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So, I rose from the ashes and walked, accepting my place on the other side of normal. Already, I felt less alone.

Chapter 17

So far, the other side of normal seemed pretty…normal.

I still had miles of pavement to go, but I expected something a little more…climactic. A dramatic unveiling of a wizard guide, maybe? Angel wings sprouting out of my back? Or what I was really hoping for: a visit from a certain three telepathic Voices? Since honesty was now the name of the game, I’d be lying if I said a little part of me hadn’t deflated when that didn’t happen.

My senses piqued at a rustle alongside the desolate highway, and the skin on my arms rose. Maybe the skeletal limbs swaying off the overhanging trees were about to reveal—nope. The ocean breeze tousled my hair, scattering the roadside debris, but nothing more. I sighed.

No wizard guide. No Voices.

At least the darkness didn’t bother me like it used to. Its affiliation with the unknown used to be unnerving, but tonight we walked hand in hand. Tonight, I belonged amongst the shadows of the supernatural. Tonight, I was more than just a midnight rogue.

I trekked next to the painted white line that ran through the maritime forest parallel to the beach, unflinching as a car flew past—the first I’d seen in at least ten minutes—nearly drenching me as it zoomed through a puddle. Droplets splashed my legs, reminding me of this morning’s rainstorm, which already felt so far away.

As the chirps from the crickets started to settle around me, the hum of tires broke the silence again. This time the headlights came at me, burning away the blackness, casting my path in a blinding yellowish light.

Shielding my eyes, I ducked my chin as the vehicle came towards me, then hauled past. A futile attempt at turning invisible, but I wasn’t about to hurl myself into a bush of what looked like poison oak—wouldn’t that be the cherry on top of such a lovely day.

The weight of the wind shifted with the squealing of tires as the car cut across the double line. Its engine jumped in frenetic spurts, like my heart, as it 180’d beside me. Between the diesel and burnt rubber, something familiar hung on the edge of the night.

The passenger door swung open. “Get in.”

I faltered, only briefly, to recognize Ryder’s starlit jawline. My face tightened, shattering whatever sense of calm I had. A blast of cool mint diffused from the interior, the heady scent trapping any good comebacks. I needed to keep walking, or I might do something stupid, like get in the car.

Letting the bullfrogs speak for me, I picked up my feet and my jaw, which had been hanging open. His truck followed.

“You’re freezing cold. I can see your breath.”

Nope, that melodic British accent would not lure me in. I held my head high. “I thought we were done with this.”

“What?” he retorted. “Keeping you out of danger? That might be easier if you didn’t put yourself in situations where you’re alone in the pitch black, on the side of the road.”

“Well done, Ryder.” I rolled my eyes, not stopping for his reaction. “You’ve managed to conveniently find yourself in the right place at the right time again. How do you do it?”

“It’d be a lot easier if you gave me your number.” Ugh. I sensed a smirk.

“That’s not happening.” Do not look. Do not look. “And don’t change the subject.”

This time the ribbiting orchestra answered on his behalf.

“Oh, that’s right.” I let out a bitter laugh. “You never give away your dirty little secrets, but you expect to know all of mine.”

My traitorous eyes drifted left, just shy of the door that still hung open. The truck crawled beside me in a smooth straight line, despite the fact that I knew his gaze hadn’t left me. My heart pounded against my rib cage and not because I was worried that he might crash. He’d driven in far more dangerous predicaments.

“I’m not going anywhere. It’s not safe out here. I’ll drive next to you all the way back to town if I have to.”

“Thanks for the warning.” My thumb and pointer cupped my chin as I tilted my head. “You don’t happen to mean giant-gathering-of-bloodthirsty-werewolves kind of not safe, do you?”

I needed to see his face when I delivered that tidbit, and immediately wished I hadn’t turned to look. The golden specks in his eyes glistened in the moon’s alabaster glare. Teasing, pleading—I whipped my head forward before that alone convinced me to get in.

“What’s the matter, cat got your tongue?” I crossed my arms against a sudden chill that tickled my spine. “Or should I say, wolf?”

“No, I-I’m impressed.”

I searched for a hint of sarcasm, scowling when I didn’t find it. I kicked a pebble. “I’m not as helpless as you think.” As either of us thought, really.

“Please get in the car and we can talk about this.”