Blood Cursed

by H. L. Graham

  “Well it’s good to know the two of you are bonding,” I smiled. “You are already being assimilated.”

  “AHHHHHH…” Rebecca and Gaven shouted, “beam us out of here.”

  I heard Leslie’s voice from the front lawn. Opening the door, I saw him engaged in an increasingly heated discussion with Jacob. Baldy Bean stood nearby, poised to pounce at his commander’s wish. Gaven and Rebecca followed me outside. All three of us were immediately concerned about Leslie’s control.

  I ran outside, “Hey guys, what’s going on?”

  Jacob calmly spoke, “I am trying to explain to the detective that I have every right to be here. It is a free country, is it not?” he said with the utmost pompousness, which I’m sure was designed to further piss off Leslie. The fact that he raised his voice concerned me.

  “Not on private property. So no, you don’t have a right to be here, especially with a bodyguard.” Leslie’s cool collected detective demeanor was returning. “Do you have a permit for that,” he gestured under Baldy Bean’s right lapel.

  “Of course he does,” Jacob interjected. “I don’t think we’ve met. I don’t meet many blue-collar folks outside of my construction sites.” Why was he being so snooty?

  Leslie verbally parried, “If you think for a second your money will keep you out of jail, then you don’t know what us blue-collar folks are capable of.”

  Gaven jumped in, “Okay, slow down. Leslie, this is Jacob Anderson. He purchased a sculpture and he’s here to discuss logistics of the delivery.”

  Leslie frowned, “They why isn’t he at your studio?”

  “It was a last-minute meeting. He called and I was home, so I told him to come over,” he explained.

  Leslie wasn’t buying it, “You never have clients over to your house.”

  I jumped in, “I wasn’t feeling great this morning and Gaven didn’t want to leave me.”

  “Maybe too much champagne last night at my party,” Jacob offered. Why was he talking? I think he enjoyed making trouble. I glared at him and he winked. Asshole!

  “Last night?” Leslie asked. “I thought I told you guys to say safe. That does not include attending parties with strangers.”

  Jacob jumped in again, “I would have explained this earlier if you weren’t huffing and puffing at me.” He glanced at me, apparently proud of his big bad wolf joke. “I’m extremely concerned about the murders and safety of our town, Detective. I threw a society party to raise reward money for anyone who might have information leading to an arrest of the murderer.”

  “Correct me if I’m wrong, but when do you two mix with fancy money society people?” Leslie asked.

  “Hey, that’s not nice,” I whined. “I clean up good.”

  Gaven ignored my protest. “I was invited to donate art for an auction.” I could tell he was annoyed by Leslie, but kept calm. I was also getting sick of answering his questions.

  “Rich people like art,” I offered. “They also like meeting the artist.”

  “Yes. The best way to loosen pocketbooks is a fun occasion,” Jacob smiled. “If there are no further questions detective?” He walked to his car and left.

  We all watched him go in silence.

  Leslie spoke first, “Why would you go to a party of such an ass?”

  “It’s just business man. Rich people like to buy what their neighbors have. One art purchase can set me up for months and this blue-collar guy likes making a living,” he joked.

  Leslie turned toward me, “No more parties. It’s not safe.”

  I nodded, “Okay, no more parties.”

  “You too,” he pointed at Rebecca, his tone softening.

  She saluted, “Rodger that detective.”

  Gaven tapped Leslie on the shoulder, “Hey come on in for a beer.” The guys walked inside.

  Rebecca looked at me, “That was intense.”

  “No shit, Jacob is such a jerk. This doesn’t bode well for our future working relationship,” I complained.

  She smiled, “If anyone can handle him it’s you. Hey, since Leslie is here and I’m done with my research, why don’t you take me out on that boat of yours?” she added with a twinkle in her eye.

  I smiled at her, “Only if you promise to behave.”

  “Of course,” she answered, running off to find her bathing suit in the disaster she had created in my guest room.

  I find it interesting how one minute we are knee deep in the supernatural and the next we can have a normal life? Breaking up fights, discussing art.

