by K. Aten
Sarah swallowed, remembering the feeling of being trapped in a circle of anger with the French Canadian werewolf. It wasn’t pleasant and she remembered with sickening clarity how much she wanted to kill him in that moment. “I understand.”
Keller reached up and cupped the taller woman’s cheek. “Promise me you won’t ever try it. Please?”
Sarah looked at the other three women in the room, then back at Keller. “I promise I won’t do it unless I have no other options.” Keller wanted a different answer, and wanted to press her point, but they were interrupted when Jesse started to wake up.
“Whoa, what happened?”
The bar manager smiled down at the younger woman and offered her a hand up. “You’ve been sucked dry, my friend.”
The younger Colby snickered again. “And not the way you like, I should know.”
Sarah looked at her in disgust. “Too much information!”
Jill just shook her head at all of them, a lot more relieved now that Jesse was back up and around. “Are we done here then? Because I don’t know about any of you, but I’m starving.” She looked at Keller. “Did I pass your test?”
“Well, you definitely need to work on your control but I’m confident you have the basics down.”
“Good. Now let’s order something to eat and discuss what to do next. What does everyone want?” Her question was met with a resounding “Thai Guys!” and she started laughing. Looking right at her ex-girlfriend she shook her head. “Some things really never change, do they, Sar?”
Ten minutes later Jill was off calling in everyone’s orders and Annie was still doting over the perfectly recovered Jesse on the couch. Sarah took the opportunity to pull Keller into their bedroom where they could talk in private. Once the door was shut, Keller looked at her in concern. “What’s wrong?”
“You tell me.” When Keller gave her a confused look, Sarah elaborated. “It hasn’t even been twelve hours since Jill was broken and left for dead. Of everyone in my life, she has always been the most practical and levelheaded, but this chill attitude is a lot for even her. She should be feeling something more right now, Keller, not the vague amount of fear that trickles in whenever someone mentions her attackers. Is this dangerous? Could she be internalizing it and is going to just explode later?”
Realizing that she’d been caught out, Keller sighed and ran a hand through her long blonde spikes. “She is internalizing her fear but not as much as you think. A good portion of that chill attitude is actually my fault.”
Sarah looked at her in surprise. “Your fault?”
“By infecting her with the virus, she was left with no physical pain or damage from her attack. So to help speed her recovery along even further, I clouded her memory of it. I made it hazier and less sharp.” Shocked silence met her words. “Don’t worry, I’ve done it many times. It’s very similar to the way we cloud people’s memory of us. I didn’t want to make her forget, I just want to remove her from it a bit. I’ve come across many attack victims in my time. I did more than just avenge them; I often tried to heal if I could. PTSD is very common with someone who has suffered extreme physical trauma or injury, more so if it’s coupled with emotional trauma. I didn’t want what happened to her to cripple her mentally.”
She grimaced. “However, I have never met anyone as stubborn as your ex. I can sense that she is holding a lot of fear inside but she shows no signs that she wants anyone to help her. She has a wall up that goes beyond what I showed her this morning. Seeing you and Annie together when she walked in was the key to getting her to open up to us. I think she needed that familiarity.”
Sarah was suddenly filled with wash of love for the woman in front of her. Every time she thought she understood her lover, the smaller woman would unveil another layer to her personality. The gratitude she felt on her friend’s behalf was immense. “You’re right, Jill has always been that stubborn. Her home life was never that great and she’s always had a hard time connecting with people. When my parents died, I think she was nearly as devastated as Annie and I were. They were like second parents to her.” Sarah paused for a second, thinking about what she wanted to say. “Thank you for understanding that Jill is more than just my ex. She is family to me and Annie, and we are the same to her. And thank you for helping her. I can never repay all you have given our family, and all you continue to give.”
Keller nodded in understanding and gave Sarah a sweet smile. “Lass, you never have to thank me.” She placed her hand over Sarah’s heart. “Every day you carry me in here is all the thanks I’ll ever need.” She moved her hand then to the back of Sarah’s neck and pulled the taller woman down for a kiss, a kiss that continued until they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Hey, thanks to my vampire super powers I know exactly what you’re doing in there now. Come out and join us; food will be here in twenty.”
While the food was being eaten, they came to the decision that Annie and Jesse would stay with Jill for a while. They’d close their house up and Sarah and Keller would take turns checking on it. They were hoping it wouldn’t be any longer than a few weeks. It would take some juggling for everyone to adjust their schedules to accommodate around the clock protection for Annie, but no one wanted to take any chances. With Columbus Pride rapidly approaching, the coming weeks were going to be busy enough for the lone human. No one wanted to think about what would happen if the rogue wolves attacked again. All they could do is hope that the three slipped up and either Louve, or Keller and Sarah, were able to pinpoint where they were hiding. And Jill felt her first bit of relief, knowing she didn’t have to return home alone. They were a family, and they would help each other.
