Rising Covenant (Living Covenant Trilogy Book 1) (8 page)

“Oh, crap.” Aric was right. Aric was always right. There was no way I was going to tell him that.

I hadn’t talked to my parents in almost two weeks. I should have thought about this twenty-four hours ago. I moved around the kitchen island, scanning the countertop as I searched for my cell phone.

“What are you doing?” Aric asked, following me.

“I need to call my parents.”

“Why?” The question was out of Aric’s mouth before he realized he already knew the answer. The color drained from his face. “I don’t think … .” He couldn’t finish the sentence.

“Where is my phone?”

“I’ll help you look,” Aric said, resigned.

A
fter the third
try without an answer I gave up calling my parents. Just because they weren’t picking up the phone that didn’t necessarily mean anything was wrong. That’s what I kept telling myself, anyway.

My parents live a Bohemian lifestyle. They come and go as they please, enjoying the simple things in life. They visit me every few months, my mother doting on Aric while my father pretends all the heavy petting doesn’t bother him. We talk on the phone every few weeks. They refuse to carry cell phones, so the only way to get in touch with them is their landline. It’s not uncommon to not reach them on the first try.

Still … .

Paris retired for the evening between the second and third calls. We ate dinner after the first call. The lack of an answer didn’t initially bother me. My parents enjoy taking walks – especially in the summer.

Hours later it was a different story. I was officially bothered now.

Because the living room was empty, I assumed James had retired to the second guestroom. It was on the same side of the house as Paris’ room. I slowed my approach when I heard his voice in my bedroom, though.

“I don’t think you’re overreacting about the book,” James said, his voice low. “I do think Zoe has a point about seeing what she can do with it. There’s no harm in letting her experiment for a few days.”

“There’s plenty of harm,” Aric replied. I heard the door to the safe close and realized he was locking up the book for the night. “She allowed herself to get struck by lightning this afternoon because she thought it was fun.”

“I’m taking it you didn’t think that was fun.” James was used to his son’s protective streak. I got a kick out of the way he teased him about it. Well, most of the time.

“I most definitely did not think it was fun,” Aric snapped. “It was … scary. I sat there and watched her get struck by lightning twice, and the whole time she was laughing.”

“She finds humor in odd situations.”

“She’s going to be the death of me,” Aric muttered.

“Son, you made a choice a long time ago – long before you and Zoe moved in together – that you liked her,” James said, his pragmatic nature taking over. “You liked her mouth, you liked her attitude and you especially liked that wild streak she has. You can’t change your mind now.”

My heart rolled at the words. Was that why Aric didn’t want to make things permanent between us? That actually made sense. I always worried Aric would eventually tire of the things he once found amusing.

“I am not changing my mind,” Aric argued. “I still like those things about her.”

“Then what are you worried about? Personally, as much as I love Zoe, I would have to cut her tongue out after more than a few days alone with her.”

Aric laughed. “I think she’s funny,” he said. “She makes me smile. She ran my truck into the ditch because she was arguing with a talk radio show not long ago.”

“I don’t understand how you can find that funny,” James said.

“There’s just something about her I can’t explain,” Aric said. “I wouldn’t change anything about her. Well, that’s not entirely true. She’s a total pig. I wouldn’t mind if she cleaned up after herself occasionally.”

“Did you put what I brought you in the safe, too?” James asked.

That piqued my interest. They were talking about the “thing” again.

“Yeah,” Aric said. “It’s safe in there. She can’t get at it.”

“When are you going to deal with that situation?”

“Soon,” Aric replied. I could read the tone of his voice. Whatever his father was pressing him on, it wasn’t a topic Aric wanted to discuss.

“Why now?” James asked.

“Because … it has to happen eventually,” Aric said. “I’ve put it off for as long as I could because I was afraid Zoe wouldn’t take it well.”

“What changed to make you see things differently?”

