by Tia Wilson
“What happens next?” Grace said as she stiffened in preparation for his answer.
“Nothing. Oishin has been taken far out into the wilds for protection. No one will be allowed access to her and her location will be kept secret from most of the clan,” Tom said.
“I meant between us,” Grace said softly.
Tom looked at her and his expression immediately changed, gone was the tired and exhausted look to be replaced with a slight smile as he meet her eyes.
“I hope nothing has changed between the two of us. I wouldn’t let anything get between us,” Tom said and took her hand. “Oishin means nothing to me. The whole time I’ve been away from you all I’ve been doing is ticking off the seconds until I could be back by your side. I felt lessened when I wasn’t with you, I can feel it already in our short time together, you’ve changed me already and I can’t see a future without you. I’m sorry if this is all too much too soon, shifters wear their hearts firmly on their sleeves.”
Grace looked at him and didn’t say anything for a second. Her heart was beating like a jack hammer in her chest as she looked at Tom. She could feel the relief and happiness of his words begin to soften the edges of her mouth as she began to smile.
“I want to be with you Tom. Thinking of you got me through some of the toughest times back in Tulimak's compound. I couldn’t face a reality were I never got to see you again.”
Tom leaned over the table and they kissed. His fingers caressed her neck and the back of her ears as he got up and swept Grace into his arms. A cup was knocked over and it clattered to the floor smashing on impact. Grace barely noticed it as she held onto Toms neck and kissed him deeply. He carried her across the room and kicked open the bedroom door, striding towards the bed with Grace in his arms. They fell onto it in a tangle of limbs ripping at each others clothes, everything outside the room forgotten as their passions eclipsed all other concerns.
Later as Grace lay on the warm expanse of Toms chest, listening to the soft noise of him breathing she kissed the back of his hand and across his fingers as she felt the afterglow pull her down into a welcoming sleep.
The noise of a floorboard creaking woke Grace up with a shock and she rubbed her eyes as she looked around the room confused at where she was. Tom was standing at the window looking out and the room and his skin was bathed in a weak silvery moonlight.
“What’s wrong?” Grace asked in a voice thick with grogginess.
“The Elders, they are loading up a pickup with supplies. Looks like they are off on a trip somewhere,” Tom said glancing back at Grace.
“Is that something to be worried about?” Grace asked sitting up and drawing her knees under her chin. There was a cold chill in the air and she wrapped a wool blanket around her naked body.
“I don’t know. It’s unusual, Elder Franklin never leaves the town. There is something off about this whole situation,” Tom replied.
“What can we do?” Grace asked.
“Nothing. The Elders answer to no one. You’ve seen what they are like, the walls come up if any questions are asked. I’ve made my mind up about something,” Tom said turning to Grace.
He was wearing nothing but tight briefs and Grace couldn’t stop her eyes from drifting down to his sizeable bulge.
“What?” Grace asked.
“I’m going back to the compound to get Anne. I don’t care what the Elders have ordered me to do. I can’t leave one of ours in the hands of that maniac. Who knows what horrors Tulimak has in store for Anne,” Tom said returning to bed. He lay on his side and Grace lay facing him and threw the blanket over both of them.
“I’m coming with you,” Grace said looking him directly in the eyes. In the dim moonlight streaming in from outside Toms eyes twinkled with a silvery sheen.
Tom put his hand on her hip and massaged the soft flesh with his strong fingers.
“It’s a solo mission. Bringing you is not an option.”
Grace pushed his hand off her hip and said, “I’m going with you. It’s not up for debate.”
Tom propped himself up on his elbow and looked down at Grace. “You would go back to that place after all you’ve been through?”
“I’ve never been more scared in my life thinking about returning to the compound. You know what scares me even more?” Grace asked.
Tom shook his head.
“Thinking about Anne being alone and scared and thinking that all hope is lost. She was the only reason I escaped. I think I owe her that much.”
Tom reached down and caressed her face, tracing his finger along the line of her jaw and across the soft skin of her cheeks. “Its like I’m seeing you for the first time. When I first approached you in that cafe all I could see was a woman who had cut herself off from life and experience. I could see a fear in your eyes as you drank your coffee, a fear of interaction with others. Now, before me I see why the prophecy is true, you have a deep reserve of bravery.”
“Can I tell you a secret?” Grace asked.
“Sure,” Tom said.
“I don’t feel brave at all. If I even think about it for a second I could talk myself out of going back to the compound. All I know is it’s the right thing to do.”
“I can see there is no way that I could stop you from coming with me. Lets get an hours more sleep and leave early. We can get into position for a rescue attempt tomorrow at nightfall,” Tom said.
Grace put her hand on Toms waist and slid it down and squeezed the firm muscles of his ass. “Don’t you even try to sneak out without me. I’m a very light sleeper,” she said pulling him against her. Grace could feel him stiffen against her body.
“I would never even dream of it,” Tom said slipping his hand between her legs.
Grace bucked her hips forward as his fingers moved across her. Her lips brushed against his as she said, “We’re in this together.”
Her eyes rolled back and she let out a low sigh of pleasure as Tom slid into her.
