Jake took a deep breath, ran his fingers through his dark hair and stared at her.
“I’m, sort of, a bear, kind of,” Jake said barely above a whisper.
Elizabeth felt like the ground had fallen out underneath her. It’s like her mother said, “if a guy seemed too good to be true, he’s probably a psychopath.” Elizabeth could not reply. She was too shocked, by what he said. He stepped towards her, not saying a word, but his eyes seemed to plead with her to understand his bizarre admission. Elizabeth knew this man had to be very ill and everything in her told her to run. She did not wait for him to say anything else, she took off running, full speed out of the woods and as far away from Jake as possible.
*****
Elizabeth typed up everything she could remember from yesterday in her daily report. She had to send her professor her findings after her excursions into the wood. Ideally, she would send it in the same day, but she was too rattled after returning to her dorm room.
This trip was feeling a lot more science fiction than science. Voodoo priestess, handsome strangers and then of course handsome strangers who talk to bears and confess to being bears themselves. She highlighted the paragraphs she typed about Jake and the store keeper and deleted them. Elizabeth leaned back in her desk chair, staring at the glowing laptop screen.
Really she was staring at the logical parts of the story. All of the unexplainable stuff she cut out. The fact of the matter was that just because she cut it off the page does not mean it did not happen. That voodoo shopkeeper clearly knew her name after only touching a strand of her hair, and Jake clearly had some sort of connection with an enormous grizzly bear. Grizzlies were not even in Louisiana. She perked up thinking of Canada. Chris was from Canada. Jake distinctly called that bear “Chris.” She shook her head thinking on the absurdity of it, but was jolted when her cellphone rang.
“Hello, Elizabeth speaking.”
“Hello, Elizabeth, it’s Dr. Phillips from Dillard’s Biological Conservation department. How are you?”
“Oh, hi! Sorry, sorry. I’m sending in my report now.”
“Good. Do you have any questions for me? Have you been navigating the woods okay?”
Elizabeth thought on the bear fight and the occult shop. Mentioning neither made her feel less insane.
“It’s been going. I saw a bear fight yesterday.”
“Oh my word! Are you alright?”
“Yes. I’m fine. It was strange, though. It was a black bear and her two cubs—”
“That’s fantastic. It’s hard to see them. I hope you took photos and good notes.”
“Yes, of course. I just—she was fighting a grizzly bear.”
Elizabeth pinched her eyes closed, knowing that Dr. Phillips would think her incompetent for even thinking that.
“Elizabeth,” he said with a low chuckle, “Now, you and I both know they are not in this part of the country.”
“I know. I know. I just saw the distinct features. It had the coat, the muzzle, the size. If I hadn’t been so close to it, I would think I was seeing things.”
There was silence on the other line then he cleared his throat.
“Elizabeth we have high hopes for this student exchange program. I would suggest you ensure that you keep up your reading and consistently refresh your basic knowledge as you go along, okay?”
“Will do, sir. Another question though.”
“Go ahead.”
Elizabeth took a deep breath, touching her hair.
“What are your thoughts on—Gris Street?”
“The voodoo shops?”
“Well, I think they use bear body parts in spells and stuff. Should we be investigating that? I mean how are their practices regulated?”
He went quiet.
“It’s—it’s a tough call. I’ve lived here for ten years and people don’t like to talk about it, especially to criticize. As a conservationist, I worry that certain things may not be above board, but I—I don’t know what the right answer is. You are more than welcome to interview them, respectfully of course, if you think it will strengthen your conservation thesis’s argument. Just be careful, okay?”
“Yes, sir. I understand.”
“What is your position, by the way? I don’t seem to have a title for your thesis yet?”
Elizabeth pursed her lips and threw her head back. Truthfully, she did not know yet.
“I’m still working on it. I know. I know.”
She heard him let out a long sigh on the line and her stomach sank.
“I have done some of my best work at the last minute so I won’t knock you. But, and this is a huge but, you need to have something concrete on my desk in the next two weeks. No excuses, understood.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Good. I’ll be watching my email for your report from yesterday’s observations.”
