Feral Escape (Catnip and Cauldrons 3)

Molly nodded, eager to get the spell going. Ivan couldn't have much time left.

Cole placed his empty hand over Ivan's wound and began the chanting.

Nothing seemed to happen and hot tears of frustration slipped down Molly's cheeks. But as she watched Ivan, her eyelids grew heavy until they fell shut. Bright, warm light enveloped her, and she pushed it toward Cole's hand. An image or maybe a memory of Ivan carrying her through the rocky mountainside filled her thoughts. She heard him groan, and she tightened her grip on Cole's hand. More white light seemed to expand and spill from her chest, down through her arms.

Coughing broke the air around her. A sharp tug on her hand made her open her eyes. Ivan sat up, rubbing his chest with one hand, while staring at a flattened piece of metal in his other hand. She flung herself at him, knocking him back to the ground.

Above them, Cole chuckled weakly. “Take it easy on him.”

Ivan's chest felt like it had taken a couple dozen kicks...from someone wearing steel-toed boots. Molly stared down at him, her red hair spilling around his face. He lifted his free hand up and brushed his finger over her cheek. When his fingers came away wet, he pulled her closer.

“Are you hurt?”

Surprised laughter spilled from her lips. “No, you nut. I thought you were going to die on me!” She rolled off him and offered her hand, so he could sit up.

His chest ached as he struggled to name the emotions crowding his thoughts. Absently he rubbed his hand over his heart. Realizing he had something clutched in his hand he uncurled his fingers. A flattened, bloody bullet. What the hell? If he'd taken a central body hit, he should be dead.

He twisted around, finding Onyx and Cole huddled behind him. The wizard was not looking so hot.

“Cole, you okay?” he croaked out.

“Never better buddy,” he answered sluggishly, then flashed him a thumbs up.

Onyx reached over and patted Ivan's arm. “He healed both of us really close together; he just needs a little time.” She jerked her chin at Molly. “She did most of the work the second time. Cole just channeled it.”

“Thanks, babe,” Cole muttered.

Onyx turned away from Ivan, nuzzling against her boyfriend's neck and whispering something into his ear. Satisfied his friends were okay, he turned back to find Molly watching him with wide eyes. He cupped his hand behind her neck and brought her to him, kissing her hard enough to melt the rocks around them.

He'd known this emotion once before. Or at least he thought he had. Somehow this was much stronger than anything he'd felt in the past. Onyx didn't have to say the exact words for Ivan to know. Molly's love had helped save him.

Scuffling came from behind them. Ivan craned his neck to see Zane laying on the ground next to a decent sized puddle of blood. The fucker twitched and tried to reach for something.

“This asshole is getting on my nerves,” he muttered, nudging Molly back so he could stand up. The sound of a car coming around the corner froze him for a moment. What now? He reached down and picked up his revolver, motioning Molly behind the car again. Onyx tugged Cole out of the way as well. The truck stopped behind Zane's battered vehicle and Ivan put down the gun when he recognized Aspen stepping out of the vehicle.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Ivan shouted.

“Trying to watch your back, brother.” He glanced down at Zane, then back at Ivan. “Guess I'm a little late.”

Ivan huffed out a laugh.

“You know him?” Onyx asked.

“Yeah, he's okay. Stay here with Molly and Cole.”

“Time to take out the garbage,” Aspen remarked as he walked over to Zane and pulled out a semiautomatic. Without blinking, he put a bullet between the domestic’s eyes.

“Hey, that was my job,” Ivan protested as he walked up to greet his old friend.

“Sorry, brother. This asshole's had it coming for a while now.”

“I'm not surprised. I thought you went into hiding?”

Aspen lifted his shoulders, meeting Ivan's stare. “She okay?”

“Yup.”

“Are you?”

“Yeah. Now I know why domestics don't want magic makers around. They're mighty fine healers.”

Aspen tossed his head back in surprise, then stopped to observe Onyx and Cole.

“Ah, you're Onyx Knight, aren't you? The Elders are in a tizzy over your ascension to power.”

