by Lisa Logue
Satiating my thirst was…difficult. Every person whose blood I drank didn’t seem to replenish my energy. Possibly I’d exhausted myself being near her for too long, but it was worth it. I gulped down elixir when I arrived home and eventually my strength returned.
Gathering all the ingredients for the spell and the talisman, I set out to the old house she called home. It was virtually abandoned. The appointment with the realtor was the following day and it took all of my patience to wait. Of course I wouldn’t buy it, but that would give me an excuse to go inside. A little compulsion would cease any interruptions and I’d be free to piece together the past.
I made it to the house well before the realtor. The car I rented smelled like leather and stale bread, but it was fast and showcased my best quality; wealth. I leaned against the hood, staring up at the house. There wasn’t anything special about it, aside from its history. The vinyl siding looked new, as did the roof, but it smelled dusty and a bit like rotted wood. Every sense was screaming to turn away, but I had to know what happened. I had to see if there was a way to help her.
A shiny black beamer pulled into the gravel drive and a very top heavy woman emerged. She was much shorter than I, with platinum blonde hair and unnaturally plump lips. Her expression portrayed surprise, but when she smiled I realized her face didn’t actually move. Botox wasn’t good for some people, I shook my head.
“Well, you must be Mr. Mason. You spoke to my boss on the phone. My name is Carrie Fontaine. It’s fabulous to meet you!” she shook my hand animatedly and I smiled.
“The pleasure is mine. I will be sure to thank your boss for sending such a fabulous hostess in his place,” I beamed and her ceramic face flushed.
“Oh, well that’s much too kind of you. So shall we begin? This house doesn’t seem like much from the outside, but the inside is spectacular!” she led the way, swaying her hips dramatically. It took everything I had not to laugh.
“It certainly has character. Did anything interesting ever happen here? It looks quite old,” I watched as she carefully turned the key in the code lock, giggling nervously.
“Not that I’m aware of, but there’s a lot of history in this town. Did you know the Quakers settled here themselves? Isn’t that just amazing?” she added, avoiding my question.
“Mmhmm,” I waited for her to invite me in and we set out on the tour.
She chatted almost nonstop, but eventually I cornered her in the downstairs bathroom and compelled her to keep to the ground floor. She was also instructed to tell anyone who showed up or called that I was using the facilities, but not to mention anything other than my interest and, of course, my money.
I found the master suite and reluctantly crossed the threshold. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I could sense the death. Quickly, I arranged the room per Austin’s instructions, donning the talisman last. I lit the candles counterclockwise and placed myself to the southernmost part of the circle. I sat and began reciting the incantation.
Da mihi tutum iter, mihi temporis et loci, da mihi, quae evenerant hic. Adiuva me, serva me, exaudi orationem meam
Da mihi tutum iter, mihi temporis et loci, da mihi, quae evenerant hic. Adiuva me, serva me, exaudi orationem meam
Da mihi tutum iter, mihi temporis et loci, da mihi, quae evenerant hic. Adiuva me, serva me, exaudi orationem meam
The room swirled in fog and I kept completely still. Any movements or sounds could alter the past and change everything. Glimpsing this moment was forbidden by most accounts, but I wasn’t a sorcerer so that law didn’t matter to me.
Shapes swirled as the view came into focus. I saw the wolf killing the man, Lia’s father. Then I saw her mother, confused at first, until realization slapped her in the face. She pled, slipping in her husband’s blood, for the wolf to stop. She screamed over the man’s body, shaking with tears. The wolf lunged and shortly after the woman was dead.
The wolf shuddered and whimpered. It made odd jerky movements toward the closet on the far side of the room. Amazingly, it opened the closet door with its paws and stared into the darkness. First it was startled, then angry, then surprised before the shrieking began. I had to fight not to shield my own ears, but it soon stopped. The quaking beast twisted into odd angles on the floor, gnashing and tearing sounds filled the room.
