A Spell of Time

“Normally, I’d try to be undressed during this time to avoid this.” His voice gravelly, he jerked his head toward the shreds of clothes on the ground. “But present company precluded that…”

I gave him a weak smile.

He shook his thick brown coat and stretched out his limbs.

“Well, you’ve seen it. What did you think?”

“Um, it was faster than I thought it would be.”

“Want a ride?”

“A-a ride?”

“Yes.”

I bit my lip, eyeing his broad back. Of course I wanted a ride. How many girls could say they’d ridden a werewolf before? But I felt shy to admit it. I’d only just met Micah.

“No?” he said.

“Okay. Just a short ride.”

He knelt down so I could mount him. I gripped the fur nearest his head and hauled myself up, one leg over either side of his back.

“Holding tight?”

“Uh, not yet,” I said, burying my hands into the fur at the back of his neck and gripping tight. “Does this hurt?”

His back shook as he laughed. “No.”

I gripped harder—just in time. He lurched forward, knocking the breath right out of me. We hurtled along the beach, spray and sand flying everywhere. I dug my heels into his sides, holding on for dear life. Werewolves seemed to be as fast as vampires. We raced around the island and soon enough my nerves cooled and I started to enjoy myself.

He ran once around the island, and then he left the beach and started whipping through the woods. I ducked down and closed my eyes on his order to avoid the low-hanging branches. We reached the door of the Black Heights and he began scrambling up the mountain. This was a level of daring I hadn’t been prepared for. We were almost at a sixty-degree angle as he scampered up.

“Micah,” I gasped, the blood draining from my knuckles. “I’m slipping.”

Either he didn’t hear me or he deliberately ignored me as he continued racing up the mountain. I fought to hold on, and in the end ended up locking my arms around his neck in an attempt to secure myself.

After a particularly bumpy patch in which I was sure I would finally lose my grip, we arrived at the top of the mountain. I let go of him and collapsed on the ground.

Christ. This wolf is insane.

Micah cocked his head to one side. “You didn’t slip.”

I sat up and glared at him. “I almost did.” I dared peek over the edge of the cliff and gasped at how high up we were. Strong gusts of cold wind swirled around us. I was afraid to stand up lest I lose balance. He’d brought us to a particularly narrow peak, and with Micah already hogging most of the space with his giant frame, I stayed where I was, flat against the ground.

“I wouldn’t have let you fall,” he replied.

My eyes narrowed on him.

“Life is more fun with risks,” he said.

“That wasn’t fun. That was just stupid. And now we have to make our way all the way down again…”

“I’ll go gentler with you on the way down,” he said. “I promise.”

He fell silent as we both set our eyes on the magnificent view. I should have been terrified to be all the way up here, away from everyone with a giant wolf. But somehow I trusted Micah. Even though I barely knew him. But perhaps that was just my naiveté again.

I’d lost all track of time. It was only now that I was no longer preoccupied holding on to the werewolf’s back for dear life that I glanced at my watch. Ten o’clock.

“Crap. I need to get home now. It’s past nine-thirty.”

He looked disappointed, but said, “If that’s what you want…”

I climbed on to his back and held my breath as Micah jumped from the cliff and began making his way down. So much for going easy on the way down.

I could have sworn his fur was thinner behind his neck by the time we arrived back at my penthouse. I slid off him, holding on to his head for support as I steadied my weak knees. As I approached the elevator, Micah motioned to follow me. I turned to him and shook my head.

“It’s best you stay here,” I said. Although I was still annoyed with him, I wasn’t keen on him getting an earful from my father. I’d rather take the brunt of it myself.

“Good night then,” Micah said.

“Good night,” I said.

It was hard to be angry with Micah. There was something refreshing about him. Something wild and raw. I liked the fact that he wasn’t inhibited by social norms.

He was about to turn, as was I, but before we parted, I walked over to him and stroked his fur.

“Thanks. Tonight was fun. I’d like to do this again some time.”

“You know where to find me?”

“Which house number?”

“Sixteen.”

“Okay. I’ll see you around.”

He went running off into the dark woods while I ascended the elevator back to the apartment. I held my breath as I stood outside the front door. I knocked.

Ben answered the door.

“You’re in trouble,” he muttered, stepping back and allowing me entrance.

“What’s new?” I said.

My father emerged from his study, glowering at me.

“Do you know what time it is?”

I looked down at my feet. “Sorry, Dad,” I mumbled. “I lost track of time.”

I moved to walk past him and lock myself in my bedroom but he was having none of it. He stood in front of my bedroom door, blocking my way.