  I went in search of Gaven. I planned on planting a long slow kiss which promised more when we returned home from the boat trip. All this fighting was getting me excited. Must be the wolf pheromones kicking in.

  Chapter 21

  The boat trip was a great way to relax and have some fun. Rebecca and Leslie seemed enjoy getting to know one another. Rebecca monitored her pheromone output to my satisfaction and Leslie seemed to be interested in Rebecca on her own merits. We zipped out to our favorite spot at Boca Grande. While Rebecca and I soaked in the sun’s rays, Gaven and Leslie caught some fish for dinner which involved aluminum foil and the grill. Leslie claimed to have a pecan pie, courtesy of Baker Bob, waiting for us at home. I think Leslie keeps a stash of baked goods in his car for just these occasions.

  Rebecca went to bed as soon as Leslie left and I was able to keep my promise to Gaven. I lured him into the bedroom, locking the door behind me. Leaning against the door, I closed my eyes while centering my chi. I released pheromones which would soon perfume the air. Gaven watched intently, not speaking. I gestured for him to sit on the bed. I slowly began to remove my shorts and tank top. They still smelled of the salt air from our boat trip.

  Gaven smiled at my body, watching me intently. The air became thick with my scent. I slid my hands over my sun-soaked skin, touching my arms, then my stomach moving toward my thighs. I pulled my hair from its ponytail and let it cascade over my shoulders and back. Gaven held his breath, reaching out for me.

  I strode closer, but refused to touch him until I was ready. I removed my underwear and bra, which I tossed onto the floor. Gently pushing Gaven down, I assisted in the removal of his clothing.

  Climbing on top of Gaven, I was careful to minimize touching him. He gasped when I released some pheromones from my skin at the same moment I licked his chest then nibbled on his nipple. He arched his back shuttering slightly.

  Gaven rose up to meet my mouth, looking into my eyes. His eyes were swimming with color. The blues, greens, and blacks of the ocean swirled and glowed with a luminescence only seen when diving below the surface. His Magique leaked and the air began to smell of the seas. I pulled back my pheromones in an attempt to practice control.

  Gaven flipped me onto my back and plunged into me. A moan turned into a growl, as I gripped his back with my nails. I held on through his rhythmic thrust. I was reaching a point of losing control. I hope I don’t shift into wolf form. Gaven sensed my fear and slowed until I could feel myself building toward another peak. I allowed him to drive us toward the edge and plummet into the abyss of pleasure. I couldn’t remember a time that sex with Gaven had ever been so amazing.

  He held me for a moment, shifting to lie beside me. “It smells like a den of Viagra in here,” I joked. Gaven laughed.

  I reached up, tenderly pushing a lock of his blond hair away from his eyes, “Yes, it does.” Gaven answered, giving him my sexiest smile.

  “Go again?”

  Gaven laughed and replied, “Just give me five minutes, you animal.”

  I decided my wolfiness had its benefits.

  Chapter 22

  The next few days at work flew by. Gaven had several calls commissioning him to create sculptures for some local folks. He must have made a good impression with the Mrs. Meanies. He was booked all week with meetings at the studio. Rebecca also had plans to keep herself very busy. She threw herself into the manuscripts that Jacob delivered. She attempted to be the most educated werewolf historian al
ive.

  Wednesday morning arrived with the promise of 90-degree weather and high humidity. It seemed our intense summer heat wave had begun. My favorite time of the year was winter. Cool with low humidity. This is what made Florida perfect.

  Dragging my weary self to work, I cranked up my radio when my favorite Tom Petty song started to play. “And I’m free, free fallin’…” I sang along thinking about my day ahead.

  I had an easy day scheduled for today, some of my regulars and then a new patient at 3:00 pm to finish off. I planned catch a 4 o’clock class at the yoga studio and then home for a relaxing evening. Tonight was dinner with Leslie night. I looked forward to Baker Bob’s latest creation. I have been begging for a decadent chocolate dessert. I hoped tonight was my lucky night.

