I didn’t even hear crickets, just an ominous, creaking kind of silence, as though even the trees wanted to flee. Humming with nerves, I darted across the boardwalk, crossing the water silently, and entered Foster’s Island. I knew the point was less than half a mile ahead, but I slowed down. Something was wrong.
Ears pricking up, I thought I could hear the in and out of some sleeping creature in the dark knot of trees off to the left. I hesitated, then decided not to shift back. I didn’t want to alert the wendigo if it was him.
I was creeping along quietly through the woods, the boardwalk long gone behind me. The smell of blood then hit me hard. Looking up slowly, I clenched my jaw to keep from throwing up.
A deer had been strung up in the trees, dried blood caking it. The poor thing had been slashed to ribbons, almost more a skeleton than anything else. Carefully I pulled out my phone and took a picture. I recognized those slash marks.
Moving forward, I went to put my phone back when “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi blasted through the clearing. I froze and then looked down, trying to silence my phone. Hazel was calling.
Aren’t you a shaman? I screamed in my head. You should have better timing than this!
Ahead of me, I heard a grunt and movement. Shoving my phone in my pocket, I took off at a run, keeping low. Behind, something was snarling and crunching after me, hampered by the thicket of trees.
Swallowing, I shifted and leaped onto the bridge, darting across, as I heard a clatter of claws on the boardwalk behind me. Twisting around, I braced myself, but there was nothing there.
I stared around, baffled, till a breeze came by. At that, I took off running, glancing over my shoulder. And though I couldn’t be sure, I could have sworn a dark laugh followed me on the breeze.
I’d meant to call Hazel back as soon as I was outside of the park, but my phone had died. So I was back at Sky’s apartment, scrubbing myself free of the mud and gunk covering me. Once done, I walked over and saw she’d texted me.
Cree! Did you read this? Did you see this? Does she know?
There were also texts from Burr, Ben, and Wes. I stared at Wes’s. Did Sky overhear us?
“Overhear us? When?” I asked, bemused. Had they all lost their minds at the same time? I knew they missed me, but jeez. Going back to Hazel’s text, I saw she’d included a link and it was for an article at Sky’s magazine. By Sky. I read the title and sat down, heart pounding.
What did Otis Huxley know? Sasquatches, step aside. A wendigo is on the scene.
My eyes flew down the article. Supposedly, an anonymous tip had been phoned into The Whole Scoop and a “new” monster had been spotted downtown after the fire yesterday. It even went into detail about the mythology behind it and the Native American tribes to which those stories belonged.
I couldn’t feel my face. Mechanically, I reached for my phone and called Sky. No answer.
Fear was rearing up in me and I ran to get dressed. My phone was barely charged, but I didn’t care. I had to find her. What if that thing decided to do her in like it did the professor?
The deer flashed into my mind’s eye as I flew down the steps and burst onto the street.
Sky, please be at work, please be okay.
I should have never let her out of my sight.
When I got to The Whole Scoop offices, I paced around the lobby as they checked me in. The security guards were giving me funny looks and I couldn’t blame them. I was acting like an idiot.
“Worried about my girlfriend,” I muttered to them. “Family emergency.”
They nodded, but still looked skeptical. At that moment, a tall brunette got off the elevators and one of the guards flagged her down.
“Ms. Goss – have you seen Sky Hess?” they asked.
“Sky? No, she left a little while ago. Why?”
“Boyfriend is looking for her,” the guard replied.
“Boyfriend?!" Her eyes landed on me. “You’re Sky’s boyfriend? Oh, my.”
I ignored her smirk and fluttering eyelashes. “You said Sky left a little while ago? Do you know when and where she went? She’s not at home. It’s a family emergency.”
Shrugging elegantly, she shook her head. “I’m Kira, by the way.”
I stared at the woman in disbelief. Was she that dense? With a tight nod, I thanked the security guards and stormed outside. Standing on the sidewalk, I deliberated where to go. Maybe she’d gone to one of the nearby cafés to write. I knew a couple that she liked, but not all of them. Why didn’t I know all of the cafés where Sky liked to write? What was wrong with me?
