AIR Series Box Set

by Amanda Booloodian

  “That mother of yours is plumb crazy. She’s been over here twice this week fussin’ about the plants I threw out while I was stayin’ there.”

  “Mom’s been there twice in only a few days? That doesn’t sound like her.”

  “It has to be more than those fake things I threw out. There were so many that I’m surprised she even noticed some were gone.”

  I bit my lip. “Did she say anything about her trip with Bob?”

  “Not a thing. If she fusses about the plants again, I’m going to introduce her to CiCi, or your rabbit.”

  “Don’t show her Frank. I’ll never hear the end of it.” The idea of my mother knowing about my zombie bunny made my anxiety climb to new levels.

  “Maybe seeing CiCi living in the backyard will work. It would mess with her safe and normal world too much if she knew we had a fairy.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Still, it’s nice to see her around once she’s done talkin’ about her plants, especially without that husband of hers. How is your trip?”

  “It’s nice. We’re having a good time.”

  “Well, don’t let anyone ruin your fun,” Gran said.

  “Is anything likely to?”

  “You’re so far away. It’s hard to say for sure. I get the feeling somethin’s going to get in your way, but don’t let it, and have fun with your detective.”

  “Thanks, Gran.”

  “Dee Dee is gonna be here soon.”

  “I’ll let you go, but my cell phone will be off again later today. There’s no signal out here.”

  “Take care and enjoy every second with your fella.”

  “Thanks, Gran.”

  Looking inside, I could see the food was arriving at our table, so I went back in. Since I had called Gran, the phone made a connection to the outside world, and now that world was intruding. Messages were pouring in on my phone.

  “How’s your grandmother?” Ethan asked.

  Ethan already knew me so well. “She’s doing okay. It sounds like Mom is driving her nuts.”

  “They don’t get along?”

  “Not when Mom is with her husband, or when Mom is complaining about something.”

  “How about you, do you get along with your mother?” Ethan asked.

  “She wants me to get a job where she works.” I tried not to scrunch up my face in disgust.

  He chuckled. “I’m guessing not as an agent?”

  “As an accountant.”

  “Is she a, um, Reader, like you?”

  Glancing around, I saw no one close enough to overhear unless they were really trying. Still, I dropped my voice. “I’m the only Reader in the family. Gran and Mom are psychic.” Being a Reader is why I have the job that I do. I’m not a stellar agent, but my ability to see what people have been doing, reading the atmosphere of a place, and if necessary, using my power to calm down tense situations, makes me a valuable team member. It’s usually people reacting to my soul that causes the need to smooth over incidents, but it’s useful all the same.

  “Is that normal?”

  A burst of laughter tumbled out of me. “Is there any part of that sentence that’s normal?”

  Ethan chuckled, then reached out and took my hand. “You are beautiful when you laugh.”

  “You’re not so bad with a smile on your face either.”

  We weren’t two minutes into lunch when my phone rang. I glanced at the readout and saw Vincent’s name. Biting my lip, I wondered if I should answer. With Gran’s words in my mind about not letting anything interrupt my time with Ethan, I silenced the call and stowed the phone in my purse.

  “One of your partners?” Ethan asked, without looking up.

  “What makes you think that?” I asked.

  “If it were your grandmother, you’d pick up, and it doesn’t sound like your mother would call, so that leaves your partners.” He still didn’t look up.

  It was depressing, but true. “I have other friends.” I couldn’t put much conviction into the statement. My other friends were work-related as well. “But yes, it was.” I really didn’t have much of a life outside of my job.

  “And it was Vincent.” It wasn’t a question that Ethan asked.

  Instant tension started to fill me. Frowning, I was ready to ask how Ethan knew, but he beat me to the punch.

  “If it was Logan, you probably would have answered. Since he lives next to your grandmother, you’d worry. If it were Rider… well, I don’t think he’d call right now.”

