Authors Note: Alright, first let me apologize if this has taken awhile. It might not seem long, I don't really know. I got grounded, so while I was grounded, I started reading a lot, then I didn't want to stop so things got a little backed up. P.S. Kelley Armstrong's other books are quite fantastic! The characters are very dynamic(: umm that's really all I have to say, just thanks again for all the reviews! They've been awesome. Rate and/or review cuando terminas por favor (when you finish please) Hahaha how bilingual ;)
Liz began to pace and we all made light conversation as we waited for the adults to come back with the evidence that would help us hunt down the jerks that had taken Tori.
"Man, how long could it take?" I was the first one who had spoken in almost twenty minutes. The silence was really starting to bug me.
"Shh, they'll be back soon, Chloe. They haven't been gone long," it was Derek who reassured me. Which was a new one, I have to say.
"Child, relax. You have the luxury now. Just sit back and you can worry once the grown-ups get back," Diriel's tone sounded almost condescending but I decided to ignore it.
"Yeah, I'll just try not to worry my pretty little head," on second thought, about that ignoring thing…
Simon walked over, "Chloe, it's okay. It's one video tape. They'll snag it, we'll get the license plate number, then call one of Dad's contacts so he can find out who the car is registered to. No big deal. We're doing something, even though I know it doesn't seem like it right now."
"I know, Simon, I swear I know, but being cooped up like this, it's driving me crazy. I need to do something."
"Chloe," Derek's voice made me look over at him, "why don't we go out for another walk, maybe get your mind off things?"
"I don't think so; we should wait here for your dad and my aunt." Before I had even finished my sentence, his eyes turned despondent.
"There's the look, Chloe! Quick, look away!" Simon shouted at me.
"Derek…"
"Whipped puppy alert. Don't fall for it, Chloe. Tell him where to stick that look of his."
"It's okay if you don't want to. I mean I understand, it's fine." He turned his face away just a little.
"Fine. Hang on a second and let me grab a jacket first."
Diriel laughed and Simon chided me, "Chloe, I thought you'd have more resolve than that. What a sucker."
I grumbled something about being a jerk and grabbed a windbreaker from the suitcase on the floor. It was most likely Derek's, as it was about fifteen sizes too big.
We said quick goodbyes and headed out to the same forest we were in before. It was actually pretty nice, none of the impending doom creep factor I had begun to associate with forests these days. Though to be fair, I had to admit that with the right circumstances, it could easily turn menacing. When thoughts of other menacing forests started racing through my mind, I decided to start talking. Since I was already thinking about forests, a memory from the time Derek was Changing by the bus stop made me start to wonder about his changes.
"So, how is it going to work with your Changes now? You said something about once a week…?"
He didn't look at all surprised at my topic choice. "Well, according to what Dad knows, a civilized werewolf needs to Change only once a week. I'm not sure if the experiments will have any bearing on that, but I'm hoping not. But, before you argue, I'm not worrying about it. Because I'm not a trained werewolf, that might not apply anyway. It'd be nice to figure out how to control this, but whatever. I'll figure it out eventually."
"Good answer, but maybe we could look into your dad's contacts and see if any of them know anyone who could help?" I left the idea open for his disagreement.
"Yeah, maybe, but with all the luck you had with your 'tutor', you'll forgive me if I don't show too much enthusiasm."
"Nah, it'll be fine. But seriously, Margaret's teaching abilities were the least of her character flaws don't you think?"
"Ha ha, you got me on that one."
"Seriously though, I think Andrew did have a pretty good idea. It would probably be a good idea to get some kind of teachers. We can't keep stumbling around in the dark hoping we'll keep getting lucky."
"You're right. I'll ask Dad about it as soon as we get a chance. He has some people who work with a cabal who owe his some favors and they might be able to send some people out to help us."
"That sounds perfect. So exactly what are cabals? I know you've explained them, but I don't really understand. A bunch of different super naturals just got together and decided to make an organization?"
"Almost, but not quite. They did just decide to make an organization, but I was all sorcerers. They hire other super naturals to help with jobs that they are incapable of doing or if the job is too dangerous. Think Mafia, but much more organized. They're a little more fair also but their primary concern is money, so as you can imagine, their priorities can get a little skewed at times.
"And we're supposed to rely on these people for help?"
He gave a small laugh. "They're not actually that bad and besides, we have no one else to turn to." A pause. "Well I guess we could go to the interracial council, but that's probably not the best of ideas."
"Why not?"
"Well, because the Pack has delegates on the council."
A shiver ran through me, "This is the same Pack who sent out pictures of a guy carved up by a chainsaw right?"
