“How do you know so much about me-about my baby?”
The night, air around her, swirled. A cool breeze encircled her nakedness. Sonja wanted to change and be on her way. Yet, the voice was clear, too omnipotent for her comfort. “Tell me how you know? What you want?”
“I want nothing except the safety of you and your child. You are part of my people’s history as well as their future. You are destined. Generations will call you mother. Be strong for I am with you always.”
With those words, the wind kicked up, blowing dust and sand all about her. Burying her face in the chemise, Sonja bore down on the frustration of talking to the wind. As the air settled, she focused on the shift.
Slipping into her wolf’s skin always made her feel so alive. Bounding off into the shadows, the soft beat of an Indian drum sounded. Echoing into the night, the drum ceased and the hoot of an owl pieced the stillness.
***
Bounding up the steps of the hotel, Ty wiped his boots on the threshold. He could hear Maggie McCready, the Loflin housekeeper’s voice ringing in his ears. “Don’t you be trackin’ in the earth on your feet, boyo! Leave it at the door.” God, he wished for home. Sometimes the memories would reach out, effectively choking him. Then, sometimes, trepidation strangled him when he couldn’t bring his family’s faces into frame in his mind. The blunder with Sonja needed resolving. He entered the lobby of the hotel. Realizing he’d forgotten to eat, he headed for the dining room. An idea formed. He’d get two plates and take one back to her. They’d be able to talk while they ate. Food always helped an apology.
With the tray, he maneuvered the stairs carefully. He wrapped on the door gently. Anxious to have her in his arms again made it hard to wait. No answer. With the tray propped precariously on his forearm, Ty managed to open the door.
The room was dark except for the faint light of the gas lanterns outside the window facing the street below. Easing the door shut, he set the tray on the sideboard. “Sonja, I brought some supper. I figured you might be hungry.”
Still, no answer.
He let his gaze rake the room again. Too damn dark in here! Ty groped for a lamp. Finally with light to guide him, he found her note on the small table near the bed.
“Dear Ty,
I’m writing this missive to say good-bye. I don’t know how to explain my concern for you and my family’s safety without saying, I have to leave. How I wish fate had been kinder to you and me. All of you will be safe once I am gone. Please try to understand and know I love you with all my heart.”
Nymph
The paper crumpled in his hand. Someone cursed, flipping the tiny table end over end. A red haze filled his vision. Snarling at the four corners of the room, Ty bolted for the hall.
Jeb caught him mid run. “Ty, what’s wrong?”
Ty’s hands had gone numb and his arms ached with the panic seizing him. Shoving the paper into the big man’s hand, he flew down the stairs and out into the street. Where she’d gone, he hadn’t a clue. Racing down the board sidewalk, searching every face he passed, he stumbled toward the train depot. Perhaps she’d tried to buy a ticket home.
There’d been no one booking passage. The next train north didn’t leave until next week. Under the realization, she’d disappeared, Ty’s heart cracked. The break, no more than a hairline fracture didn’t hurt, yet the sickening sensation, she’d gone and done something bad drove him crazy.
By the time Jeb found him, he was at his wits’ end. Ranting nonsense about gathering a search party, he folded into the nearest chair and groaned when Jeb reminded him how useless it was to track a wolf in the dark. “She’d planned this all along didn’t she, Jeb?”
“Now, Ty, Sonja’s an intelligent woman, maybe a little hard headed. We’ve just got to figure out what we’d do in her place. That’s all.”
“The witch! Hortence would know where she’d gone.” Ty jumped up, racing back toward the hotel. Finding Hortence out back, he prayed inwardly she could help. “Where is she?”
The words, issued within a snarl, had the old woman jerking back in defense. “Who?”
Ty huffed out a breath filled with curses. “Don’t give me a song and dance old woman. Where’s Sonja? I know she told you before she disappeared. Now, where is she?” His voice sounded foreign to his ears. Gone was the control. Gone was the patience. Ty bolted across the distance and snatched the old woman up by the arm. “You’ll tell me or you won’t live to see another miserable day, you old bat! His chest constricted when she simply glared at him through those watery eyes of hers.
“Makes no difference, now. You’re too late.”