  After Vincent had spent a few nights at my house, he had become a sore spot between Ethan and me. Ethan had understood why he was there. Someone was trying to kill me after all. He didn’t seem too upset about Vincent, but he wasn’t happy either. It’s a good thing Ethan didn’t know that my broken soul was caused by Vincent, or that we shared a piece of each other’s soul. I don’t think he would handle that news well.

  Instead of answering, I went back to eating.

  “It’s not going to bother me if you call him back,” Ethan said.

  I knew that was a lie, so I shrugged it off. “Whatever it is, he can wait until after lunch.”

  “And if it’s work, or otherwise important?”

  “I’ve been stood down.” Those words grated on my nerves so I threw out other excuses. “Plus, I’m hundreds of miles away. Even if it’s important, there’s nothing I could do.”

  We finished lunch, mostly in silence. Ethan and I each tried to bring up other topics, but our conversation had fallen flat.

  After Ethan paid for lunch, we walked out and he put his arm around me, pulling me close to his side. I leaned into him, feeling comforted by his closeness. He appeared relaxed, but I didn’t open the Path to check how he was really feeling. I’m not sure it was something I wanted to know. Besides, it felt invasive. It would be worse than snooping through his phone or reading his email.

  “We only have a few more things to get for the cabin. I’ll run to the store and pick them up, and give you a chance to call your partner,” Ethan said.

  When I tensed again, Ethan stopped and enveloped me in a hug. “I’m not worried about it.”

  There was a part of me that wanted to let it drop, but of course, I needled deeper. “But it’s something that still bothers you.”

  “I’m not upset with you or him. I'm angry with myself.”

  The questioning look I had must have been obvious.

  “If I hadn’t walked out after you told me, well, everything…”

  I winced. It had been a mistake telling him the way that I had. Mythological creatures, my powers, my broken soul, even the fact that broken pieces of other souls had stuck to me. He had that dropped on him all at once. It was no wonder he had walked out.

  “Then we would have been on firmer ground,” he continued. “I feel guilty that it wasn’t me that had spent the night.”

  “No one knew that Einar would come to my house,” I said.

  “No, but I knew someone had tried to hurt you, and someone had sent you a dead rabbit. Granted, I didn’t know it came back to life, but that’s beside the point. Vincent knew that someone was out to get you and he wasn’t willing to take the chance of leaving you alone. That should have been me.”

  I hadn’t really thought of it in those terms. I’m pretty sure that didn’t make things any better. In fact, it sounded worse. “Because he’s my work partner, nothing else.”

  Ethan chuckled, but it sounded weighed down. “For some reason, I can’t picture him staying the night with Rider or Logan.”

  “I wouldn’t bet on that,” I said. “I would stay with any of them if I thought something might happen.”

  “That’s because you are you.” Ethan hugged me again. “And it wouldn’t surprise me if you camped out on their doorstep if they wouldn’t let you inside.”

  Since I couldn’t deny it, I only shrugged in response.

  “Know that my problem is with me, not your partner,” Ethan said. “Besides, he was the one that told you to give
me a chance.”

  “He did, didn’t he?” Remembering that lightened my mood considerably.

  “He even talked to me once or twice about you.”

  “He did?” That took me by surprise.

  “Yes, so call him back, see what’s going on, and I’ll go get our supplies.”

  It hadn’t been the best place for the conversation, but I felt buoyant when Ethan walked away.

  Not worrying about the messages, I returned Vincent’s call.

  Vincent didn’t bother with greetings. “Cass, we’re still hours away. Were you able to get everything we need?”

  “What?” Why didn’t I listen to the messages? “Of course you’re hours away. Why am I getting you things?”

  He was quiet for a while on the other end. “I’ll start from the beginning.”

  Chapter 2

  “Logan’s on special assignment out west,” Vincent said. “He reached out to me this morning for a favor, but I think he left a message with you as well. An old friend of his needs help.”