  I turned toward my office, deciding to take the back way past the duck crossing. The city had unofficially adopted a large family of ducks and there is an unspoken agreement to drive slowly at the crossing. Being spring, the latest brood of baby ducklings hatched and were crossing as I approached. I stopped and waited as they waddled across the street. I don’t know if it was the cute ducks, my favorite song or my caffeine kicking in, but my energy level rose. I was ready to face the day.

  At five minutes to three o’clock, I heard the front office door open. Looking at my appointment book, I stood up to greet Ms. Kristi DuLuna.

  “Hi, you must be Kristi,” I said turning the corner to the waiting room. I stopped dead in my tracks. Two very large, very scary looking men flanked her, think Conan the Destroyer times two. The men wore matching black slacks, white button-down shirts open at the neck, black suit jackets and aviator sunglasses. What was it with these guys and their sunglasses?

  Both men had pistols tucked into their belts. They didn’t even use belt holsters just stuffed the guns into their pants. How very thug of them. I don’t know a lot about guns, but they looked like they could cause a lot of damage. Even for one werewolf co-Alpha to be, with quick healing powers. The men didn’t seem angry or aggressive, so I decided to refrain from freaking out. Anyway, they reeked of wolf, as did the woman. I figured they were probably more dangerous as wolves than with guns.

  I stayed a smart distance from her, putting my hands on my hips and smiling tightly.

  “You must be The Bitch?” I asked with my best smart-ass tone.

  “Now, now, Hannah. I’ve come with a proposition for you,” she said gesturing to the Barbarian twins. They locked my front door, pulled the shades and stood guard. Kristi flung her shiny brown highly teased hair over her shoulder. She walked into my office and settled into my therapist chair, “Please sit,” she said to me.

  “That’s my chair,” I mumbled at her. I sat on the arm of my patient sofa.

  I didn’t like her smell. She had the same power ripples I experienced with Jacob the first night that we met. But underneath there was the scent of death. It took all my willpower to keep from cupping my hand over my nose.

  Kristi wore her finest TV villainess bitch suit. Her hair was in a strange updo. She also carried a Louis Vuitton purse and wore black pumps that cost more than my office furniture. She painted a very unattractive picture unless you were considering high priced escort services.

  “What do you want?” I asked rudely. I was so not in the mood for this.

  She began. “Well, as you already know, I’ve been staying with some friends in Ft. Myers. I was very hurt Jacob refused to see things my way, so I went to Ft. Myers.”

  I was wondering why the history lesson, “So!” I said with all the snippiness of a teenager talking back to their parent.

  She smiled, but I could tell I was starting to bug her. I made a mental note to continue my overtly aggressive comments just because I could. I also wanted to get a feel for her power levels. If I could push her far enough, she would let me know exactly what I was truly up against. I had learned that small power surges always accompanied anger.

  “I discovered you and your cousin Rebecca were possible descendants of Bergen Blackwood. Jacob had been keeping records for years about him and the seventh-generation females. He wanted to approach you and entice you to join the pack. He would make you his co-leader and toss me to the side.” She pursed her lips together making a popping sound when she released them.

  “I’m his wife and the rightful co-leader. Jacob is obsessed with adding your shifting powers to the pack. He thinks he’ll make the pack more powerful, expanding his territory. He doesn’t see the risks involved.”

  “Risks? What risks?” I asked, wondering if she was making this up or if there was any truth to it.

  She continued, “The research shows there will be casualties when you force the change. Not all pack members will survive. The longer they have been wolves, the more risk.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I already changed someone with no problems whatsoever,” I blurted out. Crap.

  “Yes well, Rebecca has been a wolf for one month thanks to me and she shares your bloodline. Your bloodline is special. But you are that last two. I’ve made sure of that.”

  I flinched at the mention of her killing all of my long-lost relatives. I felt my power rising with my anger. She smiled knowing, she was getting to me. She had intentionally baited me. I better get a grip. I took a long slow breath attempting to calm down.

  “I was not sure which of you would gain the power of the curse. It was my plan to kill you both.” She smiled. “I refuse to be replaced. The pack is mine as much as it is Jacob’s. He has no right to force me out.” She looked away from me, her eyes moist from unshed tears. ‘Maybe I could reason with her’ flew threw my brain, but she quickly recovered and the murderous snarl was back on her face. Okay, so much for the easy way out.

