After another round of goodbyes, Sharon leaned over the frail older woman who was the matriarch of this clan and squeezed her gently.
Mimi’s slow smile and gentle eyes made Sharon halt for a moment. She shuddered entirely after she stepped outside. Her insides were a quivering mess of sensations. Peace mixed with dread. Relief mixed with foreboding. She made her way to Melinda’s silver sports car and climbed inside.
For a moment she simply stared out the windshield, seeing nothing. She closed her eyes and reached out to her mates. “Cooper? Jackson?”
“I’m here, baby. Still at the epicenter. You okay? How was your day with the women in my family?”
“Good, I guess. Weird. Very weird. Mimi is much better after spending the day shifted. I just…”
“What? Is she okay?”
“Yeah…”
Jackson was present. She could feel him even though he hadn’t interrupted.
“Are you still at the station?” she asked him.
“Yes. But I could leave. Do you want to meet me back at the condo?”
“Sounds good. I’m so tired. It will take me about forty minutes to get there.” Sharon started the car as she communicated with her mates.
“If you’re too tired, don’t drive right now, Sharon,” Jackson added. “I can come get you.”
“No. It’s not that kind of tired. I’m mentally exhausted. I won’t fall asleep at the wheel or anything. Besides, I can always reach out to you if I get sleepy.”
“You’re sure?” Cooper asked. “Why don’t you let Jackson come to you?”
“Nah. Such a waste of time. Melinda loaned me her car. I just have to get through the roadblock at the edge of the reservation, and I’ll be home free.” She giggled into their heads.
Jackson spoke again. “Yeah. Sorry about that. Both sheriffs thought the best way to reach the most number of people was to stop them on the main stretch of road and keep them informed. It’s working. Do you have any idea how many people don’t watch the news or listen to it even in their cars? Shocking.”
“I’ll see you soon. I’m already on my way.”
“Be careful, love.” Jackson sounded sappy even in her head.
It warmed her heart. Her body itself was shivering from stress and cold, but inside she felt the love from both her mates.
“See you guys as soon as I can get away,” Cooper added.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Sharon rolled her eyes as she approached the roadblock for the second time that day. Luckily, this time when she slowed and then came to a stop, the deputy leaned down to speak to her with a smile. “Hey, Sharon. You know what’s going on.”
“Sure do. Thanks for keeping the rest of the citizens informed.”
He patted her roof and stepped back. “Have a nice day.”
As she rolled the window back up, another deputy caught her eye. She didn’t know him, but he stared at her as if he would prefer to shoot ten rounds into her chest than have to face her.
A chill raced down her spine as she jerked her gaze from him and kept driving.
Still a little freaked out from the glare, she wasn’t paying close attention to the road when two minutes later there was a loud piercing sound, and her windshield shattered. She had to grip the steering wheel with both hands to keep from careening off the pavement.
As she rolled to a stop along the side of the stretch of highway, she was further shocked when her door was wrenched open. Before she had a chance to lift her face or take stock of what was happening, something was thrust over her nose and mouth.
Her eyes widened. She knew she was fucked. She also knew she could do nothing about it. The world went dark…
»»•««
Jackson’s skin crawled. He lifted his gaze to scan the crowded room of the sheriff’s office, frowning. Nothing seemed out of sorts. And yet, he had the weirdest feeling.
“Jackson?” Cooper communicated. “What’s going on? I just got the strangest vibe.”
“No idea. I did too. Sharon?” Several seconds ticked by. Nothing.
“Sharon!” Cooper repeated. “Fuck.”
“What the…?” Jackson had no idea what to do. He ran from the room and out the front door as if the parking lot would have answers.
It did not.
Someone came up behind him. “Jackson? What’s the matter? Is it Cooper?”
Jackson spun around to find Trace behind him. “No. It’s Sharon.”
“What? Where is she? What happened?”
“No idea. A chill went up my spine, and she isn’t responding to either of us.”
