Tala

by Adrianna Morgan

  She looked around the room. There were about fifteen Weres including Suzette and herself. There were three other female Weres; two looked like twins with similar dark hair and the third female was extremely dark, her straight hair falling to her hips. All had the high cheekbones of their Native American blood and the green eyes of the Weres. The ten men were strewn throughout the room. One had his hand possessively on the waist of the darker female even as he regarded Layla through hooded eyes. She kept her eyes averted, refusing to make eye contact. She did not want to make any enemies.

  The Were who had brought Layla here stood to the right of Suzette. He was probably her second-in-command. She also saw the two Were who were with Suzette the night she was attacked and her hand automatically went to her throat. She shuddered as she heard the low menacing chuckle pass between the two. Two were older Weres that seemed out of place with the younger wolves. Other than that, the other Weres were your normal run-of-the-mill-average-looking-Native-American-werewolves.

  Suzette cleared her throat. The talking ceased immediately and she could see the fear emanating off the Weres in the room. They were obviously afraid of their Alpha. Suzette looked at Layla. “We have a new member of our little group,” She said, waving a dismissive hand at Layla. “Mai-coh’s daughter.”

  Layla heard the gasp as the two older Weres looked at her with something close to fear. She didn’t know what kind of power her father’s name had over them, but they sounded as if they knew her history. The other Weres looked bored.

  “Now that we have her, we can proceed to the next stage of the plan and this war may end soon.” At the groans around the room, Suzette smiled. “Don’t worry, you can continue to have your fun, after all, you will be at the top of the food chain.”

  Layla’s stomach dropped as the room interrupted in cheers.

  Suzette held her hands for quiet. “We will rest when daylight comes because we have a new target to acquire.” She smiled. “But we don’t necessarily have to be careful when acquiring this one.” She laughed as she held up a wine goblet and drank deeply before leaving the room. She barely glanced at Layla.

  *

  Layla held her breath as the Were smoothly transformed. Suzette’s second-in-command, Wattan, the blonde female and another male Were stood in a copse of trees outside a neighborhood in Plant City. She stood and stared at the small brick house with the wooden steps that reminded her so much of her Aunt Susan’s house. She saw the Were motion to the others and watched as Suzette walked up to the front door, her blonde hair swinging. She was flanked by her two guard Weres and she calmly rang the doorbell. The door swung open and Layla could see the dark hair of a small child. Her heart jumped to her throat as a memory assaulted her. Her tenth birthday, the blonde Were flanked by two others. The doorbell ringing. Her own hands opening it. Her hands later covered with the blood of her mother.

  She shook her head and watched Suzette transform. She heard a scream and before she thought about it, she was sprinting out of the trees and running toward the house across the street. She could vaguely hear the other Weres she was with as they rushed after her, determined to drag her back. She dodged one Were that appeared suddenly in front of her and bolted through the front door.

  The scene was similar to the one already in her head. Glass and wood covered most of the floor and ribbons of red covered the wood and glass. She could see the small child hovering in the corner as Suzette advanced on the older couple sitting terrified on the couch. She remembered the look in Tami’s eyes when she’d almost killed her and instantly felt pain at her actions. She was not a killer and she was not going to let this child get hurt. She felt her rage build inside her and the light coat of fur cover her body. Her claws extended and to her surprise she fully transformed. She started forward, surprised when a large hand grabbed her back.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” A low voice growled at her back. She turned and stared at Wattan, the Were who had brought her to Suzette. He smiled, and then reached out and slapped her across the room.

  Layla could feel the slap coming before it did, so she actually was able to avoid most of the blow. The force of it still propelled her across the room, but she was able to shake it off and she rose quickly to her feet. She saw Suzette look at her and laugh, then motioned to the Were to finish her off. Layla smiled. She wasn’t going to be that easy.

