Wolves and Roses

by Christina Bauer

  “That would be no, sugar. I’ve cast about every spell I can think of today, but whoever did the thorns in this here forest, they used the power of a hundred fairies. I couldn’t break through, and for me, that’s really something. Even worse, they cast a spell against dragon shifters. I consider that downright rude.”

  “So they knew you might be coming.” If anything, that fact confirms this Colonel Mallory guy is legit. I’m starting to wonder if Jules himself had a hand in abducting Bry. This kind of scheming around fairy tale themes is classic for him.

  Colonel Mallory taps his temple. “We need to come up with another plan, children. I’m afraid that means leaving here for a time. We need more power.”

  “No way. I’m a strong werewolf. Alec brought a bunch of gemstones. And Elle has a fairy-seed gun.” It’s a beauty, too. The thing shoots off enchanted seeds that turn into nasty killer plants. As fairy magic goes, it’s one of the few inventions they have that adjusts to modern technology.

  “I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but we need to go back to the city and get more magical help.”

  “We already called in a ton of favors,” I say. “Alec got his hands on some super-powerful gems. Elle got herself a special gun. I asked Azizi to send an army of weres.”

  Colonel Mallory sighs. “And how did that work out for y’all? From where I stand, we’re no closer to Bryar Rose.” He taps his nose with his pointer finger. “And I smell blood in the air.”

  “I tried to pass the thorn forest in were form. It didn’t go well.”

  “Now, you did that without wizard protection—that would be your trouble. I know for a fact that this young man—” he points to Alec— “knows some powerful wizards. They could cast some better protections for you than gems can provide. Also, having all them weres drive out here? Not too subtle. You’d also do better to have extra sets of hands to cast transport spells. That means more wizards, my friend.”

  I can’t help but notice he isn’t suggesting we find more fairies. At least, that part of his plan makes sense.

  “Colonel Mallory may have a point.” Alec turns to me. “You already made a pact to muster the wolves. At least, this will get them here faster. And we can transport in the best from around the world.”

  Azizi was thrilled when I asked for his help with Bry. He’s been dying to get me to lead the werewolves. He’d never force me, though. But when the pack shows up and helps me with Bry, I’ll be indebted to all of them. They’ll howl for me to be their alpha.

  Colonel Mallory holds up his stub of a cigar, takes in a deep breath, and exhales a bit of flame onto the tip. He takes a few deep puffs from the smoke, his eyes lost in thought. “Sorry, son. I’m afraid our best bet is to return to the city forthwith. I can transport y’all, if you like.”

  All eyes focus on me. An electric anticipation hangs in the air. I know they’re waiting for me to make the final call here. Do we leave Bryar Rose? I rake my hands through my hair.

  I want to believe there’s something else we can do, but I can’t think of a damned thing. “Fine, we’ll go back to the city.”

  This is the right thing to do, so why do I feel like howling with rage? We could bribe the wizards and summon werewolves in a matter of hours. Or it could be days—weeks, even—before we can return with enough power to break into Thornhill Arms.

  Please, let Bryar Rose still be here.

  Chapter Twenty

  Bryar Rose

  Tossing my long brown hair over my shoulder, I stride across the flagstone patio. With every step, my heart pounds harder. My brain tries to wrap itself around what’s happening, but can’t. This situation is so extreme it just doesn’t seem real.

  Last night, I was kidnapped.

  Now, I’m walking over to Jules, the leader of the Denarii.

  But he’s really Philpot, my fake ex-boyfriend.

  Nope, still doesn’t seem real.

  I steal a quick glance over my shoulder at the Thornhill Arms hotel behind me. I’ve never seen it up close before. From this angle, the place looks boxy and cheap in a faux-medieval kind of way. Gray stucco covers the exterior, and jagged moldings line the roof. And of course, there’s a tower on either side of the building. I shiver. How many times did I look at this place from Elle’s cabin, never suspecting what was really going on here? Some of Elle’s old advice echoes through my head.

  “Focus on the con. Take stock of your surroundings.”

