Black Bird (Nevermore Duet #1)

CHAPTER 18

DISAPPEARING ACT

By the time Wren had finished up her last client, her fingertips were numb and sore. Even after she’d taken a long smoke break and scrolled through the boring posts about everyone’s perfectly normal lives on social media, she still felt the buzz of her tattoo gun like a phantom on her skin. Her stomach rumbled as she walked back inside the shop. Leigh jerked her head in greeting behind the counter and Wren made her way back to her heavily decorated booth to grab her bag. Her next appointment wasn’t for another hour and a half.

“I’m taking lunch, Leigh,” she said, making sure her wallet was in her purse as she passed by the counter again.

“Are you going to Bunker’s?” Leigh asked, pulling up her pink hair into a messy bun.

“Yeah, you want something?”

“Yes, I’m starving. Grab me some loaded fries.” Leigh pulled out a ten-dollar bill and handed it over, and Wren nodded on her way out the door. It sounded good, she realized the more she thought about it.

Wren walked a block down and shoved her way into the little pub, throwing a couple fingers up at the bartender and taking up her usual spot in a small booth across from the bar. She slid in, facing the door and sitting cross-legged while she poked around on her phone and waited for the waitress. She didn’t have to wait long. They practically knew her tastes by now. Angela was her favorite, as well as one of her most heavily tattooed clients and often snuck her free food, or denied tips when Wren tried sticking them in her pocket.

After stuffing her face with a basket full of greasy fries and a bucket of ranch dressing, Wren checked the time and realized she still had quite a bit of it left before she had to head back. Her phone started ringing.

“Hey Rhae, what’s up?”

“Rhae? I kinda like that. Where are you?” Rhaena asked, clicking her tongue.

“I’m at Bunker’s cleaning them out of every high-calorie thing they have.”

“How dare you, twat-waffle!”

Wren nearly had soda come out of her nose when she laughed. “Twat-waffle …” she giggled, wiping her mouth on her sleeve. “I think I’m a shitty influence on you, Northwood.”

“Did I fuck that up?” Rhaena chuckled .

“No, I like it. I think we’re gonna have to work on some more vexing insults, pal. Maybe something with a little more—” Wren stopped dead when she saw a familiar face step up to the bar.

“More what?”

“Umm … Rhaena lemme call you back.” Wren’s brows lowered and she cocked her head to the side, studying the guy intently.

“Wait, Wren … I called for a reason. I’m sorry. I need you to skip out and take a few more days off.”

“I can’t dude, they’re gonna kick me out! Why do I need days off? Are you reconsidering my offer to keep you company this lovely full moon?”

“You could say that. Look, I’ll deal with your boss. You have to come with me, though. We’re gonna go to the cabin for a while. Leave your car at the shop. Just stay where you are, I’m gonna come pick you up. I have to get Sarah first.”

“What the hell is going on?”

“I’ll explain later, just keep a low profile, would you?”

Wren sighed and rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

“I want wings … breaded.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake … bye.” Wren scoffed, hanging up the phone and quickly typing a text message. She fired it off and stared at the guy who handed the bartender his credit card. He pulled out his phone and stared down at it for a second, then turned his face toward her. Wren waved at him with her forefinger. A group of sports fans hollered from the table behind her at whatever game they were watching on the three screens on the wall.

Brent pocketed his phone as well as his wallet and slowly trudged toward her with a scowl. He looked awful. She’d never seen him dressed so casual, his sunken dark circles beneath his eyes made him look like he hadn’t slept in days and his hair looked unwashed and disheveled. Wren had to bite back her shock as he finally stood at the end of the table next to her.

“Well … you look like shit.” Wren smirked, sipping from her straw.

“Okay.” He shrugged, not making eye contact with her and glancing around the bar.

“She’s not here, Brent.”

“Good. I’m not really in the mood to deal with that right now.”

“What’s wrong with you?” Wren asked, sliding her cup away and curling another fry into her mouth. “Somebody hit the wrong key at your piano bar today?”

“Piss off, Wren. What do you want?”

