With the freeze came the night Rachel thawed toward Clay-the-man.
A heavy snow started to fall just as Clay and I went to bed. His arm curled around my waist, and my head rested on his shoulder. Asking him to sleep beside me was the best decision I ever made, and it made me finally understand that I determined the pace of our relationship. He had waited patiently for me to invite him in and would wait patiently for the next step, whatever I decided that would be.
My phone rang and pulled me from my warm cocoon. I recognized the number and answered.
“Hey. I’m coming home,” Rachel said. “It’s snowing too badly to go to Peter’s.” She’d caught on that Clay spent the night often.
“Thanks for the heads up,” I said with a laugh. “We’ll see you soon.”
Clay got out of bed as I ended the call. Puzzled, I watched him dress in warm clothes. He left the room. The back door opened and closed. A minute later, I heard the rasp of a shovel on the driveway. I smiled, moved to his warm spot, and burrowed in.
The sound of the plow scraping past disrupted the silent world and kept me awake. Clay stayed outside, keeping the entrance to the driveway clear until Rachel came home. I heard her thanking Clay as they came in together. He didn’t say anything in return, but I imagined he gave her one of his rare nods.
When he returned, I flipped the covers back for him and moved out of his place.
“I was just keeping it warm for you,” I lied.
He laughed and pulled me close. Even after being outside so long, he still warmed me.
My lids grew heavy, and he kissed the top of my head.
* * * *
With the long holiday around the corner, I needed to cross a few things off my mental checklist. First, I needed to pin down my next victim for a power swap. After that, I needed to talk to Sam and hope for answers.
I’d planned to test my ability on Rachel before I went back to the Compound, but Clay watched me closely. Since he knew something happened when I touched other people, he subtly kept everyone out of reach. I pretended not to notice so he wouldn’t become even more protective.
Luck turned in my favor when Rachel texted and asked me to meet her and Peter for lunch. Having just left my morning class, the timing couldn’t have worked better. She suggested a small ma and pa diner close to the campus; the same one Clay and I had walked to so long ago for our sunrise breakfast. I quickly agreed, told her what to order for me, and rushed over the scraped sidewalks to my car.
I cautiously drove the few blocks to the diner. The salt on the roads made everything slushy, and my worn tires liked to slide when I least expected. I eased into the crowded parking lot and snagged a spot near the door.
Through the windows, I spied Rachel and Peter already snuggled in a booth. The waitress had just delivered our food, and they didn’t notice me park or get out of the car. They stared at each other. I saw their lips moving in quiet conversation. Rachel kept stopping to grin at Peter.
I opened the door, briefly blasting the patrons with the frigid air. It caught Rachel and Peter’s attention. They wore secret smiles as they watched me approach. I slid in across from them, the vinyl seat squeaking, and peeled off my hat and gloves. The warmth of the room heated my cheeks and turned them red in seconds.
“Hi, guys. This is a nice surprise. What’s the occasion?” As soon as I said it, I noticed the glint on Rachel’s ring finger. “Oh, wow...” It came out sounding as stunned as I felt. The rational side of me said it was too soon, but the part of me that saw them together and saw their synchronized pulses, knew it was perfect.
“Peter proposed last night, and I said yes.” Rachel’s happiness bubbled from her.
I stood and reached across the table to hug her. She bounced up from her seat and excitedly hugged me back. I grabbed hold of the opportunity. Focusing, I repeated what I’d thought and felt the other times I’d shocked someone. Was she doing the right thing? Was Peter the right one for her? What if I was wrong? I dredged up all my concerns and hope for her, held it tight within me and then let it flow through to her.
The shock jolted us apart immediately. The intensity of it burned my fingertips. Rachel settled next to Peter with a surprised laugh. I sat too, smiled, and opened my sight wide, forcing the full view of the world as I’d seen when I’d shocked Luke. It strained me a bit, but I didn’t let go. This time I really looked. The tiny sparks of all living beings covered the world. I focused the view so I could see the occupants of the diner in detail.
Peter and Rachel pulsed in time as usual. I expected Peter to be different, somehow, to signify his match with Rachel, but I couldn’t see anything unusual. They did appear a bit dimmer, like their light had faded. I remembered that happening when I’d touched Luke and quickly pulled back from such a close up view.
While I looked at Rachel’s tiny spark, something caught my eye. Faint pulses rippled out from her. Much like the ripples made by a pebble thrown into a pond, they spread outward, passing through all other sparks. One approached Charlene’s spark. Instead of passing through, it bounced off and came speeding back.
Startled, I scanned the sparks, zooming in and out as needed until I identified five uniquely colored sparks like me. The ripples didn’t pass through them. Instead, they bounced off and came flying back. Right at me, not Rachel.
