Scarlet Forest

by Jennifer Ann Reed

  Whenever I wasn’t in the infirmary with my aunt, the girls helped me drown my sorrows in mountains of chocolate and sappy movies. Even though I stopped moving, the world around me kept spinning at Moon Stone Ranch. Sable and Jacob advised my Guardians about the daily workings of the pack and accomplished what needed to be done while I took a mental holiday. Even Austin stopped sending me telepathic worried messages.

  I was blessed to have this support system, and I couldn’t understand how Ryn didn’t see that. His final words replayed on a loop with Caden’s empty gaze in my head. Nothing I did got rid of the onslaught. Even in my sleep, both of them were there. I wanted Caden back, but now I missed and needed Ryn’s level head. Why did he betray me? I felt the answer to that question was as elusive as winning the lottery.

  “Kitra!” Allie burst into Caden’s room. “She’s awake.”

  I sprang from the bed and raced past her. I zoomed into the dormitory and burst through the double doors. I skid to a stop and couldn’t help the sob I cried when I saw her sitting up in her bed. Her blonde hair was tangled, and she laughed as Lilly helped her brush it. The bruising on her cheeks and neck were turning greenish yellow, but she was awake with a smile on her face.

  “Kitra!” She tried to get up but grimaced and her hands clutched her ribs. Uncle Kalen jumped up and rearranged the pillows behind her.

  I bit my lip and rushed to her side as soon as Lilly moved away. “Aunt Mauve!” I was afraid to touch her, but she pulled me in, and sunshine instantly surrounded me.

  “Thank you.” She kissed my forehead. “Thank you for saving my life.”

  “What did he do to you?”

  She shuddered and her hands landed in her lap. “It was… h… horrible. I… I didn’t know if I’d live a… another day.” My hand clasped around hers. “Kitra, it’s bad. H… He can conjure living n… nightmares.”

  “Living nightmares?” Uncle Kalen scooted his chair closer to her bedside.

  “Yes.” She shook again. “I couldn’t decipher what was real or one of his nightmares. I didn’t know he had that type of power.”

  “He’s never used it before.” I shared a worried glance with Uncle Kalen. “Do you think it’s something Aelfric learned?”

  “I’m not sure.” She cringed and took a deep breath. “But I know he’s going to unleash it on Caden.” My eyes returned to hers. “He’s drugging him. Aelfric has brainwashed him into believing you died during Apollo’s torture and were replaced with an Aswang. Kitra, he’s broken and when these nightmares start, there will be nothing left of the Caden we know and love.”

  All the hurt I’d ever felt washed over my face in hot waves. “H… How?”

  “I think it's because of the drugs, but he’s also got magical manacles around his wrist so who knows what Aelfric is truly doing to him.” She grasped my hand. “During one of my torture sessions with Aelfric, he boasted about it. Then, when he thought I had passed out, he told Roland that Caden was still resisting and might need a few of his own nightmares.”

  “How do I fix this?”

  “Do what you always do. Unite with your Guardians and you’ll get him back.” She looked around the room. “Where’s Ryn?”

  I sighed and launched into Ryn’s betrayal. By the time I was finished, she was ready to hunt him down and skin him alive. Those were her exact words, and I smiled knowing where I got my vengeful side from. After visiting with her for a while, I excused myself to let her rest and relaid the new information on Aelfric’s power to the others. If he could make living nightmares, we’d have to have more help. I knew in my heart the Dire Wolves weren’t enough. If I wanted to defeat Aelfric, it’d take every group of Supernaturals. Before I made a new plan, I needed more information, and I knew just who to ask. Now if I can get her to speak to me.

  Chapter 8

  Ryn

  N O ONE SAID A word as we marched to the portal for Faerie. Glares and growls filled the air and Bretton gave me another dose of his self-righteous side-eye. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to decipher the hostility coming from the other three guiding me on my walk of shame. I knew I had messed up. I had done the one thing I swore I’d never do. I betrayed my soulmate. I knew the exact moment she lost all trust in me. The exact moment she broke. I thought I was doing the right thing. I vowed to protect her, even if it was from herself.

