Fate's Path
City of Angels

I replace Logan still in the training room. He had just been knocked down and was standing up when I reached him. “I am sorry, but I have to solve this before I can move on.” He looked confused, then shocked as I place my hand on the back of his neck. I am going to regret this. Before I can talk myself out of it, I have leaned forward. This kiss is tender and short. It’s different than with Connor and leaves even more unanswered questions. He pulls me in again and his lips are on mine, this time with more needing. I sink into it until I hear Hex’s voice.

“Yeah! Go for it, Wolf boy!” I go rigid, and pull away faster than even I thought was possible.

I turned to Hex. “Why do you call him that?” My voice is even, full of curiosity. That is a strange name for a -

As if to answer my question I heard a snarl. I blinked, and a shiver goes down my spine. I was frozen, in shock or fear, I could not tell. Jamie’s mention of ‘mystery’ comes back to me and I let out a whimper. Why hadn’t I asked what she meant at the time? I slowly turn and my thought is correct. A lupine, or more, a Sublimis since he has that lightning thing, and his now green eyes had designs of lightning in them. I open my mouth to say something, anything. Nothing comes out. Even in this form, he is as tall- if not taller- than me. He looks like a hunter about to kill his prey until he stopped in front of me. Then his face turned into one of a scolded child. His ears drooped and he dipped his head. I gulped but Kiera had come over and nudged me so I almost collapsed on him. I hesitantly placed a hand on his head and was surprised to feel his fur is so soft. It’s like I couldn't control myself as I threw my arms around his neck and hug him tightly. His fur was so soft! I forgot all my fears as I pulled away. “Why didn’t you guys tell me?”

“Logan asked us not to, because of the whole vampire-wolf thing.” Jamie sounds uncomfortable as she speaks but my eyes are glued to Logan. Her voice then lowers so only I can hear. “He really likes you.”

“That’s ridiculous, I would never think differently of him. Hold on, someone go get Connor, I told him to stay in my room.” Kiera jogged out of the room, and I turned to Logan. “Logan, can you change back?”

When Connor was back in the room and Logan was human again I spoke. “Okay, so, with us living together so we can get what we want, Max and Maxine dead, we are going to have to set a few ground rules.” Before anyone could object, I continued. “Rule number one: there will be no secrets about anything as important as what you are.” My eyes clashed with Logan’s, and he nodded. “Secrets from your past are okay, unless you want to tell someone, in which case, you obviously can. Rule two: there will be no judging of things like what you eat or how you fight. If there is, you will have to deal with me kicking your ass. Rule three: we will be doing chore-type things. Before you all groan, it is only because I don’t want Responsum having to constantly clean up after all of us.” Responsum gave me a grateful smile, and I smiled back. Everyone was quiet, and when it seemed like I wouldn't say anything more, Kiera spoke.

“I think we can all agree to those. And as we spend more time together we can all come up with more rules that you have to approve. Everyone who is okay with that raise their hand.” Everyone’s hands shot up. “Keep your hands up if you also vote Piper to be our rightful leader.”

No one faltered. I looked at Kiera and smiled. She may enjoy teasing me more than anything, but she still has my back, no matter what. She smiled and winked at me as they finally started to lower their hands. I do have to know why she felt the need to speak in front of everyone about this. After all those years of being in front of a lot of people, now I decide to not be comfortable.

“Okay then, we should probably make sure we at least know each other, and I don’t necessarily mean locking yourself in a room with one other person and interviewing them. I mean we can break off into teams of three or whatever when we have to go get more info. You don’t have to talk about life stories, just make sure you are comfortable with one another.” I sigh then looked at Responsum in the corner writing on his paper. “I am going to probably regret this but I ask that Responsum please put teams together because if I do it, it will likely end badly.” Responsum’s head snapped up at his name and he looked surprised for a moment before grinning.

“I already wrote down teams I think are best to sweep different cities. We don’t know where everyone that we need is but we know that there are three more people.” He walked over and handed me a paper. After looking at it, I smiled. This was gonna be fun!

“Okay! Jamie, you are with me. Connor with Hex and Kiera, Logan with Chris. Connor, you guys are going to Washington. Chris, you two are going to Chicago. Jamie and I are going to Los Angeles!” I squeal with delight as the group disperses. Jamie and I go to my room to get me a change of clothes. “Do you want to check and see if you like anything?” I ask her once I have changed. I am wearing a black crop-top, a short black skirt, and black ankle boots.

She thought about it before hopping off my bed where she had been playing with a deck of cards, and strolled over. I take her spot as she disappeared into my closet. “So, why do you seem excited to be going to Los Angeles?”

“Aren’t you?”

“Well, of course I am. You just seemed like the happiest girl alive when you read the paper.”

“I have always wanted to go the Los Angeles! I love that place!”

