Immediately, his expression grew serious. "What's wrong?"
"My father knows about you," I said, simply.
Cole turned his head to look at me fully, frowning slightly. "Me?" he asked. "Or all of us?"
"All of you, I guess," I said. "I don't know. Not everything he said made a lot of sense."
He considered this for a second. "Well, not everything about us makes a lot of sense. I didn't think anybody else really knew about us, though."
Adanna would've told me. Wouldn't she? She trusts me.
Doesn't she?
These thoughts crept into my mind as if they were my own, but with Cole's voice. There was no mistaking it now. It was becoming more distinct, the more time I spent with him.
It couldn't be what I thought it was. It was impossible.
Almost as impossible as the idea of shapeshifters…
"He told me you…" I swallowed, hard. "…he said there used to be wars. A long time ago. Between the humans and the…" I hesitated, watching his face. "He called you 'berserkers.'"
Cole's forehead creased. He didn't say anything, just frowning slightly.
"I'm sorry," I said, quickly. "That's not like…a slur, is it?"
"Not…exactly," he responded, at last. "But it's very, you know…it's very strange. It's not a term people use nowadays."
"Right," I said. "I'd never heard it. Not that I…you know, not that I knew any of this was real. But I've heard of shapeshifters, werewolves, skin-walkers…"
"It's some kind of ancient word," he cut in. "Like maybe Greek, or something like that. I remember learning about it a long time ago. Some of the earliest shifters were fearsome warriors, before anybody understood much about it." He laughed slightly. "Not that we understand much about it now. But, you know what I mean."
I picked up my phone and tapped the word into Google, feeling a tiny bit surreal about the whole thing. "Old Norse," I said, when I found it. "Supposedly Odin controlled them."
"That's right." Cole chuckled. "How could I forget. Good old Odin One-Eye."
Swallowing hard, I continued. "He said there was a lot of fighting. Between certain human warriors and the berserkers, and then…"
I took a deep breath.
"…they started, I don't know, selective breeding. Certain warriors were better at understanding the berserkers. So they picked those, and trained them from a young age, and made them have children. But it backfired."
Cole nodded. "I've heard the story," he said. "Rolf and Cecily. He was one of us, and she was a warrior for the commonfolk. They fell in love. They were just kids, but…" He stopped, frowning. "I still don't understand how your dad knows all these things. We keep them to ourselves."
I shrugged, feeling lightheaded again. "He didn't say. I don't know why he thought it was so important, suddenly."
Half-sitting up in bed, Cole blurted: "He's not one of us, is he? Another runaway? Like me?"
He actually looked excited by the prospect. My heart twisted. I wanted to tell him no, no, he's dangerous, stay the fuck away from him. But as long as he suspected my father might be a berserker, maybe he wouldn't suspect the opposite. It was safer this way.
"I don't know," I said. "I've never…I've never changed."
"It doesn't always pass down," he said. "Not when there's cross-breeding between us and the commonfolk. Sometimes the children change, sometimes they don't. But they're always special. The way you are with animals - maybe it's because you have just enough of our blood to make them understand you as their kin, but not enough to frighten them."
"It could be," I said, hoping against hope that this explanation might have some merit. But I knew my father wasn't one of them. If he was, I'd feel it. I wouldn't be so cold, and feel so alone, whenever I was with him.
"You've got to ask him," Cole insisted. "Or I will. It's important."
"Why?" I picked at the blanket, trying to appear ambivalent.
"Because, if you share our blood you can claim membership to the clan. Everybody would be so happy."
There was pleading, desperation in his eyes, and I started to understand. If I was one of them, maybe I'd be the new darling. Maybe they'd start paying a little less attention to him.
"I don't know," I said. "There has to be a reason he didn't tell me, if that's true."
"I'm sorry," said Cole, flopping back on his pillow, defeated. "I just thought it might be cool if you were. I know this is all new to you. You're going to want to take your time figuring it out."
"Yeah," I said. "Thanks." I let silence reign for a minute. "So what happened to Rolf and Cecily?"
