Grounded

by Constance Sharper

  “Moose Pass.” He said suddenly.

  “What?” Avery looked outside for a visual clue.

  “Moose Pass is close to here but it’s woodsy as hell and out of the way. I know a lodge there. I used to go there as kid.”

  Avery thought it over. It was sure better than a few more hours in a car, especially since she was hurt. Her eyes trailed over Nate next. She’d had quite a bit of negative dealings with the guy and the unprecedented change in their relationship left her a bit mystified. Her feelings for him were complicated to say the least. A year ago she’d thought she loved him, falling for the smooth talking bad boy. A day ago she’d thought she hated him. The jury was still out on what she thought now.

  “Okay.” She finally responded. “Moose Pass it is.”

  Six

  Referring to Moose Pass as woodsy would have been a drastic underestimation. Nate pulled off the interstate and took them down a dirt road that was difficult terrain for his low clearance Lexus. The pathway had a thick canopy of ancient trees that leaned in to make the fit a tight one as the road wove farther into the forest. Just as Avery began to wonder if they were heading in the right direction, the car rumbled into a clearing.

  A two story log cabin sat across from a massive blue lake. The scenic picture could have belonged on a post card or a vacation advertisement. The trees, warm green and brown, mixed with the coloring of the fluffy white snow. Little technology disturbed the country style lodge. With only two cars outside, Nate cruised into an open spot near the doors.

  “Will they even let us get a room if we’re not eighteen?” Avery finally broke the silence in the car.

  Since they’d decided their location, they’d done very little speaking. She’d expected a barrage of questions about harpies but surprisingly he didn’t ask anything. She figured that Nate still resided in the disbelief stage. She knew it would take a fine amount of brain rewiring to believe in something that was supposed to be fictional.

  “I know people here.” Nate said with a pretentious laugh.

  “I guess I forgot the rules were special for you.” She said halfheartedly. Her eyes scanned the skies before she popped the car door open.

  Nate slinked inside and she trailed after him. The hotel had a woody musk and a huge main room. A fireplace was built into one wall and was surrounded by cushy red chairs. An old man stood behind the desk and he immediately perked up to stare at them through thick rimmed glasses.

  “Can I help you kids?”

  “We need a room for a night.” Nate said smoothly, taking quick strides up to the desk.

  The desk attendant gave them the up-down look.

  “We don’t typically take minors without a credit card and parental consent.”

  Avery bit her lip, ready for the man to turn them away. Nate apparently had other ideas.

  “Usually I wouldn’t come without my parents but you see, I was driving to Anchorage and we hit a moose. The car is still running but it’s pretty torn up. I know my parents wouldn’t want me to try and drive it to town.”

  “Oh my.” The man screwed with his glasses. Outside, just enough of the Lexus’ torn up hood supported the story.

  “I have a credit card, an extension of my parents account. There won’t be any problems.” He pulled out a slick platinum card and waved it around.

  The hotel clerk didn’t hesitate twice. Within minutes, they had a key in hand and a room in the back. Avery and Nate just made it inside, the door clicking shut, when he turned on her.

  “Hurry up and call your friend before someone else tries to kill us.” He said sharply.

  All composure rapidly left his posture and his face. Panic showed.

  “Yea. I’m right on that.” She took one look around the room to locate the cream colored phone in the back.

  “And you’re still bleeding. You’re bleeding everywhere!” Nate noticed next, his voice still twisting.

  Avery tried to wave him off but she knew that the wound needed attention. Snatching a towel on the way over to the phone, she pressed the white cloth up to her back. Picking up the phone, she dialed and pressed the cold phone receiver to her ear.

  “What is it?” Mason answered on the very last ring. Refusing to jump into the bad news immediately, she tested the waters.

  “How is harpie-ville?”

  “I know that’s not why you’re calling.” He answered quickly and his voice sounded raw.

  Avery swallowed the growing lump in her throat. Fingers twirling into the phone cable, she admitted everything.

