Wild Fire by Heather Glidewell

  *****

  “Ms. Prudence?” It was Marshall’s voice waking me. “Ms. Prudence?” He touched my shoulder lightly and my eyes shot open. He jumped back and looked at me with wide eyes.

  “What is it Marshall?” I asked sitting up. Wesley was still sleeping beside me his breathing was shallow. I had a feeling this is the most sleep the boy had received in a long time.

  “Ms. Lilly is requesting your presence in her tent.” He said his voice stressed.

  “Is everything ok?” I asked as I pushed the comforter to the side and grabbed my robe.

  “I think so. She wasn’t mad or anything. Said she needed to speak with you.” He fidgeted nervously.

  “Ok. I will go now.” I put on my slippers and walked out of the sheer sleeping room. “Marshall?”

  “Yes ma’am.” He said.

  “Keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn’t leave.” I pointed at the sleeping boy.

  “Yes ma’am.” He replied as I left the tent.

  The sun was up and the wind smelled of smoke and ash. I walked across the campsite with my slippered feet until I came upon Miranda’s tent. Stepping inside I was stunned to see her sitting on her couch with a smile on her face.

  “Marshall said you needed to see me. I thought it was important so I came straight over.” I wrapped my arms around my shoulders.

  “That silly boy. You had more than enough time to get dressed.” She laughed. “I wanted to talk to you about something that has come up.”

  “Ok.” I said slowly sitting down on the couch near her and wrapping the robe tighter around me.

  “My mother has requested I come and see her this evening.” She rolled her eyes.

  “That’s good isn’t it?” I tried to smile but the look on her face told me it wasn’t a smart move.

  “When my mother calls me to see her it usually means she is upset about something. Do I not provide her with enough prisoners? Are my men not trained enough?” She put her hands to her head.

  “Maybe it isn’t something bad.” I have no idea why I decided to console her.

  “The thing is this. I have to go. I usually leave John in charge when I’m out but I have to take him with me.” She groaned. “I need someone I trust to watch things while I’m gone.”

  “Who do you have in mind?” I asked.

  “For a telepath I figured you would know this by now.” She laughed.

  “I try not to meddle in people’s heads for too long. If I push it too far I wind up feeling things that I don’t want to feel.” I said as a cold chill ran up my back.

  “I’ve heard that before. It has potential of weakening your skills. How horrible that must be.” She shook her head back and forth her red pony tail bobbing.

  “Quite.” I looked at my nails and then back at her.

  “Well I was wondering if you would be so kind as to watch over the camp while I’m gone. You know make sure that the guys don’t get into anything they shouldn’t.” She smiled.

  “You trust me enough to allow me to be in charge?” I asked putting my hand over my chest.

  “Yes. You seem shocked.” She laughed.

  “Well I must admit on some levels yes I am. I have been on my own so long that I wonder if I can handle taking care of others.” I said a rush of excitement running through me.

  “It’s not like you have to feed and change them. They know how to take care of themselves. I just need a set of eyes to watch out for other things.” She motioned in the air.

  “Other things?” I asked.

  “There are reports that a band of about a hundred Pureblooded creatures are heading this way. If they were to stumble upon the camp I would need someone to assist in making them disappear.” She cracked an odd smile. “I am famished. What about you?”

  “Yeah, I could eat.” I looked at her while the thoughts were running through my head. Who were these Purebloods that she spoke of? Mona never said anything about there being a group of anything heading this way.

  “I almost forgot Wesley is in your tent. I suppose I will have to get things myself this time.” She winked at me.

  “He was quite tired.” I stood to assist her.

  “Marshall told me you two were up pretty late.” She grinned.

  “Oh my I hope we didn’t keep the boy up.” I placed my hand over my mouth in mock horror.

  “He said he fell asleep around two am to the sound of your squeaking mattress.” She laughed. “I told you he was talented.”

  I blushed instantly at the thought that anyone had heard anything.

  Wait a minute. There was no squeaking mattress.

  Marshall had lied to Miranda. But why?

  “So will you do it?” She asked pouring some of the blood water into a glass.

  “Of course.” I said as she offered it to me. I looked at it and realized I had no choice. “Do you mind terribly if I run into town for a few hours this afternoon before you leave. I don’t mind the wilderness and all but I’m a city girl and I so desperately miss my heels.”

  She looked at my feet and laughed.

  “My mother said you were going to be an odd one. I will have Marshall escort you to your car. Same precautions as before, he will drive you into town.” She put her glass up in front of her. “Here’s to us.”

  “Here’s to us.” I repeated. This was turning out to be far easier than we thought.