by Willow Cross
Glancing in his direction, Jason said, “Help me get her inside before she starts a war.”
***
As sleep began to dissipate, Sarah wiggled. The warm arm wrapped around her tightened in response. For a moment, she felt a sense of comfort and relaxed into the fury chest behind her, then as her mind came fully awake, she bolted from the floor.
“What the hell?”
Pete rolled on his back opening first one eye and then the other. Squinting, he muttered, “What’s wrong?”
Shaking, color drained from her face before an explosion of red took its place. “W-what are you doing?” Grasping her clothes, she hurriedly dressed.
“Sleeping. Same as you,” he answered and stretched his frame to his full height. As realization set in, his face also turned a pretty shade of pink. “Oh. Sorry,” he said as he looked away.
Sarah’s eyes darted around the room searching for her brother. Jason was nowhere to be seen. Turning her back on Pete, she said, “Can you get dressed?”
“Oh yeah. Sorry.”
Stepping onto the porch, she saw Jason curled in a ball to the side of the door. She scanned the trees waiting for Pete to have enough time to dress. Behind her, his warm breath sent shivers down her spine. “You don’t have to be embarrassed; it’s perfectly natural you know.”
She turned and met his gaze. “It’s not right. I love--”
“Can’t you feel it? I know you feel it in wolf form, but can’t you feel it now? We were meant for each other, Sarah.” His eyes pleaded with her.
Sighing, she slipped past him into the house searching for Jason’s clothes. She could feel it, but she’d never admit it. Something pulled and tugged at her when he was around. Something she couldn’t identify. A gentle touch, an accidental caress was all it took to send her body reeling in shock. His smell, the warmth of his skin, even the way the smile on his face always matched the twinkle in his eyes. But at the same time, far deeper and stronger, her heart yearned for Shad. She missed him terribly. Her body craved his nearness. Sparkling green eyes haunted her all hours of the day and night. Yes, she could feel it, but she wasn’t about to give into it. Not until she knew for sure, there was no hope for her and Shad.
“Wake up,” she said throwing his clothes on top of him.
Jason groaned in his sleep.
“Wake up and get dressed!”
As he came too, a sheepish grin covered his face. “Well that was interesting. Do you remember any of it?”
Sarah turned her face away. “Are you going to get dressed?”
“Yep. You going to answer me?”
Exhaling, she answered, “Yes, I remember it.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“And I was right…again.” Jason laughed.
“Yeah, yeah. You were right again. What do you think they want to talk to us about?”
“Looks like we’re about to find out.”
In the distance, they heard a car coming up the long gravel drive.
“Pete!” Jason called.
“Heard it,” Pete answered from the door.
Jason turned and leveled his eyes on Sarah. “You think you can play nice this time?”
Rolling her eyes, she walked down the steps to meet them in the drive.
As the car slowed to a stop, Sarah waved. Inside an older woman and man waved back. The woman, possibly in her forties, had short black hair with small streaks of silver throughout. Lithe and shapely, she exited the car, and motioned to the boys to come help her. “You can carry this stuff, I cooked it and carted it to the car, and that’s as far as it’s going,” she laughed.
Jason and Pete exchanged smiles and moved quickly to the car.
“You didn’t have to do all of that,” Sarah said.
“No, but what kind of hostess would I be if I hadn’t?” she answered. Pointing to the large, dark-haired man standing on the driver's side of the car, she said, “I’m sure you’ve guessed, but this is my husband Daniel, and I’m Adriana.”
Sarah’s eyes darted to Daniel. “Thank you so much. I’m terribly sorry about last night. That‘s really not who I am.”
Daniel gave her a once over before commenting, “It’s to be expected. You shouldn’t be this far from your pack so early in your change. Adie told me what she saw last night. If what she’s seen is true, then you kids need more help than we can give you.”
An uncomfortable silence came over the group.
Shoving a loose hair behind her ear, Adriana said, “Okay, there’s time for that. We have all day. Let’s get this inside and you three fed. I know you must be starving.” Sliding her arm through Sarah’s, she led her into the house.
***
Full to the point of bursting, Pete, Jason, and Sarah sat on the living room floor listening to Daniel’s historical recitation. Unlike their own pack, his pack had started as an Indian tribe. For hundreds of years they’d held this land. Although the Native American blood had dwindled, they still considered themselves part of the great Chippewa Nation. In all their known history, they’d never allowed a human life to be taken. Protectors of mother earth, they watched over the land and kept its occupants safe from those that would harm them.
“A great disservice has been done to you. Without a pack surrounding you, great danger will follow.” Daniel said.
“How many packs are there?” Jason asked.
Daniel scanned their faces before answering, “It is not just the packs that endanger you. Although many will come after you for being in their territory, Sarah’s alpha status is enough to send many hunting, should they run across your scent.”
“What could be worse than that?” Sarah asked.
