Hour of the Wolf

by Bell, Dana Marie

  “Um, nope.” He turned his head to the TV and she saw that the show was paused. Sana was on the floor, coloring with these special markers that left no mark on the floor but did so on the paper. They were a god-send considering how much Sana liked to draw. “Um. I saw something on the show that confused me.”

  “What’s that, sweetie?” Iva would help any way she could, but she wasn’t an elemental or even a martial artist.

  “Blood bending.” He said it so quietly that she almost didn’t catch it. He kept sneaking glances at his sister. “See, this old lady wanted to train Katara in blood bending. It’s like water bending, only you do it with blood.”

  “Oh.” Now she understood why Milo was upset. That had been one hell of an episode and had left Iva with more questions than answers about the series.

  “Um. I was wondering. Could someone like me make someone else do whatever they wanted just by moving their blood around?” He bit his lip and gazed up at her through his lashes, still nervous.

  She sat back and thought about how to answer. Iva wanted to alleviate his fears, not give him more.

  She’d seen that episode, where Katara was forced to move her body however the evil blood bender wished her to do. It had made no sense to her at the time and still didn’t. “Honestly, no. Jerking muscles against the person’s will isn’t something blood does, but the nervous system.” She tapped him on the nose. “However, I’d say you could use it to harm someone or to heal someone. Think about it. Let’s say someone has a boo-boo and it’s bleeding, right?” Milo nodded. “But the bleeding won’t stop. If you could use your water skills to hold the blood back long enough to get to a doctor, that might be a good thing.” She smiled when she saw his relief. “But you could also cause blood to come out of their nose, or their eyes, or even their ears if you wanted. You could really hurt someone.” Damn, now he seemed scared and nervous again. “So I’d say don’t do it until you talk to Uncle Frisco. An ability like that needs to be highly trained. If you can do it, maybe you’ll grow up to be a doctor and use it to help people. Wouldn’t that be cool?”

  He nodded, obviously thinking. “Thanks, Aunt Iva.”

  “Thanks for talking to me about it, kiddo.” She hugged him tight. “You did the right thing.” She could only imagine what would have happened had Milo tried to move his or his sister’s blood around. The thought made her shiver in fear. The kids had come to mean so much to her that the thought of leaving them terrified her. She couldn’t imagine her life without Milo, Sana and Noah in it.

  He hugged her tightly back, so tightly she almost couldn’t breathe. “I love you, Aunt Iva.” Milo ran back to the family room, joining his sister on the floor and coloring with her. His little face was beet red, and he kept glancing at her out of the corner of his eye.

  Iva sat there, her heart racing a mile a minute. She couldn’t keep the smile from her face. She winked at Milo, chuckling when he buried his head in his arms. The little guy loves me. If only his uncle was as easy to get a confession out of.

  With a sigh she turned back to her phone, dialing Selena. The witch answered on the third ring. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Selena. I need your help with some stuff. Mind grabbing Gideon and coming to Noah’s?”

  Selena’s voice was muffled as she responded. “Not a problem.”

  “I didn’t wake you up, did I?”

  “Nah.” Selena’s voice was cheerful. “I just got out of the shower and was getting dressed. I’ll be there in about half an hour, okay?”

  “I’ll have coffee waiting.” Iva glanced at Noah’s French press, then at the Keurig he’d bought her. “My coffee, but still.”

  “Still not allowed to touch Noah’s precious coffee pot?”

  “Not even with a pinky finger and a prayer.”

  Selena laughed. “If I add fifteen minutes, I can bring muffins.”

  “I love you so much,” Iva gushed. “Orange cranberry, please.”

  Selena laughed again as she hung up the phone.

  Iva joined the kids, chasing them around for a while. Sana was good at jumping over the sofa to get to her, something Iva was going to have to remember. If the little girl could do that, Noah could probably jump so much higher than she’d ever seen. Milo, on the other hand, was a sneaky little sucker, lying in wait and pouncing on her when she least expected it.

