Clair stood and remarked, “Too bad.”
We all looked at her.
“With your leg fixed, I think we should leave him and try to get off this ice, “Clair said loud enough for Oscar to hear.
“Clair, that's uncharitable of you,” Joann argued.
“I'm not in a chartable mood. Because of him we could die out here, and because of him”—she pointed at me—“my husband's dead and we nearly ended up as fried rabbit for a pack of wolves.” Clair hugged herself and turned away as the sniffles took over. Joann stood and gathered her little sister into her arms.
Emotions flying at all levels, I used the wall to ease up off the ground. “Best we get moving.”
Joann turned Clair, still hugging her close and said, “You need to stay off that leg at least one day.”
“Can't be helped. That fire we had helped to revive the pair of you, but within no time the cold will re-seat itself in your bones.”
Practical as always, Joann pulled and pushed Clair to my left side. “Take up his left side, sis. I'll hold him up on the right.”
Oscar looked around and nodded. “Right, then. Northeast it is.”
“That's out of the question, Oscar. We all need to get off this ice pack. Joann and Clair are not suited to withstand even the summer nights out here. And I'll be of little help if we come across any trouble.”
“You misunderstand me. Without me, you'll never get off this ice pack,” Oscar said, meaning it.
“How do you mean?” I inquired.
“I told you this glacier is patrolled by other clans,” Oscar reminded us. “Like your sister's clan, they do so to keep animals off the ice.”
“Which is what we're doing. That is, getting off this glacier.”
Oscar shook his head. “You still don't get it. Let me put it this way. No animal is ever allowed on or off this glacier. That's why I worked so hard at ingratiating myself with them.”
I looked hard at Oscar. His eyes bore into mine and I understood. The moment I did, he saw and nodded.
“Is he saying what I think he's saying?” Joann asked while she sought eye contact with me.
“That the only way out of here is through a clan of wolves, yes,” I confirmed.
“The hell you say…” Clair said. “You're not seriously believing his cockamamie story?”
“Clair…” I began.
“You are!” She let go of me and backed a step. Her ears dropped like rocks. “You're really going to trust anything that fox says?”
“Clair,” Both Joann and I said.
“After what he did to us?”
“What he did,” Joann spoke up in some heat, “is save our lives. Food and warmth for two days before we carried his crates out here.”
Clair set her paws on her hips and glared. “What else, Joann? What else did he promise?”
“If you're referring to having us released, at what time did he have the chance to do that? You saw that wolf seize him once we were chained up to 'Keep us from causing problems,' and chain him up beside us.”
I looked at Oscar.
He shrugged and pointed at the wall. “Sorry to involve them, but I was desperate. Everything I'd uncovered said my answers were here, and the books were right.”
This brought to mind a major problem. I rubbed my muzzle. “Oscar, as I understand it, you're a guest of the clan. If that's so, why would they betray their honor in harming you?”
“I know that look,” Joann whispered in my ear as Oscar sought an answer. “What's the problem?”
“The clan's in trouble. I could feel the tension on my skin and the scent on the air,” I whispered.
Oscar finally said, “In truth, that has me puzzled. Nothing like this would ever have happened in your father's time.”
I folded my arms, showing him I suspected he was holding back. “Uh-ha, you're hiding something. Out with it, fox…”
“Well, if you must know.” He sighed. “Lovisa has never liked me. I fear she believes my knowledge of all the clans could threaten her position. That I'd involve myself in clan laws and get her exiled, as if I'd do such a thing to change events.”
“So you lied,” I accused.
He raised an eyebrow. “In what way?”
“You said you could get us off the glacier, when in fact you can't.”
Oscar swiveled his ears as if listing for something. “I may not be able to persuade the clans right now, but I think something northeast of us could be used to gain us passage past them.”
“So what do we do?” Joann asked.
“I'm in no shape to fight off a lone wolf, let alone a clan,” I reasoned. “Nor will I get anywhere with my sister's clan, as I still look like a black wolf. On top of that, I've failed the twenty-day run.”
“You're joking, right?” Clair sputtered. “You're not seriously believing the shit that bastard's spouting?”
I looked at Oscar, whose eyes sparkled, and took notice his ears and tail twitched in victory.
“Not all of it, but enough to know you and Joann need a place to get out of this weather while I seek out game to regain my strength and allow my leg to heal fully.”
“So what's wrong with this place?” Clair waved at the stone wall.
“Besides the obvious?” I crooked an eyebrow.
“Clair,” Joann cut in. “We've no choice, so quit your bellyaching and join me to help Braxton.”
“No way, I'm not going! I'll set out on my own before I follow him.” She pointed at Oscar.
Joann let go and stormed up to her. She slapped her sister hard and they had a heated argument for a time. In the aftermath, Clair broke down and fell into Joann's arms, crying. If I had to guess, Clair was on the verge of losing her wits. I ducked my head and swallowed. Guilt lay heavy on my shoulders.
****
Chapter 14
Two Fables Equals One Answer
“Okay, I guess we're in agreement. What say I lead the way?” Oscar announced.
