by Tara Brown
“Come back and sit.” Lydia patted the couch.
My fingers quivered and my legs threatened to buckle. “No. This is weird. I don't know who any of these people are. I don't understand the story.”
“You will.” Lydia smiled. “It’s faster to show you than to tell you, and this way you can experience how it is to connect and take a story from someone. It’s a very useful skill.”
“And invasive,” Lucas grumbled.
“Shut up, Lucas.” Lydia scoffed and held her hands out for me again. “You will get answers, I promise.”
I needed several breaths before I could go back and sit down. When I did, the story took off at a different spot.
Lucas, covered in blood and still in wolf form, trekked down to the river where they sat on the banks, and he became a man again. He stood naked on the riverbank and dove in. Blood rose to the surface of the water as it washed from him. Lucas surfaced, beaming. “Now that was a meal. I left some meat on the bones for you.”
Sam looked like he might be sick. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen. You’ve had your muzzle over every inch of that poor creature.”
Lucas rolled his eyes. “Pass my clothes, Nancy.”
Sam passed them at the edge of the water.
Lucas dressed quickly and I tried not to notice how beautiful his body was. It was creepy that he was so hot under those clothes, and wolf pelt . . .
When he was done, he pointed toward the forest. “My family is from a small town just upstate. I’ve lost the trail, but they will know if they’ve had a rogue wolf in their territory.”
Sam nodded but he was distracted by his phone. “Okay.”
“How’s Hanna?” Lucas cocked an eyebrow.
“I don't know. She isn’t messaging me.”
“Want to go to her?”
“Of course.” He peered up at the grin on Lucas’ face. “But I’m not allowed. I just want her to tell me she’s okay. It’s easy for you; Aimee and Ari like each other. They both hate Hanna.”
Lucas argued, “They don’t hate her. They dislike her. All supernatural girls dislike Hanna. Competition.” He winked at Sam.
Sam growled, “She isn’t competition.”
Lucas laughed mockingly. “I know, I know. That doesn’t change the fact that she’s a hot mess, dude.” Sam squared his shoulders at him, but Lucas stepped back with his hands up. “Whoa, dude, I get it. I smelled it on her when I met her. Anyone who meets Hanna will agree she's a sweet girl. She’s also the scariest monster I’ve ever met, including Lorri.”
“Not making me feel better,” Sam snarled.
Lucas laughed again. “Nothing you can do. Nothing she can do. Dude, Aimee isn’t going to let anything happen to her. Neither will Ari. We both know Dorian won’t.”
“Okay, stop trying to make me feel better. Jesus.”
Lucas pointed. “It’s this way. Want to flash us, maybe fifty miles at a time so we can try to find the trail again?”
He put his arm out for Sam to take. “Fine.” Sam placed his hand over Lucas’ wrist in the last second.
They flashed several times before coming to a massive hunting retreat with expansive grounds where wolves walked freely. The lodges were mansion-sized log homes.
A tall stunning woman strutted past him, smiling seductively.
Lucas moaned, “Keep it in your pants, Sammy.”
Sam punched him in the arm.
“Lucas!” a voice called out from a crowd.
Lucas bounded up to a huge beast of a man. The man had dark-red hair and dark amber eyes. He wrapped his huge arms around Lucas.
They hugged and talked briefly, but as others noticed the commotion, a group of people converged upon Lucas. Hugs and laughter filled the circle surrounding him.
Lucas reappeared from the crowd. “This is Sam. He’s different. He’s not a snack, Janine. He’s half siren.”
The faces of the people changed. Their eyes widened, their mouths tightened, and their stares became hardened.
“He’s a Rose?” the blonde asked indignantly.
Sam lifted his hand, revealing the gleaming platinum ring.
“That’s so wrong,” she snarled.
Sam turned to Lucas who laughed. “He’s with another siren. He isn’t single. He’s met his mate—calm down.”
Sam frowned. “TMI, dude. What the hell?”
Lucas snickered harder. “We have no secrets, man. The pack shares everything.”
