Beauty is the Beast: Beasts Among Us - Book 1

by Jennifer Zamboni

  “It’ll be fine, I promise,” Percy promised, taking over my cooking as I had a tendency to burn things.

  Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Percy.

  I gobbled my food and watched the gods eat at a more leisurely pace. It was weird, Greek gods eating and acting like civil creatures. In fact, it was downright disconcerting, though it made me feel better about my own predicament.

  If gods, ageless and immortal, could pass for humans, then I could too. I just needed to learn their secret.

  Maybe I should get a heart rate monitor, like the one Edward Norton used in The Incredible Hulk. I certainly wasn’t safe when angry!

  “Percy, where can I get one of those heart rate thingies that look like a watch?” I asked.

  “Not sure. A sporting goods store, a doctor, eBay?” She ran down a mental list of suggestions. “Why?”

  “Well, part of what brings out my inner wolfiness is adrenaline. Adrenaline shows up with an increased heart rate. It worked for the Hulk.”

  “The Hulk is a comic book character. You naturally have increased heart rate and adrenaline. You’re the Hulk on steroids.”

  She had a point. “Can’t we rewire one for my heart rate?” I tried again.

  “I’m going to say no, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look into it. Maybe you can get one specially made.”

  “Maybe you should start doing yoga or tai chi to help you get in touch with your inner calm,” Hades suggested.

  “Yeah, great. I don’t have an inner calm. It got evicted about 150 years ago.” I said, crossing my arms and scowling.

  “Well, worrying is only going to make it worse, so stop.” Percy was getting irritated. I could tell. “So, what do you think about the circus coming to town?”

  I shrugged my shoulders and took a chair across the table. "Maybe it will bring in more business."

  “Or it will take it away. People will hold off on haircuts to go see an elephant," Percy predicted.

  “True. I’m a little worried about all the animals and performers with the wolves in the area.” I hadn't included non-locals in my bargain.

  “If they don’t behave themselves, I’ll bang a few heads together.” Hades drained the last of his coffee.

  “You can do that? Uh, legally, I mean?” I asked.

  “Yes. Most of the weres and vamps fall under my rule, even when they’re in the mortal world. Usually they’re dragged down to see me, instead of me showing up on their doorstep, but that only means they should all be on their best behavior. It’s not time yet to start a war.”

  There was going to be a time to start one? “Uh, would you please clear up that last statement for me?”

  “It’s none of your concern. And won’t be, unless you stay with the Texas pack,” he sidestepped.

  “It sounds like something I should know so I can make informed decisions. I’m on the fence right now.” I leaned forward and stared into his black eyes. Creepy, scary eyes.

  “It’s nothing, really. Just when King Arthur reawakens and takes over—-”

  “The King Arthur thing is true? Huh,” I interrupted.

  “Yes, and when he does, there will be a war to end all wars,” said Hades.

  I didn't care for that thought.

  “What he’s not telling you is you’ll have to fight on one side or the other, and humans will probably end up dead when they get caught in the middle.” Percy glared at her husband.

  Apparently, Hades hadn’t intended on telling me that bit, and I could see an obvious problem. If the fae went to war, Hades and Percy would probably unite against staying in this reality.

  “Is there any way to prevent the waking of King Arthur?” I asked innocently. I figured if he didn’t wake up, there wouldn’t be a conflict.

  “It’s prophesied, but people have been trying for thousands of years to find his resting place, and Excalibur's. The sword could end his waiting life, and he wouldn't be able to rise up and lead.” Hades squashed my idea.

  “Wouldn’t killing him start a war also?” My mind spun with the possibilities as my pulse started beating faster.

  “Maybe, but he wouldn’t be there to lead, so it would probably be over quickly.”

  He was that powerful? Well that just gave me the warm fuzzies. “That doesn’t sound good to me either," I said, rubbing my now sweating palms on my shorts.

  Hades shrugged his shoulders. You’d think the possibility of going to war alongside his wife, whom he loved, would upset him just a little more.