  The doorbell rang just as the kids got Iva on the floor, tickling her. They both groaned in disappointment when Iva stood, but neither let go either. She dragged herself and both kids to the front door, opening it to reveal an amused Gideon and Selena.

  “Aunt Selena!” Both kids exploded away from Iva and toward Selena, nearly tackling her to the ground. Selena stumbled, only stopped from falling by Gideon’s quick movements.

  “Aw, hey guys. Don’t kill Aunt Selena until after she helps me.” Iva held the door open, grinning as the kids giggled and dragged Selena inside. “Hello, Gideon.”

  “Good morning, Iva.” He nodded his head, chuckling softly. “It’s nice to see you settling in.”

  “Thanks.” She closed the door behind them and led the way to the kitchen. The kids were squealing in delight at the donuts Selena had brought them. “You guys are so getting brussels sprouts for dinner.”

  Both kids gagged then bit into their donuts, totally ignoring her and her righteous wrath. Iva shook her head and took her muffin from Selena’s bag. “Ooh, orange cranberry.”

  Selena turned toward the coffee pot. Noah had bought Iva the version that allowed for a carafe to be used, and she was doing so today. “So. What have you got for us?”

  Gideon was already going through her notes. “Interesting.”

  Iva began making her own coffee, grabbing the chocolate creamer today. Noah scowled every time she used them, but Selena reached for it and poured some into her own coffee. While the witch doctor stirred, Iva asked the question that was bothering her the most. “I was wondering. Is manipulation of their blood considered one of the six powers a demon has?”

  Gideon stared at Selena, who nodded. “Yes. Even low-level demons can use it, and it’s listed as one of the basic powers.”

  Iva walked over to the table and took a seat, gesturing for the others to do the same. She reached for the papers Gideon had been studying. “Then we only need to narrow it down a little bit more and we’ve got him.” She pointed to the chart she’d been drawing up. “All of them can possess people and have the ability to manipulate shadow men, and each has the letters we found in the cave in their name. So far I’ve got one that uses hellfire and has super strength, but I haven’t finished going down the list.”

  “Wait.” Gideon held up his hand. “Before we go any further, let Selena and I make sure nothing can hear us, not even your mate.” He glanced at Selena, who nodded. The two of them held up their hands, a visible glow surrounding them. That glow shifted outward, encompassing the kitchen and, soon, the entire first floor. When they put their hands down the glow had disappeared, but Iva could feel something akin to electricity in the air. The scent of ozone and the tingling of power danced across her skin.

  “That should do it.” Selena dusted off her hands. She headed for the coffee maker and began preparing two mugs.

  “So you’ve eliminated Oabiazohn but not Oabiamihr.” Gideon thanked Selena for making him coffee as she took her seat next to him. “What about Raumoabian?”

  “Let’s see...” Iva flipped through her notes. “Raumoabian has hellfire, but not super strength, so I doubt he’d be able to throw Greer across a room or snap his wrist with one twist.”

  “Then we cross him off.” Gideon did so, then marked the next demon name. “Obiarmihr is next.”

  Iva rifled through her notes, pulling that particular demon up. “Um. Obiarmihr has super strength and hellfire. Mark him as possible.”

  Gideon put a star next to that demon’s name.

&
nbsp; By the time they were done they had three candidates. Oabiamihr, Obiarmihr and Obiagos all had hellfire and super strength. Now they needed to figure out what that last power Peter Bradley had and they’d have their demon.

  “Obiarmihr and Oabiamihr are brothers,” Iva read from her notes.

  “That explains the similar names.” Selena moaned as she took a bite of her muffin. “God, these are good.”

  Iva continued to read. “Obiarmihr has power over animals. He can use them to watch things through their eyes. That could be how he finds out what’s going on in Maggie’s Grove.”

  Gideon made note of that next to Obiarmihr’s name. “What about Oabiamihr? Might as well get the brothers done first.”

  The front door opened, interrupting them. Noah staggered in. He shut the door behind him, leaning wearily against it.

  Iva got up and went to him, bypassed by the kids who’d raced toward their Uncle. “Uncle Noah!” Their voices were loud and joyful, relieved that their uncle was home and safe.