“I kept thinking that we’re going to come to a place in our lives where everything is settled and we can have a serious discussion,” Aric replied. “I’m starting to think that’s never going to happen. We need to have the serious discussion whether she wants to deal with it or not.”

That didn’t sound good. In fact, it sounded downright dreadful. I could only deal with one catastrophe at a time.

“When you introduced me to Zoe, I was worried about the two of you,” James said. “I’m not going to lie. She’s … a handful. After spending thirty years married to your mother, I know a little something about taking on a handful.

“Zoe is something else entirely, though,” he continued. “She has so much power. Aren’t you worried that she’ll lose control and kill you?”

“Zoe would never hurt me.”

“I don’t think she would do it on purpose,” James countered. “I think Zoe loves you with her whole heart. You should see the way she looks at you when she thinks you’re not looking – which is rare, mind you, because you’re always looking at her. What she did last night, though, was … .”

“Necessary,” Aric finished for his father, his voice low with warning. “Zoe did what was necessary. There were ten of them. Even if I could’ve managed to take out the three I was fighting – and they were ready to kill me until she stepped in, don’t kid yourself – that left the other seven. She protected both of us.”

“I’m not saying she did anything wrong,” James said, matching his son’s tone. “I had a coroner go over some of those bodies. Do you know the ones she burned were cooked on the inside?”

“I … .”

“The spines in the two she crippled were snapped in half,” James added. “They begged to be killed at the end.”

“I don’t care,” Aric said. “They would’ve killed Zoe and me to get to that book. I don’t think that book is just about Zoe. Don’t get me wrong, I believe someone would love to use it on her. I think there’s more to that book than we realize.”

“Do you think Paris knows what’s in that book?”

“I think Paris is struggling,” Aric replied. “She was angry at Zoe for cutting off contact. She was angry with me because she feels Zoe picked me over her. She still did the right thing in the end.”

“That’s not what I’m saying,” James said, his tone softening. “Do you think Paris knows what else is in it? Maybe she’s afraid to tell you what she knows.”

“Maybe,” Aric conceded. “That’s why I need you to start going through that book tomorrow. We have to know exactly what we’re up against.”

“I agree,” James said. “What are you going to do while I’m studying the book?”

“What do I always do?”

“Protect Zoe.”

“We protect each other,” Aric clarified. “You’re right, though. I will kill anything and anyone who tries to hurt her. That’s the one thing I can promise you.”

“Then I guess we have to make sure that doesn’t happen,” James said.

I
GAVE
Aric ten minutes to get settled before joining him in our bedroom. I didn’t see James when he left, instead making myself scarce in the hallway bathroom so I could wash my face.

Aric’s expression was thoughtful when I shuffled into the room. “Did you get your parents on the phone?”

I shook my head.

“They’re probably out for one of their walks, or on one of those camping trips they enjoy so much, Zoe,” Aric said. “Don’t worry about them until we have something to freak out about. Dad is reaching out to the council up there to check on them.”

“I thought the wolf council hated your father,” I said, stripping out of my clothes and dropping them on the floor. I thought better of it when Aric’s earlier words wafted through my mind and leaned over to pick them up so I could carry them to the hamper in the closet to put them where they belonged. I grabbed a simple tank top and cotton shorts, and yanked them on. When I turned back to Aric his eyes were wide and his arms were crossed over his chest. “What?”

“You were eavesdropping again.”

“I was not.”

“You were, too,” Aric said. “I called you a pig and said I wished you would pick up after yourself. Now you’re suddenly picking up after yourself. That’s not a coincidence.”

He was right. I wasn’t going to tell him that, though. “I was in the kitchen trying to get my parents on the phone.”

“You were eavesdropping. Admit it.”

That wasn’t going to happen. I decided to change topics to distract him. “I was thinking … .”

“That’s always a dangerous proposition,” Aric said. “Does this have something to do with something else you might have heard while eavesdropping?”

I scowled. “I was not eavesdropping!”

“It’s your house, too,” Aric shot back. “You’re allowed to eavesdrop. I know fully well you do it whenever you feel like doing it. Just admit it.”

