took a deep breath and stood.
I opened my mouth to protest.
“I’m okay, really.” She held her hand against the wall and walked toward the door.
It killed me to see her in so much pain. Yes, some pain was normal during the course of a shift, but this was wrong. Not even a young, newly-shifting wolf would be in this much agony.
“Lean on me,” I urged.
“I can do this.” She kept her hand on the walls as she made her way to the stairs. When she took the first step, she stumbled. Her foot went underneath and her body thrust down toward the steps.
Soleil and I both lunged for her, catching her before she made contact. I wrapped my arm around her, holding her close. Soleil darted down ahead of us and glanced around. “Coast is clear. Hurry.”
I scooped up Victoria and rushed toward the Hummer.
Soleil held up Victoria’s purse. “I’m going to drive your car, okay?”
Moaning, Victoria nodded. I got her situated in the passenger seat of the Hummer and buckled her in. “Do you need anything before we head to Moonhaven?”
“Something to eat.”
“That won’t be a problem. Brick’s been cooking all week, getting ready for the feast. We’re all starving.” I’d been eating nonstop all day, trying to stave off the bulk of my ravenous appetite. My stomach roared, just from me thinking about it.
I started the vehicle and peeled out. Victoria moaned and held her head.
“What can I do?” I asked.
“It’s not you. It feels like my bones are going to break.”
“Have they done that before?” I asked.
“Yes, but everything hurts more than—” She cried out.
My throat closed up. “Gessilyn’s still at Moonhaven. Maybe she can come up with something to stop the pain, at least.”
Victoria let loose a blood-curdling scream that made my ears hurt. It was so intense I had to pull over and cover my ears. After she stopped, I turned to her. She was drenched in sweat and gasping for air.
“We’re almost there.”
She nodded and leaned against the window. I pulled back into traffic and floored it, keeping my eyes open for cops. I weaved my way in and out of the lanes until I finally made it to our private road. Just a little longer. I remotely unlocked the gate before it came into view. I to
re inside and squealed to a stop, spraying dirt and gravel. I left the gate open for Soleil. I’d left her in the dust somewhere just after pulling over.
“We’re here.”
Victoria moaned.
I ran around to her side and pulled her out. As I unbuckled the belt, she screamed. Something crunched.
“What was that?” I exclaimed.
“My leg!”
I scooped her up, and sure enough, her right leg twisted out at a funny angle. It was broken. Something else cracked.
She screamed, with tears running down her face.
“I’m getting you inside to Gessilyn.”
Another crunch. She leaned her head against my chest and sobbed.
My heart constricted and my breath caught. I had to focus. She needed me now more than ever. I ran inside and set her on the couch in the living room.
She screamed again.
I took her hand. “Squeeze as hard as you can.”
Victoria didn’t even grasp it. “It’s broken, too.”
“Someone get in here!” I shouted as loud as I could.
Footsteps ran toward us from several directions. Brick, Sal, Jet, Ziamara, Dillon, Johan, Gessilyn, and Soleil all entered.
“We did burn the body,” Johan called. He stared at us when he came into the room. “What’s wrong?”
Victoria hollered again. I wiped sweat from her face with my jacket. That’s when I remembered my outfit. I took off the cap and glasses and turned to everyone. “Her body’s trying to shift, but can’t.”
She arched her back and cried out. Several pops sounded.
I shuddered. The wolf inside me fought to get out. “And I don’t think I’m going to be able to hold off shifting. My wolf is going crazy.”
Sharp pains ran throughout my body. It was going to be quick, and it was going to hurt—though probably nowhere as much as Victoria.
“I won’t leave her side,” Soleil said.
“And I’ll see if I can find a spell to minimize the breaking and the pain,” Gessilyn said.
Victoria lifted her head. “Are my bones… going to… go back?”
I had no idea, but couldn’t let her know that. Ignoring my raging pain, I knelt down next to her and kissed her cheek. “Yes, as soon as we all shift back, so will you.”
My wolf grew stronger. I clenched my teeth, trying not to focus on the pain. It was all happening so fast.
Victoria screamed, arching her back again.
In one quick, painful flash the shift started. I had no choice except to run from the room, unless I wanted to strip in front of everyone.
Without a word, I bolted outside and ran around to the back of the house, throwing off clothes as I went.
Chapter 19
Victoria
My body felt like soup. I couldn’t move anything, because every bone was broken—at least as far as I could tell. But at least the pain had subsided.
Howls sounded outside.
I gasped for air and looked around the room. Gessilyn sat at the end of the couch, flipping through an old book. Soleil stared at me, her eyes wide and face pale. For someone whose job was bringing death, she was pretty shaken.
“Did Toby shift?” I whispered.
Soleil nodded. “Do you need anything? Pain medication?”
Did I need anything? I couldn’t even feel a thing, and that was a welcome relief. “I don’t know.”
“You look…” Her face contorted as though struggling with how to word the rest of her sentence.
“Like death?” I asked.
She frowned. “Worse. Maybe you should sleep.”
Scratching sounded at the front door.
Soleil arched a brow. “I’m going to see what’s going on. I’ll be right back.”
I tried to readjust myself, but could only move my head.
The tapping and scratching of claws sounded on the hardwood floor. A beautiful black and white wolf walked into the room. The top of his head and along his back was black. His face was mostly white and the rest of the fur blended, mixing the two colors.