  “Hey, guys.” Noah knelt down and hugged them both tight. “Did you have breakfast?”

  “Uh-huh.” Sana nodded, her ponytail flapping behind her. “We had toaster tarts and we watched Avatar and learned about blood bending and then I drew and Aunt Selena came and they’re talking about demons and I think I want to be a dancer when I grow up.” Sana smiled up at her uncle, all innocence and trust.

  Noah blinked. “Okay,” he drawled. “Tell me that again after the caffeine kicks in.”

  “Okay.” Sana hugged him again and ran back to the kitchen table and her donut.

  “Uncle Noah?” Milo had his face buried in Noah’s chest, but what little bit of his cheeks Iva saw were red. “Can I ask Uncle Frisco about blood bending?”

  “Sure, kiddo.” Noah ruffled the boy’s hair. “Now let me talk to Aunt Iva, all right?”

  “Okay.” Milo quickly joined his sister, and soon the two were chattering away about what game they wanted to play later. Apparently, they’d really enjoyed chase and wanted their Uncle Noah to join them.

  “You’re smiling.” Noah’s voice was sleepy, almost lethargic.

  Iva turned back to find he’d stood up. He was leaning against the front door again, his eyes almost closed, but there was a glint of golden-brown irises beneath his lashes.

  “Milo told me he loved me.” She could barely contain her joy at that statement.

  “Did he now?” His smile was sweet. “I’m glad. You’re doing great with the kids.”

  Iva blushed. “I’m just treating them the way I remember being treated. My parents always answered my questions with honesty and as much truth as they could. I can’t imagine raising a child without that same level of respect.”

  “Exactly.” Noah drew a deep breath and pushed off the door. “Now, I’m going to make coffee.” He put his arm around her and, half leaning, half steering her as he walked her into the kitchen. “Sit. Go over the demons. Once I’m done my coffee I’m taking a nap unless you need me.”

  “Nope. We’re good.” Milo was playing a video game while Sana watched and gave him advice. Iva settled back at the table and turned her attention to the sheets in front of her. “Okay. Where were we?”

  “Oabiamihr,” Gideon replied.

  “Ah.” Iva flipped through her notes. “He works with plants, and...” She squinted, trying to read the note that she’d written in the margin. Her handwriting turned indecipherable the more tired she was. She must have made the note at the end of their time in the library. “Um...”

  “Gimme that.” Noah snatched the paper from her hands. “Oh. It says he only works with his brother. Apparently they’re twins.” He put the paper back down and continued to make his coffee.

  “Huh.” Iva hadn’t been able to read her chicken scrawl but Noah had? “I didn’t know you were fluent in Chickenese.”

  “Bwok bwok,” Noah replied so seriously she almost bought it.

  Selena nearly spit out her coffee, silently laughing as Iva burst into giggles. Noah grinned at them both as Gideon just shook his head. “Ladies, we have a demon to catch.”

  “What if he’s a demon chicken? Noah could be real useful in catching him,” Iva said, wiping her eyes. She’d needed a good laugh, and Noah had provided.

  “Ugh.” Gideon shooed Noah away. “Go. Be furry or something. Let us work.”

  “Fine, fine.” Noah took his coffee and headed into the family room. “Kids, wanna watch more Avatar while I nap?”

  “Can we sit on you?” Sana raced after him, video game forgotten and still covered in sprinkles and frosting.

  “Sure,” Noah replied, yawning widely. Iva watched as he settled down, his feet on one end and his head in the other.

  Milo got the cartoon started again and the two kids jumped onto Noah. His grunt as they landed on his stomach had Iva laughing all over again.

  “We have only Obiagos left,” Gideon said, his voice returning Iva’s attention once more to the task at hand.

  “Right.” She glanced at the sheets, and sure enough, Obiagos was the only demon they hadn’t covered. “The brothers work together, so that eliminates them.” She shuffled her notes some more until she came to an entry on Obiagos that made her skin crawl. “Obiagos specializes in magic. That would include making totems, right?”

