The Tempering (The Mackenzie Duncan Series)

by James, Adrianne

  The Tempering

  Mackenzie Duncan Series

  by

  Adrianne James

  Copyright 2013 by Star Bound Books

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Cover Design by Gonet Design

  http://www.facebook.com/gonetdesign

  Editing by Rogena Mitchell-Jones Manuscript Service

  http://www.RogenaMitchell.com

  Acknowledgements

  There are a few people that made this book happen and it’s time for me to say thank you. A big thank you to my beta Cherylanne. Your helpful comments and suggestions helped make THE TEMPERING what it is today. Thank you to Rogena Mitchell Jones who took my novel and made it shiny. Thanks to JC Emery who listened to my ramblings of werewolves on many occasions, including a few late night phone calls. And Finally, thanks to Vanessa from New Adult Tours for getting THE TEMPERING in front of so many new readers.

  Dedication

  This may be the hardest dedication I have ever had to write. Not because I don’t know who to dedicate this novel to, but because my heart is breaking just thinking about the fact that he will never be able to read it.

  To my big brother, Duane. This one is for you. You have always believed in me and my work. You have been my friend, my mentor, my tutor, my confidant, and my protector all rolled into one. You never put yourself before others and you never let anyone put you before themselves either, no matter how many times we tried.

  Thank you for holding on long enough to give me two days with you. Thank you for holding on long enough to meet your neice and nephew who fell in love with you in those two days and tell everyone about their Uncle Duane and how awesome he was and how much they miss him. Thank you for always being there for me when I needed you. Thank you for scaring off all the rotten boys who tried to get my attention when I was younger and thank you for not threatening my husband when we started dating.

  Thank you for every memory I have of you. I will treasure them forever.

  Chapter 1

  The crisp October wind whipped through the Harvard football stadium, sending a shiver down Mackenzie Duncan’s spine. She was always the one to feel the chill of fall first, and first to freeze come winter. Mackenzie did not like the cold weather of Massachusetts.

  The roar of the crowd was almost deafening and the scent of spilled beer and over- priced hot dogs filled her senses, making her wonder why she ever thought coming to the big game was a good idea. Perhaps it made her feel like she could fit in. Perhaps she felt if she could just make it through one normal outing in her first year of college, she had a chance of the amazing experience her mother continued to rant about since she received her acceptance letter back in the spring. “Remember to find the fun in college, Mackenzie. Despite what you think, college is not all about books!”

  She tried telling her mother that she enjoyed books. As long as she could remember, she had immersed herself in fantasy worlds provided by the wonderful imagination of authors. Her lack of typical teenage behavior did not impress her mother.

  “TOUCHDOWN! Harvard takes the lead!” The obnoxiously loud commentator yelled into the microphone, sending his shrieking voice cascading through the sold-out stadium. The crowd cheered and Mackenzie stood with the rest of her classmates and clapped along, taking in the scene before her. Beers were clinked, others were chugged, but mostly they were spilled during the celebratory hugs between the Final Club members that acted as if they ruled the school. For all Mackenzie knew, they probably did. Final Clubs were clubs for the elite, the rich, the students who had the money to go to Harvard without ever having to apply for financial aid or scholarship. Most of them were legacies, third or fourth or even fifth generation Harvard men. Everything in life had been given to them, and Mackenzie hated the fact that she was jealous.

  Mackenzie stood to move farther away from the group, hoping the distance would allow her to pretend that they were not even there. If she could make it up to the top corner of the bleachers, she could sit through the rest of the game—have that one “normal” college experience—then get back to her studio apartment in time to get her paper on the mythology of ancient Egypt finished. If that went well, she might even get a full five hours sleep before having to get up for her shift at the local coffee shop.

  She took two steps then remembered the scarf she had brought, knowing she would be cold. As she turned around, she bumped right into Todd Nealy, president of the most affluent of the Final Clubs.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to run into you. I just need my scarf and you can have the seat.” Mackenzie avoided his face. He had the bluest eyes and the blondest hair. He was muscular and tall, and damn near perfect. The problem was he knew it.

  “No, it’s my fault. I should have seen you, I mean, there is just so much of you. How did I miss you, right?” He smirked at his buddies, as Mackenzie’s face grew warm with embarrassment. Then the embarrassment was gone and she was left with rage. Mackenzie had a temper. She knew she wasn’t the perfect size two that all the guys seemed to want, but she rarely considered herself a large woman.

  “You’re right; there is just so much woman here that you really wouldn’t know what to do, would you? You claim to have not seen me. I just think that you have never had the luxury of touching a real woman; you had to find the opportunity to do so. Now, if you will excuse me, I will be going.” She grabbed her scarf from the seat and tried to leave. Todd grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her skin, keeping her from moving. “I don’t know who you think you are, but you better apologize for speaking to me that way. Do you know who I am?”

