Natalia’s P. O. V

The next day, I rose before the sun, per usual. From the even rhythm of her breathing, I knew Hailey was still asleep. I climbed out of bed and laid it, carefully, to avoid waking her. Once I was through with that, I changed into my workout clothes and moved to the window.

Opening it carefully, I balanced on the sill then dropped to the ground below, landing in a crouch. Standing, I broke into a run, speeding around the city.

‘We should probably convert one of the rooms into a training room.’ Candy said twenty minutes in.

I nodded.

She waited some time, then continued, ‘Maybe we should look around the house. There has to be an attic we can use.’

I nodded.

Another pause, then, ‘The house is so big but, if werewolves will be staying, there are only a few rooms… maybe we could extend the house or split some rooms?’

I stopped at the front door, ‘Candy, you don’t get to keep secrets and be cryptic then expect to get away with pretending like everything’s fine. You’re my wolf and I’m your human so we shouldn’t need to keep anything from each other’

‘I know, I just…’ She trailed off.

When it was obvious she wasn’t going to say anything so I went round the house to the garden and scaled a tree then leapt into my open window.

As I took a shower, I heard Hailey get out of bed and go downstairs. Shortly afterwards, the scent of bacon wafted around the house. When I was done, I dried off and dressed in black leggings and a blue button down dress shirt.

“Morning, Ari. Oh, you’re already dressed, must be an early riser. I’m not really a morning person. Sleep well? I slept like a baby, the bed is so perfect. I made breakfast, hope you don’t mind.” Hailey greeted as I stepped into the kitchen.

I smiled as I took the plate she handed me, “Good morning, Hailey. Yes, I slept well. I’m glad you like your bed. No, I don’t mind, thank you for making breakfast.”

“No problem, it’s the least I could do since you’ve put up with me even after yesterday. I should have told the boys where I was.”

I shook my head, “None of that was your fault and you don’t owe anyone other than your guardian an explanation of where you are. Keily just blew everything out of proportion and she’s not your responsibility.”

Hailey smiled warmly as we sat at the island to eat in comfortable silence. Halfway through, I informed her of my decision.

“We’re going on a road trip.”

She swallowed the food she’d been chewing, “Okay but why?”

“I found a map of the location of packs in the book I was reading. Most of the ones I’m looking for were there so we’re going to see if it’s still accurate.”

“Where are we going?”

“Crestwood village six, New Jersey.”

“Cool. I’ve never been to New Jersey.” She said then polished off the last of her food.

I finished up with my food and took our plates to the kitchen, “You have a driver’s licence, right?”

“Yeah, but I don’t have a car.”

“We’ll rent one. I’ll handle the dishes while you take a shower then we can pack. There’s a forest there. The next full moon is in two days and will last for two nights. We’ll stay there for five days. How does that sound?”

“Great! I’ve never shifted in a forest before, Opelene’s so excited!” She grinned then practically skipped away to get ready.

I smiled as I cleaned up. When I was done, I returned to my room to prepare for the trip, packing mostly jeans and a few shorts then my night and workout clothes, shoes and a few other necessities into my duffel bag. While I was trying to decide whether or not I needed my spelled jacket, a knock sounded at my door.

“Come in.” I mumbled.

Hailey opened the door and skipped in, “You done packing?”

I shook my head and held the jacket up, “Almost. I’m trying to decide whether or not to bring this.”

“Why would you need it? Won’t you get hot?”

“Kaesha spelled it for me.”

“Okay. Hey, why don’t we invite her? Since she’s gonna be our pack witch.”

“Good idea, but she said she’s busy for the rest of the week. I’ll still call though. And she can help us out with those visions you said you get when you shift.”

Her voice fell flat, “Uh, yeah… the visions.”

I took my gaze off the jacket and raised a brow at her strained smile. Whatever those visions played out was obviously a thing to dread. She didn’t make any move to elaborate on her reaction so I returned my attention to my jacket.

“You can tell me when you’re ready.”

“Thanks, Ari.”

I shot her a smile then stuffed the jacket in my bag and zipped it. Throwing the strap over my shoulder, I stood, “Let’s go.”

Hailey nodded then left my room, with me closing the door after I passed. She picked her own travel bag up from its spot beside my doorway. As we descended the stairs, I took my phone out of my shirt pocket and dialled Kaesha’s number.

After four rings, she picked, “Hey, Ava. What’s up?”

“Morning, Kaesha. I was just calling to let you know that Hailey and I are going on a road trip and were wondering if you could join us? I know you said you had to teach art classes for the rest of the week but we just thought to ask.”

“I guess I could. My class was almost empty yesterday since most of my students have gone on holiday. What time are you leaving? How long will you be gone?”