A man emerged and slowly approached the closet. A very faint pulse filled the space between them. His outstretched hand almost touched her when his words rang out, Lia, I will not hurt you. Followed by other words I couldn’t make out. She started screaming again and he jumped back, seeming to battle with himself before turning from her and shifting back into the wolf.
The vision dissipated and I sat there stunned. I knew that man, but I couldn’t place how. The question ate at me as I prepared to leave. I released Carrie from the compulsion and invited her to my hotel for dinner. When one couldn’t hunt, the food must come to him.
After drinking from and compelling Carrie once more to leave and forget me, I settled in at my computer. The entire evening I’d been chewing on the identity of the man, only to come up empty. My only option was to contact Austin and hope he would know more information. My phone chimed.
How is your trip? –Lia
It’s progressing. How’s your sleepover? –C
I meant to call her after I arrived, but I was so wrapped up I’d forgotten. Something was wrong with the entire picture.
Not bad actually. I just wanted to check on you. Would you mind running with me when you get back? –Lia
Sure. I’ll let you know when I get home. I’ll call you later. Let me know if you need anything. –C
Austin buzzed in through Skype and I explained the situation. I left out no details. He rummaged through files and papers I couldn’t see as I explained what the man looked like. After several photos of men I didn’t know he abruptly stopped searching and sat hard on his chair. He stared at me, wide-eyed, for several minutes. He didn’t speak, but instead he held up a picture. I leaned forward in my chair, eyes glued to the screen.
“Yes! That’s the man! Why does he look so familiar to me? Who is he?”
“It’s Josiah” his face paled.
“Holy Christ. What does this mean? How did he know who she was?” I asked in a whisper.
“You said you saw her mother pleading? She was alive?” he swallowed hard.
“Yes, she acted like she knew him, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying. What are you thinking?”
“I…I think she’s his daughter. From what you explained it seems logical. He comes to find her mother with another man, takes his revenge, than finds Lia. It explains how her mother knew him and how he knew Lia. If that’s the case this has just gotten very complicated. She’s part werewolf, Christian. To be more specific, her father is the last known hybrid in existence.”
My throat felt thick. A werewolf? A hybrid’s daughter? I cursed under my breath. Everything changed so quickly. Shutting off the ache in my chest, I told Austin my plan. Since we knew the severity of the situation, her survival meant more than anything else. No matter what I wanted or how badly I wanted it, the only way to keep her alive was to pretend like I felt nothing.
CHAPTER 18
Lia
I was surprised that I had a good time with Leslie. It felt good to talk to someone, but I couldn’t ignore the apprehension. Being friends with her was awkward, to say the least. The dream didn’t surface and I wasn’t any more of a freak than normal. We got off to a slow start, but eventually we ended up laughing and dishing about boys, celebrities, music, and such.
I couldn’t ignore the nagging sensation that something was wrong. Christian hadn’t contacted me in almost two days or returned any of my messages. It was odd. For Leslie’s sake, I pushed away the anxiety as best as I could. I was sure she could feel the tension, but was nice enough to let it go.
On Sunday she left, promising things would never go back to the way they were. She apologized for the thousandth time and we exchange
d numbers. As soon as she was gone, I raced to my room and stared at my cell phone, willing him to call me. Whatever was going on was either really important, or just more important than me. Different scenarios popped into my head of him parading around wherever he was with various types of women or conspiring to stay as far away from me as possible after crossing the line he’d drawn.
I shoved the craziness away and did the only thing I knew would help-run. It had been four days and my body was so tense I felt like a giant rubber ball. Dallas was gone, the neighbors were sure to have heard about what he did and they’d watch for me. I suited up, kissed Nana and Pops, and sprinted from the back door.
It was dusk and the smelled of pine overwhelmed me. The ground was moist from rain the day before and I kept my pace slow, so as not to slip. I cranked up my jams and let my mind go, concentrating only on the sound of my feet on the ground. When all other types of medicine failed, I could run my problems away. Well, that’s what it felt like anyway.