  Good idea. Scanning left and right, I check out the borders of the square courtyard. Towering walls of thorns line every side. My breath catches. Wow, those thorns sure look deadly. There’s definitely no way to escape through them.

  I keep walking toward Philpot, who stands on the opposite side of the courtyard wearing a blue military uniform of some kind and the sickest, most smug grin you can ever imagine. It’s like the Grinch on crack. I fight the urge to gag.

  “We’ve never been properly introduced. I’m Jules.” He offers his hand. I ignore it.

  Rage heats my veins. He’s doing fancypants introductions now? Really?

  I pause beside him. “I’m Bryar Rose, and this is over.”

  Sure, this guy looks like Philpot, but he’s stopped playing the dumbass. Now, his black eyes shine with an evil intellect. The muscles of his face look tight, as if he’s barely holding in his rage. It’s hard to believe that Philpot and Jules are one and the same person.

  But they are.

  Jules narrows his eyes into slits. “Is that false bravado I hear?”

  “I’m not kidding. I’m leaving. Now.” Spinning about, I march back toward the hotel doorway. Push the con; that’s what Elle always says. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be able to stroll right out on home.

  Jules moves so quickly, I hardly see him do it. A heartbeat later, he’s standing in my path. “But you can’t leave. This is all for you…my Princely attire…this hotel…our upcoming wedding. I’ve watched you for years, patiently waiting for this moment. You aren’t walking away until I’ve had my say.”

  Now, there was a lot about that speech that I didn’t like. To begin with, the fact that he still thinks we’re getting married is creepy beyond belief. And the “watching you for years” stuff makes me ill. However, there was one thing he said that I did like. The whole part about “you aren’t walking away until” seems to suggest if I listen to him first, then I can go. That’s something I need to nail down.

  “Let me get this straight,” I say slowly. “If I let you talk to me, then you’ll let me leave.”

  “If you still want to depart.”

  “Fine.” I fold my arms over my chest. “Make it fast.”

  Jules raises his arm. “Wife!”

  A door to the hotel swings open, and Blanche comes racing out across the courtyard. She skitters to a stop beside us. “Yes, my husband?”

  “Tell Bryar Rose your story.”

  My back teeth lock with frustration. This is starting to feel like one of those “sharing moment” speeches that Madame would force out of us in group therapy. Sure, Blanche will say something different this time, but I have no illusions. These speeches all end the same way. Somehow, I’m always the big loser in this story.

  Blanche clasps her hands under her chin. “Once upon a time, I was a failure, just like you.”

  Here it comes.

  “Really?” I ask. “Because from where I’m standing, only one of us has internal organs right now. I’m considering that a win in the Bryar Rose column.”

  A muscle twitches by Jules’ eye. “You said you would listen.”

  I raise my hands, palms forward. “Fine. Go on.”

  “But with the help of Jules, I was finally able to live out my dream of the Snow White fairy tale life template. I live in a huge house. I have tons of servants.”

  “I’m guessing they’re all dead though, right?” I bob my head. “Just checking.”

  “They’re not dead. They’re Denarii. And most of all, I have married my handsome Prince. You don’t have
to be a loser anymore, either. With our help, you can finally succeed. You can live out the Sleeping Beauty life template.”

  “Look, I’m doing fine.”

  “Don’t lie to us.” Jules’ voice turns tight with rage. “You’re a complete waste.”

  “Is speech-time over? Because I’ve heard what you have to say, and I’m still unconvinced.”

  Blanche shakes her head. “Don’t you understand? The Denarii are the top of the food chain, even over the Magicorum.”

  I remember Knox’s scars. He got those by fighting Jules and his minions. “I’m sure that’s what you like to think, but in reality, the Magicorum are the only ones stopping you from turning all humans into dinner.”

  A smug gleam shines in Jules’ eyes. “It’s true. Most Denarii dine on human flesh. Not me. Magicorum is the meal I prefer.”

  That little tidbit of nasty takes a moment to sink in. I never heard before that the Denarii ever saw the Magicorum as a meal. I thought the Magicorum fought the Denarii, and so the Denarii hunted them right back. “That’s not how I heard it.”