Trace pulled his keys out of his pocket and nodded toward a row of squad cars. “Let’s go.” He grabbed his cell from his pocket and hit a few buttons. As he rounded the hood of the car, Jackson heard him tell the sheriff he was leaving.
Jackson yanked the passenger door open and slid inside at the same time Trace did. He spoke to Cooper again. “I’m with Trace. Heading down the highway toward Sojourn now.”
“I’m getting in my car. Fuck. Shit.”
“Cooper. Be careful. It won’t help if you get in an accident.”
Cooper didn’t respond. The request was ludicrous anyway. Jackson would drive over a hundred miles an hour if he were in Cooper’s shoes. Who was he to talk?
“Where was she last?” Trace asked.
“Leaving Mimi’s. That was about twenty minutes ago. She should have been halfway here.”
“The roadblock,” Trace muttered. He slammed his hand on the steering wheel and drove faster.
“The roadblock? What does that have to do with anything?”
“That’s where she would have been, at the edge of the reservation.” Trace handed Jackson his cell. “Call Melinda.”
»»•««
Melinda had helped Mimi back to her bedroom, but the woman was restless. She’d been pacing for several minutes.
“Mimi, you were supposed to rest. You’re acting like a caged animal.”
Her mother and Laurie had both gone home shortly after Sharon left. They would come back later. Joyce needed to let her dog out. Laurie needed to check on her sweet baby. Her mate Corbin was a deputy from Sojourn helping out in Cambridge. Her other mate Zachary had been alone with little Miriam for almost two days. Zachary was a fantastic father, but it was time for Mommy to get her butt back home.
Besides, Melinda was the closest to Mimi. No way would she leave her. Especially since the woman had been acting oddly since the moment she shifted back into human form. She was shockingly improved considering she’d been in a near coma just hours ago.
Melinda had a bad feeling she’d been ignoring since Mimi woke up. Ominous. She wrung her hands in front of her. She was too agitated to sit, even though that was precisely what she needed Mimi to do.
Mimi stopped pacing, turned to face Melinda, and took a deep breath. “Child…” Her voice was eerily calm.
“Grandma, what is it?” The woman had Melinda’s heart beating too rapidly.
Mimi padded closer and took Melinda’s hands in hers. The two of them were almost the same height—short. They met nearly eye to eye. “My sweet girl.”
“You’re scaring me, Mimi.”
She shook her head. “Do not be afraid. The spirits will always be with you. Things are about to change, but you must remain strong. Do you understand?”
Melinda licked her lips but didn’t move.
“You’re prepared for anything. You’re such an amazing woman. You don’t realize the extent of your gifts, but you will in time.”
“Mimi, stop. You’re rambling. You need to lie down.” Melinda’s ears were ringing. She turned her face toward the bed for a second, meaning to physically drag her grandmother toward it. “You talk as though you’re dying. You’re not dying. Look at you.” She threw out a hand to indicate the woman standing upright next to her, fully alert.
The older woman had a burst of incredible strength. She didn’t budge. “Look at me, child.”
&nbs
p; Melinda did as Mimi said, swallowing and fighting tears, though she had no idea why. “Is it the volcano?”
Mimi smiled. “In part. Though the volcano will prove to bring the divided folks of this area together. They will work to fight for the land and for the lives of everyone. It will be.”
“Are you having another stroke?” She glanced up and down Mimi’s body, looking for signs of distress. Her heart raced with fear.
“I’m not afraid of dying, child. I’ve lived a very full life. When I pass to the other side, I’ll be reunited with my mate. I look forward to the reunion. It has been so many years since we’ve been together.”
“What else, Mimi. What are you concerned about if not the volcano or a stroke?”
“My sweet, sweet girl, I have raised you since you were a mere toddler, and even before that, before your mother was forced to leave our tribal land and her pack. You’re like my own daughter in many ways. And you have been gifted with my abilities.”
Melinda couldn’t breathe.
“You’ll face many challenges. And you’ll bear a beautiful daughter who looks just like yourself.” She glanced at Melinda’s belly.
