Cloudburst Ice Magic Read online

  Speaking of which, why hasn’t she answered my texts? He checked his phone again to be sure, but he found a big ol’ nothing. He shook his head and sprayed a little shower of water around him. Crap. Nevada had launched into its warmer spring temperatures and he needed to make himself scarce in the lowlands or get out of Dodge entirely. He locked the empty cabin and glanced at his phone again, willing it to beep with an incoming text or email.

  A chill ran up his back from his gut and all his crystalline hair rose to stand on end. Something’s wrong. He inhaled the balmy spring air and scanned the softly dripping world around him, but everything appeared in order. Still, the eerie feeling of dissonance rattled the crystals of his hair and he gritted his teeth as he strode for the driver’s side of his truck. What is it?

  His phone rumbled with a red hawk’s scream, the sound he’d chosen for emergency contact texts. He jerked it out of his pocket and touched the screen.

  Snowed in bad. Whiteout conditions w/hikers on the slopes. Miss you and love you. Lily.

  Zach’s stomach flipped over and dropped to his boots. He punched her number immediately and listened to it go straight to voicemail. “Dammit, Lily! Where are you?”

  He took a deep breath and thought back to where she’d said she worked. Cloudburst Resort in Cloudburst, Colorado. He slid into the driver’s seat and punched the maps icon on his phone. Cloudburst showed in the mountain range in the southwestern corner of the state.

  Zach nodded. Too much time between Vegas and Cloudburst if he took his truck, but he needed his gear with him. Gritting his teeth, Zach started the engine and called a buddy of his who played in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.

  “Snow, my man, what’s up?”

  “Cade, I need a favor.” Zach headed down the hill toward the freeway.

  “Anything, man. What’s going on?” The mellow voice on the other end sharpened.

  “Do you know any Ice Demons in the mountains of southwestern Colorado?”

  “Sure. Got a couple of friends there. Why?”

  “Can you find out if they’ve got any Spring Flings going on right now? I’m on my way, but I’m still about nine hours out.”

  “Whoa, man. Are you moving this direction?”

  “Yep, but I gotta get there ASAP. Can you find out and call me when you know?”

  “Yeah, sure. Not a problem.” Cade paused. “What’s the big rush, Snow?”

  Zach sighed as he hit the turn-off to the 215. How much would Cade understand? “You know I’m in Search & Rescue for the humans, right?”

  “Yeah, I’d heard you have a thing for them.” Cade chuckled. “What of it?”

  “I got news that some humans are caught in some heavy weather in southwestern Colorado and one of them’s a friend of mine. If I could, I’d be out on the slopes right now. But I can’t enter someone else’s territory without an intro.” Ice Demons tended to be territorial unless visitors went through the proper introductory channels. “Do you think you could have someone meet me in Cloudburst, Colorado as soon as I get there? I gotta get these folks out, Cade. It’s important.”

  “I’ll see what I can do, Snow. Just promise me you’ll tell me the full story when you get here.”

  “Will do.”

  “I’ll text or call you when I got something.”

  “Thanks, Cade.” Zach floored the accelerator past the Aliante exit.

  “Not a problem. Talk to you soon.” The phone clicked off. Zach dropped it on the seat and slowed down before the cops got too interested in him. He’d have to send texts to Sleet and his folks, but he could do that when he reached a rest stop.

  Waiting at the light to get onto I-15, he tapped a quick text to Lily.

  Hang in there. I’m coming. Z

  He prayed to Freya Lily would receive it. All he had to do was get to Colorado. He just hoped he’d arrive in time.

  Chapter Three

  Lily grimaced as her phone cheerfully shut down after she’d sent the text to Zach. Damn. They wouldn’t be able to track her phone using GPS. She stuffed the little device back into her pack and did her best to smile at the others in the snow fort.

  The temperature had warmed from the stove and their combined body heat, but she had no illusions of how long it would last. They had two days’ worth of food to help fight the cold. After that, things would get tough.

  Randy settled beside her after distributing the sleeping bags and nodded his graying head to her pack. “Did you get anything out?”

