14. Chapter Fourteen
848 Words
14
Chapter Fourteen
Bryar Rose
For a long minute, there is nothing but the golden brightness that can only come from shifter magic. The next thing I know, I’m back in Az’s room at Lucky’s. Scar and I are alone in the chamber. Our gray cloaks are gone. We’re both back to wearing our leathers.
“Got anything to say to me?” Scar sets her fist on her hip. “I swear, if you give me crap about pulling your ass out of death’s door, I’ll shift into your worst nightmare.” Her eyes glow with golden power.
A weight of guilt settles on to my shoulders. “No, I won’t give you trouble about what happened. You saved our lives.”
“Damn right.”
I offer her my hand. “Are we still good?”
She pulls me into a quick hug. “Shut up and save us all from that Void thing, especially that hot man of yours.”
I’m not really sure what just happened, but I know one thing. I’m really starting to like Scar.
Scar steps back, her face creases into a frown. “Why were we hugging again?”
I let out an exasperated breath. It’s starting again. The curse of the Void. “Do you remember anything from our trip through time?”
“White mist and…that’s it.” She winces. “Why was I talking about your boyfriend?”
“You wanted to be sure I was taking good care of him. He’s been sick lately.”
Speaking of Knox, I catch the barest scent of sandalwood and musk. Inside my soul, my wolf awakens.
“What happened?” she asks. “Where is our mate?”
“Long story,” I explain in my head. “I went back in time. You and Knox couldn’t join me.”
“Our mate has been ill,” grumbles my wolf. “We should check on him.”
“I like that plan.”
Crossing the room, I open the door. Knox, Avianna, and Azizi come in. The moment Knox crosses into the chamber, the scent of pain grows stronger than ever before. Worry prickles through my soul.
“Where’s the Codex Mechanica?” asks Knox. “Where can we get it?”
Scar frowns. “We traveled in time to some white mist but…that was it.”
Avianna shakes her head. “That happens sometimes. Something went wrong with my potion.”
“No,” I say quickly. “Your potion was fine.”
Az moves to loom over me. “Was it fine?” He slowly folds his arms over his chest. “Really?” Az is one of those men who doesn’t have to say things with words. I know what he means here.
Do I really want to pull Knox in deeper to all of this?
“Don’t try to intimidate her, Az.” Knox moves to stand by my side. Sadly, even moving three steps has him winded.
Pangs of anxiety move through my chest. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” pants Knox. “Tell me. Did you find out anything about the Codex Mechanica? Where can we find it?”
On reflex, my glance lands on Az. The old were’s mouth thins to an angry line. I know what he’s saying without speaking a word: if you take Knox with you to find the Codex Mechanica, you’ll kill him.
A realization weighs on me. I need to find the Codex Mechanica. Alone. Knox, Elle, Alec…the Void and Shadowvin threaten them all. And now that I saw what happened with the first wardens, I know the truth.
My mission is more than using the Codex Mechanica to find the fountain of magic. I must destroy it as well. My heart sinks. Destroying a shifter’s inner animal turns them into a lifeless hulk. It’s pretty much a death sentence. I shake my head.
Worry about destroying the fountain later. For now, you just need to find the Codex Mechanica and protect the fountain of magic from the Void and the Shadowvin.
Knox steps closer. “Did you hear what I said, Bry? Where’s the device?”
There’s no way I’m dragging Knox along on this mission. That will kill him for certain. I need to find a way of answering his question without lying. Shifters can smell an untruth a mile away.
“Scar is the expert in going through time.” I look to her. “Do you remember anything?”
“No,” says Scar. “It happens sometimes, though. Don’t worry. We can try again tomorrow.”
“That’s good.” Knox takes in a wheezing breath.
Az focuses on me. “Yes, come back tomorrow with Knox. You can all try this again.” Once more, that’s what he says, but I know what Az means. He doesn’t want me anywhere near Knox.
I give him a small smile. “Agreed.”
“Good.” Az falls forward, only by the time he reaches the ground, he’s shifted into the form of a huge gray wolf. Az rests his chin on his front paws. “And now, you must give an old man his rest.”
Knox takes my hand. “Where do you want to go?”
“Home. It’s been a long day.”
“I think we both could use a break.”
With thoughts on home, my heart lightens. If nothing else, my trip through time has one benefit—I’ve seen the Codex Mechanica. Thanks to Elle’s sideline of locating and selling jewelry, I know all sorts of web sites where you can buy and sell rare, old, and valuable stuff. Someone will have seen or sold and ancient box that looks like the first slot machine ever.
If nothing else, it’s worth a try.
- Writer