Suddenly the sheer size of the city and press of people had me sick to my stomach. I couldn’t think straight. What if Pale Eyes sidled up to her and grabbed her? They were good at that.
“Hey, so I didn’t get your name,” came a voice at my elbow.
I looked down to see Kira Goss smiling up at me and flipping her hair. “That’s because I didn’t tell you,” I said shortly.
“I have to admit, I don’t usually envy Sky for much of anything,” she laughed lightly. “But today, I totally am.”
“Well, you should, Sky’s amazing,” I said, beginning to walk. This woman was testing my last nerve and it was frayed to shreds as it was.
“You know, since you can’t find Sky – I’m free right now.” Her implication was heavy and odious in every word.
I turned to her. “Seriously? Sky’s your coworker. And she’s my girlfriend,” I said, enunciating every word. “I’ve made it clear I’m not interested and that I’m in the middle of a crisis. I’m trying to find her and you’re wasting your time.” I glared at her. “Plus, you’ve got nothin’ on her.”
“Excuse me?” her face twisted. “I’ve got nothing on Sky?”
“Yeah, that’s what I said,” I snarled sarcastically. “Now, leave me the hell alone. I have no time or patience for vapid people like you.”
My temper was almost gone and I quickly walked away before I said something worse than I already had. Not that I felt guilt, only satisfaction.
Although maybe Sky wouldn’t be too happy with me.
Sky.
My heart clenched. Maybe I could track her, I thought. Inhaling, I tried to find that apricot and honeysuckle scent, but there were too many smells, too much overwhelming me.
So I set off through the city, praying I’d find her before anyone – or anything – else did.
Four hours later, I was beginning to lose my mind. Or maybe I’d already lost it. I felt as though I’d circled the city twice. My phone was dead and I was trudging back to Sky’s to eat something and come up with a plan.
Ahead of me, I saw a blonde woman struggling with bags as she walked up the stairs to Sky’s apartment. That looks like Sky, I thought dazedly.
Then my exhausted brain woke up. That was Sky.
Running forward, vaulting over the railing, Sky had begun to turn when I crushed her against me.
“Whoa – Cree?” she asked as I let her go slightly and spun her around. Cupping the back of her head, I pressed my lips to the top of it and let out a deep, shaky breath. My entire body was light with relief. I almost thought I was going to sink to the ground my legs were so weak. “Hi, what are you doing? I’m trying to get inside.”
Stepping back, I gripped her shoulders and stared into her surprised gray-green eyes. “Where the hell have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“What?” Sky blinked at me. “I had to run some errands. I tried to call you, but your phone was off.”
“Yeah, it died,” I muttered, lifting a less than steady hand to her face. Closing my eyes, I pressed my lips to her forehead. “Damn, Sky. I was so worried.”
“Why?” Sky asked in a soft voice. “Did something happen?”
Leaning back, I didn’t answer. Instead, I kissed her, crushing her against me, as she invaded all my senses and filled me from head to toe. It was a kiss that held nothing back. It laid me open.
In my head, I heard Sky’s innocent a
nd pointed question. Have you ever been in love?
No, Sky, I had not. I think you just broke my record though. I thought and that two punch combo of exhilaration and fear hit my gut.
Breaking apart, I stared at her, sure that it was written all over my face. I couldn’t even speak, I just held her face.
“If you two lovebirds are done, other people live in my building you know,” came a clucking voice from the bottom of the stairs.
Sky went bright red as Mrs. Kuoi muscled her way up the stairs. “S-sorry Mrs. K,” she squeaked. “You should have said something sooner.”
“I did,” Mrs. Kuoi responded dryly. “At least it was a good show.”
“Oh my God, Cree!” Sky whacked me with a bag as Mrs. Kuoi vanished inside.
I felt like I’d been hit by a train. Or maybe a spacecraft. Possibly a planet. Still disoriented, I just nodded and took Sky’s bags, going inside. She was chastising me under her breath and I didn’t even care. I went straight to the elevator and slumped against the wall.