  The portal entrance came into view and the two Dire Wolves took up sentry on both sides with their arms crossed.

  Sable’s black gaze heated. “Our Luna has banished you to your own world.” She spat on the ground and a vicious sneer spread across her face. “If you come back without her permission, I will see it as an act of war.”

  “Your words don’t scare me, Sable.” I stepped in front of the shimmery portal. “Nothing you could do will ever hurt me as much as I hurt Kitra… as much as I hurt myself.” Some of the hardness left her gaze when I rubbed at my chest. The ache there wouldn’t go away until I gained Kitra’s trust again. “Tell her I’ll make this right.”

  I stepped through the portal with my eyes closed. Golden light warmed my face, and I opened my eyes. The world I loved and had fought to defend lost some of its lustrous glow. Would it ever shine again? Or was I doomed to a life full of dullness?

  “You’re an idiot, you know that?” Bretton stomped past me.

  “I.”

  “I wasn’t finished speaking, Commander.” One of my oldest friends turned his back on me and I shut my mouth. “I can’t believe you would hurt your soulmate like that. Why did you do it? Are you in league with the Dark Ones? Can I even trust you? Trust you won’t betray the rest of us?”

  “I’m not a Dark One and neither do I want to assist in any of their pursuits.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “I was trying to protect Kitra, Mauve, and Faerie.”

  “Oh, really?” Bretton rolled his eyes.

  “Yes, really.” I started walking on the dirt road, in the direction of the palace. “I thought I could find a way in by myself and rescue Mauve and Caden, but Aelfric discovered me when I was doing surveillance. Instead of killing me on the spot, he shackled me and took me inside his hideout. For hours, I suffered watching my Queen be tortured until nothing of her remained. I wasn’t able to save her, and Aelfric swore Kitra would suffer the same fate if I didn’t reveal why I was there. I resisted at first, but somehow he plagued my mind with what he planned to do to Kitra. All I could think about was protecting. Protecting our home. Caden would have made the same decision.”

  “And you believed that nonsense? You really think Caden would throw Kitra’s plan out the window?”

  “No.” My fists clenched at my sides. “I don’t know. Maybe.” He was right. I was stupid.” Kitra is young. All I want is to protect her.”

  “You weren’t worried about saving anyone or our home.” Bretton stopped walking. “You were selfish, and you can’t seem to see it. All you were worried about was getting rid of the competition for Kitra’s heart, and in doing so you undermined her in front of everyone. Being her soulmate doesn’t imply you get to make her choices for her.”

  “It wasn’t supposed to be this way!” I was suddenly out of breath. “I thought I was helping. We could regroup and pursue Aelfric, but she sent me away.” My head fell forward. “What I did was a mistake. She’s stronger than I ever realized, and her plan would have worked if I’d only followed it. I let jealousy cloud my judgment.”

  “She can’t help having two soulmates.” Bretton clapped me on my shoulder.

  “She was supposed to be mine alone. Is it so wrong for me to want that?” The hand I was dealt wasn’t fair. Why did I have to search for Kitra for centuries only to be told I’d have to win her heart because of another?

  Bretton looked towards the horizon. “But it’s not up to you, my friend. Your plan is not the Creator’s plan.”

  “It’s not fair!” I wanted to punch something, and Bretton was the closest thing around for me.

  “Was it fair when I lost Alaina?”
I stopped my advance when he said his soulmate’s name. “Do you think it was in my plan for her to be killed by a Dark One while she was shopping at the palace market?”

  Silence surrounded us. Bretton hadn’t spoken of Alaina for over 50 years. I didn’t know what to say to him, but picturing Kitra’s life ending disintegrated any excuse I tried to make for my behavior.

  “It wasn’t my plan, Ryn. When I lost her, I lost myself. I wanted to die… I still do. I’m not complete anymore.” He grabbed me by the shoulders. “Kitra is still alive. You still have a chance. This may not be the life you had pictured, but she’s still breathing. Do you love her?”

  “I.” I didn’t want to answer him. I didn’t want to show anyone how vulnerable she truly made me.

