Collected: A Coveted Novella

by Madison, Shawntelle

  “When it comes to women, you have the attention span of a hungry squirrel,” I said to Alex. “And that’s a stretch. It would be nice for you to grow up and get a nice girl for once.”

  “You volunteering?” Miles asked. “I could use a good woman to set me straight.”

  “Not now. Not ever. There wouldn’t be enough time.”

  “Oh, leave my sister alone,” Alex quipped. “She wouldn’t put out for you anyway.”

  I kicked Alex under the table for good measure.

  The two men laughed.

  “Before I forget, I’m ordering the Ramirez fight on Pay-Per-View. You’re coming over next Friday to watch it, right?” Alex asked. “I invited some other guys from work, too.”

  Miles’ face fell. “I’ll get back to you on that.” Slight pause. “I got other plans.”

  “No biggie.” Alex took a swig of his beer.

  Miles played with one of the nachos on his plate. He gave off a weird vibe, but I shrugged it off. If their bromance was in trouble, I wouldn’t be the one to fix it.

  Three attractive women, all humans, entered the bar and sat on some stools. The bartender immediately offered them drinks.

  Naturally, my brother and Miles quieted as a new set of prey snagged their attention. The women were blonde, young, and tanned. Their scent was faint, but they smelled like out-of-towners. Ones with money and, apparently, the inclination to hang out in a small town bar.

  “Which one you want?” Alex asked Miles.

  This was going to be a long night unless I said something fast.

  “Look, guys, I need your help.”

  “Uh, huh.” Alex smiled at the one of the girls who looked this way. She whispered to her friends, most likely telling them she’d spotted some hot guys in the corner.

  Should I be mean and wrap my arm around Miles? Maybe give them an evil look to warn them away from their impending doom?

  “If you’re looking for a thrill, I’ve got one for you. Help me break into a leprechaun factory and take some pictures,” I said.

  Both of their heads swiveled my way. Now that got their attention.

  “You want to do what?” Alex asked.

  Repeating the details was unnecessary. Their hearing was just as good as mine.

  “I need someone to help me get in and take the pictures.”

  Miles laughed. He took in a mouthful of nachos and kept laughing between bites. “Not happening.”

  “You shouldn’t mess with leprechauns, Nat,” Alex said. “Even I know not to date one of their daughters.”

  “You’d seriously think about banging one of those chicks? I heard they are ugly as hell,” Miles said.

  Alex offered a devilish grin. “I might die one day. Why not say I’ve ridden every rollercoaster at the park?”

  Ew. My mind flashed to the leprechaun who’d threatened me back at the factory. I wouldn’t want to see the pot of gold at the end of his rainbow. Even with a glamour to make him look hot.

  The women continued to drink at the bar. Two guys walked up to them and tried to talk. Based on the women’s lack of enthusiasm, the local boys weren’t faring too well.

  Alex’s leg shifted under the table. He continued to watch them from the corner of his eye, almost like a cheetah waiting to take out its next meal.

  “Nat, I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to forget about those pics. Those people won’t let us just walk on in,” Alex said.

  Miles was about to make his move. A growing distance spread between us.

  “So what would you do?” I asked him.

  “Not sure. But I got a friend who lives an hour from here, and he works there. I bet he’s got an ID or something.”

  Oh, does he now… I slid toward him.

  “I can handle two,” Alex whispered. “You get the uglier one who’s left.”

  “Bullshit,” Miles replied.

  “You still got things to learn, son.”

  Here we go. I’d heard this speech before. Alex loved to give it.

  “Women, like those gals up there, haven’t had an experience with a man like me. And they’re all different, too. Some want you housebroken. Others want you feral. You just need to know which kind of wolf they need.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  What they needed was a man who would love them unconditionally and not cast them aside. And I should know… But saying that wouldn’t help me get what I needed. Besides, if I got the guys to come with me and do what I wanted, those women would be better off.

  “What if I told you guys I could get them to go out with you—later tonight—with just a few words?”

