by Vera Sparks
“Of course, but make sure she knows not to tell anyone of your return. And I thought you may return eventually. Your mother, your family, it’s all here,” Gene handed over his phone.
“Thank you. That means a lot to me,” Percy said softly before dialing.
I listened with a small smile as Percy’s mother answered on the second ring.
“Hello?” was the muffled answer.
“Mom, it’s me. I’m home,” Percy murmured.
“Percy?!” was the disbelieving gasp I could just barely hear.
“Yes Mom, I’m with Gene and Heather. There’s so much to tell you. We’re having a gathering tonight.”
He went on to explain to her what had happened, sparing her many of the graphic details and constantly reassuring her that he was fine. He made sure she understood not to tell anyone of his return.
“I can’t wait to see you too,” he sighed. “I’ll see you tonight. I love you.”
Percy handed the phone back and I relaxed as he gave me a relieved expression.
“I’m glad she’s doing well,” I murmured.
“Yeah, I was worried about her, ever since my dad left…” he sighed as he focused back on Heather and Gene.
“Thanks for taking care of her while I was gone.”
“That’s what the pack is for, we look out for one another, always,” Heather smiled.
“What kind of work did you do?” I asked, breaking the brief silence that had settled.
“Gene provides companies with night guards, bouncers and the likes, all from our pack so the employer, usually a supe, knows they’ll have someone strong to handle things,” Heather answered for him.
“I was at a local science laboratory doing night watch,” Percy added on.
“Oh, that’s interesting.”
“Many of those who don’t want the night jobs, I refer them to construction companies or other labour jobs where their extra strength comes in handy,” Gene said.
I admired how they looked out for each other amongst their pack. I guess that was how it all worked though.
“We also help find housing in the vicinity for pack members so we are close-knit. Everyone in this neighborhood is a ‘wolf. We don’t want civilians too close to us, not these days when things are much more risky. We prefer to lay low and not draw attention to ourselves as best we can,” Gene said.
I nodded as I looked over at Percy while he finished his beer.
So the entire community wasn’t human. How interesting.
Heather bought us some chips while Gene filled Percy in on all the goings on of the pack since he’d been gone.
Mundane things like some couples like Emily and Zac and another were now expecting children. A friend of Percy’s was getting married in a few months too, and Eva and Scott, two older pack members, had purchased a bar, now named Scottie’s bar.
“I had a feeling that old man would make a business move like that,” Percy chuckled. “He’s worked the bar there long enough, and I figured the owner wanted to sell up.”
“It’s been good though, they’ve hired many of our pack women to waitress, and Lachlan has taken up being one of their chefs,” Gene smiled.
I enjoyed listening to their easy conversation and learning about the pack. Heather sat quietly as her eyes flicked between all three of us, and I could see her mind whirring, focused on the original task. I could only imagine who she was scrutinizing over, considering if they were betraying the pack.
From how they spoke, the pack was over seventy head and growing, if you included the children.
They’d taken in two stray ‘wolves recently, a pair who’d fled their own pack. Apparently their pack still harbored some old traditions, including the belief that when a ‘wolf became twenty-one, they had to murder a human and consume their heart to move into adulthood.
The pair that had been taken in was a young man who’d just come of age, and his nineteen-year-old girlfriend.
Apparently it wasn’t the first time Gene had had a stray come into the pack seeking refuge from a pack with those prehistoric beliefs.
I couldn’t believe that it was a tradition, killing and consuming the heart of a human.
But even Percy had heard of it.
Gene’s pack had long since discarded many such archaic traditions long before he was even born to avoid discovery by mere humans.
But with the day of revelation, they had to be even more careful.
I enjoyed the sandwich slices Heather provided, a simple ham and cheese, not much selection, and even joined in on the conversation here and there.
The gathering that had been organized would take place out at old man Barry’s place. He was one of the oldest pack members still kicking, and owned a parcel of land adjacent to his junkyard, tucked away from any prying eyes.
Percy informed me that the old man had been a car fanatic in his day, and now he ran the junkyard, where a few of the pack’s members worked.
“So Ivy, what is it you do for a living?” Gene turned the conversations focal point to me.
Living, I tried not to smirk at the term.
“I work as a secretary for Alex’s legal business, I handle his meetings, scheduling and the works. He only operates at night so I get my days to do whatever I like,” I said.
“You don’t mind the night shift?” Heather asked.
“No, I don’t sleep much anyway, so it’s not a hassle. Besides, it’s good pay.”
“Hmm, there’s something that’s been bothering me since you arrived. You smell human, mostly. But something… isn’t right,” Heather gave me a quizzical look.
“We can all smell it, I didn’t bother asking you since I figured you’d saved my life, it couldn’t be anything bad,” Percy cleared his throat.
“Heather’s always the one to bring up whatever isn’t perfect,” Gene rolled his eyes, to which Heather scowled at him.
I looked between the three, trying to come up with a cover story. Something that wouldn’t reveal my… uniqueness.
A knock on the door saved me, and I relaxed as Heather jumped up to get it.
Gene stood up to switch on another light now that night had fallen, and we waited patiently while Heather answered the door.
