by C. B. Haight
Cynda hissed out an oath.
She knew it could really help their advantage if Collett knew what was after them. Well, we’ll just have to improvise, thought Cynda as she picked up her cell phone while driving full speed toward home. Pressing the voice activation button, she waited for the prompt then said, “Rederrick,” into it. The phone dialed then started ringing.
Before he answered, Cynda spotted the cloud of smoke up ahead and knew the road was probably blocked further along. Rederrick, never failing her, answered on the first ring. “Hey there, sweetie.”
“No time! We’re on the run. I’m giving the phone to Collett so I can drive. Get the satellite images. We are on Well Spring Road heading north about 20 miles out.” Cynda tossed the phone over to Collett.
Still shocked by this new side of her friend, she fumbled with it for a minute before finally setting it to her ear, “Um, hello Rederrick?”
“The road is blocked by a truck of some kind. Tell Cynda to cross over to River Road at the upcoming bridge!” The clipped reply came back from the other end.
Obeying, Collett shouted out his directions.
Cynda, trusting her husband and his eye in the sky, immediately swung the Yukon to the right, making the screeching turn without slowing. Then she made a left on the parallel-unpaved road following her husband’s direction. Rocks and dirt spit out behind them as she floored the gas once more. As Cynda did this, she felt a frisson in the air around them and recognized the tingling of magic.
“MAGIC!” Cynda shouted, “It’s magic!” At the same time, she made this announcement both women felt a hard jerk, and the SUV came to a whip-lashing stop. “Get out of the car!” Cynda ordered.
Stunned, Collett looked over at Cynda and noticed her mumbling. No, she was chanting something, she realized. It wasn’t all clear. Collett was sure some of it wasn’t even English. She thought she heard the words, “holding the key” and “let it be seen.” Suddenly, a bright light burst forth right in front of them.
When the light cleared Collett saw him. On the road in front of them, stood a man. She couldn’t take her eyes from him. He was frightening to say the least. He was dressed in black jeans and a Goth t-shirt with a large skull in the center. Biker boots and a long dark over coat, with silver latches aligning it added to the look. Several different piercings mottled his face and earlobes. His hair was long and black with thick streaks of purple and blue mixed in. He looked so young to Collett, maybe early twenties at the most, and for some reason she felt a pang in her heart for him.
He stared straight at them, with one arm outstretched, palm straight up, and his fingers opened and tilting forward. Feeling transfixed by the sight before her, Collett could not tear her gaze from him, and he met her stare head on. Except, his eyes were completely devoid of light or color. Black, she thought. His eyes were a deep soulless black. Then he tilted his lips in a sinister smile, and she felt a shiver run through her.
Fear clawed its way through Collett. As she sat frozen in her leather seat, she could hear Cynda chanting again and she could see that the nameless man in front of them was moving his hands in a hypnotic pattern, and she found she couldn’t think past it. As if she were like Alice, falling down the rabbit hole, Collett could only wonder what kind of world she just stepped into.
The odd-looking man suddenly jerked back as if some force pushed him. Tearing her eyes from him, she looked to Cynda, and Collett saw her with her hands straight out, palms facing forward as if she had done the pushing. Questions raced through Collett.
****
Cynda tried hard to keep her focus. The sorcerer standing outside right before them was trying to throw the Yukon through one of the wider breaks in the tree line, and into the icy cold river.
She felt the strength of the sorcerer against her own power. He was strong, too strong, and she was a little unpracticed at battle magic.
The tires made the grating scooting sound of resistance against the gravel road as they moved at an unnatural angle, and the vehicle vibrated and rattled. Cynda kept trying to focus and attack the sorcerer, to provide even more resistance as the Yukon was forced through the tree line, turning backwards as it went. Before long, a picnic table sat between them and the river, until they were dragged along it as well.
