Hidden in Smoke

by Harper Wylde

  I reached past her and opened the door.

  “Are we here already?” She slid out of the car and tried to get her bearings. I could tell she wasn’t fully awake yet, despite the fact she’d only slept for a few minutes.

  “We’ve only been on the road for a short time, but I wanted to show you something.” I placed an arm around her shoulders, leading her toward the railing, glad for the few moments alone with her. I watched as her eyes widened in awe. “It’s one of my favorite spots. We drive to the marina a lot to commute to the commune, and when I get the chance, I stop here, let nature sink into my bones.”

  The sun glistened off the water, and the snow-capped mountains rose in the distance.

  “The beauty and grandeur of it often puts things in my life in perspective. No matter what I’m going through, nature helps balance me. I know that’s partly because of my Kitsune and our connection to the earth and forests, but I believe that it works for everyone, not just those supernaturally connected to it. Whatever happens today, we’re not going to lose each other.” Leaning down, I placed a kiss on her head. Her breath was shaky as she exhaled and when she spoke, her voice was quiet.

  “It makes me feel small, inconsequential.”

  Softly hooking a finger under chin, I turned her face up to mine. “You’re not and will never be inconsequential Nix.” I leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips, reveling in the feel of her mouth moving under mine. It was a sweet, claiming kiss. I wanted to take it deeper, but I knew now wasn’t the time. Letting her go I watched as she turned to take in the scenery.

  Her voice grew with strength, tinged with a little bit of sass. “It reminds me that no matter what we face today, the world doesn’t end. I’ll live to see another day. I should know that more than most right?” She sighed, curling herself into my side. “Thank you, Hiro. It’s beautiful.”

  “You’re beautiful.” Ryder’s voice interrupted from behind us as he sauntered forward. Stretching his arms over his head, Nix and I both turned and watched, eyes riveted to the swath of skin revealed from the motion. The angular muscles of his hips dove behind the waistline of his designer slim fit jeans. He stepped up next to Nix, looking down at her with affection. I knew this meeting was putting a strain on him. The pain of losing Allie was close to the surface as he worried about losing Nix. I was already determined not to let that happen.

  “So are you.” She teased, poking him in the stomach, trying to get him to smile. When he quirked his lips, she beamed.

  “The Kraken wants to get crackin’,” He joked and Nix giggled, but then his tone softened. “After you, mikro poulaki,” he motioned to the car.

  I hadn’t heard him speak Greek in years, not since his sister disappeared. My heart squeezed in my chest.

  Settling in the car again, Nix squished herself between Ryder and me, holding his hand and leaning her head back on my shoulder as the car pulled back onto the road. When she dozed off again, I soaked up her presence, accepting the peace the lull of the vehicle offered. It felt like the calm before the storm.

  Nix gaped as she walked through the small town of Seward, drawn to the tourist shops all set in a row as we walked toward the boat.

  The smile on my face was genuine, and I listened to her squeal in delight at the differing sights.

  She tried to peer into each shop we passed, and when he hit the marina, she pulled to a stop to take in a sign with pictures of different fish one might come across when fishing.

  “You like fishing?” Theo asked her.

  “I don’t know. I’ve never tried it.” She shrugged but studied the images all the same. She had a zest for life that I hadn’t gotten near enough of. I wanted her to experience all of this without the strain of the upcoming meeting sitting on her shoulders. She shouldn’t be sequestered indoors because she was afraid of being ambushed by the crazy psychopath who had raised her, if you could even call it such.

  While I was worried about the Council and the decisions they would likely try to make in regards to Nix’s life, I was also quite confident that they were going to want her to settle down and mate. My brothers and I were all good matches for her, and I would do everything in my power to make them see that. Then I’d try to give Nix as much time to live her life before she settled down and became a mother.