Alex’s charming Australian accent was recognizable even from here, and I rolled my eyes at his prompt arrival as soon as it was safe for him to emerge from his coffin.
But his timing was perfect as well.
“Is the vamp with you?” Heather called out.
“Yeah,” Percy nodded.
“Well, consider yourself invited in then,” Heather said from out in the hall.
Invitation. Vampires needed it to enter homes, but not public places.
Heather scowled as she entered the living room with Alex behind her.“Name’s Alexander Dawson, but call me Alex,” Alex stood tall in the living room looking polished and perfect in his grey suit and leather shoes.
He stood out like a red thumb amongst us.
“Percy here says you helped him out, we’re grateful,” Gene nodded as he took in the Australian vampire in his home.
“It was mostly Ivy’s doing,” Alex’s eyes fell on me, and I could see him analyzing the small gap between Percy and I.
“We’re gathering the pack tonight, I understand you were informed about the possibility of a traitor amidst our ranks,” Gene checked.
“Yes,” Alex nodded. I’d informed him via text once Percy had told me everything.
“We’re hoping to flush them out once they see that Percy is back,” Heather stated.
“It’s a good plan, would you mind a vampire joining?” Alex asked as he held his arms behind his back.
“I don’t think that would be ideal,” Heather shook her head.
“If we say he’s here representing Percy while he creates a case against the downtown gang, that’d make sense,” Gene said.
“They call themselves the Black Dogs, made primarily of vampires, but there are the odd weres’ and other
shifters and such,” Alex added in. “I’m yet to track down this Deon fella though.”
“If they’re under the impression you escaped, they’ll try to inform them, and so if we can keep tabs on the pack, then we can track down the traitor. Ivy can be helpful in surveillance, she’s very… inconspicuous,” Alex grinned.
I gave him a dark look as Heather turned my way.
“Fine, let’s just begin with the gathering first, and we’ll go from there. We’ve got a few hours to kill before the meeting,” Heather said.
“We should have dinner first then, if you don’t mind, hun?” Gene gave his wife a sheepish grin to which she groaned.
“Roast chicken sound good?” she asked everyone.
We all answered with nods and yes’s, and she got up to begin preparing a meal for us all. She grabbed the bag Gene had dropped earlier and muttered something about how he could never put things away, before walking into the kitchen.
“So we hear you’re an attorney?” Gene broke the silence.
“That I am, I represent mainly supernatural beings in the night courts,” Alex nodded.
“Well, glad that we have someone like you on our side then,” Gene smiled.
“Tell me, is there anyone you can think of that could have a beef with the pack, one of your own who isn’t happy with how things are who may be doing this?” Alex questioned.
“No, the pack is strong and loyal, I haven’t noticed anyone acting strange or holding a grudge against us,” Gene frowned.
“Not someone who doesn’t agree with your leadership?” Alex raised an eyebrow.
“We’ve got the odd few weres’ who’ll try to challenge me when they’ve had a few beers, but it’s just their ego getting the better of them, they’re loyal and smart and always apologize afterwards when they’re sober,” Gene shrugged. “Just your typical young, testosterone driven male testing out his strength.”
“No past lovers who might be out to hurt you?” Alex asked.
“No,” Gene shook his head.
“Well, that covers the main components of why someone would turn against you. Which begs the question, why would someone turn on your pack?” Alex murmured as he pondered it while he tapped his chin.
“I don’t know, but hopefully we’ll find out,” Gene growled.
“Oh we will, trust me,” Alex grinned, his pointed canines stark white in the light. He gave me a mischievous wink.
We had work to do tonight.
“Hey, I didn’t know your mom lived here. So she teaches at the school?” I asked as I followed Percy to the back room of the family home. I shot a quick text to Maurice about needing her to look after Axle for the night too. I’d be back by early morning hopefully.
Gene and Heather had a large home with a number of spare rooms. I could only assume it was for other pack members when things were rough.
Alex hadn’t been too pleased when I’d left him chatting with Gene to go talk more privately with Percy.
He wanted to ask me something, and I felt uneasy knowing that.
“Yeah, she used to teach when I was kid. As I got older, she spent more time at home than at work while my father mainly worked,” Percy gave sharp laugh. “At least, that’s what he told us.”
“What do you mean?”
“My father never actually married my mother. And all that extra overtime he spent at ‘work’, he was actually seeing another woman from another pack,” Percy said as he slumped down on the couch.
A sunroom was what the back room was, but the dark night sky was all that greeted us now.
“I’m so sorry,” I murmured as I sat down beside him.
“Don’t be. You can’t abandon the pack, but you can marry into another one. There are loopholes. My mother was a wreck at first, but she threw herself back into work. She loves working with the kids,” Percy said with a smile.
“That’s good that she loves her work.”
“What about you, what’s family like for you?” Percy asked, his hand sliding across to squeeze my knee. I caught my breath, the heat rising in me from such a simple touch.
I knew he noticed too as his nostrils flared and eyes dilated. Bloody ‘wolves with their super sensitive noses.
