Branded

by Neva Bell

  Whitney looks up to gauge my reaction. I keep my face sympathetic, so she continues.

  “Don’t get me wrong. She was my mom and I loved her, but her life had spiraled out of control. I feel lucky she didn’t take anyone’s life with her.”

  In a million years, I never would have guessed Whitney had such a rough childhood. She is so happy all of the time. A lot of people in her position would use that history as justification to be unhappy and angry.

  I judged Whitney too soon and too harshly. Whitney is a lot stronger than I thought.

  We talk for a few more minutes before I stand up and stretch.

  “It’s been a long day and I’m exhausted. Maybe after training tomorrow we can watch a movie.”

  Whitney smiles. “Sounds great.”

  I leave Whitney’s room thankful I took the time to mend fences with her. I hate to say it, but James was right.

  ---

  The next morning proves chaotic. When I go downstairs for breakfast, James is occupying a seat at the table.

  Great…

  I say “hi” but everyone is wrapped up in whatever James and Frank are talking about.

  “What’s going on?” I ask as I take my seat.

  “James is meeting with one of his father’s men today,” Frank answers.

  “Seriously?”

  James nods. “My father called this morning and told me to meet one of his men at a coffee shop a few blocks from here.”

  Knowing the enemy is close makes my stomach churn.

  Frank fills me in on the details. “A member of the Guard went down to the coffee shop this morning and placed a hidden camera on the surface of a coffee brewer. We’ll be able to see the meeting and swoop in if James needs any help.”

  “I won’t need any help,” James says.

  I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

  “I’m helping with the wire,” Willa chimes in.

  “How so?”

  “I’ll put a concealing charm on it. No one will ever know it’s there.”

  I look at James. “Will they check you for a wire?”

  “I don’t know,” he answers without any hint of nervousness.

  Everyone is hyped up about the meeting over breakfast. Everyone but James. He is cool as a cucumber.

  A half hour later, we are all standing in the Guard operations center watching the monitors as James walks down the block. He is eventually out of our camera range and we have to wait until he enters the coffee shop to see him again.

  We’ve already spotted the man we believe is the rogue wolf. He looks to be in his mid-forties. He is wearing a black blazer over a white t-shirt and ripped up jeans. His black hair is slicked back with an entire bottle of hair gel. He sits at a small table in the corner rapping his knuckles on the wooden surface.

  We watch intently as James opens the door to the coffee shop and strides in confidently. Women turn to watch him as he passes. One woman even elbows the woman next to her to check him out.

  James approaches the man in the corner and they both raise their chins to acknowledge each other.

  James takes a seat at the table. “Rawley, you look well.”

  “As do you James.”

  “What’s up?” James asks.

  Rawley smiles. “Your dad wanted me to check in with you. See how things are going.”

  “Better than we expected. She’s completely clueless,” James sneers.

  I narrow my eyes. Am I the “she” he is referring to?

  “She can’t be totally inept. She killed three of our men.”

  That’s right, I want to yell at the screen.

  “Total fluke. She can’t make it happen again unless she’s angry.”

  “You’ve seen this for yourself?” Rawley asks.

  “Yes,” James confirms. “I’ve trained with her for over a week. She’s got nothing.”

  I step back from the screens, everyone else is totally wrapped up in the drama. I would be too if James wasn’t talking crap about me.

  “Any other skills?”

  James shrugs. “She can climb a wall like a freaking gecko.”

  Rawley laughs. “Anything else?”

  “She is pretty good at strength enhancing spells. She can also freeze you in place. That’s how she charred your men.”

  Rawley nods. “I figured as much.”

  “She is completely unprepared though. They are treating her like she’s made of glass. She’ll never know what hit her.”

  Rawley clasps his hands together. “This all sounds promising.”

  “I think so,” James agrees.

  “Your dad wants you to stay undercover a while longer. He’s putting together a plan, but we will not be successful if you fail on your end.”

  “I will not fail,” James says with the same confidence he had this morning.

  “Good. Keep close to her. Learn all you can about the Guard. But don’t take any shots at her. Your dad wants her for himself.”

  “Understood.” The word rings in my ears. This is a Guard phrase. Not a werewolf phrase.

  “We’ll meet again in two weeks.”

  “Two weeks?” James and I ask simultaneously.

  People turn to look at me, but their eyes quickly return to the screens.

  “Yes. We want to gather as much intel about her as possible.”

  “Fair enough,” James says smoothly.

  “What we’d really like to see is the two of you in a relationship together.”

  Never going to happen, I think to myself.

  James smiles. “You want me to bang this chick? Seems like an extra perk for me.”

  Gross!

  Rawley laughs. “I’d give my right nut to trade spots with you, that’s for sure.”

  I nearly gag.

  “What’s the point in me hooking up with her? Where does it get us?”

  Rawley leans in. “I’m not supposed to tell you this yet, but the goal is for her to trust you enough to leave the building with you.”

  James taps his fingers on the table and considers this. “Should be easy enough. She’s not the brightest crayon in the box.”

  Rawley smiles. “Good. Make your father proud.”

