Page 35 of Shadow of Death

“Piper, this is Athena, Varic’s mate.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said. My smile faltered when she didn’t bother responding.

Kicks let out an aggravated sigh. I headed toward Aunt Elara, and the two seats open beside her, before Kicks got into words with his brother. If they were all like Varic and Athena, this was going to be one long and unpleasant meal. I hadn’t gotten this chilly of a feeling even back in Groza’s pack. Kicks had been right about wanting to avoid this place. It felt like sleeping in a viper’s nest.

As we took our seats, Kicks introduced me to the pack members nearby.

“This is Isla,” he said, gesturing to a tall, striking woman with sharp features and piercing green eyes. “She’s the lead scout here, and also my cousin.”

Isla nodded at me. “Nice to meet you,” she said, her voice cool but not openly hostile.

“That’s her husband Roggie.” Kicks pointed to a burly man with a beard that nearly reached his chest. “He’s in charge of security.”

Roggie gave me a nod, barely looking at me. “Welcome,” he said, his tone polite but distant.

I was wondering if this wasn’t just about being human. Varic had said he’d heard things. The truth was bad enough, but that had surely been embellished after Groza got through with it. I was sure she’d laid it on thick before she died.

“You ready to leave yet?” Kicks whispered, his breath warm against my ear.

“It’s not that bad,” I said, “but maybe we should check out some other spots while we’re visiting Scotland?”

He laughed softly. “We can head out tomorrow.”

I nodded, trying to hide my enthusiasm.

As the night progressed, I met more pack members.Each cool greeting made Kicks grow stiffer. The introductions continued, each one a coin toss on whether it would be chilly or downright frigid. I was beginning to wonder if we’d make it through dinner without someone dying.

All I wanted to do was turn back time to when Kicks had said visiting his family wasn’t such a good idea and agree with him. I should’ve taken him at his word. Sleeping in a mud hut would’ve been better than staying with these people.

As the meal began and the wine flowed, the tension eased somewhat. People relaxed as they began forgetting I was there. The food was simple but hearty, and the conversation flowed more freely, but Kicks didn’t leave my side for a second. The only saving grace of the night was Aunt Elara telling me stories of Kicks’ youth. It wasn’t enough to want to keep me there, though.

“Tomorrow morning soon enough?” Kicks asked as soon as we were in the bedroom.

“I guess I can make it through breakfast,” I joked.

“I warned you,” he said, unbuttoning his shirt.

“I did enjoy hearing the stories from your aunt. They were sweet,” I said.

“You think filling someone’s pillow with cow dung was sweet?”

“You were defending your cousin. You’re a born defender of the underdog,” I said, watching as his shirt came off, the way his muscles flowed with the smallest of movements.

“Pips, don’t do that.”

I looked up, realizing I’d gotten caught staring hard.

“Do what?” I said, trying to pretend I hadn’t been staring like I wanted to jump on top of him.

He was strung tight, as if he were barely holding back.

“I’m going to go take a shower,” he said finally.

Chapter Sixteen

We atebreakfast in the dining hall the next morning. I just needed to get through this and we’d be gone. We weren’t even going to stay long enough to see his father, and I wasn’t saying boo about it. This place was pure toxicity for the soul. I now knew why Kicks never discussed them. Other than Aunt Elara, I wouldn’t have either.

The place wasn’t near as filled this morning, only twenty-five people or so. We were keeping our distance from Varic, who was at the other end of the room. The plan was to fuel up the bike, ride as far away from here as we could, and then wait out Death somewhere more comfortable, like a cave or a hut.

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