“No,” I said, lifting the covers and climbing beneath them to settle on my side of the bed. “I need to call my parents again tomorrow. Don’t let me forget.”

“Zoe, I’m not going to tell you not to worry, because I know that’s impossible, but I truly believe they’re on one of their camping trips,” Aric said, his expression softening. “They spend more than half their summer camping. You know that.”

“I do know that,” I replied. “Even when they come here they insist on camping in the yard.”

“Yes, and that makes having fun in the hot tub uncomfortable, doesn’t it?” Aric was trying to cajole me out of my mood.

I cleared my throat. “I think I’m going to start trying to train myself to have more control,” I said. “I … it will be better for everyone.”

“I knew it,” Aric grumbled. “Don’t let what my father said get to you. He’s a worrier by nature. That’s what makes him such a good politician.”

I didn’t bother to declare my eavesdropping innocence again. “He’s right. If I ever hurt you … .” I hate crying. I rarely do it. The tears threatening to spill over ticked me off.

Aric reached over and wiped one away before it could fall. “I have faith that you will never hurt me. Please, don’t drive yourself crazy with this. If you drive yourself crazy, it’s a short walk before I go crazy, too.”

“I won’t allow myself to hurt you.”

“That’s nice to know,” Aric said. “You hurt me all the time, though.”

“What?”

“Right now you’re hurting me because you’re not giving me that massage you promised.” He was going for levity, and because I didn’t want to dwell on misery I gave in.

“Roll over.”

Aric’s grinned and rolled over onto his stomach so I could sit on his rear end and rub his back. He started moaning in appreciation the second my fingers touched him.

“See, now you’re not hurting me. Our life is perfect.”

“I’m still going to try to train myself,” I said. “Not a lot, mind you. We both know I don’t do well with structure. A little precision never hurt anyone, though.”

“If you want to do it I’ll help you,” Aric said. “We’ll do it together.”

“I’m not sure that’s safe.”

“Well, you’re not doing it alone,” Aric argued. “You and I are going to do this together, Trouble. That’s all there is to it.”

“You have work,” I reminded him. “I’ll have James and Paris here with me in case … .”

“I’m working from home for the next few days,” Aric interjected. “Don’t bother arguing. I’ve already set it up. There’s too much going on for me to be away from you.”

“You mean you don’t trust me with the book.”

“I mean that I love you and I want to watch you experiment with the book myself,” Aric clarified. “I trust you more than I’ve ever trusted anyone in this world. Never doubt that.”

I considered pressing him on the “big discussion,” but opted against it. I was too tired. I zinged him with a little healing magic and watched him squirm beneath me. “I do love you, Aric.”

“I love you, too. Now … rub me.”

“I thought you wanted the other thing, too,” I teased.

“I do want that,” Aric said. “In exactly twenty minutes.”

“Now we’re on a schedule?”

“We’re on an adventure, Zoe,” Aric replied. “This leg of the adventure merely starts with you rubbing the heck out of me.”

I conceded defeat. “Fine.”

“We’ll deal with the big stuff tomorrow,” Aric said. “For tonight, can’t we enjoy being safe and together?”

“Yes.”

“Good,” Aric said, moaning when I hit a particularly tender spot. “Right there, baby. You literally have magic hands.”

I did. In a few hours I was going to take them out for a test drive and see what they could do. For now, there was no place else I would rather be.

“If you keep moaning like that your father will hear you,” I chided.

“I don’t care,” Aric replied. “If he doesn’t like it, he can put in earplugs. This is … you’re the best. Right there!”

There really is nothing better than being appreciated.

“
O
kay
, baby, take it nice and slow,” Aric said, gesturing to the tower of soda cans he stacked. “Try to set it on fire.”

After a relatively amiable breakfast – and another unanswered call to my parents – Aric and I drifted outside to start my training. I could tell he was nervous. He kept rubbing his hands on his shorts because they were perspiring. The day was warm and sunny, but there was no reason for him to be this sweaty.

