And most of the people at her privileged schools didn’t like her saying things like that. She was deemed weird and snubbed. Avoided. Treated like a leper, that had to be included sometimes because of her wealthy family, but was only tolerated, at best.
That probably had something to do with why she hated this city so much, she thought now, staring around the room. She had never felt at home here. It wasn’t just the strange atmosphere of the city, or the crime. It was the people. At least, it was the people she had been forced to associate with.
Maya took a deep breath. That was the past, and she should get over it. She had accepted this position, and she had to make the best of it. And everyone in this company had been welcoming, and were friendly. David, who had chosen her to come here. Leonie, who had given her a place to live, and a group of ready-made girlfriends to hang out with. It could be worse. Much worse.
Sure, she missed her loft in New York City. She missed the friends that she had made there, too. It was an exciting place, full of things to do, if she had ever let herself. Occasionally, she had gone to the theatre, or seen a concert. She enjoyed walking through Central Park. But it was all gone now, and she needed to focus on being back here.
And learn to like it, for Pete’s sake, she thought. If she was ever able to get out of this rabbit hole, that is.
Maya took a deep breath. This was ridiculous. Where was the door?
She started to run through the costumes, pushing at them.
“Hello!” she screamed. “Can anyone hear me? I’m stuck in this room! I can’t find my way out!”
There was no reply. The costumes started to seem ominous to her, as if there was something in them. As if they were alive; still and slumbering, but waiting. Waiting for what?
She stared down at her phone. With trembling hands, she speed dialled Leonie’s number. It was calling. For a minute, she wondered what she would say to her when she answered. How was she going to explain that she was somehow stuck in a room, with the power out, and needed rescuing? She could almost hear Leonie’s laughter.
But better that than staying a moment longer here.
The call connected, but it went straight to voicemail. No answer.
Who else could she call? She had Rachel’s number, and Isabel’s, who both lived with her. But she hadn’t bothered getting the numbers of the other girls, yet. Had Leonie mentioned if Rachel and Isabel were going out to dinner?
It was as she hesitated, staring at her phone, that she became conscious that there was something in front of her.
At first, she thought it was another costume. But it was slumped against the wall, as if it were seated. Maya’s heart started to thump as she walked towards it, shining the light from her phone to guide her way. A terrible feeling of foreboding suddenly descended upon her, and it took all her strength to not turn and run in the opposite direction.
It was a man. He appeared to be asleep. Maya approached, her heart thudding so hard it seemed to be reverberating in her ears like a drum.
It was David. David Wagner, the director. What on earth was he doing in this room, during a power outage, asleep on a chair?
“David?” she whispered, approaching him. “David? Can you hear me?”
She reached out a hand, placing it on his arm. The movement made him fall forward, slightly, but his eyes didn’t open.
And that was when she saw it. A faint trickle of blood, coming from the left side of his mouth. In disbelief, she put her hand on his face, pressing against it. It was as cold as marble.
He was dead. And had been for some time, judging by the stiffness of his frame.
Maya opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She staggered forward, slightly, clutching her chest. How had this happened? And what was she going to do? She couldn’t see anything!
She was all alone, in a room full of costumes, with a dead man.
Afterwards, she couldn’t remember why she did it. It was as if something was compelling her. She slowly turned her eyes to the roof.
There was a figure, pressed against the ceiling. Stuck there, like a bat, or a bird. It was dressed in a long, flowing white gown, like an old-fashioned nightdress. She could tell it was a woman, but it looked like no woman that she had ever seen. It had pale, almost leathery skin, and wisps of long hair swirling like tendrils around it. Its eyes were black as coals and staring straight at her.
Maya screamed, and kept screaming.
Chapter Two
Evan skirted around the perimeter of the warehouse, glancing behind to see if he was being followed. Just another day, he thought grimly.
He walked towards the door, rapping three times on it. Hopefully, someone would be home, and could let him in. Otherwise, he would have to scale the building and climb in through the skylight. Not something that he felt like doing, now or ever.
The door opened, just a crack, and he could see one of Thad’s eyes peering through. The eye blinked then the door opened wider.
“You were lucky,” Thad said, letting him in. “I was just about to leave.”
Evan sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. He threw his briefcase on the table. “Where are the others?”
Thad shrugged. “Beats me. Zach’s probably out chasing women, as per usual. I think Shay’s on the other side of town, trying to get a part for his motorbike.” He paused. “We’re expecting the new guy anytime now.”
Evan jumped slightly. He had forgotten about that. “What do I do if he shows up while you are out? You are the leader, after all.”
Thad stared at him. “And you are the second in command, Evan. I don’t know. Show him around. Give him a history of the building and the city. Anything.”
Evan sighed again. It was always strange when a new guy was being inducted into the Wild Keepers. There was always wariness, from the new guy and from all the others in the pack. Would this guy fit in with them? Was he going to be a jerk? It wasn’t only living with someone they didn’t know. This person was about to become their new brother; the latest addition to their pack.
