by RK Close
I scream, unable to stop myself. Jacob restrains me as I lunge toward Deirdre, but I fight him like someone possessed. This can’t happen!
Suddenly, another voice roars, “Stop!”
My first thought is Colin, because it sounded like an alpha’s command echoing off the mountain. I stop struggling with Jacob. Nobody moves, as all eyes turn toward Chad Taylor.
Chad looks larger than life, as though he could and does command an army. His parents stop mid change—their bodies already returning to normal. That is the scariest thing I’ve ever witnessed and that’s saying a lot.
The Taylors look angry and maybe a bit confused as they wait for Chad’s explanation.
Chad doesn’t look concerned. He walks up to his parents with an air of authority.
“I claim Officium,” he declares loudly. When they gawk at him, he repeats his words to the crowd. “I claim Officium!”
The crowd roars to life as if what he just said finally sinks in. Both sides go nuts, and I’m forced to clamp my hands over my ears once again.
Staring at his son as if he were mad, Robert Taylor yells, “Silence!”
“You will take that back, son,” Robert commands.
“It’s my right, and I will invoke it.” Chad crosses his arms over his broad chest and plants his feet firmly.
“Why, Chad? She killed your sister. I know you and Madison had your differences, but she was your blood—your pack,” Genevieve says, beginning to lose her composure.
“I have it on good authority that it was unintentional. That, and Madison did plenty to bring this on herself. We all know it. Madison was far from innocent. But she is,” Chad says, pointing at Deirdre.
Deirdre looks as shocked as the rest of us. I’m lost and have no idea what’s happening. “What’s he doing?” I whisper to Jacob.
Jacob has a slight smile on his face which I find completely inappropriate under the circumstances. “He’s claiming responsibility for Deirdre’s actions. Basically, he takes her place.”
“What?” I ask, too loudly. While I’m hopeful for Deirdre, I don’t wish to trade one life for another.
“Only one of the Luna Pack may do this. And since he is part of the Luna Pack, the sentence is reduced. They won’t kill him, but she would have surely died,” Jacob adds. “It’s actually brilliant but most unexpected.”
I’m even more lost than before.
There’s murder in the eyes of the power couple when they realize Chad is not backing down. The O’Donnell family looks as though they don’t know if they should trust Chad’s words or not. They look as confused as I feel.
“Does this mean it’s all going to be okay? Are they going to let Deirdre go?” I ask, hopefully.
He looks down at me. “That would depend on your definition of okay.”
His words send a chill down my spine. What could be worse than watching Deirdre’s murder? Deirdre and Chad pass one another as they walk toward their families. Deirdre’s eyes are huge and innocent as she gazes at Chad as they pass. Chad nods to her before he reaches his parents.
The Taylors are not pleased with the game their son has chosen to play. Their disapproval is written all over their faces. Robert looks as though he will kill Chad before the night is done.
My heart feels lighter as Deirdre’s family embrace her. Even Colin wraps his arms around his daughter now. He still looks as though this night, has cost him dearly.
On the other side of the clearing, I see Chad is not receiving the same welcome. He is circled by four men and two women. Chad pulls off his t-shirt and tosses it aside. Those who circle Chad begin kicking off their shoes and several start removing their shirts. Genevieve does not join this time.
“What the hell are they doing?” I ask, feeling like I should look away, but unable to.
“They’re preparing to change,” Jacob answers.
“For what?”
“To carry out his punishment,”
“What is his punishment?” I ask, my fear returning.
“They will beat him, almost to death.”
“What…?” I watch horrified as they begin changing into wolf-like creatures. I’m reminded of the night I witnessed Chad turning into something not so human when he fought with Adam.
Chad changes as well.
Upper bodies almost double in size while their mouths elongate, like wolves. Hair begins to appear, and the noises from their mouths are guttural and no longer human.
In a blur of motion, the wolves attack with a viciousness only found in the wild. I scream, but it’s drowned out by the roar of the crowd.