“My mother died from breast cancer after my 18th birthday, and my dad disappeared shortly after that. He became so different when she was dying, giving his all in helping her, and when she finally passed, it broke him. I haven’t heard from him since,” I said, and I could feel his pitiful stare.
“I’m so sorry, Ivy,” Percy murmured as he took my hand and squeezed it.
“It was years ago now,” I shrugged in an attempt to shake the sadness that had settled on me. I tried not to think of my parents anymore. I did sometimes wonder what had happened to my father, where he’d gone, what he was doing. If he even thought about me.
“So you’re Alex’s secretary then,” he changed the subject, which I was grateful for.
“Yeah, I got the job a few years back, it’s interesting at times, and other times there’s just so much paperwork to do,” I laughed.
“I’m glad I never had paperwork to do, all I ever did was patrol buildings.”
“Didn’t that get boring?”
“Yeah, I guess. I enjoyed the quiet though. I did work construction for a few years before that, helping build some of these homes,” he indicated out the window at the homes around us, “but once this place was finished up I wanted to try something different.”
“Nice, did you build this house?” I asked as I looked around the tidy room. Not a single item out of place. Everything belonged.
“Nah, I wasn’t working on this block. Gene actually helped build it,” he smiled.
“Really? So he works construction mostly then?”
“Yeah, he loves helping out around the neighborhood, always building or getting his hands dirty. He’s an amazing pack leader,” Percy said with admiration in his voice.
“He sounds like it,” I agreed.
“Anyway, I actually wanted to talk to you about something else,” he said softly as he squeezed my hand again. I was enjoying his warm hold on me, the closeness of our bodies. I felt comfortable next to him.
“When you were telling Heather about seeing the two vamps kill the other ‘wolf, I don’t remember you being in the room. How’d you know they did that?” he frowned at me.
My mouth went dry as I tried to come up with an excuse. He’d been badly hurt, would he really have known if I was in the room or not? I mean, I was, I just couldn’t be seen.
“I came in right after Alex, it was obvious what had happened,” I shrugged.
“You said you saw it though. You saw the vamp break his neck,” Percy’s brow creased in confusion.
“I kinda did, I guess,” I finally breathed. My chest hurt, and if I could still sweat, I was sure I’d be sweating like a sinner in church. I didn’t want to tell him what I was. I didn’t quite know. And I could only imagine the disgust he’d have. ‘Wolves weren’t fans of vampires because they were unnatural and dead, but me? He’d be horrified.
“How?” he pushed.
“I, um…” my mind scrambled for any possible explanation but the truth. Maybe I could be a witch? Or a psychic?
“I see things sometimes, while they’re happening normally. Kinda like a psychic,” I squirmed through my lie.
“So… you see visions?” Percy chewed his cheek.
“Yes.”
Damn, I think I told that lie pretty damn well.
“Wow,” Percy finally said with a disbelieving look.
“Just wow?” I prodded, my mouth dry.
“Yeah, I mean, that must suck in a way. Do you see things randomly or?”
“Um, usually only if I’m nearby,” I quickly said. I praised myself on my quick thinking.
“How weird, I’ve heard of witches who were psychic, does witch blood run in your family?”
“No, not that I know of.” I definitely wasn’t a witch. I knew that much. But it w
as better than the truth.
“Well it’ll be good to have you there tonight then, maybe your sixth sense will get us something,” Percy finally smiled and a wave of relief washed over me. I’d dodged a bullet. Thank God.
“Hey, Heather says dinner is ready,” Alex appeared in the doorway, ruffled at the sight of us together. His eyes were hooded as he tried not to even look at us, and guilt gnawed at me.
“Awesome, I’m loving having real food finally,” Percy leaped up and helped me to my feet.
I caught Alex’s dark look before he disappeared back down the hall.
But I was more worried about whether or not Percy would share my fake secret.
“Hey, can we keep this between us?” I caught his arm before he strode out into the hall.
“Of course,” he smiled reassuringly. “I’m glad you told me.”
“Yeah.” There it was, the heavy pit of guilt. Just what I needed.
Why was life so hard?
6
I stood beside Heather as Gene took his place before the crowd that had gathered before him.
People of all ages stood before him as they gathered in the open area at Barry’s place, a lone bonfire illuminating them all.
“I called you all here to share with you some great news! One of our own has found his way back to us. I know you sense the presence of both a vampire and human amongst us, but they are here to represent our member legally. You see, one of our own was stolen away from us. We thought for some time that we were losing pack mates, that they were abandoning us. But I’m here to tell you this is not the case.
They are being stalked and kidnapped, taken to be sold off to vamps wanting to fight them, pitting them against other weres’ in cages for their entertainment,” Gene spat the last bit as the crowd exploded in murmurs of anger and hatred.
The crowd bustled around us while Heather and I stood off to the side, our eyes peeled as we searched the pack for anyone acting out of the ordinary.
Alex was on the other side, his piercing blue eyes scanning the crowd like an eagle.
“So, it is with utter delight that I’m happy to welcome back one of our own, to have him amidst us once more. Please give Percy a warm welcome back!” Gene hollered and invited Percy to join him from his place hidden behind some of Barry’s wrecked cars.