Free Howl (Witches & Warlocks Book 4) by R. M. Webb

connected, even if for just one tiny second.
    Without a job to go to, there’s not much to do. I don’t have an appointment at the gym today, but it sure feels like I have energy to burn. I could always go for a run...
    Wow.
    Can’t believe I’m even considering that. I’ve never gone on an actual run. Not once. And if you’d have told me last month that I’d ever find myself seriously considering it, I’d have laughed in your face. OK, probably not in your face. I’d have laughed in my head while blushing furiously and wondering if I’d somehow made you mad.
    One look outside kills any thoughts I might have had about going for a run. Sure, the sun is shining, but just looking at those poor little birds ruffling their feathers for warmth, makes me shiver. I could head back over to Windsor and do some more research, but if I’m being really honest, I don’t want to go back in case Ty is there again. I know it’s silly to be scared of him. I know I could go all witchy and fry his circuits or something along those lines, but it feels really good not to be killing people right now. I’d rather not put myself in a position where I might find myself needing to do something drastic like that. And somehow, Ty makes me feel like I’m gonna end up having to do something drastic.
    Before I know it, I’ve got my phone in my hand, dialing Noah’s number, pressing it to my ear. He picks up after the third ring.
    “Zoe? You OK?” There’s concern in his voice.
    “Ya, I’m fine. Just needed to hear your voice.”
    “That guy show up?” I can hear the threat barely veiled by his attempt at nonchalance.
    “No. Just me and Twinks.”
    There’s a pause on his end of the line and I’m feeling a little silly for calling. I just needed to be connected to him. Needed to hear his voice. Needed to talk to him.
    “I’m sorry to call out of the blue…” I start and trail off.
    “Don’t you dare apologize. I love talking to you.”
    We chat for a bit, just more of the most basic, wonderful conversation that we always have. I keep finding myself about to tell him about the research I’d done. About the missing pages in the books. Keep telling myself it’s silly not to trust him. That it’s silly not to share this stuff with him. He’s never given me one reason not to believe that he’s out to get me or that he’s gonna turn on me or that he doesn’t love me exactly the way he says he does.
    But I believed that about Becca. And I believed that about Luke. And I believed that the people who raised me were my birth parents. I just don’t want to be caught by surprise like that again.
    “What’s wrong, Zoe,” Noah asks after several minutes of conversation.
    “Nothing. I’m fine.”
    “You’re doing your very best to sound fine, but I know you well enough to know that something’s got you distracted. What is it?”
    The words are right there on the tip of my tongue. Ready for me to spill. It’d feel so good to tell him. I’m not secretive by nature. I give myself to people. Full on. No holds barred. Nothing held back. Keeping all this from Noah is so against my nature. So grating on my sense of security. I can’t stand it. But I can’t stand the thought of finding out he’s another one of Daya’s agents either. Right now, I’m kind of loving my life. And I’d rather not do anything to send it all crashing down around my ears.
    Noah sighs. “Have I done anything to make you not trust me?” I listen closely to his tone and wish desperately that we were face to face so I could read his expression. I don’t think I hear any anger, but my head is still reeling with worry.
    “No, not at all.” The words come out in a rush.
    “Well, then, why don’t you trust me?”
    I don’t hear any accusation in his voice, just a simple question, waiting for a simple answer. My words are poised on the tip of my tongue and I swallow them back. I’m speechless once again.
    Noah waits for me to respond and takes a deep