Asher's presence in this camper is unmistakable, almost like he's sucking all the air out of it. Is there such a thing as an air vampire? Because it's kind of what he's doing as he stands there, squared off against Echo—again.
They haven't even said a word yet and already clashing.
"Kids, go outside with Wolf-Eye and the others," I murmur, ushering them off the couches. If these two start arguing, I don't want the kids to hear it. It's why I brought them in earlier, when Echo and Asher started going at it outside.
Maddox pulls Pip from Rowan without another word, but Lily and Finn look upset as they stomp outside. They want so ti with their father figure, and my heart hurts a little to see their grumpy body language.
"Rowan, maybe you should—"
"Look, let's not pretend to be friends here, okay?" Echo says, breaking the stand-off. "You don't like . I don't particularly like you or your kind. But we can both work together for Violet, right?"
I blink.
"Right," Asher agrees curtly.
It sounds like they're agreeing to so sort of ceasefire, if you listen to their words. But by their voices, it sounds like they're still ready to stab each other.
Part of wants to step between them, but another part—the smarter part—knows that's like stepping between two sharks. No, thank you.
"Listen, we need to talk about the kids," Rowan says, breaking the stalemate. His calm, asured I'm-gonna-kill-you-sounding voice cuts through their tension, and I notice how he positions himself slightly closer to Echo.
A united front.
"Actually, we need to talk about all of you," Echo clarifies, her eyes narrowing. "It's dangerous to stay here. People are hunting Violet and the children down."
"Who?" Asher demands. "rrick?"
Rowan shakes his head. "It's more than just rrick. These kids have been hunted since the mont their existence beca known. With the Fiddleback pack decimated, others will co to claim this territory as their own. It'll be a bloodbath before long. We need to get the kids out." He jerks his head toward . "Violet, too."
Echo elbows Rowan aside. "Look, I think the best solution is for Violet to return to Blue Mountain—"
"No," Asher snaps.
"—because she might gain better control over her powers there."
His face darkens. "You expect to take her back there? She was running from them."
I blink. Wasn't he here to bring back in the first place? It sounds silly to argue against it now…
"I agree with—"
"No," he snaps again, not letting finish.
"I'm not suggesting a social call," Echo says with a huff. "There's a good chance going will help this situation between you two. Just trust ."
He grunts.
"If she stabilizes," Rowan adds smoothly, like they rehearsed this, "the energy feedback between you two might not be as dangerous when you touch."
My eyebrows shoot up. They're working this pitch together like a well-oiled machine. I'm not sure if I should be impressed or terrified at how seamlessly they're manipulating the situation.
I know Echo said Asher can't know about the App, but… wow.
Asher's eyes flick to mine, suspicion written all over his face. "And you believe this?"
I bite my lip. I'm about to lie to the Lycan King. My heart accelerates, and I wonder if he can hear it.
"I think they're right."
Huh. The lie co easier than expected.
"Ever since Echo ntioned Blue Mountain, I've had this... feeling. Like I need to go back. There's sothing there for , Asher. I can feel it." Mainly because I read it on my phone thanks to so strange celestial app, but whatever.
His eyes rove over my face.
"You rejected that place," he says quietly. "You refused to co back with ."
"I rejected the people," I correct him, glancing at Echo. "Not the land."
She nods. "Exactly. The territory itself might hold keys to her abilities."
Wow. It's all a bunch of bullshit, but she sounds so damn convincing.
Asher's jaw works, and I can see the conflict in his eyes. He doesn't trust Echo, that much is obvious. And he's right, because she's lying to him.
But it's all for the greater good.
Even if it doesn't feel great to lie to him. What kind of relationship is built on lies?
My first instinct is to pray for forgiveness, but after all the divine bombs Echo threw at , I'm not really sure how prayer and gods work anymore. I'm not even sure if I want to pray to them anymore.
But I do want to be able to touch Asher without fainting, so I focus on that.
Once our missions are complete, Echo can co back and teach more about arcana.
"And the kids?" he asks finally.
"They'll be safer with you and Violet," Rowan says. "Away from here."
Asher exhales slowly. "Fine." The word sounds like it's being dragged out of him. "We'll go."
Relief floods through , accompanied with dread. I don't want to return to Blue Mountain, and the thought of seeing Xander and Nora…
My stomach twists.
Asher has no idea Xander's co to see since choosing Nora. Even since the massacre, and Asher claiming as his in front of the pack. The two of them seem oblivious to the king's opinion of —then again, I was, too.
Humans aren't treated well in wolf packs, and I wanted to avoid them. But now there's no choice.
"Good," Echo says, all business now. "Rowan needs to stay with , but you should take my camper and the truck. We'll take the SUV."
Asher's eyes narrow as he looks Rowan over. Then he turns back to Echo. "Wolf-Eye stays with you. He already volunteered."
Echo scoffs. "I don't need your watchdog. Just the wizard is fine."
He shakes his head. "Keep him with you."
"Fine. If you don't trust so much, I'll bring your dog."
If Wolf-Eye, Rowan, and the wizard are going with Echo… I think about the truck, frowning. "Does that an Evan's coming with us?"
Asher's head whips around, his eyes suddenly laser-focused on my face. "Why would you want him to co with us?"
The intensity of his reaction throws for a loop, and I stamr without aning to. "I—what? I an, he lives there, Asher. Wouldn't it make sense?"
Evan hasn't exactly been friendly to in the past, so it's not like I'm eager for his company. But the vehence in Asher's voice… he's jealous, I'm sure.
The muscles in his jaw tighten, and he gets very loom-y in an instant. "There isn't enough room in the truck."
I was thinking the sa thing, which is why I brought it up, but—
Echo, watching this exchange with a hint of amusent, interjects. "His car is probably still at the other campground. Have Wolf-Eye take him to pick it up." She waves her hand dismissively. "If it's been towed, use my card to get it out of the lot."
The Lycan King glares at her, but doesn't argue again. It takes only a second to realize why.
Of course—Evan won't be in the sa car.
I sigh. Having a Lycan for a boyfriend is going to involve a lot of emotional managent, it seems. I'm still struggling just to deal with myself becoming a pseudo-mother of four. Now I have to deal with Asher's jealousy, which is only going to get worse if Xander doesn't respect boundaries. Or show basic intelligence.
Shaking off my thoughts, I ask quickly, "When do we leave?"
Echo exchanges glances with Rowan, who looks conflicted before finally giving the slightest nod.
"You should leave today. Better to get on the road as soon as possible. I'll help you get the camper ready."
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