Fall into Fire (Shamans of the Divide, Book 2)

Chapter Twenty-three

Sunlight poured in through the bedroom windows as I opened my eyes and winced against the brightness. Renn was gone and I'd claimed the majority of the queen bed for myself.

"He's been gone a while now," the gravelly voice beside me said. "In case you were wondering."

"Good morning, Ernie," I said, collapsing back against the pillow.

"Certainly seems to be."

I heard the smirk in his voice, but I didn't have the energy to convince him that nothing had happened between Renn and me last night. He knew the truth, most likely, but it was his job to torment me about Renn.

"Listen, I don't want to rush you or anything," he said, a cigarette burning in his fingers. "But the wild cat peeled out of here on some crazy motor bike contraption at sun up this morning. Looks like she'd stolen enough weapons to fill an armory, too."

I cursed and flew out of bed.

"Anyone else know yet?"

Ernie shrugged, ignoring my sense of urgency.

"I didn't exactly strike up a conversation with them, if that's what you're asking," he said, standing.

I changed into jeans and a t-shirt when Ernie disappeared, as if on cue. I tossed on sneakers and threw my hair into a ponytail. Like Renn had said last night, there was no telling what was going to happen today.

I ran over toward the main house, guessing that was where everyone was going to gather. I was right.

Pushing in the side door, I winced a little at the heavy smell of bleach I'd left behind but walked in anyway.

Renn and Skye were standing in the living room, leaned up against what was left of the Whalens' couch.

Walking in a little further, I saw Coyote sitting at one of the few chairs at the dining room table that hadn't been destroyed. Cody was there, too.

"Good morning," he said when he saw me, but the greeting was a little cold. It made sense when his eyes shifted to Renn for the briefest moment. The chances were good he'd seen Renn leaving my guest house earlier this morning. Cody's jaw set in a rigid line.

I smiled in return but said nothing, making sure not to meet Renn's eyes.

Instead, I asked about Asha.

"She's not sleeping in her room?" Coyote asked.

"No, the door was open when I left," I said. "Ernie said she left at sunrise on what I can only assume is an ATV. He said she had a bunch of weapons with her, too."

Coyote swore and stood up.

"Damn it," he muttered, walking around the table. He ran toward the door I'd just come through and I moved out of his way. Renn and Skye followed behind, leaving me with Cody.

"How is Billie?"

I asked the question quietly, almost afraid of the answer.

He shook his head sadly.

"Not good," he said. "She's in critical condition right now. They can't even transport her to a bigger hospital yet."

"And Leonard?"

Cody looked up and I saw the dark circles under his eyes and how drawn his cheeks were. If Billie's attack had affected him so much, I didn't want to think about how Leonard was.

"He's bad, too," was all he said.

I assumed Silas stayed with him at the hospital.

"How are you doing?" I asked.