by Kat Bostick
Jasper, on the other hand, was acutely aware of Mari’s sentence. It was preventing their first date, one he was exceedingly eager to go on if it meant she would spend every night in his room. It wasn’t really an excuse to say no without actually saying it but, in truth, she hadn’t realized he would work so hard for it. He could be quite resourceful when he wanted something.
“Puppy dog eyes.” Jasper demonstrated, blinking his beautiful green eyes innocently.
“Yeah, right.” She scoffed. “Charlie wouldn’t fall for puppy dog eyes.”
“Sure he would. He’s sucker.”
“I heard that!” The alpha called from the bottom of the stairs.
“Eavesdropping mongrels.” Mari muttered, then let out a startled shriek when she nearly walked into Clem and Cora. “What are you two doing in my room? And why do you look so suspicious?”
“Clementine’s never been on a date so she’s livin’ vicariously through you.” Cora explained, taking Mari by the hand and sitting her on a stool in front of the vanity in the far corner.
“I am doing no such thing. Dating is a largely superficial activity in my opinion. Each party is masking themselves to appear more appealing. The male waves dollar bills in a female’s face like a peacock strutting his tail feathers in hopes of achieving brief sexual gratification rather than the satisfaction of a long term commitment and companionship. Perhaps that’s why humans have so many failed relationships.” Clem clucked her tongue.
“Tell us how you really feel.” Mari said.
“Sugar, you ought to lay off that reality TV.” Cora scowled in the mirror as she combed supple fingers through Mari’s dark locks. “What were you thinkin’, givin’ werewolves a television?”
Clem’s pale cheeks turned a soft shade of pink. “I’m sure you will have lovely time, Mari. I understand this is your concept of romance.”
Mari laughed at both sisters before she began peppering them with questions. They dismissed every one, occasionally exchanging conspiratorial smiles. Cora practically tackled Mari, twisting her straight hair in all kinds of odd directions until a series of elaborate braids wrapped around her scalp, converging in a bun that somehow managed to look tousled and elegant at once.
Clem’s mischief came next. She emerged from the bathroom with a garment bag, beckoning Mari forward. The she-wolf unzipped the bag to reveal a burgundy wrap dress. It sported thin, lacy straps and a rather brazen slit down the side. Clem swore that she had the dress just lying around but considering that she was nearly a foot taller than Mari and bustier too, it was hard to believe she’d bought a dress in that size.
She also insisted that Mari keep it, confirming her suspicions that Clem—and possibly Cora, Jasper, and the rest of the pack for all she knew—picked it out just for her. Apparently even a date was a family affair.
Jasper had seen Mari in a lot of unflattering states. He’d witnessed her naked and smeared with mud, wearing oversized sweaters with unwashed hair, and ugly crying in sweaty workout clothes. Somehow, she was more nervous about him seeing her in a pretty dress. It didn’t help that the entire pack was hovering around the house, pretending that they weren’t spying. When Mari came down the stairs, heels clicking on every wooden step, she could feel their eyes on her.
Jasper stood in the foyer with a striking smile on his face. His thick red hair was pulled back, his beard was trimmed to a light shadow of stubble, and he wore a simple green button up and black slacks. Mari liked him in just about anything—or nothing at all—but he did look exceptionally handsome tonight, less roguish and more refined.
A blush crept up her cheeks as Jasper scanned her and his jaw actually dropped. He was being dramatic because there was no way she looked that good. Once she reached the bottom of the stairs he took her hand and spun her, sending the fabric of her dress flowing gracefully around her legs.
“You are so beautiful, my honeysuckle, that the stars weep when they look upon you.”
Mari bit her lip. “Yeah, well, you clean up nice too.” A loud snort came from somewhere in the kitchen. She whipped her head that way and shouted “stop eavesdropping, Cash!”
Jasper chuckled and took her arm. “Come on, I’ll take you somewhere without an audience.”
Charlie’s approved date still had limits, which was why they weren’t going any further than the steakhouse at the lodge. It wasn’t a bad place for a date. Mari had heard that the Wolf Ridge Lodge had the best—and only—elk steaks in Humble Springs.