  She saw the frightened glances that passed between the older couple and looked at them with assurance. She knew they were going to die. There was no way for her to save the little girl, the couple and herself from Suzette and five other Weres. A quick glance outside told her that the other two had joined the party. The other male stayed outside to act as a lookout and the female joined in the fight to destroy her. The two wolves circled her, flanking her, while Suzette taunted the child and her two guard Weres terrorized the older couple.

  Her resolve hardened as she realized that the human couple would lose their lives simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time and she shifted slightly to be able to take in both Weres. She felt the change in the air as the first of the two sprang at her and she stepped aside as he crashed into the wall in front of where she was standing a few seconds ago. She stepped aside again as the female lunged for her and she spun around slashing the Were with her claws.

  Her ears pricked up and she realized that a third Were had joined her fight. It was one of Suzette’s guards. He reached for her, grunting in surprise when she stepped out of reach. She aimed a well-placed kick to his groin and was rewarded with his yelp of pain. She managed to dodge another swipe at her but then ran into the fist of the first Were. She shook off the pain as she eyed the three of them warily.

  Her ears pricked up again and she heard a loud ripping sound. She looked quickly over her shoulder and saw the male who was acting as lookout torn to pieces on the porch. The attacking Weres looked around in fear, but not before the female decided to swipe at Layla again and she screamed at the white hot pain that seared her thigh. Her eyes narrowed and she felt her rage build. Her animal took charge and in moments the female Were that attacked her lay separated from her head.

  The two others fighting her took a step back. She looked over at Suzette. She had slit the throats of the older couple and was holding the child in front of her, claws red from the blood of the child’s family. The little girl was looking at Suzette in fear. She had yet to succumb to the darkness threatening to close her eyes, but she was close. A dark movement told her someone was outside and she breathed deeply. Her eyes shot up to the doorway. Instantly she knew. Her heart leapt in her throat and she laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that unnerved the two Weres still standing in front of her. Her own hands were covered in blood and she wickedly lifted them to her mouth. The metallic taste was revolting but she wanted to have a little fun.

  “Delicious,” she said, winking at the other two as she walked closer to them. “The cavalry is here. Now here is the fun part.” She crouched and sprang at the closest Were, and her sudden movement igniting the room. He attempted to swing at her but she simply grabbed his arm and used his own momentum to propel him across the room. He landed on the porch with a crash and she turned to Wattan. She smiled as she heard the telltale ripping sound and a quick peek confirmed her suspicions. The guard Were lay torn to pieces next to the first one.

  She heard Suzette scream in rage and turned in time to feel the other woman grab her hair and hurl her across the room. She landed near the door, her hand in something soft, warm and wet. She refused to look down. Instantly Suzette was on her and viciously slashed at her throat. Layla barely managed to lean away, her throat squirting blood as Suzette nicked her jugular. The enraged blonde grabbed for Layla again and stopped as someone stepped into the room. Layla’s savior held the remains of the second guard Were in his hands, and then tossed the head to the side like a toy.

  Layla held her throat as the Were regarded her calmly. She could feel herself getting weaker and crawled over the lit
tle girl sitting wide-eyed in the corner. She transformed back and felt the blood trickle from between her fingers. She wrapped her other arm around the girl, and smiled as the girl scooted into her warmth.

  “Shh, it’s okay,” she whispered as the child began to sob. “What’s your name?” She asked hoping to soothe the child.

  The little girl sniffled before looking up at Layla. “My name is Nali and I am five years old,” she said proudly, before putting her face back in Layla’s shoulder.

  Suzette straightened slowly, and tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder as the new Were approached her. “Hello, Martin.”

  *

  Suzette looked at the remains of her Weres and then at Layla and Martin. Knowing that she was outnumbered she looked at Layla coldly. “If I see you again, I will kill you.” She glanced at Martin. “And I have a very long memory.”

  She motioned to Wattan, her second-in-command and the lone Were standing behind her. In a flash they were gone. Layla looked up from the sniffling child and felt her heart break for the little girl. Her life was forever changed, the way Layla’s had nineteen years ago. She rubbed her hand down the child’s hair, smoothing the long, dark strands. The little girl had the same green eyes she had come to expect from the Weres and her deeply tanned skin was a smooth contrast to that of the couple. She held the girl close, knowing it was a comfort to both her and the child, but she felt her body start to falter.

