"So much for distance," she mumbled.
A peal of thunder shook the ground and Lee looked around the vacant front yard.
"Cleo!"
Chapter Six
HIS HAIR WAS thick but coarse, predominantly dark brown yet shot through with silver. Deep sable eyes were kind and gentle, graced with the wisdom of the ages. They were soft and portrayed not only intelligence, but also the gentleness that housed his soul. Observant and cautious by nature, he was silent as he walked along the game trail. Pine needles crushed quietly beneath his tender feet and the slightly acrid scent wafted into the thick evening air. Trees that he normally saw as companions of the natural world felt like they were closing in on him, causing the blood to pump faster through his heart. The night was heavy and thick with the promise of a northeastern thunderstorm. Lightning flashed in the sky far away but he knew by an instinct older than time that the distance was deceptive. The storm would arrive soon and he'd have no choice but to seek shelter. Abruptly the forest fell silent. Crickets and frogs stopped their nocturnal racket with the suddenness of a radio that had been switched off.
He stood as tall as he could on short legs and peered into the darkness. Although he couldn't see anything, he knew something was there. It wasn't anything solid he could identify, but an evil deeper than the surrounding night, which floated ominously on the strengthening wind, and caused the hair on the nape of his neck to stand on end. His heart raced with fear. It was coming closer, of that he was sure. But he couldn't tell from which direction. Regardless of the avenue of approach, if he were still standing here when it arrived he'd be torn to shreds.
His instincts led him north, away from his home and into this alien forest toward someone he sensed was in great danger. For a moment, he wondered if the thing coming toward him in the night was what he was meant to save the stranger from. As abruptly as it came, the thought was gone under the weight of more pressing issues.
He was no match for the evil if he encountered it. Although his night vision was extremely good, the beast would no doubt overpower him in an instant. No, it was safer to find shelter for now. He still had a destination to reach.
Remembering the unknown one that beckoned him, he spied a huge cypress tree fifty feet farther up the trail. Although only moments ago the trees had made him uncomfortable, they were suddenly a refuge. The trunk was slightly inclined and would be easy to climb. The branches were close together and heavy with foliage. It would be perfect for concealment and he knew through experience that a predator rarely looked up. With these thoughts in mind, he scaled the tree and settled in the fork of two thick branches. Only minutes later the thing that made him feel the urge to urinate passed along the game trail below.
Even with his enhanced vision he couldn't make out the details of the shadowed hulk. He could only perceive a misshapen torso covered with dark hair and a grizzled snout full of wickedly sharp teeth, but very little real detail. All he knew was that it made him tremble and struggle to control the frightened whimpers that would surely draw the monstrous killer to where he hid.
Slowly the evil passed, carrying with it the stench of blood and rot. Eventually the night creatures resumed their song, as though they had never been interrupted. He decided to rest and to continue his journey by the safety of the morning sun. Instinct told him the creature had been traveling the wrong way but would finally figure out its mistake and change direction. Until then it would give him enough time to find the person he knew needed help.
Soon the thunderstorm broke directly overhead. Rain fell steadily, but not too hard, and soaked his thick hair through, creating a stream from his pointy chin. Wind buffeted him, but the moisture didn't bother him. It was just another facet of nature. Eventually the storm passed and the raccoon fell asleep as he held fast to his lofty perch.
LEE WALKED DOWN the steps behind the kitchen to what was considered the manor's basement. To her way of thinking, it was really another floor of the old house since it contained more than just a root cellar and wine storage. It also boasted a rec room, sitting room, bar and a mechanic's workshop. On the south side, one could find an old chamber used just for playing cards at the base of a turret that rose up throughout the structure. Lee had decided that a tiny, antiquated parlor would serve nicely as a darkroom. The underground setting was ideal. Unfortunately, the entire floor gave her the creeps.
"Come on, Cleo," she said, just to hear the sound of her own voice. "You're going with me."