He felt sad, for a moment, thinking about Caleb. He knew that his former pack brother was happy; over the moon, in fact. Caleb had sent them a postcard from Aruba, of all places. He and Allie had decided to travel. A honeymoon before the wedding, Evan had thought at the time, staring at the picture of white sands and blue sea. Caleb had told him that Allie was hesitant to marry straight away, wanting to make sure that Caleb was really committed to leaving the Wild Keepers.
Evan knew that he was, and he didn’t blame him one iota. He had only met Allie briefly, but he had seen why Caleb had given up everything for her. She was beautiful, and perfect for him; they were both science nerds. Evan wished them the best, he really did.
But Caleb leaving had left a gaping hole in their pack, which had to be filled. Thad had scouted far and wide. Sometimes, there were people waiting in the wings; relatives of former pack members, waiting for the right time. That was how Caleb had come to them, when his Uncle Rich had left. And Evan himself was from a long line of wolf shifters who had all served with the Wild Keepers.
But he didn’t want to think about his father and his grandfather today. Too many unhappy memories, and he had enough of them for now. He had just lost a brother; not to death, at least, but he was gone just the same. And they all felt the loss.
Thad picked up his jacket and keys. “His name is Noah, by the way.” He stared at Evan’s puzzled face. “The new guy, Evan. Geez, are you tired or something?”
Evan shook his head. “Just unsettled, I guess. Caleb leaving, and adjusting to the idea of a new guy.”
Thad nodded. “I know,” he said. “It’s always hard, but it happens. We have to get used to it. Caleb seems happy with his choice, at least. Allie’s a lovely woman.”
Evan smiled. “Yeah, he looks like he’s won the lottery, doesn’t he? Good luck to him. And he served the Wild Keepers well and true.”
“That he did,” said Thad, walking off. Then he turned back. “
Remind me when I get back I want to speak with you about a new case. I don’t have time now, but I want to get onto it quickly, okay?”
“Okay,” said Evan, a bit mystified.
Thad left, and he was home alone. In the giant warehouse where the Wild Keepers lived, in the great urban jungle that was the city of Covenester. It had been Evan’s only home for four years now. Four long years in which he had slowly gotten used to living in this city and being part of an ancient wolf pack. He had slowly but surely worked his way up to being second in command, or beta, as it was called in the pack.
The Wild Keepers had protected the city of Covenester since it had been founded. They worked tirelessly, trying to rid the streets of the city of the Vilgath, a race of demons that were hellbent on sabotaging humanity. In every way they could, the Vilgath caused havoc. From petty crime on the streets to attempting to wipe out the city with an illness, the Vilgath were always at work. Often behind the scenes and often in disguise.
But the Wild Keepers were always there, watching out for them. Always a pack of five wolf shifters, they were assigned cases as needed, usually working alone. The five shifters assumed various roles, and identities, to flush the demons out. Work out what they were doing or intending. They could turn into their wolf in the line of duty, as needed. But they usually tried to avoid that and solve the case using their brains and their human muscle.
It just made it easier. Shifting was not something that you could do in a crowd and not get noticed. And the city was always crowded.
But sometimes…the wolf had to be summoned. When battling the demon face to face, for instance. When the demons decided to assume their true form, only the wolf could match them. And that moment couldn’t always be foreseen.
Evan’s eyes flickered to the calendar on the wall in the little kitchenette. He had been trying to avoid the thought of it, but he knew it was time to face it. He walked up to it, and realised that it was now July. In two short months, it would be his birthday. He would be turning twenty-seven.
He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Just a birthday, like any other. Except that it wasn’t, not at all. And he had to face that fact.
The day that he turned twenty-seven might well be his last year on this earth.
***
It seemed that he had always been aware of it, right from when he was very young.
He had vague memories of his father. A large man, who used to lunge at him, laughing, wrapping him in bear hugs. He had loved his father, but every year since he had died, the image of him seemed to get fainter and fainter. Fading in his mind.
Evan sat back down, pulling out his wallet. It seemed today was the day that he had to remember and face what could happen. It had been swirling at the back of his mind for weeks now, but he had tried to avoid it. Sidestep it. It wasn’t possible. He had to sit and think about it; however painful it was.
He opened the wallet, taking out an old passport-size photo. The only photo he had of his father and himself. It was old and creased, with a horizontal line through it from where it had been bent too often.
The photo must have been taken not long before he had died. Which meant that his father must have been twenty-seven. He looked a little older than that, actually. But then, his father had led a full and colourful life prior to his passing. He had been a member of the Wild Keepers from when he was sixteen until he met Evan’s mother at age twenty-three. And then, he had bowed out from that life, to be a full time father. That was the way that it worked with the Wild Keepers. Once a pack member found their permanent mate, they had no choice but to leave. Their shifting powers waned or disappeared completely.
It was what would happen to Caleb, now that he was with Allie. Caleb had fought hard against falling for her because he hadn’t wanted to leave the pack. But when your time was up, thought Evan, it seemed there was little choice. It was destiny.