The ear-splitting sound of metal scrapping and bending broke Cynda’s concentration. Anyone watching would have cringed and shuttered at the sound, but for the two women inside, there would be no time to think on it. A popping sound echoed as the window shattered. Glass cascaded over Cynda, and the driver’s side door bent in unnaturally, pushing against her legs. The car angled and turned as it finished scraping past the ruined table, facing Cynda’s side parallel with the river.
Cynda couldn’t even spare a glance for Collett. A powerful mental assault slammed against her consciousness. Her nose bled from the cognitive blow, and the necessary magic she unleashed to defend against it. She knew though that the attacker now held every advantage over her weakened mind, but she refused to relent.
“GET Out Collett, Get out!” She ground out between clenched teeth. She heard the rushing water outside the vehicle, and knew they were past the last barrier between them and the icy cold fingers of the mountain waters.
There was a thump above them, and the car bounced from the impact. Looking up though the tinted sunroof, they both saw a massive black werewolf in his hybrid form. At the sight of the beast, Cynda felt relief and Collett felt panic. Even though it had been dark the night before, Collett recognized him right away.
He leaped down to the ground effortlessly, and reached forward with his huge muscled arms, the long claws scratching at the metal on the passenger door.
“Oh no, Oh no! He came back!” Collett let the words out on a strangled panicked cry. She locked the door, as if it would help her somehow, and looked to Cynda for help. All she found was Cynda in some sort of trance. Her eyes were a cloudy white, staring forward at nothing. Meanwhile, the Yukon now sat on the muddy riverbank too close to the edge. Before Collett could even look away, Cynda let out a cry of pain, and her eyes fluttered closed, losing the battle for consciousness.
****
The werewolf tore the passenger-side door off violently, and ear-splitting creaks and groaning sounded as the metal bent unnaturally tearing free of its hinges. Glass from the tempered window cracked and split, then popped before spilling all around the ground.
Terror gripped Collett and not only terror for herself, but for Cynda too. Her breathing panicked; she turned and stared at the enemy face-to-face. No more than a foot separated them. She realized his eyes weren’t red this time but a glowing gold instead. Her thoughts flickered. She felt his eyes were familiar somehow. Stop it! She admonished herself, panic is making you crazy. Knowing her mind must be playing tricks on her, she reminded herself firmly; He is only familiar because he almost killed you last night. For the second time in less than 24 hours, Collett swore she gazed upon death itself.
The monster returning her stare grabbed a hold of her seat belt, and tugging with unnatural strength, freed her from it. He tore the stitched safety belt completely free of the metal buckle, as if it were no more than a thread knotted through a needle. He grabbed a hold of her and yanked her harshly from the vehicle that now sat on the precipice of the riverbank. The ease with which he managed to do this terrified her, but it also inspired her to fight harder to get away.
She refused to be an easy kill; she began fighting for all it was worth. She wriggled and struggled, while kicking, biting, and clawing with a savagery she could not remember ever using. She felt her desperation rise as she saw out of the corner of her vision that the Yukon splashed into the water. It now sat in the frigid water making its way in the deeper area at the river’s center.
“Nooo!” she shrieked, renewing the fight with all the strength she had.
****
Cade growled. Collett was stronger than she looked; her kicks and punches stung, and her struggling made gettin
g her to safety more difficult than it should have been. He needed to get to Cynda, but he was also aware the sorcerer was now directing his attention Cade’s way. He couldn’t fight three battles at once, and even though it pained him to leave Cynda for now, he felt there was little choice.
Promptly dropping Collett on her butt, rougher than necessary within the trees, he turned around to face what he figured was his biggest problem. He rushed at the sorcerer taking the focus from Collett and Cynda, hoping his attack would give Cynda time to help herself.
Cade didn’t know though, that Cynda now lay unconscious in the Yukon.
****
Stunned Collett watched as the black werewolf ran toward her other attacker as he had the night before. She didn’t understand what was happening, and couldn’t fathom why the massive werewolf left her alive a second time to attack the dark man in the road. Having no time to figure it out, and not willing to wish away her tiny fraction of good fortune, she dismissed the scene before her and moved on to more important things, Cynda.