Her demeanor gave him pause. She was calm, too calm, in fact. She was holding something back. “Why don’t you tell me anyway?” He growled through clinched teeth. Learning where she was before he unleashed the wolf was imperative.
Hortence’s eyes grew distant. Dropping her head, she shook it slowly. “I can tell you she asked for my protection.” With a heavy sigh, the witch gazed up at him. She slipped out near dark. I tried to talk sense to her. She said to tell you to live, live like there was no tomorrow. She wants such for you and her family. She wants to take care of the rest.” The witch’s knarled fingers slipped around his. Ty pulled back. The witch held fast. Your mate wants you to live, Lieutenant. Will you honor her wish?” Letting his hand fall from hers, she turned and walked away.
***
In his hand, Ty found the talisman he’d given Sonja when they first met. A piercing sliced through him as if a he’d been run through with a sword. Her face, her eyes shining bright with tears, her smile, so warm and tender. She gave him a laugh before racing away. Slowly the vision evaporated. Ty’s eyes opened. He scanned the room. She wasn’t there. She’d never be there again. The howl he emitted echoed into the night sky. His heart was as broken as his spirit. She’d gone and done the one thing he’d always freighted she’d do – go after the enemy alone.
A knock at the door brought him back. The bottle of whiskey in his hand shook when he slammed it on the table. “Who is it, damn it! I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed. Go away!”
“Lieutenant, it’s me, Smitty. I’m coming in.” The door swung wide. Smitty and his men filled the opening.
“What the hell?”
“Easy, Lieutenant. We have to talk.”
“Go away, damn you to hell. I don’t want to talk to anybody.” When no one moved, he repeated the command. “Get out, I said!”
“We’re here to help, whether you like it or not, Ty.” Smitty’s words resounded with authority.
Who the hell was in charge here? “Get the bloody hell out!”
“Not until you hear what we found out.”
Bleary eyed, Ty cocked a brow as he fixed Smitty with another smoldering stare. Being inebriated set the wolf off in an interesting way. He no longer needed to control the situation. He could simply sit back and enjoy the drama. Waving his arms in exaggerated anticipation, Ty relaxed. “Well, what is it?” Sarcasm oozed from every syllable. When the room swam, Ty cursed. The retched whiskey wasn’t doing the job.
“Lieutenant, we know where Sonja went.”
“Yeah, to find the fucking vampires!”
“We found their lair.”
Ty’s head flew up. The words were like a surge of energy rushing through his veins. “Where?”
“We’ve gotten word a white wolf with a silver fur collar was seen slipping into a cave along the river bank north of town. We’re going to investigate.”
Shards of red light flashed behind his eyes. “I’m going – not you, they’ll kill you on sight. Those vampires are ruthless.”
Smitty dropped his head. “If what the children say is true, she left to protect us from the demon bloodsuckers.” His jaw hardened. “Do ya understand, sir?”
Ty’s insides constricted. He needed air. None would come! The grip on Smitty’s arm tightened. “Nathaniel and Ethan – where are they?”
“They’re with their mother, S
ir. We’d best be…”
Before Smitty could finish, Ty flew out the door and down the hall to Briann and Jeb’s room.
With his repeated knock on the door, he wondered he didn’t rouse the whole top floor. Ty waited impatiently for someone to answer.
Jeb appeared in the doorway, a lamp illuminating his silhouette. “Ty, what’s wrong?”
Ty bore down on the wildness surging through his system. The wolf was only partially contained. “I need to speak to the children.” Glancing from Jeb to Briann, he hesitated only a minute before heading to Nathaniel’s side of the bed. “Son, I need you to wake up and talk to me.” Giving him a gentle shake, he repeated the request. “Wake up, now. It’s important.”
Nathaniel opened his eyes sleepily. The warning of secrets glowed in his face. “What’s wrong?”
“Nathaniel, I need you to tell me where Sonja’s gone. Do you understand?” Ty’s words held the gravely tone of the wolf.
The boy’s eyes grew wide as he searched the room for his mother.
Briann sat down on the opposite side of the bed. “It’s okay, Nat. Please tell Ty what you know. Sonja’s in danger.”
