The Last Forester

Without Breaking a Sweat Part 4

(Hugh)

I thought about fighting, but decided not to, and maybe I could sway Skye's sister to help me find her.  She was pretty.  Okay, that is a lie.  She is drop dead gorgeous.  Bleach-blonde hair just like Skye, but her eyes were so hypnotizing.  One was spring green and the other a Caribbean blue.  Her cheeks were high and sharply cut, with a pointed chin.  Her body was packed with muscle even if you couldn't really tell and her limbs were long, willowy.  Her skin was tan and flawless with a superstar smile everyone wants.  She had been trained for sure in something.  She took me down without breaking a sweat.  She strode back into the room with three plates of food.  She handed one to the Milo, and sat across from me with our plates of food.  

"So," she dropped a piece of sausage into her mouth.   She swallowed and resumed, "What were you doing with my sister?"

"I already told you.  I was coming back for her because she helped my friends and I with something important," I rolled my eyes.

"What did she help you with?" the girl's eyes narrowed.  

"She hacked into a building for us," I swallowed hard and looked away.

"Okay, werewolf," she leaned forward.  "What are you not telling me?"

"How do you know that I am a werewolf?" I asked with surprise.

"Don't switch the subject.  What did she do?!" the girl exclaimed.  

"She hacked...." I paused, then smiled, even though I was bound in a stranger's house.  "You know what?  I'm not going to tell you."

"I would reconsider that answer," she masked her face.

"Sorry, I can't, it would put you in danger," I shrugged.  

She reached into her boot and pulled out a gleaming, shiny silver throwing knife.  I leaned back with a wary look on my face and my eyes hard.   She placed it on the table.  

"Do you wish to change your past answer?"

"I can't," I declared.  

She lunged and the silver knife lay beneath my chin.   She lightly touched my chin with it and I hissed.  I drew my chin back at the burning fire and it smelled slightly of burnt skin.

"Oh, come on, Tallica," Milo threw his hands up.  "Do not use my house as a torture room."

"Tell me what she did, please, I need to find her," the girl turned soft.

"She hacked into Rowan Gates's security so we could get in and kill him," I hurriedly spoke.  Her face was blank.  "You don't know who Rowan Gates is do you?"

"No, I've never heard of him," she untied my hands.  "If you even think of running, I will kill you, got it?"

I nodded and began to eat.  

"Tell me about this Rowan Gates," the girl demanded.  

"Well, first I'm Hugh and it's nice to meet you too.  Rowan is a manic who tortures werewolves with special abilities," I shoveled the food into my mouth.  

"Wait, back up.  Special abilities?" the girl, Tallica, was confused.

"Some werewolves develop gifts like reading minds or controlling metal.  He wanted to be able to medical input these gifts into werewolves.  The problem with that is they all died but one girl," I did my best to explain.

"I never knew werewolves could do that and I know a lot about werewolves," Tallica's face was thoughtful.  "Who was the girl who survived?"

"Crystal.  Well, her little brother also survived the treatment, but she was the only one who survived and escaped from his capture," I told her.    

"How many did he treat?" Tallica stood and began to pace.

"Over at least a thousand," I watched as her face blanched.  

"How did we never know about this?  We know about everything that has to do with werewolves," she talked mostly to herself.  

"Tallica, Arabella needs to know about this.  Pronto," Milo spoke from his seat at his table.  

"Yes, we are leaving now," she stood, grabbed me, and then stood over Milo. 

He looked up, "No.  No, no, no.  I am not coming with you!  Your sister can't stand me!  She blames me for you never going home!"

"She won't do anything to you with me there, and I need you to come," she walked to the door, dragging me with her.   "Besides, I need someone on my side."

"I'm on your side," I declared.  

She glared at me, "You don't count, I just met you.  Come on, Milo,  I thought you wanted to see Kallica Kingdom?"

"How do I let you always talk me into these things," Milo stood, shaking his head, and followed us out the door.  "How are we going to get there fast enough?"

"We're going to fly," she answered heading for her truck.  She opened her door and put me in backseat.  "You aren't gong to do anything are you?"

"What? No, were you not listening.  I told you I was on your side," I pulled my foot back just in time before she slammed the door.  

"How are you going to get on a flight when you don't have a parent's permission slip?" Milo questioned as she pulled out of the driveway and roared onto the road.  

"I know someone," she grinned at the look on Milo's face.  "Just trust me, everything is under control."

"Good gravy, why do I have you as a friend?" Milo asked and I briefly wondered if I too should be scared with her leading us.