Adriana rubbed her hand across her mouth, nodding to her husband. “They have no idea. No one’s told them. At least no one’s told her, and if she doesn’t know…”
Chewing on his lower lip, Daniel answered, “What I’m about to tell you, you should have learned as children. Why your leader kept this knowledge from you, I can’t understand. We are not the only supernatural beings in the world, children. Not even close. There are others who strive to control us, those that would kill us, and those that would keep us as pets. And like us, they live everywhere. Always in secret, keeping their presence unknown from the human world. These are a greater danger than any pack you might run across. And considering Sarah‘s abilities, she would be a welcome prize for all.”
Jason’s head shook in disbelief. “What exactly are we talking about here?”
Pete’s gaze remained focused on the floor in front of him. “He’s talking about vampires.”
“What?” Sarah and Jason exclaimed in unison.
“Ah. So you have been told then. And why would you choose to not share such information with your leaders?” Daniel asked.
Pete raised his eyes to meet Sarah’s questioning gaze. “It’s no big deal. They’re in a huge war right now among themselves. None of them have paid any attention to us for years.”
“Are you freaking kidding me? Vampires? Holy crap! What planet have I been living on for the last eighteen years?” Sarah said.
Still shaking his head, Jason said, “I can’t even…I mean this doesn’t…seriously?”
Adriana sighed. “Children, as much as we’d like to help and teach you, there is no time. You may stay one more night, but tomorrow you must leave. You seem like nice young people, and I’m sure you mean no harm, but with all the traveling you’ve done it’s likely you’ve crossed paths with at least one. We can’t have you leading them here.”
Eyes brimming with tears, Sarah asked, “Where do we go? What are we supposed to do now?”
Daniel shifted and straightened his legs, rubbing his thighs while he spoke. “There is a place you might find help. It will be difficult for you to get there. I have some contacts in Toronto that are skilled in creating new identities. You’ll need that if you are to get to Romania.”
“Why there? What could possibly be a help to us th
ere?” Jason asked.
The man cocked one eyebrow and smiled. “That is your point of origin. All of us originate from somewhere. Some from the power of nature and the wolf, some from the Wendigo, others from not so mythic legends. Your point of origin is in Romania.”
Pete leaned in. “How can you know that?”
“We don’t know for sure, but we do know of one there that can help. His name is Brogan. If he cannot help you, then no one can.” Adriana answered.
Sarah stood, stretching to relieve the tension in her body. “Why would he want to help us? Why would anyone want to help?”
Smiling kindly, Adriana answered, “Because it is his way. He, more than any of the other immortals, meddles not only in the affairs of men, but in the supernatural realm as well. He is constantly seeking allies to aid in his cause, and we, when called, answer. With what is going on right now, I believe you three will be of the utmost interest to him.”
“Harrumph!” exploded from Pete’s chest. “You’d send us from a pack war to join in a vampire battle? How is that supposed to help us? If anything, it’d be quicker to just kill us now.”
Eyes bright, Daniel nearly whispered as he spoke. “There is more going on than a vampire war. The state of the entire world is at risk. Immortals are taking sides and when the true battle begins, it would be best to be on the right side. Don’t you agree?”
“Vampires, immortals…this all sounds crazy!” Jason said.
Adriana shook her head. “No, not crazy. It only sounds that way to you because you’ve not heard of it before. Winds of change are blowing. They are under new leadership, and that hasn’t happened in thousands of years. The council of elders is being reestablished. There’s even rumors they have allied themselves with white witches. Witches rarely involve themselves in immortal dealings.” She leaned forward, the lines on her face deepened as her voice took on an ominous tone. “Listen to me. Lines are being drawn. This is good versus evil in mythic proportions. Eventually, everyone will have to choose a side. I know your troubles seem insurmountable right now; but believe me, things are going to get bad out there. Brogan can keep you safe and steer you in the right direction.”
Clearing his throat, Daniel looked at his watch. “We need to get going. You three think this over and decide what you want to do. If you want to get to Brogan, we’ll help. If you don’t, you’re free to move along wherever you choose. Just remember, having Sarah with you will lead you from one danger to another. With her Alpha status added to her seer abilities, those that won’t want to kill her will want to use her.”
Trying to swallow the lump lodged in his throat, Jason nodded while a dazed Sarah stared off into space.
A smile of understanding came over Adriana’s face. “We’ll be back in the morning, kids. You just rest tonight and stay around the confines of this house. Get some sleep. Things always look better after a nice sleep.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Thunder exploded overhead, rattling the entire house. Sitting by the window, Sarah gazed at the torrential onslaught. Water pooled at the base of the porch steps and in large puddles across the yard, making it appear more like a lake than a lawn. Every so often, she shivered. The chill in the air had no effect on her, but the thoughts running rampant through her mind caused her body to react.
Watching from the doorway, Jason moved to her side. “You okay?”
A long pause followed, and just as he was about to repeat the question, she slightly shook her head.
“It’s going to be fine, sis. I think Adie and Dan are right. We’ll go find this Brogan. I like that idea better than hiding out in the Canadian wilderness for years.”
Sarah nodded.
“This self imposed silence isn’t helping you any. Talk to me. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
She slowly turned her head and met his gaze. Her face had a vacant faraway look as she spoke. “Something’s wrong with me.”
He shook his head. “Nothing’s wrong with you. You’re just overwhelmed. We all are.”
