The Rising (Darkness Rising 3)

He snorted, but took a step back. So did I. We both retreated a few more, until I was at the clearing's edge.

"I don't suppose you remember where you left your clothing," Daniel murmured to me.

Chloe gave a soft laugh. "That's always a problem, isn't it? Okay then. You two go find that. We'll meet you here. Hopefully everyone will be in human form." A wry smile. "Though I'll warn you, he's not a whole lot more pleasant that way. At least as a wolf, he can't talk."

The wolf growled, but she only laughed and gave him a pat, then tugged him away as we went to retrieve my clothing.

THIRTY-NINE

AS HAD HAPPENED BEFORE, after I'd passed out, I'd seemed to sleep-undress, which was handy. So my clothing was where I'd left it, still intact.

When I stepped out from my hiding spot, Daniel rose and came over to me. "You didn't get bitten or anything, did you?"

I shook my head.

He exhaled. "Good. I was worried. I don't know if that's how you really do become a werewolf." He paused. "It could be kind of cool, though. A werewolf and skin-walker hybrid. Time to shift? You pick your form."

He grinned and I managed a soft laugh. "My luck, it'd be a mix of the two. A shaggy, brown monster with retractable claws and an irresistible urge to chase sticks."

"As long as it's not an irresistible urge to hump legs and sniff crotches."

I laughed again, a real one now. "This is why I'll stick with feline, thank you."

"I'm glad you're okay. Seeing you facing off with that monster was scary enough. I can't imagine what it was like to be the one facing off with him." He shook his head. "We need to have a little chat with your brother about werewolves before he decides to challenge one."

"Nah. I say we let him try. Take his ego down a notch or two."

We both laughed and I looked at him, and I felt . . . okay. I looked at his expression and listened to his laugh and I saw nothing more than I'd always seen. My friend. My best friend.

"Everything all right?" Daniel asked.

I smiled up at him. "We should hurry back and talk to them, and hope the others stay sleeping for a while."

"Rafe's looking after that."

I looked up.

"I saw him while you were shifting back. We talked. He agreed to make sure the others stay put if they wake up. You and I will handle this first encounter. He seemed cool with that."

No, he probably wasn't cool with it at all. I didn't care. Well, yes, I did, but I didn't want to. Even if Rafe hadn't ruined my friendship with Daniel, he'd sure as hell tried. He was supposed to care about me. That wasn't something you did to someone you cared about.

"You guys had a fight?" Daniel asked.

I nodded. "Lousy timing, I know. Sorry."

"I'm sure the timing has a lot to do with it. Everyone's on edge. Whatever it was, he seemed sorry."

"He always is," I muttered before I could stop myself. I shook my head. "We'll deal with it. At a much more suitable time."

"He really does like you, Maya. He fell from a helicopter for you." His voice dropped, his tone almost . . . wistful. I looked up to see his expression, then quickly yanked my gaze away. Don't analyze. Do not analyze. I won't do this. Damn you, Rafe.

"We'd better go," I said. "Before they get tired of waiting."

I instinctively knew where we'd left Chloe and Derek. When we drew close, I could hear Chloe talking just above a whisper.

"How many?" she asked.

She paused, as if waiting for a reply. I didn't hear Derek's response, but then she said, "And they're all teens? No adults?"