  “Of course, I know who you are. You make it your mission in life to make sure every student here knows exactly who you are, who your father is, and who his father was. Here’s a little hint. You. Are. An. Ass. You have a rich father who gives you free reign to spend whatever you want. Any girl you have ever been with has known you were an ass and just really liked that pretty pocket book of yours.

  “Oh, one last piece of advice, NEVER touch me again. My daddy did teach me a thing or two before he landed himself in prison. So I suggest you remove your hand now.”

  Mackenzie’s little speech did nothing to help the situation she found herself in. The look on Todd’s face went from annoyance to sheer murderous anger. His grip tightened on her arm. “Bitch, I suggest you find a dark hole to spend the rest of your time here because from this point on, this is war.”

  She smiled and noticed the audience that had gathered. She wretched her arm from his grip, while bringing her knee up at just the right angle and velocity to bring Todd to his knees with a high-pitched squeak. “I don’t want war. I wanted you to let go of me. Honestly, what kind of man puts his hands on a woman?”

  The echoes of a few girls cheering helped slow her heartbeat as she left, removing herself from the situation. Had she overreacted? Maybe she was just like her father— temperamental and violent when there was no r
eal need. She should have ignored his comment. She should have been a lady and walked away. She should have done anything but knee that asshole in the balls like he deserved.

  ~*~

  Instead of climbing the bleachers as she had intended, Mackenzie descended to the bottom and slowly made her way through the thousands of drunken football fans to the exit. She waved a friendly goodbye to the guard at the gate who looked at her as if she were insane for leaving with a full quarter to go. Maybe she was, but she wasn’t enjoying this “typical college experience.” She would rather be at home, working on her paper, and enjoying a cup of hot cocoa.

  Walking down the street toward the JFK Bridge, Mackenzie thought back on the last three months at Harvard. Not only did she choose the strangest major at Harvard, but the country as a whole. Mythology and Folklore doesn’t tend to gain popularity like business or law. But she was okay with that. She knew what she wanted to do with her degree, she would write the next great mythological series and would consult on any games, shows, or movies that required any mythology or supernatural elements. A degree would surely put her leaps and bounds above any other consultant out there, and companies contacted her department all the time for that stuff. Any job that didn’t require the question of “Would you like fries with that?” would be a step up for her and a first in the family.

  She was the first to go to college, but she couldn’t just go to college, she had to go to the best college. She sent a letter to her father the day she received her acceptance letter. His response was almost immediate. He demanded to know where the money came from that she used to bribe the “bitch who looks at applications.” It wasn’t as if she had seen him in the twelve years he was locked up. Where did he get off responding like that? She was lucky she was even being admitted after being held back in elementary school because of the amount of time she was kept out of class by her parents for one court hearing or another. She knew then that she had to rise above her family. She had to cut them all out if she ever wanted a real life. A mother whose priority in life was mediocrity and fitting in with the social norm, and a father who solves any problem he comes across with his fists or drugs, were not exactly great role models. She hadn’t spoken to either since she left for college. Without any siblings to worry about, she was on her own and that was perfectly fine by her.

  Mackenzie pulled her coat tight around her as she took the first few steps onto the walking path along the bridge. Looking out over the Charles River, she smiled at the beauty the lights created when they reflected off the water. The sky had an almost bluish purple glow and the full moon was high in the sky. She may have been better suited to sit inside and work, but if she were able to admire the beauty the world had to offer through a window, that was what she considered perfect.

  Stepping off the bridge, Mackenzie checked her watch and was shocked that it was already ten-thirty. She looked down the well-lit street that held a throng of students partying with the game blaring on their radios, and then to her left at the quiet park. She loved the park. It had plenty of trees and most of the time it was completely deserted. It reminded her of Colorado at times. Even though she didn’t like to admit it, she missed her home state. She quickly made the left turn and found herself walking amongst the tall maple trees. Had there been any light, the beautiful oranges and reds would have created a kaleidoscope of color in a canopy above her. The trees stood so closely together that almost no light was able to break through the leaves. It was pitch black with the exception of one clearing about thirty feet in front of her where the moonlight was shining in like a spotlight.

  The sounds from the street behind her slowly faded away with every step, but at the same time, her unease grew. Looking over her shoulder every few moments to confirm that she was still alone, she quickened her pace. She didn’t know why, but she felt as if she were being watched. When a noise from the tree line echoed through the area, her heart began to race. Goosebumps erupted on her skin and fear gnawed at her.

  The rustling from the trees had Mackenzie on high alert. She stopped and searched the trees as best as she could, but without any added light, she knew she had little chance of seeing anything. Just walk quicker. It’s just an animal.

