The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

by Ophelia Preston

  Twenty minutes later I was clean and dressed and sitting in my living room with my Gran, sister, Chris and Shaya. Shaya and my younger sister May did not get on and were sitting at opposite ends of the long sofa. May was not easy to get on with and this in fact was the first time I had seen her in a few years. She had ‘stolen’ my fiancée and we hadn’t spoken since.

  The May before me looked more mature than she had been four years ago. There was a sadness about her I didn’t remember. She still had those red locks, flowing like a river down her back, the same pale skin as myself and the same grey green eyes of all the women in my family. She was very slim and as tall as myself. I was the more curvaceous of us but only marginally so. Men had always flocked to her and it went to her head. That’s what made her hard to live with. Shaya thought she was obnoxious and arrogant and frankly, I had to agree. I loved her but didn’t much like her, not for several years now.

  May had been named after Gran and Gran thought the world of her. Even when May had gone off with Blair, Gran stood up for her.

  ‘May,’ I nodded. She nodded back.

  ‘How are you feeling?’

  ‘Oh, you know, like I just killed three people,’ I shrugged, feeling my stomach churn as I did. Chris stood and came over to me, taking me in his arms. I leaned against him, glad that he was there and that he looked a lot better tha the last time I’d seen him.

  ‘They weren’t people. If you saw what they did to Sean you wouldn’t have a problem with those kills. They were righteous, trust me,’ he squeezed me to him. I relaxed against him.

  ‘Your Gran and May are here in the States on holiday, Emilia. Here for a couple of months. They intended coming to see you anyway when your Gran got a feeling about you and came early,’ Shaya put in.

  ‘Ah, where were you?’

  ‘San Francisco,’ Gran stated. ‘So, what can of worms have you opened here to bring out the dead?’

  Chris snorted at her black humour and I rolled my eyes. Typical Gran.

  ‘I thought Chris told you?’

  ‘Told me the events of the night that caused you to go catatonic, not the reason why a bunch of vamps would torture your friends in the first place.’

  ‘That’s a long story,’ Chris sighed.

  ‘Well, get on with it, I’m not getting any younger.’

  Chris and Shaya outlined the events of the last few weeks. Gran and May listened silently, asking relevant questions when the summary was over.

  ‘Hang on. Em held off four witches on her own? How?’ May looked shocked.

  ‘She always was ridiculously strong. Just like my mum,’ Gran smiled. My great Grandmother had the same abilities as Gran and myself but Gran said she was a power to behold.

  ‘She’s always been the strongest witch I knew,’ Shaya stared challengingly at May.

  ‘I never claimed to be strong. Out of the three of us I’ve always been the weakest,’ May raised her chin.

  ‘You sure are,’ Shaya looked away from her, as though the very sight of her made her sick.

  ‘Hey!’ May stood up.

  ‘Ladies, please!’ Gran snapped. ‘We will have less of that, thank you,’

  ‘Do you know anything about this Edvard Maastrich that would be helpful?’ I asked to change the subject.

  ‘I know the name. I think my mother knew him.’

  ‘So he’s quite old?’ May asked. Gran smiled indulgently.

  ‘Yes, very. I think he may have drunk from a damned man. He’s a nasty piece of work, from what I can recall. Even mother couldn’t get rid of him. I wonder why he’s reared his head again?’

  ‘So how do you stop an old vampire?’ Shaya asked.

  ‘The same way you stop a younger one but more carefully?’ Gran shrugged.

  ‘We can ask Koji if he knows anything about old vampires. I need to get back to the pack, see how they’re doing. Come by later?’ Chris turned to me. I nodded and he gave me a quick kiss goodbye.

  Shaya looked at me and I nodded. I knew she wanted to leave as well and I was ok with that. I was really lucky to have such a loyal friend. She gave me a quick hug and left, waving to Gran on the way out. I made more tea and asked about their trip.