Chapter Eight
TEN DAYS AFTER making arrangements for Annie’s safety in Keller’s condo, they were no closer to finding the rogue werewolves. It was early Wednesday afternoon, and Sarah had a few errands to run before she needed to be at the studio for her first lesson of the day. Since the singer was busy, Keller made arrangements to meet Louve at a martini bar to discuss their situation. She was nursing her first drink when the Frenchwoman walked through the door. Keller didn’t even wait for Louve’s first drink to arrive. “Have you found out anything?”
Louve gave the barest shake of her head. “Non, we have nothing. I have spoken with Raph and he is coming to Columbus with his two eldest sons.”
Keller raised an eyebrow. “What are they going to do for us? And who will be running his farm?”
“His wife, Rosaline, will be running it while they are away, and his brother and sister-in-law, Marcel’s parents, will also stay in Quebec. He is afraid that Jean and Adrienne will not allow him to harm their son, even if Marcel proves to be a danger that needs to be eliminated.”
The vampire was surprised that Louve’s friend was willing to truly take care of the problem with Marcel. “Well, that is certainly good news. And when will they be arriving?”
Louve’s drink was placed in front of her and they waited until the bartender walked away before the werewolf answered. “Raph said the three of them still have some arrangements to make so they cannot leave until this weekend. It’s about a twelve-hour drive from the Village de Labelle, in Quebec. Their farm is a few kilometers outside the village. They will of course be staying with me at the farm house.”
Pale eyebrows rose. “Driving?”
Louve nodded. “Yes, that is easiest for them in case he does not want to return home. They may have to subdue him for the trip. And if he is killed, it will be much easier to transport the body without involving the authorities.”
Keller was skeptical. “I know the border between Canada and the US is pretty lax, but how would they pull that off?”
The werewolf gave her a little smile. “My people have their ways, as you should well know.”
Keller nodded and sat for a few minutes thinking about all that Louve had said. They had known each other for a long time and the silence was not uncommon between them. Finally, she looked at
her friend. “So what is the next step? Should we all meet again when Raph and his boys arrive?”
The circus manager nodded solemnly. “I think that is the best we can do for now.”
“Has Marie said anything yet?”
Louve gave her a frustrated look. “Alain has spoken with her many times and she denies that she has been running with Marcel. She also denies that she has done anything wrong other than show interest in your wolf. I don’t know what to do with her, mon ami. I have always been protective of my people, and I would hate for her to think I do not trust her word. She has consistently been loyal to the troupe. And if Alain says she speaks true, I trust him.”
Disbelief washed across Keller’s face. “Seriously? Jill’s description was pretty spot on, Louve.”
The Frenchwoman shook her head. “You said she described a skinny blonde wolf. I have three people in my troupe that match that description. I’m sorry, but without proof…” She shrugged, helpless.
Keller sighed. “Do you at least have a photo of her, maybe Jill can identify her. Though I’m not going to hold my breath on that.”
Louve looked at her curiously. “Why would she not be able to recognize a photo?”
“I faded her memories to help her with the healing process. So I’m afraid the images that were so clear after the attack are not so clear now. I’m not sure how much she would recognize at this point. I thought it would help her…” She trailed off, regretting not thinking of having Jill identify Marie sooner. Instead of dwelling on it, she changed the subject. “What about the mysterious French speaking man? Any luck there?”
Again Louve shook her head. “I am sorry, but I have found nothing. Alain and I have spoken at length on this subject and neither of us can figure out who it may be. He said he is starting to regret this venture with me, but I know in his heart he loves the cirque. It makes me sad that this thing we have created is étant déchiré en morceaux.” She made a ripping gesture with her hands. “Torn into pieces!”
Keller cocked her head. “Wait, Alain is the other owner of Temple du Loup? I knew you were only part owner, I just never realized the other owner was another member of the troupe. I assumed it was a silent partner back in France.”
“Non, it is he. He is the—how do you say, the ‘lesser’ partner because he did not have as much investissement de capitaux to put into our venture here. But he says he is content with training the troupe and being the strong man. We each have our say in what the cirque does, and we each have a share of the profits. It is a good arrangement.”
Keller finished her martini while she slowly digested the new information. Alain was an all-around unassuming man, and he had never said a word about being the part owner of Temple du Loup whenever Keller had spoken with him. She knew that Louve counted on the quiet Frenchman to keep their circus family together, and he seemed to have a very positive effect on the younger ones. “What would happen to the bar if something happened to either of you? Did you leave your percentage of ownership to someone, like Raph maybe?”
A delicate hand waved through the air as Louve answered. “Non, we are each the beneficiary in the case of the other’s demise. We have known each other a long time. Alain is a good man. He had a rough life for many years before I found him. His wife and twin sons had been killed decades before. Whoever it was knew he had other blood and had chained him to a chair to watch the torture and death of his family. He said the person killed his sons last, one after another.” She shook her head at the horror of it. “While he has been instrumental in getting the troupe and bar as far along as we have, I know he still suffers from their loss. I can only imagine what that kind of torment is like, or what it does to someone. It was difficult enough for me to lose my Catherine, but to lose one’s wife and their own innocent little children? I could not bear such a thing.”