  “Or do you love Faerie more? Can you get past the fact that she’s more than a fairy? Those are the questions you need to answer, and you need to do it quickly. Her wolf is important, Ryn. She wouldn’t be your Kitra without it and you need to learn to accept that soon.”

  “I do love Kitra.” I wouldn’t meet Bretton’s gaze.

  “Are you sure?” Bretton shook my shoulders. “Don’t say something you don’t mean.”

  “Yes. I’m sure.” I lifted my chin and squared my shoulders. “I love her more. More than Faerie. More than anything.”

  “Then what are you going to do to fix this mess?”

  What was I going to do to fix it? Kitra and Queen Mauve were in Serenade Falls and I knew the Queen would sympathize with my plight, but I wouldn’t go back just yet. I would give Kitra the time she needed, but I wouldn’t stay away forever.

  “I need to see Dannick. I have a plan.” My steps were lighter as we traveled to the Seelie Palace. Kitra needed to know how I felt about her. I’d prove my loyalty and love to her if it was the last thing I did.

  Chapter 9

  Kitra

  T HE NEXT MORNING, I SET some of my plans into motion. Allie, Gwen, Phobos, and my Guardians stood around in Caden’s bedroom. The night before, I had told them to meet me at sunrise and to be as stealthy as possible. I didn’t want anyone else to know what I was up to. After Ryn’s betrayal, I would only share my plan with those I trusted with my life. I knew Uncle Kalen should’ve been in the room with us, but he’d forbid what I was about to do. Since Aunt Mauve’s return, he’d been cagey and protective in a way I’d never seen before and I didn’t want him to foil what I hoped would answer some of my questions before I executed the next two parts of my plan.

  Even if we pulled this off, his wrath over what was to come would be far worse when he learned how far I was willing to go to save Caden and end Aelfric’s reign of terror once and for all.

  “What are we doing?” Linc crossed his arms, allowing more of his tattoo to peek from under his collar as his muscles bulged against his black t-shirt. “And why isn’t Kalen, Sable, or Jacob here?”

  “Is it going to get us killed?” Gwen twisted her hair around her fingers as her stare slid to Austin.

  “It’s not going to get us killed.” Sighs were released among the group. “Hopefully.” The delectable scent of fear filled the room, waking my wolf. “The adults aren’t here so they won’t stop us. I have to do this.”

  “Luna.” Zander’s gaze was a pool of melted chocolate. “If this puts you in jeopardy, I have some reservations. The pack needs you. We need you.”

  “We haven’t even heard what she wants to do.” Allie threw her arm over my shoulder. “And how isn’t she in jeopardy here? Aelfric is still out there.”

  Silence filled the air and their body language spoke volumes. Linc’s arms were still crossed with his eyes narrowed. Since I sent Ryn back to Faerie, he and Phobos became my shadows and refused to leave me alone for more than a few minutes. Zander chewed his thumbnail and a coppery tang permeated the room as his eyes darted between each of us. Curtis pursed his lips and cocked his head to the side, waiting for my next statement so he could analyze any possible flaw. Austin’s shoulders relaxed when I opened my mind to him, and a small grin graced his pouty lips. Allie tapped her foot next to me and glared daggers at the others, daring them to contradict what I wanted. Gwen squared her shoulders and joined Allie in her death glare at the others.

  “Zander, I know the pack needs me. The sooner we stop Aelfric, the sooner I know the pack is safe. I’m doing this for them too.” I took a deep breath. “I want to speak to Julia Hughes.”

  “The crazy cat lady with the 12-gauge?” Linc scratched his head and winced. “Do you really need to speak to her? She's a little intense.”

  “Intense? Are you kidding me?” Zander’s palms landed on his hips. “More like scary than a pack of rogue Dire Wolves.” He shuddered. “Those foam hair rollers and her floral housecoat will haunt me for the rest of my life.”

  What’s a 12-gauge? Phobos’s tail swished back and forth.

  You’ll find out soon enough.

  “She was the Human Ambassador to the Council. I know she has more information than what she shared when we last saw her. She said I should visit again.”

  “Do we really have to?” Curtis rubbed his neck and shrugged when I rolled my eyes.

  “Yes, we have to.” It didn’t matter how much they objected. Julia had answers. I knew she did.