  Jules’ stern face softens with a smile. “I allow the Magicorum to think they are rebel fighters. It keeps their spirits up and makes them easier to control. Every hunter ultimately works to control their prey’s population, don’t you think?”

  That makes a sickening amount of sense, actually. Which is all the more reason to cut this conversation short.

  I raise my pointer finger. “For the record, I’m still not convinced.”

  Blanche grabs Jules’ sleeve. “Can I tell her, darling?”

  “Of course, pet.”

  Blanche turns to me. “You’re a member of the Magicorum. That means you aren’t just a meal to Jules. You’ll be one of his brides. You can be dinner, or you can live out the fairy tale dream. I’m here to tell you it’s better than you could ever imagine.” She smiles that 1950s smile, the one that says, I’m in a cigarette ad, and smoking isn’t gross or anything.

  Well, smoking is gross, and this conversation is over.

  My lessons in martial arts flicker through my mind’s eye. I picture three different ways I could take this guy down. I firm up my footing. “You want to kill me? I won’t be easy to harvest.”

  “And I’ve no desire to kill you. Bryar Rose, you are special. That’s why I created the Philpot identity in the first place. It wasn’t easy, pretending to be such a stupid sod. Not to mention the hassle of working with your aunties for so many years.”

  In this situation, you’d think the fact that I’m about to get eaten by a cannibal zombie Julius Caesar would keep me focused, but those words throw me for a loop. “You’ve been working with my aunties?”

  “Of course. But the terms of our arrangement are confidential, I’m afraid. You’ll have to ask them about it directly.”

  I try to get back into battle stance, but my head isn’t there yet. “You’re lying.”

  Jules waves his hand dismissively. “I don’t get involved in family squabbles. The important thing is this. I’m very careful about my diet. Based on what I eat, I’ve been able to gain magical powers over the years.”

  “We’re back to eating my brains. Got it.”

  “No, silly girl. I’m not asking to eat your brains. I’m inviting you to become one of the Denarii and my bride.”

  His words send chills over my skin. If I hadn’t puffed a ton of meds a few minutes ago, I’m sure I’d be having an episode right now. “We already covered this. No. Never.”

  “Don’t be too rash. Colonel Mallory can’t save you here—yes, I know his role in your life. No one will ever get past the thorns to help you escape. And please try to think on this for a moment. You’re being offered the chance of a lifetime…of many lifetimes, in fact. As a Denarii, you will know power like you never imagined. And you’ll be tied to me, the greatest Denarii of them all.”

  Blanche blinks so furiously I think she’s having an aneurysm. “It’s so marvelous, Bryar Rose. We’ll be sister wives and everything!”

  I pinch the bridge of my nose. “No means no, Jules.”

  “How can you refuse? Look at Blanche. Is she not eternally beautiful? Does she not seem blissfully happy?”

  I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “Happy? I knew one of your Denarii ladies. Madame Grimoire. She ended up roasted in the remains of my friend Elle’s cabin. Not exactly my definition of a happy ending.”

  “Madame Grimoire is a poor example,” says Jules. “She got what she deserved. Madame was supposed to observe you, not attack. But she became obsessed with you.”

  My eyes widen. “Me?”

  “Well, Madame Grimoire wasn’t a sister wife,” says Blanche. “She was just a worker bee. But she always wanted a place at Jules’ side. You see, once you start dreaming about animals from ancient Egypt, that means you’re chosen to be a sister wife.”

  My mouth falls open. “My dreams with the golden jackal.”

  “Yes, and I had a dream about falcons. Both are from ancient Egypt!”

  “I got that part now, thanks.”

  “Well, don’t feel badly. Madame had always been the jealous type, even if you didn’t have a special dream. It cost us some very fine recruits in the past.”

  “Cost us recruits.” His words sear through my memories. So that’s what the Teen Therapy Group was really about. “Blanche, did you get recruited from the group?”

  “Of course. It was the high point of my life. Thank-you, dear husband.”

  “You’re welcome, my love.” Jules gives Blanche a benevolent pat on the shoulder and turns to me. “So, are you ready to willingly join us?”

