Page 68 of Frosted Torment

“So no one drinks around here?” I complained, pulling out some drawstring sweatpants and a long-sleeve t-shirt.

The name of Ena’s nursing school was on the pocket of the front left, and the worry returned. When I twirled back around with the shirt in my hand, Baz stalked toward me, but I didn’t budge. His large head loomed over mine as he peered into my eyes.

“I’m telling you,”he warned,“now that you’re full of essence and our cosmic secrets, if you drink, you are susceptible to demons getting into your head. So, if you’re thirsty, drink water.”

I raised my palms in a gesture of understanding, then tossed Ena’s shirt onto the bed. If I was honest, I loved his protection. Even if he scared me a little. Walking over to the table, I grabbed the filtered pitcher and poured myself a glass of water, then another. My body sang with relief.

“I wouldn’t call needing a good shot of whiskey because of all the shit I’ve dealt with thirst, Baz,” I complained with a roll of my eyes. “Besides, I’ve never been susceptible to anything getting in my head before, and I was born with some of the secrets.”

He turned to leave the tent, refusing to engage with my protest, but he looked back. A softness filled his eyes.

“The bed is yours,”he announced.

“You’re leaving?” My brows furrowed in confusion.

“I need to check in with the others, but I’ll be back.”

I set the glass down and walked over to him, finding comfort as I rested my head in the middle of his chest. Hugging him in a way that let him know I was sorry for acting like a pain, I asked, “Where will you sleep?”

He turned his head, brushing the top of mine to return the hug.“At your feet. Just as I’ve always done.”

I stepped back in awe of him. He fell for me, and as I contemplated his sacrifice, guilt enveloped me. I didn’t deserve that kind of loyalty, compassion, or protection.

Baz had been by my side since the beginning of time. I couldn’t help but feel disappointed in myself for how little I’d done with my life. Always obsessing over who killed my mother and hell-bent on finding her killers plagued me.

How could it not when I could talk to Uno and Dos? The spirits always knew it was murder, and so did I. If I were being honest, knowing that information brought me enough comfort to push me to attend college.

At least for me, getting a degree in criminology helped so I wouldn’t end up in a complete downward spiral. It occupied my time, and I worked to save money. Then I planned to go home to Texas and investigate.

But now, I knew who killed my mom. I could make her proud once I killed Vincent and Maros; then, I would take Vallen’s wings with pleasure.

“Thank you, Baz,” I said, and squeezed him hard again.

“No problem,”he said and chuffed.“Try to get some rest.”

He left through the tent opening, then I scanned the room, seeing two quilts and a fleece blanket folded inside a metal bin. I craved sleep now, so I walked over and chose one of the quilts to sleep with.

My body thanked me as I undressed, pulled on the t-shirt and sweatpants, then placed all the daggers into my backpack. I wrapped myself in the quilt, not wanting to get under Baz’scovers. Something about it felt strange to me. As I settled into the cocoon of warmth, exhaustion washed over me.

When I woke, it felt like I’d slept for a thousand years. I flipped over when I heard chatter outside of the tent and rubbed my eyelids. I sat up and slid out of the bed, placing my feet onto what was supposed to be the ground.

Then, I tripped over someone, hitting both of my knees on the floor. A sharp pain vibrated through my kneecap as I screamed and woke the naked man in front of me.

A man and a woman ran into the tent, swords drawn like they were preparing for battle. Except the man wore only jeans and the woman a black unitard. They looked down, mouths wide open in shock, and lowered their weapons. I stood and limped toward the table without assistance.

“Get him out of here! Where’s Baz?” I yelled while searching the tent in a panic.

The door flap opened and Lex stepped inside, and seeing me, he offered his arm to help me regain my balance.

“Thank heavens,” I said and grabbed his shoulders. “You’ve gotta get that guy out of here. I don’t know how he ended up in this tent, but please find Baz,” I pleaded.

The human tree with blonde hair looked at us, stunned, then grabbed a blanket from the bed to cover himself. He gestured to the others to leave before he stood up.

“Noa,” Lex chuckled as the disheveled man walked toward me. “Meet Baz.”

I ran my fingers through my tangled hair with a free hand as I clung tightly to Lex for support with the other. Swallowing hard, I examined the man who stood towering over us. Intricate tattoos and symbols covered his entire body, stopping below hiscollarbone. Some of them replicated the runes on my bracelet and Nakoma’s arrows.

The most prominent tattoo that I couldn’t take my eyes off was the face of a wolf that covered most of his chest. Its mouth was open as it bared all its teeth against his bulging muscles. They tightened even more as he reached out his hand to shake mine.

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