Page 97 of Crossed Fates

Balsam fir trees,I sighed, reveling in the woodsy fragrance.They only grow a few places at home, but I don’t know the area in this realm.

Passing the details on to Hardt. He’s monitoring a bunch of trucks all over the Northeast.

Good.Although, the whole thing made me feel a bit useless.

I knew every acre for miles and miles in my home realm. However, while this Silver Lake was very much like where I’d grown up, not all of the surrounding areas were the same. There were developments that were grasslands in my world. Different town names. And other small things that made it nearly impossible for me to pinpoint my exact location.

We’ve been on the same straight path since I woke up,I added, realizing we hadn’t deviated much.

That’s helpful, too. Keep talking to me.

I agreed and relayed the rest of our movements to him. At one point, the truck slowed and made a sharp right turn, then drove for another five minutes before coming to stop.

Be careful, Mak,Alaric whispered as if he were right next to me.

Always.My ears perked as the doors up front opened.I think they’re coming.

Not wanting to lose my advantage, I forced every muscle to relax and evened out my breathing to feign sleep.

The back of the truck bed dropped open with a clang.

I began to count between inhales and exhales, needing to remain absolutely calm and quiet. These weren’t humans but supernaturals with enhanced senses.

Thankfully, they seemed rather confident in the dosage they’d given me. Because they didn’t bother checking me for signs of consciousness.

Rough hands threw me over a bulky shoulder as though I were a rag doll. From the stench, it appeared to be Vex Junior. I really wanted to know what made the hybrid types smell like the inside of a cigar.

The muscular giant grunted and stomped over the ground. I swiftly changed his name toHulk Juniorin my head as he kicked something hard, bouncing me on his shoulder without a care. His actions very much embodied the phrase,Hulk smash!

Yeah, well, Makayla stab!I thought darkly back at him.There is definitely a stake headed your way, dude.

Focus, Makayla,Alaric said softly.Is that bent-snout wolf with you?

I can’t look around to confirm that, but I hear two sets of footsteps ahead of me,I replied.One of them is probably Bendy.

I think his real name is Robert Gamington. He’s Kristen’s brother.

My heart skipped a beat.Her brother?

Yeah. Alpha Landon from McKenzie Pack called. He said he’s missing an enforcer, Robert, and he suspects that’s the reason Neo was killed.

Because Robert would have had access to the information.

Yeah.

Shit.

Yeah,he repeated.

HJ—Hulk Junior abbreviated—pivoted beneath me, knocking me back into my surroundings with a flourish. My eyes fluttered open on instinct, and I caught the edge of my scenery. Just trees and plants. I relayed that to Alaric, then closed my eyes again as a door opened up ahead.

“Take her down,” a cultured voice said. “I’ll call the boss man with the good news.”

HJ grunted, stepping through the threshold.

It’s a cabin, I clarified, trying to see as much as I could before he turned.Doesn’t appear to be all that…I trailed off as HJ stomped down a set of stairs.Didn’t look big upstairs, but we’re heading down toward a basement now. At least two stories down.

Searching all known properties matching your area description now.That statement held an ounce of frustration, one I understood because I’d be flipping the fuck out if it were him who’d been taken. He wanted to be able to help, and I hadn’t given him much to act on. But there wasn’t much I could do about that given the circumstances.