“Nothing. I just didn’t think you’d dare to be seen at a place like this. I’m also curious what happened to your fancy shower.” Wren smiled as she chewed.

“I don’t have time for this. See ya.” Brent rolled his eyes and started to turn away. Wren grabbed him by the elbow as the jocks behind her roared again. He turned back and stared down at her hand. “Let go.”

“What’s wrong?” Wren asked again, more serious this time .

“Clearly you haven’t talked to your bestie. I’m leaving.”

“What did you do?” Wren bit, gritting her teeth.

“I gave her back what was hers. Can I go get my food, now?” He tried to wrangle from her hold on his arm, just in time for a drunk asshat in an orange jersey to run into him and dump his beer all over her. Wren jolted back against the booth, shaking her hands in front of her while stale beer ran down her chest.

“Shiiiiit …” the idiot slurred, grabbing a handful of napkins and making to dab her shirt. “My bad, sexy.” Brent grabbed him by the wrist, turning him forward and hitting him so hard in the face that spit flew from his mouth. Wren could do nothing but gape at him. The jock held his mouth and furrowed his brows at Brent but made no move to hit him back. “Damn, man … was that necessary? What’s your problem?” He licked the blood from his busted lip. Brent looked at her and ran a shaking hand through his hair.

“I need to go,” he said, finally turning away and grabbing the bag of food from the counter as he stormed out.

Wren slid through the spilled beer that was puddled on the cracked red leather seat and hurried out the door. Brent had almost made it to his car. “Brent!” she called, picking up her pace and pulling her jacket tighter around her. He ignored her and kept walking. “Brent, stop!” He slowed and she caught up to him.

“What do you want, Wren?” he fired as he turned around to face her.

“What’s going on? Are you alright?” she asked, unsure why she even gave a shit.

“No, I’m not! And why would you care? Isn’t this exactly what you wanted? Or do I need to go lay in the fucking street just to get you to leave me alone?” His voice cracked and he looked like he was about to crack right along with it.

“Look, in the two years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you like this.”

“Like what? Tired and hungry? Nobody has given a shit any time I tried to help, now I back off and for once do the right thing and I can’t get five minutes of peace?”

She didn’t know what else to say. Couldn’t explain the sympathy she suddenly felt while he stood out here with sore knuckles and cheap bar food.

“Okay …” Wren nodded, wrapping her arms around her middle.

“Thank you,” he spat, turning back to his car and unlocking the door.

“Brent,” Wren called. He paused and took a long time to look over his shoulder at her. “Thanks.” She gestured at her soaked t-shirt that was steadily becoming colder the longer she stood outside. He nodded slowly and ducked into his car, slamming the door, and starting it up. By the time Wren had realized she left without paying, he had already pulled out onto the street and sped off.

Sarah was leaning against her headboard, sipping her coffee, and reading through the pages of Athan’s journal. Every page revealed something about him that she should have expected, knowing what she knew now … but was still surprised about. The things he’d seen and lived through. Mentions of wars and historical figures that she remembered learning about as far back as high school. Recollection of his time on ships that were riddled with plague, that he and the coven were strangely immune to. His heartbreak at the lives he wrote about taking … it unnerved her a bit just knowing that she’d been one of them. His poetry and the way he described this witch who had stolen a life he wasn’t even happy in but longed for. Why did he think that he couldn’t tell her any of this? She would have understood. At least, that’s what she told herself after every page she continued to turn. Her phone rang. It was Rhaena. Sarah ignored it and pulled the journal closer to her face. A moment later it rang again.

Something’s wrong.

Sarah picked it up this time, marking the journal with a tissue in her lap.

“What’s wrong?” Sarah asked.

“I need you to listen to me very carefully. Don’t say another word. Pack a bag that you can carry easily on your shoulder, or a bookbag. Take anything essential, and enough clothes for at least a week. Be quick about it, Sarah, and try not to draw any attention to yourself.”

Sarah felt the need to whisper, even though Rhaena had told her not to speak at all. “Do I need to get these officers? Is somebody after me?”