"You mean, in the story?" Cole rolled his head from side to side, popping his neck softly. "These are all just really old, passed-down fairy tales, you know. I don't think any of it's real."
"Yeah," I said. "In the story."
"Well, they tried to run away together, but the warriors caught them. They said they'd kill Cecily if Rolf didn't agree to start fighting on their side. They kept her captive and had armed guards at the ready, constantly, just waiting for the order. So he did - and he was one of their best, so he devastated his own forces. Once the clan leaders saw what the warriors were willing to do, threatening one of their own - well, I guess you could say morale took a nosedive. They started to fear there was nothing they could do. They were losing. They were desperate. But the warriors refused to let them surrender, no matter what the concessions were. They just wanted a bloodbath.
"Finally, when they'd pushed us back to the very edges of our territories, they made an offer. If we agreed to stay on certain land, and never broach their borders, they'd let us live. They'd free Cecily and Rolf to go live their lives as they chose. The clan leaders accepted. They had no choice. Even the women and children were dying. So they signed the treaty in blood.
"Once it was done, the leader of the warriors turned to Cecily, lifted his axe, and beheaded her in a single stroke. 'This is what happens to all human traitors.' Rolf howled and raged, but he was chained. Back then, the warriors knew how to make chains that would hold even the strongest of us. They killed him too, in front of his father, who was one of the clan leaders.
"'We've done you a favor,' was all the leader of the warriors said. 'Remember this when you think of stepping your toe across these borders.'"
Cole half-smiled. "It's pretty brutal, but it makes a good point, I guess. No worse than one of the Grimm fairy tales."
"But there are territories," I said. "There was a treaty. In real life, I mean - wasn't there?"
He nodded. "Apparently. I'm sure the war was real, and that's how we ended up being stuck on these little scraps of land, but rest of it just sounds too ridiculous for me. Over the years, though, the warriors all disappeared. Eventually, once we realized the threat was disappearing, we started to take a little of our own back. There are some clans out there more superstitious than others, but mostly we've started expanding as much as we need to. And so far, no vicious magical warriors have come out of the woodwork to stop us."
He grinned, that same dazzling smile that usually made my heart melt, and made me weak in the knees. But now, I felt unsteady for an entirely different reason.
"What if they came back?" I asked, softly, before I could stop myself.
"Oh, Heather." Cole smiled, curling toward me and kissing me on the forehead. "Don't worry about that. They're long gone. There's nobody left who knows or cares about us anymore."
"Anybody know how to crank up the A/C in this place?" Cole addressed the question to the general populace. Most of them didn't look up. A few shrugged, glancing at each other.
We were in the Foxwoods clubhouse, waiting for the clan meeting to start. It wasn't quite what I'd expected, when I'd pictured it in my head. In fact, it looked exactly like any other community meeting - if I hadn't already known that all of these people occasionally turned into animals, I would never have guessed.
I fanned myself with a copy of the agenda, looking up at the front door when I heard it sw
ing open.
Adanna walked into the room, with all her usual grace. Her vibrant burnt-orange skirt suit glowed against the deep brown of her skin. Arthur, on the other hand, looked like death. His suit, hair, and skin were all vaguely the same shade of pallid gray. He sat with lips pursed and fingers interlaced, refusing to get up and acknowledge Adanna until she cleared her throat.
"Oh," he said, finally, looking up. "Ms. Ogbuagu. How lovely to see you again."
"Charmed." Adanna's smile was frozen as she shook his hand and sat down next to him at the table.
"Nice weather we're having," said Arthur.
"Yes, lovely, isn't it?" Adanna smiled tolerantly. "I do love the weather as a topic. Don't you? It breaks the ice so well. Where I grew up, we had the same weather every day. Nothing to do but have actual conversations."
Arthur loosened his collar with a single finger. "Sounds nightmarish," he said. "I never could stand the heat."
Adanna's smile grew a little. "Yes," she said. "That doesn't surprise me in the least."