  “Is it someone we know?” I’m not sure why I asked the question. As far as I could remember, I hadn’t met any of Logan’s friends, except the people we worked with.

  “No, but it’s one of the Lost,” Vincent said.

  “Why didn’t he call AIR? They have to have a branch in this area somewhere.”

  “Logan was adamant that we don’t call AIR in on this. Since the three of us are off work, he’s asking us to help out until he can get here. He’s trusting us to keep it off the record until his friend is safe.”

  I wasn’t sure if this was more of Logan’s paranoia about the office knowing too much, but in the end, it didn’t matter. “We can do that for Logan. Who are we helping?”

  “There’s a bigfoot about a hundred miles north of you,” Vincent said.

  “I thought they all moved out of the country.”

  “That’s why this needs to stay off the record.”

  “I see,” I said, “and what’s going on with him?”

  “He’s being hunted.”

  “If he’s been hiding out for this long, surely he can hide from some hunter in the woods.”

  “Not this one,” Vincent said. “We don’t have many details, but he’s been forced to leave his home. Now he’s on the run.”

  The details weren’t adding up. “Is there something special about the hunter?”

  “That’s really all we know,” Vincent said. “There’s not much to go on, and we can’t get in touch with Logan’s friend. We have to wait for him to get to a place where he can contact us.”

  “Is there a plan?” I asked.

  “We’re starting at his house and spreading out from there. Listen, Logan wanted to have you on this, but I know you have other things going on right now. You don’t have to join us. We were hoping you could pick up some supplies and meet us at this guy’s house so we can get a quick start.”

  I looked into the store window and saw Ethan at the register. “No, if Logan needs my help, of course I’ll help. I’ll need to talk to Ethan first. So, um, it sounds like Rider’s with you?”

  “He is.”

  “He’s only been out of bed for a few days. Is he…” I broke off. If I asked if he was up for this, it would sound like he couldn’t handle it. That would only make our strained friendship worse, so I shifted subjects. “Um, how’s your hand?”

  “It’s holding up. It’ll be in a cast for a while longer, though.”

  “I’ll make sure there’s pain reliever on the list somewhere.”

  “Thanks, Cass. I’ll text you the directions to the bigfoot’s house,” Vincent said.

  “Does he have a name?” I asked.

  “From what Logan said, this guy isn’t much of a people person. He’ll answer to Harry, though.”

  “Does he know we’re coming?” I asked.

  “He knows that Logan is sending someone. We’re hoping he contacts Logan again, so he knows who we are.”

  “I hope so,” I said. “I’ll get the stuff and meet you.”

  “You don’t have to cancel your vacation,” Vincent said. “Talk to Ethan first.”

  “Sure. I’ll be on the lookout for your text. The list of stuff is in the messages, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll call you back if I still have a signal. Otherwise, I’ll meet you.”

  After Vincent hung up, I listened to the messages. I had barely gotten through Logan’s call explaining the situation, when Ethan came out of the store.

  “How’s everything back home?” Ethan asked.

  “Back home, things are okay, but something has come up.”

  Ethan raised an eyebrow, but waited for me to explain.

  I gave him all the details that I had. “I’m sorry about this, Ethan, but I really think they could use my help.”

  He nodded. “I get it.”

  Looking at him, I could tell he really meant what he said. “I’m glad you understand.”

  “I do. It sounds like we’ll be going backcountry. We’re in the mountains so the terrain could be rough in a few places. Let’s look at the list they sent you.”

  “We?” Crap, why did I let that pop out? I rushed to cover the awkwardness. “I mean, you know you don’t have to help us with this, right?”

  “Would you rather I didn’t come?” He asked.

  “That’s not what I’m saying-”

  “Good, because I was coming with you anyway.”

  The corner of my mouth curved up. “You were, were you?”

  “You bet. Your partners have had a tough time lately. They’ll need the help. Besides,” he gave me a devilish grin, “I still can’t picture you spending the night in the woods.”