She poked her head out of the closet and eyed me curiously. “You seem to love a lot. Your friends, your brother, dogs, Los Angeles-“ I cut her off before she wastes hours trying to say everything I love.

“I guess I do. I am still like a normal person with great ambitions. And a girl that hates two things thing above everything else.”

“Oh yeah? And what are those?”

“More like who. I hate my mother, and I hate Max. You didn’t get to see what Max did to Chris, but it was horrible. I have never seen anything bad enough to make me feel like I am about to die. I was poisoned at the time but the pain started to disappear when I saw Chris like that.” I shiver and she vanishes again. My stomach churns just remembering it.

“I’m sorry for what happened to him. I feel bad that he had to go through that.” She appears again, spinning to display the outfit she chose. A forest green knee length sleeveless dress, and black converses.

“Oh my god, you look amazing! It’s just missing one thing.” I dug through my closet, getting all the way to the back before I finally replace it. “Found it!” She is standing in the same place when I get back out. I toss her a green leather jacket that is a darker shade than her dress. Jamie tugs the jacket over her shoulders.

“I love it! We are ready for Los Angeles!” She started to walk out but I shook my head.

“Not quite.” I found a red purse for me and a green one for Jamie. Then I tossed her a bright blue wallet and slid my own blood red wallet into my bag. Then I grabbed a notebook and jotted down a quick list.

“What’s that for?”

“It’s a list of things to do or get while in Los Angeles. Plus these bags were enchanted by Responsum to hold anything and everything without making it look like even a notebook is in it.” Also a good way to steal but I figure that isn’t something that needs to be said out loud. Jamie looks pleased as she looks at my list.

“Phones? Books? Computers? Do we even have enough money for all this?” Her smile faltered only slightly before I nodded. I was grinning, because Kiera and I were supposed to go shopping. We were going to get dresses and that kind of thing, but technology is way better. At the school, we had never really been allowed with technology. It was used for the kind of research information not found in books or quick communication with family. Kiera loves tech more than anyone I have ever met. I would go as far as to say she loves it more than I love my friends.

“Responsum gave me and the others these wallets that can produce any amount of money you need.” I checked myself in the mirror, fixed my hair, and we were gone. Through my door, down the stairs, through another door, and finally through the portal. I had a key to get back home in my purse, and it was the only thing that seemed to make the bag feel heavier.

I was frozen by excitement when I saw the city, and Jamie had to drag me from the spot. “You won’t be able to enjoy the City of Angels if you go into shock,” She laughed as my face lit up, and I start to walk. She links arms with me and we scurry down the packed sidewalk. People talked about poker and dancing. A group of girls was giggling about some boy that was like, totally looking at them. A homeless man was asking for money but the most anyone does is throw a measly penny in his cup, yet that small action seems to make his day. I take pity on him and drop several bills into the cup. His eyes widen in surprise and he is suddenly grinning from ear to ear.

We stopped by a technology store and got fourteen of the newest models. The store lady looked at us like we were crazy until I pulled out a wad of cash and then her eyes almost turned into dollar signs. Now we had phones and chargers and several computers stashed in our bags.

“What next?”

I look at my list and excitement fills me. Before I can say anything Jamie gasps. I look at her but she has already run ahead. “Jamie! What are you doing?” I run after her but her attention is on the car.

“It’s beautiful, don’t you think?” She was staring at the bright red car and not me. I raised an eyebrow.

“Sure, it is pretty, but we have other things to do.” I do love the color and all, but I was more interested in replaceing what it was we needed to.

“It’s a 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray! I have wanted one for forever!” She started mumbling about the engine and wheel diameter so I stopped listening.

“What does any of this have to do with replaceing someone?”

“Can we please take it for a spin?” Her eyes were pleading, and I found myself crumbling. Finally, I nodded and she stuck her finger towards the locked door excitedly. I heard a click, and the door swung open. I slid into the passenger side and she got into the driver’s seat. I was still going over the list when her door closed and the car started. A key was in the ignition, only it was made of vines. Wow, she is incredible. “Let’s do this.” Something in her voice made me freeze and buckle in as fast as I can. Jamie quickly adjusted the seat, shifted gears, and slammed on the gas. We lurched forward so fast, I am glued to the back of my seat. She took a road with the cars more spread out, and was driving past each car at an absurd speed. She shifted gears constantly, making us go faster. The city was zipping by when my eye suddenly caught on someone.

“Jamie. Stop the car.” She did as I said, placing her arm across my chest so I don’t slam into the dashboard. I got out of the car and run onto the sidewalk. The adrenaline from the short joyride was starting to wear off, but I know what I see. A boy is standing just inside an alley. This would be normal, if not for the fact that he was glowing a vibrant neon blue. He shuffled his feet nervously. He was looking at me.