Had he noticed my reaction? Hating my transparency, I was determined to be less obvious with my feelings.
"It's crazy busy in here," Rowan whispered in my ear. "How about we take our food out on the deck?"
Wanting the escape and some fresh air, I nodded and followed him into the next room. He pushed open the French doors, and we went outside. It was a beautiful, crisp morning and the scenery was breathtaking. We seemed to be in some kind of luxury cabin with gorgeous views and mountains in the distance. Normally, I'd want a jacket this time of year, but I wasn't the least bit cold.
"Where are we?" I asked, laying my plate on the wooden table and pulling back a chair.
"Wyoming."
I almost dropped my coffee mug. "What? That can't be." Our home was in New Orleans. How in the world did we get to Wyoming?
"We needed to bring you somewhere safe. New Orleans is a very dangerous place to be right now, especially for you and your sister."
My mind darted back to my earlier thoughts about police involvement. "Are people looking for us?"
"Not the kind of people, or things, you want looking for you."
Vampires? It must be. "Any news about my dad?" If he was alive, there was no way he wouldn't move Heaven and Earth to find us. Or, at least, that's what my heart was saying.
"No. I wouldn't get your hopes up about that. If he's alive, and I do mean if, he's in hiding. We've sent word to those we trust that you and Madeleine are safe. That'd be enough for him for now."
He seemed so matter-of-fact, but I could sense something more. "What about you and Rafe? Where are your parents?"
My question caught him mid-bite; he put his bacon down and looked out toward the mountains. "Dead."
Something about his delivery made it very clear: the subject was closed. I went back to eating and enjoying the rustling and color of fall leaves. Other than nature, silence abounded. As I opened my mouth to offer sympathy, feeling weird about not doing it right away, Rafe poked his head out the door.
"Training time," he said as he walked onto the deck. Madeleine was right behind him, followed by Sasha and Ricardo; the only other names I knew besides Hemming. We hadn't seen him since that first chat in the living room.
"Heard yesterday was interesting," Ricardo said, giving me a light tap on the shoulder. Everything about him screamed smooth, and he embodied the Latin-heartthrob stereotype. "Sasha and I can't wait to join you soon."
"What do I need to grab?" I asked, collecting my things from the table.
"Rafe and I already got the bags, and they're in the car," Madeleine said.
Sasha took the items from my hands. "I'll get that."
Ricardo did the same for Rowan's mess. "You guys go on ahead."
I followed everyone back into the house; Ricardo and Sasha veered off to the kitchen, and the rest of us headed outside. Like last night, Rafe held the truck's door open, and I got in. Before Madeleine could join me, Hemming appeared.
"More training, I assume?" he asked.
Rafe nodded.
"When you get back, I'd like a report, especially in light of yesterday's session." Hemming glared in my direction, and goose bumps raised on my arm.
Was he staring at me? I didn't like all the attention and odd looks. Madeleine was clearly the better wolf, since she actually managed to turn into one. Something kept me from asking what was so special about yesterday even though I was dying to know.
Madeleine didn't offer any questions, either.
Rafe seemed focused on Hemming's retreating back. We stood in silence for an awkward moment.
"We're going about a mile away today, to an old warehouse we've set up as a gym," Rowan said, turning slightly to make eye contact with my sister and me.
A gym. Wonderful. Madeleine was always the athletic one in addition to being more beautiful. She definitely received the winning end of the gene pool in our family. I was the one with the grades; a lot of good they'd do me now. College was nothing more than a dashed dream at this point.
We turned down a dirt path, and a huge building came into view. It looked industrial, but without any identifying features like a company name or other signage. Rafe drove around to the side. He reached over, opened the glove box, and pulled out what looked to be a garage door opener. With a click, the grated metal door began to creak open. He drove the truck inside and, pushing the button again, closed us in.
Fluorescent lights lit the enormous space. It looked like a small arena; various equipment was spread around the room and bleachers were set up in certain areas. Above, the ceiling was made up of metal beams and hanging lights.
