by Lexy Timms
Sebastian’s forehead creases. Best friend? I can hear the snark from here. I give him a look. I’m not warning him again.
Kyle rubs his chin. “So, one of you is a werewolf and the other is a werebear?”
I glance at him, in awe of his calm demeanor. And to think I ran for miles when I first found out who...what these two really were. Then again, Kyle’s never been prone to hysterics, and seeing is more shocking than just hearing.
“We’re primals,” Sebastian explains, stepping forward. “As you guessed, I’m from the Wolf race and Theo here is from the Bear race.”
Now it’s my turn to be confused. “Primals?”
“Animals evolved into humans but able to divert back into animal form,” Theo says. “We have been around for millions of years, since the Cenozoic Era.”
“Holy shit.” The curse escapes from Kyle’s lips.
“We also have certain special abilities,” Sebastian adds. “As you already know.”
The mind reading. The immunity to the cold. The strength.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask them.
“What? Do you think you would have believed us?” Sebastian asks. “Besides, it’s a secret.”
“And yet, you’re telling me now,” I say, crossing my arms, and daring them to dispute it.
“Wait.” Kyle stands in front of me. “You’re not going to kill us, are you? I mean you were the ones who told us. We didn’t ask to know.”
I roll my eyes. Kyle watches too much TV. I hear a snort of laughter in my mind and pretend I didn’t.
“We’re not going to kill you,” Theo promises. “Or hurt you.”
“Then why are you telling us?” I ask, royally peeved now because I suspect where this conversation is going. “Why now? Because I saw your...true forms?”
Sebastian takes another step forward. “Because I believe you’re one of us.”
“What?” I stand up and pretend my knees are steady, that my legs aren’t shaking and that I’m not about to faint. It’s exactly what I’d been avoiding admitting to even myself, but it can no longer be denied. I close my eyes, not wanting to hear the list that I know is coming.
“You heal fast,” Sebastian says. “You can read my mind and I yours, an ability exclusive to Wolves only. You’re strong or you wouldn’t have been able to break out of that cabin.”
Kyle turns to me. “You did all that?”
I shrug. “I broke a window. It’s not like it was a big deal.” Only it was. The drawer did wind up an awful long way from where I threw it.
“And then when we were searching for you,” Theo continues. “You camouflaged yourself, hiding from not only from our sight, but from our sense of smell as well.”
I blink. “I did?”
“You blocked me out, too,” Sebastian adds. “From your mind.”
That I know I did.
“You know I didn’t give you any of these abilities. I couldn’t have,” Sebastian points out. “Despite what you think.”
“Fine. So maybe you didn’t. Maybe I’m special,” I tell them.
“So that’s what you meant,” Kyle says, and his voice seems almost sad. A little wistful, though I have no idea why.
I ignore him. “That doesn’t mean I’m one of you. I’ve never known these abilities until now and I definitely don’t think I can change into anything. I’ve always been just...me.”
“I believe you,” Sebastian says and exchanges glances with Theo. “Primals know what they are from birth, yet you do not. Besides, your smell is not that of a primal. You are human. And yet, you share some of our abilities, which is unheard of until now. I’m curious how, and you have to admit, so are you.”
“No.”
His coal black eyes narrow. Liar.
I step forward. “Didn’t you say you’d find answers? Wasn’t that why you left me behind?”
“Unfortunately, the one I talked to couldn’t give me answers but there may still be someone else who can, one of the last remaining primals in Japan.”
“Japan?” Theo throws him a puzzled look.
“And what makes you so sure this...primal has answers?” I ask.
“I’m not,” Sebastian answers. “But I’m willing to take a chance. This may be the only way to find out what’s going on.”
“Then I’m coming with you,” I tell him.
Sebastian sighs. “Clarissa?”
“What?” I cross my arms over my chest. “Are you going to lock me up somewhere again until you’re done talking to him?”