“I’m pregnant?”
Mimi smiled. “Just.”
“But you’re the first to notice.”
“Alas, your mates will notice later tonight when next you see them.”
Melinda hesitated. “Why are you acting so strange?”
“You must go now. There is great danger. You must go and help.”
“Where? Go where?”
“Go to the roadblock you came through first. You’ll know what to do next when you arrive. You’ll lead others through this long perilous night. You’ll save many lives.”
“What will you do?” she asked, a tremble in her voice.
“I will rest, my child. I am tired. I’ll be with you in spirit. You’ll know I am with you when you need me.”
Melinda gasped. What was the woman trying to say?
“Go.” Mimi released her hands and pointed toward the door. She gave Melinda a brief tight hug, kissed her on the forehead, and pointed again. “Now. Time is of the essence. Sharon needs you. Take my car. Drive fast. Her mates will be there.”
“I need to be here with you.”
Mimi shook her head. “Fate has other designs for you. I’ll call your brother Miles to come sit with me. He was not up all night like you and your sister and mother.”
Melinda thought she was going to faint. Driving was so not an option. A tear ran down her face. “Mimi, I’m scared.”
Mimi clasped her face in both hands and met her gaze head on. “I know you are, child. But you’ll be fine. I love you. Now, go.” Her voice rose. She released Melinda and stepped back.
Melinda turned and ran from the room with a glance back at the doorway. “I love you too, Mimi. So very much.”
Mimi smiled. “I know you do, Melinda.”
Melinda’s adrenaline pumped. She grabbed Mimi’s car keys from a hook in the kitchen, thinking of all the times she’d grabbed those keys in her life. More times than she could count. When she was a small child, she would pull a chair over and snag them from the wall to bring them to Mimi. As a teenager, she used them when she first got her license. The cars had changed and been replaced over the years. The keys had remained a constant.
She ran from the house and jumped into the dark blue, older-model Oldsmobile as if there were a fire.
And she was sure there was, a metaphoric fire like none she’d ever seen before.
When her cell rang, she grabbed it.
“Melinda,” Jackson nearly shouted. “It’s Sharon—”
Melinda cut him off. “I know. I’m on my way. I’ll meet you at the roadblock.” She dropped the cell back onto the seat next to her, not willing to talk any more than necessary while driving like a bat out of hell. It wasn’t as though she would get pulled over. All deputies on duty were busy. But the last thing she wanted to do was hit someone or get in an accident.
»»•««
Jackson jumped from the car when they reached the roadblock and ran toward the deputies as fast as he could. Several turned to face him as he raced in their direction with Trace on his heels.
He grabbed the first one by the arm. “Did you see Sharon Masters come through here?” His voice cracked with emotion.
“Sharon?” The man turned to face the other deputies. “Anybody see Sharon?”
“Yes,” the farthest man yelled. “About fifteen minutes ago. She was in Melinda’s car. Why?”
Jackson scanned the other deputies along the road. Four of them in all. Three had wide eyes with concern. One was looking down and toeing the ground at his feet.
Trace stepped around Jackson with long strides. He grabbed the deputy Jackson was eyeing by the shoulders and shook him. “What do you know?”
The guy opened his mouth. His face turned red. “Nothing.”
“Like hell,” Trace shouted. “Tell me right now. That’s my sister. If you think I’m fucking around, try me.”
The guy swallowed. “She passed through here. She was alone. That’s all I know.”
Jackson strolled closer as Trace grabbed the man’s arms tighter. “Where’s Sandhouse?”
The asshole winced.
Another deputy spoke. “He got off a while ago. I assume he’s at home.”
Trace spun around. “You want to try and call him for me?”
“Sure.” The guy pulled his phone from his pocket, touched the screen a few times, and held it to his ear. “He’s not answering.”
“How shocking.” Sarcasm oozed from Trace’s mouth. He turned his attention back to the asshole in front of him. “I’m going to ask you one more time. If you value your life and want to remain a free man, I suggest you tell me what I need to know.”