“Go inside,” I ordered.

“No.”

“You’re afraid of me,” I said. “Look at your hands.”

“I’m not afraid of you, Zoe. I’m afraid of fire.” Aric shot me a rueful smile. “We’re doing this together. We talked about this last night. I won that argument. Do you remember that?”

I remembered nothing of the sort. “What argument? I almost cried and you got a backrub. How was that an argument?”

“First, I don’t like it when you cry,” Aric said. “Please don’t bring it up. Second, you gave me the best backrub I’ve ever had. Don’t sell yourself short.”

“And because I gave you a great backrub you’re willing to die instead of letting me experiment on my own?”

“Because I love you I’m not willing to leave you alone to do this,” Aric snapped. “Don’t push me on this, Zoe. Either we do this together or we don’t do it at all.”

“Fine.” I crossed my arms over my chest and eyed the cans. “I’m not trying to pick a fight – I’m really not – but what’s with the cans? Shouldn’t I be trying to ignite a pile of twigs in the fire pit?”

“Ah, see, you’re trying to give yourself the easy way out,” Aric said. “Cans are a lot harder to light on fire.”

“You only want to use the cans because you hate taking them back to the grocery store. Admit it.”

“As soon as you admit you were eavesdropping last night.”

“I … .” I focused on the cans. “What do you want me to do?”

Aric moved behind me and rested his hands on my shoulders. “What do you usually do?”

“Scream for you and then panic.”

Aric smirked and dropped a kiss on my cheek. “I don’t want you to panic,” he said. “There’s no reason to panic. Nothing can get you here. The security system is up. Paris and my dad are in the house. I’m right here with you. Someone would have to be crazy to attack you.”

“Have you ever considered that I attract crazy people?”

Aric furrowed his brow. “No. Are you saying I’m crazy?”

“I have often wondered whether you’re mentally unbalanced for choosing me, but I was talking about everyone else,” I replied. “I mean, think about it … Professor Blake, Zach, Laura, Tara, those weird guys at the academy whose names I can’t remember, Mark … they were all attracted to me because of what I am.”

I didn’t often dwell on my time at Covenant College, but when I laid out the list like that … blech, who needs to think about stuff like that?

“Zoe, I love you because of who you are,” Aric said. “What you are is merely a … .”

“Travesty?”

“I was going to say bump in the road,” Aric clarified. “I love all of you. Those other people and … animals … were attracted to you because of your power. You’re the strongest person I know – and that’s on top of your power, Trouble. I don’t love you because you’re powerful, though.”

I wanted to ask why he loved me, but it seemed a self-serving question.

“I can see your mind working,” Aric chuckled. “I love you because you’re sassy. Now, come on, focus on the cans.”

I did as instructed, narrowing my eyes and grimacing. When nothing happened after a few moments, I shifted my gaze to Aric. “It’s not working.”

Aric ran his hand through his hair and took a step from me. “I’m not sure how much effort you put into that, but I was afraid this would happen.”

I waited.

“You only use your magic unless you absolutely have to,” Aric said. “Sometimes you don’t even know you’re using it when it happens. Do you remember the first time you healed me? You had no idea that would happen. You couldn’t stand me being in pain, and you just did it.”

“What are you getting at?”

“I think there’s something inside of you that knows when you need to use your magic,” Aric said. “That’s why I first gave up training you. You became frustrated and started half the lawn on fire. You never learned to control anything. I don’t think this time will be any different.”

“Then why are you out here trying to help me?”

“Love does funny thing to a man.”

I made a face. “What if we need my powers and I can’t use them because I’m too scattered?”

Aric tilted his head to the side, considering. “I have faith that you’ll always come through when you have to,” he said. “You’ve never let me down.”

“Oh, you’re so schmaltzy sometimes,” I grumbled. “I think the problem is that I’m not angry.”

Now it was Aric’s turn to be confused. “What?”