“It’s not safe, Clarissa.” Sebastian holds my arm. “The more primals see you, the more in danger you’ll become.”
“Danger?”
“There are bound to be some curious primals who’ll want to study you.”
“Study me?” The blood drains from my cheeks.
“Or worse, perceive you as a threat and kill you.”
I swallow the lump in my throat.
Great.
“I won’t let anyone hurt you,” Theo promises, hand on his chest, like he’s taking some kind of solemn vow.
“Until we know more about you, we can’t have anyone else knowing about you,” Sebastian says. “Or seeing you with me.”
I wrench my arm out of his grip. “I’m not going to be left behind again.”
Yes, I’m scared but not knowing who I am is just as terrifying. Whatever the truth is, I want to know and I want to hear it with my own ears.
Sebastian’s eyes dart to the ceiling as he lets out a deep breath. Who’s being a pain in the ass now?
“I’ll come with you,” Kyle offers.
I turn to Kyle, jaw dropping. It’s so out of the blue that I never saw it coming.
“I’m your best friend, Clarissa. I’m not going to let you go on this journey alone and whatever we find out, I’ll still be here for you, I promise.”
“She isn’t going alone,” Sebastian states.
“Where she goes, I go,” Kyle states just as firmly, meeting Sebastian’s gaze squarely.
“Are you sure?” I look at him, concerned.
He nods. “I told you I’m here for you. Besides, I’ve told you how I’ve always wanted to go to Japan.”
I nod, holding his hand. “Kyle’s coming.”
Sebastian’s eyebrows furrow. “Which part of dangerous didn’t you understand?”
“And who’s to say you’re no danger to her?” Kyle retorts. “In this room, I’m the only one who she can trust.”
Sebastian growls.
“I’m coming, too,” Theo says it like there’s no question of him coming. Confident but quiet. I glance at him. He is?
“Like I said, I’ll protect you,” he tells me before turning to Sebastian. “I don’t trust you, either.”
“Fine.” Sebastian sighs. I swear he’s pouting. “Lucky me. We’re all going to Japan.”
Chapter Ten
~ Sebastian
THE AIRCRAFT PROPELS itself forward at 200 knots, the crackle of the molecules in the air clashing with metal louder now that the rumble of the engines have been reduced to a hum. Inside the cabin, though, few take note, music seeping out from earphones, lively chatter and the clacking heels of stewardesses up and down the aisles filling the air, along with the smell of candies, salted snacks, perfume and breath mints diffusing the odor of fresh vomit. In the first class cabin, I hear a cork pop off while beside me, the stocky male passenger in his forties snores none too softly, a pillow around his neck that I’ve contemplated strangling him with more than once.
I hate crowded spaces and an airplane cabin must be the worst, strangers forced to sit shoulder to shoulder for hours and breathe the same stale, thin air.
I glance over my shoulder at Theo, seated in the middle section two rows behind me, near bursting out of his seat between a middle-aged woman and a ten-year-old boy, neither of whom seem to mind using him as a pillow. Not that he seems to mind it, either. He’s already knocked out.
Lucky bastard.
&nb
sp; The Bears are definitely the luckiest in the sleep department. They can sleep anywhere, anytime, through anything, whereas we Wolves and the Cats wake up at the slightest sound, the Cats grumpy whenever they’re roused from their beauty sleep.
Wolves carry their resentment more silently.
I crane my neck to see rows ahead, trying to spot the top of a head with champagne hair, frowning when I see it pressed against a head of bleached blond.
Why does Kyle get to sit next to Clarissa?
It’s not like he can protect her. In fact, I don’t see anything special about him. And I’m not buying his best friend, trustworthy guy act. I can smell his lust for her from a mile away.
It’s the most sickening smell of all.
Nose scrunched, I turn to the window past the two passengers to my right.
It’s unnerving enough that I don’t know anything about Clarissa. Now, I have to tag along a human male and a Bear in the investigation, too?