"We'll split up. I'll take Madeleine," Rafe said. My heart squeezed at his choice. "You and Rowan can work together."
I nodded and followed Rowan.
"Sorry you got stuck with me."
He tilted his head at my comment.
"Madeleine's so much more athletic. She's the one you'd want next to you in battle."
"Don't be so sure about that. She seems to have great instincts, but what you did the other day? I've never seen anything like it."
There it was again, the cryptic talk about the other night. I stopped and placed a hand on his shoulder so he'd face me. "Okay, I don't get it. What did I do?"
He studied me. "First, most people would be terrified at the sight of three huge wolves surrounding them. You quickly shook that off and focused on your sister. The way you calmed her? it was like you affected her feelings. I can't explain it. Hemming wants us to work with you and see if it's something you can learn to control."
For a moment, I did nothing but stare. So I had a calming presence, something Mom always said about me, but a whole lot of good that would do me in a battle with a heartless vampire-or whatever else we might face. "I'd rather be the better fighter."
A huge smile spread across Rowan's face. "I get it. But don't underestimate other tactics. Anyway, let's get started. We'll work on shifting again later tonight, but for now we need to start building your strength and reaction time."
He led me to a section set up like a gymnastics studio with bars and mats. We started with some pushups and chin ups. I soon discovered I was stronger than I thought; it must be thanks to the werewolf blood. Within minutes, sweat poured off me.
"Here," he tossed me a bottled water. "Let's go do some sparring."
As we walked to the other end of the gym, Rafe and Madeleine came into view. Each had on boxing gloves. With her right arm, Madeleine threw a punch. Just before contact, Rafe moved his head slightly and avoided the blow. My sister stumbled from the forward energy but quickly recovered and spun to face him. Their movements mimicked a high-energy dance. I could feel the intensity from several feet away.
Madeleine threw a few more jabs, but none connected. Then, Rafe attacked. She threw her arms up to block most of the shots. When he went for the uppercut, she yanked her head back. As his arm sailed by without connecting, she slammed her right fist into his chest. Stumbling, he grabbed her, and they fell to the ground. Madeleine landed on top. As she pushed up onto her arms, letting her knees hit the floor, Rafe closed the distance between them by propping up on his elbows. Then, in a fluid movement, he threw his arm around her, spun their bodies, and pinned her to the floor. Their faces were inches apart, chests heaving.
A heaviness settled over me, forcing me to look away. They looked so intimate lying there, and I couldn't help but wish I was the one pinned to the ground.
***
"Get off!"
I pushed hard against his chest, determined to break contact; the more I struggled, the bigger his grin became.
"As you wish," he finally said, moving to the side.
Standing, I smacked my gloves together and squared my shoulders. "Again."
"Actually, Am?lie and I are up next," Rowan said.
I startled at his voice; I had no clue anyone was watching, which made my lackluster performance all the more embarrassing. Wanting nothing more than to show Rafe what I was cap
able of, I focused on him. "You sure? One more go round?"
"There'll be plenty of time for that," Rafe said. "Why don't you give your sister your gloves and help her get ready." He turned to his brother. "Can we chat for a second?"
Rowan nodded, and they walked to a close corner. I couldn't make out any of their conversation, but Rafe made eye contact with me for a brief second before he turned his back to me.
"It's impolite to stare."
Am?lie. I almost forgot she was there.
"Sorry. He never gives me a compliment, and I'm working my butt off." With exaggerated movements, I took off the gloves and began to put one on my sister. "Where does he get off?" I tightened the laces.
"Ouch!"
"Sorry again. I'm just frustrated. So much has happened, and nobody has asked us how we are or if we need anything. Or, and here's a crazy idea, if we'd like to make a phone call or access a computer to try and contact Dad."
Am?lie reached over with her non-gloved hand to wrap me in a half hug. "We'll get through this. Somehow. Trust me, I'm freaking out, but I trust Rafe and Rowan." She rubbed up and down my arm. I could feel my muscles loosen and tension evaporate.