Chilly silence reigned at the head table, while a few more attendees filtered in. My eyes were jumping all over the room, trying to comprehend that every single one of these people guarded the same secret that Cole did. This whole room was full of bears, badgers and voles, maybe even some birds - deer? Bats? The possibilities were endless.
Beside me, Cole was all restrained energy. He hunched forward in his chair, elbows resting on his thighs, apparently trying to bore a hole in the wall with his eyes. Back in high school, this kind of thing would've bored him to tears. We'd pass sarcastic notes back and forth in assembly, and he'd quietly roll his eyes at anything that required him to sit still for very long. But today, he was almost vibrating. There was an undercurrent of frenetic energy in the room, and even Cole wasn't immune.
Because on some level, we all knew. This wasn't just about the fountain. It wasn't just about Foxwoods and Alki and me and Cole and everyone else who'd made our home in the foothills of Douglas Mountain. Something greater was at stake, and everyone in the room could feel it.
Finally, just as the big hand on the clock ticked another hour, Arthur Craven stood up and began to speak.
"I've called this meeting to order because so many of you -" here, he glanced over at the Alki Valley side of the room "- seemed to feel this was an issue worthy of the clan's attention. As you all know, there has been a great deal of discussion about the possibility of selling the land between Foxwoods and Alki Valley."
Adanna cleared her throat. "If I may, Mr. Craven, it's worth noting that you have already spoken to the commissioner about this issue, in your position as the community board leader of Foxwoods. But you did so without speaking to any of us first. Whether or not something is a 'clan issue' isn't a decision you are authorized to make on your own."
Arthur blinked, not looking at her. "I will admit, friends - there are times when the crossover between my public role as the Foxwoods community board president and the clan's community liaison often overlap. But that's neither here for there. Even if I had been acting as a spokesman for the clan, whose authorization do I need? Does anyone know the by-laws on this?"
He was addressing the crowd, apparently, but no one wanted to answer, their eyes downcast and shifting all over the room. "Anyone?" He smiled. "It seems Ms. Ogbuagu has neglected to bring a copy of the bylaws, but thankfully I have one with me. And if I can refer to the relevant passage - well, it seems that the community liaison has the right to make certain judgment calls when working under limited time constraints. And I've made no secret of my feelings on this issue."
Glancing around the room again, he continued.
"The fountain doesn't belong to us. The land doesn't belong to us. I know we've had our differences, but even my friends in Alki Valley will surely agree that the time's come to let go of childish superstitions. It's time to adapt or die. Our species has survived so many things; I think it would be tragic if a petty land dispute marked the beginning of the end."
Adanna's mouth was drawn into a thin line. "Don't you think that's a bit melodramatic, Arthur? We can adapt, but we also have to preserve what's important to us. Not all of us still believe in the old gods, but we've all stood near the fountain and felt its energy."
Here, Arthur let out a barely-restrained snort.
"We all know what it means to us," Adanna went on, ignoring him. "And that's what is important. Not politics or petty arguments. If this is something we're willing to fight for, we have that right. And more than that, we have the right to make that decision as a clan. No one has the right to make it for us. Not me, not Arthur, and not the Commissioner."
Beside me, Cole was taut like a drawn bow. He looked like he wanted very much to speak, but something was holding him back. I felt his energy coursing through my own veins, leaving me tingling and a little bit breathless. I was momentarily taken with the insane urge to try and drag him into the supply closet for a quickie, but I was thankfully able to restrain myself.
In the crowd, a young woman tentatively raised her hand.
"Yes?" said Arthur. "Ms. Woodrow?"
"I'm just wondering," she said, her voice soft, but firm all the same. "I'm just wondering if you took any proposals to the Commissioner that would allow us to take control of the land. We've put all this sweat and hard work into maintaining the trails and the fountain, maybe they would let us buy it at a discount. If everyone pitched in -"
Arthur made a slight noise, and the young woman stopped talking. She bit her lip, her brown eyes casting downwards, long waves of chestnut hair falling down to partially hide her face.
