Tracking the Bear (Blue Ridge Bears Book 1)(22)
So I turned away, catching one glimpse of Lucy’s horrified expression as I went. I sprinted for the cliff’s edge, even as I shifted to all fours. I reached the edge and without hesitation threw myself over the side.
My bear was a big, stubborn brute with a more selfish disposition than mine. It let out a confused bellow and scrambled at the hill, managing to dig his claws into the hard packed earth that made up the side of the embankment. It hurt like hell as the dirt and debris tugged at my claws during the speedy descent, but the stubborn bastard that was my bear was making sure we’d survive to reach the bottom. I could hear Lucy screaming faintly above me.
We landed with a painful thud on the ground a minute later. When I glanced up, I realized exactly how lucky I’d been. If I’d thrown myself off a foot or two in either direction, I would have hit several evergreens on the way down. I didn’t think the impact would have killed me, but it would have hurt and possibly shattered my vertebrae, leaving me at the mercy of whatever douchebag divine being that was pulling my strings.
I rolled and got to my feet shakily, lumbering forward on all fours in the direction the pull was leading me. My course led further into a sloping valley, toward the base of the nearest mountain. If I’d been able to control my spirit, I’d have left my bear form behind and ranged outward, trying to warn any lawmen who might be in the area. But I was trapped in this form, dragged inexorably forward by a will that wasn’t my own.
There had been a trail here once, I could tell. It was nearly overgrown, but it was still there, and it was that twining trail that I followed into a clearing. Nestled in by the base of the mountain was what looked like a tiny, one room schoolhouse.
Pushing my bulk through the door frame was a struggle, and I hoped that when I left this place again, I’d be doing it on two legs instead of four. The room was tidy, despite the coating of dust that lay on top of nearly every surface. The exceptions were the blackboards, which were already so smudged with chalk that it was hard to tell, and the desk. The culprit sat atop it.
A Goddess, this time it appeared. Blue-Jay, the trickster God I’d disturbed in Washington, had been nothing like her. Though initially displeased with me, he’d made me the butt of a number of jokes, smacked me around a bit and had left. It had been scary, but survivable. I somehow doubted that this goddess would be so benevolent. I hadn’t disturbed a shrine built to her. I hadn’t passed into her domain. So forcing my change could only mean she meant me ill.
“How accommodating of you,” she purred, crossing one leg over the other. She rearranged the fabric of her sunshine yellow halter dress to lay better. I wasn’t sure what she was worried about. I certainly wasn’t looking up her skirt. Her holy underthings were the last thing I was thinking about. “I thought I’d have to crash the car to get your attention. I’ve been following you for the better part of the morning.”
It was frustrating, being unable to communicate. I wished I could speak, but the bear’s register wasn’t made to vocalize a human voice. The woman smiled brightly at me.
“Ah yes, this form is quite the effective muzzle, isn’t it? I do so hate interruptions.”
I eyed her with mounting dislike. She was a tall, shapely woman with champagne hair, tied loosely in a braid down her back. Her eyes were a flat bottle-green and they were fixed on me with an equal amount of venom.
“I thought this place would be apropos, as I need to impart valuable knowledge to you. If I allow you to shift back to your human form, you will remain silent until I give you leave to speak. If you cannot follow that mandate, I will shift you back into your bear form until I am finished. Do I make myself clear?”
I dipped my head once, an acknowledgment of her terms. She lifted one hand, clad in a white lace glove, and waved lazily in my direction. The vice that had clamped down on my brain and that had made breathing difficult in the car finally lifted. I focused and was finally able to push the spirit of my bear aside, resuming my human form. Of course, my clothes were completely ruined. I was forced to sit bare-assed on the cold flat surface of one of the desks facing the goddess.
She gave me a cursory once over and a smirk, clearly liking what she saw. That might have been flattering in any other circumstance, but I was a mated bear now, and I knew that she had more in mind for me than a florid sexual escapade.
“Good.” She slid off the teacher’s desk and picked up a piece of chalk. “Now, you pay attention. If I ask you a question, you may answer. Do you know who I am?”
“Not a damned clue,” I muttered. My voice still retained the throaty rasp of my bear’s tone. I cleared my throat. “But you’re not a Native American spirit, I can tell that much. I’ve tangled with one. I know the difference.”
She rolled her eyes as if that was the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard. “Of course, I’m not. Do I look like I originated from this country?”
“No,” I admitted. Underneath the debutante fa?ade she hid behind, there was definitely the feel of an old-world power. I wasn’t sure what pantheon she came from but she was old, far older than the little wisp of a body she was wearing appeared.
“I am Frigg,” she said, writing the name on the board. As if it wasn’t a name I’d heard a thousand times in prayers at home in lessons about our heritage. I was glad she’d turned away from me, so she couldn’t see me mouthing wordlessly at her back. I wasn’t sure if that broke her vague rules and I didn’t want to be forced back into animal form again.