The call ended and Elizabeth tossed her cell phone on the twin bed. Thankfully, her roommate was gone, so she could mope in silence. She had so many questions. She skimmed her report, making sure there were no signs of voodoo, magic, werebears or anything that would threaten her credibility and sent the email.
*****
After sending the report and getting a response from Dr. Phillips, Elizabeth decided to test out Gris Street again. It was actually a dry day for once so she left the dorm wearing just her white tank top and jeans, and a backpack filled with a camera, notebook, and tape recorder. Hopefully, the shop keeper would be open to a few more questions.
A cab dropped her off in the restaurant district of the French quarter about a city block away from the voodoo shops.
“Sorry, lady. I don’t go in there. Just follow the sidewalk. Can’t miss it,” said the cab driver, reaching for the cash.
Elizabeth handed him the wrinkled twenty-dollar bill and rolled her eyes.
“Thanks anyways,” she said, climbing out of the car.
As luck would have it, he actually dropped her off in front of PJ’s restaurant. Her stomach had the familiar tickle of butterflies as she thought about Jake. As she stared into the glass, she saw a tall blond man, looking back at her. She was startled as he waved at her. She waved back. He held up one finger like he was asking her to wait. Elizabeth tilted her head in confusion, but waited for the familiar ringing of the restaurant’s bell.
“Hi,” the stranger said, walking out to greet her.
Elizabeth could not believe the odds of meeting two of the hottest guys she had ever seen in her life in just twenty-four hours.
“Um, hi. Do I know you?” Elizabeth asked, gripping the straps of her ruddy, black backpack.
“Um, yes and no,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I just wanted to apologize for scaring you yesterday. Jake told me that you know about us.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened and then she laughed loudly. So this was Chris. Jake and Chris were clearly having some fun at her expense.
“Okay. Wow, you guys are some pretty sick bastards. I have work to do. I don’t know who this little trick works on, but I don’t have time for it,” Elizabeth said, turning to leave.
She felt him touch her arm.
“Wait, please. What do you think we’re trying to do exactly?” Chris asked, releasing her arm.
Elizabeth scoffed and turned back to face him.
“Do you both really, and I mean really, expect me to believe you are bears?”
Chris tilted his head at her in confusion.
“Well, yes. I was the grizzly. Jake is a Louisiana black bear. We come down here every year for Mardi Gras. He said he told you this.”
“Well, nice try.”
Elizabeth looked up to see Jake in the same grey hoodie as yesterday, walking out of PJ’s.
“Hey Elizabeth,” Jake said with a weak wave.
“Oh God. Look, I think you two need some help or maybe just a more gullible girl.”
“We can show you,” Jake said, shrugging his shoulders like it was the most sensible comment in the
world.
Chris jerked his head to look at him and a scowl was forming on Chris’ tanned face.
“Jake, I don’t think that’s a good idea, man,” Chris said.
“Um, yea, because you can’t do it. Anyway I have a date with a voodoo shop so nice knowing you two,” Elizabeth said laughing.
“Wait, are you seriously going into Gris Street alone?” asked Chris, pointing towards Gris Street.
“Yes, why? I need to do an interview on the bear parts used in these weirdo practices,” Elizabeth asked, stiffening.
Jake seemed to grow pale and he exchanged a nervous glance with Chris who was stone-faced with anger.
“Which shop?” Chris asked.
“The mischief one. I can’t remember the exact name, but I know it’s at the far end,” Elizabeth said.
Jake slapped his forehead with his palm and shook his head. Chris balled up his fists at his side.
“You literally picked the worst shop. You’re going to talk to Ursula, madam voodoo herself. Are you insane?” Jake asked.
“No. I just saw bear teeth and other stuff in that shop. I don’t even know who Ursula is,” Elizabeth said.
“She owns the shop. We can’t let you go there,” Chris said flatly.
“Try and stop me,” Elizabeth said, taking off down the sidewalk.
She heard footsteps behind her and when she looked over her shoulder, Chris and Jake were walking right behind her.