  “Martin,” she called out weakly as blood continued to pour from the wound in her throat. “Martin,” she called again as she felt her eyes start to get hazy. Shit, she thought before she slumped over, the little girl’s screams the last thing in her ears.

  *

  Layla awoke to the coolness of a wet cloth resting on her forehead. She looked around her, the bright light hurting her eyes. The room was somehow familiar, and unlike the cold hospital room, the walls were warm with color. She recognized the poster across the room; she used to own one just like it. The door creaked open and her eyes widened at the woman that walked in.

  “Aunt Susan?” she whispered.

  Her aunt walked towards her. “Hey. You’re awake.” She held a towel to her face and swiped at the tears that spilled from her red-rimmed eyes. “I was just coming to check on you.”

  Layla put a hand to her throat. A thick bandage covered it, unlike the one from the week before. She swallowed thickly. “How—how did I get here?” She winced at the dryness of her throat and her aunt quickly brought a glass of water to her lips.

  “Your friend, Martin, brought you here.” Her aunt answered, replacing the glass. She touched the cloth to Layla’s face. “I was so worried when he called to say you were in the hospital.” She wrung her hands in the hem of the light sweater she wore. Layla could see her anxiety and reached out for her aunt. She knew what her aunt was feeling. It was like losing her kids in that car accident all over again.

  Layla remembered how broken up the older woman had been. She was the only person that Layla could call family and although they were not close, they were linked by Layla’s mom and their shared sorrow. She felt her aunt pat her hand and she closed her eyes inhaling deeply. The smells reminded her of her youth and although they were wrought with some miserable days, there was comfort here. Her aunt was never mean to her; they just never bonded.

  She cleared her throat. “My friend, Martin, is he here?”

  Susan shook her head. “No, he said he had to deal with a clean-up job or something. He dropped you off at the hospital and called me, we stayed there most of the night and then he left.” She fumbled in her pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. “He did call, though, and left this number.” She put the piece of paper on the nightstand next to Layla. She looked at her niece lying forlorn on the bed. Although Layla looked nothing like her mother, her temperament and attitude was Sarah through and through.

  She sighed, “Layla, are you in trouble?”

  Layla smiled wryly. “It’s not what you think.” she said truthfully.

  Her aunt nodded. “I didn’t mean to pry, but I called your job to tell them you were in the hospital and the girl who answered the phone said you’d been fired for theft.”

  Layla saw the look of disappointment in her aunt’s eyes. “It was a misunderstanding.” She sighed. “I made someone angry and she framed me.” She reached over and took another sip

  from the glass. “It was a mistake, but luckily she did a crappy job at trying to destroy my character. But my boss Cantrell was just waiting for an opportunity, so—,” she made a slashing motion across her throat with her hand. She reached up and patted her aunt’s hand again. “But that’s why I have Martin. He’s an old friend and he is helping me deal with her.”

  Susan looked at her and smiled. “Good. Then let’s make sure we get this bitch.”

  *

  Martin walked back into the woods. He watched the house burn for a few minutes before calling 911. The operator promised to send someone and tried to make him stay on the phone for a few moments longer. He hung up. The foster parents of the little girl were dead, but he had to be sure. It was not a good thing to leave those without the Were gene who got bit. They would eventually die, but it was a slow excruciating death; the pain unimaginable. He’d also tossed the bodies of the Weres in there. He needed to make sure they were all dead before he left. Pouring acid over the Weres ensured they would be entirely consumed before the fire fighters could extinguish the flame.

  He walked to his truck. The little girl was asleep in the back and he resisted the urge to pull the blanket tighter around her. He sat in the driver’s seat and sighed. He was getting too old for this. In all his years, he’d never hesitated to kill a Young one until Layla. He’d spared her life and now—he looked into the back seat—he realized he was ready to spare this one as well. Granted the girl had no idea that she was a Were and her powers wouldn’t make themselves known until her tenth birthday, but he couldn’t take the chance that the trauma she’d experienced would not speed up her transformation.

