Page 34 of Blood

Within moments, I’m soaked through, even with Tanner’s suit jacket draped over my head as a makeshift hood. The wheels of my case scrape and slip over the slick tarmac, splashing through puddles. Mack and Kole load up the trunk of the nondescript black sedan parked near the hangar. We all pile in, shivering and damp.

As the car sets off down a narrow, winding road between the endless gray fields, I peer out at the rain-blurred scenery. “So this is England, huh?”

Kole – who’s driving – merely grunts in reply while Mack reaches over and gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry, it’s pretty much always like this. Just a bit of rain. You’ll get used to it soon enough.”

I sigh, watching rivulets of water stream down the fogged up window glass. The wipers are struggling to keep up. “Sure they’re not expecting a November heatwave?”

Tanner grins and nudges me with his elbow. “Oh, yeah, I’m sure there’s one right around the corner. Did you pack your sundresses?”

I glance at the bag Luther gave me before we left. “I’m not sure. Maybe.”

Tanner chuckles. “I don’t think Luther packed sundresses in that bag.” He raises his eyebrows. “It’s too heavy, for a start.”

“You’re sure this is the way?” Mack asks, checking his phone.

“Parking in the city is a nightmare. We’ll leave the car down a side-street and walk.” Kole speaks through gritted teeth, and I can’t tell if it’s because he’s annoyed at having to explain himself or because he’s battling all kinds of feelings about being back here.

Usually, he lets me in.

But now, his thoughts are silent.

As Kole navigates through a maze of tiny residential streets, I wait for him to speak to me. but the words don’t come. He is shutting me out.

Finally, we reach a road that contains houses on one side and a line of parked cars on the other. Kole manages to park in the smallest space I’ve ever seen, and we all pile out, squinting into the rain as he locks it.

Opposite, the houses are all lit up. Some are already sporting fairy lights and Christmas decorations.

“This way.” Kole strides off into the gloomy street. Despite it being mid-afternoon, the storm clouds that darken the skies above us make it seem like the middle of the night.

We cross a busy road, Snow trotting at Mack’s side like the world’s most obedient puppy. I fight the urge to keep checking they’re okay.

We walk for what feels like forever. Probably because I’m exhausted from the flight… and the out-of-body orgasm.

I didn’t think I’d be able to do it. I thought I was going to burn the entire plane to the ground, but then something clicked and it was like I turned the fire inwards.

And when I did… holy stars and moons.

I have never felt anything like it. Even now, as we walk, my legs are still shaky.

Numb from the cold and wet conditions, we reach a path that runs aside a choppy looking river and follow it toward the city center.

While I keep pace with Mack, I notice Tanner grab hold of Kole’s arm and whisper something to him. But Kole doesn’t reply. Just keeps walking.

The rain continues to pour, sending rivulets winding along the pavement and reflecting in streetlights that seem far too bright for this gray afternoon. It’s well past midday, but darkness lingers everywhere and causes my mood to darken as well.

We all trudge along with our heads down, huddling close together under umbrellas, unwilling to speak upon this strange entrance into Cambridge. The imposing stone buildings only serve to amplify how small I feel compared to this ancient city – something grander than anything I’ve ever seen before.

An elderly couple hurries by us on their way out of town, arms laden with bags from their afternoon shopping trip. They cast curious glances at us but say nothing before they disappear around a corner.

We continue squelching through puddles as the unrelenting rain drums down around us. After what seems like an eternity, as Kole continues to walk fast, head down, as if he can’t reach our destination quickly enough, we emerge onto a busier street that leads us toward a bustling market square.

Despite the weather, the city is heaving with movement. Christmas lights decorate the front of an imposing town hall, and the smell of roasting chestnuts wafts toward me from a vendor nearby.

“I kinda wish we were here on vacation,” I mutter to Mack, arm still tucked into his.

“I’ll bring you back another time,” he says softly, in a tone that makes my skin flush with heat. Next to him, Snow huffs and Mack adds, talking to Snow now and not to me, “Hopefully by then, we’ll either be reunited or able to be apart for five minutes without one of us collapsing.”

Water beading on his fur, Snow shakes his head. I’m not sure if he’s displeased with the idea of being reunited with Mack or with them being able to be apart more often.