Chapter 13

“Shit.” Frode said, jumping up and back so Rune could exit the booth we were seated in.

Rune rushed past everyone as we followed, only Erik stayed to pay our bill. We got outside and Rune turned to the forest that backed the diner. He took off at a job following her trail. Confusion ran through me. Why would she run to the forest? If she went deeper into the small town, she’d be able to lose us easier. Scenting her would be next to impossible.

Erik joined us as we followed Rune, allowing him to get ahead by a little so our scents didn’t interfere with his tracking. We’d walked about half a mile into the woods when there was a clearing. Rune stopped short of it and waited for us to catch up.

“She’s in there.” He said, nodding to the clearing.

Frode nodded and took the lead as we followed him. He stepped into the clearing cautiously, but even my untrained nose didn’t pick up any scents beside the female and us. She was standing in the clearing, waiting for us.

“Did Gage send you?” She spat; her voice filled with venom.

“I don’t know a Gage, so I’d say no.” Frode said with a shake of his head.

“I haven’t done anything. I have done nothing to be on your list.” She said, backing away.

“Not here because of our list.” Frode said again, stepping forward.

“Then why?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“I had a vision, I wanted to warn you. I was drawn to warn you.” I said, stepping beside Frode.

He leaned toward me, his posturing protective, and a warning. I took a moment as she processed what I said to study her. She was about my height, a little over five foot, and thin. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail. She was pretty and her blue eyes held a piercing gaze.

“A vision, I’ve never heard of that type of magic.” She said, her back straightening.

“It’s an old magic, a rare gift.” Rune said from behind us.

“So, what did you see, must be bad if you came to find me.” She said, dropping her arms beside her.

“What’s your name?” I asked, stepping forward.

“Beth.”

“I saw your death. We came to warn you.” I said, trying to keep my voice even.

“My death. When?” She asked.

“I’m not sure, I’m still learning how to use to my magic.” I admitted.

She stilled and studied me for a minute before tipping her head back and laughing. I stared at her confused and I felt Frode move closer to me. I looked at him over my shoulder and he just shrugged at me.

“Okay, sorry.” She said putting a hand up and regaining her composure. “So, you saw my death, but you don’t know when it’ll be? I appreciate the heads up, but death is one of the few things in this life that’s certain. I’ll be careful. You did your job, I’ve been warned.” She said turning on her heel.”

“Wait, it happens here. I’m not sure of the exact time, but I feel it’s soon. It happens in this town, at least leave here.” I said, walking towards her.

Frode’s hand on my arm stopped my progress.

“I can’t leave here; my life is here. I can’t just up and leave.” She snarled, turning back to face us. “I’ve been warned, I’ll be careful. But leave me alone.”

I watched as she turned back around and walked deeper into the forest. I couldn’t help but feel like I needed to do more.

“If you change your mind we’re staying at the bed and breakfast, room 3.” I yelled after her.

She didn’t acknowledge me and kept walking. My shoulder drooped in defeat. I knew in my gut what she said was how she felt. She wouldn’t be leaving.

“Hey, you can’t save someone who doesn’t want saving.” Sten said, stepping forward and wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

I leaned into him, nodding. I knew he was right, but it still hurt. It still felt like a loss. I turned in his arms and wrapped my arms around him, squeezing him tight in a hug.

“I’m sorry, princess.” He said, kissing the top of my head.

“Hey, it’s still early in the day. How about we do something touristy, spend one last night here and then leave in the morning?” Erik said, looking to Frode for his input.

Frode nodded and turned to face me.

“That sounds like a plan. We could use some time with our mate. What do you say Astrid?” Frode asked me.

“Sure.” I mumbled into Sten’s chest. I pulled back and looked at Frode. “But what if instead of doing something we find some food and relax? I don’t feel like sight-seeing, plus it’s freezing.”

My mates nodded and we walked back to the diner where our car was. We climbed into the car and did a quick search of the surrounding restaurants. Deciding on BBQ for lunch and pizza for dinner we picked up lunch and went back to the bed and breakfast, where we all piled into Frode and Sten’s room.

The boys picked a movie, but I wasn’t really paying attention to it. My mind was wondering to the warm touches that my mates made as they watched. Frode and Sten sat on each side of the bed, while Erik had taken the middle. Erik had pulled me to sit between his legs, leaning against him and Rune settled at our feet.

Frode and Sten each had a hand on my thigh, while one of Erik’s had wrapped around my waist, his palm flat against my stomach. At some point Erik’s thumb had started rubbing underneath my breast, then slowly moved up so it was caressing it over my clothes. That was when my attention had left the TV.

I pressed back into him more and Frode’s hand slipped over my thigh, so it was more in between my legs instead of on top. I felt Frode turn so he was on his side facing me. His eyes met mine and he’d started to lean closer when there was a knock on the door.

Smiling I leaped over him and walked to the door, stopping when I was a few feet from it. A metallic scent hit me hard. I froze and sniffed again. Blood. I turned and looked to my mates.

“Do you smell that?” I asked, my voice barely audible.

Rune nodded and all my mates got off the bed, Rune and Erik moved to the far side of the bed while Rune and Frode stayed on the side by the door. Erik signaled for me to move back toward them. I started walking back as the person on the other side of the door knocked again, louder this time. Frode moved to the door and opened it, cursing as he took in the person standing there.

The scent of blood became stronger as the door no longer blocked the scent. Sten bent and scooped up the person who had knocked and backed into the room as Frode stepped into the hallway to make sure they were alone. Sten turned and faced the bed, giving us our first good look at the visitor. Blood caked blonde hair faced as us, as Sten moved forward, his face grim.