The return wave of the spark midway between Charlene and me hit. I absorbed it, and a wave of dizziness rushed through me. That was the first indication of the drain I’d felt previously. I watched Charlene’s wave approach and knew that when it hit, I’d get worse. It made sense now, how I grew weak and sick shortly after transferring my ability. Each hit of return energy knocked me further on my butt. If I’d paid more attention to it before, I would have noticed it when I shocked Nicole and the other girls. But why had it acted differently when I’d touched Luke? Why had just one of the five become focused? I still had so much to figure out. For now, the clock ticked, counting down the time until I would turn into a shaking mess.
I’d noted all of this in the few short seconds it’d taken for Rachel’s surprised expression to clear.
“I’m so happy for both of you,” I said before she could say anything about my momentary pause.
I smiled while I braced myself for Charlene’s energy wave, just minutes away.
“Gabby, after Peter proposed, we both decided we’d tortured you and Scott enough and should get our own place. So as soon as we find something, I plan on moving out. I wanted to give you as much time as possible to find a roommate before I actually left.”
I nodded and smiled at her as if I understood. Would another roommate really put up with Clay-the-moody-dog, or Clay-the-mute-man? I couldn’t blame them for wanting to find their own place. I knew she missed Peter when they were apart.
She picked up her fork and started eating her salad. Peter took another bite of his BLT sandwich. My burger and fries sat before me, still untouched.
Her announcement and the continued strain of staying focused on the vast scale of lights for so long took their toll. My head started to pound. I saw the second wave rush toward me and couldn’t help the slight wince when the pounding in my head increased to full force. I clenched my teeth to keep them from chattering.
Thankfully, Rachel still wore her love-goggles and didn’t notice.
“Don’t worry about me. Clay will be there enough that I’ll make him pay the other half of the rent. So, did you set a date?”
The conversation turned to wedding plans until Peter glanced at his watch and reminded Rachel of their next class. She pouted playfully. I smiled, barely holding back a shiver, and assured her we’d make time to talk wedding stuff soon. The third wave hit, stunning me. Two to go, and they weren’t far off.
“You feeling all right?” Peter asked as they stood. “You look very pale.”
“I’m fine. I skipped breakfast, and I think my blood sugar is getting revenge. It will pass.” I picked up a fry and ate it. My stomach rebelled.
“You should have that tested,” Peter warned, helping Rachel into her jacket.
I nodded and reached for the ketchup while they walked out the door. Squirting a big pile on my plate, I looked up in time to wave to Rachel as they backed out of their spot. I pretended to nibble on a fry as I watched their car. Once they left, I dug out my cell with shaking hands and dialed Dale’s Auto Body. It looked like I would need to miss a few more classes.
Dale answered after the third ring.
“Hi, Dale, it’s Gabby...Clay’s girlfriend.” It felt weird giving myself that title, but I pushed it aside. Bigger issues to deal with. “If he’s there, can I talk to him?”
Dale chuckled. “Sure, but I don’t imagine it’d be much of a conversation.”
I heard him call out to Clay. A moment later, a husky voice said, “Hello?”
After not talking to me for so long, hearing his voice startled and annoyed me slightly. He would talk to a perfect stranger, but not me? I opened my mouth to say something about it, but the pain in my head insistently prodded me to get on with the important news.
“Clay, I did it again. I’m at the diner where we had breakfast. I need you to come get me before it gets worse.”
He didn’t say anything for so long that I looked at the phone to see if I still had a signal. The screen said disconnected. Would it have killed him to say “Okay” or maybe even “Bye” before hanging up? His hello had been too shocking to recall the sound of his voice.
I sighed and put my cell away. With Sam’s frequent calls and Rachel’s occasional texts, my remaining minutes dipped into the double digits. I needed to adjust my budget to buy more airtime. Did life really need to throw me this many curveballs? And all at once?
I forced myself to eat more of my mostly untouched meal so the waitress wouldn’t bother me as I waited.
The last of the waves hit me. Only determination and a hand over my mouth kept me from whimpering. After about ten minutes, I settled the bill and watched out the window for Clay, barely checking the need to curl into a ball and lie down on the padded bench. The waitress kept a close eye on me, probably thinking she would need to clean up barf soon. She might.
Dale’s huge tow truck pulled into the parking lot. Clay opened his door and leapt out while it still rolled to a stop. Through the window, he spotted me. His eyes never left me as he strode in and Dale pulled away.
Clay still wore his greasy coveralls, and with his hair pulled back, he looked like an angel—a grimy one—coming to save me. Again.
“Hi,” I whispered, tilting my head to meet his gaze.
His eyes softened as he looked me over.