“Most of the time when I use my magic I’m angry,” I explained. “I’m like the Hulk. I’m perfectly nice and sweet until you tick me off.”

“You’re never nice and sweet,” Aric corrected. “It’s not in your nature. You might have a point about the anger thing. Make yourself angry and then try to start the cans on fire.”

“I can’t just make myself angry.”

Aric snorted. “That’s a lie. Three weeks ago we went out to dinner and I had to hold you back because you thought the waitress was hitting on me – and I was flirting with her. You made all that up in your head and you were furious.”

“I still maintain she wanted to poison my food so she could pet you,” I huffed.

“You complain a lot,” Aric said. “You can make yourself angry. I have faith.”

He was right. I was starting to get angry – with him. I turned my attention back to the cans and flexed my fingers into fists. I was so focused on my task I barely noticed when Aric leaned in behind me.

“Did I ever tell you that I almost dated Brittany instead of you in college?”

I have no idea where the power came from, but it rushed out of me, barreling toward the cans and exploding them in eight different directions. Small flames licked the tin edges as they landed on the grass, and when I shifted my gaze to Aric he was smiling.

“That was not funny,” I said.

“It was a little funny.” Aric rubbed his hand over the back of my head. “That was pretty impressive. You kept your anger localized and didn’t set anything but the cans on fire. Good job.”

“I’m not a dog.”

“Good job, girl.” Aric enthusiastically petted me as I swatted his hands away.

“That was pretty good,” I said, collecting myself. “We need to try it again.”

“I’ve got more cans in the garage,” Aric said. “Wag your tail for me while I go and get them.”

I scorched him with a look, jerking my head to the deck up above as James raced outside.

“What just exploded?” James asked.

“Zoe set a pile of cans on fire,” Aric replied.

“Did she hurt anyone or anything else?”

“Nope.”

“Good job, Zoe!”

The look I shot Aric was murderous.

“You’re always going to be my good girl,” Aric said, barely reining in his laughter. “I’ll bring you a treat when I come back.”

T
WO
days
of training and close quarters started taking a toll on my happy home. I really noticed it on the third day when I crawled out of bed and picked a fight with Aric for absolutely no reason.

“Do you have to take up so much of the bed?”

Aric arched an eyebrow, not bothering to shift from the spot where he relaxed. “Do you have to snore like a freight train?”

“I do not snore.”

“Baby, if you slept any louder you’d wake the dead,” Aric shot back. “Since you’re magical and powerful, that might be a realistic possibility.”

I opened my mouth, something hurtful on the tip of my tongue, and then thought better of it. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but we need a little time apart.”

Aric’s expression was unreadable. “Are you saying you want to break up with me?”

What? “Of course not,” I snapped. “I’m saying that I need a walk in the woods or something to unwind. We have been stuck in this house for three days. When you add in your father – and those really annoying sighing noises he makes when he’s reading a book – and Paris … well, I’m about to break.”

Aric sighed as he ran a hand through his messy morning hair. “I know. We’re used to a certain routine. I go to work five days a week and give you time to yourself to write your filthy sex scenes.”

I wrinkled my nose.

“Which I love to read because it gives me inspiration,” Aric added, shooting me a charming grin. “I don’t know what to do. We’re not any closer to answers and I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here with the book, my father and Paris.”

“Do you really think Paris will hurt me?”

“No. I think you might snap and kill them both, and it will be really hard to hide bodies without my father’s help.”

Despite myself, I couldn’t hold in my laughter. I hopped back on the bed and rolled until I was practically on top of him, my chin resting on his chest. “I need to go for a walk.”

“What you’re really saying is that you need to go for a walk alone,” Aric clarified. “I … what if there are wolves or witches waiting beyond the fence?”

“I’ll burn them.”

“You say that like you mean it, but we both know it won’t be that easy,” Aric said. “I could use a walk, too. I know you need time to yourself, though. You’re ready to throttle me.