The guy swallowed again. Looked like he was going to vomit. “It was no big deal. Just a harmless prank to let her know we don’t appreciate her kind on this land.” The fuck actually had the balls to glance at Jackson.
Jackson fisted his hands at his sides and fought the urge to punch this asshole in the nose.
“Her kind?” Trace’s words were high and loud. “You mean the female kind? The Caucasian kind? The skiing kind? What the fuck do you mean? That’s my only sister out there, you slimy piece of dog shit. Are you telling me Sandhouse had something to do with this?”
The guy paled.
“Do you know what that son of a bitch has done to my family in the last few years? Tell me where she is, or I’m liable to pull my gun, shoot you first, and ask questions later. Do you hear me?”
The guy nodded. A lock of his blond hair hung across his face and over one eye. He needed a cut. He could get it in jail for all Jackson cared. “Pete probably stopped her about two miles that way.” He pointed toward Cambridge. “He didn’t say anything about doing anything illegal, just that he was going to fuck with her and make her see reason.”
“Reason?” Trace released the blond with a shove, causing him to careen backward, almost landing on his ass. “Fuck you.” Trace spat at the ground in front of him and turned around to head back to the squad car at a dead run.
Jackson followed. His blood was pumping so hard, his blood pressure had to be through the roof. He climbed into the passenger side and swung the door shut while Trace did the same on his side.
Before Trace pulled away from the side of the road, another car sped past him, honking. A hand reached out the window to indicate they should follow.
Melinda. She sure hadn’t stopped for the roadblock. The woman was exceeding the speed limit by so many miles per hour she would surely go to jail for such an infraction. Jackson would thank her for it later.
Trace’s tires spun and then squealed loudly when he pulled out behind her and raced to catch up.
Jackson held on to the door handle to avoid being thrown across the front seat. He hadn’t put on his seat belt. And there was no way he was letting go now to do so.
Sure enough,
in less than two minutes, Melinda veered off the road and turned down a gravel path that had seen better days. Her car, or Mimi’s it would seem, bounced around on the uneven gravel, but she didn’t slow down more than strictly necessary.
“Hold on,” Trace shouted, as if Jackson needed the reminder. He jerked to the right to avoid a hole and then corrected so sharply the car almost lifted onto two wheels.
Jackson gasped, his eyes going wide, when he saw Melinda’s car off to the side. Not Mimi’s car, Melinda’s own car, the one Sharon had been driving.
Melinda stopped in front of them and jumped down from Mimi’s car faster than Trace could get them safely stopped.
And then Jackson was right behind Melinda, running full out for the car as if it would have answers or even a sleeping Sharon in the backseat.
No such luck, however. There were no occupants, and no evidence of anyone. The driver’s door had been left open as if in a hasty retreat. And that door was the only one open. The thing that made Jackson’s heart stop beating was the shattered windshield.
He leaned into the car to search for a reason the windshield would have been so badly broken. There was no evidence of a crash, which left one other possibility. He froze when he spotted the hole in the upholstery of the passenger seat. No blood.
Jackson scrambled back out of the car to face the others. “Gun shot shattered the glass. No blood.” He spun around in circles to survey the area, scared out of his mind.
Had Sharon been alone and left on foot or paws from here? That seemed unlikely. If she were running, why not contact them? Or at least respond.
If Pete Sandhouse had anything to do with this… He fisted both hands so tightly they hurt. He knew in his gut Sandhouse had taken her. Hell, the punk-ass deputy at the roadblock had indicated as much.
“Jackson, I’m close. Where are you?”
Jackson told Cooper the exit number from the highway and continued to look around in hopes of some clue as to which way she went and how many footprints.
“I’ll be there in a few.”
Jackson nodded, as if that would be understood by Cooper. He simply didn’t have the energy to elaborate.
Sharon's Wolves (Wolf Masters Book 10) Page 23