“As soon as possible, for five days. Six at most.”

“I could give them an assignment and take the week off. Can you wait while I email it to them and pack my things?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks.” She said, then hung up.

Hailey and I set our bags down by the front door and went into the living room.

“Could I see the map and the list of packs?” Hailey asked, once seated.

I nodded and went to retrieve my hand drawn copy of the map and the list Kirstin had written. Returning to the living room, I unrolled the map and laid it out on the coffee table. It spanned the entire continent of North America.

“The location of packs mostly populate areas with forestry, steering clear of metropolitan and city areas.”

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I pointed at the packs in the Northern region, outside areas I imagined were habitable for humans in Canada, “I think the wolves here have adapted with thicker fur coats and higher body temperatures. Naturally, packs are wary of outsiders and trespassers but they’ll possibly be more ruthless and unreceptive. They’re not on the list but they’ll be strong allies so expect a trip to Canada sometime in the future.”

I moved my finger to the South, to the southern border of the States, “There are a few here. Being close to the border, they’ll probably be more diplomatic and diverse. Diversity is good.”

Hailey piped up, “Oh, let’s go there on the Mexican Day of the Dead. The festivities might put them at ease.”

“You’re right. Maybe not this year though but let’s do that.”

“This is gonna be so much fun! New Jersey, Canada, Mexico, we’re gonna travel a lot and see so many things.”

I smiled at her, her childlike excitement was contagious. I was also looking forward to the trips we’d take.

I returned my attention to the map, “We’re gonna need to find our territory and mark it.”

“How about here?” She pointed to an unoccupied forest halfway between Manhattan and the Lightwood pack.

“Perfect.”

“What’s perfect?”

Hailey and I whipped around, her ready to pounce as I defaulted to a fighting stance. Only when we recognised Kaesha did we relax.

“Don’t sneak up on us like that.” I near hissed.

Kaesha raised her free hand up in a surrender gesture, “Relax, I just used my magic to teleport here. I thought it’d be faster.”

Hailey reverted back to excitement, “That’s so cool! Can you teleport with other people?”

“Yeah, but I have to have been to the place first myself. That’s why I couldn’t teleport to Ava’s place the first time.”

“So you can’t take us to Crestwood Village six in New Jersey?” I asked.

“Nope.”

“Alright, then, let’s go.”

We left the house with our luggage and I made sure to lock up. The air had warmed since my morning run and the light morning dew had fled. As we left the gate to my driveway, Kaesha turned to me.

“Want me to spell your house while we’re gone?”

I nodded. I wasn’t too sure that Keily wouldn’t be back to do some damage if she knew I was out of the city. I’d seen the look in her eyes – she wouldn’t stop at a simple ‘cat fight’ in front of my house but I’d be ready for her. I had pulled my punches that night and, once we were alone, would show her what I could really do.

Kaesha motioned for me to close the gate then she stood before it with a hand outstretched. As she worked, my mind wandered to Mrs Burton and the Syrens. I’d almost completely forgotten about them. I’d be back within the week so they wouldn’t miss me too much.

‘You’re the heir to the Syren throne. I don’t think it’ll be responsible to just up and leave like that.’ Candy said quietly.

I was still miffed at her, but her reasoning made sense. The only problem was how I was going to let them know I’d be gone.

“Do you guys know where to rent a car from?” I asked.

They shook their heads.

“Okay. Let’s split up to find one. Kaesha, you go down that way,” I said, pointing to one street, “Hailey, you go down that way,” I pointed to another one, “and I’ll go down that way.” I concluded, pointing at the way to Super Banking, “If one of us find a car rental, we call the others.”

I started down the street before they could say anything. I turned back to look at them and noted that they’d started down their respective paths. Once they were out of sight, I looked around. Spotting no one around, I took off, heading towards the Super Banking building.

The increasingly familiar calm enveloped me as I walked through the front doors.

“Good morning, Your High- I mean Natalia. How are you today?” Melody greeted, bowing her head slightly.

I smiled, “Morning Melody. Is Mrs Burton in?”

Melody nodded, “Yes. She should be finishing up with a meeting right about now but I’m sure she’ll be available once I tell her you’re here.”

“Don’t worry. I was just stopping by to tell her that I’ll be going out of the state for a few days.”

Melody suddenly went white and fumbled for the phone on her desk. “Oh no… oh no, no, no… this isn’t good.” She dialled a number and held the receiver to her ear, “Hello? Gaiana? Please inform Mrs Burton that Her Highneeh… uhh Natalia intends to make a trip and we need to mobilise the guards and request five guard squad changes. Possibly more.”

“On it! Right away!” I heard Gaiana respond then rushed away from the phone.