  Lily shrugged. “I hope so. Sent a text just before my phone died. You?”

  “I sent my wife a text and powered the phone down to save the battery. I got nothing from the radio.” He scraped more snow into the pot and set it on the stove to melt. They wouldn’t turn it on for a bit, but their body heat would help it liquefy. “What’s your gut tell you about our situation?”

  She let her gaze slide over the others huddled in the tent. Their expressions varied from miserable to worried, and Lily lowered her voice to a whisper.

  “It’s going to be a long storm. I think we’ll be better off if we sleep here tonight and try to move them down-slope tomorrow.” She set her pack aside and leaned against the snow wall. “My nose tells me we can’t stay.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Smell.” She tapped her nose. “It smells like there’s more moisture in the air and it’s gonna stay that way for a while.”

  “Come on. It smells wet because we’re in a blizzard.”

  “Yeah, a really wet, heavy blizzard. Which means what in these mountains?”

  Randy sighed and grimaced. “Avalanches.”

  “Yeah. And we’re in Quicksilver Chute if my last bearing was right. That’s a direct path.”

  “Hell.” He pulled out his laminated map and focused his head lamp on it. “Where do you think we are in the Chute?”

  Lily scanned the map and pulled out her compass, setting it on the floor between them. The needle steadied at around ninety degrees and the spread the map with north to their right.

  “We’re right about here.” She pointed to a spot below Lost Peak Ridge. “I know there’s a Forest Service equipment shed somewhere about here.” She stabbed the wooded flank of the ridge. “If we can make it there tomorrow, we’ll be out of avalanche danger. Mostly. And we’ll be able to weather the storm better. There might even be extra supplies inside.”

  Randy frowned. “Would they stock the equipment shed with food and firewood?”

  “I don’t know. I thought I overheard one of the older SAR’s talking about the fall restocking efforts the Forest Service does around here.” She stared at the map. “I just hope that was one of the places they stocked up.”

  “Yeah, I hope you’re right.” He rubbed a hand over his stubbled chin, the hairs glinting silver in the light. “Shit.”

  “Did your wife respond?” Lily couldn’t imagine the worry of an SAR spouse in this kind of weather.

  Randy nodded. “She’s not happy, but she’s sending us prayers.”

  “Good thing. We’re gonna need them.” Lily rotated her wrist and checked her watch. The little digits flashed 20:06. “Look, get some rest. I’m too hyped up right now to settle. I’ll make some hot water every hour so we can have fresh water in our canteens and heat the space. I’ll wake you at midnight.”

  “Sounds good, Sinclair.” He gestured at the others. “We should probably try to head out after first light if the weather keeps up.”

  “Agreed.”

  He gripped her shoulder a moment. “We’ll get out of this. We got shelter and food right now. We’re good.”

  She gave him a brief smile and a nod before he crawled over to the others to suggest they get some rest. Lily watched him settle into his sleeping bag on the other side of the stove and shut off his headlamp. She sat in the dark and willed the concern to the back of her mind.

  A little over a year ago she’d been willing to let everything go to see her late twin one more time, but now she feared she might
not have the choice. Shut those thoughts down, Sinclair. They had food and water and shelter for the night. They’d be okay and in the morning, they’d face whatever came at them.

  God, Zach, please get the text. She closed her eyes and imagined him standing in his ice cave wearing nothing but a grin in his natural form. His beauty never failed to excite her and a fierce yearning to see him again burned through her chest. I miss you and love you.

  The truth came hard. She sat in an ice shelter hoping nothing crashed down on them and she finally admitted she loved him.

  Way to go, Lil. He’s not here to tell, is he? Her brother’s voice mocked her gently. She wished her phone had juice so she could text Zach. Classy. Say it in a text.

  “Fine.” Her whisper barely disturbed Randy’s snores. “Then send Zach to me out here in the Rockies and I’ll tell him in person.”

  Careful what you wish for, Lil.

  She snorted. “As long as we’re wishing, I’d like Zach to move to Colorado and be my permanent partner in everything, including SAR.” Hell, she’d settle for just seeing him again.