“No, Sarah, I'm asking you to sneak out. And yes. Several somebodies, actually. When you’ve packed up, dress warm and sneak out whatever window will give you the most cover. Stay around the back of these buildings and go as fast as you can until you make it to the corner of East and 5th. Make yourself invisible and get into my truck as soon as I pull up. You got it?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, call me if something happens, otherwise I’ll see you in about twenty minutes. When I get you, we’re stopping to get Wren before we meet Athan at the apartment.”

“H—He’s going with us?”

“Yeah, we got kicked off the case. I’m taking everybody to my uncle’s cabin in Concord until we figure out our next move.”

“Alright, fine. I’ll see you in twenty.”

It was finally happening. She knew as soon as she started digging too deep at EverLife that she was gonna end up on their radar. As unsure as she felt right now about being around Athan, she figured he’d be the best possible ally as far as her protection at this point. She dragged a duffle out of her linen closet and packed her laptop, everything Athan had left on her bed, her necessities, and an armful of clothes from her dresser. She quickly dressed and dumped the rest of her coffee out of the pot, unplugging it and fishing out a plastic bag from beneath her kitchen sink. There was little in her freezer to provide any makeshift ice pack, but she managed to find a half-empty box of frozen waffles and swiped the bag of her blood from the fridge, wrapping it in a paper towel and placing it inside the box. She stuffed it in the plastic bag and carefully packed it in her duffle.

Packing in a hurry always proved to be futile, and it was almost a guarantee that she’d forget something. Sarah glanced around the apartment. Her eyes caught the charger plugged into the wall beside her bed and she hurried over to yank it out, bringing her eye-level with the photo of her and her mother. Sarah stilled, staring at it. She grabbed the photo too and added it to her bag. She opted for a thick black hooded pullover and made her way to the window she was almost certain Athan had used to sneak into her place last night. Draping the duffle’s strap across her body, she held her breath and let her nerves settle at the sight of the drop outside the window if she were to lose her balance. Sarah looked around, finding no one and checking the corner to see the shadows of the two officers talking in front of her building.

“Screw it,” Sarah whispered under her breath, turning, and backing herself out of the window. Crouching on the sill, she looked over and grabbed the metal drainpipe, holding her breath as she reached a leg around it and hauled herself onto it. She bit down on her lip, her stomach churning and her heart pounding when she stupidly looked beneath her and held on for dear life. “Shit … shit …” she panicked. The bag was an awful weight on her shoulders and did nothing to calm her nerves. She started lowering herself down the pipe, choosing to look up rather than down. One of the officers laughed loudly and she jerked her head toward the sound.

“I wanna hear the rest, man. Lemme take a piss, first.” The chubby one chuckled. Sarah started to hyperventilate when his shadow moved closer to the corner of the building.

“Fuck!” she whispered, clenching her teeth. She looked down, realizing how far she’d slithered down the pipe and squeezed her eyes shut as she let go and dropped to the ground. She landed on her feet, a searing pain shooting through her ankles as she toppled onto her side and rolled. She braced her palms on the cement and shot up, gritting her teeth as she disappeared around the back of the building. Just in time. She heard his footsteps echoing off the wall and then the sound of a steady stream of piss and an exhale of relief. Sarah let go of one of those breaths as she panted against the back wall and started walking into a jog behind the rest of the buildings until she hung a right.

Another block and a half later, she ended up right where Rhaena said she’d be meeting her and made her way to a dodgy-looking bus stop that was covered in graffiti. She pulled her hood up and tucked under it, pulling her knees up to her chest on the bench and stuffing the bag into the corner of the covered platform. Still a little short of breath, Sarah lit a cigarette and watched out for Rhaena’s truck. She pulled her phone out and shot her a text to let her know she was waiting and found herself about to press the call button on Athan’s picture before her phone started vibrating. A rush of nerves tainted with a sag of relief washed through her and she blew out a cloud of smoke as she answered it.

“Hey,” she breathed, closing her eyes.