  Alex laughed.

  “Nat, you must’ve heard about my history,” Miles said with a wry grin.

  “You mean the story where you’re barely a wingman?”

  “You look much better than they do. You sure you wouldn’t want to hang out with me tonight?”

  “We could hang out. On the way to the factory, that is.” As much as I didn’t want to manipulate him, I scooted close enough for our legs to touch. Like any attractive werewolf, Miles was decent enough to look at. His dark brown eyes glowed faintly, and his scent reflected one of desire. Whether it was for the women at the bar or me, I’d rather not speculate.

  Alex observed our exchange with a smile. “I gotta see this. So you’re saying if we’ll help, you’ll get those ladies to spend some time with us.”

  My gaze never left Miles’. “Exactly.”

  “You’ve never picked up women for me before, so you got a deal.” Alex slapped the table. “We got ourselves some real fun tonight. Especially if they need someone to tuck them in.”

  I left the booth and headed to my target. The women continued to chat among themselves, only glancing my brother’s way once in a while. The crowd around the bar was loud, and the increased scents of perfume and cologne made my eyes water. Some folks had doused themselves a bit too much tonight. I swallowed my rising nervousness. If I leaned in enough, I could talk to them. Seemed like an easy enough task if I focused.

  One of the girls, a leggy blonde with cutoff shorts, saw me first. She got out of the way, assuming I needed something from the bar. I spoke to her first.

  “I have a message from the guys over there.”

  “Really?” Up close, I noticed her shirt barely covered as much as her shorts. It wasn’t summertime yet outside, so she must’ve been cold. I had a feeling she didn’t care though.

  She whispered in her friend’s ear. Quite clear to a werewolf like me. “Those hot guys over there want to talk to us.”

  “What did they say?” The second blonde had my attention now. At least she had a dress on that left things to the imagination.

  “They said they’d like to hook up with you ladies later tonight. The blond one’s willing to buy all your drinks for the rest of the night, too. They have to leave for a bit, but they’ll be back. Around midnight.”

  “No way! We’d love to!”

  Bingo. “Tell the bartender to use Alex Stravinsky’s tab.”

  I walked back over to the men with my victory in hand. My wide smile had to have said it all. “Come back at midnight so you can pick up the ladies.”

  And be sure to bring your wallet, I thought with a grin.

  CHAPTER THREE

  The open road to Philadelphia loomed. I sat between Miles and Alex, hoping Miles didn’t put his arm around me again. He’d tried to be slick before we’d stopped at his friend Stan’s house for the ID badge, but I pushed his arm away.

  “Well, where do I put it?” he asked with innocence.

  “Somewhere safe. You might find it broken otherwise.”

  He leaned against the passenger door—still too close for my comfort.

  The ride was quiet for the rest of the trip. Until we reached the house.

  “Is this the place?” Alex asked.

  It wasn’t much of a place. Just a trailer that seemed like a perfect projectile if a tornado came by. We parked under a tree and wa
lked up the dirt path to the house.

  Miles had told us in the car that Stan, a fellow werewolf, would give up the badge for a smile and case of beer. Based on the sad state of the trailer, he probably was a loner like myself. All Stan had in the living room was a futon, coffee table, and an entertainment center. There were no pictures of family. Nothing personal on the walls. Other than his scent, no other werewolves had been in here. He must’ve worked day-to-day and came home to spend his money on video games.

  While we stood there chatting, I managed to keep a straight face when Miles said, “My girlfriend here wants to see the factory. She takes one peek at those tall chimneys and gets all excited. Enough to streak across the parking lot naked.”

  Instead of handing over the badge, naturally, the guy was quite eager to take in the sights. “You sure you don’t need help? Lemme go get the badge.”

  Thanks a lot, Miles!

  But when Stan emerged from his bedroom with a frown, I knew something was up.

  “My badge is gone. The window is open, too.”

  Alex and Miles stood and headed into his bedroom. I trailed behind, not touching anything.

