Wren POV
I push all the feelings of doubt away as I make my way to the trees that expand behind Fae Palace. If Macy and Onyx aren't willing to help me, I will do this on my own. There has to be a Gray Creature that knows the magic to help me, and I will find them.
I try to let my anxiousness come to the surface. From what I am told, it will only draw them near. But isn't that what I want? To draw them close to me, so I can ask them questions. What I do know is that they won't approach me in the open. Taking in a deep breath, I step under the tree canopy. All the sounds of the world disappear. No birds are chirping; the leaves do not rustle. It is silent. Now that I am here, I can't remember if it was this way before I came into the forest. Or if it has gone silent because I entered.
There is no path for me to follow, and I have no idea where I am going, but the book hums gently against my chest. It could be a sign I am heading in the wrong direction, or it could be my guide. I choose to believe the latter.
'This is a mistake,' Jasmine says softly. 'We shouldn't have come here without Destin.'
'Don't be foolish,' I try to sound confident. 'The Gray Creatures are no longer a threat. They answer to Macy and my brothers.'
Jasmine sighs loudly. 'I am not sure that is how it works.'
'It is fine,' I hiss at her. 'They will help.'
There is no moon tonight. If I had known, I might have chosen a different night, but what is done is done. I glance over my shoulder, and the way I came is pitch black. I am not sure I could find my way back if I tried. "Shit," I groan aloud. "What if I have been walking in circles?"
'I told you to wait,' she growls again.
'Just shut up and help me,' I snarl back.
'You brought me to a world with strange magic and no moon,' she snaps. 'What exactly would you like me to do?'
I groan loudly, letting my frustration fill the air around me. Another snarl rips through my chest, but this time, it is answered.
The hairs raise on the back of my neck. Spinning in circles, I try to see who answered me, but I am so far into the forest that not even Jasmine can help me see through the dark.
"Hello," I call out.
Laughter. I am met with laughter. Fuck. They are never going to take me seriously. I sound like a child. Still, I have to do this. Squaring my shoulders, I try not to sound afraid.
"I am Wren," I answer the laughter. "Daughter of the Luna Queen."
A hiss echoes in the forest. "A werewolf."
"Yes," I reply. "I need help."
"She comes willingly." A whisper rushes by my ear.
"Not only a creature of Selene," another voice hisses. "But a child of hers as well."
"She comes for help," another laughs.
More join in the chorus. "Like we would help a creature of Selene."
"This was a mistake," I mutter to myself as I realize I am surrounded.
'I told you,' Jasmine groans. 'Is now a good time to tell you that I can't shift?'
"For fuck's sake," I shout at my wolf, and the laughter comes to a halt.
The trees to my right part with magic, and I stumble back. My fear takes over, and I turn to run, but there is a massive Gray Creature standing in front of me. A scream threatens my lips, but I quickly swallow it down.
His finger runs along the side of my face, leaving an icy trail in its wake. I dare a glance at his face, and I instantly regret the decision. Onyx has a gentle appearance about herself, but this Gray Creature does not. Scars litter his face. The biggest being one down the center of his left eye. It is milky white, compared to its obsidian twin. His wings are massive and tattered. They are spread behind him, so I cannot look around him. Even if I could shift, I doubt Jasmine could take him.
She huffs loudly. 'I heard that.'
"Stop scaring our guest, Matthew," a voice chastises him.
My face screws up and I try not to laugh.
"Is there something funny?" Matthew scowls at me.
"You just don't look like a Matthew," I whisper.
"Right," he says, nodding behind me.
I turn slowly, not sure what I will find. I expect to see all of the Gray Creatures, but there is only one. Unlike Matthew, he looks kind. Well, kind for a Gray Creature.
"What brings you into our forest?" The man asks.
"Right," I shuffle on my feet. "I need magic."
He eyes me suspiciously. "Macy can provide you with the magic you need."
"She won't." I grip the book closer to my chest. "This magic is forbidden."
His eyes drift to the book, and he raises an eyebrow. "Onyx will not help you either?"
"No," I whisper. "She will not go against Macy, or Destin, for that matter."
"Then we can't help you either," he says simply.
He begins to walk away, but I am not willing to give up as easily. His strides are long, and I have to jog to keep up. The book grows heavier in my arms the longer I follow him. Eventually, it becomes so heavy that it is almost impossible for me to hold.
The book tumbles from my arms and thumps against the forest floor. I bend down to pick it up, but it won't budge.
"That book was not meant for you," Destin's voice whispers from behind me.
I spin around and see him leaning against a tree. He looks exasperated. Stepping away from the tree, he picks up the book with ease.
"How?" I mutter.
"Like I said," he kisses me on the cheek. "This book was not meant for you."
Embarrassment flushes my face. "I wasn't stealing it. Just borrowing."
"I know what you were trying to do," he mutters. "It is a bad idea."
"Destin," the Gray Creature greets him like a friend. "I was just chatting with your lovely mate."
"Gracus," Destin replies, not taking his eyes off mine. "Thanks for not killing her."
"She is yours," Gracus replies. "That means something."
"Thanks again," Destin says before tossing me over his shoulder and stomping out of the forest.