Keller was shocked that the man who seemed so pleasant and helpful was hiding such pain. She was even more surprised that he managed to hide that amount of pain from her own master-level empathy. “Does he know who did it?”
Louve shrugged. “Whether he does or not, he has never told me, and I would not wish to pry into such a private matter. I have never spoken at length to him of what happened to Catherine either, so it seems right. We know the basics of our pasts and that is all. I think he would find the details of what she did even more troubling given his past experiences.”
“Interesting. I’m surprised he has never said anything to you, being as close as you are. Perhaps he has simply tried to put it all behind him and build a new life.”
The Frenchwoman nodded. “Yes, I think you are correct.”
Something was nagging at the back of Keller’s brain, but she couldn’t pinpoint it so she let it go. There were more important things to worry about right now. “When do you want to set up a meeting between all of us? Sunday afternoon? That should give Raphael and his sons plenty of time to settle in before we talk.”
“Oui c’est bon.”
Keller looked at her longtime friend for a few seconds, trying to decide if she should broach the subject that had being going through her head. “Have you been able to go see Jill?”
Louve’s lips dipped at each corner as she frowned and her eyes were downcast. “Non, but we have spoken on the phone many times since her attack. She is—” She fidgeted with her hand on the stem of her martini glass. “Mon Dieu, but she has been damaged by all of this! I think she is afraid to see me in person.”
“She may be. She’s fine with Jesse but she doesn’t see Jesse as a threat because of her relative innocence and her connection to Annie. Has Jill spoken to you about any of it? Has she opened up at all? She’s been closed on the subject with us and Sarah and I worry about her.”
“We have spoken at length about a great many personal things.” Keller raised her eyebrow. “I have told her about Catherine, and about how much her loss hurt me. I suppose we are both broken things, no? But I will admit to you, my longtime friend, that I am afraid.”
Keller looked at Louve in surprise. “Afraid? Are you afraid for Jill? Because I can assure you that she is in no danger now—”
Louve cut her off with a wave of her hand. “Non. I am afraid of her!”
“Quelle?”
Keller could barely make out Louve’s quiet sigh. “Even though we have not known each other very long, I am drawn to her. I am feeling things that I have not felt in nearly a century. Now that she has turned, she is too much of everything I’ve been looking for. The last time all my desires were met…”
Keller swallowed the lump in her throat. “Catherine.”
“Oui, Catherine. So I am afraid, you see. I am afraid that she is too good to be true, that things will go badly again. I do not think my heart could bear it.”
Keller covered her friend’s hand with her own. “Have faith in her. I think you two could be good for each other if you both give this thing between you a chance. You’ve opened to each other and I think that connection is something you have both needed for a long time. Let her all the way in; she is not Catherine. Trust your heart.”
Louve smiled. It was tentative but Keller could feel the truth of it. “I will. Merci.”
Keller waved to the bartender for her check. “So to change the subject back to the bigger situation, you will continue to patrol the woods near the farm? Sarah and I will keep an eye on the news to see if we can find a pattern outside the Alum Creek area.”
Louve gave her a grim smile. “Oui.” She finished her drink and both women left money on the counter to cover their bill and tip.
After leaving that bar, Keller headed for another one. The Merge wasn’t open yet but it was her replacement’s first night on the job. Lissa Watkins had previously managed Tully’s for two years before deciding she was ready to move on to something bigger and better. Tully’s was another establishment that was part of Diamond Enterprises, the same company that owned Merge. Keller’s boss Joanne had been working with Lissa for a while and knew she would
be fully capable in handling all the demands of a duel format nightclub. Once Keller sat with her through two interviews, she too was convinced that Lissa would be a good fit.
The new manager’s first day was all about acclimating to the basic workings of the bar. She would be introduced to the staff and the computer system that handled everything from the ordering to employee time tracking. In an unpopular move, Keller had scheduled a mandatory meeting at three for all employees. It was only a half hour and everyone would get paid regardless of whether or not they were on the work schedule that day. No one liked coming in on their day off but Keller knew it was important to get the introduction out of the way as soon as possible. She wanted the transition to be smooth because in all honestly she was ready to be done with the current phase of her life. Especially with all that was going on, she really wanted to spend more time with Sarah and to be able to focus on their current crisis. In all the years Keller had been alive, she’d come across a plethora of bad and unsavory individuals. A few of them she would even classify as blatantly evil. She knew without a doubt that the wolves responsible for their trouble fell into the last category.
Shortly after she arrived at Merge, Keller’s phone rang. Lissa was out meeting the staff so Keller stepped into the office for some privacy. She answered the call from her girlfriend, immediately sensing that something was wrong. “What’s the matter?”
Sarah laughed on the other end. “How do you do that?”
Keller’s shrug went unseen. “It’s our bond, you know that. When you get stronger you’ll be able to sense me just as easily. Now tell me what’s up.”