  James stands and extends his hand to Rawley. “I intend to.”

  James exits the coffee shop intact. No one jumps out at him. No one tries to attack him. He is in the clear.

  James eventually appears in our television screens again as he approaches the building. I watch as he goes through security in the lobby and is checked for any weapons. All who are present in the Guard control room are elated. Everything has gone according to plan.

  So why am I pissed off? I know James said what he did to throw the wolves off, but it hit a little too close to home for me.

  “I’m out,” I say as I turn away from the monitors.

  “Why don’t you stay?” Frank asks. “I’m meeting with James when he gets back for a briefing.”

  “Nah. You can give me the details later.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yep.” While I realize James’s observations are important, I don’t need to re-live all the nasty things that were said about me.

  Before I can leave, Frank says, “Let’s skip training today. You need a rest day.”

  While I’m thankful for the break, I have nothing to do and I’m sulking. Jessica and Whitney listen to me bitch and moan.

  “He only said those things to throw them off,” Jessica says after I’m done ranting.

  “Maybe, but I think he believes a lot of what he said.”

  Whitney shakes her head. “No way. He’s seen what you are capable of. He knows you can do great things. And he didn’t even tell Rawley about your super speed or magnetism.”

  Jessica chimes in again. “He’s here to help you. He has to say mean things about you to the wolves so they don’t figure out you’re allies.”

  “I know, I know. Still hurts to hear it.”

  “We haven’t talked about the biggest part
of the conversation,” Jessica points out.

  “Yeah, what’s that?”

  “James has to convince the wolves you are a couple.”

  Jessica is right, I did forget about that part.

  “How’s he going to do that?” Whitney wonders out loud.

  Jessica laughs. “No idea, but I’m going to enjoy watching him try.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Training the next day is a bit different than normal. James is the only wolf in the gym when I get there.

  “Where is everyone?” I ask.

  “Just me today,” James responds.

  “And me.” Frank comes up behind me.

  “And Frank,” James concedes.

  “Um, okay.”

  “We want to see how long you can hold your protection spell,” James explains.

  “That’s it?” This seems too good to be true.

  And it is.

  Most witches can only hold a protection spell for thirty seconds or so. Obviously, the longer I can hold the protection spell, the better.

  James and Frank explain that while I hold the spell, James will stand outside the bubble in Were form, ready to pounce as soon as the spell wears off. Which means I need to be prepared for combat.

  “Sound good to you?” Frank asks.

  Not really. Sounds like I’m about to get my butt kicked.

  Showing no weakness, I nod my head. “Yes. Let’s do it.”

  I’m curious myself how long I can hold the spell. A protective bubble could be my greatest weapon if used correctly. I’ve heard about witches who can also throw protection spells onto others. I’ll have to work on that next.

  I stand in the middle of the mat and close my eyes. I repeat the spell in my mind before I open my eyes again. I cannot see the bubble around me, but I can feel it. Frank walks toward me and is stopped two feet away.

  “Can you push it further out?” he asks. I thought his voice would be garbled by the bubble, but it isn’t. I can hear him clear as a bell.

  I visualize pushing the bubble out away from me, and watch as it slowly pushes against Frank. I move him about five feet before I stop.

  Frank gives me a thumbs up. “Perfect!”

  “Are you timing this?” I ask him.

  “Yes ma’am. I started as soon as you opened your eyes.”

  I nod my head and look for James. He is behind me transitioning into his Were form. I quickly turn back around. I avoid watching James transform as much as possible. Too unsettling.

  A few seconds later, James is in Were form and circling my protective bubble with a menacing look on his face. Perhaps we should have tried this without James stalking me first…

  I know in my heart James is in there, but the werewolf is so terrifying. I can’t help but envision him ripping me to shreds the first chance he gets.

  A bead of sweat falls from my forehead and splashes onto the mat. I won’t be able to hold the spell much longer.

  I survey my surroundings and try to come up with a game plan for my escape. I panic when nothing immediately comes to mind. Luckily, I get an idea right before my bubble is about to burst. James stalks me as I move toward the wall. My bubble is getting smaller and smaller as my power weakens.

  The protective barrier falls and James lunges at me. Just in the nick of time, I jump onto the wall and start climbing. James jumps as high as he can and almost gets my shoe. I climb beyond his reach and glance down at him with a grin.

  I’m momentarily elated, but James has not stopped the training exercise. Instead of walking away, he stands underneath me, growling and snarling. My arms and legs are weak and I don’t know how much longer I will be able to hold on. I need to come up with something fast, or I’m going to fall right into his arms.

  I look around the gym, hoping inspiration will hit. I see the rack of dumbbells in the corner and a light bulb goes off. I release one of my hands and reach out to the metal dumbbells across the room. A twenty pound dumbbell shakes, then lifts off the rack. I pull the dumbbell as hard as I can with my magnetic energy and it sails through the air.

  James turns to see what I’m doing, but he’s too late. The dumbbell slams into his chest and sends him reeling backwards. He hits the floor with a loud thud.

  “Woo hoo!” I exclaim.