“Together,” he said as he slowly bucked his hips and Grace matched his rhythm.
Their fingers entwined as their breathing sped up and Grace wrapped her legs around Tom, holding on tight to him as he thrust into her. Neither could hold back long and as their bodies exploded with white hot pleasure they locked eyes and rode the crashing wave until the end.
Tom collapsed beside her breathing deeply and pulling her close to him. As Grace drifted off to sleep she whispered the word, “Together,” and fell into a deep slumber.
27
Grace
The glass windows of the storefronts looked like black reflective eyes as Grace glanced up and down the empty street. The air had a sharp bite that promised the chance of light snow. Tom closed the door with a click that sounded too loud in the pre dawn. The sky was still dark with a spreading smudge of the darkest maroon off in the distance.
Someone will hear us, Grace thought, they know what we are up to. She looked around half expecting one of the Elders to be peering out from one of the black windows like a ghostly figure.
“I have a pickup parked at a dirt lot at the edge of town,” Tom said pulling up the collar of his jacket.
Do shifters feel the cold Grace thought as she watched Tom pull his jacket tight around him, guess that answers that.
They walked to the end of the block and Grace winced with every boot scrape and heel click on the cracked concrete pavement. She tensed herself for the switching on of a light and an enquiring face peering out at them. It never happened and they got to the packed dirt lot without incidence. Parked in the lot were three identical red pickup trucks. Tom opened the door on the last one and Grace joined him.
“These are for clan use. Anyone can use them,” he said checking the glovebox. He took out a set of keys and hesitated before starting the engine. “I already know the answer to this but I’m going to ask it anyway. Are you sure you want to do this?”
Grace answered immediately and said, “Yes.”
Tom nodded and then started the engine
. They pulled out of the lot and Grace scanned the windows for any witnesses. Everything was still in the town. They drove out of town and it was only after five minutes of driving that Grace realised she had been tensing her whole body. She relaxed and let out a sigh.
“I think we’re good. I don’t think anyone saw us leave. I’m going to make a stop off an hour from here to pick up some supplies and some maps. You think you have a good idea where the compound is?” Tom asked.
Grace laughed and looked at the dark forms of the trees speeding by the window.
“What?” Tom said.
“When I escaped I don’t think I blinked until I got back to Twin Rock. I could draw you a map in my sleep. Once we hit Addlers way its not too far away from it,” Grace said.
“I might have some competition for best tracker in the clan,” Tom said rubbing Graces shoulder.
“I’ve got to live up to the moniker of chosen one. I was picked for a reason,” Grace said not believing a word she was saying.
“I can’t imagine what you are going through, its a heavy burden to lay on someone,” Tom said.
“If I’m honest I still can’t see it. I’m the same person I was before we first met. I can’t see how the woman who had her whole life set up around a veritable nesting dolls worth of rules, could be the one to save anyone. I’m still in total disbelief at the whole thing, doubt hasn’t even entered my mind yet. None of this seems real,” Grace said.
“This is real,” Tom said rubbing his hand on her thigh, “What I feel for you is real. Don’t focus on the other stuff until we have more answers.”
Grace took Toms hand and kissed the back of it and said, “if I didn’t have you I would probably be freaking out about this a whole lot more. I have so many questions and no one seems either willing or able to give me a straight answer. It’s frustrating.”
“The clan has always been like that. The elders keep everything on a need to know basis, and most of the time they deem it best that we don’t know,” Tom said.
“Does it not drive the clan crazy not knowing what is going on all the time?”
“Not really. Since world war two we have been in a continued era of peace, the first time in a long time in our history. Members of the clan stopped worrying about the white bears and it was only the Elders who seemed to still pay any real attention to the outside world. I think everyone just wanted to forget anything outside our borders as it had only brought strife. Twin Rock became a sanctuary for us. We were all awake but now it looks like we were actually hibernating to what was going on in the outside world. While we grew complacent with our small corner of the world, the white bears continued to scheme. The elders have been sending some of us out into the world in the last few years to gather intel about Tulimak and his clan. I don’t think we really know what he is up to.”
Grace sat silently for a minute and watched the sky ahead slowly begin to brighten making the stars look like they flashed out of existence. The pickup truck bounced and juddered as it took a side road up a steep hill and cut across a meadow dotted with black and white cows who slowly raised their heads and watched the pick up drive by in a cloud of dust.
“What about the war the elders speak about,” Grace asked, “Do you think it’s a possibility?”
Tom ran his hand over his chin and his stubble made a scratching sound, a gesture Grace had seen him do any time he was taking a moment to choose his words carefully.
“We have stories passed down hundreds of years from clan members scattered around the world. One of the most persistent tales is about a great war between the two clans that ends in near utter destruction of both sides. The only thing that stops it all is a human woman,” Tom said glancing at her, “Most of the clan think this is nothing but a story, part of the creation myths that we have passed down to each other over thousands of years. Others, like the Elders believe it to be true and that the time of the war is close.” Tom slowed the car to a halt and they got out. Grace followed him along a path that lead across an open field towards three small hills.
“What do you think is true?” Grace asked as they walked together.