  When she’d left to start her training and job in Colorado, she’d told Zach she needed time to prepare herself and heal for a long term relationship. Rescuing people in the mountains above Cloudburst had gone a long way to healing her psychological break with the world. But when she’d been ready to see Zach again, fall weather hit the slopes and he’d remained in Nevada doing SAR.

  They’d called and texted every day, stoking the fire of their relationship over the time apart. His latest texts hinted at something big he wanted to say, but the information hadn’t come.

  And now I’m up here incommunicado in a bad storm.

  She leaned forward and felt for the stove and matches. Time to heat up the room again and make some tea to keep herself awake. She ignored the tears of sorrow sliding down her cheeks, leaving icy trails in their wakes.

  Lily struck the match and watched the little golden light flare to life. The stove hissed before the gas caught and she slid the pot of snow onto its surface, watching the blue flames caress the metal. It reminded her of Zach’s touches on her body and she thrust the images away.

  They’d get out of this somehow and she’d have her chance to tell Zach her wishes.

  Chapter Four

  Zach arrived in Cloudburst hyped up on adrenaline and espresso just as dawn started to light the eastern sky over the mountains. He’d received no texts or emails from Lily and his gut clenched at the thought of being so far from her without communication. He’d gotten a text from Cade to meet him at the Cloudburst Coffee & Spa as soon as he arrived. He’d texted his ETA and some of his tension had fled. At least I got some backup. He pulled in to the parking lot of the coffee shop and parked, searching for Cade among the dawn shadows.

  The other Ice Demon slid into sight dressed like a human, but Zach caught the glint of trailing snowflakes in the light of the street lamp. Short spiky crystals similar to Zach’s sprouted from his head and his eyes flashed a brilliant turquoise as he stepped into the light. Zach rolled down his window and waved.

  “Hey, Snow. How was the drive?” Cade opened the passenger door and climbed in.

  “Long and tense. Where can I leave my truck before we head into the mountains?”

  “Do you know where your friend lives? You could leave it there.”

  Zach nodded and fished out his phone. He’d saved Lily’s text with her new address. “Looks like it’s a house on Slipknot drive. Know where that is?”

  “Nope. I’ve visited this town, but haven’t scouted it.” Cade reached for his phone. “You drive and I’ll find it online.”

  Within a few seconds Cade had the directions and Zach pulled out onto the road. The sun rose, but the thick clouds over the mountains made the light diffuse and the world woke slowly. Flakes of snow danced in the breezes teasing the drifts along the sidewalks in town as Zach drove toward Lily’s home.

  “So you promised me a story.”

  “And you promised to get me an introduction to the Ice Demon clan here. Which clan is it?”

  “The Oro Creek clan. They’re not a very large clan, but they can stay here with the elevations holding snow and ice all year round.” Cade sounded wistful.

  “Not a fan of migration?”

  Cade grimaced. “No, not really. I’m kinda a homebody. Problem is my home range gets too warm in the summer months and all the ice goes.”

  Zach nodded. He’d become a homebody with his mating to Lily. “Have you thought about joining a more sedentary clan?”

  Cade shook his head. “I haven’t found a place I like better than my home range.” He scanned the town outside. “This town has a good feel to it, though. Let’s see how it goes with the Oro Creek clan.”

  “Where are we meeting them?”

  “Upslope at a sacred tarn. Most of the year it’s shrouded in mists to keep the temperature even.” Cade’s wistfulness returned to his voice. “The slope faces north so the snow stays all year and I’ve heard the matriarch of the clan has enough power to keep the tarn hidden from all but the most manic hikers. Turn left here.”

  Zach turned the wheel. “Will we meet the matriarch or one of her representatives?”

  “The clan’s small, so I suspect we’ll be meeting her. Make sure you’re in your true form when we go.”

  “Will do.” While he loved being with humans and all their brilliant colors of life, being in his own skin relaxed Zach. “What’s her name?”

