Arcane Mutations (Animalians Hall Bk 4) by Thomas K. Carpenter

Author:Thomas K. Carpenter [Carpenter, Thomas K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Moon Books
Published: 2021-12-13T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Okho was right about Jan being willing to help her. He was downright eager. They were in his SUV down the street from Viper Pet guy's house, waiting for him to leave.

"I'm really sorry for the way I acted, and relieved to know that it wasn't me, but the rabbits," said Jan for the fifth time as he tapped on the steering wheel. The two tyvjeger were in back, lying on their bellies with their heads on their front paws.

"We don't know it was the rabbits yet," said Pax. "But I accept your apology on the condition that it never happens again, rabbits or no."

He met her eyes briefly before staring into his lap. Pax wasn't sure if it was Okho's encouragement, or the fact that she was dying, but she'd never felt so assertive in her life.

Janelle: How's stakeout?

Pax: Boring. Jan needs therapy after all this.

Janelle: U have that effect on boys. When can we come help?

Pax: Stay. For now.

"You have good mates back at the Halls?" asked Jan, eyebrow raised towards her phone.

"Yeah," said Pax. "We've been through some things. Animalians, and especially Hunters, has been challenging."

He stared out the window with a heavy expression. "Would be nice to have others your age to learn and grow with."

"I bet it's been lonely."

Jan sighed. "After this is over, I don't care what Ines says, I'm leaving Alta. I have to do something else. I'm gonna go mad if I have to stay."

Pax was saved from the uncomfortable silence after his statement when Pet Viper guy left his flat, headed into town for his job at the Alta Cooking Supply store. Kali and Kjaer stayed on either side of the house, providing eyes and ears while they went to the back door. It was locked, but Jan pulled out a crowbar. The door popping open was like a gunshot. The snow muted the sharp noise, but Pax was sure someone would come to investigate. When their companions gave the all clear, they went into his place.

"What are you expecting to find?" Jan asked as they stepped into the kitchen.

"I don't know. Maybe there's an application for his cult membership, or a drawing for the secret cult lair."

Jan stopped before looking back with his face scrunched up. "You're joking, right? Ah yes. Sorry. I never know what to think around you."

The flat wasn't big, three rooms and a bathroom. The living room had a gaming computer setup with three screens, a headset, and an expensive microphone.

"Looks normal to me," said Jan, forehead furrowed.

"Keep looking."

Pax went into the bedroom to find the snake enclosure, which was nearly as big as the bed, with driftwood, plants, and heat lamps inside. The brown viper was curled around a rock. The darker brown markings on its back weren't quite diamond shaped. She found a book near the bed named The Care and Feeding of a European Adder.

"Oh, that's a creepy snake," said Jan, approaching the enclosure cautiously.

"What? That? He's a friendly one. Not really that dangerous as far as vipers go.

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