My legs trembled just sitting there but with so many students from campus, I wouldn’t leave by any means other than my own two feet. I handed him the keys to my car, slid out of the booth, and reached for him. Standing, I wrapped my arms around his waist. I hoped it looked like I wanted to snuggle instead of holding myself up. He maneuvered us out the door and to my car with no trouble.
Minutes later, he carried me through the back door. He knew the drill and gave me a drink before he tucked me into bed.
* * * *
Close to dawn, I woke feeling much better. The shivers had faded while I slept, and the lingering headache was manageable. The full bladder wasn’t.
I snuck to the bathroom, hoping not to wake Clay. But when I got back, the light was on and he lay awake waiting for me. With his hair still back, I easily read his expression. I hated when he looked at me like that. All disappointed and hurt.
I stalled saying anything until I slid back under the covers. Warmer, I met his gaze.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t plan it...” Technically. “...but I think I’ve figured out what I am, Clay. I’m like a GPS for werewolves. I can find people. Not just people, but compatible Mates like me.” My feet refused to warm so I tucked them under his legs. He didn’t even flinch. Probably because I did it all the time.
“When I touched Rachel yesterday, I really paid attention. I saw the energy I release when I shock a person. It goes into them and pulses outward, passing through almost everyone else. And everyone this energy passes through fades in my mind, almost dimming to the point of non-existence. Five people didn’t fade, Clay. In the whole world, there are only five. Six if you include me. And when the energy I release touches them, it bounces off to come crashing back on me. That’s what’s been knocking me on my butt.”
Unsure if I should bring up the rest, I played with the quilt for a second. He nudged me, and I smiled at him. I should know better. Even when he didn’t like what I had to say, he listened. He always listened.
“It was different when I touched Luke. With him, I zoomed in on one specific spark, a yellow-violet one on the east coast. The paper I gave Luke? That was directions to find her. I think she belongs with him. I think I found his Mate just by touching him.” I grinned when I recalled the phone call from Luke. “I don’t think he appreciates my help, though.”
Through my entire monolog, Clay lay on his side, up on an elbow, and watched me intently. His serious expression conveyed his concentration.
When I finished, instead of shrugging as I expected, his head snapped toward my bedroom window. He snarled softly as he threw off the covers and crouched on the bed, head moving to track something I couldn’t see.
I scrambled to my knees, staring at him. Fangs exploded from his mouth, and his ears changed. Now I knew why Luke had laughed at Clay’s partial transformation but didn’t find it a bit funny as I watched.
Clay remained frozen in a crouch, listening. I held my breath and strained to hear what he heard. The beating of my own heart filled my ears.
Both our heads turned toward a chuffing laugh near the window. A taunt to draw Clay out.
I opened my mouth to point it out but never made a sound. Clay’s hand darted out and nudged me backward. I lost my balance. As I tumbled over the edge of the mattress, he leapt toward the bedroom door. He cleared it and switched off the light before I landed on the floor.
The front door slammed against the wall. The explosive sound echoed through the house as did the chilly breeze that gusted along the floor. I shivered, hidden in the semi-darkness beside the bed. The door closed itself on the backswing, cutting off the cold.
I righted myself as I caught my breath. Luckily, I’d landed on a pillow which I’d knocked off with me. Any recovery I’d experienced while I slept had vanished as soon as I hit the floor. My head pounded with renewed vigor, but I thought clearly enough to wonder if Rachel had spent the night here or with Peter. The sudden noise outside distracted me from my thoughts.
Loud snarls and low growls filled the air.
Despite Clay’s obvious wish that I stay down, I risked a look over the mattress as my eyes adjusted to the gloom. The window gave a soft glow from the streetlights. The sound of my frightened breathing echoed in the room. I quieted it, pulled myself up, and crawled over the bed toward the window. Cautiously, I inched the curtain aside to peek out.
Clay and another man fought in the snow on the front yard. I cringed at the sight of Clay’s bare feet and chest. The challenger at least had shoes and a shirt.
Clay swiped at the man, ripping a good portion of his shirt away. Good. Clay wouldn’t be the only cold one.
They skirted the direct glow of the streetlight, but didn’t stick to the shadows closest to the house. The neighbors would not only be able to hear them but see them as well. Hadn’t the idiot challenging Clay thought of that before he approached our house from the front? Pack law forbade public shifting.
The snow crunched under the challenger’s feet as he rushed Clay. Clay spun and avoided the charge. He used the man’s momentum to trip him and knock him into the snow. As the man fell, he shifted noticeably.
Clay shifted further as well. His mouth extended to enable the use of his fangs. I cringed at the thought of the neighbors spotting him. There would be no way to explain away the disconcerting appearance of his ears and fangs.
