Chapter 35: Call Of The Forest

The forest calls me, the swiftness of my paws over the dead leaves carrying me into the dark. I pant out my anger into the fresh air while with each step my resolve deepens. I am no princess, no potential queen. I am a failure and meant only to follow where others lead. But I can't step back and take a supporting role just yet.

I have to save Sage first, and then face the consequences of my actions.

The white wolf appears, running at my side, her tail striking my leg as she comes close enough to brush against me. I come to a halt, letting the mist of my exhale carry up from my muzzle into the chill air. She stops, sitting on her haunches, looking up at me with her wise and quiet eyes. She knows something is troubling me, I feel it in her and as her alpha joins her, I know he senses it, too.

I sink to my knees before them, shifting to human, holding out my hands. They come to me, sitting before me, leaning in as I reach out and touch them. The white wolf licks my cheek, the big alpha groaning softly as I scratch his ear.

"My friends," I say softly into their fur. "I'm going away for a while." Maybe forever. I have no idea how this will end up, where I will end up. But I have to try, even if it means sentencing myself to death to do it.

The alpha chuffs, but the white wolf doesn't react aside from holding my gaze.

"I have to save him, you understand." I stroke their fur in a slow rhythm, the contact comforting. "Grandfather is right-this is my fault. And I have to make it right if I can." I look up at the rising moon appearing over top of the trees. "The answer has to be in California. Where Caine and his people came from."

The white wolf whines at Caine's name, nudging me with her nose.

"You don't like him, either." I soothe her with a scratch on her jaw. "I'm sure I'm right about him. But I need proof to make this work. And to save Sage."

How much do they understand? I want to believe they are far smarter than we think they are.

"Talking to your pets, Charlotte?" I spin, swift and furious, to find Caine watching me. How did I miss his approach? The white wolf and alpha both bristle, snarling at him but he ignores them, circling me slowly, naked in the chill air. "How sentimental. I'll be sure to beat that out of you when we have the opportunity for a corrective lesson." His teeth flash as I snarl at him. "Andre told me you are a terrible student. I'll be sure to be extra firm with you."

"I'll kill you before I let you touch me." My werewolf wants to return, but I hold human form, putting myself between the wolves and Caine despite their aggression. I don't want him to harm them.

"I'm not some weak-minded witch," Caine says, voice lowering and vibrating with need. "I'm one of your own kind. I know just how much you can take. The edges of your sanity. And I will enjoy taking you there over and over again, until I break you."

Maybe I should be afraid, but I pay no attention to his threats. Let him think he has power over me while I explore his magic, the feeling of him. For future reference. If I'm going to find the one who made him-and I'm sure now he's a revenant, more than ever-I will need to remember how his magic tastes. Sour, bitter, corrupt, but familiar as the dead bodies in Femke's morgue.

Do I dare call him out? Not yet. No one will believe me without proof. California and his maker are my only hope to defeat Caine and to save Sage.

Caine is closing the distance between us, but I hold my ground. The two wolves snap and snarl, trying to lunge at him. He laughs at them, comes to a halt only a few feet from me.

"Shall we begin your training right now?"

A shiver of disgust traces the length of my spine, just as the air beside me parts and Syd steps through. She takes one look at Caine and winces, turning her head.

"Dude," she says. "Where are your damned clothes? Yikes."

He snarls at her and Syd rolls her eyes back. "Mind your own business, witch."

She hits him hard with a bolt of energy, casually, knocking him on his ass. "That's maji to you," she says. "Now, beat it before I decide to take an interest."

Caine leaves, shifting into werewolf form. But he locks eyes with me one last time, mind ripping through me.

You're mine, he snarls in my head.

Go to hell. I watch him go before turning to face my friend. I'm sad to notice the two wolves are long gone.

"He's a douche," Syd says. "Tell me you're going to do something permanent to him?"

I nod, slumping a little. "Eventually."

"Good. Oh, my demon suggests dismemberment, but it's up to you." Syd tries to grin but it fades in the face of my stoicism. "Charlotte, give me a break, here. I'm trying."

"I know." I manage a shrug. "I'm sorry, I don't have much to give right now."

She lets out a heavy breath. "Fair enough. Listen, I'm off to get Max." She reaches for the veil she didn't quite let close. "Maybe he and the drach can manage something. And, if not, I was thinking about Demonicon."

I frown at her. "Demonicon?"

"If you have to run." She doesn't seem all that upset about the idea. "We know you can exist there. Maybe Sage can, too. Meems will be more than happy to help."

I hadn't thought of that. Though the odd creature I became when I crossed to the demon plane made me shudder.

"Thank you." At least I knew she wasn't quitting on me. Made me feel worse about what I was about to do.

"Anything for you." Syd hugs me quickly. "Meanwhile, Lula and Phon are hard at it, researching. We'll find an answer, Charlotte. But keep me posted. If Sage shifts, I can be here in an eyeblink and take the two of you to safety."

I nod for the last time, mute. I will not have her put herself or her coven at risk for me. But I'm grateful for her, none the less. This is my mistake and mine to fix.

Syd leaves, but I'm not alone. I feel him lurking, watching and finally sigh and turn toward the dark trees where he hides. "Come talk to me, Piers," I say.

He emerges, longcoat catching in the brambles. He swears softly before jerking his hem free and coming to my side. Piers's face is sad, his hurt clear on his face though he does try to hide it behind his usual swagger.

"So a normal, huh?"

I shrug. "It's a long story."

Piers jams his hands into his pockets. "I bet."

"Thank you for being here for me." I mean every word.

"I'm sorry things turned out this way." Piers pauses before going on. "Don't do anything stupid, please. Promise me."

I'm terrible at lying so I don't say anything. That's all the answer he needs. Desperation crosses his face before he sighs and hugs me. Then leaves me alone in the quiet forest.

It's best this way.



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