  May remained quiet throughout the conversation. It frustrated me further. Was she annoyed that she’d been taken away from Frisco too early? Was I spoiling her holiday? Well tough, I really couldn’t care less.

  ‘How are mum and dad?’

  ‘Oh they’re fine, sweetie. The Bistro is going very well. Kirsty is rushed off her feet and loving it. Bill is working happily behind the scenes, ordering to his heart’s content. Now, are we cleared to stay with you or would you rather have us out of your hair so that you can get busy with the wolf?’

  ‘Gran! Of course you’re welcome to stay!’

  ‘Both of us?’ May asked.

  ‘Really? You think that little of me?’ I shook my head. ‘Get out!’ I really wasn’t in the mood for this.

  ‘Emilia!’

  ‘Don’t you dare take her side over this. I’m not the one who cheated on her with her fiancée.’

  ‘For heaven’s sake that was years ago! Get over it already!’

  ‘Get out, both of you,’ I stood and went to the door. I don’t know which one of them looked more shocked and I really didn’t care. My Gran was a wonderful woman but she had a sharp tongue and had a propensity to forgive May anything. It had always annoyed me but this was like a slap in the face. ‘Don’t bother coming back. I don’t want to see either of you,’ I said as they went through the door.

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous! We’re family,’ Gran looked astonished.

  ‘Well you know what they say, Gran. You can choose your friends. I mean it. I’m not in the mood to put up with you constantly defending May right now. She betrayed me in the worst possible way. Until Chris, I hadn’t had a single date since then because I couldn’t trust anyone. That’s what she did to me. I’ll never trust her again,’ I looked from Gran to May. I never spoke about what happened, not to anyone. Even Shaya and Gracie didn’t know how much it had hurt me.

  Gran’s eyes softened a little.

  ‘She made a mistake. You don’t know how sorry she is.’

  ‘No, I don’t, because she never fucking apologised. Now get out!’ I held the door open further and they left. May’s head was down, her cheeks burning. Gran’s face stiffened. She grabbed May’s arm and pulled her out with her. I slammed the door shut.

  I knew I was acting appallingly but I couldn’t help it. May never had apologised to me for breaking my heart and making a fool out of me. It’s why I hadn’t been back for Christmas or a holiday in four years. I missed my folks and Saskia, my other sister, like crazy but I refused to be in the same room as May. I had been willing to have them stay until she spoke, trying to make me out to be the bad guy. It really angered me. And it galled me that Gran still thought the sun shone out of May’s behind!

  After a call to Gracie to find out my schedule, I headed into the office and buried myself in work for the rest of the day. I made sure to take Gracie out for another lunch as a thank you for practically running my business for me while I had been dealing with other things.

  I made sure we went to her favourite restaurant and told her how much I appreciated all her hard work, for manning the office on her own and for rearranging appointments when asked. She really was a gem of an employee. More than that, she was a reliable friend and I wanted her to know that she was not taken for granted.

  Following a productive day, not to mention some much needed bonding with my friend and co-worker, it was time to go see the pack.

  They were all together in Chris’s apartment, needing the pack to heal themselves. They were still cut up about Sean, the pain was still very raw for them. Oli told me how Sean had tried being a vegetarian because he didn’t like the thought of animals suffering. It hadn’t lasted long. Werewolves required a lot of protein and a vegetarian diet meant he was either eating all the time, or losing body mass
, something they required for the changing process. Oli snorted.

  ‘Sean went to Chris and asked his advice. Chris decided that our businesses would only serve ethical meats, sourced locally and organic where possible. He and Sean even went out to a few farms to see how the animals were reared and what their conditions were. It was a compromise Sean could live with.’

  He turned away and I left him to his grief, a quick pat on his arm was all I could offer.

  After speaking with all of the pack, and spending a few extra minutes with Ron to apologise for not knowing he had hooks in him, I went to Chris’s room with him and told him what had happened after he had left.

  ‘She seemed quiet when I met her, like she was shy or something. I’m really surprised to learn she was a siren!’ He said finally.