Clambering to her feet, she rushed to the S.U.V. wading into the frigid water. The freezing temperature shocked her system, chilling her to the bone, and the current pulled hard at her feet almost tripping her as she wadded franticly toward Cynda.
Planting herself firmly and leaning in through the opening from the missing passenger-side door she reached for her friend.
Cynda looked much too still to Collett. She made no movement even though the rushing water now swirled around her shins. Her face seemed extremely pale, and a trickle of blood dripped from her nose leaving a crimson trail over her pinkish blue lips. Collett’s worry increased significantly. Reaching for the seat belt release, she tried to depress the button and free the safety belt. It didn’t budge.
Desperation gripped Collett, and she shook Cynda vigorously, yelling her name in an attempt to wake her. Cynda rolled her head to the side and moaned. The small movement accompanied by sound, gave Collett a sliver of relief. Her relief was short lived however, when the river’s current shifted the Yukon. It lurched forward, and Collet’s grip failed her, throwing her into the frigged water as the vehicle moved further downstream.
Sputtering as she came out of the water, Collett screamed, venting her anger and frustration. In front of her very eyes, someone she cared for was in dire peril. Behind her, Collett heard the growling and shuffling movement as the fight to kill her escalated.
She should be freezing, but wasn’t she realized. She felt heat rising in her body. She refused to be helpless and watch a friend; her only friend, die. Not like this, Collett thought, not this violent cold meaningless death.
Jumping forward she reached out latching onto the Yukon frame looking for a strong solid grip, and fighting the current that pulled at her feet she levered herself into the car. Grabbing Cynda by the arms Collett shook her again screaming frantically, “Wake up! Please!”
Cynda moaned again and her long slender fingers moved to her head then dropped. She failed to open her eyes, her body once again going limp. The water was swirling up to Cynda’s lap now soaking through her jeans.
Reaching down to the seatbelt connection, Collett pulled with all the strength she had. The lock still wouldn’t budge. She looked down at it hard and then she cursed, “Open! Open!” She repeated at a high-pitched wail. Unwilling to give in, Collett pulled harder. Closing her eyes and giving it everything she could she tried one more time to loosen the belt. With a loud snapping click, the lock finally gave way. It came loose so abruptly, the momentum from the opposing force smacked Collett’s body back against the dash.
Without taking any time to question her fortune, she hastily but firmly wrapped her arms around Cynda pulling her free over the console, into the passenger seat with her. Her skin felt so cold, and to Collett, she looked too pale.
She struggled with Cynda’s limp body. Losing her adrenaline now, Collett’s strength began to wane. She knew they had to get free of the Yukon before the river took it into the deeper center, or it tipped. Awkwardly levering their bodies around, Collett maneuvered out of the ruined Yukon with Cynda in tow.
Then she saw him heading right to them. He made his way toward them at a powerful run, much faster than she expected. Collett didn’t even have time to think up a plan of attack before he covered the distance between them. Even though she was sure any plan would most definitely fail, she would have liked to try, but his body practically leaped the entire distance in an instant. Then he stood right before them in his massive, terrifying, glory.
His breathing hard and his fur soaked and dripping from the run through the river; he moved a step closer, though this time carefully. His open jaw showed sharp and threatening teeth, and his large imposing form towered over her. He stood there a moment and looked at her. It felt as if time stopped the moment his golden eyes met hers again, but it was only mere seconds. Then he broke contact with her and regarded Cynda awkwardly limp in her arms. She became aware that she didn’t feel any malice or hate from him, but that did little to reassure Collett. She couldn‘t feel much of anything from him.
He reached out with long arms and deadly claws grabbing for Cynda. Unwilling to let her friend die in this monster’s hands, she wrapped her arms around Cynda with bruising force. Leaning away from him as far as possible, she defiantly refused to give up her friend.
“Let go Collett, I can help,” he growled weirdly. Surprised by his use of her name, but still scared, she gripped Cynda even tighter.