“Cree, when’s the last time you ate?” Sky suddenly said, her voice anxious in my ear and her fingers brushed my clammy forehead.
My entire body responded to that touch and I tried to muster a smile. “I don’t know.”
“No wonder why you’re acting so weird,” she fretted. “I noticed that when your blood sugar gets low, you get kind of whacked. Well, more whacked. And anxious.”
Sky continued to fret over me until we were in the apartment. As I set down the bags, I noticed one was longer and I recognized the store name.
“You went back to that dress shop?” I asked, momentarily distracted.
“Yes,” Sky said, flushing red as she hurried into the kitchenette. “I already know, Cree. And thank you.”
This time I grinned for real. “Aren’t you glad I told them to hold it?”
“Yes,” she said, shaking her head and smiling at me. “Now, come here. Eat.” She was facing the counter and I wrapped my arms around her waist, pressing my cheek against her head. “Cree.” Her hands fluttered to mine. “Are you sure – what’s wrong? Why were you looking for me?”
“I saw that article you posted,” I said. “I started to worry that whoever went after Professor Huxley might come after you. Then I couldn’t find you and my phone was dead.”
She twisted around, staring up at me. “Cree. Why would they come after me? I’m just a writer at a small start-up magazine. It’s not like I had secrets of the wilderness to share. All I did was write up a tip someone called my office with.”
“About that,” I said, trying to act casual, but my hands tightened around her and she glanced down. “Someone called, huh? You didn’t hear that anywhere else?”
“Anywhere else?” Sky repeated. Was her tone a shade too innocent or was I imagining it?
“Forget it,” I said. “I’m probably overreacting. I hope.” Letting out a breath, I tried to convince myself it was a coincidence. “You’re here and you’re safe.”
“Cree, that was a hell of a kiss on the front steps.” Her hands slid up my arms. “You miss me that much? It was like you’d been away in a war for years.”
“I didn’t see you this morning,” I muttered. “Sorry, I took off early for a run.”
Looping her arms around my neck, she smiled. “I’m not complaining.”
Lifting her, I settled her on the counter next to the stuff she’d pulled out and leaned in. “Oh yeah?” She nodded and I slanted my mouth across hers. My hands gripped her and she squeaked as I crushed her against me. “Work from home the next coupla days?” I whispered when we came up for air. “Please?”
Sky had a hazy, dreamy look in her eyes and she nodded. “Okay.”
“You’re probably gonna wanna avoid the office for a few days, anyway,” I murmured as I kissed her neck. “Kind of made a little scene there.”
“What?” Pushing on my shoulders, she forced me back and squinted up at me. “A scene? What did you do? You were there?”
“I couldn’t find you!” I said sheepishly. “So, I uh, went to your work. And your coworker, Kira? She’s a piece of work. I was pretty rude to her.”
“Kira? Why? She’s so…” Sky made a face. “Not worth it.”
“She got in my way,” I said simply.
“Your way of what?” Sky laughed.
“Of finding you,” I murmured, my heartbeat loud in my ears.
Her lips parted and her eyes became bright. “Cree,” she murmured, kissing me back. Then she broke off, shaking her head. “Here, let me down so we can make dinner.”
“Nah,” I said. “Let’s order pizza. Although you’re doing a pretty good job of filling me up.” She smacked my shoulder and laughed. “What? I feel better already,” I said.
“I’ll order,” Sky said, reaching behind her and finding her phone.
“Sounds good,” I murmured, letting my hands follow her familiar curves. I listened as she placed it, then gasped as I pressed a kiss to her knee. “What are you doing?” She whispered.
“Appetizer,” I smirked up at her and she bit her lip. “Better hurry up.”
Lowering my head, I heard Sky continue in a breathless voice, “Okay, thirty minutes? Perfect. Ah, um, yes. Thank you.”
“Thirty minutes?” I echoed. “That is perfect.”
Chapter 18
“You’re writing about the scary rumors again?” Cree was asking in my ear and distracting me from finishing up a paragraph. “Seattle is so weird.”
