Page 72 of Frosted Torment

“You were okay with being close to me when I was a wolf.”

“I need some time to adjust, okay?” I smiled at him with a soft expression, and he nodded, understanding my desire for space. “I’m going to walk with Ena.”

Baz and Lex moved ahead while Ena fell into step beside me with a light elbow poke in my arm.

“Swoon.” She laughed as we made our way down the path toward the bunkhouse.

“Stop.” I hugged myself for comfort while keeping my eyes straight ahead. “How’s everyone back at Dawson’s?”

Ena zipped her jacket closed and looked at me as though she were noticing for the first time that I wasn’t wearing one myself. “You aren’t cold, Noa?”

I turned my head and shrugged. “No idea why, but more than likely it has to do with Callum’s essence flowing through me. That’s my guess, anyway.”

“Maybe,” she said, then put her eyes back on Lex as we kept walking. “There isn’t much damage at my grandparents’ house. Vincent’s angels knew when you left.”

“Figures, but I thought we’d have more time to plan.” I bit my bottom lip as I tried to think of a way to save my life and everyone else’s.

“Yeah, but my grandmother and Dawson are pretty badass with Jossy’s help. And of course, Nakoma and Lulu.” Ena laughed with a shake of her head, as if she were remembering their efforts from the night before.

“I’m glad you’re all safe.” I nodded, then I adjusted my pace to catch up with Baz and Lex. I tapped Lex’s arm. “What’s the new development you were talking about back there?”

Lex’s eyes shifted to Ena, then back to me, and we all stood motionless on the path. A wry smile crossed his lips as he said, “Dawson and two other angels saw the tree.”

Baz stopped on the trail and grabbed Lex’s shoulder with one hand. “You’re certain?” he asked.

“Yes,” he confirmed. “They took off in the wee hours of the morning and radioed back from the edge of the burial grounds.”

“We need to go now,” I urged, grabbing Lex’s arm. “That angel showed me the tree and the damn mountain with the icy river.”

Baz stepped closer to me. “You didn’t say anything about water.”

A shiver crawled down my spine, and I rubbed my face in irritation. “Yes,” I said with certainty. “I told all of you.”

Baz shot me a skeptical glance before turning his questioning eyes to Lex. “No,” he countered, his tone soft yet sharp. “You only mentioned the tree.”

Lex nodded in agreement before meeting my eyes head-on. “He’s right, Noa.”

Frustration simmered beneath my calm facade as I retorted with a biting tone, “Why does that matter? The tree is what’s important.”

Baz sighed with a deep breath before placing a guiding arm around me. “It is,” he agreed. “But it’s better if someone else checks it out before us. In case it is a trap.” His voice softened with an edge of caution. “Deep breaths, Noa.”

Each step seemed heavier than the last as we continued our ascent up the path.

My eyes drew together. “So, Dawson or Father O’Neil gets to die because of me?” I argued.

Baz pulled me into him as we walked, but I clenched my fists and stormed ahead, furious. I knew they meant well because I needed to stay alive, but not at the cost of others dying. Thethought twisted something deep within until I halted mid-step—facing back toward them all.

“How much further?” I called out, my tone edged with impatience. “I’m ready to shower and brush my teeth.”

Baz pointed ahead to a shipping container, painted red and transformed into a house. It even included a built-on deck. “Fortunately,” Baz announced as he caught up with me. “We have arrived.”

“Charming,” I offered with indignation coating my words.

“Noa, hold on,” Lex said before we stepped inside the house. “You walked away before I could tell you, but Dawson and the angels only saw the tree from a distance. Something is keeping them from crossing the fence line.”

My face brightened with excitement and I clapped my hands together. “A barrier! So, that means we’re still going?”

“I don’t think you should be too thrilled about it,” Lex stressed with a shake of his head. “But, yeah, we’re going.”

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