Page 61 of Savage Sacrifice
Why would I leave for the wolf party at this time? They haven’t even finished planning it yet, and it certainly won’t be in Florida, which is where I need to go.
“I’m meeting my mother,” I explain, pulling my cell phone out to reveal a message confirming dinner reservations with the woman in question, and he nods.
I’ll have to apologize to my mother later, which will have to come with some grand offering, I’m sure, because rain-checking on her never ends well.
However, there are more important matters at hand.
The guard nods toward the portal and I grunt my thanks before stepping through. Glancing around my new surroundings a moment later, I sigh at how far I need to travel now. I had to play it safe, making sure I didn’t select a location too close to Polaris, but thankfully, my vampire speed will help cut the distance.
With a quick glance at the time, I set myself a goal of how soon I need to get there before taking off. With every rushed step I take, a smile creeps across my face, claiming me as joy blossoms in my chest. No wonder the wolves love the full moons if it means they get to run freely. It’s not often I get to partake, but now that I am, it quickly becomes addictive.
If I weren’t heading to my Amica Mea, I would add some time to my journey, maybe do an extra lap or two around the state, but I save that thought for another time.
I slow to a stroll as I find myself at the end of Polaris’s street, glancing at the time to confirm I’m two minutes earlier than I aimed for before I turn toward her door. As I near the front porch, the excitement inside of me diminishes as I stare at what’s idly waiting.
There is a folded card accompanied by a single black feather, making my gut twist as I stop dead in my tracks.
He knows.
The Crow fucking knows.
22
POLARIS
Finding an outfit to wear is far easier here than it ever was at Trinity Falls Academy. The person who curated my replacement wardrobe did an excellent job. I opt for a pale blue dress with cute daisy prints scattered throughout and a white denim jacket featuring lace cut-outs. They might not really be mine, but it feels more like me than anything I wore at Trinity Falls.
The second I’m happy with my hair and makeup, I slip my black sandals on and perch myself by the window, watching, waiting. My gut twists a little as I let myself fall into my thoughts. I already miss being able to use my magic to get ready. I had only just started to enjoy using such power to complete mundane tasks, but I’m already feeling the loss more heavily than I could have ever imagined.
I hadn’t considered this part when I drove the blade through my heart, but it’s a consequence I’m willing to deal with if it means Minnie is safe.
It’s weird how confident I feel in that statement. I don’t waver in my thoughts, not even for a second. I’m becoming more aware of what I’ve lost, but none of it compares to the idea oflosing my friend. My heart aches at the mere thought of it, just like it did in that moment.
Movement outside catches my attention, pulling me from my mental spiral, and excitement immediately pools in my gut when I spy Blaze strolling down the street. I take a moment to enjoy the view, watching the way his muscles flex beneath the sleeves of his fitted black shirt, while silently pleading for him to turn around so I can catch a glimpse of his ass in those jeans.
Too eager to wait, I hurry downstairs, taking two steps at a time before attempting to gather myself at the bottom. With a deep breath, I run my hands over the front of my dress, trying to calm myself. It does little to settle the giddiness inside of me, so I don’t even bother to wait for a knock at the door. Instead, I charge toward it, grabbing the door handle and swinging it open with more force than intended.
There’s a frown on his face as he slips his hand into his pocket, and I’m sure I catch a glimpse of something cream colored disappearing beneath the denim. “What’s that?” I blurt, instantly berating myself for not actually saying hello, but he waves me off.
“Nothing,” he insists, eliminating the remaining distance between us until we’re chest to chest and his hands rest at my waist.
“Blaze,” I breathe, my warning waning as I melt into him.
If he hears it in my voice, he doesn’t acknowledge it as he pulls me closer, and I wrap my arms around his neck.
“Inside, Amica Mea,” he rasps, his arms banding around my middle as he lifts me an inch off the floor and carries me across the threshold. He kicks the door shut behind us, blindly heading deeper into the house with his eyes locked on mine.
I’m so caught up in his presence that I don’t realize he’s moved us into the kitchen until he lowers me back to my feet, but he doesn’t release me.
“You look beautiful,” he states, eyes delving deep into mine, and I feel the blush creep over my cheeks.
Clearing my throat, I place my hands on his shoulders. “You don’t look too bad yourself,” I reply, and the corner of his mouth lifts in a teasing curl before he hoists me in the air once again.
This time, he takes me higher, and I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist, clinging to him like my life depends on it.
“I’ve fucking missed you, Amica Mea,” he rasps, molding his hands around the globes of my ass as he grinds me against the denim hiding his thick length.
I shiver, releasing a small puff of air as I gape at him, eyes wide.