Onyx didn't answer, she raised her hand and waved, then walked Cole to his car.

Aspen grinned. “She's spunky. I like her.”

Better change the subject, Cole didn't have enough energy to kick Aspen's ass after everything he'd already done today.

“Thank you for warning us,” Ivan said in a gruff voice.

The words didn't come easily. They had once been close as brothers. Ivan realized now that Aspen had no idea what had happened to Allison. He hadn't chosen to stay with the Enforcers, knowing what they had done. When it counted, he'd warned Ivan and for that he was grateful.

Aspen held out his fist for a bump, and Ivan obliged. “You're welcome. Molly is quite a woman. Don't lose her.”

Ivan nodded. “I don't plan to.”

Aspen grinned. “I hope we see each other again. I've missed you.”

Things wouldn't be easy for his old friend. Ivan knew from experience how escaping the Enforcers left one steeped in shadows. Always watching your back. Ivan had lived in that lonely world for too long, thinking it was what he deserved. Then Molly burst into his life. An idea popped in his head.

“Where are you staying?”

“Haven't decided.”

“I may have a place for you.”

As Molly walked up behind the two ex-Enforcers, she caught part of their conversation. Ivan was offering to let Aspen stay with him in his lair.

Wow, how many different ways did he need to tell her to get lost? Sure, he'd come and saved her out of obligation she supposed. Then she'd saved him right back. So she guessed they were even.

She stepped up next to Ivan. “Hey, Aspen.” Taller than Ivan by a few inches, Molly wondered what kind of animal he turned into.

“That kill order has been lifted.” He nodded at Zane's body. “He talked your parents into it. When they came to their senses, they went to Xander and begged him to call it off. Unfortunately, Zane already had his two henchmen on your tail and had other plans.”

Molly shuddered. She could only imagine what they planned to do with her, but at least her parents didn't want her dead. Maybe in a few months, she could at least sneak into town and see her sister.

She'd be doing it alone though. Something else occurred to her. “Aspen, do you know where Anita Holiday is?”

“Where, huh, not who?”

“Well, you seem to know an awful lot.”

He cocked his head to the side and studied her for a moment before answering. “She's on the run again.”

“From who? Us? Or her family? I thought they were ready to let her and Kipp mate?”

At the mention of Kipp, Aspen's jaw clenched. A brief motion, but Molly noticed it. Then his gaze slid to the side and he lifted his chin in Onyx's general direction. “Anita knows you think she's the one who betrayed you guys.”

“But she didn't?” Molly knew they'd not always been the best of friends, but it hurt to think Anita would have betrayed her so badly.

“It's not my place to say.”

“You always were cryptic,” Ivan remarked.

“Look who's talking.” Aspen turned and stared at Ivan with a puzzled expression. Poking a finger into the hole in Ivan's shirt, he let out a low whistle. “You always were a fighter.”

“Get your fingers offa me, you creepy bastard,” Ivan said as he slapped his friend's hand away.

Not at all offended, Aspen laughed. “You gonna show me this lair or what, you big jerk?”

Molly could only imagine the way they must have carried on when they worked together.

“My truck is toast, so yo

u're going to have to drive.”

Still smiling at their banter, she almost missed the implication. His words pierced her heart like a syringe. That's it. Ivan was going to leave her right, fucking now. You've got to be kidding!

Ivan turned to her, taking her hand. His touch burned, and she fought the urge to yank her hand out of his grasp. Aspen walked back to his truck, leaning his body against the door to give them privacy she supposed.

“I have to go take care of a few things, kitten.”

“Yeah, whatever,” she choked out, taking her hand back. This hurt. She just needed to breathe and get through it. She could break down later.

Ivan tilted his head and took a deep breath. He hated what he had to say next. Molly stared back at him, resignation in her eyes. Also, a hint of anger.

“Just say it, Ivan.”

Her soft voice settled over him, making what he had to do even harder. He owed his friend. He'd saved them, and he needed help. Ivan was in a position to help. Once he got Aspen settled in the lair, he could put his other place on the market, and return to Molly. It would give her some time to decide if she really wanted to be with him.