  ‘Well she certainly was. She liked the thought of getting whatever man she wanted whenever she wanted. I don’t just blame her, I blame them both but she’s my sister and should never have hurt me like that. I just never understood how she could do that. Or why my Gran always protected her and stood up for her. It’s not like I thought this happened but it didn’t actually happen. I caught them together. This is what happens when I see her after four years!’ I rambled, feeling agitated all over again.

  Chris soothed me and I spent the night there. Just being there made me feel so much better.

  I knew in my head that at some point I had to forgive May because like it or lump it, she was my sister, but the fact that she had never seemed remotely remorseful still hurt and angered me.

  Ben appeared the following day and told us that the vampires were gathering, enraged by the ‘massacre’ of their own at the hands of werewolves.

  ‘But I killed them,’ I said. Ben nodded, having been given the full story from Koji and Chris the day before.

  ‘I know. They’re being spurned on by someone. They want a war, not vengeance. Nothing I‘ve said to them has made a dent at all. War is coming.’

  ‘I’m guessing this Edvard guy is behind all this. I just don’t understand why,’ I mused aloud.

  ‘Ok, guys, for the next couple of days, no night ventures out, not until we’re back to full strength. Don’t go anywhere on your own and try to keep a low profile for the next few days. Koji, can you find out how other packs are doing? Are they facing the same war or is it us in particular?’ Chris asked. Koji was on his phone in a heartbeat.

  Ben had arranged another meeting with a vampire he knew. He disappeared by late afternoon, by which time we had learned that some packs were being targeted but others were not. San Francisco, New Orleans, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, Washington and New York were all targeted.

  Shaya had also been on the phone to her family, asking them what they knew and whether they knew what was so important about these cities in particular. She received a call from her Grandfather a few hours later. She put him on speaker.

  ‘They used to be strongholds for vampires in the past. From the time they were founded up until the end of World War two they were vampire cities. They’re trying to reclaim what they believe was theirs. Most went to Europe during the war, it was a carnival for them. They could eat with impunity. Some died because the old countries knew how to deal with vamps but some came back, to find their places usurped by werewolves and witches. They still stayed in their cities but they weren’t the power centres that they used to be. Plus many of the older vampires had gone and they lacked the experience and strength to return to the top,’ Rene told us.

  ‘Do you know how to kill an older vampire?’ Ron asked.

  ‘Quickly. They move with a speed that’s frightening. You can’t just stake them. You have to stake and then burn or cut the head off, then burn. Never remove the stake before beheading or burning.

  My daddy told me that when I was a boy. He was a New Orlean witch and had real trouble with them down there before the war. They killed his whole family. He killed a lot of them, including two old ones. That’s how I know. Find the leader, kill him and his seconds. It’ll make the others think twice about trying anything. Of course, they may be the ones pushing an oldie into all this in the first place.’

  ‘Whoa! Young vamps pushing old ones? Is that possible?’ Shaya, like the rest of us, was confused.

  ‘I’ve heard it happen. They apply pressure, push buttons, get the oldie to do what they want but make them think it’s their idea. Not all young vampires are stupid and not all oldies are clever. Some are just plain lucky. I gotta go, Shaya, you’re grammy needs her food,’ the old man chuckled, before signing off.

  ‘Ok, so how d’you want to play this?’ Pete looked to Chris. The Alpha stood and paced.

  ‘We get a meeting set up, a show of force, find out who’s behind this. If they won’t back down, we take out the heads, just like Shaya’s pop says. We have good relations with some other local packs who can back us up. Jerome, get in touch with Al up in Maine, and any other friendlies you can think of. Ron, call Ben and arrange that meeting. Shaya, will you have a look for any useful spells? The rest of you, I need you at your fittest. Eat whatever you have to, to gain strength. I’m going over to Emilia’s. Call me if you need me. I’ll be back in the morning,’ he said. No one questioned this. They knew he was doing what he needed.

