Page 13 of Heart of the Hunted
"Anyway,” Natalia said, changing the subject. “Let’s not keep everyone waiting any longer."
"Yeah, let’s go," Amberly said.
"Okay," Donovan said, following behind them as they headed up the stairs. "But just so you know, I'm happy to dump the others and go our separate way anytime you want. Just say the word, and we're off."
Natalia smiled. No matter what, she could always count on Donovan and Amberly. She didn't lie about wanting it to be just the three of them, she was sick and tired of being the one in charge all the time. She didn't even know how she ended up being the one in charge in the first place. She certainly never wanted the responsibility that came with it.
Donovan and Amberly helped out as much as they could, but there was only so much they could do without having to come to Natalia, looking for her to lead them. Even if she did hand over the job to one of them, they would still go to her anyway.
"What took you so long?" Bella snapped at them when they stepped outside. "Anything could have happened to us while we stood here waiting for you three."
Natalia looked at the rest of them as they stood waiting. They all looked fed up and about ready to throttle Bella. Natalia had to admit, Bella did seem to have that effect on everyone... herself included.
"We were just discussing which direction we should take."
"It took you that long to decide that?" Bella asked incredulously. "I thought you decided already last night. We're going north, aren't we?"
"Yes, we're heading north, but there are many different routes to take. We were deciding which one was going to be the best," Natalia told her.
"I take it you've finally come to a conclusion?"
"Yes."
"Well, can we get going now? Or have you decided to give the others a chance to get back first?"
Natalia rubbed her forehead with the tips of her fingers. "I'm not going through this with you again, Bella."
"Just shut the fuck up with that already," Donovan snapped. "It's not happening. If you want to stay, then stay. If not, keep your fucking mouth shut."
The look on Bella's face was comical. She looked as if Donovan had slapped her instead of just shouted at her. Natalia would have laughed if he hadn't shouted so loudly while they stood out in the open.
So instead, she whacked him across the arm and said "Not so loud, Donovan. You’re gonna give away our location if any of the monsters are within hearing distance, and you know how far some of them can hear."
"Oh, here she goes again" Bella rolled her eyes. "Call them by name. Yes, they are all monsters, but ya know, you can call them Demons, Shifters, or Fae."
"I know they're not all the same, but it's easier to call them all monsters because it could be any, or all, of them that hear us. So, yes, they are monsters," Natalia said.
"Whatever. You just sound stupid calling them that," Bella said smugly.
"Just shut it, Bella," Donovan said.
"Please, shut up Bella," Amberly added.
She finally got the hint that nobody else shared her views, as one by one they each told her to shut up in one form or another.
"Fine!" she snapped. "I won't say another word."
Thank fuck for that,Natalia thought.
She didn't dare say it aloud, even though she really wanted to, just in case it started off another argument.
"Lead the way, Natalia," Donovan said, holding his arm out for her to take the lead.
Taking a deep breath, she lifted her satchel onto her shoulder and said "Let’s go then."
Without actually deciding with Donovan and Amberly on which direction they were going to take, Natalia just started walking straight towards the mountains. It might not be the safest route to take, but it was the shortest.
Natalia didn't know what they were going to find on the other side of the mountain, but it couldn't be much worse than what they faced this side.