Ty’s chest tightened. What if the boy actually didn’t know? “Did she tell you where she was going?”
Nathaniel nodded in the affirmative. “She promised me not to tell.” As if the declaration would absolve him from revealing the information, he glanced innocently from Ty to his mother.
It was Ethan, who spoke up. “She went to the vampire’s coven, the one close to the Under the Hill camp.”
Nathaniel punched his arm. “We promised.”
Rubbing his arm, Ethan scowled at his brother before turning to Ty with big, brown eyes. “She said she was going up river to the Under the Hill place.” Ethan’s cheeks flushed red with his admittance. He buried his head in the pillow. “Aunt Sony in trouble!” His warbled cry filled the silent room.
Briann clutched at her neck with trembling fingers. “Surely, she wouldn’t go alone.” Her eyes filled with tears. Racing to the armoire, she snatched out a dress, disappearing behind the dressing screen.
Ty turned to Smitty. “Get me a horse and some strong coffee.”
Instead of answering, Smitty stood stoic.
“Is there something else, Sergeant?”
“Yes sir there is.”
Behind him, the remainder of the men he’d commanded during their campaign stepped up. The loose line they formed reminded him of their army days. Now, instead of a salute though, each held his hat in his hand as a show of respect.
“What?” Ty’s flared nostrils and bemused glare caused a couple of the men to glance down, prepared to stare a hole in the floor. “Easy, boys. You’re not fixing to turn tail and run now are you? Hell, you’ll miss all the fun.” He cut a wry smile in Smitty and Connor’s direction. No one said a word. He went down the line. Baby, Collins, Big Sam, Ducus and Abram along with Frank and Marcus Linnell all stood quietly watching him. “Smitty, best you tell me what’s going on.” It wasn’t a question.
“Lieutenant, the boys and I’ve been talking it over. You’re taking on a grave responsibility virtually on your own. We want to help. You know any of us would give our right arm to make sure you’re safe.” He flicked a glance at the others. That’s why we want you to turn us.”
Ty’s easy smile froze into stone.
Smitty rushed on. “The odds will be in our favor then. We’ll stand a hell of a better chance with whatever we face if we’re werewolves like you.”
Ty could only stare. From one man’s face to the next, he scanned the lot of them. They’d been like brothers to him during some of the worst times of his life. “You, men don’t know what you’re asking. The answer’s no!” With a decisive shake of his head, he turned, finding he needed time to regroup. Hell, if he didn’t have something in his eye. The soft light in the room cast the men’s silhouettes against the far wall. Glancing up at their shadows on the wall, the lump clogging his throat suddenly wanted to choke him.
“Lieutenant, beginn’ your pardon, we do know what we’re asking. We’ve seen you in action. We’ve been there with you and the Widow Brooks. Your strength is without a doubt the best weapon we have against these…these bloodsuckers.” He took a step forward, “Ty…?” Holding out his big hand, Smitty waited.
The sincerity in his Captain’s voice had Ty turning back. Slowly shaking his head, Ty tried again. “No human should go through this. The down side of the wolf is not a small responsibility to shoulder.”
“Ty, we’ve made up our minds. Each of us is willing to help in the surest way we know how. Let us help you, Lieutenant.”
Glancing back at their faces, Ty’s composure almost broke. He’d never seen such steadfast dedication. “Such a thing is forever.”
“We understand, Lieutenant.” Abram spoke up. “We’ve all decided this is what we want, to be like you – to form a band of brothers.”
Ty considered the man’s words. Abram, steadfast Abram, who’d lead him back to his men in that god-forsaken prisoner of war camp. Then there was Connors and Collins nodded in silent agreement. They’d helped him fight the bloody bastards to free them all. God love ‘em, but Baby, Big Sam and Ducus grinned as if he’d already said yes.
“Don’t make any sense to break up a unit like ours. We’re in your debt from now on, Lieutenant,” Marcus Linnell added.
Ty searched each man’s eyes. There was no doubt or apprehension. “When the time comes, you’ll be expected to harness your own ability. I won’t be able to command you like I’ve done in the past. You’ll be on your own.”