“‘Keep Seattle weird,’” I absently replied as I reread it.
We were lounging on the couch. I was working, Cree was ostensibly reading and dozing, but in reality, he was keeping an eye on me. He’d been hovering around me like a guard dog for the past four days, eschewing his good-natured, easy posture for a more militant, folded-arms one.
It was hot, I had to admit, but now it was getting slightly out of hand. In line at the Bang Bang Café, Cree had stared some guy down for breathing too close to me.
And he still wouldn’t tell me why the sudden change in intensity other than worrying that whoever did in poor Otis Huxley wasn’t going to like me writing about the tips that kept coming in.
Of course, part of it was guilt. While I hadn’t lied exactly – a tip had come in about the wendigo – I had also eavesdropped. I wished I’d just admitted it. Maybe then Cree would be calmer.
I thought back to him waiting for me outside the bathroom at the supermarket and flushed. Or maybe not.
Rayner better get back soon before I slap Cree upside the head, I thought to myself for the thousandth time.
In the last four days, too, I’d completely disregarded my brother’s wishes and poked more into Otis Huxley’s death. The police had finally released a report and it was baffling. From all accounts, Huxley was murdered by a ghost. They didn’t have a shred of evidence or any leads.
I still couldn’t figure out how the monsters, my brother, and Cree played into it, however.
Of course, the report had also set off a new wave of theories and hysterics across the city. Never before had cryptozoology trended day after day on social media. It almost would’ve been funny, except some people were genuinely scared and a lot of people were making it worse.
One kid had decided to dress up like a werewolf and stalk around Pike Place Market the other night. Someone had freaked, called the police, and he was arrested.
It was getting out of control.
Today I was writing a follow-up on the wendigo. Someone had set off a debate of werewolf vs. wendigo on Reddit and Joaquim wanted a piece on it.
Honestly, though, this stuff was starting to make my eyes glaze over. It wasn’t like it was real.
My inbox pinged. Grateful for the break, I opened it and said, “Oh, here’s the invitations for the gala. I have to remember to print these.”
“What charity is this again?” Cree asked, snuggling on my shoulder and closing his eyes. “Anything I’d care about?”
“Um, it�
�s by the uh… Ahanu Group. I think I said that right. Urban Redevelopment of Green Spaces in Seattle. Oh, they’re also going to honor Professor Huxley that night.”
“Ahanu?” Cree sat up and looked at me. “Wait, what? How is it spelled?” I pointed to it on my computer screen and he leaned in. I watched as his shoulders tensed. “What the hell?”
“Does it mean something to you?” I asked, rubbing my hand on his back.
“Ahanu is Cree. It means ‘he laughs,’” Cree answered slowly as he sat back. “Again, weird.”
“Let’s look them up,” I suggested and my fingers flew across the keyboard. Cree whistled as I whipped through web pages, barely clicking, using all shortcuts and computer nerd wisdom. “Well, damn, Cree. This is the definition of weird.”
“I knew it,” Cree said with a sort of grim triumph.
I frowned at their homepage as I clicked around. “Okay, first. Their website is a dummy one. It looks fancy, but there’s nothing actually here.” Pulling up my developer app, I scrolled through the code and Cree whistled again. “Oh, shut up.”
“Girl, you some kinda fancy hacker? You gonna hack me?” he teased.
“Please,” I snorted. “Already did.” Cree’s jaw dropped and I laughed. “Kidding.”
I mean, I was in a way. I had, of course, stalked Cree on social media. It was 2017.
“Damn, remind me to keep an eye on you,” he said, and I stuck my tongue out at him.
After a few more minutes, I announced, “Okay, this website was basically thrown together. That doesn’t make sense. Why would a big company throw a charity dinner like this if they weren’t established? Literally, this site was made a couple of weeks ago.”
“Can you keep digging?” Cree asked. “That money has to be coming from somewhere. Maybe this group is a subsidiary charity branch or something.” I raised my eyebrows and he rolled his eyes. “How many times I gotta tell ya? I know things.”
HOTSHOT BROTHERS: Coyote Shifters Page 64
