Heartsong (Green Creek 3)

He was staring off into nothing.

“We may need ta figure something else out,” Patrice said. “Just in case.”

“But the Bennetts are our best chance. Our only chance. If they can’t lead, then who will? What hope do we possibly have? We’re running out of time, Patrice. All those witches that turned against us, that were taken out by the Omegas… our numbers are dwindling. And we’re just letting it happen.” She glanced at Ox and Joe. “Figure it out. Before it’s too late.”

“It’s okay,” Kelly whispered. “We’ll figure it out.”

I would have given anything to believe him.

They didn’t stay long after, saying they had other matters to attend to. It felt forced, and even though their hearts never stuttered, I thought they were lying. I could see the worried expressions on both their faces.

Before they left, Aileen pulled Kelly aside. He wouldn’t look at her when she spoke. I thought about listening in to what she was saying, but I didn’t. It wasn’t right.

I let them be.

not this again/you loved me

Bright and early the next morning, Gordo appeared in the basement. He didn’t have to kick the line of silver away because there wasn’t one. Ox had told me I could take my old room the night before, but I’d gone to the basement instead.

And stared at the ceiling for most of the night.

I was groggy and exhausted by the time Gordo came down, a stern look on his face, arms full of clothes.

“Get up,” he said.

I didn’t know why I thought it would work. Last time I’d gotten the hose. But still, I turned away from him on the cot, pulling the blanket over my head.

“Last chance, Robbie.”

“Fuck off, Gordo.”

“All right,” he said. “If that’s how it’s going to be.”

I thought he was going to leave.

I should have known better.

One moment I was in my blanket cocoon, and the next the cot was tipping over, sending me tumbling to the floor. “Hey!”

“Shut up. I don’t want to hear it. Get dressed.”

“No.”

He bent over me, eyes narrowed. “Tell me no one more time, I dare you.”

I steeled my nerves, looked up at him, and said, “No.”

Five minutes later I was glaring daggers at his back as I followed him up the stairs. The clothes he’d given me were a little tight, but they smelled like oil and metal and wolves. The shirt had a patch on it, my name stitched neatly into it.

“The sun isn’t even up,” I grumbled.

“It’s good to know your powers of observation are still intact.” He paused at the top of the stairs. I almost bumped into his back. He turned around, looking me up and down. He sighed and reached into the pocket of his work pants, which matched the ones he’d given me. He pulled out a pair of glasses and handed them over to me. “Put those on.”

“I can see without them.”

“Good. Then I’ll just break them.”

I yelped as he started to do just that, snatched them out of his hands, and put them on. Something soft crossed his face before he rolled his eyes. “You look stupid with those on. You’re a terrible werewolf.”