  “Caught me. Look, that harpie named Patrick just tried to kill me. Like really tried to kill me.”

  A prolonged silence took over the line. Before Avery could conjure another appropriate explanation, Mason finally spoke but this time his tone sparked with distinctive anger.

  “Where are you? Where is he?”

  “I’m in some hotel in Moose Pass. It’s near Seward. I don’t know if he followed me here but I haven’t seen him. I think his wings are torn up so I’m hoping he won’t show back up.”

  “Did he say why he wanted to kill you?”

  Mason’s tone had twisted with a cold fury. Avery was afraid to answer and instead she attempted to change the subject.

  “I’m not sure. Can you make it back?”

  Mason cursed darkly.

  “Fine. I’ll call you when I’m in the state. Stay hidden and don’t be stupid!” He snapped just before the phone clicked dead.

  More unsettled than ever, Avery cradled the phone for another minute. A clock glowed its red digits, reminding her that it’d take Mason at least a day to arrive. The thick mix of emotions rising in her chest didn’t make the wait feel better.

  “Is he coming?”

  She’d almost forgotten Nate was in the room until he spoke. Avery twisted to face him.

  “He is. Then we’ll take care of the Patrick thing and you can go home.”

  Nate studied her for a full minute.

  “Did you name the harpie that tried to kill us?”

  “No!” She protested weakly. “He already had that name. I just happen to know it.”

  “And you’re not planning to go back to school then? Is this the same reason you disappeared a few months ago?”

  Avery liked to think of Nate as a dumb jock but he was sharper than that and she owed him some credit. His brown eyes lit up when his brain connected the pieces.

  “Guilty as charged.” She said, waiting for the Q and A to take on a new level. It never did. Nate suddenly held his hand up.

  “Okay, you know what? I don’t want to know. I just… I don’t want to know.” He shook his head, a clear sign that the clash of the believable and unbelievable in his head was making him uncomfortable. He clearly wanted to move on, but what he added next took her off guard. “And you should take off your shirt.” He said.

  Avery choked on her own spit.

  “What?”

  He rolled his eyes and made a vague motion towards her shoulder.

  “Take off your shirt and I can bandage it right. There’s a first aid kit in the bathroom.”

  “Uh… I guess that’s okay.” She answered after a lag but Nate had already taken the liberty to bring out the white first aid box and set it on the bed. Inside was gauze and medical tape.

  “Just face the wall.” He ordered. Avery hesitated, fighting with herself before finally tugging the cotton shirt off. The chilly air immediately crawled over her skin and gave her goosebumps. She wrapped her arms around herself, faced the corner, and reluctantly blushed.

  She heard Nate come up behind her with the kit but didn’t turn to watch him. The situation was too awkward for her to handle maturely. A long time ago, she’d been intimate with Nate and being shirtless in front of the guy stirred conflicting memories. He touched her back with a cloth. The thick scent of alcohol wafted into the air and the cloth he drew over the wound burned. The pain momentarily distracted her and she recoiled.

  “Chill out. I’m no
t making a pass at you. I have a girlfriend.” He said misinterpreting her pained reaction as skittishness. “Well, I had a girlfriend.” He amended himself.

  Hearing the downturn in his voice, she couldn’t help but point out, “For the record, I don’t think Leela is cheating on you.”

  “And you know that how?”

  “I don’t think you’d believe me if I told you. It’s complicated, like harpie complicated.”

  Nate growled.

  “Great, more bad news. Why do freak shows always follow you around? Now I should be more worried about Leela.”

  He roughly pressed the gauze up to the puncture wounds on her back and began ripping up the tape.

  “Why do you care so much? It’s just...unlike you.” Her curiosity brewing, the words slipped from her.

  “You don’t know me.” He finished and recoiled. She used the opportunity to replace her shirt and turn towards him again.

  “I know you better than Leela does.” She pointed out brazenly.

  Clearly pissed, he stormed across the room. The display of anger wasn’t harpie worthy but it got her attention.

