WHAT WAS THAT STUFF

CHAPTER 69: WHAT WAS THAT STUFF
~Tanner’s POV~

I hear the sound of something boiling in a pot, and I smell something like lavender? I open my eyes, where am I?
“OH shit! HARPER!” I pitched my body upright, banging my head on… the ceiling? What the hell?
“TANNER! You're okay!” I didn’t even see Harper coming before she threw her arms around my neck. “Tanner, I have been so worried about you. I was afraid you were never going to wake up!” She began to cry. Suddenly, a strange humanoid creature starts smacking her hands away from me. “Okay, Okay, OKAY! I’m going! You know I have been waiting days for him to wake up!” Harper said to the creature. It came up to feel my head and hand me something to drink.
“Drink, for pain.” It said to me. I looked at Harper to make sure it was ok. She nodded her head. I drank the liquid down and frowned at the taste of it. It was quite salty, yuk!
“Where are we?” I whispered to Harper. She giggled at me. She didn’t bother whispering.
“To be honest, I don’t know where we are. We have been here for four days now though.” She said to me.
“What happened Harper! I was afraid that Thane was going to get you.” She gave me a sad look.
“I think Chad’s people shot me with a dart laced with wolfsbane and silver. He was intending to take me, I don’t know what for. He tried to convince me to leave Gabriel. I don’t think he was expecting Thane to show up though. Thane ripped his heart straight out of his chest.” She said to me. I should have known that piece of shit Chad was up to something. I tried to get to Harper, but we were attacked before I could.
“How the hell did Thane know where we were? How did we get away?” She shook her head.
“I don’t know how he knew. I broke his neck before the dart took effect. He was healing so I carried you as far as I could then I passed out” She looked down. “Tanner, I thought you were going to die.” Tears flooded her eyes again. I grabbed her up in a hug.
“Hey, I’m ok. I’m not going anywhere.” She looked at me and smiled. “Besides, I just found my mate, remember? We have a lot of babies to make before I die.” She laughed at me, but I was dead serious. I can’t wait to have Kelly back in my arms. I bet she is worried sick. Harper said we have been gone for four days! “Uh… Harper, what is that?” I pointed toward the creature walking around on two legs. It had gray wrinkly skin that would put you in the mind of tree bark. An old lady with tree bark for skin. Yeah, that’s about right. Harper shoved my hand down.
“Don’t be rude!” She whispered to me.
“What? It doesn’t know what I am talking about anyway.” She frowned at me.
“Yes, SHE does, and she has been extremely polite to us. She literally brought you back from the brink of death, Tanner. She is a Fastachee a Fae. They study healing plants. I heard their healing powers are legendary. We are lucky she found us.” I nodded.
“Okay, okay, fine. What was that stuff she gave me? It’s pretty powerful, I don’t feel an ounce of pain. Damn, I think I feel tipsy.” Harper smirked at me.
“Clurichaun sweat.” The creature said. I started to heave and gag.
“It…It’s WHAT?!” Harper busted out laughing. I rolled off the table and crawled to a bucket toward the corner of the room. I feel like I am going to throw up. I could literally feel my face turning green when the Fastachee thing sprinkled something on me, and the sick feeling left. Wow, she does know what she is doing. I look around and I am in a room that I can’t even stand-up in. Harper is short, and I don’t think she can stand in here. “Are we underground?” I asked.
“Yes, we are. Isn’t it so cute?” Harper said. Yeah, cute, sure… I stretch my arms over my head and yawn.
“Well… I am ready to go home. It was nice getting to know you Mrs. Fastachee thing. Thank you for not letting me die.” I nod my head toward the doorway and start to crawl. I finally make my way out the door and look back to see Harper hugging the Fastachee’s neck.
“Thank you Nooka. We owe you a great debt.” The thing grabbed Harper’s hand and just patted it.
“Anytime you need me, Lycan Queen, Harper.” She said back with a smile. Harper smiled at her and crawled out of the tiny hole in the ground.
“It’s like a mini hobbit.” I said. Harper was just walking forward. “Have you heard from Gabe or Kai?” I asked her. She shook her head and looked down toward her feet.
“No, I haven’t. I don't think they have service wherever they are. Not only that but both of our phones are dead. Tanner, I am really worried about them.” She said, looking at me with concern in her eyes. I don’t want her to worry any more than she already is.
“I bet they are back at the packhouse by now. Gabriel is probably going insane looking for you.” I could tell she was still bothered about what she felt Gabriel do a few days ago. I am eager to hear his excuse.

~Harper’s POV~

It was dark by the time we made it back to the packhouse. Kelly ran up to me and almost pushed me to the ground.
“Where have you two been!” She cried to us. Then turned to throw herself at Tanner. He grabbed her up and wrapped her legs around his waist.
“Thane found us.” Tanner said. “I’ll tell you all about it, but first I need something from you.” He carried Kelly up the stairs. I already know what is going to happen between those two. I turn to see Luna Mae walking toward me. She grabs me and hugs me tightly. I pull back and I don’t even have to speak. She only shakes her head, letting me know that Gabriel is still not here.
“Go get some rest dear. Hopefully daylight will bring us more answers.” I hugged her once more and walked up the stairs. I passed the floor that my room was on and went to Gabriel’s room. I opened his door and threw myself down onto his bed. I grabbed his pillow and snuggled up to it. I miss him so much, but he hurt me so badly. He has been gone longer than a week now. Tears fell from my eyes, and I fell asleep wondering where he was.
Morning came fast. I had stepped out of Gabriel’s shower and found one of his shirts and a pair of shorts to put on. I twisted my hair up in a messy bun and walked back out into his bedroom. I heard thumping down the hallway and ran to look out the door.
“HARPER! I have to tell you something!” Tanner said in between breaths.
“Calm down Tanner.” He slid down the wall of the hallway, trying to regain his breath. He must have run all the way here.
“You have to follow me to Gabe’s office. He left a message on his office phone.” WHAT! I took off running and made it to Gabriel’s office in no time. Pressed a button for his voicemails to play.
“Harper, I am so sorry baby. I am on my way home. I have to make a stop, but I will be home in about three days. I’ll explain everything. I…I know what you felt. I promise, it’s not what you think. Harper, don't give up on me, I love you.” The phone was cut off.
“How long ago was that, Tanner?” I asked him. He smiled at me.
“About three days ago.” My heart fluttered.
“Girl, you better go get cleaned up for your man!” Mia hummed in my head. You bet I am going to clean up for Gabriel’s arrival. He kissed another woman. I am going to make him beg at my feet, even then he better have a good explanation for what he did.