“Keep my details to yourself. I’m not part of the pack.”
Lucas disputed, “You’re part of my pack.”
Sam lowered his gaze. “It’s nice to meet you all,” he muttered.
Lucas turned back to the growing group of people. “I have terrible news.” Lucas’ lower lip trembled. “Ben was taken to the great mother.”
This was the pain in Lucas. This was the thing killing him. This Ben person.
My heart ached for him and for the people in the log home town.
Everyone in the group began to react to the news and howling filled the air.
This went on for a while and I didn't know why or how it related to me.
The story flashed, blocking us out of the sadness.
It started again at a dinner table where Sam leaned into Lucas. “Can you just ask her to try not to stare?” he whispered into Lucas’ ear.
Lucas laughed. “On your own there, man. I don’t get involved.”
“Pretty sure Ari is going to feel the full strength of my siren gift when I get home. I might just show her what unleashed really is,” Sam threatened.
Lucas’ back straightened. He bit into the chicken thigh he was gnawing on and glanced back at the woman. “Janine, can you do me a favor?”
“Sure, sugar. Whatever you need.” Her eyes never left Sam.
Lucas frowned at Sam and then spoke to Janine, “Just stop, okay?”
She didn’t even bat an eyelash. “No.”
Lucas focused back on Sam. “I tried. You even think about messing with Ari and I will kill you, cook you, and eat you.”
Sam grinned. “Try.” He flashed from the room.
While Sam was gone, the men and women at the table began speaking like it was some sort of meeting. They had issues everyone discussed and addressed. When Lucas brought up the Viking wolf, everyone became angry.
The story skipped ahead again to the moment Sam came back into the room. He appeared upset but I couldn't tell why.
Lucas called him, “Sam.”
He glanced up to see the entire room staring at him. He cleared his throat. “Sorry. I went for a walk.”
Lucas laughed. “They found his scent. It’s a little north of here, near town. Want to flash some of us up there?”
“Sure, but I can’t do many. Maybe three others.”
Lucas strolled over nonchalantly. “You need to see Hanna, dude. You need something because even I can feel what you’re giving off. You’re on siren overload.”
His cheeks flushed. “Yeah, well that’s not going to happen for a while.”
Lucas winced. “Well, your tension is all the better to kill a wolfman with.”
“I would probably rip him to pieces from fifty yards right now. Who all is coming?”
Lucas pointed to the two men and Janine. “The elders. Two trips for the other three?”
Sam put a hand out. “Shall we?” Everyone touched him. One of the taller men held the picture of a small town. Sam flashed them there instantly.
They were in my town.
Wolfville.
The name of it had never made me think anything before this moment. Now I understood how it got its name.
The small town was silent.
Lucas scanned the area, watching the shifters turn their noses up to the wind.
He frowned, seeing Lorri walking toward them. “What the hell are you two doing here?” Lorri nodded to the elder in front of Sam. “I am sorry for your loss. Ben was like a son to me. We share a loss.” Her eyes glowed with an inner
fire. “Want to share revenge?” Her plump lip turned up slightly.
He nodded. “Yes. We want our kill.”
Lorri added, “I will allow you to kill the man responsible. His name is Daniel.” Her eyes lit up even more, glowing with evil. “He’s a vampire.”
The elder grinned. “Whatever you need that we may offer is at your disposal, until such time as we kill him.”
“Deal.” She turned to Lucas. “Why are you here?”
Lucas’ face flushed. “Aleks’ dad.”
She raised an eyebrow. “What the hell?”
He shrugged. “Look, you wouldn’t let us come to Alaska so we decided to find our own entertainment. We’ve tracked him.”
“Dorian gets this one.”
Sam laughed. “We can catch him and hold him until Dorian gets here.”
Lorri scoffed. “If he was so easily caught, do you not think he would’ve been already?”
Sam sniffed the air. “I can smell him.”
Lorri was undoubtedly annoyed. “I don’t give two shits, Sam. Lydia said there is someone here we need. A girl. She’s been missing for eighteen years, human years. Her father is Jonathan.”