  “How are we doing this then?” Allie bumped me with her elbow.

  “Allie, I need you and Gwen to cover for us here.” She opened her mouth to protest, and I arched a brow. “You can stretch the truth better than anyone I know, and Gwen’s innocence makes it hard to question anything she says. Uncle Kalen and Lilly will believe what you tell them.”

  “Try telling my mother that.” Gwen blew out a breath.

  “Let me deal with the fallout. The fewer of us that go, the easier it will be to leave without anyone knowing. I don’t want Uncle Kalen or the others suspicious when they realize I’m not around and that’s where you two come in.” I pointed at Curtis and Zander. “Keep Sable and Jacob busy.”

  “What about the three of us?” Austin motioned between Linc, Phobos, and himself.

  “You’re coming with me.”

  “I thought you would say that.” Linc blew a raspberry and his hazel eyes lit up with mischief. “Maybe I can butter her up with my charms.”

  “I take back my statement from before.” Confusion crossed their faces. “Linc is definitely getting killed today.” We laughed when Linc pretended to be offended, but soon he joined us. “Let’s go.”

  We hurried out the front door and Phobos and I climbed into the back of Austin’s black Jeep Wrangler. Linc hopped in the front with Austin and directed our escape. Once we were on the open road and I was positive no one had followed us, I released the breath I had been holding, and my limbs melted into the buttery tan leather. The curvy road was trapped between barren trees and twisted higher among the mountain road. A familiar turn off approached and the first niggling doubt raced across my mind and my stomach turned. What if she wasn’t sincere the last time I was here? What if we were in danger?

  The dilapidated waist-high wooden fence with the lopsided gate hanging on for dear life came into view. It seemed more cats had gathered around the house since our previous visit. The only other difference I noticed about Julia’s residence was the turkey wreath hanging on the glass storm door.

  Austin parked near the gate and watched the door for a few minutes. When nothing stirred, I exited the Jeep and took a tentative step forward. Like last time, the storm door burst open and rattled the white shingles covering the ranch-style house. Each of us flinched, and we weren’t prepared for Julia’s huge grin. Gone were the foam rollers and housecoat and compression socks. Julia wore high waist jeans with a deep red t-shirt. Both were covered with a gingerbread apron dusted in flour. Her silver hair was twisted into a bun with tendrils hanging near her aged tan face. However, she’d kept the bright eyeshadow. I questioned my memory of her crazy character when she waved and beckoned us closer.

  Linc gulped, not fooled by her appearance. He searched
for Julia’s weapon of choice, causing her to cackle like a hyena.

  “Don’t worry wolf.” She reached inside and slid the 12-gauge shotgun from its hiding place. “Betsy is never far from reach, but I never use her on important guests.”

  “Could have fooled me,” Austin whispered under his breath, but none of us reacted. We were too focused on Julia’s gun.

  “What’s the new Luna, a wolf, a fairy… and what is that?” She hid the gun again. “That ain’t a dog. I can tell you that.”

  “Julia.” I scratched behind Phobos’s ears and his chest rumbled. “This is Phobos. He’s a phouka from Faerie who’s bound to me.”

  “Well, what can I do for you three and a phouka?”

  “I was hoping to ask you some more questions.” Her eyes narrowed at the others and nodded her head. “All right, come on in.”

  She led us past the living room and down the hall towards a divine smell. She hustled over to the stove and pulled a cookie sheet from the oven. Her kitchen was bright yellow with cat décor everywhere. The hand towels and curtains were plastered in tiny black cats with the word “meow” written in cursive. Even the salt and pepper shakers were cat figurines.

  “Want a cookie?” She pointed to some on a cooling rack. “They’re chocolate chip. I’ll get you all some milk.” She pulled glasses from the ash cabinets as I reached for a cookie.

  Austin questioned my sanity through our telepathic bond as Linc cautiously examined the cookies as if they would bite him. I shrugged my shoulder and took a bite. If she was going to kill us, Betsy wouldn’t still be near the front door.

  “Okay, Kitra.” She sipped her own milk after she put another sheet of cookies in the oven. “What did you want to ask me?”