There are moments when the fighting slows down enough for me to glimpse shapes, but then it’s a blur of motion and sounds I can’t identify. The crowd is being worked into a frenzy, and I fight the feeling of lightheadedness. All the werewolves radiate a certain level of energy that I can feel physically. It’s been increasing as their excitement grows.
The O’Donnell family watches the event with intense interest. Sean has his arm around Deirdre as she cries. Could they be tears of relief or does she cry for Chad now?
Robert Taylor once more raises his voice. “Enough.”
Suddenly, all the wolves stop moving. They’re still breathing hard and growling. One snaps at another. All the creatures are smeared with what must be dark blood. They circle a bloody mass of something unrecognizable. It’s slick and shining in the moonlight.
It hits me like a punch to the stomach. That thing is Chad! I cry out and start running toward him, but Jacob grabs me around the waist and hauls me back.
“Stop it! He needs help! He could be dying! Let me go!” I scream, fighting him.
“You can’t help him, and don’t forget we are guests here. It’s an honor to be allowed access to the Gathering,” he says, still holding me in place.
“But…” This is too much for me. I can’t watch this brutal, sadistic act. He needs medical attention.
My body starts to feel too warm, as if I have a fever. Instantly, chills follow, and I begin to shake in Jacobs grasp. I feel ill. The last image I see is Chad attempting to move, before collapsing again and lying still as death.
Then there is only darkness.
35
Dark Magic
Wake up, Samantha. You’re in great danger.
Adam’s voice is the only sound I hear.
Impressions of reality come to me in painful waves. My body feels like an inferno, and my throat and lips are painfully dry. Limbs feel as if something is pressing down on me. I can’t manage the strength to bring my hand up to investigate my lips. When I finally attempt to open my eyes, the effort is almost too much for me to manage. But then I remember Adam’s voice and find the will to force my eyes open and focus.
At first, my vision is nothing but a blur. Something is moving in front of me, and I feel a wet cloth as it’s pressed to my lips and then my brow. It feels soothing and provides temporary relief everywhere it touches.
Slowly, I’m aware that someone is helping me, I know that it’s Jacob when I hear his voice. “Sam. You’re back with us. You had me worried.”
I can finally make out some of his features but my vision is still blurry, and there’s not enough strength left in me to respond. All I need is Adam. Is he here, I wonder? I’m certain that I heard his voice, and so desperately want to ask Jacob, but I lack the ability.
What the hell happened to me?
The last thing I remember surfaces in my mind; Chad lying on the ground, dead or dying in a bloody heap. Oh, please…no!
My room slowly comes into focus. How did I get here?
A familiar southern voice says, “She’ll live. I’m leaving now. Don’t forget our bargain. I will claim my favor, Jacob.” It’s not Dayna, so I don’t like the tone she’s using with him. My vision is still not clear, but there is a blurry figure walking past Jacob.
“Are you certain she’ll recover fully?” Jacob asks.
“Yes, if she couldn’t wake herself from this sl
eep, she would have died. Your fairy is ‘out of the woods,’ as they say. She’ll be weak for another day or so as the magic dissipates,” the voice calls from somewhere inside my home. I hear the front door open and close.
“Can you take a sip, Sam?”
I nod, but I’m not certain I can. My throat is so dry I think I’ll surely die if I don’t get some fluids in me. Jacob’s hand slides behind my head as he lifts me slightly, putting a glass to my lips. As the water runs into my mouth, I panic, when I’m not able to swallow yet. Violent coughing follows as I choke and gag before some of the liquid finally makes its way down my parched throat.
Once I manage that, swallowing is painful but easier and I gulp down as much as I can until Jacob takes it away, telling me, “Slow down.”
My vision is almost back to normal, but I’m still ridiculously weak.
“Where is Adam?” The voice I hear does not sound like mine.
Jacob gives me a concerned look. “We still don’t know, Sam. Are you confused?”