“She will kill you if you say one thing to piss her off, you know? Either we follow you all day or you go home,” Chris said.
“Or you can just come to Mardi Gras with us next week,” Jake said in a singsong voice.
Elizabeth did not turn around. Her cheeks felt hot and her insides were churning with two conflicting feelings. On one hand she wanted to be left alone so she could get her thesis completed and on the other she was elated to be chased by two gorgeous men.
“Fine. I’ll go with you if you show me that you can turn into a bear and stay out of my way when I interview this Ursula, deal?” Elizabeth said, extending her hand.
“Counter offer. I show you and when you see that we are shape shifters, I get a kiss—on the mouth,” Jake said, smirking at her.
“What about the voodoo shop?” Elizabeth asked. The thought of kissing Jake, even if he was a little crazy, was making her feel a tightness in her groin and an unmistakable wetness between her legs.
“We both come inside with you,” Chris said still stone-faced.
“Deal,” Elizabeth said, nodding.
She turned and walked down the sidewalk, flanked by Chris on her left and Jake on her right side. She stole a quick glance at Chris’ face, mentally tracing the outline of his square jaw. Chris was serious which Elizabeth liked. He did not want a kiss like Jake did, but given the circumstances, she would not mind testing out if he could exert any other emotion besides melancholic boredom.
*****
Karis’ Mischief Shoppe was still as dark red and matte black as it was yesterday. Even though the sun was beaming today, it seemed that the shop was under a dreary cloud. Elizabeth pulled the door open to see not much else had changed except the Creole woman from before was now behind the register, scribbling on a piece of paper. Her head jerked up and her gray eyes burned into Elizabeth. Elizabeth swallowed and pushed her shoulders back. She was now grateful for Chris and Jake being behind her.
“So, you returned?” the shop keeper asked, standing up straight.
“Yes,” Elizabeth said, feeling her voice crack.
“You brought back up? I barely touched a hair on your pretty head,” the shopkeeper said, crossing her boney arms.
“She knows you know us, Ursula,” Jake said, stepping forward.
“Then it’s interesting now. What do you want?” Ursula asked.
“I—I didn’t get to formally introduce myself. I’m Elizabeth and I’m taking a course at Dillard. I just wanted to talk to you about the bear stuff on the wall. Can I interview you?” Elizabeth asked.
Ursula raised an eyebrow at her and stepped forward.
“An—interview?” Ursula asked, looking at the wall.
“Yes,” Elizabeth said, pulling off her backpack.
“Okay, I guess so. Come to the counter,” Ursula said, waving her over.
Elizabeth, Chris and Jake followed her over to the register. Elizabeth laid out the tape recorder and readied her pen and notebook. Ursula stood tall with her hands clasped in front of the same muddy brown dress.
“Go on,” Ursula said, nodding.
“Okay, so your shop is eighty years old, correct?” Elizabeth asked, taking notes.
“Yes. Karis, my great-grandmother, was one of the original shop owners on Gris Street,” Ursula said.
“What do you call yourself?” Elizabeth asked.
“A voodoo priestess, but you know that,” Ursula said flatly.
Elizabeth scoffed.
“You think it’s funny what I do?” Ursula said, placing her palms flatly on the hardwood counter.
“Easy, Ursula,” Chris said.
“God, why are you guys walking on eggshells? This is not actually real. I mean I understand the cultural importance of your shop to New Orleans culture, but my question is, do you ever kill bears for this nonsense?” Elizabeth asked.
“Life and death are in my hands, Elizabeth. If I want to mount your bones and hair on my wall, I would,” Ursula said, bearing her jagged teeth at Elizabeth.
“We should go,” Chris said, tugging on Elizabeth’s arm.
“Listen to your boyfriends, girl,” Ursula said, waving her hand over the tape recorder.
Jake grabbed the recorder before Elizabeth could and tucked it in his pocket. Chris tugged on Elizabeth’s arm, and she followed him and Jake out of the shop with her notebook clutched to her chest.