  I took my leave from the happy couple with a lot to think about. Apparently, there was a darker side to being a werewolf, apart from being a monster. I knew they weren’t exactly wholesome, with the hunting and the killing, but I assumed that’s where it ended. I hadn’t realized there were politics the packs were involved in, outside of themselves. Pack wars, I could deal with. A fae war, I couldn't fathom. I didn’t want to have to choose sides, and I was all about being as human as possible. Not to mention, I liked the world the way it was. I liked the people.

  Clenching my lips between my teeth, I indulged the racing of my panicking mind. What could I do to prepare for this possible war? And what could I do to protect the people I loved?

  I changed into normal clothes for the day: big baggy black jeans and an old tee. I had no plans to go anywhere, so I rejected shoes entirely.

  The solitude of the attic was calling my name. I loved the smell of lavender and chamomile that was hanging to dry from the rafters. Up there, I could be myself, without fear that someone would walk in on me as I changed.

  The only way up was a trap door in the ceiling on my end of the hall. I pulled the dangling rope, and the ladder slammed to the floor. The steps creaked softly as I climbed, and I heaved the trap door closed once I was at the top, pulling up the rope so I couldn't be followed.

  Undressing quickly, I brought my wolf forward. So close to the new moon, I had very little adrenaline to mask the pain. My bones started cracking, and I screamed, stumbled over to the stereo, and turned up the volume. Distorted rock masked the sounds I made. My muscles stretched and snapped like taut rubber bands. I felt the itch of fur forcing its way out of every pore in my body. My tailbone extended and sprouted sinew and fluff. The torment finally brought on adrenaline, muting the pain. The snaps and cracks came more rapidly, but I was numb to them. I sank down onto four paws and yawned. It was over.

  I located my pile of blankets in the corner and crashed with my tail draped over my cold, black nose, the smell of my wolf comforting me. For some reason, I can think better like that. With my human consciousness married to the wolf, I am the most myself.

  Instinct told me to go running to the pack. They offered me family and protection from the human world. I could produce and raise pups in safety and not have to worry about them sprouting a tail and eating their classmates during recess.

  On the other paw, Percy and Lacey-Marie had become my pack. There was no hope that I could settle down, but maybe I could live with that if . . . I wasn’t coming up with an ‘if.’ I loved them, but I was still leaning towards pack despite the coming darkness.

  I hemmed and hawed for quite a while, and I lost track of time.

  Tenebrous night had arrived, so I reigned in my beast, dressed my now human body, and climbed down the ladder.

  The phone rang in the kitchen, and Percy answered it, sound muffled, so I couldn’t make out the words, but her tone was upsetting.

  I dashed down the stairs and made it to the kitchen just as she was hanging up. Her face was empty as she sank down to the floor, her legs giving out.

  “Percy?” I ran to her, dropping to her level. “Who was that?”

  “The police.” She stared blankly ahead.

  ‘The police’ was never a good answer, especially then.

  “What did they want?”

  “There's another body. Since Penny was the first, they decided to notify us. Same MO as the others. They're officially saying it's a serial killer. Only
hairdressers are being targeted."

  “Who died?" Lacey joined us.

  “I’m going to go tell Hades.” Percy pushed to her feet, wavering as she stood.

  She’d seen a lot of death in her day. So have I. This was way too close. There was a fox in our hen house.

  Pacing back and forth in the library wasn't having the effect I hoped. When people pace, they think, and they get answers, right? I wasn't getting answers—I was getting agitated.

  A low growl escaped through my teeth as I threw myself into the overstuffed chair I favored.

  No, I hadn't personally known the most recent victim, but I found myself feeling more and more responsible. I was a wolf. I should have been able to smell Penny's murderer, and the missing scent was driving me mental.

  I wanted to talk about it, but Lacey was still asleep, and Percy was probably still cozied up with Hades.

  It was awkward having a man in the house. Normally, I would have burst into Percy’s room without waiting for her to answer my knock. Now, I avoided her room completely.