The other man rolled and rose to his feet. His head had almost completely contorted to wolf form. My eyes rounded. He snapped at Clay, narrowly missing Clay’s chest. His attempt distracted Clay from blocking a well-placed punch to his gut. I cringed, then silently cheered when Clay gave back as good as he got.
The sky began to lighten, and down the road, a few of the streetlights blinked off. They needed to end this soon, but the fight didn’t seem to be winding down.
Their movements increased in speed until they mostly blurred. I heard each time one of them connected—the solid thunk of it reverberated through the house—but didn’t see anything. I hoped Clay gave more than he received.
Twice the other wolf feinted away from the house, but Clay refused to follow, forcing the challenger to come back to him. Clay would not distance himself any further from the house and leave me unprotected. The other wolf’s attempt had me wondering.
Knowing I’d regret it, I stretched my sight. I saw another blue-grey light nearby and began to doubt this fight was just another Mating challenge. As quickly as I opened my spark-filled view of the world, I closed it. It hurt, and I couldn’t afford to distract Clay with my pain.
I studied the man fighting Clay. He didn’t look like the same werewolf who’d attacked us on our way back from breakfast. The sprinkling of fur starting to cover his skin appeared lighter than the original challenger’s dark grey fur.
Despite their noise, I heard the back door open. So did Clay.
In a fierce move, he hit the other werewolf in the head with a sickening crack. The man dropped to the ground. Clay didn’t wait to see him land. He turned and ran for the house before I could even think to scramble under the bed and hide.
The front door slammed again. I thought of the damage and winced. The temperature in the room dropped further.
Clay and the new werewolf met in the living room with a thud. I didn’t think, just sprang from my crouched position near the window to scramble over the bed. It might have been safer to stay hidden, but I worried more when I couldn’t see what was happening.
I eased off the end of the mattress and edged closer to the door, trying to make them out in the dim light of the living room. I stared at the fight raging in front of me.
Two shapes struggled in the center of the brown rug. I identified Clay by his long hair. His back was to me. The other man had his arms wrapped around Clay, attempting to squeeze him. Clay fisted his hands together and hammered them down on his attacker’s face. They broke apart, the attacker almost bumping into the TV.
Cold air wrapped around my legs. I glanced at the front door, which stood ajar, but didn’t move to close it.
When I looked back at the men, I had a clear view of the attacker. I stopped breathing and stared at the man, stunned.
I’d grown accustomed to the stomach acrobatics I suffered every time I looked at Clay. Feeling them when I looked at this new wolf devastated me. I gasped in a ragged breath, hurt by fate’s cruelty. The sound distracted the newcomer, who met my eyes with recognition then calculation. Clay took advantage and brought the man down like he had the one outside. The sickening thud made me cringe.
Without thought, I moved out into the living room and stared down at the unconscious man. His short, sandy blonde hair contrasted with the brown of the rug. It moved in the breeze that swept the floor. I didn’t feel the cold as I studied his tall, lean frame. He had no facial hair. Except for the tall part, he looked like Clay’s opposite.
How could I feel that pull for two men? Sam assured me that I would know when I met the right one because there would be a pull, a burning curiosity like no other. This didn’t make any sense.
The man’s hand lay on the carpet close to me. Some of his fingernails had shifted to glossy black claws before Clay had knocked him out. Looking closer, I saw his ears had shifted, too.
“What do we do, Clay?”
I looked up at him and found him watching me closely. I shivered and didn’t look back at the man on the floor. Having all the doors open made the heat kick in, but it did little to warm me.
“He’s part changed. With all the noise, I think the police will be here soon. Can we leave him here like this?”
Clay nodded and motioned me back into the bedroom. His knuckles bled, and he had the start of another black eye. I wanted to walk to him and hug him, but felt too confused. Instead, I turned away to hide my watering eyes.
In the distance, I heard sirens.
Clay put me back into bed then left, closing the door behind him. Moments later, I heard the back door close and then nothing as the sirens got closer.
Fate or not, I belonged with Clay. I wasn’t sure anymore if I was his prize or punishment, though. Regardless, he’d earned my loyalty. Reacting to someone other than Clay felt like cheating, and it bothered me a lot. I didn’t know what to do about it or how to stop it. It wasn’t something I could talk to Clay about. I had hurt him enough already. If I could trust Sam, I could maybe ask him.
The sirens quieted with a chirp before they reached the house. Muted red and blue lights danced on my bedroom wall by my head. I wondered what Clay planned to tell the police. No matter what I’d just felt for the man passed out on the living room floor, I trusted Clay completely. He had a plan, and I just needed to wait.
But Clay didn’t come back in. Instead, I heard a knock on the front door and the murmur of several voices. Exhaustion and pain, from pushing myself too soon, shivered through my body.