  The image of her, swollen with my child, made my heart race and my Kitsune howl in my mind. It was far too early for such things, but I gleaned onto the image anyway. It wasn’t a far fall for my brain to start running through ways to get her pregnant. I wanted to see her splayed out on my bed, tied to the frame and writhing in pleasure. I cleared my throat, happy that my mental walls were solidly in place while I tried to reign in my wild imagination. It wasn’t the time or the place for such thoughts. Instead, I started thinking up date ideas that would put the look of interest and excitement on her face that she held now.

  Practically skipping down the dock, I could see all my brothers warming to her enthusiasm. Whether she knew it or not, she was easing the burden on their souls. A few more hours, and I hoped that we would be pulling the boat back up to this dock, together, ready to head home.

  Following her down the wooden dock, I saw Theo’s face-splitting grin as he stepped up next to Nix and led her toward the vessel. Along the way he pointed out different boats, talking to her about their various functions and the pros and cons of different styles. He was in his element now that he was near the water, and I knew his Kraken would be stretching his tentacles, enticed even by the frigid waters of Alaska. His excitement lit his eyes and softened his features. He was handsome, and I wanted to see this relaxed look on his face more often. We should all make more of an effort to soothe his beast by getting in and around water as much as possible. I wondered if he felt like a fish out of water always living on land and rarely letting his beast free.

  Coming to a sudden halt, I heard Nix’s intake of breath. “Are you kidding me? This doesn’t seem like merely a boat.” She waved her hands out in front of her as Theo stood by proudly and Killian, Ryder, and Damien gathered around taking in her reaction. “This looks like a yacht. You own this?” She asked in surprise.

  Nix stood shocked at the size of the boat we owned. I was amused that she thought we owned a dingy. What did she think we were going to do? Row ourselves into the Gulf of Alaska? It was practically the Pacific ocean. I shook my head at her in silent laughter as she climbed aboard and instantly started peppering Theo with questions.

  Guiding her into the enclosed cabin that sat behind the helm, we all wore amused expressions as she turned in a circle, taking in the interior. Aside from some comfortable bench seating, there was a small galley and dining table, not to mention the room that she hadn’t even seen yet. As we gave her a tour of the boat, Theo seemed to thrive under her interest, but after her first one hundred questions, he had simply handed her the manual to the boat as she gaped at his amused smirk. The questions kept her mind busy, off the subject of her impending meeting, so I welcomed every one of them. Once we had gotten underway though, Nix had sobered as she stared at the water and scenery flying past outside the window.

  “So this island… It’s in the Pacific ocean?” She asked.

  “Yes, though if you want to get technical, It’s in the Gulf of Alaska.” Ryder strode to the window as he answered, running a hand through his newly dyed purple hair. The shock of color stood out against the white walls of the boat and the rock colored cliffs and snow-capped mountains beyond that we passed as we exited Resurrection Bay.

  “It’s spelled so humans can’t see it. You won’t find it on any map.” Killian’s gruff voice spoke from a seat nearby; he had been sullen and quiet all morning.

  “It’s safer that way. Keeps the secret. All shifter communities have barriers to keep humans away.”

  The wind on the water made the day much colder, and the chill filled the cabin. Reaching into a compartment hidden under the seats, I grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. We needed to g
et her a new jacket. She’d been using one of Ryder’s old ones since the shooting, but it was big on her. The further we traveled the more her mood sunk. She even turned down Theo’s offer to steer the boat, and we all knew she would have loved the new experience.

  Theo, who sat stately behind the wheel, motioned Damien over to take it from him. Slipping past everyone in the cabin, he exited out the back door and crouched down, held on to the boat, and thrust his hand into the water, closing his eyes. I wasn’t sure if he was calling the water life to show off or stay away, and when he returned to take the wheel back, I followed him into the helm. His eyes were glowing more electric than more usual.

  He shrugged when I arched an eyebrow in question. “There was a pod of orcas heading this way. Her first experiences shouldn’t all be tainted by stressful situations. I asked them to keep their distance. I want her to experience the ocean with me, just not this way.” He motioned to where Nix sat with her arms wrapped tightly around herself, closed off and focused.

