“I almost died in that trap. The blood loss could’ve killed me. It was lucky Brody found me and Riyah could heal my wound.” She stood now, gazing at the snow falling outside the window. It was midafternoon and still dark.
“I would’ve done things differently.” I tried again.
“You lied last night. You lied about why you came to town. You lie to yourself about your wolf spirit. So many lies. I don’t know if there’s any truth left to you.”
Maddy headed out of my office, placing a hand on the walls to steady herself as she walked.
“Let’s talk about this.” I followed her, darting around to step in front of the main lodge door while she shrugged into her coat.
“Move,” she said.
“You’re upset. Let me take you home.”
“Don’t bother,” she sneered through her tears. “I’ll take my fox.” The door slammed behind her.
Chapter7
MADDY
My impulsivity was biting me in the ass—literally. Frostbite was settling into the tips of my fingers and toes. I knew what the numb meant. I’d lived here my whole life. Not only was I furious with Evan, myself, and the universe in general, my fucking fox spirit had abandoned me.
I called on my fox spirit but got nothing. Not even a tug of recognition. It was as if she was on vacation—or dead. Neither was possible. Of course, I was the only fox shifter left in Sleepy Briar. My family had scattered after the fire years ago. I should have gotten the memo when the Silver Circle came in. Something was terribly wrong with my survival instincts.
I soldiered on, too proud to turn back.
But not too proud to admit I wished Evan would come after me.
When I heard a snowmachine approaching, relief and embarrassment washed over me. Evan might be a selfish rat bastard, but it was awfully hard to talk yourself out of loving someone.
With the thick snow, I couldn’t see anything. I waved the snowmachine down, and it pulled up alongside me.
I sniffed.
Not Evan.
Gabe was driving the snowmachine, while Max rode behind him.
“Need a lift?” Gabe called.
“Doesn’t look like you have room!” I shouted over the engine noise. I was a slight person, but there’s not really room for more than two on a snowmachine. Max was outfitted in a snowsuit. Gabe was underdressed, as usual. Ghouls don’t require temperature regulation. It’s part of their slow metabolism.
Gabe and Max hopped off the machine. Gabe pulled a blanket from a saddlebag and handed it to me. “This should help.”
“How’d you guys find me?”
“Max followed your scent.” Gabe hung his head. “I’m having trouble tracking you lately.”
My stomach turned. Gabe had been stalking me? Was nobody what they were supposed to be lately? I took a few gulping breaths of frigid air.
Without any explanation, Max punched Gabe in the gut. My longtime friend crumpled to the ground.
“What the fuck?” I rushed to Gabe. He curled on his side, gasping for breath. I turned on Max, who was calmly removing his helmet. “What’s the matter with you?”
“I’m a vampire.” He bared his teeth at me, then climbed on the snowmachine. “Get on.” He jerked his gloved thumb behind him. “You’re coming with me.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” I brushed Gabe’s hair away from his face. He was still trying to catch his breath after getting the wind knocked out of him.
“You will get on this machine with me now, or I’ll kill you here.”