Normally, the beagle was happy to follow her anywhere. She'd sit quietly nearby for hours chewing her feet while Lee puttered in the pitch-black, developing photographs. This time, her lolling-tongued grin was noticeably absent. Lee knew she was following out of a sense of duty.
The stairs terminated near the entrance to the root cellar. The original builders had seen fit to keep a dirt floor in that room. Shelves occupied only by spider webs, half an inch of dust and various minutiae took up most of the two sides. A large area in the back held a few wooden barrels. Lee had only been down there once. When she first arrived the sharp, unpleasant odor of whatever still floated in the casks was enough to keep her away. It almost smelled like an animal's den; wet, musty and dank, tinged with a hint of disease.
She'd closed the warped wooden door tightly after that first inspection and kept it that way.
Lee stepped to the right off the stairs and entered an 'L' shaped hallway. The short leg of the corridor held the darkroom and the underground entrance to a three-car garage. If she'd gone the other direction, the hallway would have taken her back under the manor and through the other rooms.
"You stay out here and protect me from the monster in the root cellar," she ordered her loyal companion. "I took some shots of Saranac Lake I need to develop."
Cleo cocked her ears forward and tilted her head in what Lee called her, 'you make no sense but I'm trying anyway' expression. Lee laughed and switched on the safe light before she closed the door to shut out the dog. She'd tried letting Cleo into a darkroom while she worked before and it was always a disaster. The beagle would move at the most inopportune time and Lee would end up tripping over her. They'd ruined more than one roll of film along the way.
Thunder boomed overhead while Lee worked. She tried to concentrate on the new photos; developer, stop bath, fixer, hypo. For about an hour she was fine, but very slowly she came to realize the small hairs on the back of her neck were standing at attention. Her heart beat a little too quickly and she tasted the bitterness of fear in her mouth.
"Oh stop being a goon. It's just a storm and a stinky old room with a dirt floor."
Cleo let out a ferocious bark before she suddenly started baying in heart-breaking, terrified peals. Then she was clawing furiously at the base of the door. Lee thought she must have scared her by shouting so unexpectedly and lunged for the access. Her elbow struck one of the stainless steel processing tanks, sending a chemical bath across the floor. Sliding a little in the dark, Lee fumbled for the light switch and tore the door open.
Cleo charged toward her and Lee scooped her up before she could step in the chemicals. The beagle shivered and panted uncontrollably.
"It's okay, baby. I have you. I didn't mean to scare you, you silly girl."
Lee saw lightning splinter in the sky through a window above the stairs just before a cacophony of thunder crashed through the air. Cleo shook even harder and tried to claw her way up Lee's neck.
"Oww, stop! That's enough. It's just a storm." The words were an instinctive effort to calm the pooch, but she was just as spooked. The dog's atypical behavior and this squall had her nerves on edge.
"Maybe you've got a point. Let's go upstairs where there's some light."
Lee hugged the warm, furry body to her and walked toward the stairs. The dank, animal smell seemed to have intensified in the last hour and she frowned, concerned that they might have a leak. Then she saw the door to the root cellar was standing open.
"What the hell?"
Cau
tiously, she reached one hand around the frame searching for the light switch. When Lee recalled the stark single light bulb with a pull-string switch occupied the center of the room, she gulped audibly. She'd have to walk all the way in to flip on the light and check the area. Was it worth it? Another deafening burst of thunder made the decision for her.
"Not tonight."
Lee grabbed the knob and slammed the door shut, thumbing the lock. She grasped Cleo close to her chest and bounded up the stairs two at a time.
Chapter Seven
RAINDROPS TRICKLED FROM the roof of the grand old house, plopping to the wet earth with tiny muffled thuds. The storm had been severe, but the morning promised to be crisp and clear. The sun had not yet breached the horizon, hovering just behind the mountain peaks like a shy lover. It was going to be a beautiful day, yet for all that, the birds were silent and nothing moved in the darkness. Nothing save a lone, twisted hulk.