The further down the path I went, the better I felt. I decided that if Christian didn’t come back, it wouldn’t concern me and I needed to let it go. Obviously, there was a reason he hadn’t spoken to me and I had to respect that. I couldn’t deny that my chest ached at his absence, but eventually I’d file it away with the rest of the pain.
I shut off the music when I reached the clearing behind my house. Stopping beside the half fallen tree trunk, I stretched and cooled down. Running was great, but something seemed off. Everything had gotten eerily quiet. I called for Nana and Pops, thinking maybe they’d come outside, but no one answered. I turned in small circles, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
“Must be a storm coming,” I shrugged and continued stretching.
I heard a huff from the trees behind me and stood slowly. I didn’t know what kind of animal would be that close to a subdivision, but I wasn’t stupid enough to move quickly. I took baby steps towards the log and leaned on it just enough to turn my head toward the noise. Golden eyes gleamed at me from the shadows and I bit back the fear. Oh shit, I’m dead.
The air rippled uncontrollably as I stared into the phantom eyes. I stood frozen, as the largest animal I’d ever seen escaped the trees. It looked like something between a bear and a wolf. I couldn’t help but stare at the incredibly large beast and the air grew thick and hot with fear. I took a few deep breaths.
Something was different about it. The way it moved was strange. It paced in large half circles in front of where I stood, never taking its eyes off me. Instinctively, I brought my hands up with my palms out, ready to shock it with whatever energy I could muster. It worked with Dallas, it could work again. I hoped.
The creature began to shudder. Sounds of ripping and tearing grew increasingly louder, forcing my hands to my ears. I watched in horror as the beast, writhing on the ground, turned into a man. Utter fear ripped through any other emotion I was feeling. The man, now standing naked in front of me, smiled and inched closer leaning toward me.
“Do not worry, Lia, I’m not here to hurt you. I’m intrigued by you, the abilities you possess are amazing,” his voice was like melted butter. My heart sped into a sprint and I shivered.
A million questions ran through my brain all at once. I tried to calm myself so I could speak, “How…how do you know who I am? Who the hell are you?” Why didn’t I run? Why was I still talking?
He spoke in a soothing tone, “Child, your abilities are unlike any others I’ve encountered. There are many powerful beings that walk this land; including myself, but you…you are something else,” he cocked his head to the side and stared into my eyes so fiercely his gaze pierced my soul. I shuddered and tore my eyes away.
He began again, “You seem so much like your mother, but you knew that already didn’t you? She was quite a woman,” he licked his lips.
“How did you know my mother?” I snapped, turning toward him again.
Something was familiar about him, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. My emotions were swirling in a whirlwind, forcing nausea to overcome me. I tentatively took a steadying step toward him with my palms out, ready to defend myself. Heavy gulping breaths racked me and my vision grew fuzzy. I did my best to keep my eyes on him as I grew sicker.
“Shhh, do not fret,” his voice washed over me, pushing away the heaviness in the air. I stared at him, confused, as an eerie calm settled over me.
The fog lifted from my eyes. I stared at him in disbelief. His face was well, really beautiful; he looked no older than I was. His hair was black and cut in a short cropped look that stuck out everywhere. His amber eyes were scorching me with their intensity, full of questions.
“You are very powerful. I didn’t expect that. Surely if we were not among the human world I could explain further,” he said as he walked toward me.
“Wait a minute, I am human. Why did you say it like that?”
I waited for him to answer and felt the strings of anxiety pull through the air again. I knew I was different, but how could he think I wasn’t human?
“You are only half human, Lia. I am surprised you’ve not yet been awakened to that fact. It has been a long time, and that saddens me. Of course, a part of you recognizes me as well, which is why you haven’t run,” a smile played on his lips as a dull flame tickled the pit of my stomach.
