Silver Claws

39. Forge Alliances

I would like to start off with a huge thank you for the continued kindness of those that have read this book. Every vote, comment, and read means so much to me. I love seeing you guys, and thank you once again for making it through the first 10 or so mad-cringe chapters. Every time I read back over them a part of me dies. 

I took another turnabout through the trees, the daylight eased the nerves of the night from me. The sky was clear blue, like a great cold eye. A sky like that left no where to hide. I walked out further from the van than I did last night, still within eyeshot. Everyone was awake so I decided to take a moment to myself before we drove again. It would be so much easier to fly, if Cara were not here I would.

I kept an eye on every moving thing I could see, telling Logan the histories as my kind knew them had left me with a pit in my stomach. I could not shake the crawling over the back of my neck like I was being watched. I observed every bird or squirrel for any sign that it was not in fact what it appeared to be. 

My paranoia was making me feel foolish, like Logan's rabbits that were afraid of the dark. Though I am sure that a loud mouth boy waving around a beam of light and constantly handling them was probably scarier than a dark closet.

That had also occupied my thoughts as I kept guard. How he had managed to live this long was inconceivable. Too naïve, too gentle... it was disgusting. Pathetic. I didn't know if I wanted to slap him or hide him away forever where nothing could touch him. 

I listened to the crackle of breaking twigs and leaves behind me, fresh spring drifting towards me. I stayed still, keeping my eyes on our surroundings.

"You were supposed to wake me last night." Logan muttered, leaning on a tree besides me. He crossed his arms, looking every bit the mythic man he did when I saw him for the first time. He was frowning, but his lips were turned up in a smirk.

"You needed the rest."

"You need rest too."

"Not as badly as you. You become petulant."

 He scoffed, offended. "I do not."

"Ask Reed, see who he agrees with."

"Well I think you're being petulant." 

I couldn't help my own small smile. I felt... happy like this. Us talking, not treading so carefully around one another.

He uncrossed his arms and took a step towards me, the bond was magnetic. I fought the urge to lean his direction like a sapling to the light. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." I turned halfway towards him, giving him a quick scan as though it were possible for him to have been harmed in the short second I hadn't been watching. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You just seem a little...nervous that's all."

I ran my tongue over my teeth, hard enough sting. "I do not like the car." Not exactly a lie, but I could not look into his eyes as I spoke. 

He exhaled softly. "I know. It's just today and tomorrow. When we are all done with this mess how about you and I run back, together?"

I spun to him fully, my lips parted in slight surprise. My heart seemed to throb in a painfully sweet way. I couldn't make myself speak, instead nodding quickly. He smiled down at my reaction, I could hardly contain the excitement I felt at the idea. His proposal felt strangely intimate...you and I...

I tried to slow the gallop of my thoughts. It was out of consideration of his partner, in fact he may well made the same offer to anyone. I shouldn't get ahead of myself.