A Clan of Novaks
Page 49

He reached for my hands. Engulfing them in his large palms, he gazed down at me, somber. “I cannot leave my homeland, Victoria. Not at a time like this. Not without a guarantee that your people would even help us. Maybe you will go and come back… But maybe you won’t.”
I squeezed his hands. “I promise you, Bastien. I will do all within my power to return with help.” I just prayed that while I was gone… I drew in a deep breath. That while I’m gone, something won’t happen to him.
God, why am I feeling so choked up?
Bastien nodded, though his mood did not lighten in the slightest. We moved to one corner of the room, where we sat down, our backs leaning against the wall. I suddenly wished that he would pull me closer. That he would hold me. Hug me, even. I wanted to feel connected before we broke apart completely.
I nestled closer against him, leaning my head against his shoulder and guiding his arm to rest around my waist, until I felt surrounded by him.
Then we sat in silence, listening to the footsteps in the corridor outside gradually becoming quieter and quieter until it sounded like almost everybody had retired. Still the two of us sat, Bastien’s fingers curved and gently brushing against the side of my stomach where they rested, while every so often I would reach out to squeeze his hand. I did not want him to think that I had fallen asleep. I wanted him to know that I was here, if he wanted to talk about anything.
But he remained quiet. I could only guess what was going through his mind.
As early morning drew in, a sharp rapping sounded against the door. I sat bolt upright, while Bastien sprang to his feet.
“Who could that be?” I whispered. Could that be Brucella again, at this hour? Or maybe even Dane? I picked myself up off the floor and huddled in a corner as Bastien moved to open the door. He opened it ever so slightly, and then, to my surprise, he asked, “Who are you?”
Who is there?
I tried to peer over his shoulder, but Bastien was simply too tall and broad for me to glimpse who was standing in the doorway.
Then, to my shock, a familiar voice replied, “Micah. Originally of the Kaelin tribe. And this is a witch, Corrine. I suggest you hand over Victoria now, lest you sorely regret it.”
Bastien stepped backward and looked at me questioningly. My eyes immediately shot to the doorway to see Micah standing there in his wolf form with Corrine.
“Oh, my God!” I practically squealed. Had the tracker in my jacket been working after all? If so, how come it had taken them so long to locate me? I could hardly bring myself to ponder the questions though as relief rolled over me in waves. I ushered them inside.
I flung myself into Corrine’s arms. She held me close and kissed my cheeks. “You’ve no idea how relieved I am to find you safe, darling. Your parents are waiting outside, along with Derek, Sofia and a bunch of others.”
Thank goodness.
“What has this man been doing to you?” Corrine hissed, her eyes narrowing on Bastien.
“What do you mean?” I shot back. “Nothing! He’s been keeping me safe all this time. If it weren’t for him, I would have been caught by the hunters— or in the belly of a wolf—by now.”
Corrine frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Yes!” I exclaimed. “Bastien is a good, kind man!”
“Hm, odd,” Corrine muttered.
“Why would you think otherwise?”
Corrine shook her head wearily. “That’s an explanation your parents will no doubt give you.” She turned on Bastien. “So who is Bastien really?” she asked, hands on her hips.
“Bastien Blackhall,” I replied. “A werewolf, and the only reason I’m alive still.”
“Are you really a werewolf?” Corrine asked Bastien. “How come you don’t shift at night?”
“I am a werewolf,” he replied, stoic. “But I was born… a little different.”
Corrine sighed. “Well, whatever you are, I suppose I should thank you for keeping this girl safe.” She reached out and took my hand. “Now, let’s get you back to your parents.”
“Wait!” I said, pulling my hand away from Corrine, afraid she’d suddenly vanish me. “We need to help Bastien and his people. This realm needs the League’s help. Bastien,” I said, turning to him. “You should come with me to meet my family.”
He hesitated, looked uncertainly from Corrine to Micah. But then he nodded. Corrine also still looked hesitant about Bastien, but she grabbed hold of my and his hand, while I touched Micah’s head, and a second later we had all vanished from the small, dim chamber.
* * *
I was positively trembling with excitement as we emerged in the woods. Standing right in front of us in a clearing was a crowd of heartwarmingly familiar people. My parents, Uncle Derek, Aunt Sofia, Ben, Rose, Grace, Heath, among other loved ones. Grace and Heath are safe! Forgetting all about my injured ankle, I jerked forward and threw myself first into the arms of my mother and father.
“Thank God you’re all right, honey,” my mother said, squeezing me hard.
“And thank heavens you kept your jacket with you,” my father added.
“What happened to you, Vicky?” Derek asked.
I waited until I’d hugged everyone before replying. I glanced back at Bastien, who was still looking cautious as he gazed at this crowd of strangers. I took his hand and brought him forward to introduce him. Like Corrine, they too suspected he’d kidnapped and had been abusing me in some way. I quickly quelled their misconceptions as I’d done the witch’s, before they explained to me the reason they’d thought Bastien was a scoundrel. Detrius. My blood boiled at the thought of that man badmouthing Bastien even now, after everything he’d done.