My head turns as I catch Clarissa’s scent coming closer, seeing her coming up the aisle. Approaching my seat, she lifts her eyes to mine but only fleetingly, walking past.
I follow her, catching a glimpse of her before she disappears inside the bathroom.
I wait in the narrow hallway. Minutes later, Clarissa emerges. She’s not happy to see me.
“I thought I smelled something bad,” she snorts.
I blink. She has a keen sense of smell, too?
“Yes, she has.” Clarissa crosses her arms over her chest.
I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.
“What do you want?”
“I’m just checking on you,” I tell her. “Since this is your first time back on a plane since the crash and all.”
“Well, like they say, it’s best to get back on the saddle as soon as you can after falling off.” She rolls her eyes then relents and sighs a little. “I’m fine, Sebastian.”
She begins to walk away but I grab her arm. “And I just wanted to say I’m sorry for...”
A woman passes between us, forcing me to let go of Clarissa’s arm and abruptly cutting off the conversation.
I’m sorry for what I did. I shouldn’t have locked you up. I should’ve known how hard it was for you to be in a cage. You even told me you don’t like closed spaces.
Her eyes widen slightly. You’ve been in a cage?
It was a long time ago. Anyway, I’m sorry. I’ll never do it again.
Like I’ll give you a chance. She pauses. Promise?
Promise.
Another person passes between us and I lower my gaze.
Will you forgive me?
She draws in a deep breath, her head turned to the side.
I’ll consider it. But you have to try to get along with the others.
I frown. I am trying.
Try harder. I can hear your thoughts about them, remember? If your thoughts could kill, they’d be dead.
I let out a sigh of exasperation.
“Try harder,” she repeats out loud, taking a step forward.
“Fine.”
“Good.”
Just then, someone else comes down the aisle. This time, though, the guy passes behind Clarissa, pushing her against me.
“Sorry,” he mumbles without a shred of sincerity.
I grit my teeth but my temper evaporates as I become aware of Clarissa’s body pressed against mine, particularly of her breasts trapped against my chest. I feel her warm breath against my skin and the same heat that paints her cheeks coils in my crotch.
Fuck. I want to bring her inside one of those cubicles and fuck her right now before those other two have a chance to do it.
I can hear you, Clarissa scolds me with a glare, pushing herself away from me. Control your thoughts, Sebastian.
She walks away, fists clenched. Suddenly, she stops, glancing over her shoulder.
By the way, if anything bad happens to Kyle, I’ll hold you responsible.
I sigh. Great. Now, I’m a babysitter, too.
I stalk back to my seat, sulking.
Already, this trip is going badly. This had better be worth it.
I hope Akira can tell us something helpful.
“WELL, THAT WAS HELPFUL,” Clarissa says under her breath as we descend the stairs of Mitsumine Shrine, a short distance away from Akira’s house.
I stop and turn to her. “At least, it’s not a dead end.” Maybe I’m a little defensive, but so far I’m batting a thousand here. This had been my idea after all.
“At least he served good tea,” Theo says. His constant optimism is wearing on my nerves.
“And what makes you think he’s not leading us to a dead end, hmm?” Clarissa asks, stopping on the stairs.
“You read his mind as clearly as I did.”
“Which is why I sensed his hesitation.” She sits on the steps, shrugging. “I mean, how do I know he didn’t make up some lie just so we’d leave?”
I take my hands out of my jacket pockets. “Why would he lie? If he didn’t want to help us, he wouldn’t have seen us.”
“Maybe he’s lonely? He said so himself. He hasn’t had guests in centuries.”
I climb up the steps, stopping right in front of her. “He’s the last Wolf of his clan here in Japan. I believe I told you that. And he doesn’t trust humans.” I glance at Kyle. “Humans helped to take out his clan. That’s why he hesitated. Plus, we Wolves have a long-standing feud with Cats. He didn’t want to lead us to a Cat but in the end, he thought it necessary. Frankly, I’m not looking forward to it.”
