Clay came in from the back door before I could make it to the hall closet. He took one look at my chattering teeth and scooped me up in his arms.
My squeal brought Rachel from her room before Clay could make it out the door.
“When you’re feeling better, let’s talk about rental rates,” she called after us with a snicker. “And I’m not talking about the house!”
A blanket waited for me in the front seat of the warmed car. My bulging messenger bag, packed to the point of bursting, sat on the back seat. I twisted, grabbed the cell phone from it while Clay closed my door, then I buckled up. My fuzzy slippers were on the floor, but I curled my legs under me instead and pulled the blanket snuggly around me.
He slid in behind the wheel and took some time to better tuck the blanket around me. His hand smoothed over mine briefly before he pulled away and backed out of the driveway. I struggled to keep my eyes open. Sleep pulled at me.
“I don’t want to keep going on like this,” I said once we cleared town.
His hands noticeably tightened on the steering wheel, and I could have smacked my forehead if it wasn’t already hurting so badly.
“I don’t mean being with you. I like that. But I don’t like seeing you bruised.”
He loosened his tight hold on the wheel and glanced at me. A smile twitched his lips. I scowled at him.
“There’s nothing amusing about it. I don’t like worrying.”
I lifted my cell, dialed Sam’s number, and struggled to hold the phone to my ear. My arm trembled from the effort. Sam picked up during the first ring. I didn’t wait for his greeting.
“I’m on my way. Put out a call for tonight only.” I hung up before he could speak. I wasn’t ready to talk to him. He’d hurt me too much with his last appearance.
I tossed the phone on the back seat and ignored it when it started to vibrate again. My gaze drifted to Clay. He looked outright pissed now. He knew who I’d called and what I intended. I hurried to explain.
“It’s not what you think, Clay. I don’t want to do another Introduction, but something happened last night. I went out with Rachel to a club downtown, not my best decision, but I think I’ve figured out what’s going on with me.” I shivered and pulled the blanket tighter around me. Sleep continued to tug at me.
“Remember the party with Nicole? When I touched her, I gave her a huge shock. That happened again last night. I think I can transfer my gift, that thing with guys, to other people. I didn’t know how it happened the first time. But I think I’ve figured it out.
“Last night, these two women at the club had been on their own until Rachel and I—and the groupies I’d collected—joined them. When we made to leave, the women had been so disappointed. They knew the guys would walk away when we did. I felt so bad for them that I went to...I don’t know...pat them, I guess. I’d just meant it as an ‘I’m sorry’ gesture, but then it happened again just like before. A huge shock.” My words started to slur, and I had a hard time keeping my thoughts coherent.
“Both times I was thinking about how I wished I could help find the person they were meant to be with. And I think that’s the key.” I noticed the speedometer hovered ten miles over what I considered a safe speed, but I didn’t comment on it. “I don’t understand why I can see the lights, but I know it must be all tied together because when I try to use my sight, it hurts. Really bad.” Clay’s expression hadn’t changed, and I realized I’d skipped the explanation of why I’d agreed to an Introduction.
“Oh, yeah. Before I shocked those two, a Forlorn came up behind me and started a conversation. My fish finder still worked then. There were more of them in the crowd, Clay. The one talking to me said he just wanted a chance to say hi. He was very persistent so I told him I would see them at the Compound for an official Introduction. They left right after but gave me the impression that if I didn’t show up, they’d come looking for me. I got the feeling they’d been pushed too far.” I watched his face. “Has it been the same werewolves trying to see me or is it always different?”
He didn’t answer, but I didn’t really expect him to. I sighed and snaked a hand out from under the blanket to touch his leg.
“It hurts to see you like this, Clay. If I have to put up with an Introduction to keep you safe, then that’s what I’ll do.” My lids refused to cooperate any longer and drifted shut.
“I’m sorry, Clay,” I mumbled sleepily. “I wish I could just get over my need for freedom and Claim you. We both know you’re the one. I just don’t want to lose myself.” I fell asleep without looking at him to see his reaction.
I was surrounded by darkness and in a bed. Clay had carried me around while I slept again.
“Clay?” I whispered, reaching out to feel the mattress beside me. Empty.
Sam’s voice came from nearby. “You’re safe, Gabby. At the Compound.”
“Where’s Clay?” I asked, trying to wake fully.
“In the unMated’s wing. I was surprised he chose to stay there. After I kicked him out of here, I thought he’d go to the woods.”
Sam’s words annoyed me. How dare he kick Clay out. He had no right.
Still tired, I could have easily fallen back asleep. Instead, I struggled into a sitting position to keep myself awake.
“You don’t know anything about him,” I muttered, using Sam’s own words. “Can you turn on a light please? I can’t see.”
The lamp next to the bed clicked on. Sam sat in a chair near the bed. He looked worn, but I didn’t feel very sympathetic. I looked around. I wasn’t in the same room I usually occupied, but I didn’t bother asking why.
“What time is it?”
He glanced at his watch then met my eyes again.
“Just after seven. You look worse than sick. Charlene came in to look at you. You have us all worried. You going to tell me what’s happened to you?”
Of course, they were worried. They’d promised their horde an Introduction.
“Nope, I won’t. Did you put out the call? Did anyone respond?”
He didn’t care for my answer, but let it go. “Yes, there’s about fifty or so. There were more, but we explained that you were ill and wouldn’t be able to—”
“Put the call out again.” Why did he choose now to care about my wellbeing? “They have an hour to get here. Get Clay for me, please.” I swung my legs out from the blankets and started to get up.
Sam moved in a blur of speed and pushed me back down, his hand on my collarbone. He didn’t have to use much force. I flopped back into the pillow and glared at him. He kept his hand on me for a moment, probably waiting for me to try again. As if I could move a werewolf.
“I get it, Gabby. I disappointed you and lost your trust, but you’re sick. This isn’t what I asked for when I said you’d be better off doing Introductions at the Compound.” His voice turned gruff. “Please, don’t push yourself like this. You’ll get worse.”
His expression and pleading tone swayed me enough to take pity on him. I patted his cheek sadly and half-smiled.
“Not everything is about you, Sam. Yes, I’m still mad at you, but this is about Clay and me. I don’t want to see him hurt because he’s trying to fight other werewolves away from me. Now, help me up, and go get Clay.” I held out my hands, and he reluctantly helped pull me to my feet.
Wobbling a bit, I made my way to my bag that lay at the foot of the bed. Sam shook his head as he watched my determined, but slow, progress. I sat on the mattress and pulled the bag toward me. With a sigh, he left to go get Clay while I rummaged through my messenger bag.