“I’ve seen enough over the last few years to know the white bear clan is up to something. Do I think they are planning an all out war? I’m not so sure. Both clans have managed to survive for so long by being anonymous. If the humans ever found out about our existence we wouldn’t have a chance. A full scale war would only reveal us to the world and I don’t think either side wants that.”
The path curved around the three hills and on the back each had a wooden door directly on the gently sloping surface. Tom went to the middle door and grabbed the handle which was a loop of rope and yanked it open.
If this is a magic door that brings us to a realm of elves I would not be surprised, Grace thought.
Tom opened the door and peered into the inky black interior and glanced back at Grace. “What’s so funny?” he asked.
Grace realised she had a grin on her face and said, “Sorry I was expecting an elf to jump out when you opened the door.”
Tom smiled at her and said, “It’s a root cellar. Elves don’t live in the ground, they are usually found in the attics of old homes.”
“Really?” Grace said.
Tom burst out laughing and said, “There are no such thing as elves.”
Grace punched him on the arm and laughed and said, “Up until a few weeks ago I didn’t know there was shape shifters, hitmen with metal teeth that can kill with a well placed bite, magic liquid that can bind you to another shifter and a prophecy about me that will end a war, so give me a break.”
Tom descended into the root cellar and Grace peered in behind him. The thin passage way opened into a hollowed out chamber big enough to house some shelves with dusty glass jars filled with contents Grace couldn’t make out. Tom kicked at the dirt and when his boot clicked on something he knelt down and grabbed a metal ring and pulled a hatch open.
Grace stayed in the doorway as she watched Tom on his knees in the gloom. The air coming up from the cellar was chill and had a sweet earthy smell.
“Tom looked back at Grace and said, “I have supplies stashed here. I have places like this in a few locations. You never know when you will need a stock of basics.”
“What are basics?” Grace asked.
Tom pulled a black canvas bag out of the hole in the ground and threw it through the doorway. It landed with a heavy thump. “Open it,” Tom said.
Grace bent over and pulled the zipper open and a pungent smell of grease escaped from the bag. The bag was filled with what looked like white rags and Grace folded one back to reveal the wooden stock of a rifle and several boxes of shells. Tom carried two similar bags out of the root cellar and dropped them in the grass. Tom opened the bags and sorted through the contents. “Try this on,” he said handing Grace a heavy bullet proof jacket.
Grace took her jacket off and slipped the flack jacket over her head. She felt bulky and unwieldy with the thing on. Tom pulled the two straps at her hips and the jacket tightened and pressed painfully against her boobs.
“I don’t think this was made for a woman,” Grace said with a pained expression.
“Sorry,” Tom said loosening the side straps, “How does that feel now?”
“Like I’m wearing a bullet proof vest,” Grace said and tapped the tight woven fabric of the surface.
“You can never be too careful,” he said picking up two of the bags and returning them to the root cellar. Once the wooden hatch was back on he kicked a layer of dirt over it and stood back to make sure it didn’t look obvious. He grabbed the black canvas bag from the grass and slung it over his shoulder. “Let’s head back,” he said.
As they walked back across the field Grace felt the reality of what they were about to do weighing down on her. Feeling this damned heavy vest bite into the flesh of my side won’t let me forget how dangerous what we are about to do is Grace thought. I don’t feel brave at all, if anything I feel even more sca
red now that I know what is at stake.
Tom glanced back at Grace as she began to slow down and said, “Are you ok?”
“I’m fine, just a little bit tired,” Grace said. I don’t want him to know how scared I really am she thought as she caught up to him.
Tom patted the bag on his back and said, “This is insurance against the humans. If you wave a gun around it doesn’t tend to scare a shifter very much. Different story for a human.”
“Do bullets not kill you?” Grace asked.
“Get hit enough times and they will. It hurts like crazy when shot, but they are fairly trivial to heal from if you can get away and take time to hibernate. Its not the humans with guns I would be afraid of, its how many shifters Tulimak has in waiting,” Tom replied.
Everything now felt hyper real to Grace like a photo with a filter to exaggerate all of its details. The weight of the vest pressing down on her, the heavy canvas bag on Toms back with the contents ready to kill and the hollow blast of cold air in her core that if she listened very carefully she could hear the shouts of defeat. I have to be strong for Anne she thought as they returned to the pickup.
Tom secured the bag and Graces bullet proof vest in a lockbox in the back of the truck and when they were back in the cabin he unfolded a map and handed Grace a thick black pen. “Can you map out a rough route for us, maybe jot down any landmarks you passed on the way back here,” Tom asked.
“Do shifters not use smartphones or the internet?” Grace asked.
“The I-n-t-e-r-n-e-t?” Tom said saying the word slowly and enunciating every letter.
Grace looked at him with a serious expression and then saw a slight wrinkle at the corner of his mouth. “You’re a terrible liar Tom,” she said kissing him on the corner of his mouth.
Tom laughed and said, “Yes, we use smartphones and the net we just don’t have much use for them out in Twin Rock. We are not connected to the network in any kind of way and I think thats the way most of the clan would like it. A paper map works everywhere so beats out a smartphone any day.”