“No. Something inside is wrong. It’s been like that ever since she showed me Mom and Dad. It’s like…like I’m broken or something.”
Pulling her in his arms, he assured, “You’re not broken. This is too much for any normal person to handle. It’s just too much. You’ll feel better in time. When we find a place where things can get back to normal, you’ll be better. I promise.”
Sarah closed her eyes resting her head against his massive shoulder. “Maybe,” she muttered. But deep down inside, she didn’t believe it. Something was very wrong with her. Even Shad rarely crossed her mind anymore. All she thought of now was Shana and the longest most painful way to kill her.
***
Sarah waved and gave Adriana a half-hearted smile as they drove down the drive. Concealed in her wallet was the address for a document specialist in Toronto. All they had to do now was cross the border and make their way to the man who would provide them with new identities. That’s all. Nothing so hard, really. Just three fugitives crossing out of the country, without being caught by border patrol on either side, and make it all the way to an address in a city that none of them had been to before. Oh yeah, she thought. And we somehow have to get by all the other werewolves, shape shifters, vampires, and any other immortal out there that probably wants us dead. Sure no big deal.
A garbled laugh escaped before she could squelch it.
“What’s so funny?” Pete said from the back seat.
“Nothing. I don’t even know why I laughed. Just thinking about this next obstacle.”
“Ah. You’re right to laugh. We must be crazy.” Pete answered and slid down in the seat folding his arms neatly across his chest.
Shaking his head, Jason glanced in the rear view mirror. “Ever the optimist, Pete.” Then turning to his sister, “We can do this. We’ve already been through worse than this. It’s a cakewalk now. Don’t worry.”
Nodding, Sarah turned to stare out the window. A vacant look came over her face as her mind sought Shana’s. Even if they were leaving the country, she would do her best to monitor that woman. Someday, somehow, she was going to make her pay for what she’d done to their parents.
***
Shana flinched and a short whimper escaped as she felt Sarah’s touch on her mind. She only transformed now when it was a necessity. Sarah had grown too strong. Paranoid, she wondered if the girl was strong enough to find her when she was in her human form.
Head moving back and forth, she scanned the area to make sure there were no witnesses. Her prey leaned against the hood of his bright yellow vet. The smoothly cut Italian suit he wore, told her that she’d find a wallet loaded with money and credit cards. The other woman’s cards had been declined yesterday, since that time she’d been on foot.
What kind of idiot sits out here alone? She thought. For thirty minutes she’d watched him peer off the overlook. Never looking across the valley at the twinkling lights, always straight down the deep cliff.
A blur of movement caught her eye as the man took of his jacket and threw it in the car window. Moving slowly to the edge, once again he looked down. Raising his head to the sky, he took a deep breath. There was no more time. In that instant, Shana knew what he was doing there. Before he had time to step off, she grabbed him by the arm and yanked him away from the ledge. A blood-curdling scream exploded into the quiet evening air as her teeth sunk into his forearm. Pulling hard, he wrenched his arm away from her maw, flesh and fabric tearing, and ran toward the trees.
“No!” Screeched in her mind. “Leave him alone you evil witch!”
Taken off guard, Shana faltered with a yelp. “Get out of my head! Didn’t the last time teach you anything?”
“I learned plenty. So much more than you should’ve taught me. Leave that man alone.”
Try as she might, Shana could not make her body obey her wish to move forward. As she watched, the man slipped further into the trees until he was completely hidden. Growling, she shifted a
nd quickly jumped into the car. Turning the key, she started the car, threw it into reverse, and tires squealing headed toward the main highway. Ragged breathing, punctuated a frenzied heartbeat, added to the chaos already consuming her mind. Sarah had total control now, and worse, she knew it.
***
Hundreds of miles away from Shana, Sarah’s lips twisted into a grin. She was getting stronger and wiser. She’d be ready the next time. The next time the woman shifted, she’d force her to remain in wolf form. And then, she’d bring Shana to her.
Sensing the change in his sister’s demeanor, Jason asked, “What’s up?”
“Nothing’s up.”
“Then why you got that shit eating grin on your face?”
Sarah turned to her brother with a big toothy smile. “It’s all good big brother. Just like you said, everything is going to be just fine.”
Shrugging, he returned her smile, and brought his eyes back to the road. Something about her eyes bothered him. A new look had come over her. He couldn’t figure out quite what it was, but it almost seemed predatory.
***
Jason pulled the phone back from his ear as Ashley’s voice screamed from the other end, “Where are you? Why did it take you so long to call me? Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been?”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. Couldn’t get any time away from the others to call.”
“Since when do you need permission from Pete to call me?”
Watching the gas station’s front door, Jason said, “Not so much him as it is her. She don’t want you guys involved in this. Neither do I. I’m just calling because--”
“Bloody hell! Not involved? I think we’re already in this up past our necks. She’s got a lot of nerve saying that now.”
“No Ash, it’s not like that. She just doesn’t want you guys to get hurt anymore than you already have. Anyway, I’m calling because we’re about to leave the country.”
“Where are you?” Ashley’s voice pleaded.
“I can’t tell you that. You don’t need to know anyhow. You two just--”