“Are you safe?” Athan asked, his tone full of worry.

“Yeah, Rhaena’s meeting me here at the bus stop close to my place. What happened? She said you got kicked off the case.”

“We both did. Feds wanted us to give you up. Foley told us we should hide you.”

“How did this happen? What do they want with me?”

“There was another body, Sarah. Not to mention … I think you’re well aware of where I got that container.”

Sarah quieted and took another drag off her cigarette. “Did this one look like me?” she asked, not certain if she really wanted to know. He took a long time to respond.

“Yeah, it did. But worse. And this time, the message was directed toward me.”

A chill crawled down her spine. “I’m not safe, am I?”

“You’ll be safe with me.”

She knew what he meant but couldn’t stop thinking about the horror of what she could remember the night that he attacked her. “Will I, Athan?”

She knew he caught her meaning when he remained quiet. “I’m not gonna let anything happen to you. I’ll give you whatever space you need at the cabin. I’ll stay away from you. But nobody will get anywhere near you. You have my word.”

She pulled again, softly blowing the smoke away from the phone and looking around for Rhaena’s truck. “Rhaena said we have to stop at your place before we head to Concord. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

“Alright,” he said, lingering on the other end like he had the night before. She did too. This time she ended it first. She slid the phone back into the front pocket of her hoodie and took another hit before flicking her cigarette into the street. Rhaena pulled up a moment later.

Wren had gotten the other shoe thrown at her when she had finished contacting the rest of her clients on her schedule for the rest of the week and had either rescheduled a few or passed them onto another artist. Dominic bitched her to kingdom come and told her that there were so many other hopefuls that would have leapt at the opportunity he’d given her, and she was blowing it. She was almost inclined to start packing up her booth, until Rhaena walked into the shop. Leigh raised her brows as Northwood slid her round sunglasses off her face and clacked toward the counter.

“Wren Vintorri?” Rhaena asked, looking every bit as stressed as Wren felt right now. She knew Leigh was piecing together what the detective looked like beneath her close-fitting pantsuit. Leigh didn’t draw any lines between males or females. She enjoyed both. Sometimes at the same time, according to a few flavorful stories she’d shared over lunch. She nodded toward Wren’s spot and Rhaena offered a soft smile when she approached, though Wren couldn’t find one to give back to her. “Where is he?” she asked.

“Down the hall. Last door on the right is his office. You really don’t have to—”

“This hall?” Rhaena cut her off, clacking down the direction she was pointing. Wren nodded and watched her confidently stride to Dom’s door, knocking once and then opening it without waiting for him to invite her in. The door slammed behind her, and Wren and Leigh exchanged looks.

“Is she single?” Leigh asked, smiling.

“No, Leigh.”

“I’m in love.” Leigh chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck. Wren stalked over to the front door, peering out and seeing Sarah in the front seat, hooded and staring forward. “I’ve never seen her like that,” Leigh added.

“Once we leave, you never saw her at all. You got me?” Wren asked, looking at her over her shoulder. Leigh nodded.

“You gonna be okay?”

Wren pondered that for a moment. That was a question she’d been asking herself ever since Sarah’s attack. She wasn’t sure how to answer, so she chose not to. A door slammed down the hall and the sound of Rhaena’s heels filled the shop as she stormed back through, pushing her sunglasses back on.

“He won’t be making any moves to fire you anytime soon. Let’s go,” Rhaena snapped, nodding and smirking in farewell to Leigh and moving past Wren to walk out the door.

Leigh sunk onto her stool, swooning. “Damn …” She shook her head.

“Later, Leigh.” Wren rolled her eyes and followed Rhaena out, slipping into the back seat and closing the door. She leaned around the front seat and planted a kiss on Sarah’s cheek. “Hey, bitch.” Sarah turned her head and smiled grimly.

“Ready for a vacation?” Sarah asked, rolling her eyes.

“Honestly? Couldn’t be the worst thing.” Wren shifted back into the seat and buckled her seatbelt as Rhaena pulled off and headed toward their building.

