I took a moment to glance around the bar, exhaling when I realized the only individuals present were members of the group. That’s not to say the establishment didn’t have non-paranormal visitors. For some reason, however, they mostly avoided the place until the dinner hour had elapsed.
“I’m actually curious what happens when a siren explodes.” Bonnie Jenkins, her dark hair pulled back in a simple ponytail, sipped from a beer and let her eyes bounce between Marissa and me. She was the enthusiastic sort, and that was on display today. “Is it gross?”
“It’s beyond gross,” Marissa replied. “A bunch of seaweed comes out and lands on you. It smells like sewage, to boot.”
From his spot behind the pool table, Gunner cocked an eyebrow. He had a cue in his hand and looked to be in the middle of a game with Rooster. They were obviously listening.
“Seaweed?” Bonnie made a face. “I don’t understand how that’s possible.”
“Join the club.” Marissa was positively apoplectic as she jerked her thumb in my direction. “This one felt the need to talk the siren to death and offered her a way out if she would just leave, by the way. Someone might want to inform her that’s not the way we do business.”
The “someone” she was referring to was Rooster, and the look he slid me was questioning. Ah, well, I guess I was going to have to make up an excuse.
“I figured if she left I wouldn’t have to deal with her,” I offered. Lying might’ve been easier, but I wasn’t the sort to take the easy route. I owned my actions. Er, well, most of the time. “She was kind of funny.”
Marissa shot me a withering look. “She was not funny.”
“She looked like Ariel from The Little Mermaid,” I countered, refusing to back down. “Well … if Ariel smoked two packs a day and lured men to their deaths. I just thought it would be easier if she left.”
Rooster worked his jaw. I could practically hear the gears in his mind working. On one hand, he didn’t want to agree with Marissa. That would only further inflate her ego, if that was even possible. On the other, it was obvious he wasn’t happy with my reaction to the situation.
“She’s killed at least six men that we know of,” he said finally, choosing his words carefully. “Three men have also gone missing on that lake. Their bodies have never been found. It’s not much of a stretch to imagine she had something to do with those disappearances as well.”
I couldn’t really argue with the statement, so I didn’t.
“We can’t simply allow behavior like that to slide,” he continued. “It was necessary to take her out.”
“I took her out.”
“With elemental magic,” Marissa hissed.
“I expect my orders to be followed,” Rooster offered, ignoring the persnickety redhead at the bar. Whistler, the bar owner and most seasoned member of the team, handed her a beer without comment. “If you can’t follow orders, you’re not any good to us.”
The words rankled. “I took her out,” I repeated. “What more do you want?”
“I would prefer you not offer murderers a free ride out of town,” he replied, not missing a beat. “You’re a powerful ally, Scout.” His lips quirked as I rolled my eyes. “But you have to follow the same rules as everybody else.”
Even I couldn’t argue with the verbal smackdown. “I’m sorry.” I held up my hands in capitulation. “I wasn’t thinking. She was just … funny.”
“She was not funny!” Marissa’s tone was scathing. “She was tossing around water in an attempt to drown us.”
“How could you tell from where you were standing?” I shot back. “You were hiding behind a tree while I was talking to her.”
Marissa’s eyes narrowed to slits. “I was gauging the situation. Not all of us have elemental magic to fall back on.”
“Speaking of that … .” Gunner cleared his throat to get my attention. He’d been silent since I’d entered. Our relationship – if that’s what you could call it – was a work in progress. There was a lot of flirting, but for every step forward we took, two steps back were almost immediately necessary. We were both acting like blind dates sent to prom together. It was beyond weird.
“Speaking of what?” I asked innocently. I knew what subject he was about to broach, but I wasn’t in the mood to discuss it.
“I didn’t realize you had elemental magic in your bag of tricks,” he pressed. “That’s not really normal for a witch.”
I hated that word. Normal. I’d never been normal. I couldn’t remember my childhood before the kind-hearted firefighter found me, named me and made sure I was taken into custody by the proper authorities. I recognized “normal” was never a part of it.
“Well, I don’t know what to tell you.” I offered up a partial shrug. “I used the spell I thought would be best to take her out. I’ve never fought a siren before. We don’t have them in Detroit.”
“We don’t have them here either,” Rooster admitted. “I’m not even sure what you use to take out a siren.”
