Page 70 of A Vampire Bewitched
Emma gave him a stony look in reply, refusing to confirm or deny his assumption.
Cedric held up his index finger, indicating for her to excuse him a moment, then turned to the other guys. They huddled together, speaking rapidly but quietly, with only the occasional “och” or “aye” and one “Yer off yer head!” by Red, followed quickly by a “Haud yer wheesht!” by Cedric, loud enough for her to hear.
Watching them, she wondered if they’d notice if she just casually strolled away.
Taking a discreet glance around, she was almost positive they’d entered a small clearing from the way directly behind her. Maybe she’d be able to lose them amongst the trees until the sun went down and Nik could find her.
As quietly as she could, she started to back away from the arguing werewolves. She got about a hundred feet with no one paying her any mind whatsoever, so with a quick prayer, she slowly turned and started creeping forward as stealthily as she could, using the giant, mossy trees as cover. After another fifty feet, she silently thanked the gods and took off at a steady jog.
She didn’t get ten more feet before she was gripped around the waist by a muscular arm and hoisted onto a hip.
“Damn it! Let me go, you stupid dog!”
Lucian, or “Red” as Emma liked to think of him, jostled her a little higher and trod back to the group with her tucked easily under his arm.
“Where do ye think ye're goin, lassie?” Cedric grinned at her as Lucian dropped her at his feet for the second time. Holding out his hand, Cedric offered to help her up, laughing heartily when she slapped his hand away and stood up on her own.
“Nikulas has got his hands full with this one.” He chuckled in amusement as her eyes shot daggers at him.
She crossed her arms defensively and snapped, “Well, Nikulas doesn’t have his anything right now, does he? Because you STOLE me from him.”
Cedric boomed with laughter. “C'mon wee kitten, let's get going. We need to be there by nightfall.” Turning his back to her, he swung his hand around in a circle. “Let's go!”
Herding her into the middle of the group, they set off, moving farther away from the cave. And farther away from Nik.
Chapter 39
Nik and Aiden stood silent and motionless just inside the hidden entrance of the tunnel. Waiting.
The sun was finally setting.
Dressed to blend with the night, they were nearly invisible in the dim light of the tunnel. Black hoodies were zipped up with black zippers. Black hoods pulled up to conceal their faces and hair. Even the wicked-looking blades strapped to their thighs were black.
Nik’s partially healed skin masked all but his fangs, which were displayed in a chilling snarl.
Aiden had only managed to get him to drink enough for his eyes to heal. Even with so little nourishment, his body fairly vibrated with the need to get to his mate.
The sun seemed to pause as it reached the horizon, hanging on to that last moment of daylight, before finally surrendering and dipping below the skyline.
The tunnel was empty before the final ray disappeared.
Emma shiveredas the sun began its final descent. She was still wearing Nik’s long-sleeved shirt, but hadn’t grabbed her coat when she’d stepped outside.
Of course, she’d only planned on being outside for a few minutes. If she’d known she was going to be trekking through the Canadian wilderness against her will with three hulking werewolves, she maybe would have rethought that decision.
They’d been walking for miles without a word between them. But judging by the looks of approval she grudgingly received now and again, they were a bit surprised the “wee lass” was able to keep up.
She had a good idea where they were going, but not what her part in it would be. The one time Emma had dared to ask, Cedric had glanced back with a sympathetic smile. “Tis better if ye dinnae ken just yet, lassie.”
Thatsodid not make her feel any better.
With a weighted sigh, she took in the beauty of the scenery around her, trying to memorize any distinctive landmarks that would help her find her way back before the light faded.
Large Western Hemlocks dominated the landscape, covering the mountains that lined the valley they traversed through on foot. Here and there she would catch a glimpse of a snow-covered mountain peak. Jays screeched over the prettier songs of the chickadees, and small animals rustled in the vegetation around them as they passed. Somewhere in the distance, she could hear the trickling sound of water.
The whole place was breathtaking, really. She wished she were in a position to enjoy it more.
Her stomach growled loudly in protest at the lack of a recent meal, and she put a hand over it, trying to stifle the sound.