I must have dreamed his voice telling me I was in danger, but it felt so real. Then again, all my dreams take on a life of their own, a living, breathing dream.
“No, I just thought I heard his voice. It must have been a dream.” My heart is tight with disappointment.
“Sam, you’ve been sick with a dangerously high fever since the Gathering.” His face shows his concern.
That’s odd. I don’t remember the last time I was sick. “Is Chad…” My throat feels even tighter if that’s possible. “What happened?” I ask, trying to sit up but failing. There’s no strength in my body. I’ve never felt this bad before.
He gives me a steady look. “Chad is fine. He’s recovering. You, on the other hand, have been unconscious for almost two days.”
What? That can’t be.
I manage to wiggle into a sitting position, but I’m worthless after that exhausting exercise. I’m more than relieved to hear that Chad is alive. “Okay, you need to catch me up. Start with the Gathering. What happened?”
Jacob folds the cloth that he had been using on my head and lays it over a bowl of ice water. I’m touched that he took care of me. Then I notice I’m in different clothing and grind my teeth in frustration. How many men will see me naked and unconscious before I turn twenty-seven? At this rate, will I even make it to my next birthday?
Welcome to the world of vampires.
Jacob leans over and rests his elbows on his knees. “You passed out at the Gathering. At first, I believed it was too much for you to watch, but it became apparent that you had a fever. When you failed to come to, I called for the witch, Cassandra. She confirmed there was a strong hex on you. She said that you would be dead if it weren’t for Adam’s blood and the fact that you’ve some Fairy in you.”
Great. Now it’s not even a suggestion. I’m part Fairy. Sounds like I should be glad but I’m not.
“That’s the voice I heard earlier. Cassandra helped you? Why would she, and who put a stupid hex on me in the first place?” I ask, remembering the confident young witch from the club.
“She said it was dark magic, typically shunned by most witches. We believe it was Giselle who placed the hex on you. And as for why Cassandra helped me…she had stipulations,” he says, looking away.
That doesn’t sound right. I remember the way Cassandra looked at him. It’s the same way I look at chocolate.
I give him a hard look. “What stipulations, Jacob? What did the little witch want in return?”
He smiles disarmingly. “Cassandra came up with many demands until we agreed on one. I will owe her a favor to be determined by her, at a time of her choosing.”
That worries me. What could Cassandra want from Jacob? I’m feeling sick that he is beholden to the conniving woman because of me.
“I’m sorry, Jacob. Can we exchange your favor for one from me? I don’t like that she has any control over you. I suspect Dayna won’t be happy about this, either,” I say glumly.
His eyes seem to sparkle at the mention of Dayna’s name. That makes me smile, and then I think of Adam and my smile falters.
Where is he?
“No, Sam. You don’t want to owe this witch a favor. I’ll handle her.” With that, he rises and carries the bowl out of my room.
“Where are you going?” I ask, like a needy patient.
He returns to my room with keys in his hand. “I’ve been caring for you for two days, but now it’s time to find Adam.” He’s gone before I can say another word.
***
I was weak and confined to bed for another day until I woke from a nap feeling like the last two days never happened. Just another reason I’ve decided I’m not fond of witches. Now I need protection from them. When did, my life become so complicated?
Jacob has been in and out a couple of times. He feels he’s closing in on Giselle but she’s always just a step ahead.
Unfortunately, I don’t have enough clout in the supernatural world to put my investigative skills to any use. And since I can’t help Jacob search for Adam and I can’t sit home any longer, I decide to check on Chad. Jacob informed me that he was alive but recovering slowly, because injuries inflicted by one’s own pack were slow to heal.
As far as I’m concerned, werewolf law is equally as crazy as the notion of someone who could cast a nasty spell on you.
When I pull up to Chad’s address, I’m surprised to see that he lives much more modestly than his sister. Chad’s house is an older home near the A.S.U. campus, with dirt in the front yard rather than grass. Parked in the drive next to a motorcycle is a topless Jeep that looks like Deirdre’s. A quick look at the license plate confirms my suspicion.