“Look guys,” Rhaena started, glancing in the rear-view mirror at Wren. “It’s just an old cabin. We can make some fun out of it, and I’ll try … but later this week will be rough, and I need you both to watch your ba cks. Listen to every damn word Athan tells you and do exactly as he says on Saturday night. Do we all understand each other?”

Sarah looked over at Rhaena. “What happens Saturday night?”

Oh, shit. She still didn’t know.

Rhaena’s knuckles turned colors as she gripped the steering wheel. “Sarah … I—Saturday night is a full moon.” Wren bit down on her lip in anticipation.

“Full moon—you’re a …” Sarah trailed off and let her mouth hang open.

“Yeah,” Rhaena’s voice dropped into a shameful whisper.

There was an awkward enough silence in the truck, but Wren decided to turn the direction of that tension away from Rhaena as she asked, “Sarah … when is the last time you spoke to Brent?”

Sarah took a moment to reel in the shock of what Rhaena had just admitted and turned her chin over her shoulder. “Why do you ask?”

“I saw him today at Bunker’s. He looks rough. He said he gave you something and whatever the two of you talked about must have really thrown him into some weird depressive shit. He almost looks like the type of guy I’d go for after not showering for God knows how long. What’s he talking about? What happened?”

Sarah turned her face toward the passenger side window and sighed. “He had a big falling out with his dad. Afterwards, he came to tell me about it. Conrad gave him a blood bag. My blood. Brent was to decide what to do with it, so he ultimately figured that it should come back to me.”

Rhaena’s turn to drop her mouth open. Wren followed suit. “So … that’s what he meant about finally doing the right thing?” Wren asked.

“I guess so, if that’s what he said. But there’s more to it. Conrad told him about the vampires, and where they are.” Rhaena’s head jerked toward her, and her eyes bulged. “He doesn’t know about Athan, or you. There were two blood bags. One was given to this Dahlia bitch, and the other to Conrad. He was going to use it on the little girl at the benefit. I’m pretty positive Dahlia turned the girl that was trying to kill me with the other bag.”

The truck went dead silent, and they slowed to a red light. “I got rid of her,” Rhaena said quietly. Sarah looked over and they met each other’s stare. “I called Jenkins, and he helped me burn the body. We cleaned it up good at the hotel.”

Wren shifted in her seat. “Brandon knows?” she asked. Rhaena nodded.

“He knows about me. Not about Athan.”

The light turned green, and they moved forward. “And he was fine with it? What you are?” Sarah asked.

“Actually … he told me he loved me that night.” Rhaena looked as if she couldn’t help but smile. Sarah was at a loss for words. Wren knew what must have been going on in her head, and she redirected the conversation a second time .

“Where did they get these bags from, Sarah? Did Brent know that?”

Sarah huffed a laugh. “Yes. They were given to each of them by Nick Specter.”

Both Wren and Rhaena gaped and yelled their shock at the same time. “What?!” Sarah nodded.

“Oh, I’ll kill that little roach!” Rhaena seethed, gripping the wheel so hard Wren thought it would snap.

“No,” Sarah sighed. “He’s mine. And when Athan finds out, he’ll be his too.”

“Sarah, he’s not gonna take that very well, I’m gonna go ahead and put that out there.” Rhaena said, glancing over at her.

“I know that. Let me handle it, okay?” Sarah soothed.

Wren’s fingers tangled around each other in her lap. “What about Brent?”

Sarah’s head snapped around the back of the seat. “Why do you care so much, Wren?” She could feel her face heating and couldn’t come up with a quick enough answer. Sarah’s brows were lowered and then retreated as if she had pieced it together. “Oh, my God.”

“What?” Wren asked, pulling her hair back.

“You like him.” Sarah’s eyes grew wider. Rhaena glanced at the mirror again and Wren could feel her stomach ache.

“Oh, shut the fuck up. You know better than that.” Wren dismissed them both, looking at anything she could distract herself with out the window. Rhaena busted out laughing.

“Oh, noooo … Wren! ” Rhaena moaned in dismay, leaning into the steering wheel. Sarah just stared and Wren had heard just about enough.