  “Icedora Mistweaver. I’ve heard she’s one of the oldest Ice Demons outside of Europe. Been here since the Silver Times.”

  “Since the last Ice Age? Holy shit, that’s ten thousand years ago.”

  “Yeah. She’s seen it all.”

  “Wow.”

  “That’s the address on your phone.” Cade pointed to a sweet little house with a two car garage and an evergreen wreath on the door. “Think you should park in the driveway?”

  “Yeah. Snowplows.” Zach set the parking brake and pulled his sweater over his head. “So when do we head out?”

  He shoved open the door and stepped into the cold spring morning. The air here held more moisture than in Nevada, but still carried the welcoming bite of snow and ice. Zach scanned the neighborhood before he shucked his boots and pants. No need to frighten the humans with his nudity.

  “As soon as you’re ready, we can head upslope.” Cade had undressed and left his clothes in the cab of the truck.

  “Okay.”

  Zach closed his eyes and let his disguise fade. The air shifted around him and a sense of relief settled on his skin as he reached his true form. He stretched his arms and twisted his back before ruffling the short crystals on his head with his taloned fingers. Goddess, it’s so good to be in my own skin.

  “Looking good there, Snow.” Cade nodded to Zach’s physique. “You’re pretty ripped. You work out more than usual?”

  “No. Human gyms stink and I have to wear clothes. I just spend as much time as I can climbing the crags. Gotta keep in shape for rescues.”

  Zach reached in to throw his clothes on the seat, but paused as a ripple of magic flowed over his skin. Iridescence wavered in the air around the house for a moment and Zach inhaled, searching for scents.

  “Wow, someone set some pretty powerful wards on this place.”

  Cade narrowed his eyes and swung his gaze around the area, before sniffing the air. “I didn’t see them when we drove up, but yeah. Think your friend set them?”

  Zach shook his head. “No, she doesn’t have that kind of magic. This is…earth magic. Like witches or the Morukai shamans use. They must have been here before she moved in.”

  “She?” Cade’s generous mouth curled into a smirk. “The friend you’re trying to rescue is a she?”

  “Yeah, you know, female of the species?” Zach shot Cade a dry look as he shifted into his true form. “She’s an SAR operative and just happens to have breasts.”

  “Aw, come on, Snow.
There’s gotta be more to it than that. You promised me a story and I got you the intro you wanted. So spit it out.”

  Zach sighed as he locked the doors of his truck. He tucked the keys under a derelict flowerpot on the front porch and tried to find the words to explain Lily without giving too much away.

  “I met Lily Sinclair on the slopes of Mt. Charleston the Christmas before last and helped her recapture a sense of purpose in her life.”

  Cade sniffed the wind and pointed toward the forest. “The Tarn is this way.” He raised an eyebrow at Zach. “Sense of purpose? Sounds like she was suicidal.”

  “Yeah, exactly. I pulled her out of an avalanche chute where she was planning to freeze to death.” Zach’s gut still clenched at the thought of Lily dying in this avalanche chute, but he shoved the fear aside. “I gave her a chance to see all the good she could do and find a way to drag herself out of her death wish.”

  “Damn.” Cade shook his head, the long crystals hanging over his shoulders tinkling as they moved. “That’s crazy. And you pulled her back from it?”

  “Yeah.” It had been close, but he’d convinced her to live. And then I mated her.

  “How?”

  Zach paused and listened to the wind as he sorted his thoughts. “I gave her a reason to live. I reminded her of the magic in life and that she’d be hurting those she loved if she left them in this way, especially on Christmas.”

  The air currents had changed and the mist thickened around them as they hiked through the trees. Snow cascaded down in little flakes, each singing its individual song along its path. Zach wished Lily stood beside him to hear them.

  “I think we’re getting close.” Cade pointed through the mist. “The lake smell is getting stronger through there.” He grimaced. “What was she doing so miserable on Christmas? Isn’t that a happy time of year for humans?”

  Zach nodded as he followed his friend. “Yeah, normally. But her twin brother was killed a few years ago on Christmas Eve. It took the wind out of her sails for a long time.”