He gazed hard at the photo, tracing his father’s face with one finger. What would it have been like, if he had have lived? What could he have told Evan, and taught him, about being a wolf shifter? He could have prepared him for the life he was going to lead. Warned him about what to expect, when he reached seventeen and started to experience the strange changes that would culminate in the wolf breaking free under the full moon.
But it had never been possible. Evan’s father had been destined to die young, at twenty-seven. Just as his father, and his father before him, had died.
Just as he was probably going to, as well.
His father had told his mother about it, and she had accepted it. Evan had always thought that maybe she hadn’t really believed it. She had told Evan about it when he was only sixteen. He could still remember the day that she had sat him down and spoke hesitantly of his legacy.
“Evan,” she had said, slowly. “I’m about to tell you something strange and amazing. Please hear me out.” She had taken a deep breath then plunged in. “Your father was a wolf shifter, just as your grandfather was, and your great-grandfather. Apparently, all the men in your dad’s line were shifters.”
“A wolf shifter?” Evan had repeated, his eyes wide. “But that’s…impossible!”
His mother had smiled. “I know,” she had whispered. “I couldn’t believe it either when your dad first told me. But then…I saw him change, once. It was true.” She sighed deeply. “He lost his ability to do it after he married me, but it was true. He served as a member of a special wolf pack, in the city of Covenester.”
Evan had tried to digest the information. Had his mother suddenly gone crazy? But she didn’t look crazy. She just looked like Mom, the same as she always did. She wasn’t wild eyed or screeching.
“I’m only telling you this now,” she had continued, slowly, “because your time is coming. Your dad told me that when you turn seventeen, it will start to happen to you. You will notice changes, and then, your wolf will emerge. I want you to be ready for it.”
Evan had stared at her, wide eyed. “My wolf? I’m going to change into a wolf?”
“Yes.” She had nodded. “Every full moon, and other times, too. I am so sorry, Evan. I wish that your dad was here to explain it to you. Guide you through it.” Her eyes had glistened with tears. “But there’s more. Your dad…was fated to die young, at the age that he did. His father, and his grandfather, died at the same age. There is a curse upon the male line of shifters.”
“A curse?” Evan’s voice had come out as a squeak. “You mean…I am going to die at the same age?” He felt colour drain from his face.
His mother had burst into tears. “I didn’t believe it when your father told me,” she sobbed. “I refused. He kept telling me he didn’t have long, and I would get angry with him, and tell him to stop talking about it. I regret it now, Evan. And he told me that the same thing might happen to you, too.”
Evan had felt like his whole safe world, that he had known up to that point, was suddenly gone. Ripped away from him. But afterwards, he was glad that his mother had told him. Because the changes had happened, just like she said they would, when he had turned seventeen. And it would have been far harder not being aware of what was happening to him…that he was different from the other boys.
He had questioned her further, over the years, about the supposed curse. But she hadn’t been able to tell him much; only what his father had told her about it. She had somehow thought that it might be avoided if he didn’t move to the city and join the Wild Keepers. As if he could avoid his destiny by running away from it. She had cried bitterly when he told her he had received his summons to join them. She had begged him not to go.
But how could he have refused? It was in his blood. He was a wolf shifter, and he came from a long line of wolf shifters who had all served with the Wild Keepers. He couldn’t escape that. And if he was cursed to die young…well, it would happen whatever he was doing. So, he might as well be doing what he was fated to do.
And it wasn’t as if avoiding danger was going to mean he could escape the cur
se. His own father had simply keeled over one day while he was hammering a nail into a shutter on the house. His grandfather had drowned while out swimming in a lake with his family. And his great-grandfather had choked to death over dinner.
There was no escaping it, pure and simple. There was only acceptance, and preparation, for when the time might come.
Evan stared at the photo again. It was coming for him. He could feel it, in his bones. He couldn’t run away from it. He sighed, staring around the warehouse but not seeing anything.
He had served the Wild Keepers faithfully, and well. He was second in command. He could be proud of his achievements. But his heart twisted when he realised that it was too late for him to have a wife and a family of his own. He would never know what that was like.
On the other hand, maybe it was a blessing. If he didn’t have a son of his own, he couldn’t pass the curse down to him, could he? It would end with him. Everything would end with him.
The boards that were tacked onto the warehouse windows rattled suddenly, and Evan shivered again.
It was coming. And there was nothing he could do to stop it.
***
Evan was so lost in his thoughts, staring at the photo, that he jumped when he heard the familiar rapping on the door to the warehouse. He frowned. Was it Thad? It seemed like only minutes had passed since he had left. He glanced at his wristwatch. He had been sitting here for two hours.
He opened the door, letting the alpha leader in.
“Noah hasn’t shown up yet?” Thad asked as he entered the building.
Evan shook his head. He had forgotten all about the new pack member.
“Never mind,” said Thad, collapsing onto the sofa. “It gives us time to talk about this new potential case that I think you should be assigned to.”
Evan nodded distractedly. “What is it?”
Thad sighed, picking up a newspaper that had been left on the coffee table, and passing it to Evan. “It’s an article on the third page. About the Covenester Ballet Company.”
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