Though there were no signs of Lyse and her coven since the harvest moon, Charlie and the pack were still on high alert. The alpha agreed to let them leave the pack compound for a date but thought it safest if they stay close to home, within running distance if worst came to worst.
The lodge was a short drive from the house but the somewhat awkward silence in the car made it feel much longer. Several times Jasper took his attention away from the road to scowl at her.
“Why are you nervous?”
“What? Me? I’m not nervous. No way, I don’t get nervous.” Mari waved the question away with her hand. Jasper raised one disbelieving eyebrow at her and she caved. “I’ve never been to a nice restaurant. I don’t really feel like fancy date material.” She pursed her lips and quietly admitted “I’ve never actually been on a real date. Only to Chipotle and I just don’t think that counts.”
“You deserve the world. One restaurant at a vacation lodge in a small town is humble in comparison.”
She couldn’t help but laugh at that. “You really have a way with words, y’know.”
“You don’t.” He laughed too.
Jasper’s easy laughter eased her tension and by the time they were approaching the hostess, Mari was relaxed. The restaurant was designed much like the lodge. The furniture and flooring was made of dark wood and the walls were decorated with framed paintings of wildlife and wilderness. The exposed beams on the ceiling gave it a hint of that rustic cabin look but not in the cheesy style that a lot of vacation lodges overdid.
Mari’s favorite part was the floor to ceiling windows in the back of the restaurant that provided a west facing view of the forest beyond the lodge. The sun had just begun to set, it’s golden light kissing the tree tops. A touch of fall colors was already brushing the edges of some leaves, adding to the gilded glow of the evening.
“You planned all of this?” Mari asked him over her menu.
“Why do sound surprised? Feral beasts can’t plan romantic dinners?”
“Oh no, you definitely have the romance thing nailed.” She sipped her water. “I guess I just didn’t think dating was your style.”
“It’s not.” He admitted. “But Cora and Teal assured me that dates are important to women.”
“Well you shouldn’t have told me that. You’re supposed to be impressing me with this date, not admitting that your brother and sister planned it for you.” Mari teased.
Jasper shrugged and closed his menu. “You know me.”
“What’s your point?”
“You never would have believed this scheme was mine alone.” He took her hand from the table and kissed her knuckles.
“I mean, you did ask me to wolf marry you with a rabbit corpse.”
Just then the waitress arrived and Jasper suppressed a chuckle at the flash of consternation on the young woman’s face. Mari covered her mouth and cleared her throat before giving her order. The evening was surprisingly easy for a date with a werewolf. They didn’t talk about witches or magic or any threats looming over their heads. Jasper asked about college and growing up in Klein. Mari carefully navigated a conversation about his life before he became a wolf, keeping it light-hearted and avoiding discussions of his mother.
Talking to him was comfortable. After spending weeks having one sided conversations, she’d been worried they wouldn’t have good chemistry. Mari should never have worried, not about anything in her relationship with Jasper. In his company she felt that she was with an old friend, someone who knew her soul i
nside and out.
It occurred to her then that maybe this date wasn’t so much about his eagerness for her to move in as much as it was him giving her what she’d asked for; normal. This was Jasper proving to her that she could still have these chances to feel human if she stayed with the pack. Their daily lives were never going to be normal but Mari was remembering now that she’d never actually wanted that. She was born a witch with wolf in her blood. She wasn’t normal any more than Jasper was.
Mari opened her mouth to say something along those lines but the air around him suddenly shifted and a familiar fizzy feeling ran along her tongue. Jasper gripped the table so hard the wood groaned beneath his fingers. His eyes flared unnaturally bright and the telltale crack of his spine made Mari realize she needed to get him out of there immediately.
“Jas? Can you make it outside?” She asked as she stood, pulling all the cash she had in her purse out and tossing it on the table.