“Melody,” I said a low voice, “there’s no need for that. I-”

I was cut off by Mrs Burton bursting out of the earthy hallway. She offered a polite smile but her eyes gave away how she was planning who-knows-what in her head.

“Good morning, Natalia. If you would come this way please?” She said, directing me to the hallway.

We made the trip to her office in silence. Once inside, she bowed to me, “It is a pleasure to see you again, Your Highness. I have been informed that you will be taking a trip. When will you be departing?”

“I’m leaving today. There’s no need for the guards or anything like that. I just came to inform you.” Then I added once I noted she was still bent over, “Please don’t bow, Mrs Burton.”

She stood erect, “You are most likely the only of the Syrenlina bloodline that still lives. Our whole world is tied to your life. To not ensure that you are well protected would be highly irresponsible of me.”

I crossed my arms, “But I’ve been fine on my own till now.”

Mrs Burton nodded curtly, “That may be so but you were still attacked last night and met with a lone witch yesterday. While those encounters ended relatively easily, we-”

“You’ve been following me?” I asked incredulously.

‘How did we not notice?’

Mrs Burton nodded again, “Yes, Your Highness. An elite squad cloaked with magic has been keeping watch over you at a distance since your status had been established. But now that you will be leaving the city, they may need to protect you at a closer proximity.”

I didn’t need my Syren, Werewolf and Human lives interfering with each other. Sending in guards cloaked with magic on the trip may alert Kaesha to their presence. She’d alert me and Hailey and I’d need to explain their presence to her to prevent her from getting too paranoid. I wasn’t ready to reveal my Syren life to them yet.

“The guards will need to follow at a distance. I’ll be travelling with a witch and a Werewolf and I’m not ready to explain to them why we’ll be tailed.” I compromised. I’d have preferred to go without the guards at all but I knew she would send them anyway.

“As you wish, Your Highness.”

I turned to leave then stopped, “Do the guards know…?”

“No, Your Highness. They believe that you are a common Syren with no relatives that has not been uncovered yet. Orphaned Syrens are often protected till their uncovering then taken to the School for Syrens, although your guards are more numerous and elite.”

I sighed, relieved, “Thank you Mrs Burton.”

She bowed again, “You are most welcome, Your Highness.”

As I was waiting in the elevator, my phone rang. As I checked the caller ID, I decided I needed to change the ringtone.

“Hey, Hailey. Did you find something?”

“Yeah. It’s a bit far so I think a taxi might be in order.”

“All right,” I said as the doors slid open and I stepped out into the hallway, “just give me the address.”

She recited the address to me.

“I’ll be there soon.” I stated then hung up, waving a goodbye to Melody as I passed.

Once outside the building, the calm receded and I sighed, hailing a cab and reciting my destination to the driver. The drive didn’t take too long so the bill didn’t amount to much. Thanking the driver, I exited the cab with my bag just as Kaesha was pulling up in another one.

Hailey stood outside, waiting for us, “Come on! I’ve found a Sienna that’s really spacious. Let’s rent it before someone else does!”

Kaesha and I laughed as we followed her inside. A bored looking employee attended to us at the desk.

“Welcome to RoadLoans Agency. What can I do for you?” The boy asked Kaesha, since she looked – and was – the oldest out of us.

Hailey looked at me with pleading eyes. I kept my face impassive for a few minutes before rolling my eyes with a smile and nodding.

“Yay! Thank you, Ari!” She hugged me then looked smugly at the boy, “We’re renting the big Sienna you took me to look at.”

The boy rolled his eyes, “I already told you, that car isn’t something someone like you,” He glared pointedly at Kaesha, who blocked me from his view, and Hailey, “can rent.”

“What do you mean by that?” Kaesha challenged.

“I mean that Hailey and her trashy friends aren’t good enough to have the kind of money you need to rent the Sienna.”

Hailey and I growled lowly at his comment and Kaesha made a few small objects start rattling. The boy stared back, a little confused but mostly unyielding.

I stepped around Kaesha and glared at him, careful to make sure my eyes didn’t start glowing. Without looking away, I reached into my pocked and pulled out my wallet.

“We’ll be taking the Sienna.” I said with finality, placing my platinum card on the counter top.

His eyes widened slightly, still holding some sceptism. Only when I made the payment did he have the decency to look ashamed as he handed me the keys to the car.

“See ya, Lance.” Hailey sneered as we sauntered away.

“You know him?” Keasha questioned from the backseat once we were in the vehicle, with Hailey behind the wheel.

Next to me, Hailey rolled her eyes, “Yeah, unfortunately… he took me out once and I ended up embarrassing him.” She shook her head and started up the car.

“Anyway…” Turning up the radio, she grinned and pumped a fist into the air, “Road trip!”