Revelations 2
I absorbed what she had said, trying to grasp the enormity of it all. A part of me wanted to ask more, but something in Abigail’s expression told me this wasn’t the time for a deep dive.
The van finally came to a stop, and we reached the small, secluded airport. The reality of what was happening started to settle in. A sudden unease spread through me.
I hadn’t imagined in all my years that I'd be lunged into this strange world of Melbringerand unspoken secrets. But now, it was clear that I was being pulled deeper into something I wasn’t sure I understood.
Abigail, Khalid, and I climbed out of the van, and I followed them to step closer to the large black plane waiting for us. I didn't want to wonder whose plane it was and why it was being used to smuggle me out of the country against my will. I had enough questions to ask.
The air felt cool against the skin of my exposed legs. I looked down at my sandals. I remembered then that I'd barely been able to change. My cheeks flushed in response.
“Follow me,” Khalid urged, gently grabbing onto my arm before tugging at it.
His attitude was getting on my nerves, but I had no one to complain to.
“Ethan's here,” the strange guy with streaks in his hair spoke up, catching me by surprise. Khalid and I paused to look.
The low rumble of an approaching engine broke the stillness of the secluded airport. Headlights pierced the darkness, radiating the gravel path leading toward the airstrip.
Out of the corner of my eye, something massive and shadowy emerged from the forest lining the road. A werewolf.
It was enormous. Easily twice the size of an average werewolf in shifted form. It was almost like an alpha, if not larger than one. Dread pooled in my gut at the thought of it being Higan. I've never seen him transition.
Its coat was a glossy charcoal black, shimmering under the dim airport lights. Silver streaks ran down its powerful shoulders and sides like jagged lightning strikes etched into its fur. Its dimmed amber eyes glowed as it approached.
The car pulling in behind the werewolf slowed just enough for me to catch a glimpse of the driver. A familiar figure.
Ethan.
His sharp, focused gaze burned from behind the windshield as he guided the vehicle smoothly forward, keeping pace with the werewolf as if they were tethered by some invisible force.
I still very much hoped it wasn't Higan.
The van’s side door clanged as the strange guy beside me, the one with streaks in his hair, stepped out abruptly. His attention fixated on the massive werewolf as though he could see something the rest of us couldn’t.
“My brother’s hurt,” he whispered, his voice tight with dread. His fists clenched at his sides.
Before I could fully process his words, the werewolf bounded past us in a blur of powerful muscle and relentless speed. It vanished deeper into the airport’s shadowy expanse, leaving only the sharp scent of wild earth and something faintly metallic. Yet it didn't smell like blood, it smelt like poison.
Without hesitation, the strange guy sprinted with unnatural speed after the beast, his strides long and desperate. It's expected that he was his brother.
“Caleb!” Abigail’s sharp voice cut through the thick air. She yanked open a nearby luggage and hastily grabbed a bundle of clothes before chasing after him with the same speed.
I hoped he would be fine.
I stood there frozen, watching the tense scene unfold until the sharp slam of a car door snapped my focus back.
“He'll be fine,” Ethan stepped out of the car with smooth precision, his tall frame moving gracefully despite the tension crackling in the air.
“Right,” I mumbled to myself. It was like he read my mind.
His piercing gaze locked onto me, and I felt a sudden jolt of electricity shoot through my chest. Butterflies fluttered wildly in my stomach, their wings brushing against something much deeper. Something I didn’t quite understand.
I looked away, folding my arms to my chest. It wasn't the right time to get flustered over a boy. Especially one that kicked me out of his home the last time I saw him.
I clenched my fists, annoyed at how easily seeing him unsettled me even after that evening. He shouldn’t have this effect on me. I barely knew the guy and from my last encounter, it was clear to see he wanted nothing to do with me. That's the way it should be though. Higan warned you to stay away from him. The little voice in my head chastised me.
The sound of approaching footsteps broke my spiraling thoughts. Caleb reappeared from the shadows, his face set in grim determination, Abigail close behind him and another guy who looked exactly like Caleb leaned against his brother. They were identical down to every sharp angle of their features.
Twins.
The air grew tenser as Ethan shifted closer and surveyed the group, his expression unreadable. Then, without preamble, he spoke, his voice firm with authority.“Change of plans.”
Everyone exchanged similar looks of uncertainty.
“We’re heading to New York instead,” Ethan announced, his tone leaving no room for argument. “There’s a storm coming.”
I blinked, processing his words. New York? Why? And what kind of storm could possibly spook them?
Before anyone else could react, I found my voice, conviction lacing each word.
“And what if I don’t want to go with you?”