  “Let me get this straight. You’re completely done explaining this to me?”

  “Yes. I should think it’s impossible to refuse.”

  “You’re wrong. I refuse. Good-bye.” I walk away as quickly as possible, but Jules grabs my wrist.

  “Stop. You’re joining us anyway.”

  I pull against his grip, but the guy’s hands feel like they are made of steel. “I thought this was my choice.”

  “It’s not. I lied.”

  My training comes back to me in a flash. I elbow Jules in the diaphragm and stomp on his instep. Once he loses balance and breath, I flip him over onto his back. He lands on the flagstone with a thud. Leaping forward, I land on his chest and jab for his throat. Taking out someone’s larynx is the fastest way to kill them, after all. I’m not looking for a big battle here. I just want Jules out of the picture.

  What Jules does next happens so fast, it’s hard to keep up. From his left hand sprouts a thorn-covered branch. It quickly winds about my wrists, binding my hands in front of me. In his right, Jules grips a large red stone. The gem glows with crimson light as the flagstone beneath me crumbles. I lose my footing as I tumble into the earth. Before I know it, I’m waist-deep in solid rock. I wiggle my arms. My hands are tied in front of me. The bindings on my wrists hold firm, while bottom half of my body is solidly encased in earth and stone.

  I’m trapped.

  Jules’ features lengthen, his mouth turning into a wolf’s snout that’s lined with pointed teeth. His eyes glow with golden light. The silver glow of fairy dust surrounds his body like a sparkling cloud. And the red light of wizard magic glows on his palms.

  All three kinds of magic…all in one man. And he’s trying to kill me.

  My vision starts to blur. I can picture the lockbox deep inside me. It’s made of wood, and its exterior is carved with runes. The lid rumbles as whatever’s inside tries to break free. Colonel Mallory called it my power. I call it my curse.

  Another episode is about to hit me. No, not now. Jules just showed that he has mastered all three kinds of magic—shifter, warlock, and fairy. I’m now embedded half-way into the ground and at his mercy. If I’m lucky, he’ll kill me outright. If I’m not, then he’ll transform me into a monster just like him.

  Meanwhile, Blanche bobs on the balls of her feet and claps with glee. It’s like she’s a six-year-old
who’s about to get her first pony. Somehow, that’s the worst part of all.

  As horrible as things seemed before, they take on a new level of terror. I twist in my bindings. I’m still wrapped in the thorny branches with my body embedded waist-high into the ground. My skin sheens with sweat as I do the only thing that’s left to me now.

  Scream my head off.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Knox

  Pursing his lips, Colonel Mallory sizes me up from head to toe, like I’m a sketchy-looking cabbie who offered him a ride in an unmarked taxi. Before speaking again, he does the same to Elle and Alec. “If I’m transporting y’all back to the city, you need to stand a little closer.” He grins a white-toothed smile. “I don’t bite.”

  “He bite,” says my inner wolf.

  “I’m sure he does,” I reply in my mind. “We’ll be careful when we go with him.”

  “No go. Stay with mate.”

  I hold in a growl. Leaving the forest is hard enough without my inner wolf giving me crap.

  Elle and Alec move into a smaller huddle. I’m sure they’re thrilled for any excuse to get closer. Colonel Mallory tips his hat in their direction. “That’s fine.” He turns to me. “You coming along?”

  I don’t move an inch. Part of me knows that leaving is the best thing for Bry, but I just can’t do it. “I’m thinking about it.”

  “Well, son. In that case, you can get your own self back to the city. We’re leaving.” Colonel Mallory raises his arms. A cloud of silver fairy dust appears.

  My best friend reaches out for me. “It’s not too late. Transport spells take a little while. Move closer. Come with us.”

  Elle fixes me with a serious look. “You know I wouldn’t go unless I was absolutely certain this is best for Bry.”

  Elle has these huge blue eyes, and right now, they’re looking all weepy and sincere. I feel like a total ass. After all, my friends are only trying to do the right thing. Me hanging back just makes it harder. I take a step toward them, ready to join the group and transport back to Manhattan. That’s when I hear it.