  ***

  We picked up everything that Vincent asked us to get. Thankfully, he told us what he already had as well, so we knew what to add. Ethan even added a few items to the list.

  When I called Vincent back, I held my breath, unsure of how to tell him Ethan would be joining us. Luckily, I was able to leave a message instead of speaking with him in person. I made it clear that Ethan and I would meet them at Harry’s house, and that we had all the equipment needed for the four of us to wander the wilderness.

  “I’m really sorry about this,” I told Ethan hours later and for the thousandth time since we closed up our cabin.

  “It’ll be interesting,” Ethan said. “I’ll get to see you and your team at work, and you and I will still get to spend time together. Besides, it’s Bigfoot. If I’m lucky, I’ll get the chance to see something very few people have actually seen.”

  “This isn’t exactly work sanctioned or anything,” I said.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “I know.” And that very thought was making me apprehensive. He sounded as though seeing us in action, a Reader, a werewolf, and a Walker, was going to be a show. “But schlepping around the backcountry sleeping in the trees or on the ground isn’t exactly a vacation, and it could be dangerous.”

  “I’ve been in worse situations than going to pick up a poacher,” Ethan said.

  “He’s attempting to kill someone,” I corrected. “Harry’s a person, not an animal.”

  “We know that, but does the hunter?” Ethan asked.

  I didn’t know how to answer the question, so I ignored it. “We’re almost there.”

  “That’s good,” Ethan said, “because we’re about out of road.”

  It was true. The gravel on our gravel road had disappeared about a mile ago. What we were driving on was more of a rut through the woods than a road.

  “Do you see a house anywhere?” I asked.

  “No, but there’s a big truck up ahead,” Ethan said.

  “Do you think that belongs to the guy we’re looking for?” I asked.

  “Let’s go find out.” Ethan pulled to a stop behind a large black 4x4 with dark tinted windows. The truck gleamed as though it had just left a showroom floor, and since it had temporary tags instead of license
plates, it very well could have.

  “Wait here.” Ethan didn’t shut off the car, but he opened the door and stepped out.

  “What do you mean wait here?” I pushed my car door open, got out, and then glared at Ethan over the top of the car.

  “I meant-”

  The driver side of the truck opened and Ethan tensed. I didn’t reach for the Path, but I readied my mind to make the jump.

  When I saw Rider get out of the driver’s side of the truck, I was glad I hadn’t reached for the Path. He was one of the rare people that could tell when I opened the Path. I didn’t want him to think that I was.

  Rider’s dark eyes caught mine and he looked hesitant for a moment. Or maybe I imagined that. Within a blink, his eyes hardened and his gaze swept to Ethan.

  My heart fell. I hadn’t realized I was anxious about seeing Rider again until he looked away. It would be useful to know what I did wrong so I could fix it and get my best friend back.

  The passenger door opened and Vincent got out. Appearing more animated than usual, Vincent looked from his partner to me and shook his head before joining Ethan and me.

  “Ethan,” Vincent nodded, “it’s good to see you here. Sorry to take you away from your vacation.”

  “Anything for a friend, right?” Ethan said.

  I didn’t think he meant it as a question, but Vincent took it as one.

  “We can use all the help we can get,” Vincent said. “Let’s see what we’ve got so we can start.”

  Vincent wasn’t wrong about needing the extra help. Even with Rider keeping his distance, I could see that he was paler than normal. It was hard to believe that he was even up and moving after being shot in the chest last week.

  Vincent walked by me and I tugged his arm to hold him up while Ethan went to open the trunk of the car. That small connection with Vincent was enough to feel a surge between us. He stopped and I yanked my hand back before our souls sought each other out.

  “Sorry,” I said automatically. Ever since he had tried to kill me last fall, I had a piece of his soul, and he had a piece of mine. Vincent was adamant that we shouldn’t see each other on a personal level, so we avoided acknowledging our connection.