Page 113 of Twinning and Sinning

Seraphina’s eyes watered, her hands balling into fists and releasing over and over. The guilt was welling up inside her. She didn’t want people to fight for her like this. Seraphina needed to understand that we fight for each other. No one gets left behind.

“Thank you,” she whispered, finally letting tears fall. Her arms wrapped around Dimitri, I followed her and made the perfect ‘sandwich’ she liked to call it.

“Quick question though,” Dimitri spoke. “How did we get here so fast? I swore it took longer to get here, but we got here in half the time.”

“Ah that,” Elder Rowan gave another contagious smile. “That was a type of locator spell we had cast on the place. It took Sebastian forever to find us, so we had a local friendly Witch cast a spell. Anyone looking for Black Raven from a two-hundred-mile radius would be instantly transported. Unfortunately, we don’t have a transporter or a Witch to take you back into your pack.”

“We are grateful,” I spoke a loud. “Really grateful for your hospitality,” I grabbed his hand again to shake it.

“Wish we could do more. We are peaceful here and only wish that for others,” Rowan’s eyes twinkled to his mate.

Within ten minutes, the entire truck was loaded. Elder Rowan and Adaline waved from the front step of the gigantic home. Children surrounded our truck while fifteen warriors piled in a van behind us, including Suron. Seraphina blew invisible kisses to the kids that hovered around the truck. Their squeals and excitement drifted away as we took off to Red Wolves Pack.

“I feel weird.” Seraphina heaved a large breath as we came out of the thick wooded path. Her hand rubbed just above her heart. “What’s wrong?” Dominic was instantly alerted.

“Her wolf,” Dominic spoke inside me. “I cannot reach her,” he growled.

“Seraphina!” I spoke harshly. I felt her consciousness fading.

“Sleepy, lost,” she mumbled, her head falling back onto Dimitri’s shoulder. Pulling her to my chest, cradling her like a babe, my hand brushed her hair.

“Don’t go to sleep. Tell me what’s wrong. What do you feel? You can’t go to sleep. We can’t find Eva. What’s happening?” My helpless cries were going unheard.

“I don’t know,” she whispered again. “It’s bright though,” her eyes were shut. I couldn’t understand why it would be bright. Dimitri’s worried glances from the road to Seraphina in my arms were making him and Declan unsettled. Dimitri’s eyes flashed repeatedly. He doesn’t lose control as often as I do, but when he does it isn’t good.

“Declan,” I ordered. “Drive, she is here, she is safe… she is changing,” I finally whispered. Taking a large breath in, my thumb traced her cheek. “I hope she’s just changing.” Gripping her tighter, I felt a tear drop from my cheek. My strong mate would not give up on me. Her body spasmed, her back arched, groaning into the movement I held her so she could move her body in a way that was comfortable.

More mumbling, more unsteady movement, fingers cracking in weird places, not normal for a Wolf’s change. Gods, if she changed in the car, it would be difficult to continue driving.

“We should pull over. She’s going to Wolf form. She must be.” Dimitri and I haven’t witnessed a human change, let alone someone with Elf in their blood.

“No, keep going. We have enough room. If she thrashes, we will, but we have to stay on schedule.” Dimitri’s grip on the wheel became tight, hearing the old leather squeeze.

“She’s fine, she’s fine,” I chanted, more to myself. “Gods, let her be fine.”

Seraphina

The heat radiated from my chest, and the pounding in my head continued to flow to the tips of my fingers. Dax and Dimitri. I couldn’t hear them anymore. The chanting that Dax used to soothe himself, the tightening grip on the steering wheel, and the bumps in the road were gone.

The heat on my skin came from above, small tickling on the sides of my arms and legs appeared. Forcing gravity, I pushed my eyelids open, staring right into the sun. I was no longer in the old, dingy car traveling with hundred pounds of blood in the back of the truck. Now outside, in the warm summer air.

It took a moment to feel my surroundings, to use my hands to push myself from the ground. I was on the outskirts of the forest, but instead of the deep, thick lush of the pine trees of the north, the woods were scarce, places for animals to hide and play. The meadow looked inviting, but my gut told me to follow into the woods. It felt more comfortable there than out in the open.

My bare feet took in one last step off the green grass and fell on the slightly damp forest floor. Leaves scattered about crunched under me. I didn’t feel the sharp pecks of pebbles or roots. It was a comforting feeling. My feet dug into the Earth, toes dipping into any part of the soil that was open for me. Sighing several times, feeling the soft thrumming of vibrations next to trees made me think they were growing. I could feel the trees grow in the soil, twisting their roots to grab bits of water and nutrients for the dust.

My hand touched the thick bark of the tree I stood next to. Light radiated from my palm. The tree was pushing energy into me. I felt stronger yet light.

“Amazing, isn’t it?” The voice pulled me from my thoughts, only to be met by a woman with a bow on her back, leather pants, and vest. Her hair was twisted up into a high bun, her shoes made of thick leather. “You can feel the life force of the tree when you touch it,” the woman walked up. I didn’t feel afraid. I felt an overwhelming calming wave radiating from her.

“The calmness you find is from the tree you are touching. The tree knows I am no threat because I’m the goddess of vegetation and the hunt, part his master.” My lips parted.

“G-goddess?” Artemis smiled, removing her hand from the tree. “That’s right, Artemis,” she did a mock bow. “Pleasure to meet you, Seraphina.”

“Wow, it’s an honor.” Artemis laughed at my speechlessness.

“Let’s be honest, you weren’t even sure the gods existed. It’s alright, you weren’t raised in the proper way. I take no offence.” Artemis patted the tree. “Let’s take a walk.”

I remained silent as we walked through the forest. The dirt continued to glow, the leaves continued to fall silently, animals frolicked up to us, sniffing around and turn the other way. The silence was catching up to me. My heart raced not knowing what to do.

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