Jasper didn’t respond. His body stiffened, muscles painfully taut as he warred with the oncoming change. Mari pried his hands from the table and jerked him out of his seat. His movement was rigid and strained as she pulled him to the nearest door, dragged him along the patio where unsuspecting diners were enjoying the evening, and hurried for the forest. She knew there were hiking trails and a few private cabins somewhere in there but she had to hope they wouldn’t encounter any guests at this time of day.
There was no doubt in Mari’s mind what was going on. Lyse was close and she was casting. The air was electric with her magic. This time, Mari wasn’t going to freeze up. She would fight this. She would fight for Jasper. The only problem was that her voice would carry if she cast in the traditional song and she couldn’t risk drawing the attention of lodge guests yet. They got as far into the woods as Jasper could manage before he collapsed onto all fours.
Mari kneeled on the ground beside him and put both of her hands on his back. He opened his mouth in an attempt to speak to her but all that came out was a pained groan.
“I’m going to stop this.” She reassured with as much confidence as she could infuse into her voice.
“Run…” he growled out. “Get away from me.”
“No, I’m not going anywhere.” She wouldn’t leave him to face Lyse and her coven alone.
Father Above, this is my fault again. Why was I so stupid, asking for something as frivolous as a date when all of this was going on?
Working fast, Mari wrenched off her heels and dug her feet into the earth. She closed her eyes and begged Earth Mother with urgency for any power that the goddess below could offer. A tingling of strength in her limbs answered her prayer. Drawing in a deep breath, she began her song. It wasn’t perfect but it was all that she could do.
Jasper cried out when Mari released the first sharp note. His pain radiated through his shirt and into her palms. Mari could feel the opposing witch’s magic there too, snaking up her wrists and trying to fight her. She didn’t know if she was powerful enough to hold off the conflicting magic and it occurred to her that she might be putting Jasper in more pain. He was caught in the very beginning of a shift, spine arching then straightening. What was the alternative though? Let Lyse take hold of him again and hope she could free him?
Mari drew back her head to begin her song again when a rough hand clapped over her mouth and strong arms dragged her backwards. Jasper growled viciously and tried to push himself up but his body convulsed and the change washed over him at a violent pace, causing his clothes to burst at the seams and fall in tatters around him. Lyse stepped from the shadows, arms extended skyward, husky voice murmuring incantations. She lowered her arms and Jasper’s body snapped into the wolf faster than Mari thought possible.
The red wolf stood frozen in familiar stillness, green eyes void of the usual brightness that emanated from within. Mari thrashed and kicked at the bodies behind her but there were too many arms holding her back. A second voice murmuring magic had taken up above her. She looked just in time to see Henrick’s free hand coming down to her forehead. His incantation continued but she lost all focus on his voice as it muddied in her brain. The darkening world around her blurred together until there was nothing.
Mari could see nothing, hear nothing, feel nothing. Somehow she was aware that her body was moving and that she was surrounded by others but she was tucked deep into the confines of her own skull.
Trapped. Now she understood why Jasper was so intent on escaping his cage.
Chapter 48
Mari
“There, there, fledgling. Take it slow.” A calloused hand caressed Mari’s cheek. “I’m sorry to have used such a nasty spell on you. The effects will pass soon enough.” A thumb brushed her lower lip. “Then again, you nearly killed me with a tranquilizer dart so I believe we’re even.”
Another unfamiliar hand rested on her ribs, gently rubbing circles. She tried to lift her arm to fling the unwanted touch away but it was numb. With some effort she managed to open her eyes. Warm light flooded into her vision, orange and flickering like firelight. She could hear the crackle of logs and smell the slight smokiness in the air. The room was cozy and it seemed to make her heavy body sink down into whatever soft surface was beneath her.
Blue eyes peered down at her, crinkling in a friendly smile. A curtain of blonde locks tumbled over a square brow. The man above her might be handsome if Mari’s vision wasn’t clouded with hatred for anyone who dared touch her so intimately without permission.
“Ah, there she is. Good evening, Sowka.” She recognized the masculine voice along with the face but Mari couldn’t quite place it. “Sowka. That is an old name indeed.”