The room fairly erupted. Loud rebel yells, whoops and cheers went up from all the inductees.
Smitty reached out, gathering him in a quick bear hug. Ty could do no more than hold on as Smitty’s broad expanse dwarfed his own.
“You are a crazy lot. I wouldn’t want any other to go into battle with me. Thank you, all.”
“Best save the thanks until you see if we can scratch our ass with our paw first, Lieutenant.” Big Sam grinned from ear to ear.
The big man’s reference to their new lineage had the men laughing. Ty sobered quickly though. “We don’t have any time to waste. Let’s get to it!”
Chapter 7 - Tomacha
Water lapped at the sides of the boat. The sky was inky black with clouds and thunder to cover their movements. Lightening shot across the sky in an eerie pattern of ragged lace. The swamp creatures were silent.
Smitty made the sign of the cross over his chest, peering at the skyline. “We’ve got about an hour before this storm hits. I don’t want to be in this damn thing when it drops ten inches of rain on us.”
Ty squinted into the night ahead. His vision was good. Jeb’s was better. Ignoring Smitty’s pessimistic attitude, he nudged Jeb. “I can’t see much, how ‘bout you?”
Jeb pointed to a scope of trees not a hundred yards further ahead. “See the cliff?”
Ty nodded. “Yeah, the lookout for the Under the Hill gang.”
“It’s the best place on the river for a lookout.” With a confident wink, he grinned. “I’m going to relieve those watching of their post. When I do, I’ll signal you it’s safe to tie up. Okay?”
“Okay,” Ty said. “We’ll wait for your signal.” Watching Jeb fly into the night sky, Ty started when a cool blast of air rushed over him like a spring rain. He glanced about expecting to see rain falling from the turbulent sky. Instead, there was his grandfather, Tomacha, Great Chief of the Choctaw.
“Do you believe I’m here?” The man stood at the bow of the boat, occupying Jeb’s place in the vessel. Clad only in his ceremonial headdress and a breechcloth, Tomacha smiled out of a weathered face about the same color as Ty’s.
“I must be hallucinating.” Ty shook his head.
“Well if you are, we’re having the same hallucination, Lieutenant,” Smitty hissed from behind him.
Ty’s mouth wouldn’t work. His grandfather had been dead for twenty years
or more. “How is it possible?”
“You’re a werewolf, how is that possible?” The old man retorted as his mouth creased into a warm smile.
“I’ve lost control,” Ty whispered to himself. Reaching out, he expected his hand to go straight through. His fingers hit a solid body. “You’re really here?”
“I’m here,” Tomacha’s words were gentle. “Don’t worry about the how. Listen to why. I have spoken with the she-wolf. Sonja, the white wolf, will become the mother of a great nation. Trust her and do not question her decision to save you all. She faces the enemy alone because it is written, she must.” He glanced behind Ty to the slack-jawed faces of the new wolves. “These men have offered the greatest gift. I will mention their devotion to the Great Spirit.”
“The Great Spirit?” Ty’s loss for words aggravated him. “Grandfather, what am I supposed to do? Let her go into the vampires den alone? She could be killed!”
“It is true, she is in danger. You will give her the strength she needs to complete this task. Vanquishing the enemy must be her responsibility. Yours is to support her - to offer assistance. Be watchful of your words. They carry potent venom when spoken in anger.”
Suddenly, the signal light flared.
Ty glanced back. His grandfather was gone.
“Blessed Mother…” Smitty’s silent prayer was the only sound in the stillness surrounding them.
Ty shoved the vision, or ghost, or whatever the hell he’d had, to the back of his mind. He had more pressing things to do. “All right, let’s get in and see what we can find. Smitty, did you bring the supplies?”
“Yes, sir, Lieutenant, I brought everything you asked for.”
Handing Ty a revolver and a rifle, Smitty turned to light a tiny lantern in response to Jeb’s signal. “We best be getting’ a move on, he whispered. The storm’s headin’ in fast.”
Hiding the boat, they made their way to the cave’s opening. Tucked into the undergrowth of the heavily-wooded area surrounding the riverbank, the entrance, covered by vines and wild bushes, proved completely camouflaged.
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