  I’d had married friends before, but I’d never lived with them, and it sucked.

  Sitting wasn't helping either. I heaved to my feet and headed to my room to change into running gear. Figuring I’d be alone, I dressed in shorts and a sports bra.

  I hadn’t intended on catching up with Hades, who was going for a leisurely jog. I tried passing him, and he sped up to match my pace. I ran faster. So did he. I didn’t really know how strong he was, but I was betting he could squash my full strength like a bug, and my strength was waning. I gave up and contented myself with trying to ignore him.

  He wasn't having it. “You don’t like me, do you?” he asked without a hint of exertion in his voice.

  “It’s not that I don’t like you, I’ve yet to form an opinion. I certainly don’t trust you.” I was puffing a little after trying to outrun him.

  We’d long since left the property, and I’d chosen to stick with snowmobile trails.

  “Why is that?” he asked.

  “Well, you’re a dark fae.”

  “Winter fae,” he corrected me, smiling.

  “Same difference.” I sucked in a deep breath of the wild smelling air.

  “Perhaps, but I prefer the latter. Dark fae makes it sound as if we’re all evil.”

  “Aren’t you?” I ducked a low-hanging branch.

  “We’re just as capable of good or evil as the summer fae.” He leapt over a log like it was a crack in a sidewalk.

  That didn’t exactly answer my question. “Yeah, but what do you consider yourself?”

  “Neither. I’ve had my shining moments, like marrying Persephone. I’ve got darkness in my past as well, just as you do.”

  Great, he thought himself as on some sort of level with me. I wasn’t loving the association.

  “What about the whole King Arthur thing? You wanting him dead and all that.”

  “I’ve never claimed to want that. I need him very much alive.”

  That surprised me so much that I stumbled, and he caught my elbow. “Really?”

  “Yes. I can see both sides of the argument, of course. The ones that want him dead, a group made up of winter and summer fae, feel they've grown beyond the fae world. They want this one.”

  “And the other side of the coin is?” I asked, glancing up at him before refocusing on the terrain.

  “The fae that want Arthur alive, because he wants to remove the fae from the human world. Permanently. They feel he has the right to enforce this choice as he is equal blood fae and human. There are also those who still believe that humans and fae can coexist peacefully."

  “Where, exactly, do you stand?” I seemed to be dodging quite a few more plants than Hades.

  His movements were smooth, liquid, and I wondered if the plants were actually moving out of his way. I'd seen them do it for Percy, so maybe it was the same for him.

  “The damage that the fae could inflict on this world would be catastrophic. Up until now, I've remained neutral, but I won't be able to remain so for much longer. We have a home that is perfectly equipped for us. That is why I rarely leave."

  “Huh,” I said.

  “What does that mean?” he asked, slowing his pace.

  “What’s what mean?” I gratefully slowed my own.

  “The ‘huh.’ You grunt like that a lot,” said Hades.

  I could have sworn a poison ivy plant bent away from him.

  “I don’t have anything else to say. It’s just a noise.”

  “Very well. I’ll try to decipher your utterances as we go. I think we better turn around before we hit a road.” He dashed around me.

  Vehicles rumbled in the distance. We'd come farther than I'd thought.

  He didn’t require me to talk to him anymore, which was fine with me. He was a hard guy to figure out and I respected him for that. People get easy to read after a while. It was actually fun to be kept guessing.

  Percy had breakfast waiting for us, and Lacey had yet to make an appearance. I had a feeling she was making a hermit of herself for the day.

  I spent the rest of the morning in my room playing both Clarissa and Lola. By the time I was finished, it was feeling like lunch time.

  Percy and Hades had the same idea, though Lacey-Marie remained conspicuously absent.

  The kitchen was fast becoming our meeting place for the day. Percy handed me a package of assorted deli meat while Hades glanced through the circus pamphlet that had been sitting on the table.

  “I think we should go,” Hades stated, waving the paper.

