wouldnât do. Sionnach had brought up her ability to be Alpha or co-Alpha often enough that she had threatened him with bodily harm the last time heâd mentioned it. After years of staying quietly away from the machinations and struggles of the solitary desert fey, she was about to be involved. In truth, she was involved now. Sheâd stood and fought against them, thereby ending years of uninvolvement. It was because of her interest in Jayce that this was all happening, and it was because of him that she would remain involved. Sheâd been the catalyst, and she couldnât expect Sionnach to handle it. He might help tonight, but tomorrow she had to begin to figure out what she should do. For now though, she told Sionnach, âBe safe. I owe you.â
âI know.â The fox faery glanced at Jayce again and then gave Rika a long, unreadable look before turning and walking away.
Silently, Rika and Jayce went to the door and stepped outside.
So many broken rules. Whatâs one more?
If she were honest with herself, sheâd admit that there were times sheâd wished she could tell Jayce that she existed, that she was near him, that she was a faery. Sheâd never expected it to happen, but here they were. She took a steadying breath and said, âWeâre going to run. No matter what happens, just keep moving your feet. Run , okay?â
Jayce gave her a look like sheâd lost it. âMaybe I should just go.â
For a moment, she considered letting him walk away. She could follow him invisibly; things could return to the way they were before sheâd exposed herself to save him. That wasnât what she wanted though, so she reached out and entwined her fingers with his.
He didnât react, and for a moment, she thought heâd pull away and leave.
âPlease?â
âI need some answers, Rika.â He shook his head, but he didnât pull his hand away. âThat whole scene inside was weird.â
âCome with me, and Iâll give you some answers.â She held his gaze and repeated, âPlease?â
After a moment, he nodded.
She smiled and then she said again, â Really . Donât forget to move your feet.â
And then she started to run, holding on to Jayceâs hand; she didnât go as fast as she had when sheâd disappeared earlier, but she traveled fast enough that each of her steps was the distance of many of his. Her movement propelled them forward. His running merely kept his body upright.
The world blurred around them for an impossibly brief time, and then they were at a cliff in the desert. In the far distance behind Jayce was the town; he hadnât turned to see how far theyâd traveled yet, staring instead at the cliff in front of them.
The moon was three-quarters full, and the desert was shadowed and beautiful in the night. Several night-dwelling animals were out. A coyote slunk by in the periphery; farther out, a bobcat crouched on a ledge.
âWelcome to my home.â
âWhere?â Jayce looked around now in confusion, finally noticing how far theyâd run in a few brief moments. âHow did we . . .â His words died as he stared at her.
Ignoring that question, she pointed to a small inlet in the rock face over their heads. âGrab there. Come on. We need to get inside.â
âI really have questions. . . .â Jayce started.
âI know.â Rika scaled the cliff using the almost imperceptible steps. She was a few feet off the ground before she urged, âCome with me.â
With a strange bemused smile, Jayce shook his head and then climbed past her. âYouâre full of all sorts of surprises, arenât you?â
âYou have no idea,â Rika whispered.
C HAPTER 7
Jayce stood at the mouth of her caveâwhere Sionnach had stood earlierâlooking not at her but at the expanse of desert theyâd crossed. âThat isnât
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