  Stan started to look around his living room before heading outside.

  The hallway to the bedroom was covered in scattered clothing and abandoned beer cans. Just another man cave. But then the sounds of our shoes making squishy noises on the carpet raised the alarm. It accompanied a new scent. One I hadn’t encountered before. It was wet and putrid—almost like moldy bread mixed with raw sewage. Something supernatural had been here.

  The scent trail led into Stan’s bedroom. There weren’t many clean places to stand, so I waited at the doorway while Miles and Alex inspected the place.

  Alex touched the windowsill, and his hand came away damp.

  What the hell had been here?

  “Do any of you recognize the scent?” I asked.

  “No, but I don’t like it either,” Alex said.

  Stan came up behind me with the silence of a wraith. His once jovial face appeared drained of color.

  “There’s something outside, in the front.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “It asked for Natalya.”

  A chill from the open window flowed through the bedroom and raised the hairs on the back of my neck.

  “What is it?” I asked. My voice had grown quiet.

  My brother appeared in front of me. “I don’t like this. We should leave. Now.”

  “You can’t,” Stan said. “Whatever it is, it’s sitting on the hood of your truck.”

  Stan backed out of the way so we could pass. He added, “I’m smart enough to keep my nose clean. I sure as fuck got no plans to ask that thing to give me back my badge.”

  Alex took the lead down the hallway.

  “You sure we shouldn’t make a run for it?” Miles asked him.

  “It wants my sister. I want to know what it is.” With shoulders back and gaze focused on the path ahead, my brother led us out the front door and down the rickety metal steps.

  His truck was where we’d left it, parked under the shelter of a nearby weeping willow. At first, the tall tree obstructed our view of who was waiting for me, but as the scent grew in intensity, I knew I’d see the person sooner or later. With each step, my footing wasn’t as bold. Stan was short and rather pudgy, but he had enough meat on him to make me wonder what could have frightened him.

  My chest began to tighten. The truck came into view, but whatever sat on the hood wasn’t clear. Its form flowed like a jellyfish through water, undulating and pulsating. Then the murkiness coalesced into blackened skin that eventually turned humanoid. A set of eyes opened, revealing white eyes with no pupils. A black beard sprouted from its chin. Its mouth opened wide with a hiss.

  “You took your time coming out here, Wolf.” It was male, and his voice was damp and thick. Like someone with a chest cold. It had a heavy, Old World accent that was familiar to my ears.

  His form liquefied in an instant, snapping at us like a sharp whip, before he slithered back to his perch.

  Alex pushed me back and growled in response.

  “Answer me when I speak to you!” the creature snapped in Russian.

  I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

  “What the hell are you?” my brother replied in Russian. “And what do you want with her?”

  Miles backed up a few steps and tugged me with him. Instead of grass, we sloshed through water up to our ankles. Miles tried to take another step back and couldn’t move. Something had locked around our ankles like steel manacles. It was cold to the touch but also burning.

  “Wolf, I am the scourge of the river. The damnation of the deep that is the vodyanoy of the Tannersville Cranberry Bog.” The creature laughed, a wet coughing sound, then stroked his beard. “I did have business to settle with the zmee, but I can see there is even more interesting prey to be had with the female alone.”

  “Zmee? What the fuck is he talking about, Nat?” Angry heat radiated off Alex’s back.

  I cringed and then revealed my bargain with the zmee. At my side, Miles grunted in pain. The burning sensation at our ankles increased.

  Alex said, “Damn it, Natalya. Why didn’t you call me before you got into this mess?”

  Shame heated my face. I wanted to speak, but what could I say?

  “The zmee is a conniving thief who’ll do anything foolish for his precious codes—including desecrating my waters. He owes me for his treachery, and I’ll ensure he doesn’t get what he desires. You’ll bring me the dragon’s camera with the pictures.”