“Okay, stop!” she yelped, throwing her hands out. “I do not , in any way , have a thing for your ex. When I think of somebody knocking my head against a headboard until I see Christ? Brent fucking Stratford is not the guy I’m picturing. You know that better than anybody. I just found it extremely odd and out of his perfectly poised character to be the way that I saw him today. That’s it. The only reason I’m asking now, is because if he knows about frickin’ vampires roaming around Boston, are you not worried that he’s gonna run his big ass mouth about it?”

Sarah turned herself forward again and slunk down into the seat. “I don’t think he’d do that. He probably just needs some time to digest everything. You know … kinda like me.”

Another long silence between all of them. Thank God they were pulling into the parking deck outside Rhaena and Athan’s place. Wren was dying to get the hell out of this truck.

“Alright, you two. In and out. We’ve gotta get outta Boston. I don’t have any doubt that the Feds know where Athan and I live, so … let’s not wait for them to find us first.” Rhaena parked and they all stepped out to head upstairs.

Athan had just finished packing up what he could and plundered through a small space in the back of his closet to find a smaller cage he usually only used to transport Poe to the vet. His bird would be very irritable this week in the confines of this tiny thing. He heard voices through the wall from Rhaena’s apartment and knew Sarah was probably with them. The image of that body this morning burned into his mind. Dahlia knew. Somehow, she had known. The only thing that made sense to him was that she’d left the club for the first time in God knows when and had either tracked him down or had been after Sarah the entire time she was out last night. He silently thanked God that he’d been there, not wanting to think of what she may have done to Sarah had he not picked up the phone and called when he did.

If that was true, however, then that would also mean that she knew what he felt for her. He nearly lost his shit when he’d spotted the calling card she’d left in that victim’s mouth. Foley would most likely put it together. Another victim that was meant to look like Sarah, with a black bird in her mouth to lead the world to the idea that it would be the same person who’d attacked Sarah outside a club with the same name. Did she know that he’d done it? She had called him out the night he’d been in her office about his festering hunger. She was baiting him. And using Sarah to draw him out. He would never let this shit happen.

Poe trilled and sputtered as Athan coaxed him into the small cage with a piece of raw meat. A soft knock at the door distracted him, and the tug in his middle was enough to know who stood on the other side. He answered it and Sarah stood, her face half-hidden beneath a dark hood.

“You look ominous,” Athan breathed, unsure of what to say now that she was standing in front of him … awake.

“Remind you of anyone?” Sarah half-smiled. He huffed through his nose and stepped aside to let her in. She kept her hands in the front pocket and stared forward, no doubt remembering the account of everything that had happened the last time she’d been here. “I’m not coming in. I came to see if you were ready to leave.”

Athan stiffened and he nodded slowly in understanding. “I’m ready. How long until they are?”

“Not long. They’re arguing about what to do about Denver.”

“I’ll take care of it. Look, Sarah … I hate to say this, but … I need you to take the battery out of your phone and leave it here. I bought four burners in case we need them. If we don’t toss these, it’ll be a day—maybe not even a day, before they find us.” He was surprised to see her shrug as if it didn’t matter to her at all, pulling her phone out and handing it over. He pried the back off and slid the battery out, taking his own phone from his pocket and doing the same.

Rhaena and Wren were busy bickering on their way out of her apartment door with their bags and the chubby black cat in a carrier. “What’s going on?” Wren asked, looking at them both.

“He needs your phones. We’ve got burners.” Sarah nodded toward him .

Rhaena sighed, dropping her shoulders after she locked up her door. “Shit … I didn’t think about that. Let me write down Brandon’s number.” She dropped her bag to the hallway floor and pushed past him into his apartment.

“Wow, Rhae … that was the most millennial thing I’ve ever heard you say,” Wren chuckled. Athan snorted.

“Rhae?” he echoed.

Wren grinned. “She likes it. It was either that, or Fleabag.” Athan tried to hold in his chuckle. Even Sarah found that one funny.