  Nodding my agreement I watched as the first glimmer of the barrier shimmered ahead of us. It was easier for me to see than my brothers, given the fact that a member of my species made it, however, it wasn’t long before the guys all noticed it as well. As mythologicals, we were able to see the spelled walls easily, and when Nix looked up, I knew she saw it too as we drew near.

  “Let’s get this over with.” She sighed, and none of us could agree more.

  Twenty

  Nix

  Theo docked the boat expertly and, after disembarking himself, Hiro reached out a hand to help me step onto solid ground. It took me a moment to gain back my equilibrium as my body adjusted to the steadiness of the hard ground beneath my feet. The mood from the ride over had grown more tenuous the closer we drew to the hidden island. It didn’t help that I was picking up on the guys’ nervousness, which only helped to fuel my own. I really did not want to meet these people. I had finally escaped from someone who controlled every step of my life, and now I was about to step right back into that lifestyle. I wished I could just flick them off and keep things going the way they had been—just me, my guys, and Rini. Our own little family.

  None of us knew what to expect from the Council. How they would react to the situation—my being a phoenix and the fact that the guys had kept me a secret—had me stressing out. Damien’s grandfather had made it sound as though we didn’t have a choice in this meeting and that the guys should all expect a punishment of some kind for “keeping me hidden”. The last thing I wanted was for them to be punished for what was my fault. I was the one who had wanted to keep myself separated from the shifter world—still intent on living my life as a human the way I had always planned. I was the one who had led Michael here, endangering myself and the others in the process.

  Leaving the dock, we started the trek up the path. I tried to look around and take in the surroundings. This was where the guys had grown up, and I wanted to appreciate it, but my anxiety was eating at me too much to enjoy the trip. Maybe, if things went well, they’d be able to bring me back here someday. I wouldn’t hold out hope though. I was used to things in my life always going to shit, and my expectations for this meeting were no different. Hiro rubbed his thumb along my skin as we walked and I tried to memorize the feel of his skin on mine. The sound of tires crunching gravel had me looking up, and I spied a black SUV pulling to a stop in the large parking lot up ahead that seemed to belong to the marina. As promised, Damien’s grandfather was here to pick us up. Whether he was trying to be nice or trying to make sure I didn’t bolt, I couldn’t be sure.

  I claimed a window seat and Theo sat next to me in middle row of the car. As I leaned my head back onto the headrest and closed my eyes, his hand gently found my leg, settling just above my knee. He rubbed small patterns into the fabric of my jeans and I took a deep breath, trying to let his touch soothe my Phoenix and I. The guys couldn’t seem to stop touching me, and I didn’t want them to.

  The green scenery blurred past the window while we traveled and I turned my attention to absorbing the view. I spotted several small groupings of cabins in the woods, their size and elaborateness growing larger and fancier the further inland we went. Narrowing my eyes, I studied the landscape as it flew past while the guys all murmured around me. When I was sure about my observations, I turned to Theo.

  “So… the houses are all different.” I realized how stupid that sounded the second it came out of my mouth, but most of my brain was still focused on freaking out about having to meet with the Council. “Let me rephrase that. The homes seem to be getting nicer the farther we go?” I couldn’t put my finger on it, but I hadn’t expected the shifter world to have such a clear division of class like that.

  Theo looked over at me and leaned in. “The stronger packs, sleuths, etcetera live closer to the home of the Council. Groups containing mythologicals live the closest. Weaker and less influential groups live closer to the island’s coastline.” He didn’t sound happy about it, and I found comfort in that because the whole idea seemed fucked up.

  “I didn’t expect it to be so monarchist.” I knew my voice was thick with snark. I wasn’t sure I was going to fit into shifter society when I already hated their social hierarchy. Why the hell couldn’t all the shifters be considered equals? I knew being a mythological automatically put me in a “higher class”. The idea was preposterous. I grew up in a shack with no money. I was never a popular girl in school. In fact, I’d rarely had any friends growing up. I wasn’t fancy. I was a pretty low maintenance person—a casual, jeans and a t-shirt kind of girl. There was nothing about me that made me better than anyone else, and I resented that idea in society. Just because someone was born a mythological shouldn’t automatically make them better than a normal animal shifter. Rini was a far nicer person than I was, and yet she was considered lower on the proverbial totem pole than I was? It was insane.