Once they were outside, Elizabeth let out a breath she did not realize she was holding.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” Jake said, pulling the silver tape recorder out of his jean’s pocket.
“Did what? I’m not going to— to validate a magic shop when bears are dying off at record levels!” Elizabeth said.
“Play the recorder,” Chris said, jutting his chin at Jake.
Jake rewound the tape and pressed play. Elizabeth uncrossed her arms and felt her eyes widen as she listened to the tape. Elizabeth could hear her own voice, but when it came time for Ursula all Elizabeth could hear was a low demonic voice. What threw her even more for a loop was when Chris spoke she it was not a man’s voice, but the loud growl of a bear.
*****
“Alright, you promised,” Jake said, coming to a halt under a large oak tree.
Elizabeth, Jake and Chris walked into the state park to do more bear watching with Elizabeth content to believe the tape recorder was a magician’s trick. That’s all Elizabeth saw this as: a slight of hand.
“Um, nice try. I see two men not two bears,” Elizabeth said, raising an eyebrow at Jake.
“I don’t think this is a good idea, Jake,” Chris said, looking around the forest.
“It’s fine, buddy. I’m looking forward to Elizabeth kissing me,” Jake said, pulling his hoodie and t-shirt off.
Elizabeth’s mouth went dry. She could kiss him as is.
“Step back, Elizabeth. He gets pretty big,” Chris said, stepping backward.
“Aw come on Chris. I like a woman to be surprised by my size when she sees me naked,” Jake said, stretching his arms and winking at Elizabeth.
She rolled her eyes and stepped back. Jake closed his eyes and Elizabeth unfolded her arms when she distinctly watched Jake’s arms pop out of joint. When his eyes reopened they were animalistic and amber. His muscles were stretching against his skin and in an instant he was covered head to toe in thick black fur.
“Holy shit,” Elizabeth said, covering her mouth.
It was all true. The voodoo, the bears, the magic was all true.
Jake growled loudly, raising up on his hind le
gs and then slamming his front paws on the ground.
“Don’t panic. He’s still in there. He won’t hurt you,” Chris said, grabbing her hand.
Elizabeth interlocked her fingers with Chris’ out of fear and shock.
“I don’t—this is impossible,” Elizabeth said, shaking her head.
Jake in his bear form walked over and slammed his paw between Elizabeth and Chris, unlocking their hands. Jake shook his head and growled at Chris.
“Told you he was in there,” Chris said, laughing.
“I—I’m speechless,” Elizabeth said, petting Jake’s head tentatively.
Jake seemed to purr into her caress. Elizabeth laughed out of complete shock and disbelief. She could not believe that the man she thought was a pig was actually a bear.
“And you can do this too?” Elizabeth asked Chris.
Chris nodded, looking Elizabeth up and down. She could not be sure, but she wondered if he was actually checking her out.
“Dear God, but how?” Elizabeth said, feeling short of breath.
Jake stepped backwards and Elizabeth gasped as he turned back into a man in ripped jeans.
“Told ya,” Jake said, rising up on his legs.
“I—I stand corrected. I just don’t understand. How?” Elizabeth asked.
“There are legends, but we can’t be sure. Some say magic and others say we are a parallel human race. All I know is I’ve been able to do this since I was a teenager. It’s why my folks moved to the capital of magic, Louisiana when I first shifted,” Chris said.
“Enough of the history lesson. You owe me a kiss,” Jake said, cupping Elizabeth’s chin softly in his hands. She could feel the fine silt from the forest floor in his palm. She wanted to kiss him, but her eyes still darted over to Chris. Chris was watching them but when he met Elizabeth’s stare, he looked away.
“Ah, I see,” Jake said, looking over at Chris.
“See what?” Elizabeth asked.
“You like Chris too,” Jake said, raising an eyebrow at her.
“What I—no, I never said—”
Elizabeth was cut off by Jake planting a kiss on her lips. He backed her into a tree and his body pressed against hers. Elizabeth felt her brain get foggy as his tongue swirled into her mouth. She could feel him getting hard because he was so close to her.
Endless Abduction Page 47