“Beheading is best,” Bonnie offered. She seemed fully engaged in the conversation. “I tried for a Florida office before coming here, but the waiting list is years long. I didn’t think sirens liked fresh water.”
“According to the dead one, saltwater is harsh on hair and skin,” I explained, throwing myself into one of the comfortable chairs and leaning my head back as I exhaled on a groan. Lack of sleep from the previous evening was starting to wear on me. That nap was sounding better and better. “Is the lecture over? I might need some downtime.”
Gunner’s gaze was keen as it latched with mine. “You don’t look as if you slept very well.”
From anybody else, that might’ve been an insult. Concern etched itself through the lines of his face. He had a good heart … even if that wasn’t the part of his anatomy that caused my brain to fuzz at times when we were talking. “It was a restless night.” I said the words more to myself than for his benefit. “I thought I heard wolves in the wind.”
“Wolves?” Whistler shifted behind the bar. “Are you sure?”
I nodded. I saw no reason to lie. “Yeah. I heard the howling. Then, of course, we ran into a few down by the lake. I’m assuming they were the source of the howling … although I’m not sure if it was them or others with their group.”
Apparently my words had a profound effect on the men in the room because Gunner and Rooster abandoned their game and moved closer to me.
“I think vital information has been left out of the story,” Rooster intoned. “What shifters?”
The atmosphere crackled with electricity and thoughts of a nap quickly dissipated. Something very interesting was going on here. I opened my mouth to answer the question but Marissa beat me to it.
“Three shifters were in that dirt circle thing when we left,” she explained. “It was as if they were waiting for us.”
“Did you recognize them?” Rooster queried.
“I didn’t. They were pretty boring. Well … one of them was pretty far from boring. Drake Something-or-Other. He was all kinds of hot. Of course, he only had eyes for Scout.” Her gaze was dark when it linked with mine. “I’m starting to think that she’s using elemental magic for more than just blowing up sirens. I think she might be casting love spells, because every good-looking man in town instantly melts into a puddle at her feet.”
The comment was pointed toward Gunner – and he appropriately scowled – but it was obvious he wasn’t angry about being called on the carpet. His ire was directed at Drake. “Did you get full names?” he growled.
This was getting more interesting by the second. “Cyrus and Flint Marsh. The other guy was Drake Frost. They said they were interested in moving to the area.”
“Did you believe them?”
I shook my head. “They were watching us. I’m not sure how much they saw. I didn’t hear them arrive.”
“That’s because you were blowing up a siren,” Marissa hissed.
I pretended I didn’t hear her. “We didn’t
spend a lot of time talking. Cyrus was obviously in charge. His kid was mouthy and full of himself, but he would probably wet himself in a fight. As Marissa said, Drake was the most interesting … although I didn’t think I was quite as enamored with him as she was.”
“Oh, puh-leez.” Marissa threw her hands up in theatrical fashion. “You two were staring at each other as if you were the last eggrolls on the plate. It was disgusting. He didn’t even look in my direction.”
“Perhaps that’s because he saw Scout using elemental magic to take down a siren,” Bonnie suggested. “They were probably curious but afraid. I mean … she is pretty terrifying.”
“Oh, you have no idea.” Marissa slammed half her beer. She was practically breathless when she continued. “I thought I was going to die. I’ve never been so terrified.” The look she shot Gunner was right out of a romance novel. “I’m just happy I got a chance to see all of you again.”
Gunner merely rolled his eyes. “It sounds like a terrifying ordeal.” He ran his tongue over his teeth and then slid his gaze to Rooster. “I guess we should’ve known they would show up here eventually.”
My curiosity was officially piqued. “You know them.”
“We know Cyrus,” Rooster corrected. “At least I do. I’ve crossed paths with him a time or two.”
“And I know him through my father,” Gunner added, referring to the local police chief who walked a fine line when it came to the human and paranormal elements crossing paths in Hawthorne Hollow. “I haven’t seen him since I was a teenager. There was a pack gathering – this was before the pack split – and there was a big shindig at one of the area resorts.”
It seemed I was behind on local politics. “You had a pack split?” I was up on pack law enough to know that was never a good sign. It meant that two factions were warring. I very much doubted this instance would be any different. “Was there a war?”
“There was a fight,” he replied, rubbing the back of his neck. “In the end, our pack – which I’m no longer active with – stayed here and his pack moved to mid-Michigan, somewhere near where that college was razed last year. I wonder if that’s the reason he’s back.”
