Page 63 of Shifter Marked and Claimed

CHAPTERTHREE

“Say the word,and I’ll use this pillow on you,” Zoe grumbled from her side of the bed.

It was almost ten, and I couldn’t sleep. Not even after walking on the treadmill for over an hour.

“I can’t believe I was so stupid.”

Zoe snorted.

“You’re human, and he’s droolworthy. If you hadn’t stared at him, I really would have been worried.”

“He hasn’t looked into our windows before. Maybe we should contact the Council.”

“Or maybe he’s curious because we sent Eliana over there,” she said reasonably. “She said she warned him that we’re under the local fury’s protection. I don’t think he’ll try anything. None of the other neighbors have. Or the grocery delivery person. They only tried stuff when we were at the Roost.”

I sighed, thinking of Uttira’s nightclub for teens. Until we’d broken Ashlyn’s rule about eye contact, it hadn’t been a bad way to spend an afternoon. Music. Dancing. People, even if they were the kind that wanted to eat us. It had been something to do. A way to interact. If only Ashlyn was still in Uttira to supervise us like she had before. Zoe and I could have used a little distraction from our neighbor and the other drama that came with Uttira.

“You’re right,” I said finally. “The Council probably has enough going on after that last message they sent out. I wish they would give more updates.”

“Not me. Earthquakes are earthquakes. If the creature-Council has an explanation for them, you can bet it won’t be anything good.” She sighed and cuddled into her pillow. “Go to sleep, Kells. Stop worrying about stuff you can’t change.”

Closing my eyes, I gave it my best and managed to sleep until eight.

When I peeled my eyes open, Zoe was gone from her side of the bed. Before I broke into a full panic attack, I heard the shower running.

Rolling onto my back, I let my mind wander, and it went straight to yesterday’s scares. I couldn’t decide which had been worse. The guy staring in our window or seeing Jessie’s face on TV. I hated the idea that, while Zoe and I were safely hidden away here, Joey might be hurting other people in an effort to find us. Yet, the more I thought about Jessica, the more I wondered if Joey was responsible.

The way he’d looked the last time we’d seen him was burned into my memory. The crazed look in his eyes. The desperation.

“There’s too much money on the line, Kelsey. I’m done fucking around. Get over here before someone gets hurt.”

Instead of admitting defeat in that dead-end alley, Zoe and I had climbed a fence and run. The uncovered sewer Zoe had almost fallen into just around the corner had been a lifeline. I would never forget the smell and the way it had burned my nose, though.

Getting out of bed, I shook the memory free and looked at our closet full of clothes, courtesy of the Council. Instead of grabbing a designer pair of jeans and cute top, I went for a hoodie and stretch pants. I saw no point in wearing the nice stuff when there was nowhere to go.

Zoe opened the bathroom door and strolled out, all long, golden limbs. In build, we were very similar. We had the same medium coloring too, thanks to our mixed heritage. However, where her light brown curly hair looked good with her skin tone, my dark blonde, wavy hair and hazel eyes gave me a unique appearance that caused more than one person to do a double take.

“All yours, Kells. Want me to start on breakfast?”

“Nah. Hang out in here. I’ll be quick.” I didn’t trust that the windows were empty any more than I trusted Zoe not to look for the guy. She was too bored, and yesterday’s stare down proved he was far too tempting.

A quick shower later, it was like the prior day all over again. I led the way, checking windows as we moved. At the end of the hall, we both stopped, and I peeked around the corner.

“All clear,” I said.

“I’m making berry pancakes. Sound good to you?”

“Yep. I’m going to read a bit, but I promise to do all the clean-up.”

“Enjoy more book time.” The sarcasm rolled off of her tongue with ease. We really needed to get out soon.

Sitting down in the chair, I sent a text to Eugene, the other human in town.

Me: What’s the hazard level at the Academy these days?

Eugene: Minimal. The wolves are keeping an eye on me because Aubrey is back in town.

Aubrey was the rogue werewolf who’d broken a Mantirum law and eaten human flesh. Not someone I wanted to be around. But I’d met a few of the other werewolves briefly. Fenris was nice and had a friendly smile. Also good looking. Jenna seemed sweet, too. Maybe once Aubrey left again—if she left—Zoe and I could try school in person instead of online.

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