  Percy looked at the pamphlet in distaste. “I don’t know.”

  “You ladies need to get out of the house, relax a little. You’re all going to burst if you don’t let yourselves have a little fun.” He set it in front of his wife.

  “This isn’t exactly the time for fun.” She held it up between her thumb and forefinger and shook her head.

  “I’ll go,” I said, surprising us all.

  “Wonderful! There’s a showing just after sundown, so Lacey-Marie can attend as well.” Hades leaned his chair back and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “What are you volunteering me for?” Lacey asked, finally making an appearance.

  “We’re going to the circus,” I said, daring her to object with raised eyebrows.

  “Really now. Who says I want to watch dancing poodles?” She hopped up onto the counter and swung her legs.

  “There are lions and tigers as well, and acrobats.” Percy joined in, warming up to the idea.

  “Thrilling. Just how I want to spend an entire evening, watching little brats get sugar rushes.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You’re so negative.”

  She rolled hers back. “You've rubbed off on me.”

  I stuck my tongue out at her.

  She jumped down off the counter, and Hades threw out an arm to stop her.

  “Ladies, be good,” he commanded.

  “Aw, come on, I was only going to take a teeny tiny bit out of her neck,” Lacey protested, leaning over his arm and gnashing her teeth at me.

  “Try it, and I’ll rip your head off,” I provoked her calmly.

  “This is not funny, girls.” Percy wasn’t playing.

  “Oh fine, I’ll be good if she will,” Lacey-Marie promised, reclaiming her spot.

  “I’ll try to restrain myself,” I fibbed. If I really felt like going at it with Lacey, I wasn’t going to let even the god of the dead stop me.

  All right, so maybe Hades could have stopped us, but that wouldn’t prevent me from trying. Fortunately, I think we were just playing around.

  I shoved a fist full of meat into my mouth and chewed noisily.

  “Gross! Make her stop, Percy!” Lacey complained.

  “Gretchen.” Percy gave me her best mommy look.

  I closed my lips around the huge mouthful. It took a lot longer to chew it that way.

  “What time will we be leaving?” Lacey asked.

&nbs
p; “Around five, I think. I want to get good seats,” said Hades.

  “That’s way before sundown. Are you trying to get me killed?”

  “You can use that pretty new parasol of yours,” I suggested.

  “There you go, perfect solution,” Percy seconded me, clasping her hands together.

  “I’ll look silly.” Lacey wasn’t liking it.

  “We’re going to a circus, not the opera. And actually, the parasol wouldn’t be out of place there either,” I said after I swallowed.

  “Fine, I’ll take the parasol. But if I go crispy, I'm holding you responsible.”

  If she went crispy, she’d be dead, but I suppose that was beside the point.

  Hades pulled Percy’s BMW up to the door at five on the nose. There was no point in taking separate vehicles.

  Lacey held the parasol low over her head, and I did my best to block her from the low western sun. She made it into the car without a blister, and we threw a blanket over her head like a tent for the ride. She complained surprisingly little.

  We scored a parking spot in the shade and managed to keep out of the sun all the way to the ticket booth, where a stooped elderly gentleman with horseshoe pattern baldness took Hades’ large bills and handed him back some change. I wondered if he had been a performer in his younger days. It would be terrible to have an active job your whole life then become secluded in a booth because old age prevented you from having fun. It was one of those rare moments when I appreciated what I was. I would never have to feel his pain.

  “Enjoy the show,” he ordered us good naturedly, after stamping the backs of our hands with a five-pointed star.

  “We will,” Percy promised, then led the way towards the gargantuan red-and-white-striped circus tent.

  “Why don’t you ladies find seats. I’ll be right back.” Hades rested a hand on Percy’s shoulder, then kissed her glamoured lips.

  I wondered how he felt about how she hid her true self. He always looked like a god, he just toned down the presence now and then so people wouldn’t trip over themselves to get near him. Or away.

  “Of course. See you in a bit,” said Percy, smiling warmly up at him.