WE'RE BACK ON THE ROAD, BOTH OF US, I THINK, happy not to talk. I don't know what Frey is thinking, but the things he said at the restaurant linger in my mind. He's right. Since the ceremony acknowledging my position as the Chosen, I haven't talked to him except to let him know that I survived.
Why was that? Certainly not because I was ungrateful for his help. I remember how close we came to making love that weekend. I exercised restraint because of Layla. Because I didn't want him regretting the time he spent with me or becoming resentful if it interfered with their relationship.
That's rich. They broke up anyway.
Something I'd have known if I'd bothered to call him.
Lifting a hand, I shield my eyes against the glare of the midday sun, enjoying the warmth that penetrates my skin, remembering the warmth that mortals feel from the inside out.
If I find a way to make things right for Frey, I will.
But first. Frey was right about something else, too. I don't know what I want from this shaman. If he's powerful enough to solve the riddle of life and death, maybe he can solve my riddle, too. How I was chosen and why. What it would mean if I relinquished the title.
How I can get Chael out of the picture.
Because before I could make any decision, I'd have to know the mortal world would be safe. No matter how much I want to become human again, I wouldn't put my desire ahead of the well-being of billions.
Another hour of desert boredom and we cross the Arizona border at Yuma. Right outside Casa Grande we leave Highway 8 and pick up I-17. Then it's on to and past Phoenix and finally, the monotonous scenery becomes interesting again. We're headed north, approaching the Verde Valley area, and for the first time, we're seeing more than brown dirt and scrub. Red rocks light a fiery landscape punctuated with the green of real trees. Alder, ash, cypress and a half dozen others I don't recognize. Bushes in hues that range from the lightest feathery green to brilliant emerald to cloud gray. Ocotillo and yucca raise thorny fingers to the sky. I'm mesmerized by the wonder of it all, my absorption broken only when a movement catches the corner of my eye.
Frey looks at his watch. "We're not going to make it before dark. Do you want to stop for the night in Flagstaff ?"
I hadn't noticed how much time had passed. The sun is low on the horizon. The dark doesn't bother me so I volunteer to take over behind the wheel.
Frey looks at me as if I'd just suggested he become a vegetarian. "Do you know how to drive a stick?"
"How hard can it be? I've been watching you."
I can see by his horrified expression he's imagining scenarios where I strip his new baby's gears.
"I'm kidding. Of course I can drive a stick."
He isn't convinced so I add, "Look. I drive a ninety-thousand-dollar car. What'd you pay for this?"
Still no relaxing of the worry lines around his mouth. "How long until we reach the reservation?"
"Four hours."
"So let me take over for a while. You take a nap."
Frey pulls off the road so I think I've convinced him. Instead, he adjusts his seat back and stretches his legs. "We should both take a nap," he says. "Thirty minutes or so and we'll hit the road again."
I give hime evil eye. Jesus. What a baby. I adjust my seat, too, and stare into a cloudless, cerulean sky. Then it hits me, "Frey, are you stalling?"
His eyes are closed. He huffs out a breath. "That's a ridiculous assumption."
"Is it? You sounded like your ex will not be happy to see you. Could it be that you're a little skittish about seeing her, too?"
I'm teasing, but there's nothing amusing in the way he snaps back at me. "The roads we're going to travel once we get to the valley are not well marked or lit. And there's no moon tonight. It won't be easy navigating in the dark."
"You're joking, right? You have the vision of a cat. And I'm a vampire. My eyes are better than night-vision goggles."
He turns at that. "Jesus, Anna. Do you always have to argue? Thirty minutes. Is that too much to ask? Just close your eyes and shut up, will you?"
Wow. He really doesn't want me to drive his Jeep. "Okay, okay. It's what you get for carb loading at that Carl's Jr. but I'm not sleepy. I'll just lay here and watch you sleep off that ten-thousand-calorie meal. It won't bother you, will it, if I stare at you while you nap?"
He doesn't answer. He's already asleep.
I humph an irritated breath. Stare around. Close my eyes.
Just for a minute.