  She looked over my desk, seeing it for the first time and picked up a picture of Gaven and I on our wedding day. “Lovely dress and even lovelier man.” She rubbed her finger over the glass where Gaven stood smiling in his tux.

  I stood and snatched the picture and set it back down in its proper place. I allowed my power to trickle down toward her.

  “So sad you have no self-esteem. Killing all those women because Jacob didn’t love you any more, don’t you think that’s just a little extreme?” I snapped at her. “You could have just gotten yourself a new boyfriend.” I looked her over top to bottom, slow enough that she would know exactly what I was doing, “On second thought, maybe not,” I added insulting.

  “I killed those women for their own good. They would have been killed by the Ft. Myers pack when it takes this territory and kills Jacob,” she calmly and psychotically added.

  “What in the hell are you talking about, you nut job? You killed those women in cold blood.” I know I probably could have diagnosed her with Narcissistic and Schizoid Personality Disorders, but for now nut job just seemed just fine. I wondered if the insurance company would pay for that diagnosis.

  She flinched at my name-calling, another point for me. She quickly recovered, “I did what I had to do. Those women were a threat to me and my new pack, just as you are….” She caught herself, “just as you would have been before today. If these other women were bitten and became wolves, they would easily be turned by you and be very powerful. I couldn’t have that.”

  “Okay, all I know is you’re a murderer. If you’re implying you want me to join your pack and kill the Punta Gorda pack, you’re sadly mistaken. I really don’t care one bit about your little territorial dispute or your broken heart, but if you think I’m going to share my powers with you, you must be delusional, and that’s my clinical opinion!” I thought it was a pretty good go to hell speech.

  She paused before speaking again, “I came to offer you a large sum of money and protection for your family. You have a very handsome human husband. We wouldn’t want something bad to happen when the Ft. Myers pack takes control.”

  “Are you threatening me?” I asked angrily. They didn’t know about Gaven’s Magique Aquaness. That may be for the best.

&n
bsp; “Not at all. I just wanted to point out your weaknesses to entice you to accept my offer.” Conan number one walked over and held out a manila envelope. I looked at Kristi, questioning her with my eyes. “Go ahead, open it. It won’t bite you.” She laughed, but it sounded more like a cackle. I reached for the envelope. Conan number one was smiling. I guess he liked her joke, what a moron.

  I opened the envelope to discover a check for $10 million dollars and a contract outlining my association with the Ft. Myers pack. Kristi sat quietly while I read the contract. It spelled out that the money would be mine upon signing. It also stated I would hold the rank of Beta Wolf under Kristi who would act as my ‘Boss.’ I would also have to share my powers with anyone in the pack that wanted to have the ability to shift into a werewolf without the moon. As I continued to read, I wondered what type of lawyer you would hire to get this sort of contract written. The contract finished by spelling out I would be a solder for her cause with no rights of my own. So really the money would flow back into their hands. Clever lawyer, he or she must not be a wolf, but a shark.

  “As appealing as this contract is, I really must decline,” I said sarcastically.

  “That offer is only good until I step out of this office.” She actually believes I am stupid enough to sign the damn thing. My god, she really is nuts.

  I stepped away from the desk, ripped the contract in half along with the check and unceremoniously tossed them into the trash can. I wiped my hands together to remove the ‘dirt.’

  Turning back around, Kristi was still sitting in my chair, probably ruining it forever. I scrunched my nose to imply she stunk. “I don’t know how better to explain it. I don’t want to buy your cookies, please get your Girl Scout cookie selling ass out of my office.” I raised my eyebrows, smiled tightly and gestured toward the door.

  She turned so red I thought for a second she would explode. Nope not this time. Bummer. A minute passed and the red faded. Within a split second, she leapt from my chair and punched me in the mouth. I felt her ring dig into my lip and tear it as my head snapped back, knocking me off my feet. I landed on the client sofa with a thump. My head spun.