  “That doesn’t count.” He growled, a threat to end the conversation but Avery wasn’t intimidated.

  “Then tell me that you’re not going to use Leela just like every other girl you’ve been with!” By every other girl, Avery meant herself. He must have known that too.

  “I don’t need you to remind me what my reputation is. But Leela is different and people change.”

  “Wow, I’m glad to hear the change in heart.” She said sourly.

  She knew the sarcastic shot was immature, but she also couldn’t help the surge of anger and jealously that twisted in her heart. She’d honestly been over Nate but even now, hearing him dismiss her like nothing still stirred bad feelings. She hadn’t been different. She hadn’t been worth it. But Leela was? The girl he’d just met and started dating? Something about that didn’t sit right with Avery.

  Nate let out a groan and beat his hands into the air like he needed something to vent his frustration.

  “You don’t have to tell me that I've been an asshole to you. I know. And I know I should probably apologize.” He said, his words forced and short. “But it's hard when you're still trying to get between me and Leela.”

  “Then apologize! And treat her nicely. Then you and I will be fine!” She shouted back, surprised when she heard herself. Of everything she’d thought about saying to Nate for years, this wasn’t it. She didn’t want to give up Leela to him or to give him to Leela. But saying it now, she suddenly felt okay with the idea.

  “I’m sorry, okay. I’m sorry for being an asshole, you didn’t deserve it. But I’ve changed since then and I think I’ve found someone I really care about. Besides, you and I both know we would have made a terrible couple. Are we done with this moment now?”

  Avery let the words sink in and her heart calm before answering.

  “Yes.” She agreed and nodded.

  Her eyes trailed back toward the clock. It’d be good to get some rest before Mason arrived. She’d suspected they’d have a long journey on their hands once he did arrive. Thinking about that brought back all the pressing concerns about Jericho’s book and the Band trying to snag it.

  “Will you be able to stay here for an extra day and then drive home in your car? Everything should be fine but you’ll still need to keep a low profile. Try and stay inside with other people. Just in case.” She said, the change in subject coming automatically. “I’m also going to need you to keep your mouth shut. Particularly around Leela. She doesn’t need to be any more involved than she is now.”

  In fact, as far as Avery was concerned, she’d find a way for Leela not to be involved at all. Before another wave of concern could take over her thoughts, Nate spoke up.

  “Not a word to Leela.” He echoed. “I’m fine with pretending this never happened. Especially that bonding crap.”

  Avery smiled, knowing they weren’t planning to repeat the occasion. Nate prompted something else then.

  “What are you planning next?” He quizzed.

  “Right now, I’m planning a nap.”

  Nate didn’t press for more answers. Rather the expression on his face agreed with her line of thinking. Without asking, he chose the bed closest to the door.

  The tension filled evening was simmering down but that didn’t let rest come easy. Avery snuggled into the sheets of her own bed, struggling to find a painless position. The bed kept squeaking with every movement and the sound grew obnoxious. She tried to relax. Shutting her eyes, she let the world around her disappear, but another one replaced it.

  She was standing in a warehouse, hurrying through dark hallways. Fire burned up the edges of the building. The entire building was shifting on its foundation and the shaking was deafening. She didn’t know where she stood, nor where she went but Avery kept running. She finally spotted a door at the end of the hall and some part of her recognized it. She’d seen it before. It was always the same door.

  Avery ran for the exit but just before her fingers could grasp the handle, someone appeared behind her. She whirled to face him, and that’s when she woke up. She rolled in the bed, the loud squeaking of the springs drawing her from the rest of her dream. She blinked at the ceiling, uncomfortable. Her shoulder still stung and she rolled again. The noise she made finally had Nate growl in complaint.

  “What’s wrong?” Though dark, Avery could tell his eyes jumped between the window and the door suspiciously. Maybe he was expecting Avery to be psychic now or something. It would have seemed plausible, seeing as he’d just gotten a crash course in the supernatural, but Avery lacked that ability.