“You can’t have her! If you want me fine, but you can’t have her!” Collett replied firmly with her voice rising slightly.
The words came out with a firm confidence she didn’t feel, and to her dismay tears of desperation began sneaking out of her eyes, no matter how hard she tried to stem the flow. She stood there waist-deep in the middle of the frigid, fast-paced river struggling to keep her balance. Bravely staring down a monster that could rip off car doors and defeat unnatural men, she knew logically she couldn’t stop him. Even knowing that, Collett refused to give Cynda up to him willingly.
He snarled fiercely. She jumped, shrinking back. Her body began to shiver and shake violently, both because her nerves were now at the end of her endurance, and the cold water seeped through her skin into her bones. Still she clung to Cynda bravely.
****
Cade pulled back. He didn’t want to frighten her any further with his frustrated growling, and truthfully her stubborn bravery impressed him. They were running out of time though. Both women were bound to be close to hypothermia, not counting whatever internal damage Cynda must have suffered because of the sorcerer. He knew he couldn’t check that, and wouldn’t know how to help her even if he could, but he could help with getting both women out of the cold river to someone who could help. He wished he could’ve gotten there faster, and prayed he didn’t make a fatal mistake in his choices. He would never forgive himself if Cynda didn’t make it.
Trying to explain would take too long. Acting quickly Cade knew there was only one way to convince Collett he would not hurt Cynda, one way to get Collett to release her tight protective grip on Cynda’s limp form.
Cade commanded his body to change into that of a man.
Clinging to Cynda’s limp form, Collett watched in astonished horror and yet fascinated amazement when the monster’s body contorted and twisted right in front of her. Cracking and bending until…that monster became a man. Not just any man, a man she knew.
There standing in the middle of the river’s current was Cade. His now furless muscled chest heaved with his heavy breathing. Cade looked up and gazed at her with his worried golden eyes. So many thoughts jumped into Collett’s troubled mind at once.
Cade pushed them all back with soft calm words, “I swear to you, I would never hurt her. I’m here to help. Now let go Collett. Please, let me help.”
His eyes were so sincere.
The mystifying events occurring right in front of her made it difficult for her thoughts to assemble togethe
r for a reply. It was simply too much. Feeling far too tongue-tied to speak the words, she numbly nodded instead. Releasing her tight desperate hold, she surrendered Cynda to Cade’s care.
Cade scooped Cynda up with quick efficient ease and turning, moved swiftly toward the riverbank. Collett hurried after him, unwilling to lose sight of her charge, and friend.
Charge? She thought. That’s a strange word.
As they made their way up to the river’s edge, Collett struggled to stay upright with every step through the pulling current. Even though she fought for every step as the water level decreased, it was impossible not to notice how lean and muscular Cade’s entire body was. As she looked she saw a strange crescent shape mark on his suntanned skin, right on the left shoulder blade.
Her eyes roamed some more and then in a moment of bashfulness, she began to comprehend that she was staring at his powerful and exposed body. She quickly turned her head away, but it was too little too late. Collett lost her footing and fell into the frigid water face first. Before she could even pull her head out of the water Cade was there wrapping his strong arms around her and cradling her as he made his way to the bank a second time. He set her carefully down on the ground and asked, “Are you alright?” Before Collett could even answer, a low moan from Cynda rapidly drew their focus back to the urgent nature of the situation, reminding them what was important.
Moving to Cynda, Cade began checking her over, running his hands quickly but carefully over her body looking for wounds. “Her heart is beating strongly enough, but she’s too cold,” he said with slight fear lacing his voice.
“GO Cade! Take her to Rederrick! You have to get her out of here. Get her the help she needs. You have to go now,” Collett insisted in a shaky but determined voice.
Torn between the needs of both women, Cade decided quickly he couldn’t leave. He couldn’t bring himself to leave Collett unprotected. It was more than obvious she was in serious danger, besides that he knew if he left she would run. He could see it in her eyes. More than that though, Cade knew their attacker could not be far away.