"Uh, yeah, but they're not that bad really; as long as you stay off their turf."
"Which is exactly what we aren't doing by living in New York though, right?"
"Umm, yeah," he finally admitted. "I thought they were only stationed in Syracuse, but apparently I was mistaken." He didn't look like he was happy about it either. Not the Pack being in all of New York State, but him being wrong. Typical Derek.
"So, what can we do?"
"Like I said, we'll just have to count on the cabals. As long as we follow the rules things should be alright. Really though, we don't even have to worry about this too much until things with Tori are settled."
"Right. Well, okay then. Should we be getting back?"
"Sure, but before we go, let me see if I can relieve a little stress." Before I could even think of what his words meant, a small smile played on his lips and help pulled me into his arms. I wrapped my hands around his neck, surprised at first, but once he began to kiss me, I entwined my fingers in his hair. His kiss was a little more frantic than our previous kisses had been.
I think it was the reminder of everything waiting for us back at the hotel that made me desperate to forget about things, even if it was only for a second. Things had been so crazy, with assaults coming at us constantly barely giving me time to catch my breath. Which reminded me:
Breathe, Chloe. Just break away for a second and breathe. Can you even imagine how much of an idiot you'll look like nearly passing out just because you got caught up in a kiss? Don't go back to flighty blond mode.
I gasped as I broke away, eyes locking with his. Our embrace wasn't even close to anything either of us was used to. It was hardly a wild and passionate encounter, but for a girl whose experience didn't stretch farther than holding hands and small kisses in hallways at school, this was practically scandalous. In a good way. But the blush spread across my face nonetheless. Of course, I almost wished I could just go one day without acting like a nine year old with her first crush.
May I ask how many nine year olds would do what you just did?
I smiled in spite of myself, and wrapped my arm around his waist as his arm slid around my shoulder, and I led him away like this was no big deal at all.
Of course the waves of reality once again came crashing down when I reentered the hotel room, but I now had a life vest, keeping me just above water. Almost on cue, when Derek and I sat down, Aunt Lauren and Kit rushed into the room.
"We have it," my aunt's eyes practically glowed with excitement. "We can find them, and we can hunt them down, and we can rescue that poor girl."
"Are you waiting for an invitation? Put the tape in the cassette player," Diriel's voice drawled from her original perch on the table, it didn't looks as though she had moved a muscle, which was definitely possible, all things considered.
Aunt Lauren didn't even spare her a glare, she just rushed over and did as instructed. Fortunately the footage was time and date stamped so we easily fast forwarded to two days ago between 9:00 and 10:00. It took a couple minutes but finally I saw it.
"Wait!" I shouted, "Stop the tape. Rewind. Keep going, keep going and there! Pause. See it? You can see Tori in the back seat of that SUV. They tied her mouth so she can't cast. I'll bet that didn't stop her from fighting though. That's our Tori." At hesitant chuckle from me Kit raced from the room and grabbed his cell phone, non-traceable I'd bet. I would guess that it was pre-paid and recently purchased.
As he went to call his contact, I breathed an audible sigh of relief. Finally we were doing something. We would have Tori back in no time. I settled into the chair, and instead of sitting in silence again, I ran my teacher idea by Aunt Lauren. She agreed immediately that we all needed to be trained so most importantly we could defend ourselves.
Honestly, I wanted to learn so I could know how to use my powers in a fight, but as long as she was agreeing, I wasn't going to argue. Plus, I really did need defense tactics to help me out, and maybe I could just learn some tricks of the trade. I hoped we could find people for Derek too.
Aunt Lauren was musing by herself, wondering who she could get for us. "Maybe Jaime, yes that's a good idea, I'm sure she could help." She turned her attention towards me, "Have you ever heard of Jaime Vegas?"
"Vegas? No I don't think so. Who is he?"
"She is a famous television spiritualist."
"Yes, I'm sure a fake necromancer would be wonderful help."
She looked a little taken aback at the sarcasm in my tone. The "old" Chloe would never take up an attitude. "She's a real necromancer actually."
"A real necromancer would never publicize her talents, plus isn't it against the rules or something?"
"There really aren't any rules, but besides, she doesn't use her talents for TV. She fakes it during that part."
"Maybe she could help, can you call her?"
"Sure sweetheart."
With that, Kit strode back into the room, "It worked! They'll help us!"
Authors Note: I got stuck in a few places so if it sounds weird just let me know. Tell me anything you do/don't like. I love to hear your criticism and your praise. It will help me in the end! Thank you!(: