Page 38 of Gone Hunting

“I notice you talk to God a lot,” Liam points out, his hands and feet moving in the opposite direction he likely intends. “She’s a nice religious girl, Aric. Your mom will like that.”

If Liam could see the shade of green Celia’s skin has taken, I’d think he’d filter his remarks. Never mind. This is Liam I’m talking about.

“Liam, you have to stop moving, bruh,” Koda tells him.

“Can’t help it,” Liam says. “My wolf is getting restless.”

“I’ll help,” Koda says. “Just don’t bite me like last time.”

“Like last time,” Celia says, speaking slowly. “Of course, there was a last time.”

“Make it fast,” I call out, scanning the area and beyond. “Mimi isn’t here, but she also isn’t far. I don’t want to be here when she returns and she sees her yard blown to bits.”

“No, kidding,” Koda mutters. He lifts Liam in a bear hug, securing his arms against his sides. “You ready?” he asks Gemini.

Gemini doesn’t answer, rubbing his chin and scrutinizing the shape of Liam’s neck. “I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Koda demands. “He looks like a freak of nature.”

“No offense, Celia,” Liam calls out.

I roll my eyes, wondering how I haven’t kicked Liam’s ass yet. “What’s the problem, Gem?” I ask.

Gemini turns Liam’s head from side to side. “The break set at an angle. I think Liam’s wolf grew another vertebra to secure the position. If so, I have to break it off first, then quickly break his neck again before we end up with more pieces.”

“Can’t we just jam his head in place and tear off the bones he doesn’t need?” Koda suggests.

Celia is no longer talking to God. She’s not talking at all, which worries me more.

“Are you messin’ with me?” Liam asks. “This freakin’ hurts. And now you’re talking about ripping out the extra stuff my wolf took the time to grow? You guys suck.”

They start arguing among themselves like little kids on the playground, instead of the Guardians of the Earth we pride ourselves to be. I’m not embarrassed on behalf of our kind or anything. No. Not at all.

“Do they know what they’re doing?” Celia asks, swallowing hard between words. “It doesn’t sound like they know what to do.”

“They’re fine,” I insist. “One time, we were wrestling, and my elbow popped free of the joint.” I point to it. “It was a good break, but not a clean one. The sharp piece of bone pierced through my skin and Gemini had to poke it back in place.” I lift my arm higher. “See, it worked out in the end and he didn’t even have to wash his hands before doing it.”

Celia meets me square in the eye. “I think I might actually vomit.”

I frown. “Don’t do that. You’ll get dehydrated and die.”

Celia isn’t a fan of my logic. I’ll have to work on it, if she’s going to be my girlfriend like I want her to be. She jumps when Gemini grabs Liam’s head and twists, the cracking sound ricocheting across the garden like a bag of chips being smashed.

“The other way,” Liam says, spitting the words out through his teeth. “You’re going right and you need to go left.”

“I’m going the right way,” Gemini argues. “You just don’t know it.”

“I do so know it,” Liam insists. “Just like I know you’re one twist away from ripping my head off!”

“Liam, cut it out!” Koda snarls when Liam kicks him. “It’s gonna end up all twisted if you don’t stop.”

“Left. Go left!” Liam hollers.

“You don’t get it,” Gemini explains. He keeps his cool, but Gem’s like that. “Whatever Mimi did twisted your neck twice in a row. You’re lucky your spine didn’t rupture through the skin.”

“Oh,” Liam says. “That makes more sense. Just hurry up. My wolf is ready to sink his fangs into your throats and spit out your larynxes.”

One crunch follows three snaps with a crack in between. It takes some doing on Gem’s part, until Liam’s head is square on his shoulders where it belongs. His neck is a little longer, but it’s not so bad. It was a decent attempt.

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