Lucas looked sickened. “Jonathan?”
Lorri nodded.
Lucas shook his head. “He had all his daughters murdered.”
Lorri continued, “Lydia says she is the girl. She sensed her about forty-eight hours ago. It was like a switch turned on. I have no clue, but Lydia wants her, now. We don’t have a minute to spare.” She leaned over to Sam and smirked. “You smell nice, Sam. Maybe you can convince her to come with us. Dorian already tried, but the girl isn’t coming and no one wants her to go poltergeist on us.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
Lorri grinned and pointed across the small downtown square. “It’s this way.”
The shifters phased instantly and spread out.
Sam and Lucas walked along behind Lorri.
“You pissed at me?” Lorri asked Sam.
“Yup. While we were having our wolf meeting, I went for a walk to try yet again to talk to my girlfriend. Turns out you just sent her to Greece to meet her family. Without me there to protect her. She barely had a second to let me in on your sneaky little plan as she had just arrived and was meeting them.”
“You know she needs to meet them. She’s alone in the world. They can teach her to tame it down.”
“Hanna isn’t alone. She has me, Roland, and the Roses. Those sirens are evil. They’ll teach her things she doesn’t need to know.”
Lorri’s expression almost softened for a moment. “You know she will always love you, right? You’re the one. No one can replace that.”
Sam growled, “I’m not worried about her not loving me.”
Lorri snorted. “Sam, she won’t hook up with some Greek just because they tell her to.”
He sighed. “So you agree they will try to make her experiment? That's their way.”
“It’s their way. If they teach her to pull to ease the tension and the need, then all the better for us.” Lorri turned onto a street and walked up to a large country house with a beautiful front porch.
Sam froze. He stared at Lorri who growled, “Guards.”
Sam nodded. Lucas whined.
He squinted up at the window with the light on. He could see movement. Sam flashed himself to the roof below the window. He peeked inside. He angled back toward Lorri and pointed. She gave a nod and turned to observe the wolves surrounding the yard.
“Aleks’ dad has been here, Lorri. I can smell him. It’s fresh,” Sam called down.
Lucas growled and began to sniff the yard.
“And that was where you spoke to Sam, the stupid sheriff, and then vanished.” Lucas pulled away, killing the vision and making me shiver.
“How odd.” Lydia cocked an eyebrow. “How did she vanish?”
I blinked and stared ahead. “That was insane. I felt everything.” I gaped down at my hands. “I could taste the air and smell the fire from the woodstoves, and I sensed I knew who the people were even though I didn't.”
“So you understand, you’re a witch?” Lydia said it like she was saying something normal like girl.
“No.”
“You are.” Lydia smiled.
“Can I go now?” Lucas asked rudely.
“Yes. Fine. Thank you, for letting us invade.” She laughed, making fun of him. He grumbled and stalked off.
“You’re a witch,” Lydia repeated herself.
“She’s so much more than that. Annabelle is just a witch.” Lorri pointed at the wall where the ghost maid was last. “Ophelia is half angel and half witch.” Her eyes landed on mine. “Your mother is the witch. As in, the original witch. She’s been held in captivity since Jonathan went dark.”
“Over a thousand years,” Lydia added, appearing sickened.
Lorri nodded. “Yup.”
“What?” I was lost again, even more so. “What mother? Who’s Jonathan?”
“Another long story. What you need to know is that if we lose you, we lose the war. You’re that important.” Lorri always sounded angry, except in the dream Lucas gave us. She sounded nice with Sam. Nice-ish.
“Now we need to figure out what switched you on. It's not your birthday and the witch’s guard is still there. How did you find your magic?”
“I don't know.” I shrugged at Lydia.
“What have you been doing these last three days? Anything out of the ordinary?” Lorri’s eyes narrowed.
“I did play with a Ouija board.” I gulped and they both cringed.
Chapter 6
Not a monthter?
“You new?”
In front of me stood the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen in my life. She was stunning.
The girl frowned. “Do you speak English?” she asked loud and slow.