  “Bingo.” Gideon’s expression was triumphant. “We’ve got the son of a bitch.”

  “He’s not the only one that uses magic, but he’s the only one who fits everything else.” She covered her eyes. “How could I have missed this?”

  “If Amara hadn’t found the totem in that cave we’d still be wondering if maybe the brothers were working together. Finding that narrowed things down quite a lot.” Gideon’s voice was soft again, probably in deference to the loud snores coming from the sofa. “That he uses magic will make things more difficult for us.”

  “We’ll have to dampen his without doing the same to our own.” Selena rubbed her chin. “Let me think about it.”

  “I will as well.” Gideon stood, taking Iva’s notes with him. “We’ll get things ready for the ritual. You take care of Noah. Your part is mostly done.”

  Iva stood and hugged the coven leader, much to his surprise. “Thank you.”

  Gideon finally hugged her back. “You’re welcome.”

  Selena took her hug with joy. “We got him, we got him,” she sang quietly as she danced toward living room. She kissed each of the children on the forehead, careful not to wake the sleeping alpha. “Bye, kids! See you at the Throne tonight.”

  The kids settled on Noah’s chest as Iva began cleaning up the kitchen. Noah wouldn’t be able to sleep for long. His duties would come calling soon enough, leaving her poor, exhausted mate to deal with the things only he could. Paisley couldn’t spot him, as she’d been there with him, fighting Van Helsings as well. Iva—

  Ding-dong.

  Huh. She hadn’t been expecting company. She opened the door to find a confused appearing woman standing there. “Hello, can I help you?”

  “Alpha mate?” The woman tried to peek around Iva, but she wasn’t having that. “I’m here to talk to the alpha.”

  “On what business?” No way was she waking Noah for something she could handle herself.

  “It has to do with a business disagreement between my father and another wolf.” The woman held out her hand with a wobbly smile. “My name is Bonnie Jenkins.”

  “Iva Yamauchi.” Iva held out her hand, surprised when the woman not only took it but tilted her head, giving her the same gesture of respect that the young wolf would have given Noah. “Noah’s asleep after battling Van Helsings this morning. Perhaps I can help you?”

  Bonnie’s expression filled with relief. “Oh, thank you, alpha mate. Yes, that would be perfect.”

  Iva smiled and let the young wolf in. It seemed she was in for a lon
g day.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Iva watched as the kids helped set up for the meeting in the Throne. Lore and Brian were putting up the tables, while the rest of the adults got the chairs. It was the last gathering all over again, except this time Iva was able to lend a hand. She kept the kids on task, helping them set the tables after the table cloths were put on. “Good job,” she praised them, rubbing the tops of their heads.

  The kids would be in bed by the time the meeting started, but first they planned on serving food to all of the leaders. While Iva had been doing her research on Peter Bradley, the others had been doing work of their own, and tonight they’d find out what the others had learned.

  Noah pulled her aside. They hadn’t had much time to talk since they’d had the kids with them. “Kathy is fine, but it turns out that her shooting was a distraction.”

  “What?” She’d been so busy dealing with Noah’s wolves, like Bonnie, that she hadn’t spoken much to the others. “What happened?”

  “They sent men after the fluids we’d gathered.” Noah rubbed his chin. “Luckily we got hold of Web, and he managed to make sure that they were safe.”

  “Shit.” They’d broken through the witches’ barrier again. It had to be the demon who’d facilitated that. Either that, or the Van Helsings were using witches despite their hatred of them. “Is anyone hurt?”

  Noah snorted, his brows rising cockily. “Are you kidding? You’ve met Dr. T, right?”

  She couldn’t laugh, even though part of her wanted to. Men must have died if they’d faced off against the doc. “How many did he take out?”

  “Three.”

  Iva whistled. “Wow.” As a fire elemental, in a hospital of all places, she’d thought he would hold back, but apparently, he hadn’t. “Was the fire department called?”

  “Nah, he’s got a lot more control than that.” Noah glanced around, and Iva followed his gaze. It looked like the others were arriving. “Between Web and Dr. T, none got past his door.”