  I tensed up the closer we got to the Council’s headquarters. Breaking through the treeline, I stilled and gaped through the front windshield. The clearing was easily the size of many football fields, and the massive wooden structure situated in the middle was several stories tall. Large glass windows were set into the log beams that made up the giant house—if you could even call the sprawling lodge before me a house. Dozens of chimneys jutted from the roofline, and decorative peaked roofs and balconies were in abundance.

  “This is where the Council meets?”

  “They live here along with their families.” It was Hiro who answered my question from the back seat.

  God, I was so out of my depth here. I wasn’t ready for this. Wait. Is this the house Damien grew up in? I’d have to ask later because now was not that time.

  The car rolled forward ominously and pulled to a stop in front of a large staircase that led to a wrap around porch and the main door. I didn’t want to admit it, but the lodge was gorgeous. I had never seen something so beautiful—albeit over the top—but the growing sense of dread had me wanting to leave, to forget about this whole summons and forget this island ever existed.

  Taking a calming breath, I squared my shoulders and opened the car door, prepared to face whatever lay ahead and get the meeting over with.

  I had wanted to scream when I was separated from my guys. Apparently, it was tradition; a stupid one in my opinion, that a shifter who was of age must face the Council alone to show their own strength and their respect to the ruling body. I stood before the large double doors of the council room in the lodge, trying to breathe deeply and evenly to lessen the shaking in my hands and arms. If I had to do this alone, I was going to put on the bravest face I possibly could. I had dealt with Michael for years. Yes, the people may want to try and control my future, to try and put me into a labeled box that they thought was best for me, but it didn’t seem as though they were planning to harm me. From what the guys and Rini had said, they were simply looking to expand the Phoenix numbers and, if anything, would be keeping me confined rather than physically harmed.

/>   I began to trace the intricate pattern on the gold and green carpet with my eyes, unwilling to let anyone who may be monitoring see me pace or twitch. The lodge was as lush and palatial on the interior as the exterior. Obviously, they did very well for themselves, which made sense if they had been able to gift Killian a plane. The doors were pulled open to reveal a warm, plush sitting room with a large conference table. I couldn’t resist the raised eyebrow. This was their version of a court? It felt more like a study, albeit one that I would never be able to relax in.

  I spared a glance at the men who had opened each of the doors. Really? Was that necessary? I couldn’t help but wonder what type of shifters they were to have gotten those jobs. Maybe they were bodyguards and this was an act? I’d have to pick Theo’s brain later. I was sure there wasn’t much about the Council that he didn’t know. A guard appeared behind me, pushing on my back to usher me inside.

  “Don’t!” I whispered harshly but quietly. “Don’t touch me” I couldn’t help but flinch away and quickly step out of his reach. I felt bad when he looked confused and contrite, but my reaction to touch hadn’t changed outside of the guys and Rini. Moving into the room through the large double doors, I took in the environment. Seven men sat at the slightly elevated conference table, each studying me in turn, their expressions ranging from curiosity to mild interest, to outright hostility. The man who glared at me from the far end of the table instantly put my back up and my Phoenix hissed. She didn’t like him any better than I did. He appeared conventionally attractive if I let myself step back and study him, if not on the thin side. His hair was nearly golden, his cheeks rounded with a strong chin, his eyes a slate grey. Yet, despite his looks, I couldn’t help my repulsion. I wondered if a Phoenix had a mortal enemy, like a mongoose to a snake? My Phoenix was flipping and whirring in anger. She obviously did not like this man, and while we both feared the Council,we had no reason to hate this man in particular intrinsically. Yet, hate him I did. I instantly ran through the list of the council members’ alternate forms that the guys had drilled into me yesterday, trying to place him.