“Yes?” I almost questioned myself on whether she was real or not. The shitty expression on her face would suggest she was. “Sorry. Been a long day. Yeah, I guess I’m new.”
“Cool.” The girl smiled, making her face so much more stunning, I almost had to turn away. “I’m Giselle.” She slumped into the chair beside me at the huge table.
“I’m Ophelia.”
“What flavor are you?” She twirled her hair and raised her perfectly manicured eyebrows.
“Is that a trick question?” I was nearly lost in her beautiful stare.
“No.” Giselle smiled dreamily. “You make me feel funny. I meant what kind of monster are you?”
“Monster? You mean like the wolf and the ghost?”
“Yeah.” Giselle smiled as bright white fangs dropped out of the plump lips.
“OH MY GOD!” I jumped up and backed away from the table. “Oh my God. Oh my God. What are you?”
“Oh thnap!” Giselle put her hand up, covering her lips as if she was ashamed. “Thorry. Thtupid fangth. They’re like a dude’th thingy. They jutht pop up randomly.”
“Oh gross. Did you say dude’s thingy?” I grimaced. “Oh my God! You just got a tooth boner? I can’t even.” I was pressed against the counter completely, but still trying to inch away.
Giselle laughed. “I’m not like gay or anything. I mean, not yet. Dorian thaid I might get bored, eventually. Anyway. Thorry. The blood rushed there and then they came. Give it a minute and they’ll go away again. You just thmell so good.”
“I don’t know what you’re saying.”
“I’m not usthed to them yet.” She pointed to her face and spoke slower, “The fangth make my ethh thound funny. I can't thay all the wordth. Like thally and thue and thorry and thupid. It’th the fangth.”
I started to laugh. “I know what the words are; I just don’t know what you mean. I’m—not a monster.”
“Oh thit!” Giselle stepped toward me, focused her dark eyes intently, and spoke in a slow creepy voice, “Look into my eyeth and hear my voith. You will remember nothing that I thay. You didn’t thee my fangth.”
“Gis
elle, dear, what are you doing?” Lydia came into the kitchen, holding the album she had promised to show me.
Giselle sighed and put her hands over her eyes. “She’th a normal girl. She thaw my fangth.”
“She’s a witch, honey. You’re fine.”
Giselle glared at me. “Not a monthter?”
“No.” I took a step toward the table again. “It hasn’t been proven.”
“This is Giselle. Obviously, she’s a vampire. Not nearly as scary as one would expect, huh?” Lydia rolled her eyes at the frowning beauty.
“I don't know.”
Giselle hissed at me, making me jump slightly. She laughed and walked over to the chair again. Her fangs vanished after a few seconds, just like she had said they would.
“This is a dream, right?” I sat in the chair at the end of the table.
“No.” Lydia opened the huge dusty old album filled with grainy black-and-white photos.
“You just let them walk around, just let them loose like this?” I wiped my forehead and took deep breaths.
“We’re letting you walk around, aren’t we?” She pointed at the hazy pictures. “This is the only set of pictures ever taken of your mother. You see? You are identical to her in every way.”
I couldn’t believe what I saw. It was as if I stared at myself in an old-fashioned white gown and blonde hair. Only, she was the woman in the snow globe.
“Where was this picture taken?” I touched the picture. It appeared to be older than Lydia.
“She got away once, escaped. She came to us for help. The picture was taken at a Rose residence in Italy.”
Giselle sighed but we ignored her.
Mother. The six balls of light whispered in their creepy unison and hovered over the picture. I frowned at Lydia who frowned at the balls.
“How is it they follow you?”
“I don’t know. Who are they?”
Lydia raised an eyebrow at me. “You don’t speak to them?”
“Of course not.” I scoffed. “They came out of a Ouija board. There was an incident. Very frightening actually. They just started yelling at me, and I’m pretty sure at one point they froze Jake. I think they’re evil. They smash windows and do bad things.”
Lydia laughed. “They look exactly like you, first off, and secondly, no evil may enter my home. Just like your home was, I presume.”