  Swallowing down the fear that threatened to engulf her, she tried to look in all directions at once, not wanting to be surprised from any angle. With every step she took, the noise in the trees never faded. It has to be an animal. It has to be an animal. Animals are not scary. It’s probably a raccoon or something. Raccoons are nocturnal, so are possums. That’s it. Nothing to be frightened of. Just another few steps and I will be in the light, then another five minutes and I’m out of the park. Just a few more minutes. She wanted to believe anything except the truth– that she was in danger.

  Time seemed to slow in those last few seconds before Mackenzie reached the light-filled break in the trees. The noise she heard was growing stronger, louder, and she didn’t know what to do. She began walking backwards, trying to keep an eye on the tree line, but in doing so, she tripped over a large rock.

  A menacing growl sounded from the trees and when she turned to look behind her, a giant wolf leapt at her from the darkness. The fear overtook her, making her feel trapped within her own skin and unable to move or scream.

  The wolf had a large head with strange yellow-green eyes. Its brown fur was matted and for some reason, its size reminded her more of a bear than a wolf. When Mackenzie realized the wolf’s mouth had opened and she could see the razor sharp teeth, she flew into protective mode. Her arms rose up to cover her face and she tried to push herself backward, away from the beast. Within seconds, the pungent aroma that was the beast’s hot breath seeped around her arms and over her face. Her stomach wretched but before she could heave what little lay in her stomach up, the beast bit down on her arm. The sharp teeth pierced her flesh and she could feel the tearing of her skin as the beast flung his head back and forth.

  As Mackenzie’s blood filled the wolf’s mouth, she finally let out a blood-curdling scream. She tried to pull away. She pounded against the side of the beast with her free hand while kicking her legs about hoping to make contact, but everything she did was useless against the giant monster as it continued to tear her arm apart.

  Mackenzie had to do something, or she knew she was going to be killed by the wretched wolf. Her thoughts swirled around, trying to think of anything she could do to free herself. She pushed and pulled at its muzzle with her free arm, trying to dislodge the teeth embedded in her flesh. The sharp pain in the mangled limb became an incredible burn, but the wolf must have severed a few nerves because she could no longer feel anything but numbness from her shoulder down to her fingertips.

  Remembering what had put her in this position to begin with, Mackenzie reached behind her and grabbed the damn rock and swung it at the wolf's head. With a loud crack, the rock connected with the top of the wolf’s skull. Briefly shocked, the beast’s grip released as her arm fell from its mouth. Before he could go in for another bite, Mackenzie gouged her thumb straight into its freakish yellow-green eye. With a loud yelp, the wolf retreated and snarled once again, baring his teeth. She had angered it, and she was suddenly more frightened than she had been when her arm was being shredded in its mouth. Pure rage marred its face. She quickly threw the rock, hitting it square in its bloody snout. A loud crack resonated through the park before the beast turned and ran off.

  ~*~

  As she lay on the cold grass in the middle of the moonlight unable to grasp what had just happened to her, the numbness in her arm began to dissipate. The pain did not slowly creep back in, but came with a vengeance, and was like no other pain she had ever felt before. The cold air surrounding her stung her skin and when she tried to pull her coat closer to her body, she looked down at her arm. Before her was a tattered mess, from her shoulder to her wrist, of fabric all stained a muddy red from the blood pouring from her wounds. Her skin and muscle were ripped apart, with bones showing through. It looked as if she had b
een made up to look the part of a zombie for one of those horror movies.

  Mackenzie tried to stand, but was hit with sudden dizziness and collapsed. As soon as her injured arm collided with the ground, a slight burning sensation began to emanate from the middle of her wound. As if her torn flesh were kindling, and catching fire inch by inch, the heat grew in intensity and size until it engulfed her entire arm. Screaming out in pain, tears streaming down her face, she brought her arm against her chest, cradling it, hoping it would help with the pain long enough for her make her way home. She moved to her knees and then slowly, using all the strength she had left, she stood up carefully as not wanting to end up on the ground yet again. She took a sluggish step. Each one harder than the last, she began chanting to herself to keep going.

  “Don’t stop. Just a bit more. Keep going. Don’t stop.” There was no one around to hear her and honestly, she was speaking aloud just to hear her own voice, to know that she had really made it out of that encounter alive, even if she may never have use of her mangled arm again. Daring to look once more, she moved the tatters of her coat back to reveal the gaping hole in her arm. Not only was her flesh torn to the point of seeing bones, but also she was able to see the long marks from the wolf’s teeth etched distinctly in her bones. Dizziness began to cloud her vision again, and she forced herself to look up at the street just ahead.

  Mackenzie fell to the ground as soon as she stepped onto the lit sidewalk. She could hear the partying from the few blocks away. Just a half hour before had seemed like the worst possible choice she could have made. She laughed to herself due to her sheer stupidity. Then she laughed at the fact she was laughing when she desperately needed a hospital. Then she laughed until she sobbed. There was nothing funny about the situation in which she found herself. Nothing funny at all.