Page 39 of Snow's Charming
Zhang’s brows furrowed, and he crossed his arms before responding.
“What exactly are you suggesting? Because there is only so much I can do. My purpose is to remain neutral among all the magicals. The gods and goddesses gave me the gift of being the only sorcerer on Earth to aid everyone in need. I can’t favor the wolves,even if that means helping you with this whole in-heat business.”
“Is there a way to spay me and neuter Sylus magically speaking, of course, and only until we get to Raven’s?”
He smiled. It was a genuine one that my father gave me often in praise.
“Raine and I came up with something before we headed here. I’ve got bracelets made of clear quartz crystals and bloodstones. And for you, Sesi, I have an herbal sachet of yarrow, lady’s mantle, and raspberry. Wear this around your neck. That should keep you calm. Well, until we get to Raven’s, of course.”
I nodded, but every fiber of my core was telling me that Zhang wasn’t telling me everything. And I wasn’t so sure I appreciated it. If my wolf let out because I was an adult—shouldn’t they be treating me as such, too?
“Snip, snip,” Joker said as he nudged my shoulder.
I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh.
“Yeah, funny, Joker.”
I let out another breath to calm my squeezing heart. This trip would not be fun by any stretch of the imagination.
CHAPTER 13
Road Trip
Isucked in a breath and leaped into the backseat of the car. Dad would drive for the first stretch, then Zhang, then me. Because I hardly drove at night, they decided I get the afternoon driving shift. Sadly, Dad was driving, which meant he was in control of the radio. And though I enjoyed listening to his heavy metal, hard rock, and classic rock bands, I needed something to relax me. The heavy stuff wouldn’t do. So I popped my earbuds in and pulled up my K-pop band playlist.
I then cracked open a book, determined to get my reading on. I’d spend most of the next two to three days in the car, so I might as well read some of my favorite authors. Strangely, most of the books I read are paranormal, fantasy, or sci-fi romances. If I only knew then that all of this was real when I first started reading it? Well, at least the paranormal and fantasy were.
“So if werewolves, fairies, and all of that exist, are there aliens among us?”
I was half kidding, and the words escaped my lips before I gave them permission to. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted the answer.
“Yes. There are. Verena and Wisakachek are from the Equipoise Solar System. Wisakachek is a shifter who bit Keme.”
“Wait. I thought Keme was made, Zhang?”
“Long story on that one, my dear. Let’s instead focus on Raven. Once we fix your curse, I’d be happy to fill you in on Keme and the demons he deals with.”
“Demons exist, too? How did I live 21 years in ignorant bliss?”
I asked him this as my brows shot up my forehead.
“Well, yes, demons exist in the Underworld, but Keme’s demons are inner ones. Again, it’s a long story and probably best left for another time.”
We traveled probably eight hours before reaching a rest stop in Virginia. I’d driven through Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania when Dad and I moved from Connecticut to Magnet Cove after he got engaged to Jackie. That drive was, as we New Englanders say, wicked long. Every time you think you are out of Virginia, you aren’t.
“We are gonna stop at the next rest stop for gas, princess. Are you hungry?”
Dad wasn’t much for stopping while we were on the road unless we needed gas. I never minded because it made the trip quicker somehow—not that taking 15-30minutes off your drive time made that much of a difference. But it seemed to.
“Yeah, I could go for whatever they have at the rest stop. I’m not all that picky.”
“You never were, princess. Can you text Sylus and let him know we are stopping at this next exit?”
“Sure.”
I hadn’t texted Sylus since we left because he took the first shift for driving. His father and Joker thought he should drive during the rest of the night. I thought it was weird, but Baseline wanted the day shift. Frankly, I wouldn’t put it past Sylus if he drove a second shift before handing the keys over to his father. From what I could tell, he loved to drive, and I didn’t want to be a distraction to him while behind the wheel. But if I were being honest with myself, I was afraid to text him.
Zhang and Raine had assured me that the bracelet and herbs would work. While I was in the car, they seemed to be. However, Sylus wasn’t in the same car as me. What if texting him and then sitting near him at the rest stop triggers something in me? Feeling stupid, I shook away the thought as I sent him a text.