Then, it hit me. "Oh my God! That's what you did the other day, isn't it?"
Was she actually willing me to feel better? It seemed impossible, but so many things happening to us would've been unimaginable a week ago.
She jerked her hand back. "I don't mean to. Rowan was talking to me about it while we worked out."
I wanted to tell her everything would be okay, but I was too unsure myself to be convincing. Instead, I stayed on task and finished getting her ready.
Rowan and Rafe rejoined us.
Halfway through day ten of training, Rafe announced it was time for lunch, and I realized the depth of my hunger. We gathered our bags and made our way to the truck. As I was getting in the back, Rafe's cell phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket and answered.
Never had I seen his face contort so much. I hovered half in and half out of the car, catching bits and pieces of the conversation.
"We'll be right there," he said, ending the call and kicking at the ground in front of him.
"Hemming?" Rowan asked.
"Yes."
Rafe clenched his hands into fists, and I could see the veins pulsing in his arms.
Rowan opened his mouth as if to speak but was cut off by a shrieking howl. It was like nothing I'd ever heard before, and it sounded close. Shivers ran down my back, and a horrible urine and mildew smell permeated my nose.
"Get in the truck and stay there," he said, pushing me the rest of the way into the car.
Once I was in, the door clicked shut behind me, and then I heard the locks engage.
Am?lie gasped, so I jerked my head back to the window.
Rafe and Rowan had transformed. They crept away from us and toward the woods surrounding the building.
"I'll never get used to seeing them like that," she said.
A series of prickles crept over my skin, similar to goose bumps but more intense. I tried rubbing my arms, hoping to ease the uncomfortable sensation. An urge to jump out of the car overtook me. When I reached for the door handle, Am?lie pulled my hand back.
"Rowan wanted us to stay in the car."
As the brothers moved to the edge of my vision, I noticed a fast movement out of the corner of my eye. Then another. Rafe ran back toward us. My face was glued to the window, like a young child watching a scary movie way too close to the television. Out of nowhere, fur overtook my view. I moved back; my sister and I now pinned together on the opposite side of the car. A nightmare played out in front of us. Crimson eyes, glowing like a hot poker, stared at us through the window. It looked like a large dog with some kind of flesh-eating disease, its fur mangled and patchy. With teeth bared, it began scratching at the door as if trying to get in.
Then there were two others. One jumped into the bed of the truck while another crawled up on the hood.
Am?lie and I clung to each other as the air in the small space began to feel constrictive, as if we were using it all up.
Rafe-I could tell it was him by the darker color of his fur-flew over the front of the truck, taking the one wolf with him; they tumbled onto the ground.
Then, Rowan tackled the one to the side. Behind us, the remaining creature seemed even more desperate to get in; he crept back and ran full force into the back window, repeating the action over and over again.
For no obvious reason, the thing stopped, returning to the ground and sitting as if its master had summoned it to do so. Both other wolves did the same. Looking around, I could see at least five more huddled a few feet away near Rafe.
Rowan stayed close to the car.
Rafe stood on all fours as the wolves sat at attention; each coming down to their bellies in turn.
Rowan tapped lightly on the glass by the driver's side, suddenly back to his human form, and I felt like I'd jump out of my skin.
"Everything's okay now," he said, just above a whisper. "Can you throw me that bag?"
I did as I was told. As Rowan put clothes on, his body blocked by the car, I asked, "What are those things?" I knew they were some kind of wolf, but they seemed more than a simple woodland creature and not like us. I couldn't shake the image of their blazing-red eyes.
"We've only started encountering them recently. They seem to respond to Rafe." A but hung in the air, although Rowan didn't utter another word. He stared at his brother and the whimpering wolves with as much intensity as I felt.
My gaze went to Rafe and zeroed in on his bronzed butt. With a wave of his hand, the wolves stood at attention and took off for the woods. He watched until they were out of sight and then Rowan threw his brother the bag. I turned away, embarrassed.
