Page 16 of Blood

“But you think the professor she works with can help?”

“I feel like he can, yes.” Rev toys with a large hooped earring that dangles from her right ear. “But I spoke to Thornfield last night and—”

“You spoke to him personally?”

“He answered her phone.” Rev worries with the bangles. “He didn’t seem very interested in a discussion though.”

“Try again.” I know I’m not showing enough sympathy. I’ve glossed over the fact her aunt is missing and I’m making it pretty damn clear that all I’m interested in is getting hold of someone who can help me figure this out.

I know I sound crabby and irritable. But as the heat and the cold and the aches start to build again, pounding like an encroaching migraine that vibrates in every cell of my body, I take Rev’s hand and squeeze. Hard.

“Please try again.”

Rev hesitates, looking down at our entwined hands. When her gaze returns to mine, she nods then takes her cell from her pocket and hits redial on the last number.

“Professor Thornfield? Yes, it’s Rev. Miranda’s niece.” She pinches the bridge of her nose then quickly begins to explain our predicament. “We were hoping you might be able to help or, at least, point us in the direction of someone who can? I was also hoping you might have some news about my aunt. It’s not like her to—”

Thornfield interrupts and, as he begins to speak, Rev hits the hands free button. A strange, mostly British, accent fills the truck.

“Tell your friends to come and see me.”

“Come and see you?”

“I can’t help them over the phone.”

My eyes widen and I clear my throat to speak even though Rev is shaking her head at me. “Professor Thornfield? My name is Rhone Mackenzie—”

“The shifter who split in two,” Thornfield hums.

“Have you heard of this happening before? Is there a precedence for this kind of thing? I’ve read your work and I’m pretty sure if you don’t know then no one will.”

My attempt at flattery does nothing to change Thornfield’s tone as he replies, “You are correct. If I can’t help you, no one can. Which is why you should come to Cambridge as soon as possible.”

“Cambridge? I can’t just—”

“Bring the bear.”

The line goes dead. Thornfield hung up.

Furiously, Rev tries to call again. And again. And again.

No answer.

“Hell damn it, Rhone. I needed to speak to him about Aunt Miranda. They’ve worked together for years. He should care that she’s missing.”

Before I can apologize, a low rumble sounds in the distance. The truck windows rattle, and Rev’s earrings sway back and forth. We exchange confused glances.

Another rumble, closer this time. Screams sound somewhere in the distance, and Rev’s face goes pale. “The shield,” she gasps.

* * *

We rush outside to see several small explosions detonating against the invisible barrier above the town. It’s been in place ever since the AMA decided to label Phoenix Falls a ‘hell mouth’ which – along with its residents – should be destroyed.

The town had barely recovered from what happened when the attacks began.

“They must have found a way past the forest protections,” Rev says, fingers splayed, ready to cast if she needs to.

“They won’t make it through the shield, there’s simply no way they can.” I raise my voice over the sound of the explosions. Beside me, Nova has begun to glow. Her eyes flash, and Tanner reaches for her.