“As much as I love you, woman, I’m ready to kill you, too,” he continued. “Paris said we were in our own little world when she first arrived. She’s right. What she didn’t realize, though, is that our world needs to be split in half occasionally or we’ll murder each other.”

“Does that mean I can go for a walk?”

Aric studied my face, brushing my snarled hair from it. “Yes.”

I wanted to cry I was so relieved.

“You have to promise not to go too far, though,” Aric said. “I’m going to go for a walk, too. Don’t worry, it will be in a different part of the woods. If you get in trouble … .”

“I’ll mentally scream so you can hear me.”

“The good news is, I think whoever staged the first attack is probably still planning a second one instead of implementing it,” Aric said. “I don’t think anyone would be dumb enough to come after you so soon. Our enemies might not know exactly what happened, but I’m guessing they can ascertain it was bad.”

“I want the side of the property with the river.”

“I’m going to the river, too,” Aric argued. “I’ll pick a spot away from you, but I need to rest with my feet in the water and think of nothing but nature for a few hours. I have no idea what you’re going to do, but enjoy it. You’re back under house arrest tonight.”

“I don’t care,” I said, kissing his chin and rolling back off the bed. “Even an hour alone is going to make a world of difference.”

“Zoe, be careful,” Aric warned. “Don’t you even think about skinny dipping in that river without me.”

“I would never skinny dip in the middle of the afternoon by myself,” I scoffed. “That’s one of our nightly activities.”

“And we’ll do it again soon,” Aric promised. “Eat breakfast before you go, and try not to Hulk out on anyone while you do it, please.”

“You’re always ruining my fun.”

“That’s what I’m worried about.”

E
VEN
the illusion
of space was enough to help me breathe again.

Before I was unable to leave my yard I rarely wanted to walk in the woods. Sure, I did it six days a week to pretend I was trying to keep fit, but half-hour sojourns were more than enough.

Today was different. I even looked forward to the bees.

I picked a winding path, clutching my bottle of water in hand as I trudged through the woods. I’ve never been a big proponent of nature. I see its attributes – and I know Aric loves nothing better than stripping naked and shifting so he can run – but I could honestly take or leave the great outdoors.

As a born werewolf – instead of a turned one – Aric can shift whenever he wants. He’s not limited by moon phases. Most of the time he’s content to remain in human form, hanging around the house with me. When the moon is full, though, he becomes restless.

I don’t take it personally. I know he’s not running away from me. He needs escape from time to time, and that’s what running gives him. I never understood that until now.

It took me about twenty minutes to make it down to the river, and when I got there I immediately kicked off my shoes and plunged my feet into the chilly water as I rested on the bank. I was happy to lean back, let the sun offer my face a little color, and dangle my feet in the water.

I could’ve stayed there the entire day. That wasn’t in the cards.

The sound of a twig snapping on the opposite bank jerked my attention in that direction. A man stood watching me. He had dark brown hair and was clad in simple jeans and a T-shirt. He didn’t look out of place, yet I knew he was definitely not supposed to be there.

“Are you looking for your friends?” I asked. I saw no reason to stand on pretense.

“I’m … just taking a walk.” The man was playing a part. Unfortunately for him, I didn’t believe him. I could practically smell the lies wafting off of him. I could also sense a paranormal being. It was one of the little magical tricks that developed over the years. He was a werewolf.

“Your friends aren’t here,” I said. “They’re not anywhere. If you’re looking for them, you can stop. If you’re looking for me … well … I’m right here. I was enjoying my afternoon, but I guess I can take a few minutes out of my day to play with you. That might take the edge off my seemingly nonstop aggravation. I’m a little crabby these days.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The man’s face was unreadable, but he was a terrible actor.

“Go and tell whoever you’re with that I’m not messing around,” I said. “If you come after me again, you won’t like what happens.”

“I … .” The man changed course. “I know what you are.”

“I know what you are, too. I’m not afraid of you.”

“Maybe you should be.”

“Maybe,” I conceded. “I know you should fear me, though. You might want to take that into consideration.”