  The vodyanoy put me in a poor position. Now I had to not only get the pictures, but I also had to betray the dragon as well. But then again, hadn’t he treated me treacherously? Should I sink as low as him to get what I wanted? “And if I fail to do what you want?”

  “Normally, I prefer to keep to myself. If anyone is curious enough to enter my domain and violate my land, I pull them into my waters to die.” A smile slowly stretched across his face, revealing small white teeth. “But I could always use a pretty pet. You’d fit that role nicely.”

  Heading out into the forest was stressful enough. I’d pop my top if I was forced to live in a bog with a sinister water spirit.

  Alex advanced on the vodyanoy, but stopped at my sharp command. “Don’t!”

  “You’re not touching her. Period,” my brother barked.

  The vodyanoy’s body twitched like a snake ready to strike. “I want a deal. Your word, in blood.”

  “Unacceptable!” Alex roared. I grabbed his arm to hold him back. If he managed to attack this monster, there would be nothing I could do to help him.

  Behind us, Miles’ fought to free himself. His painful growls made it hard to think. I tried to move my legs, but I couldn’t budge. No place to go. Even if I did want to fight my foe, I couldn’t. If I turned the vodyanoy down, it would kill us. A win-win for the water spirit since the dragon would never get its pictures.

  The vodyanoy stared me down. “You’ve never met anything like me before. Are you sure you want to see what I really can do?”

  Without further thought, I bit into my hand and presented the blooded palm. With a flick of my fingers, the blood spilled on the water around us—thereby sealing my fate. My hand hurt, but at least Miles and my brother would be okay.

  The vodyanoy wasn’t done yet. “Since you’ve agreed to our deal, I’m willing to share some information with you. For your…pain.”

  I waved my hand as if to say, “No need.” I was afraid to know what he’d offer me at this point.

  “Trouble is coming to where you live. From the east. I’ve heard whispers from the fairy folk in New York. They said there are wolves making plans to head west. Their scouts will be looking for someone who fits your description.” His smile was sinister. “Naturally, they’ve made me curious. Why would they want someone like you?”

  The creature’s words were so vague, so I brushed them aside. So many people fit my appearance: brunett
e, medium build, in a skirt. Most of the gals here in Jersey looked like me. Add in a crazy hair style with plenty of firm-hold spray. Then take away a few inches on my skirt. Yep, Jersey girls were a dime a dozen.

  I had bigger concerns than some obtuse threat, though. Like the deal I’d just sealed in blood.

  As we drove toward the plant, my mind drifted to thinking about my ex-boyfriend, Thorn. What would he think if he saw me like this? Manipulating my brother and two other guys to get some new antiques for my collection? Teetering on the edge of eternal slavery with a vodyanoy?

  Pain sliced across my forehead. A tension headache threatened to overwhelm me.

  Had I fallen so far that I needed these things, these trinkets? That I was willing to risk myself and my friends to add to my collection? But there was no backing out now with the malevolent water spirit’s threat. And I hated to deny it, but the very thought of holding that nutcracker made my palms warm and placed a happy grin on my face. I’d waited years for something like this. I could buy another figurine online, but the same one wouldn’t be as old and in such pristine condition. People didn’t take good care of their valuables anymore. I was doing a service for collectors everywhere by taking good care of the antiques I found.

  I nodded to reassure myself. It was that easy on most days. Maybe not so easy tonight.

  Less than an hour later, after a quick stop for gas and a camera memory card, we pulled up to the factory. A single checkpoint was all that stood between us and the parking lot. Using Stan’s ID badge, Alex got us inside. The gate had been open a few hours ago when I’d shown up, but now that it was evening, the night shift had to scan to get in.

  All those security lights I’d seen earlier were now glowing, bathing the forest around us with light. The parking lot wasn’t as full, but there were enough cars here to help us blend in.

  “You got any ideas on what we do next?” Alex asked.

  “The display is in the administrative building,” I said.

  The factory continued to rumble with life, but the bottom floor of the attached administrative building appeared dark, locked, and quiet. No one could just saunter in and take pictures.