I glared at Oscar. My Alpha said, for his ears only, “Keep yourself in line, but understand me—if you've played us falsely, I'll beat the shit out of you.”
Oscar swallowed, ducked his head and looked around. “Uh, yeah, okay, uh it's this way.”
He started walking.
Even though I hated to interrupt Clair's soul cleansing, I hugged both jackrabbits, and with Clair on my left, we followed an obsessed fox deeper onto the ice.
****
Our struggle against the elements took its toll. Even Oscar seemed regretful of his choice. But the die had been cast three days ago. We either found this place Oscar had dreamt of finding all his life or Joann and Clair would perish from hypothermia, while I followed shortly after either at the jaws of a clan member or a roaming polar bear. What Oscar might die from mattered little to me.
Upon a snow drift with a crest that rose over our heads, I stumbled. My leg was fully aflame yet again from infection. My bulk more than Joann and Clair could hold, we hit the powder and tumbled to the base of the drift. Hungry, sleep deprived and hurting, I lay where I'd come to a stop. Face down in the drift, battling delirium that had set in last night. Joann and Clair shook violently; neither one sought to regain her pads. Instead they huddled up to me for the last bit of warmth I might radiate before we all succumbed to the elements and my injuries.
It had been more than the five days Oscar had promised. Perhaps eight. But I couldn't lay the blame on him. Because of my leg, Joann and Clair struggled to keep up a good pace while helping me along. Day after day the cold evenings stole more and more warmth from their bodies. The fact Joann and Clair had lasted this long told of their inner strength. Regardless, this was all we could manage. Oscar knelt and rolled me over after dislodging Joann.
“I'm sorry, wolf. I thought it would be closer.” He looked around us. “It can't be far now. I'll go on ahead. You three rest. Perhaps I'll find some kind of aid and come back for you.”
I nodded and snaked my arms around both white-tail jack
rabbits to hold them tight.
“I still love you, my beautiful arctic wolf,” Joann whispered in my ear with chattering teeth.
Tears frozen on my eyelids, I kissed her forehead. Had I the courage, I would've taken up Joann on her offer and chowed down on her to rebuild my energy. I could at least save myself and Clair. But I couldn't see a life without her, no matter how much my animal sought to dislodge my intelligence so he could do exactly that.
Another long cold evening settled in, yet in the distance I could still see the sun peek over the horizon as if unsure he should brighten the world or not. This left a rising layer of freezing air flowing over the three of us. Frozen ice below and a cold breeze pelting us, the two seeking to steal every last taste of warmth from our bodies.
Delirious from the infection, I looked up to a sound I somehow discerned was nearby and saw a blue moon appear out of the rising sun. The moon blinked, which was a strange sight to see. The moon shifted, changing my assumption. That blue moon was not a moon at all, but an eye, an eye matched by a second one on the head of a horse. Yet no horse would willingly be out on the ice this deep on the glacier, Unless…
All in white, with vibrant blue eyes that could look beyond my soul and a long spiral horn projecting from her forehead, the glacier unicorn looked me over. She snorted and shook her horse-like head. “Bless my soul, if it's not Byrghir Snow.”
“Hello,” I said simply, as it was hard to say much more.
She snorted. “You look in a bad way, wolf, even with food readily at your side in order to rebuild your strength.”
“Food?” I questioned and managed to glance around. “I see nothing here.”
The white unicorn indicated Joann and Clair with the paw she'd turned me over with. “These two white-tail jackrabbits.”
“I beg to differ, that's my fiancée and her sister.” I tried to put some heat into my words to indicate I was offended, but I doubt it made it. As for facile expressions, simply talking so she could understand me took far too much energy.
“Fiancée?” The unicorn looked closer and eyed Joann and Clair. “Remarkable.”
After a moment more, two sheepdogs came around the unicorn. “Pascal,” she said to one, “it would appear we're in time to save the wolf. My brother will be so pleased. As for the white-tail jackrabbits, put them in the cart and wrap them in warm blankets. Perhaps we'll be lucky and save them all.”
“Bless you…” I managed.
The unicorn snorted. “You may say such now, but time will truly tell if you hold to that sentiment.”
****
This marks the end of Book 1.
Be sure to look for Book 2, coming out in late 2018
****
Below please find a sample of:
Vampires: Don’t You Just Hate Them?
####
Thank you for taking the time to read, Braxton Snow P.I.
If you enjoyed this novel, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review.
Word of mouth is an author's best friend and much appreciated.
Thank you, Danny C. Estes.
About the author:
Danny graduated high school in 1978.
In the 1990’s, Danny won an
Editor’s Choice Award
And
Accomplishment of Merit award for his poems.
Only Feeling
And
Loneliness by War
From
The National Library of Poetry.
Presently, Danny resides in North Carolina, works
3rd shift, and during off moments, he thinks up ideals to flush out
on the weekends, when Danny spends several hours continuing his writing
adventures.
To leave feedback concerning this novel,
please visit: dannyestes.com
or
The site in which you acquired this book.
Please check out these other works by
Danny C. Estes.
The Paranoid Thief
Vampires: Don’t You Just Hate Them?
Charlotte’s Soul
Braxton Snow P.I.