“I didn’t get all that when I read his mind.”
“Don’t let what you see in a person’s mind cloud you from seeing what’s in their heart.”
Clarissa sighs, standing up. “So, now, we find this Cat?”
I nod, turning around. “Like I said, I’m not looking forward to it. Cats are very good at hiding and they’re very tricky.”
“Yeah. I always thought my cats were more clever than my dogs.”
I give her a frown.
She puts up her hands. “No offense.”
I continue down the stairs. “Why don’t we try focusing more on the problem. The sooner we find Noboru, the sooner we’ll get answers.”
I keep going until I reach the bottom where Theo and Kyle are already waiting. Theo sits on the ground, gazing at the stars. Kyle stands in front of one of the wolf statues guarding the shrine entrance, deep in thought.
“Wolves used to be worshipped here, you know,” I tell him.
“Yeah. I got that.” He touches his chin. “What puzzles me is this – you said Akira is the last of his clan and the wolves endemic to Japan are now extinct. Are those two facts somehow related or just coincidence?”
“I don’t believe in coincidences,” I answer, staring at the statue. “You’re right. We, primals have a direct connection to the animals whose blood we share. If they go extinct, so do we, though the opposite is not true. They could still go on without us.”
He turns to me. “Yet Akira is still here. That means...” His blue eyes grow wide. “The sightings...”
I hold a finger to my lips.
Kyle’s eyes gleam like a kid’s as he turns back to the statue. “Fascinating.”
I leave him to his thoughts and approach Theo and Clarissa, now seated side by side. “Time to flush a Cat out of hiding.”
“THERE HE IS!” I POINT to the black cat running across the rooftop.
I jump on the roof, chasing it as fast as I can while Theo continues pursuit from the ground.
You’re not getting away from me, Cat.
He goes down to the ground, landing on all fours without a sound. I continue running on the rooftops, Theo still on the ground, chasing Noboru into an alley.
There, I pounce on him, missing him by an inch. He jumps straight into Clarissa’s arms, clawing and squirming desperately to become free until Kyle appears and splashes water on him from his bottle.
Quickly, he turns into his human form, quickly
outgrowing Clarissa’s grip. Theo grabs him, though, pinning him to the ground. Again, he squirms but it’s no use. There’s no chance escaping a bear’s strong grip.
“Give up or I’ll break your bones,” Theo threatens and he goes still, panting.
“Are you alright?” I ask Clarissa.
She nods as she looks at her arms, the scratches from Noboru’s claws are already healing, though she scowls at me as though I’m somehow to blame for her having gotten scratched in the first place.
I stand above Noboru, hands on my hips.
“What’s a Wolf doing in Japan?” he snarls. “This isn’t your territory.”
“I ask the questions.” I squat in front of him, that I can look him in the eye.
“And what makes you think I know the answers?”
“Because you Cats are too curious for your own good.”
He chuckles. “And we’re also good at keeping secrets. What makes you think I’ll answer?”
“Because you can’t keep secrets if you’re dead.”
I nod at Theo and he tightens his grip.
Noboru whimpers. “Alright, alright. I’ll answer. Just don’t ruin my clothes.”
I roll my eyes.
Get on with it, I hear Clarissa urge from behind me.
“What do you know of primals who are more human than animals?” I ask.
Noboru’s eyebrows crease. “What do you mean? We are all both humans and animals, not one more than the other, though of course, some are very good at pretending.”
“I’m not talking about acting. I’m talking about primals who cannot adopt an animal form.”
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“Let me make myself clearer.” I lower my head and gaze into his golden eyes. “Tell me what you know about artificial primals?”
“Artificial pri...?” He stops, eyes wide.
He knows something, alright.
I grab a handful of his hair. “Tell me what you know.”
He yowls, and struggles to pull free. “Not my hair.”
I pull at the strands. “Tell me!”
“Alright, alright. I don’t know much, okay? All I know is what I’ve heard.”