Toby.
He walked over to the couch and leaned his head against me.
“I wish I could’ve shifted with you.”
His wet nose tickled my skin, and then he licked my arm where it stuck out at a bad angle.
Soleil came in, followed by a tall, handsome man with light blue eyes who I didn’t immediately recognize. He walked over to me, rubbed the fur between Toby’s ears, and gave me a sad smile. “Hi, Victoria.”
“Alex,” I whispered.
“What happened?”
Toby stepped back and howled, the noise echoing around the room.
Howling sounded from outside as the rest of the pack beckoned him to join them.
“Victoria?” Alex said.
“I still can’t shift. My bones—they…” Tears filled my eyes.
Soleil frowned, pain covering her own face. “Her bones are all broken.”
Alex’s eyes widened, his eyes seeming to turn a paler shade of blue. He turned to Soleil and then Gessilyn. “Can’t you two do something?”
“I’m trying,” Gessilyn said. “I’ve been trying. We have to try something new. It’s a magic I’m not familiar with.”
“Why not?”
“It has to do with the jaguars, and it’s from Central America. I know nothing about their magic. Like dragon magic, it’s a different beast from what I’m used to.”
He turned to Soleil. “You can’t help?”
She shook her head. “My powers go in the opposite direction. I take life, not heal it.”
Alex looked deep in thought, then his face lit up.
Soleil arched a brow. “What?”
“Can you transfer life?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve seen how you suck the souls of—”
“I drink people’s essence.”
“But can you take it from one person and give it to another?”
Soleil tilted her head. “Where are you going with this?”
“Take some of mine and give it to her.”
“I’ve never tried that.” Soleil’s brows came together. “I don’t know what that would do.” She tapped her temple and glanced up, looking deep in thought. “I don’t recall hearing anything about that in school, either.”
“Try it. Take mine and give it to her.”
She took a deep breath. “I don’t know. What if something goes wrong?”
“Couldn’t you just suck it back out?”
“Drink.”
“Try it,” Alex urged. “We’re both wolves, and I’m in human form, like she is.”
“Wait,” I said. “What if you get hurt in the process?”
“It’s worth the risk. From what I’ve seen, each full moon is worse for you. We need to try it.” He knelt down on one knee and looked to the ground. “You’re the alpha wolfess of the pack. It’s my honor to risk a sacrifice for you.”
My heart raced. “But you’ve already done so much for me. All those times I met you in the woods before I remembered anything about werewolves—”
“Let me do this for you.” He glanced up and held my gaze.
“You probably should,” Gessilyn said. “There’s nothing in any of my books.”
I glanced at Soleil. “What do you think?”
She shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
Toby howled again.
It appeared that I had no other choice. I sighed. “Okay, but don’t hurt Alex.”
“I won’t,” Soleil said. “I’ll start with just a little essence and see if it’s even possible to transfer it to you.”
“Thank you.” I closed my eyes, too exhausted to keep them open. I heard the now-familiar sound of Soleil’s wings popping out and felt the breeze of them moving around.
After a moment, she spoke, just inches from me. “Are you ready?”
I nodded. Then my mouth opened, and instead of feeling the pull, the silky feeling ran down
my throat. My body convulsed, but I felt my bones grow stronger. They moved within me, regaining their proper shape. Everything tingled as the bones reconnected.
The silky feeling disappeared and my mouth shut, but the tingling continued. My bones were repairing themselves. I continued shaking and jolting, the tingling sensations turning into aches.
“Is she okay?” Alex asked.
Toby’s wet nose nudged my arm.
Finally, my body went still—but not like before. I felt like I could stand. I opened my eyes to find everyone staring at me.
“Well?” Soleil asked.
“I think it worked.” I pushed myself up to sitting. Everything seemed to be in its proper place.
“Can you stand?”
My heart thundered. “I’ll try.”
Toby moved closer to me and rested his head on my lap. I patted his fur and took a deep breath. He nudged me, as if trying to say he would catch me if I fell.
I lowered my legs to the floor and pressed the soles of my feet firmly against it. My pulse drummed in my ears. Toby nuzzled his nose under my hand, urging me to try.
Alex held out a hand. I took it and balanced myself by placing my other hand on the top of Toby’s furry head. It was now or never. I forced myself to stand. My legs held my weight as though they hadn’t just been broken moments earlier.
“It worked!” Soleil squealed. “It actually worked.”
“What now?” I asked.
“Are you up to visiting the Faeble?” Gessilyn asked.
I turned to her, surprised. “The Faeble?”
She nodded. “There’s nothing I can do for you. I may be the high witch, but I’m not all-powerful. Tap knows so many people I don’t. Since we can’t get to the jaguars, you’re going to need to tap into his resources.”
My legs wobbled. Toby moved closer to me and Alex wrapped his arm around my shoulders, steadying me.
“C-can’t we just call him?” I asked.
“Or I can go,” Alex said. “You stay here and rest.”
“Just let me call him,” Soleil said. “Get her into the kitchen. The girl needs to eat.” She pulled out her phone and headed up the stairs. “Tap, old buddy. Are you up for a challenge? Because…” Her voice trailed off as she disappeared from sight.
Toby whined.
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