The front door opens before I reach the porch. Deirdre bounds toward me and throws her arms around me in a hug that takes my breath away—literally. She’s stronger than she looks.
“Sam! You’re better. I was so worried about you. When they said you still hadn’t come around by the time we got home, I feared the worst. Jacob told us it was a hex. I can’t believe someone put a hex on you. Stay clear of witches.” She beams at me. “But you look amazing now. How do you feel?” she asks breathlessly.
I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever heard her say this many words—much less at one time. “I’m fine now. How are you, and what are you doing here? Did you and Chad know each other before the Gathering?” I ask as she leads me toward the front door.
She’s smiling and happy as if the horrors of the Gathering never happened. “I’d seen him around and knew he was Luna, but that’s about all.” I give her a questioning look. “Believe me, I was as shocked by what he did, like everyone else,” she says, her eyes huge in wonder.
“So, what are you doing here?” I ask as we stand awkwardly in Chad’s living room.
She smiles at me shyly and puts her hands in the front pockets of her jeans. “I’ve been taking care of him while he heals. His father refused to allow anyone from their pack to help him,” she says, looking sad. “Would you like to see him?” Her expression changes from sad to excited on a dime.
Her behavior has me smiling and nodding. Her mood is infectious.
“He’s in his room,” she says, leading me down a narrow hallway.
We enter a small room where Chad is propped up on several pillows, a sheet covering him from the waist down. His body is practically one giant bruise with multiple lacerations—some bandaged and apparently still bleeding, while others look as though they’re starting to scab over. Just seeing him like this makes me cringe. Chad gives me a lopsided smile since half his face is still swollen. One of his eyes is dark purple and swollen shut. He looks terrible.
Deirdre sits carefully on the edge of the bed, and I move a desk chair closer to the bed and sit.
“Hey,” I say, taking the hand he holds out to me.
“Hey,” he says, squeezing it gently. He looks back at Deirdre, and something passes between them.
Deirdre stands. “I’ll get your lunch ready.”
> When she’s gone, he looks back at me and tries to smile again. I look around the tiny room where there’s barely space for an old weathered dresser, a mismatched desk and chair, and the bed. Typical college student furnishings.
“Looks cozy,” I say.
He looks around his room and says, “It works. Now ask me what you really want to ask me.”
I smirk at his comment. “Okay, what’s going on? Why did you do that for Deirdre? I mean, don’t get me wrong. You are a hero in my book. But what made you do it?” I ask with genuine curiosity and just a bit of awe.
He looks toward the hallway. “I just knew Deirdre didn’t kill Madison in cold blood. There had to be more to the story. And knowing Madison and the way she operated, I was pretty sure her choices brought her to her end.” Chad pulls his gaze back to me. “I hadn’t planned to take her place until I saw her there. She looked so young, brave…beautiful. I just wanted her to live, to go on. I couldn’t let Madison reach beyond the grave to add one last victim in her wake.”
Wow.
“And now? She’s been taking care of you while you heal?” I give him a knowing look.
Chad does his lopsided smile and shakes his head. “What can I say? We’ve had a lot of time to get to know one another.”
“She is pretty special. A bit too impulsive though, if you ask me,” I say, crossing my arms and leaning back in the chair.
Chad laughs, and the action seems to cause him pain. “Yes, very. She didn’t mean to hurt you. She just wanted to scare you off the case. I told her she picked the wrong PI to scare away.” We share a chuckle at his comment.
I lean forward, shaking my head. “I know that now. She’s pretty scary for someone so sweet.”
“Yeah, she is,” he says, fondly.
“So, what’s going on with the two of you? She seems rather taken with you. I think you might be crushing on her as well.” I wink at him.
Laughter causes him to grab his ribs in pain. After taking a moment to compose himself, he says, “Ever the sharp one, Sam. Are you always working?”