"As much as I would love to hold a bake sale," said Arthur, "and reclaim to land for our own, we have to think about this practically. The whole county is running out of funds. That affects us, too - as much as like to occasionally pretend that we exist in a vacuum. The sale of the land will generate important revenue. To buy it at a discount doesn't benefit anyone, even if the county agreed to the sale. And why would they? Quite frankly, we can't compete with the land developers who are vying for this property."
"Excuse me," said a man, sitting next to the chestnut-haired woman. He was lanky and handsome, but a little shorter than Cole, dirty-blonde with eyes that shone fiercely as he spoke. "But I think we'd all appreciate it if you could refrain from patronizing us when we try to participate."
Arthur's face twitched. "I sincerely apologize if I've caused your lady friend any offense," he said. "But I suspect that very few of you have an understanding of how local politics work. We can't buy the land. It's not that simple."
"Forgive me, Arthur," said Adanna, standing up. "But we're to just take your word on this? Without speaking to the commissioner ourselves?"
"Well, yes," he said, turning quickly, and actually looking at her for the first time since the meeting starting. "Unless you care to explain to the commissioner exactly who you are, and why you -"
"I'm a concerned citizen," Adanna cut in. "A respected member of the Alki Valley community. They don't need to know anything more than that. Don't invent excuses."
He threw his hands up in the air. "Fine!" he snapped, sitting back down. "Go and talk to her, then. You're more than welcome. But what exactly is your plan? They're already well aware that this land means something to the people. But you can't pay teacher's salaries and re-pave roads on memories of forest magicks."
"Listen," came Cole's voice, startling me enough to jump a little in my chair. He straightened slightly, but he was still leaning forward. "I think we all know how you feel about the spirit world, Arthur. I'm no great believer in things I can't see, but that's not what we're debating here."
"Ah," said Arthur, smiling wanly as he turned to face our side of the room. "Cole, isn't it?"
Cole just sat stock-still, meeting his cold gaze. "You know my name."
"So nice to have you back," Arthur said. "Well, you've been away for a while, I dare say - since you were practically just a boy. I'd respectfully disagree wi
th you. People's feelings towards this forest, and this fountain, have everything to do with their spiritual beliefs. We can't discuss one without discussing the other."
"Well, do you think we can discuss one without mocking the other?" Cole countered, his voice loud, but steady. "We're not going to get anywhere if you keep talking like that."
Arthur blinked a few times, rapidly. "I'm sorry," he said, still smiling blankly. "Are you really criticizing my tone?"
"Let him speak," said Adanna, quietly. "He has as much right as you."
Arthur was shaking his head, before she even finished. "No, no, Adanna, you see, that's where you're wrong. Cole forfeit that right when left. He could have been in your seat now, but he gave that up. He hasn't lived here in ten years."
"Yes, but he grew up here," Adanna said. "Just as you did. A qualification that even I - as you're so fond of pointing out - do not have."
What the hell were they talking about? Was Cole really supposed to be the clan's leader before be left? My head was swimming, and I stole a glance in Cole's direction, but he was staunchly refusing to look at me.
"What about Heather?" Arthur gestured broadly towards me, and I felt my throat start to close up. "She has the unique advantage of being both an Alki native, born and raised, and someone from outside of the clan. And she's been here all along. I'd be very interested to hear her perspective on this land sale."
"Don't bring her into this," Cole growled, half-standing.
"Cole," I said, firmly. "It's fine." Clearing my throat, I stood up, slowly, mindful of all the eyes that were suddenly fixed on me. "I would hate to see that forest go away," I said. "Of course. And the fountain particularly. It's always been very special to me. But I understand the practical concerns too. I don't have any answers. I wish I did. But I think the fountain is special, no matter who you are, or what you believe in."
I sat down, heart pounding. Arthur's irritation was palpable, but Adanna was smiling slightly.
"Thank you for sharing, Heather," she said. "I think I speak for everyone when I saw that your input is very valuable here. You're as much a part of this community as we are."
Howl & Growl: A Paranormal Romance Boxed Set Page 65