  My celebration is short lived. James isn’t moving. In fact, he doesn’t appear to be breathing either.

  Holy crap!

  Frank yells for healers. The concern in his voice heightens my fear.

  I jump down from the wall and run over to James. As soon as I am within reach, James suddenly comes to life and grabs my leg. I scream and try to pull myself out of his grip, but he is too strong. He lunges upwards and plants his hands on my shoulders. Instead of slamming me onto the ground, James cradles my head in his arms and rolls us across the mat.

  He has bested me. Again.

  When we come to a stop, I am on top of James, both of us panting from our efforts. I look into the werewolf’s eyes, hoping to find James in there.

  Werewolf James rolls us over and stands up. His skin trembles and shakes. I lay back on the mat, catching my breath. I don’t know if I’m angry or relieved James is okay. Maybe a little of both.

  A completely human James stands over me. “Let this be today’s lesson. Never approach a werewolf unless you are one hundred percent sure he is dead.”

  “Duly noted,” I get out in between breaths.

  Frank comes over and extends a hand to help me up. He grunts as I make him do the bulk of the work.

  He claps my back. “Nice!”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “You kept the protective bubble going for almost three minutes! That is unheard of!”

  “Really? I did?” I ask, my mood brightening.

  Frank smiles. “You did. It was awesome!”

  “How about the dumbbell thing? Was it okay?”

  Frank is pumped. “Yes! Totally unexpected!”

  I am beaming.

  “Did those healers ever show up?” a voice asks from behind us.

  Frank and I turn to see James slumped against the wall holding his chest. He has a large bruise forming where the dumbbell hit. I feel bad for what I did to James. Then I remember him pretending to be dead and feel a little less guilty.

  “I can help you!” a cheery voice calls.

  It’s Willa. I’d forgotten all about doing glamour training with Willa today. I don’t know if I’ll have much energy, but I don’t have a choice.

  James winces as he sits up. “I’d really appreciate it.”

  Willa bends down next to James and puts her hand on his chest. The bruise fades under her fingertips and James’s breathing becomes less labored. Once he is healed, James and Frank make their exit. I can hear them discussing the fight today and how I can improve on their way out.

  Given my energy level, I’m surprised when I have a breakthrough in my session with Willa. For the first time, I successfully complete a glamour spell. Mind you it only changed my shoes, but it was something.

  “I watched your combat practice today,” Willa tells me as we’re wrapping up. “Very impressive.”

  I snort. “Until the part where my throat would have been ripped out.”

  “That was my favorite part.”

  I raise an eyebrow.

  Willa smiles. “Never be hard on yourself for showing compassion.”

  ---

  I go upstairs for a much needed nap. I sleep like a rock and feel great when I head down for dinner. James is sitting at the table with us again. He is quiet and only speaks when spoken to, which is fine with me.

  I’m enjoying my steak when Willa asks if I will join her in her office after dinner. “Of course,” I tell her.

  I spend the rest of dinner wondering what Willa wants to talk about. This will be my first trip to Willa’s office. I feel like I did when I was in ninth grade and had to go to the principal’s office. My biology teacher did not appreciate it when I swapped the wildlife DVD we were su
pposed to be watching with The Hangover.

  Willa and I ride together to the 17th floor. I am surprised when the elevator doors open. I expected her walls to be painted white, but they are a pale blue. Wildlife photographs, animals in striking poses, hang in the hallway. I pass a panther crouched down and ready to pounce; an elephant spraying water onto his back; a lion running through the grass; a panda bear munching on some bamboo; and a red fox curled up in a tiny ball while he sleeps.

  Willa’s office shocks me even more. It is wild. The walls are covered in black and white zebra-print wallpaper. Hot pink carpet covers the floors and her desk is white marble. While the patterns and colors in the office are a bit crazy, it is chic and professional at the same time. I would never guess an eighty-year-old occupies this space.

  “Please sit,” Willa says, pointing to a white leather couch. She takes a seat behind her desk and clasps her hands together. “There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

  I’m nervous as can be. “Okay.”

  Willa looks out the window, then back at me. “Being the Verhena is a great responsibility. A job I didn’t fully appreciate when I first came here. Even now I am in awe of the position, and I occupy it. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  I’m not sure I do, but I nod my head.

  “You are a smart girl Chloe. A strong girl. You have been through so much these last few weeks. You have lived a lot of life in a very short amount of time.”

  I nod again to let her know I’m listening.

  “But I’m concerned for you. Your quest for vengeance is blinding you.”

  “My quest for vengeance?” I ask confused.

  “Yes.” Willa pauses. “How can I explain this?” Willa taps her fingers on her desk as she ponders what to say. “Ah, yes. Today in training we worked on glamour, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “When you were successful, your first thought was how you could use the glamour against the wolves.”

  I think back to the training and what I said. I believe it was, “Yes! I can fool the wolves into thinking I’m someone else!”

  “Willa, I’m training to fight wolves. Of course that’s going to be the first thing I think about.”

  “I understand, but I get the sense it’s the only thing you’re thinking about.”