Chapter 34
I opted for my new skirt for our hunting adventure. It was easier to move around in without the tight material sticking to my legs.
Jax had a collection of weapons he spread out in the dirt for me to choose from.
"So, what are we hunting? Rabbit? Deer? Wild bear?"
He picked up a dagger and spun it in his fingers, throwing it in the air like drum sticks. Dominic grabbed it out of the air on the third throw.
"It’s just the basics today," he said, eyeing Jax. "Traps, trails, and nothing that’ll get her fragile human body hurt. And no weapons for her either. We don’t need anyone accidentally stabbed." He didn’t say it with malice, more like it was an obvious fact.
"Hey! I can handle myself," I defended.
"Yeah, Dom. She’s got those glowy eyes, let her take down a bear."
Dominic rolled his eyes at Jax and scowled at me.
"You have a way of finding trouble and I don’t plan on having any today."
Shit, I thought. He’s reading me.
I had to be more careful. Sneaking away from a pack of werewolves was hard enough, I couldn’t have them figuring out my plan before it happened.
The weapons along with lunch was packed and we set off on our group adventure. The morning mist turned to midday humidity as we followed branching paths. The first few hours were spent following trails and identifying animal prints and scat.
I did my best to hide my boredom until we came to a glade. We stopped and all lounged around to enjoy the break and snack on jerky.
Marek excitedly taught me different knot tying for different traps. I could tell he had been waiting to show me his skill and I felt a warmth towards his spirit.
His large hands fumbled with the twine but he continued twisting with gentleness until it was perfect. I still didn’t understand how someone so patient could turn so deadly.
Julien and Jax kept themselves busy as well. Julien collecting flowers to press into his notebook and Jax tossing a handmade knife at a tree trunk.
Dominic was the only one left who wasn’t distracted. All I needed was an opening and I would sneak away. Finding the place would be easy, it was the tallest mountain on the island. I just needed Dominic out of the way.
I went over every possibility. Poison berries to knock him out, but I couldn’t identify such a plant. Asking him to retrieve something from camp for me, but there was nothing so important that would cause him to leave my side. I even considered pretending there was a threat nearby and casually running away while hoping they would chase after the unknown danger rather than me, but I wasn’t a good enough actress.
Things would be easier if I knew how to control whatever power I had. If I could use my mysterious gifts, then I could distract him long enough to get away. It came randomly and I never knew when to expect it even when I needed it.
There was one time, though. When I first got here. With Grayson. I had been meditating and something happened. I didn’t know what but it seriously freaked out Grayson, which wasn’t an easy thing to do.
A plan was forming while I nibbled on my mystery jerky meat. I would enter a trance, then I would point in the opposite direction of where I wanted to go, the same as I did when Grayson attacked the camp.
The plan had too many holes but I was running out of time for my opportunities to escape. I scooted off of the log I had been sitting on and closed my eyes in concentration.
At first, nothing happened. I listened to the birds and the trees and the wind and the waves. Nothing.
I took slow deep breaths, then matched the rate to the sound of distant crashing waves. I imagined the island was a ball of energy and I tried absorbing the energy through my feet against the ground.
It was relaxing but it wasn’t working. I opened my eyes to find Dominic watching me curiously. I needed to hurry before he sensed what I was doing or I would never find Grayson’s grave.
Grayson. I closed my eyes again, this time remembering the flow of his breath. I conjured my first night on the island, injured and cold. I had slept on his chest like he was the only solid ground in a place that kept trying to wash me away.
I felt the rise and fall of his chest beneath me. The skin so warm, it felt like a furnace you couldn’t shut off. A faint vibration touched the end of his every exhale.
His heartbeat thumped inside my skin. A stillness settled around me as my concentration deepened. I was steadied by the beating sound in my mind. It spread through my fingers and toes like music.
Each thud echoed throughout the island, becoming apart of its center. I could feel the life in the land now. It was its own entity and it knew I was here.
My fingers weaved through the dirt below me, a silent greeting to the one who’s been watching me and my men. The hairs on my arm tingled against my skin. It was time.
I stood slowly, like I was being raised up by a force I didn’t control. I pulled my limp arm up and with a shaky hand, pointed my finger in the direction I wanted them to go.
Quiet followed. There was no scurrying or questioning. I opened my eyes slowly to see them all sitting still, frozen in time with amethyst smoke emitting from their eyes.
The focus was all on me, but their faces were blank. Like the glow of my purple eyes was blinding them with false visions.
I walked up to Dominic. His eyes looked just like mine while the rest of him was emotionless. Reaching out, I brushed the side of his cheek, feeling the silky bristles of his beard.
They were all in a trance. I had put them in this state somehow. It wasn’t exactly what I had planned but it definitely worked.
I looked towards the crest of the mountain that peaked above the trees and bolted in that direction, not waiting any longer to see how long they would be stuck like this.
If they woke to see me gone, they’d be on me in an instant. I didn’t know how long I had but I urged myself faster. My stamina was poor but I atleast had a head start.
After nearly half and hour, I had to stop. Hands on my knees, I bent over to catch my breath. This was taking too long, I’d never make it.
I gulped in air as a tickle was felt in my chest. Straightening, I realized I recognized the feeling. A pull, the same as when I drove up to Grayson’s manor before we first met.
It was like a magnet, drawing me towards the direction of the one I wanted. I could feel him again, feel our connection. I gasped, my body answering the call.
"Grayson?" I whispered, he was so close.
"You’re going the wrong way," Dominic’s voice answered.
My heart broke all over again. Of course it would be Dominic. How could I be so stupid? The pull was familiar because of the bond, not because it was Grayson.
I looked above the trees that were too dense now to see the cliff I longed for. Without it as a guide, I must have drifted from my target.
"I just wanted to see for myself," I told him, hoping it would ease his anger.
He almost looked amused as he approached me, standing so close his folded arms pressed against my chest.
"And you thought sneaking off from werewolves who already carry your scent in their blood was a good idea?"
It wasn’t a good idea, but it was the only one I had. I noticed he made no mention of the daze I had put them all in. Did he not care, or not know?
"Am I supposed to be a prisoner?" I challenged, attitude creeping into my voice.
He smirked, "It’s my duty now to keep you safe."
My jaw clenched, I didn’t feel very safe.
"What am I going to do with you?" His amusement turned to hunger.
I took a step back, eyeing the path behind him and wondering if I would survive if I bolted.
He grabbed my wrist, yanking me closer. His other hand wound into my hair, tugging it so I was forced to look up at him.
"So disobedient," he spoke through his teeth with an alluring tone, like he was dangerously pleased that I would act in such a way.
"Maybe I should just tie you to our bed until you’re ready to satisfy me."