“I don't know how long it will take.”

Her face shut down. Her usually sparkling eyes became distant.

“Sure, we said this was casual, Ivan. It's fine. Go do what you've gotta do. I'll be fine here. Thank you for everything.”

Uh-what?

Hadn't seen that coming. She thought he was ending their relationship? Or was she trying to end it with him? He thought about the college campus and all the eligible guys her age she'd meet. Would she want to date a human? Didn't matter. If she decided to team up with Onyx, cat shifters would be lining up around the block to be with Molly.

What would happen if he walked away now? Went back to his cozy lair in the isolated mountainside? She'd meet someone else more appropriate for her eventually. Savage jealousy slammed into him.

“Do you want me to come back?” he asked finally.

Molly straightened her spine, lifting her chin and staring at a spot somewhere over his left shoulder. “No. Of course not. We agreed. No strings. I'm fine.”

“Ivan, we should get going,” Aspen called.

Ivan waved his hand in the air, without turning around. “Molly, I'll call you in a few days. I just need to get him set up and then—”

“Sure whatever,” she cut him off with an outstretched hand.

His jaw dropped. She wanted to shake hands? The fuck? He took her hand and pulled her against him for a hug. Rubbing his face in her hair and inhaling her scent made it impossible to leave her, but he had to.

Pulling away from her, he tried to look in her eyes, but she abruptly tore herself from his grasp and walked away.

Fourteen

He left. He'd really left. Molly sat next to Onyx and attempted to hold in tears. She felt like a fool.

Shivers raced up her spine as they crossed Crystal Lake Bridge. Molly spotted the area where tracks in the grass showed someone had gone over the side. Onyx slowed the car and peered out her window.

“His truck is gone. Someone must have come and towed it,” she said, pulling away from the scene.

The tears she'd been holding back flooded Molly's eyes. She blinked and wriggled her nose to keep them at bay, mortified to be weak in front of her friend and alpha. Hot tears spilled down her cheeks as she lost the battle with herself.

“Hey, Molly are you okay?”

Her head moved up and down, but no sound came out of her mouth. Tears kept burning their way down her cheeks no matter how she tried to control them. She sniffed loudly and coughed.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Molly closed her eyes and shook her head.

They stopped moving, and Molly opened her eyes. They had arrived at Cole's house.

“Come on, let's get you inside,” Onyx said as she opened her door and held out her hand. Hating how vulnerable it made her feel, Molly took her friend's hand and got out of the car.

“What's wrong? Is she okay?” Cole's worried voice came from behind them. Onyx didn't answer, but she felt Cole give her an awkward pat on the back. They must have done one of their silent communication things. Somehow that made Molly's pain worse. Ugh, being around such a happy couple only emphasized what she and Ivan were never going to have.

They skipped the kitchen table in favor of the cozy couch in the living room. Molly sank into the cushions with Onyx at her side.

“I'll be downstairs if you need me,” Cole called out.

Onyx pressed a bunch of tissues into her hand. Grateful, Molly dabbed her eyes and blew her nose.

“He just left,” she whispered.

“Honey, he said would call you.”

Molly snorted. “Bullshit, he needed an easy way out, and he found it.”

“Hey,” Molly snapped her head up at Onyx's serious tone. “I think you're overreacting, honey. Ivan loves you. I really think he's just helping a friend who's in trouble.”

“He doesn't love me—”

Onyx cut her off. “You didn't see him when he told me you were missing, Molly. He was absolutely terrified of losing you.”

“I never said he didn't have a hero complex. But the messy feelings between us? He wants to avoid those for sure. You know he thinks domestics are silly. And then last night he tried to push me into being your second, when he hates shifter politics.”

Onyx's arm slipped from her shoulders, dropping between them. “Oh, Molly. I'm so sorry. I didn't realize...I mean I know what he thinks, but I just...I never should have said anything. I should have waited to talk to you in private about it.”