  Not all Weres transformed, a little voice whispered in his mind. He’d never transformed until he was bitten. Then his Were powers were reawakened and had saved his life. The little one dreamed restlessly, occasionally moaning and twitching. He sighed again. He didn’t have to kill her but he couldn’t save her. She needed her family. He drove off, the wheels of his dark truck spewing up dirt and debris. He could hear the distant wail of a siren.

  Martin knocked on the door to Susan Donovan’s house. Last night, she had been terrified but the woman had swallowed her fear and taken care of Layla after she’d been released from the hospital. She was a remarkable woman he thought, feeling a stirring he hadn’t felt in years. He scowled. He didn’t want these feelings right now. There was too much to do and not enough time to do it.

  He shifted the bundle in his arms and knocked on the door again. His scowl deepened as Susan opened the door. He stared at her for a moment and she leaned forward curiously at the bundle in his arms. The little girl stirred and Susan’s mouth dropped open. She stared at the man holding the child before pulling them both into the house.

  “Is she hurt?” she whispered, motioning for him to lay the child on the couch.

  Martin shook his head. “At least, not physically.”

  Susan cocked her head in question.

  “Is Layla awake yet?” he asked, changing the subject.

  “Yes, she’s awake,” Layla said groggily as she walked into the room. She sat on the couch and started as she noticed the child. “Is she—?”

  Martin shook his head again. “She is fine, just a bit tired.” He gave Layla a look. “The people who were with her when you saved her from those thieves were her foster parents.”

  Layla gasped. She knew that Martin had hoped the girl had other family. Otherwise, there was nowhere for her to go. Except back to the state. She studied the little girl and saw her own fate years ago. She couldn’t possibly allow the child to go back after what she’d seen
and experienced. She needed to be around people who would understand her.

  Susan had gasped as well. The poor child didn’t have anyone. She somehow reminded Susan of Layla and she knew she couldn’t let the little girl go. She squared her shoulders. “She’s staying here.”

  Layla’s eyes widened. “Here? Are you sure?”

  Susan nodded. “That child watched thieves break into her house and kill her foster parents. If you hadn’t happen along when you did, God knows what might have happened to her.” Susan walked over to Layla and gave her a little hug. “The same thing happened to you Layla and I didn’t do all that I should have. I am not letting this child experience the same thing.” She nodded firmly.

  Martin regarded her coolly. “Well, if you are sure about this, I can make a few calls and get the ball rolling.”

  Susan looked back at him. “I can make a few calls myself,” she said and smiled at the look of annoyance that flashed across Martin’s face.

  Layla laughed.

  *

  If he hit her one more time she was going to rip his throat out. Layla leveled her gaze on the Were in front of her and lunged. She was about to reach him when he danced out of her grasp and laughed at her frustration. She looked at Martin again and growled. She was going to kill him for this. After three days of non-stop training, she was getting better at controlling her powers and she could fully transform. Quickly. She was not going to let Suzette get to her. She remembered the hate filled look in Suzette eyes and involuntarily shivered. Her momentary lack of concentration resulted in another thwack of the broomstick to her behind. She turned on Martin with a growl.

  “Concentrate,” he said with a smile.

  The sunlight streamed through the trees and she and Martin were in full Were form. He was teaching her some of the more difficult fighting maneuvers and Layla was surprised at how quickly she caught on. She was quick on feet and in a few moments she was able to dodge the broom aimed at her arm. She laughed at Martin’s surprised look. She knew she should tell him her secret, but for now she wanted to wait. She barely knew what was happening to her, but she figured if you could turn into a werewolf, then anything was possible. She watched the arc of the broom and Martin’s arm and once again, sensing where he was about to strike, she moved out of the way. Martin narrowed his eyes at her and tried again. This time, he changed direction at the last possible moment and the broom landed solidly against her bottom.