Why did this guy know about Mari’s family name? Nothing in her mind seemed to make sense. Images floated lazily by, snippets of memories that she couldn’t get her fingers around. And she couldn’t puzzle out where she was. The walls and ceiling were rustic, nothing like the polished shine of the dark wood in Jasper’s room.
Jasper. Where was he? Shouldn’t he be here? Mari thought she recalled them leaving the house together. Yes, that was it. He drove, which entertained her because she’d never seen him drive a car before. He was good at it. Well, as good as anyone who knew how to drive a car.
“Jas…” She tried to call out to him but it came out of as a strangled croak.
Now Mari was beginning to panic. Who was this man that looked down at her with warmth in his gaze and touched her like they knew each other? Jasper would never let someone touch her like that if he was here. That meant he was gone. He left her. Or something happened to him. He was hurt.
He was cursed.
“No!” Mari managed to cry when she realized what was going on. “Jasper! Jasper where are you?”
Lyse ignored Charlie’s demands, as Mari had suspected she would. They’d only left the pack house an hour ago and the witch had come for them. Charlie and the pack were so confident in their ability to face this threat that she let herself relax. Mari knew this was coming and she lowered her guard anyway.
“The spell is wearing off, Luminary.” Henrick, the man hovering above her, spoke over his shoulder.
“Excellent. I’m going to help the others ready the circle.” Lyse called from somewhere out of sight. “Explain to her what’s happening.”
Henrick put two large hands on her shoulders and lifted Mari to lean against the headboard of the single bed she was lying in. She was barefoot but other than that nothing had been removed from her body. The wizard was sitting on the edge of the mattress, blocking her view of most of the room. She couldn’t see Jasper in the small studio style cabin but she sensed he was near. That same golden thread tugged weakly at her heart as it had the first time Lyse forced his change. Her legs ached to move, to get up and go to him, but she was paralyzed.
“What did you do to me?” She groaned.
“I used a paralysis spell. Don’t worry, it only lasts for a short time. My family magic was designed to be defensive, not harmful. That spell is by far the worst I can d
o.” Henrick caressed her cheek again. This time she lolled her head to the side but it didn’t stop him. “Until the luminary has blessed me with more power, that is.”
“Is she going to perform your rites? You don’t need me or Jasper for that.”
“We do need you. Only our luminary is as powerful as you. It takes immense power to perform rites.”
“I won’t do it.”
“No need to snarl, fledgling. You’ve been spending too much time with wolves.” He glided fingers through his silky blonde hair. “The luminary has so much to offer you. That’s why she brought you here. I know you’re afraid—“
“I’m not afraid of you!”
Henrick laughed, probably because Mari looked like a mouse telling a cat she wasn’t afraid of it. “No, it would seem not. You’re a spirited one, Sowka. I admire that about you. You’ll make an excellent hand to the luminary. And in time, you’ll learn to forgive us.”
“For which part? Burning down my house? Kidnapping me? Cursing Jasper?”
“For all of it. You’ll see, Mariella.”
“So you did burn down my house.” Not that it really mattered now.
Henrick looked sheepish. Sheepish, as if he wasn’t some crazy arsonist and kidnapper. “I will admit, it wasn’t one of my wiser decisions. I simply wanted you to be desperate enough to come to us. Then again, maybe it was wise because it brought you here, which brought us here too.”
“Henrick, it’s time!” Lyse called from outside.
“I think you’ll change your mind. You haven’t seen our world. You haven’t seen our pain. You were shielded from it all of your life. Once you see how much we love you, we love our kind, and want to protect them, you’ll join our cause. It’s a righteous one.”
Henrick heaved Mari up like a ragdoll. She desperately wanted to resist but the only muscles in her body that worked were on her face. Everything else was numb. Though not so numb that she didn’t feel the rush of cool air when they stepped outside. A wooden chair waited ominously for them in the grass, encircled by some white substance. Henrick positioned her in the chair, binding her wrists to the arms with sturdy rope.