The figure, more shadow than substance, shuffled around the front yard, absorbing the moonlight as he prowled. He sniffed the truck tires, the acrid bite of rubber assaulting his olfactory senses. He sneezed and moved away from the conveyance, seeking more interesting smells.
He was roughly the size of a Rottweiler, but held no resemblance to the noble canine. The spine was rounded, hind legs tucked under. His mouth hung open as he panted out a continuous, low chuckle. Guttural, almost unintelligible words issued from mangled vocal chords as he trailed around to the side of the house.
"...rabbit...eat...dog...dog...bitch..."
A clattering sound caught his attention and disfigured ears swiveled toward the noise. A clear rubber flap continued to swing back and forth even after the tan and white animal stepped outside. The dog sniffed near the rear steps before squatting. Steam rose from the puddle it deposited.
The thing threw its head back and the jaws opened, tongue lolling as he inhaled the sweet scent of flesh.
"...meat...dog...blood..." Hunger clawed his belly and he salivated at the nearness of such helpless prey. He'd almost had it last night.
A soft step in the forest a hundred yards away caused the creature to swivel around. The sound was beyond human hearing, but he was more. He was new.
Downwind of this more intriguing quarry, he was safe from detection. The beagle re-entered the house, but the monster was already slinking into the trees. Long, fixed claws ripped furrows into the soft, muddy earth as he stalked unhurried. A gurgled growl issued from the beast, transforming into a choking giggle.
"...deer...eat...deer...blood...good... blood good."
LEE SAT IN Andy's Café , smiling and eating lunch with a woman she'd met barely twenty-four hours ago. The restaurant was packed and although she garnered a few curious looks, she didn't feel like a bug under a microscope as she had that first night in Harmon. She glanced across the table at Jamison during a lull in their conversation, thinking how much her expectations of the day had changed after only a few hours.
She'd got up early and cleaned the mess in the darkroom from the night before. The dank offensive odor wasn't as strong as it had been, but once again the root cellar door was standing ajar. Lee had walked into the shadowy room and switched on the light. Further into the chamber, the stench grew stronger and she decided that whatever was in the wooden barrels was growing more fetid. On the way out, Lee noticed how warped the door really was and how poorly it fit into the jamb. She felt sillier now about the previous night's drama when she realized how badly she'd scared herself. She had allowed a series of minor, random events to be colored by a thunderstorm, a hysterical dog and a warped door. She cringed and thanked God she'd been the only one to witness to her insanity.
Then Jamison had arrived with a brilliant smile, doughnuts, and a thermos of coffee. From the start she'd been open and friendly, toting camera equipment without complaint and doing her best to stay well out of range when Lee began snapping pictures at Madawaska Flow. Now she sat quietly eating a rare steak and looking nothing short of windblown handsome. Her dark hair curled sweetly just below the nape of her neck, giving Lee the sudden urge to sink her fingers into the thick locks.
Lee felt a powerful attraction for the dark, mysterious park ranger, but Jamison didn't emanate anything stronger than friendliness. Except when their eyes connected from time to time, Lee amended silently. On those rare occasions, she thought the unusually green eyes saw clearly into her emotions. More than that, sometimes she was convinced Jamison might hold more than friendly interest toward her. Then she would smile and look away and Lee would be left wondering if she was imagining the whole thing.
She took a deep breath and asked the question she'd been wondering since the first time she saw a gorgeous stranger standing on the side of the road. "So, when are you going to let me photograph you?"
Jamison choked a little and reached for her water glass. After a sip she answered. "Never, if I can help it."
"Why ever not?" Lee had never met anyone so camera-shy. On more than one occasion, she'd raised the camera in Jamison's direction only to have the stunning face blocked by a raised hand or arm.
Jamison shrugged minutely, but the smile never faded. "I don't photograph well."
