Page 46 of Call of the Ride
Despite my anger at how my forest and its inhabitants had suffered because of man’s footprint, I didn’t agree with Luperca that every human was a threat to be managed. The harm Matthew and his associates had caused was devastating, and the effects were magnified, thanks to Koschei’s buried death weakening the earth. However, these evil men were exceptions to the rule, and simply needed to be eradicated.
Like an invasive species.
Tan had used his psychic abilities to invade Matthew’s mind—stealing information on the London headquarters and where we could find any shifters remaining in captivity. This was where the clan warriors would come in—assuming we could still count on the shifters as allies. My men and I still needed to hold up our part of the bargain by locating the buried piece of Koschei’s death. I could only hope that whatever additional powers we gained during the solstice would allow us to find it, and stop The Devouring from advancing to the point of no return.
“Hold on a tick!” Tan slammed on the brakes, pulling the car off the road and parking next to a freshly mowed field. “I must know, why are we continuing to use this human mode of transportation when we possess three magical flying horses that can take us anywhere in half the time?”
“Touché,lan,”Nox chuckled, promptly spinning around to the back seat. “Hey, Ace, how did you call your horse to rescue us when I got shot?”
Asa helped me out of the car, and we collectively walked to the grassy shoulder. “Good question. He simply appeared when I needed him. But, more importantly, my horse has a name, Nox. It’s Praline—after the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted.” He then glanced down at me with so much heat in his expression that I was immediately wet for him.
“We’re naming our horses as our favorite desserts, hmm?” Tan chuckled, also eyeing me hungrily. “Well, as Magic Pussy may not be appreciated, my horse shall henceforth be known as Kestaneli Baklava.”
A most regal name.
Nox threw his head back as we all looked to him expectantly, his booming laughter echoing off of the trees in the distance. “All right, I guess mine’s Spartak Cake.” My Darkest Midnight also shot me a lustful look, and I realized all three of my men were now humming with desire.
“I suppose that’s my cue to find something to ride,” I smirked, beyond pleased when I was rewarded for my dirty humor with their dazzling smiles.
Drawing closer, we concentrated on our bond, the four of us allowing our individual powers to flow alongside one another as we visualized the horses we were trying to call. To my delight, I soon heard excited whinnying, and turned to find my Riders’ horses headed our way across the darkening field.
“We ride at dawn!” Tan hollered, quickly herding me toward Baklava. “Eh...at dusk, rather. Either way, Riders—mount up!”
Chapter 36
Vasilisa
Even with the magical speed of our horses, it was well past dusk by the time we arrived at Stonehenge. I noticed a tall, chain-link fence surrounding the sacred site, blocking it off from the nearby road. However, as we’dflownwith our horses this time, we simply landed within the enclosure before dismounting.
No fence melting required this time.
“Aye, access was restricted after some humans added their own graffiti to the rocks!” A familiar laugh rang out, like tinkling bells, and I lifted my gaze to find Ulysses perched on a tall stone that had been vacant a moment ago. “A silver lining is that the restrictions will ensure the four of you can do…whatever it is you need to before sunrise unhindered. And in case you’re feeling peckish, I brought you a picnic supper.”
He grandly gestured to a grassy area in front of a smaller stone, where a checkered blanket was spread out with what looked to be a five course meal, piping hot and waiting for us.
“If you actually fucking think we’re going to eat anything from you again, you’re crazier than you look,” Nox snarled, crossing his enormous arms over his chest and glaring up at the Fae in a way that made me feel peckish indeed.
Ulysses gaily laughed again before hopping down from the towering stone, as gracefully as a cat. “Understood, although I left the dressing on the side this time,” he chortled, pointing to a bottle of oil, most likely containing blue roses.
All three of my men glared at the Fae from where they stood next to the horses, and I rolled my eyes. Trickster though he was, my gut told me we could trust Ulysses.
And my empty stomach says I need food.
When no one made a move to follow me, I sighed. “As much as Ulyssespretendsto be uninterested in what befalls humankind, he’s clearly been helping us along the way. It was a dancing light that led you to get those tattoos of yours, and that showed us where Matthew was hiding in the Tower of London.” The Fae looked so annoyingly pleased by my show of solidarity, I was immediately compelled to wipe the smile off his face. “Not to mention, I believe I’ve figured out his real name, so if he steps out of line, I’ll simply make him submit to me.”
His eyes widened slightly before observing me with newfound appreciation. “Well played, witch. And I believe that’s my cue to leave the four of you alone to your hedonism.” And with an exaggerated flourish, Ulysses disappeared into thin air.
That’s a good fellow.
Apparently, basic needs won out, as my Riders soon joined me on the picnic blanket to dine. The moonlight was obscured by clouds, so Tan and Asa competed to illuminate our meal by creating the best light—which Nox kept extinguishing with darkness, much to his own amusement. Unsurprisingly, none of us chose to drizzle the rose oil on our food.
Although, I wonder if it’s necessary for the night’s activities?
My unspoken question was immediately answered when all evidence of our completed meal suddenly disappeared, leaving nothing but the bottle of oil behind.
We all eyed it suspiciously, before Tan chuckled, as mischievous as ever. “Is anyone else thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Highly unlikely,” Asa smiled and good-naturedly shook his head. “But I have a feeling you’re going to share your thoughts with us, anyway.”
