Page 175 of Volik

“Da.” His smile is softer, less smoldering.

My black bag holds the few usual purse things plus a notebook in case I need to write something down that I don’t want in my phone.

The bag matches my black tennis shoes, which I’m wearing with jeans and a thin, long-sleeve gray shirt. I put a tank top on underneath, in case I get too hot and need to strip down. But it sounds like the mountains might be pretty cold tonight.

Volik holds out his hand, and I take it, letting him walk me out of the room.

“So, do the shifters know people in Tennessee or something?”

“The shifters know the man who can get us there. I will ask Henry where to find him.”

We turn down the last hallway.

“Henry? Is that the dean?”

Volik nods.

“But they aren’t the ones…” My feet stop moving.

Volik pushes the front door open.

I stay still.

He gestures with his head for me to walk through the doorway.

I stare back at him. “Volik.”

“Da?”

“How are we getting to Tennessee so fast?” I’ve been so caught up with getting ready to go that I haven’t taken the time to put it together.

Until now.

Volik smirks. “Nixy, we are taking a portal.”

“Volik,” I whisper.

He tugs on my arm, pulling me outside.

The door shuts after us, and Volik maneuvers me so we’re facing each other.

I’m still too stunned to think.

A portal.

We’re going to use a motherfucking portal after we talk to a motherfucking wolf shifter.

Volik leans his face close to mine. “Ask me who controls the portal.”

My pulse tries to jump. “Who controls the portal?”

“A druid.” Volik wraps his arms around me. Then he jumps.

Feet back on the ground, I take Volik’s hand as he leads me deeper into the woods we landed in.

“About ten miles behind us is your old apartment.”

“Oh.” I glance back over my shoulder, as though I can see anything but trees.