Page 92 of Revenant

The vote was evenly split on what to do with Crystal. More than a few of us just wanted to kill her, she’s done enough damage, but Rue has a soft heart and refused to allow anyone to execute her while she was defenseless.

We debated dropping her off at a nearby hospital, but feared it would be too dangerous without anyone to monitor her. If she woke, we didn’t want to give her a chance to hunt us down and retaliate. Not to mention it would be a huge red flag for a Jane Doe to be dropped off at any hospital after our recent escape.

The last thing we want is to draw attention to ourselves.

No one has seen Crystal’s ghost since she disappeared, but the bitch is like a bad rash—she will eventually be back, especially since we are the only ones who can communicate with her.

Since she hurt Rue more than once, the vote was unanimous that her body be housed with the others. When Rue looked ready to protest, Gunner warned her that he didn’t have control of his rage. If she stayed, he would kill her.

Left with no other choice, we sent her off with the others.

It’s a fifty-fifty shot if she will survive their tender mercies.

It’s not long before the vehicles behind us back up and continue down the trail to where a couple of smaller ski cabins are hidden by the snow laden trees. Since it’s the middle of the night, the only light is from the shimmer of the full moon reflecting off the snow. When the other vehicles disappear, the silence is almost too loud.

Hicks opens the tailgate and gathers the supplies James had hidden at one of the dozen caches across the state. Gunner and the twins reluctantly leave the warmth of the truck to help. The chill of the mountain air swirls around the interior of the cab, and the snick of the doors shutting rouses Rue from her nap.

She stretches languidly across the back seats, a sigh escaping her. Pushing herself upright, she rubs her tired eyes. Despite her healing abilities, she still needs at least a full week of rest and food to recover from her ordeal.

She yawns, remaining silent as she sleepily takes in the view of the outside world through the windshield. Without looking at me, she taps the computer sitting on the console. “Are we going to be safe here?”

“Yes.” I place my glasses back on my face, then rub my hand along my jaw, the scratchy sound of my scruff loud in the silence. “James is a master at what he does. He picked this place specifically with your safety in mind. He would never put you at risk.”

Rue wilts back into her seat like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders. When the others tromp toward the cabin, she flings open the door and crawls out. I follow and meet her at the front of the vehicle, unable to let her out of my sight yet.

She halts in the middle of the yard and tips her head back, watching the snow come down in a lazy pattern. I’m silent when she lifts a hand in the air to catch the snowflakes, an awed expression lighting up her face. A tiny smile softens her features,snow clings to her lashes, and it’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever witnessed.

“I’ve never seen snow in person. I never thought I would get the chance.” Her voice is just a whisper, like she doesn’t want to disturb the peaceful calm of the night. “It’s so beautiful.”

“Stunning,” I murmur, staring at the gorgeous picture of her standing in the sparkling white field of snow. It’s like she’s a dream come to life. When she catches me blatantly staring, a blush fills her cheeks, and she shyly ducks her head.

I capture her chin, nudge her face up, and brush my lips over hers. When she shivers, I tug her closer and guide her to the cabin. “You’re cold. Let’s get you inside and somewhere warm.”

Snow crunches under our feet, and I keep my arm around her waist as we head up the wooden steps. When we near the top, a startled yelp escapes Rue as she slips on a patch of ice, and her feet nearly slip out from under her. I catch her before she can sprawl across the deck, sweeping her up in my arms. Our faces are only inches away, and her breath catches when she peers up at me from under her lashes. She’s so light that I scowl, and I have to bite my tongue to keep from fussing over her.

“I’m too heavy,” she murmurs, wiggling to be put down, but I can’t make myself let her go.

Not now.

Not ever.

Not when I finally have her where she belongs.

“Nah, I got you.” To prove my point, I toss her a couple of inches in the air, then quickly catch her again. “You’re light as a feather.”

With a gasp, Rue loops her arms around my neck and clings to me. Her big teal eyes stare up at me in astonishment, and damn if my chest doesn’t puff up with pride. I wait for her to scold me for scaring her, but she just sighs and tucks her head under my chin.

By the time we reach the cabin, Hicks opens the door and stands back to allow us to enter. Boxes are haphazardly stacked everywhere. A number of them are empty, and I realize James must have been visiting this place during his frequent absences.

“Pookie’s room is the main bedroom up the stairs,” James says, his voice muffled from where his head is stuck in one of the crates. When he straightens, his arms are full of household staples. As I head up the steps with Rue still in my arms, he putters around the cabin, humming happily under his breath as he puts things away.

Hicks, Gunner, and Jace take turns carrying in the fresh supplies we brought with us, their quiet voices fading as we reach the second level. There are half a dozen doors up and down the corridor. A cozy light spills from the room at the end of the hallway, the crackling fireplace beckoning us to make ourselves at home.

As soon as I cross the threshold, I stop dead.

Master bedroom, indeed.

The room has been recently remodeled, occupying nearly the full width of the chateau. Two California king beds rest side by side in the center of the room, the giant mattresses not even taking up a third of the space. I eye the beds dubiously, snorting at the ridiculousness of us sharing…then stop when I imagine sleeping in my lonely bed without Rue.

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