Page 63 of Only Human in Strangeville

Katsuro joined us moments later and not long after, Oliver galloped into our midst, still in shadowy six-legged dog form.

“Let’s go,” Katsuro said.

We took off into the woods at a run. My vision sharpened with a bit of magic, but it wasn’t long before us mere humans struggled to keep up with the others. Bridger was doing the best, but even he lagged.

Nimbus increased his size until I could climb on his back.

“Buddy, be careful, okay? Last time you passed out.”

He grumbled but wagged his fluffy tail. I hoped that meant he was better able to control his powers this time. He also bumped into Clare until she climbed up behind me.

Bridger got a second wind, possibly literally. He ran on his own two feet, but I felt gusts of wind and thought maybe Nimbus was propelling him along with us.

Time lost meaning while we ran, though I cast a wary eye to the sky through the canopy of trees. The stars were fading. Dawn had to be soon, and the vampires needed to be under cover before that happened.

The sky had lightened to slate gray from black by the time we broke out into a small clearing. A small hunting lodge with a bunch of surrounding cabins was a welcome sight. Especially when the wolves broke off from the pack and went to different cabins. I guessed this was pack territory.

I averted my eyes as they began to shift. I knew they were comfortable with their forced nudity, but I wasn’t part of their pack, and I didn’t want to stare.

The group of wolves surrounding us headed for the main lodge. The wolf I was sure was Davin went up the steps first and shifted. Yep, definitely him.

Blushing, I stared down at Nimbus’s black and white fluff for a moment until I was sure he was inside. The vampires hurried inside after, and Nimbus stopped by the steps so Clare and I could dismount. She patted my shoulder before climbing off the giant cloud puppy.

I hugged him tightly, before also sliding to the ground. He nudged me gently before shrinking down to his normal size.

We all staggered up the steps, Bridger right there with us, and went inside.

It was warm, well lit, and welcoming, but all I wanted right then was a shower, a bed, and someone to hug me and tell me it was going to be okay. Maybe not in that exact order, but that’s what I wanted. Food, I also wanted food.

Davin came over to me, wrapped in a towel.

“Hannah, are you okay?”

“Never better,” I stammered, before the tears flooded my eyes.

Nimbus pushed against my side, and Davin wrapped me in a one-armed hug and let me sob onto his shoulder.

“Food!” Davin shouted. “Clean up and get food for everyone!”

I heard people reply in the background, but I was lost to my tears. This was all so much. We were safe, but now the overwhelming fear, well remembered from the last time I’d faced the human side of this operation, combined with my new fears. Fear for me, and for my friends, and for what I’d almost lost. Could I do this again? Did I have a choice?

Nimbus pushed his head under my hand and rooed softly. Davin held me close. Oliver and Bridger hugged me from behind, and I leaned into their support while I cried.

***

Hours later, I was fed, clean, and curled up under a down comforter and on the verge of sleep. Katsuro and Jaz had disappeared quickly, but everyone else had lingered until I was tucked into bed. Nimbus had curled up against my back and snored softly in that adorable way only a dog could manage. He didn’t normally snore, but I didn’t want to disturb him, either.

I lay there, still on the verge of sleep. There was no question that I was exhausted, but I could not tumble over the edge. Each time I almost made it, I jerked awake.

I heard a soft knock on the door and was relieved to be jerked awake for a different reason.

“Come in.”

The door opened, bringing in a hint of cinnamon. Oliver.

“Hey,” I said.

“Shouldn’t you be asleep, Hannah?”

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