"Why do I find that hard to believe? You're beautiful." Heat flooded her cheeks, but she refused to amend her statement. It was the simple truth, no matter how much her stomach tingled when Jamison looked into her eyes like that. The gaze skated over her features and Lee's lips parted to take a deeper breath.
"Thank you."
For long seconds they stared at one another until the silence threatened to become awkward. Then someone entered the café and Jamison's eyes shifted toward the door. The change of expression was astonishing. What had been a slightly shy smile transformed into a grin that crinkled the corners of her eyes. She stood and glanced quickly down at Lee.
"There's someone I need to say hi to. I'll be right back."
She started across the restaurant toward a lithe redhead and the only thing average that Lee could discern about the stranger was her height. Long red hair fell in lustrous waves to her mid-back and when she turned, Lee could see just how gorgeous she was.
Girlfriend? Partner? She was surprised by the sudden surge of jealousy. Briefly, their eyes met. The woman's eyebrows rose and Lee was convinced her thoughts were transparent.
Jamison's strong arms circled the stranger and she looked away. She knew she had no right to feel this way. Jamison bristled with sensuality and primal magnetism; it was only natural that other women would notice. She concentrated on trying to finish her lunch and block out the sounds of the conversation taking place across the room.
"Hi, Sis. What's going on?"
Dinah returned the hug and then leaned away. "Nothing really. All's quiet so far."
"I wasn't really asking for an update. Just making conversation."
"I know, but I might as well answer both questions at the same time."
"Efficient," Jamison said.
"None of the other teams have found anything either." Dinah cast a quick glance toward the corner table and asked on a more personal note, "Did you finally take my advice and hook up with someone already? Tell me, who is the tall, gold and yummy one?"
Jamison glanced over and met Lee's eyes. She returned the smile directed her way and answered, "Lee Grayson, Chris' great niece." She wasn't aware of the slightly dreamy quality to her voice.
"That was fast work."
"Huh?" She didn't really hear since she was still paying attention to her lunch companion.
"I thought you just met yesterday."
Finally, Jamison focused on Dinah with a curious frown. "We did. Why?"
"That must have been some meeting. It's obvious she likes you."
She blushed at the delighted humor in Dinah's expression, but didn't know how to respond to the accusation. Had she missed something? Jamison couldn't deny she found Lee fascinating, but did the other woman feel something stronger than their fledgling relationship suggested?
"Keep your voice down," Jamison whispered harshly, flushing even harder. "It's not like that."
"Uh huh. Is that why you're here on a date, sharing a couple of bloody hanks?"
"It's not a date...exactly. She's a photographer so I offered to show her around the park."
One eyebrow went up. "Is that the equivalent of showing her your etchings?"
"Stop it."
"Oh, I get it. You thought you'd show her some of the more romantic vistas and generate a little...inspiration."
Jamison rubbed one hand over her face and groaned. "Get your mind out of the gutter. I'm telling you, I'm just trying to be nice. Besides, you know I don't date outside the community."
"Yes, yes. I know how boring you can be."
"Dinah!"
"Too bad," Dinah said, eyeing Lee again although she was attempting to be a little more discrete. "She is gorgeous."
Jamison laughed and said, "Back off, Lightning."
"Why'd you call me Lightning?"
"Because you strike so fast and unpredictably."
Dinah grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment. So, what's the verdict?"
"About?"
Dinah sighed. "Is there any feeling of family there?"
Not the kind you're talking about, Jamison almost said. "The jury's still out."
"Really? How's that?"
She shook her head. "I sense the Panthera in her blood, that's to be expected considering. But, there's definitely more homo sapien there than homo erectus. The scent of shape changer is so faint it's almost undetectable."
"Then she probably can't shift."
"More than that, she probably doesn't even know our kind exists."
"You don't think Chris would have mentioned it at all, even as some kind of fairy tale when Lee was little?"
Under the Midnight Cloak Page 6