Molly sat up straighter, as anger rushed through her. “No. Screw him. I shouldn't shirk my duties to my friends just to make him feel better. It's better this happened now before I grew any more attached to him.”

Nodding silently, Onyx looked like she wanted to say more, but she didn't. Fatigue washed over Molly as the adrenaline rush of the last few hours worked its way out of her system. She threw her arms up and let out a loud yawn.

“I should be taking better care of you after everything you've been through.”

Her friend's words stopped Molly cold. “Onyx, you almost died today trying to help rescue me. I think you need some rest yourself.”

The corners of her mouth tugged up in a smile. “See this is why we'll make a great team. Say you haven't changed your mind.”

“Not at all,” Molly answered honestly. The room spun as her eyes grew fuzzy. “But you're right. I need to sleep for like a week straight.”

Enclosed in the tiny bedroom, Molly leaned against the door and tried to take a deep breath. Ivan's scent surrounded her, making it impossible not to cry again. She hated herself for the silent tears that kept tracking down her cheeks. She couldn't remember ever feeling so lost in her life. Not when she'd realized she'd been promised to a horrible man. Not even when she'd learned her parents had ordered her death. Those times she'd had a plan in mind for how to survive. This time, she had no clue.

As much as she hated to admit it, Ivan's scent comforted her when she slipped into bed. Her mind kept racing even as her body slowed down. She welcomed the oblivion sleep would bring with open arms.

Dark shadows and fractured dreams plagued Ivan all night long. They'd arrived at the lair late after a long, mostly silent ride. Ivan couldn't stop replaying their last moments together. Molly had pushed him away. He'd tried to tell her he was coming back, but she'd shut him down.

One more thing to add to the list of why he shouldn’t date shifters—they were fickle as hell.

That thought didn't sit well in his gut, but Ivan ignored it.

His phone buzzed and clattered across the nightstand. He came fully awake as he reached for it. He pictured Molly's face on the other end, when he saw a number he didn't recognize, so Cole's gruff voice came as a complete surprise.

“What the hell did you do?”

Ivan rocketed to a

sitting position. “What are you talking about, wizard?”

“Molly came back in tears last night. It took Onyx a while to calm her down.”

“She had a pretty traumatic day.”

“She's upset over you, you fucking bonehead,” Cole snapped.

“Bullshit, I told her I'd be back, and she blew me off. Besides, we both know I'm not right for her.”

“Are you sure she blew you off, or was she just trying to protect herself from getting hurt? I admit, I don't know all the facts. I do know what I felt yesterday when I healed your bullet-riddled ass. That girl loves you. You wouldn’t be breathing today otherwise.”

Shock and shame took turns punching Ivan in the gut. He'd heard Onyx say that yesterday, but hadn't really figured out what she meant. It's not like he knew a damn thing about magic. He didn't take the time to dwell on how close to death he'd come or who had snatched him away from it.

“Can I talk to her?”

“No. She's still sleeping, and I'm not going to bother her. You want to talk to her, get your ass back here.”

“Dammit, Cole, I don't even have a fucking vehicle right now!” he barked, swinging his legs off the side of the bed and standing up. Stubble tickled his palm as he shoved a hand over his head in frustration.

“My buddy Aspen risked his neck to warn us, and now he's going to have Enforcers after his ass. I wanted to set him up in my safe house and then figure out some other stuff, but after that I was coming right back for her. Until she told me not to bother.”

Cole's sigh came through loud and clear. “Okay, man. I'm just letting you know what I saw.”

“Everything else fine? Is Onyx all right? She took a pretty hard hit.”

“Yeah, she's much better today.”

“You recover?”

Cole chuckled. “Yeah, I'll live. You have any weird aftereffects?”

Ivan thought for a minute before answering. “Nah, a few wild dreams. But it was a pretty weird day overall.”

“Not a surprise.”

They hung up on decent terms. Still pissed, Ivan tossed the phone on the bed and let out a roar. The sound of his feline rage cleared his head enough for him to sit back and rethink the conversation.