  “Nothing. Just having bad dreams.” She whispered, finding her voice coming out weaker than anticipated. She pressed her hand to her forehead, trying to recall the images before it faded away from memory.

  Avery could recall something about hot fire and suffocating smoke. Along with that came the undeniable feeling that she’d seen the images somewhere before—perhaps even in another dream. The images finally slipped away and disappeared into oblivion, leaving Avery’s eyes heavy again and her body exhausted.

  She wouldn’t ignore the coincidence. She’d known magic too long now to ignore a repetitive dream, but what little she remembered of it didn’t help her. Avery lay down and tried to set her mind to rest. She’d need all her strength in the days to come.

  Seven

  Avery woke up to a bang on the door. It took her a moment to recognize the starch sheets of the hotel room and the woodsy smell of Moose Pass and another moment to remember how she’d gotten there. Heart jumping into her throat, she quickly pushed the sheets away and cast her eyes onto the wooden door. The banging continued, growing louder. Though the room only had one dim light on, she saw Nate start from his bed and whirl to stare at her with wide eyes.

  “Who is that?” He spit out in a hurry.

  At least two AM in the morning, Avery would be willing to bet the visitor wasn’t housekeeping.

  “Did that guy find us here?” Nate asked secondly, mirroring Avery’s thoughts. She pressed a finger to her lips before Nate made more noise.

  “Stay here.” She whispered and made a gesture for him to lay low.

  Slipping free of the polyester sheets, she walked silently across the carpet in bare feet. The door didn’t have a peep hole, making the situation difficult. Her mind slid between the options. If she opened the door and Patrick stood on the other side, she’d be defenseless. On the other hand, it could be Mason and she couldn’t let him leave.

  Fingers wrapping around the cold knob, she leaned forward and pushed her ear against the thick wood. The banging stopped and she couldn’t hear anything. Taking a breath, she readied herself before she heard his voice.

  “Avery, it’s me. I know you’re in there.”

  Elated, Avery yanked the door open and found the familiar face of Mason waiting on the other side. Without thought, she launched herself f
orward and gave him a tight hug around his thin torso. Before he reacted, she pulled away and caught his green eyes. Though flushed from physical exertion, he’d held up well for making such good time. His wings had been tucked behind a winter parka that bumped up awkwardly around the shoulders. His brown hair had been thoroughly messed up but the frenzied look actually complimented his strong jaw line.

  “You have no idea how glad I am to see you.” She said, letting the door swing shut behind her and seal Nate in.

  “What happened?” He asked without hesitation, giving her the look over.

  She’d put her shirt back on to cover the shoulder bandage but the distinctive red splotches still marred the white cotton. Avery waved him off before he gave it further examination.

  “I’m fine now. But that Patrick guy? He just flipped out and tried to kill me. I managed to get to a car but he jumped on the hood and bashed it up to get inside so I just kinda hit him with the car. He rolled off the hood but I don’t think he’s dead.”

  In fact, Avery was sure that he was alive. That thought wasn’t comforting though.

  “That was at Mayweather?” Mason asked, his eyes sliding around the empty hallway.

  “Yea.”

  “I searched that place first but he wasn’t there. He’s definitely up and moving again but if his wings are injured, his options for getting around are limited and that’ll help us predict where another attack would come from.” Mason said, his lips thinning and face darkening with shadows.

  Avery tried to control her reaction. If Patrick had moved, she reasoned, he’d have caught up to them by now walking or not. She’d like to assume that he would have left after he was injured but harpies had the tendency to be blindly vengeful. Worse, she reasoned that without using the magic in her body she’d be defenseless for another attack. The kind of luck she’d experienced a day ago typically didn’t hold up twice.

  “That’s just…comforting.”

  “That’s if he’ll have the nerve to come back while I’m here. Damnit, I knew something like this would happen!” Mason hissed and suddenly spun to march down the hallway. His muscles tightened and fists curled until his own talons drew blood.