"Is everything okay?" Rowan asked.
Rafe nodded, opened the door, threw the bag in, and took a seat; the truck soon roared to life. Rowan hopped into the passenger's seat, and we were on our way.
"Ready for some lunch?" Rafe asked, as if nothing had happened.
I leaned forward, getting as close to the front seat as I could without crawling into it. "Lunch? How about we discuss those things first?" So far, I'd been numb to all the changes, even going so far as to be understanding of our uprooted life and the need not to bombard our new family with questions. But I refused to ignore obvious warning signs of trouble.
For an awkward moment, nobody spoke. I wanted to pop Rafe in the back of the head and demand answers, or at least some serious attention to what we just experienced.
"That group is a little rowdy, but we need them on our side," Rafe said, his eyes locked on the road in front of us.
He sounded like a parent making excuses for his misbehaving children-the ones who were one step away from juvenile detention. Noting Rowan's tense body language and remembering the distance he'd kept from the animals, I promised myself I'd get him alone later and pursue the conversation.
For the rest of the trip, we rode in silence. Am?lie was facing her window, her forehead pressed to the glass. Resigned to the quiet, I sat back into the seat, leaned my head against the headrest, and closed my eyes.
Going through the motions, I picked up a plate and loaded it with food, but I felt disconnected. Was this really my life now? I started to wonder if I'd died that fateful day and was walking around in some kind of purgatory. Shaking off the thought, I lowered myself into a chair and lifted the hamburger to my mouth.
"How're you holding up?" Sasha asked as she sat next to me.
I turned to face her, my sustenance still mid-air. "Okay, I guess. It's all so much to take in."
"I know. It'll take some getting used to. Trust me, I still have moments where I wonder if this is all real."
"How long have you been here?" I asked, curious to know how long I'd feel this way.
"About five years," she answered. She took a long sip of her water as I considered her response.
I felt dejected. Five years was a long time t
o still have doubt. Before I could get too caught up in analyzing, Madeleine sat down.
Rafe and Rowan had disappeared not long after they'd arrived back at the house; Hemming had caught them at the door and ushered them down a hallway while directing Madeleine and me to the kitchen.
Sasha seemed like someone I could trust, especially since Rafe and Rowan appeared to value her. Maybe she knew something about the wolves from earlier. "So, what's the story with the mangy wolves we saw earlier today?"
Her eyes darted from one end of the room to the other, and then she dabbed her napkin on her mouth. "Are you done eating?"
I nodded, confused.
"Why don't we go chat in my room?" she said, gathering her things.
Madeleine and I threw our dishes into the dishwasher, tossed our trash, and then followed Sasha out of the kitchen. Her room was in the basement and set up much like ours.
From the amount of stuff on both beds, I assumed she shared her room with someone. "Have we met your roommate?" I asked. We had yet to meet another female in the house besides her.
"Oh, yeah. Ricardo." She plopped down on her bed, leaning back into her pillows.
"Are you two?" Madeleine began.
"No! We're like brother and sister. Eww! Anyway, back to your earlier question. First of all, don't let Hemming hear you talking about those wolves. He's not a fan. Rafe seems to be one of the few they'll listen to. We're all a little weirded-out by the mutts, quite frankly."
"What about Rowan?" I asked, hoping I wasn't pressing my luck with the question. Sasha was being friendly, and I didn't want to put her in an awkward position. Madeleine and I could use all the friends we could get around here.
Sasha threw her arm behind her head and breathed out. "Rowan will always have Rafe's back. But none of us feel real comfortable about the whole thing."
"I noticed they didn't shift at any point," Madeleine said. She was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.
"They can't. We encountered a few of them not too long ago during a fight. They followed Rafe back here and they've grown in numbers. They're vicious in battle."
For a minute, we sat in silence. I looked around the room. No pictures or any personal items. It felt like a college dorm room where the student was either packing up to go home or had just arrived. I wondered if anyone here had family.