“Fuck off, Wren!” Rhaena called from the kitchen, stuffing a piece of paper into her pocket and dismantling her phone. Wren set the pet carrier down and took hers apart as well, all of the phones finding their way into an empty drawer next to the sink. “Let’s roll,” Rhaena spat, looking over at Poe as he screeched from the living room floor. “Oh, hell no. Are you kidding?”

“Who do you think is going to stay back and feed them? We can’t leave them here to starve, Fleabag, ” Athan crooned. Sarah and Wren walked to the elevator, no longer able to stifle their giggling.

Rhaena held up a finger. “That’s strike one, Athan Kane. Strike one.” He smirked, fetching the cage and shouldering his bag before following her out the door and locking it up behind him. “Why doesn’t this asshole have some nickname?” Rhaena griped, pointing over her shoulder at him with her thumb as she stalked toward the elevator.

“I do. It’s worse than yours.” Athan chimed in, following behind her.

“Count Crapula.” Wren laughed. He had to admit … seeing Sarah smile after all of this was warming. He had some hope, then.

Rhaena laughed and looked at Sarah. “What about you? You got a name for him, too?” Sarah’s mouth gathered to the side, and she narrowed her eyes at him as the elevator dinged and began to open. They all stepped in and anxiously awaited her response.

“Hmm …” Sarah hummed, staring at their blurry reflections. “Blood Daddy.”

Wren and Rhaena completely lost their composure and doubled over in laughter. Athan chuckled through his nose and shook his head. “Ah-ah-ah …” he responded, giving his best impression of the Count from The Muppets. Even Sarah busted out laughing with that one, all three of them bent over and howling as the elevator came to a stop.

“I can’t fucking breathe,” Wren panted, holding her stomach while Rhaena braced herself on her shoulder. Sarah continued laughing on her way out of the elevator and he followed behind her waiting for the hens to make their exit.

Sarah glanced over her shoulder as they crossed the walkway to the parking deck. “I didn’t know you had it in you,” she smiled.

“I’m not completely without my charms.”

She slowed and allowed him to catch up to her. Rhaena and Wren kept a short distance behind them. “Mind if I ride with you? I’ve got something I need to talk to you about. ”

Athan looked over, smirking at her. “I don’t mind at all. But I don’t think we’ll be able to hear each other. And it’ll be a cold ride.”

“You’re not taking the car?”

“No, they might track it. Rhaena’s truck is her personal vehicle. Mine isn’t.” They didn’t say anything else the whole walk to the truck. She looked pretty deep in thought. After they’d packed everything into the back of the SUV, Wren took it upon herself to claim the front seat. Athan walked over, uncovered his bike, and watched Sarah plunder through her bag, changing out of the hoodie and pulling her leather jacket around her. He straddled the motorcycle and gave her a moment to decide if she was really up for it.

“Are you not riding with us?” Rhaena asked, making sure both the cage and Denver’s carrier were strapped into the back seat. Wren turned around to look at Sarah, who glanced at him while he waited.

“Umm … no. I’ll see you there.” Sarah shut the door and met his eyes as she walked toward him. Wren smirked while she watched. Athan slid his helmet over his head and handed Sarah the spare, fastening the strap beneath her chin and keeping still while she climbed on behind him. He handed her a pair of leather gloves, and pulled his on as well, starting the bike and nearly losing his breath when her arms finally slid around his waist.

He followed behind Rhaena and kept close until they were finally out of Boston. Sarah had maintained a light hold on him until they were about halfway to Walden Pond. The sun was beginning to set and their surroundings more scenic before he finally felt her tighten around him. Her head rested against his back, and she pressed in close. He rounded a curve and couldn’t help but reach a hand beside him and rest it on her leg. She made no move to stop him. It made him wonder what she needed to talk about. If it was something specific, or the talk they would inevitably have to have … especially being holed up in this cabin for an undetermined amount of time. Athan decided he’d take whatever she was comfortable giving and drove a little slower behind Rhaena so it wouldn’t have to be over too soon.