I glanced around the room and saw the double door closet in the living room. And sure enough, a washer and dryer waited inside. On the shelf above them, I saw a bottle of detergent and a box of dryer sheets. I started tossing the dirty items from my bag into the washer.
“Do you have anything you need washed?” I asked over my shoulder.
“I’ll add my clothes when we’re done eating.”
I closed the lid and set the bag on the shelf before I joined him in the kitchen. He had two plates out on the counter along with orange juice and silverware.
“Any word from anyone else?”
“Most everyone is awake. Charlene reached Penny. According to Grey, it was a tense conversation. There’s some kind of history between the two, but Charlene isn’t saying much. Regardless, Penny has agreed to meet with Charlene to hear what she has to say.”
“Just Charlene?” I asked, sitting at the breakfast bar.
“No. We will all go.”
“What time?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
He turned, and I was surprised to note his bruising had completely faded. His skin was once again smooth and unblemished. As I studied him, he eased half the omelet onto my plate and the other half onto his. When he lifted his gaze to mine, I quickly looked at my plate and sniffed appreciatively.
“What’s all in here?”
“Ham, mushrooms, onions, and cheese.” He sat beside me.
I cut into the egg, watched the steam rise, and decided to wait a minute. Carlos took a bite right away.
“So what are the plans for today, then?”
“No plans.”
“Do you still want me to bite you?” I said.
Carlos froze mid-chew.
I was equally shocked. Where in the hell had that come from? Stupid hairy legs and self-doubt. It must have been eating at my subconscious. Hot or not, I forked a large bite of eggs into my mouth and then another bite while I prayed Carlos would move or say something before I choked myself on eggs.
He swallowed—it looked difficult—set his fork aside, then turned to face me.
“Why do you ask?”
I shrugged as I chewed and swallowed my mouthful.
“I just wanted to know if you changed your mind yet.”
“I won’t. Ever. If you’re ready, so am I.” He paused and studied me. “Are you ready?”
“I don’t know. What exactly does being engaged to a werewolf mean? For humans, the guy gives the girl a ring, and if she gets pissed, she can chuck it at his head and tell him to get lost. What’s the point of the bite?”
“Do you want a ring?”
“Gah, no!”
The idea of Carlos getting down on bended knee freaked me out way more than me biting him.
We stared at each other while I waited for him to say something.
“The bite is more permanent than a ring. And when you get angry, there’s nothing for you to throw at my head.”
“Probably a good thing,” I said.
“Probably.”
He sighed, and a hint of frustration showed in his face. Before I could see if it was directed at me, he spoke.
“Grey wants to know if we can join the group.”
I nodded and quickly devoured my eggs. Carlos likewise cleared his plate. I found myself staring at his throat as he tilted his head back to drain his orange juice. He set the glass on the counter and looked at me.
“You don’t need permission,” he said.
“For what?”
“To bite me.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
I stood and took his empty plate to the sink with my own.
Sixteen
We worked together to quickly clean up breakfast then left the apartment. Down the hall, to the left and around the right corner, one of the apartment doors gaped open. I felt the familiar emotions and headed toward the opening.
“I don’t like it,” I heard Thomas say before I stepped in.
“Sorry, we’re late,” I said when all eyes turned to us.
“It’s all right, Isabelle,” Winifred said. “We were just discussing Charlene’s conversation with the news lady.”
“Penny,” Charlene said.
“Yes, Penny. The woman was insistent that they meet but then said she wasn’t available until tomorrow.”
Bethi caught my blank look.
“It’s fishy,” she said. “The woman practically screamed yes when Charlene asked if they could meet to talk but then became cagey about a time. She wanted Charlene to give her a number so she could call her back. Charlene insisted on a time before they hung up.”
“I expected her reaction,” Charlene said. “And it’s nothing to worry about.”
“It’s everything to worry about,” Thomas said. “The woman knows what you can do.”
Charlene and Thomas shared a look.
“She does,” Charlene said, agreeing with him. “And that’s why she’s willing to meet with us. And why, come tomorrow, there will be cameras ready.”
“She’s in for a bit of a shock, then,” I said. I could only imagine how the woman would react to Winifred changing into a werewolf.
Charlene’s lips curved into a slight, sad smile.
“She is.” She laid her hand on Thomas’ arm. “There’s nothing to worry about. I’ll have an idea of what she has planned before we even reach her.”
“How?” I mean, I knew Charlene could control people, but could she read minds, too?
“I can feel the wills of the people around me. When they are consciously focused on something, it’s in their will for me to feel.”
“So you’re reading everyone all the time?” Thoughts instead of feelings. I didn’t envy her.
“No. I have to make an effort to read a person’s will. I usually don’t, respecting their privacy. However, tomorrow, I will be reading everyone.”
“We should go early,” Bethi said. “To keep an eye on things.”
“I agree,” Thomas said. “We’ll go an hour early tomorrow morning, but we also need to check on things today. Isabelle, Carlos, and Grey, I’d like the three of you to go to the station now and see what you can feel and learn.”
“Isn’t that dangerous with Blake’s men out there?” Michelle asked.
“It’s not too bad,” Gabby said. She looked rested for a change. “There don’t seem to be many Urbat in the city.”
“And those who are here would have to be walking right next to us to catch our scents,” Grey said. “There’s too much going on in this city.”
Thomas nodded.
“Right now, I’m more worried about Penny and the humans than I am the Urbat.”
I didn’t relish the idea of going outside or lingering near a busy news center. My skin would be crawling in no time. Bethi seemed to have the same thought.
“It’s not going to work. Isabelle won’t be able to stay out there for very long.”
“Bethi said you’re an emotional siphon. Yet, you pushed out your emotions before,” Thomas said. “Have you ever tried to stay in a constant state of pushing instead of pulling?”
The possibility of what he said exploded inside my head. All I could do was stare at him in shock. If I stayed in a constant state of pushing, there would be no build up and no dangerous release. No need for fighting. No need to hold myself back. An ache began in my chest as I thought of Ethan and the future we could have had if I’d figured out how to push out the emotions years ago. I could have tried to love him like he’d deserved. Oh, Ethan, I thought. I’m so sorry.
Carlos wrapped his arms around me and turned me. As soon as I faced him, I leaned my forehead against his chest and struggled to swallow my grief.
“I apologize for upsetting you,” Thomas said, clearly clueless as to what part of his suggestion had caused my reaction.
I nodded but didn’t turn yet.
“I’ve never tried what you’re suggesting. I need to go for a walk and see if it works.” I lifted my head and slid out of Carlos’ arms without looking back at anyone.