“I’m pretty sure I have never seen you before in my life. You never answered how you know me or who my mother was?” he smiled devilishly and I wanted to run screaming, but my body wouldn’t cooperate.
“You will find out soon enough. Now, since I’ve found you, I don’t have plans on making the same mistake twice. Not to mention you need to know what you are. I’m sure no one has told you?”
I shook my head, “No, I’m not falling for this shit. What the hell is going on?!” I growled through clenched teeth.
“Adalia, you are part of a very important heritage. One that I’ll gladly show you if you would come with me?” he took another step closer.
He seemed sincere, almost reverent, but immediately my hands were in front of me defensively. I didn’t know if I could do what I did to Dallas, but I was damn sure going to try. I could feel small jolts of electricity through my veins and tried concentrating on the pulses.
“I am not here to harm you. You deserve to know who you really are. After all these years, it delights me that you’ve survived. You can grow to be so much more,” he motioned with his arms, as if to embrace me, and I took a step back.
“That’s great and all, but I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about. Who are you? Why are you here? How were you that…that thing before and a man now? I don’t understand what’s going on,” I was utterly pissed off and confused. I started seeing a red haze in my peripheral and the pulses were throbbing painfully.
“That thing you saw me as was an alternate form. I’ve not been in my human state in quite some time. Walking on two feet is a bit disorienting,” he laughed, looking down at his bare feet in the dirt. I couldn’t believe what he was telling me.
“So, what? You’re like a werewolf or something?”
“Some may say that, but I am much more. I am a king among beasts and men; I have the scars to prove it. I am not some mindless beast that wanders in the night. I am the werewolf!” the anger in his voice triggered the surge once more. It sprang up with a vengeance leaving me breathless. Honestly, he scared the hell out of me and making him angry probably wasn’t a good thing.
Once he felt the ripples, his face softened, “I apologize for my outburst. It was inexcusable. You need not fear me. I give you my word that I will not hurt you. My name is Josiah. I was born long ago, much longer than I can remember at times. As I said before, I am here to show you who you are. I will stay if that is what you wish. This place is calm and not much occurs here that could draw attention to my, well, my recreations,” his smile broadened, allowing his razor sharp teeth to show through. I gasped and stumbled backward.
“Step away from her before I drive a stake thr
ough your fucking heart you disgusting beast!” my heart fluttered at his voice. Josiah let out a fierce snarl and his body once again shifted into the beast. Panic struck and the air sizzled and popped like hot grease.
Josiah let out a deafening bark and took off toward him with excruciating force. Christian poised for the attack, wielding some type of weapon and bared his teeth. Josiah gained the advantage with a leap, closing in quickly, as I screamed. I threw my hands out, knocking Josiah back with such force that he was barely a blur as he moved across the sky. I looked down at my hands and gasped. I pushed him away without even touching him.
Christian cradled me next to his body and we set out soaring over the ground. He didn’t look happy to see me. His jaw was set and his lips were pulled into a line. I hadn’t heard from him in days and then he came back to find Josiah. Did he think that I knew the man? Was it jealousy? No. It wasn’t that simple.
“How did you know? How did you know what he was, what he wanted, what was going on? Most of all, why were you there? I haven’t heard from you in days and all of a sudden you show up to save the day again,” I huffed when he set me down in front of his door. He didn’t respond, “Hello? Am I talking to myself now? What the hell is going on?” I shoved him and he stiffened.
“I will tell you inside, Lia. Go!” he looked at me fiercely. I brushed passed him quickly and sat, shaking, on the sofa.
“You’ve been busy,” he inquired as he locked the door and drew all the shades on the windows. I scoffed.
“What the hell are you talking about? I was coming back from running when that guy came out of nowhere. What is wrong with you?” I shouted.
“You don’t know him?” he asked, confused.
“No! I’ve never seen that man before. He acted like he knew me but I have no idea who he is. What is going on?!” the room shook.
“I have to make a few calls. You’re not to go home tonight,” he started walking away.