Page 15 of Shadow of Spring (Wild Haven 2)

“I think that’s a good idea.”

“Good. Get dressed and get over here.”

“Sure thing, boss.”

“Don’t forget it. See you soon.”

I take a quick shower now that I know I’m leaving my apartment today. I’m back at my closet, pulling out a pair of dark skinny jeans, a super soft gray slouchy sweater, and a pair of black suede booties. My hand drifts over the row of sweaters, and I frown as something pecks at the back of my mind.

I drop the outfit on the bed and turn back to the closet, sorting through my clothes. I’m not sure what I’m looking for. Something pushes me to keep searching, and when I reach the space where my favorite sweatshirt usually hangs, I realize what’s missing. I check my laundry basket, but I just washed everything a few days ago, so it’s nearly empty.

I tap a finger against my mouth as it turns down in a frown. Hurrying out into the living room, I scan the space to see if the sweatshirt is out here. Even though my office at work could be the before picture in a show about organization, my apartment is tidy. There aren’t any clothes lying around anywhere.

Could I have left it in the laundry room? I bite my lip, feeling stupidly emotional about it. My eyes are watery, and I want to slap myself for this reaction. It’s so stupid. So, so stupid. But… the sweatshirt belongs to Archer. He gave it to me one night a few years ago when we were at a party on the beach. It was a lot colder than I expected and I’d been shivering next to the fire. Archer dropped it over my head before I had a chance to realize what he was doing.

It smelled like him, of sunshine and sandalwood. I slept in it that night. I’ve slept in it many nights since, even though the smell faded a long time ago. Archer never asked for it back, and I never offered. After a certain point, there was no way I could. The cuffs have started to fray, and the collar is a little ripped. If I tried to give it back to him now, he’d wonder what the hell I’d done to it. It would be obvious it hadn't sat in my closet, folded up for the last five years. It’s been well used.

Why can’t I find it? Not that I would ever consider giving it back to him. I don't know why the loss of it is hitting me so hard. Shit. I inhale a shaky breath and exhale loudly, trying not to think about it. Right now, I’m going to get dressed. After that, I can check the laundry room to see if I left it down there by accident. Then I’m going to Miri’s house to figure out what kind of magic I can do.

The laundry room is a bust. My heart sinks when I don’t see it sitting on the table in the corner that’s used for folding. There are only four apartments in my building. Two each on the second and third floor. The laundry is a shared space in the basement, but I really doubt any of my neighbors would have stolen an old ratty sweatshirt.

I’m already later than I want to be as I exit the building, having spent so much time searching. I was planning to call Ruby to see if she wanted to walk to Miri’s house together, but I didn’t get around to it. Instead, I check my bag to make sure I have my pepper spray. I can’t physically best someone like Anthony if he chooses to attack me, but I’m pretty sure a shot of burning spray in his eyes will give me enough time to run away.

Even so, I don’t linger on my walk. I hustle down the paved road that heads out of downtown and into the more wooded acreage of the island. It’s only a five-minute walk to get to Miri’s, but most of it is a solitary trek. The roads are blacktopped, but they’re narrow since there are no cars allowed. People with ATVs and other off-road vehicles tend to take paths through the woods anyway, and avoid the paved paths.

It doesn’t take long before I’m at Wild Cottage. Whichever one of Miri’s family named this place a cottage had a serious misunderstanding of the word. I’ve always loved this house, even before I set foot inside. It’s a fascinating combination of gothic revival and Queen Anne style architecture.

The gray-brown brick and limestone exterior is covered in ivy, giving it a charming appearance. There’s a stone path that leads from the gate to the house. Miri’s slowly been cleaning up the yard, which was horribly overgrown after the property sat vacant for so many years. She’s made a lot of progress in a short amount of time.

There’s a fountain that splits the path, and I smile at the bubbling water that gurgles gently. Miri must have just gotten it cleaned and working recently. I step onto the stone walk, and a spark of energy washes over me. It takes me a second to realize it’s the protective magic Miri has up around the cottage. She and Davis set up a spell to mark anyone that tries to break into her house. The magic is supposed to alert her of the intrusion. I’m not sure how, but it’ll be interesting to see if it works if someone does let themselves into her house uninvited.

The front door swings open as I approach the porch. At first, I think it’s the house opening up to welcome me. I can’t say for sure, but I swear it’s done that before. Unlocking doors to let me in. This time it’s nothing quite so mystical. Ruby’s vibrant violet hair is the first thing I see, quickly followed by the rest of her.

“Did you wander around the entire island before you decided to come here?” Ruby holds the door wide open and waves me inside. She’s got on plaid pants and a fitted t-shirt. The band name, The Darkness, is scrawled across her chest with busty ladies in tiny bikinis below that. She’s in a pair of pink polka dot socks, and I spot her combat boots off to the side of the door.

“I was looking for something and it took me longer than anticipated.”

“What did you lose?” Miri comes wandering out from across the grand foyer from the direction of the kitchen. She’s holding a mixing bowl in the crook of her arm, a wooden spoon sticking out of whatever's in there.

“Just a sweatshirt. What’s in the bowl? Mixing up some poisons?”

Ruby laughs, and Miri scowls. “It’s chocolate chip cookies. I can make desserts, Ruby. I just can’t cook real food.”

Ruby nods. “Sure you can. You’re the best at cookies.”

Miri rolls her eyes, turns, and goes back into the kitchen. I toe off my boots and set them next to Ruby’s shoes. “What’s that all about?”

“She tried to make Davis dinner last night and almost set her eyebrows on fire. And she’s supposed to be the alchemist?”

“I can still hear you, asshole,” Miri calls out from the kitchen, and Ruby lets out an evil laugh.

“Wow. You’re feisty today.” I push Ruby forward, sick of standing by the front door.

Ruby shrugs. “Let’s just say a certain someone pissed in my cheerios.”

I take in the hard set of her jaw that’s in direct contrast to her smile. With Ruby, you never know if what she says is a euphemism, or if she’s telling the truth.

“Ezra stole all her underwear and strung them up over his deck like party decorations,” Miri supplies as we walk into the kitchen, sucking in her cheeks like she’s trying not to laugh.

---