Lord Athina
Book 1 of the Athina series
Lady Athina
Book 2 of the Athina series
Mother Athina
Book 3 of the Athina series
Master Athina
Book 4 of the Athina series
At this time I'm proud to announce, the Athina series has won Silver and Gold awards from:
The Literary Titan Book Review.
Lord Athina Lady Athina Mother Athina Master Athina
I'd now like to announce, Charlotte's Soul, has also won a Silver award from:
The Literary Titan Book Review.
Charlotte's Soul
I'd like to announce, Vampires: Don't You Just hate Them? Has also won a Gold award from:
The Literary Titan Book Review.
And Now
Vampires: Don't You Just hate Them?
****
Chapter One:
Where to Start?
“Vampires, as you know, are a major pain in the backside. I’d heard the stories and seen Hollywood’s versions like all kids but assumed they were fictional characters, created by humans to frighten children while they amused adults. I must say, after dealing with the dead, smelly things, I wouldn’t mind eradicating the whole lot of them. However, Jasmine convinced me they’re a necessary evil, citing the filthy creatures actually keep were-animals in check, and vice versa.”
“Mr. Barker, pacing the floor will only make you uptight, so please, will you lie down and sip your wine?”
“Hmm? But how are you to feel my story as I do?”
When Dr. Haskin merely motioned with his pencil that I do as requested for the third time, I relented.
“Oh very well.”
Once I lay on the couch, the human doc instructed, “Now, let’s begin at the beginning.”
“As you say, umm…okay. Were-animals were created in antiquity by devil worshippers; specifically by an Egyptian priest from Lower Egypt before the lower and upper—”
“Mr. Barker, that’s a bit too far back.”
“Hmm? Oh, a—so where would you like me to start? With Attila the Hun or Shalmaneser I, King of Assyria?”
“Perhaps when you met your mate?”
“Uh, isn't that a bit recent? Wouldn’t it be better to explain the distant past, so you can understand why our ancestors manipulated the wars of men, or why the females created prostitution?”
Dr. Haskin gave me a patient look, so I took a sip of the blackberry wine he’d given, and capitulated.
****
Chapter Two:
My First Taste of the Pack Life.
Jasmine’s hands held mine high in the air as she moved her hips in rhythm to my dance. Eyes of earthly brown held my own in captive heat of loving passion, a demanding passion which hinted at far more enchanting events other than physical love. For you see, she glowed with a raving beauty of a kind only dreamed of in your dreams. Her hair of blackest night fell straight and loose around an oval face till the ends brushed bare shoulders of creamy light brown. Below these her firm round breasts were filled to bursting, calling my lips up for a gentle kiss to each.
My Jasmine, whose small body held within a ravenous beast, is all a man could ever want, and yet unbelievably she’s more—she’s my wife. How this came to be is still a miracle to my own mind.
I was in my last semester of college at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas, finishing an advanced course in criminal behavior, when my nostrils flared to a scent vaguely familiar and yet, oh so arousing. Unable to ignore the scent, my eyes moved to find a set of light brown knees followed by a lavender skirt rising up over nicely-shaped hips. Here a light blue T-shirt tied in a knot over a lovely belly button began my eyes’ journey past delicate hands supporting two books resting below a pair of breasts seemingly trying to burst out of their confine
ment. Still further up her slim frame, my sight passed a pair of gentle lips, a dainty nose and finally settled on the most gorgeous pair of brown eyes I’d ever seen. My face, I’m sure, held that stupid look of unbelievable shock we males get when a woman drops her clothes and says, “I’m yours.”
However, instead of looking disgusted at my slack-jawed expression, she parted her lips and in a slightly Hawaiian accent she inquired,
“Pardon me, is this seat taken?”
Inadvertently I swallowed my gum trying to speak and had to cough a second or so before I nodded yes while I said, “Uh, no.”
I was completely captivated when she introduced herself as Jasmine. She went on to sidetrack my mind from class work when she asked if I wouldn’t mind showing her around the grounds. Now I’m no virgin by any means, and I have the kind of body most females found incredible to touch. No bragging here, just the plain truth. I stand five-nine with a muscular frame normal human males workout everyday to maintain. I have short brown hair surrounding soft green eyes, so I’m told, a good sense of humor, and a staying power that made me popular at the local Girls Only club. Still, even with this outlet to keep my sexual needs sated, I fell all over myself to be with her.
So skipping classes that day we talked and laughed, learning about each other. Jasmine, I understood, is originally from an old family on the Hawaiian Islands, and had transferred out here from California to finish off her major before she moved to a private community outside of Spearfish, in South Dakota, where she had a job offer. I myself would be getting a degree in criminal science, but as yet held no plans on where to apply myself.
Around six, Jasmine invited me to her apartment for dinner and I readily agreed, dreaming of four walls separating us from the world. As she had taken the city bus to school, I drove us to her apartment in my beat-up red and gray miniature truck, smiling the whole way, talking of nothing in particular. As I finally pulled into a parking space, Jasmine’s scent had me so aroused she had to have noticed the bulge in my jeans. But at no time did she seem embarrassed or put off, which helped to fuel my hopes of the coming night.
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