  We returned to mine and I fixed a good sized protein based meal that we almost breathed in and I realised it had been a good few hours since I had last eaten.

  ‘Emilia, Koji told me something today that I need to tell you about. He thinks that we’re in the process of mating, that we are mates. He also says that if we do complete this process it will make us both stronger and better able to face the vampires. I need you to know that I want you but not to make me stronger. I want you like I’ve wanted you from the moment I met you. I’ve tried to keep it slow but it’s getting harder. My wolf thinks it’s crazy to wait at all but I need you to know how I feel about you,’ Chris blurted out after the meal. We were sitting with drinks by the window, watching the view across the fluorescent city.

  ‘I was wondering something like that myself. I feel a connection with you I’ve never felt before. I seem to know instinctively that I can trust you,’

  ‘You need to know that when we mate, it’s for life. This isn’t a divorce possible relationship.’

  ‘As if that’s even an issue,’ I leaned over and kissed him. He groaned deeply and pulled me over his lap.

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Positive.’

  He had my clothes off in seconds and we had his off equally fast. His lips crushed mine in their urgency and I kissed him back with equal force. I wanted him so much and moved my hands all over him, exploring him. I was in that exquisite place between wanting him right there and then, and wanting the moment to last forever. His lips had moved from mine to my neck, my secret weakness, and I quivered under his attention. My heart was racing as he moved lower, brushing my breasts with lips and tongue. My back arched in response, completely of its own volition. He worked his way down my body, before his tongue moved wickedly, suddenly, against my centre. I cried out in surprise and pleasure as he glanced up, an evil grin on his face. Quick as a flash, his tongue was back, teasing me to the point of agony. Without warning, he growled against me, sending reverberations of pleasure through my whole being and I came with a scream.

  Chris moved back up my body and groaned as I cupped him in my hands. His whole body was on fire, straining to take his time. I stroked his length and it bulged even more, as he pulled me on top of him. I grinned as I slowly lowered myself onto him, engulfing every beautiful inch of him. He felt warm inside me and filled me up. We really were the perfect fit.

  I leaned forward and kissed his neck and saw goose-bumps form on his skin as I lifted my head to look into his eyes. He really was the most beautiful man I had ever met. We moved together, our energies entwining as we did and I could feel the connection cement as I came again, this time Chris’s voice mingled with mine as I cried out in pleasure. I slumped over him, exhausted and
fully sated.

  Sleep reached up to claim me, just as I heard Chris’s breathing change.

  Chapter 10

  When I woke I found that we were in my bed, rather than on the floor in the living room. I smiled as I watched Chris sleeping soundly. He looked more peaceful than he had since I’d met him and I wondered how he was coping with everything. He rarely talked about his feelings and he had been through so much recently.

  He whispered my name and reached for me. I stroked his chest and his eyes opened like a cat’s.

  ‘Morning, beautiful,’ he smiled. He had such luscious lips. Not huge, just right and full. Every time I looked at them I wanted to taste them.

  ‘Morning gorgeous,’ I smiled back. He leaned over and kissed me softly, before getting up for the bathroom. I sighed happily and lay back on the bed, my whole body relaxed.

  Chris’s phone went off as he came out of the bathroom.

  ‘Yeah, sure,’ he mouthed Ben’s name and I assumed the call was about a time and place for the impending meeting.

  My phone went while Chris was on his. It was my mother. She was worried about what had happened between myself and Gran and May. I went into the living room and told her what happened.

  ‘Yes, your Gran said as much. She’s so upset.’

  ‘Well, she didn’t help, telling me to get over it. How can I get over something that big when May never said she was sorry. She sure as hell wasn’t sorry at the time. She fucking smiled at me when I found them together!’

  ‘Emilia Anderson! Mind your language! I know you’re upset but you need to calm down. I know how much she hurt you and I will not make excuses for her. She needs to apologise, I understand that, but you really hurt your Gran.’