I tilted my head, considering. I’d heard about the college. It had been there one day and flattened the next. The human news referred to it as an “act of God.” They said a sinkhole opened up and swallowed the entire school. That was utter nonsense, but non-paranormals often needed answers, whether they were ludicrous or not.
“Covenant College,” I offered, my mind busy. “It was a hotbed of paranormal activity before it was destroyed.”
Gunner couldn’t hide his surprise. “Did you ever visit?”
I shook my head. “I kind of wish I’d gotten the chance, but it never worked out. They say a mage was involved in taking it down. I’ve always wanted to meet a mage.”
“Apparently the mage involved is temperamental and terrifying,” Bonnie offered. “I would prefer not meeting her … though you might be able to take her on.” Her expression turned thoughtful. “Maybe you’re part mage.”
The idea had flitted through my mind a time or two. I was well aware that I was stronger than most witches. Heck, I was more powerful than five standard witches combined. I was not, however, properly trained. I worked on instinct. Even though I wasn’t the sort to doubt myself, taking on a mage was outside my comfort zone.
“I don’t know and it hardly matters,” I said finally. “I’m just want to know what you can tell us about our new friends.”
“Not much,” Gunner replied. “Cyrus is known as the type who would rather fight than negotiate. It was a miracle that the pack leadership got him to leave the first time without blood being shed – or at least a lot of blood – and I’ve never heard the full story on what went down. Maybe I’ll have to bug Dad about it again.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” I encouraged. “What about the kid? He had ‘tool’ written all over him.”
Gunner snorted, amusement flitting across his handsome features. “That’s the best way to describe Flint. He’s a jackass, to boot. He’s garnered a reputation as a womanizer – something he promotes – and he’s known to sexually harass any woman he comes into contact with.” An idea lit in the back of Gunner’s eyes. “He didn’t harass you, did he?”
It was kind of sweet that he was worried. It was also kind of annoying. “No. But if he had, I’m capable of taking care of myself.”
He grumbled something under his breath that I couldn’t make out. Then he straightened. “What did you say the other guy’s name was?”
“Drake Frost. He seemed … separate from them, though I’m not exactly sure why.”
“He could be part of the pack they built down there,” Rooster noted. “It’s interesting that he’s back in town but didn’t alert anyone to his presence. I wonder what he was doing by the lake.”
That was an important question, but I didn’t have an answer. Even if I did, it would’ve fallen by the wayside thanks to the door flying open to allow our resident sidekick – Ruthie “Raisin” Morton – entrance. Her hair was wild and full of waves as she rushed in, paying no mind to the way Whistler rolled his eyes.
“Guess what?” she announced, breathless.
I smiled as Gunner moved to shut the door. “You found a boyfriend? What’s his name?”
Raisin shot me a death glare. “This isn’t about a boy. I’m not the sort of girl who gets giddy about a boy. Though … I might one day.” Her eyes lingered on Gunner for a long time. It was no secret she had a crush on him. But he was fourteen years older than her, so she didn’t have a prayer. Still, he doted on her, showering her with the attention she seemed to so desperately need. It simply wasn’t romantic attention. “What was I saying again?”
“You have big news,” I supplied, grinning. I couldn’t help but like the kid. She had a special … something. It was impossible to identify. Her abusive father was sitting in the county jail, charged with attempted murder for an attack on her grandmother, and she’d been officially removed from his custody. Now, she lived with the grandmother, and the girl’s life seemed to be settling in a comfortable groove.
That was good after the life she’d been enduring. She had a home she wasn’t afraid to return to every night. Everyone should have that.
“Oh, right.” Raisin rubbed her hands together, her eyes sparkling. “Guess who got cast in the school play. We’re not talking about a small role either. We’re talking about the lead.”
There was no need to guess. I had no idea that Raisin’s interests ran to theater. “I’m guessing you.”
“Me!” She rolled up to the balls of her feet and made a giddy noise. “I’m going to be Little Red Riding Hood.”
I stilled, surprised. “How is that a play?”
“It just is. It’s a modern and updated take.”
“Well … fun.” I didn’t know what else to say. “When is your big debut?”
“I’m not sure yet. We have to practice first. You guys are going to come, right?” She was vulnerable when asking the question. She looked her age rather than the wise-beyond-her-years urchin I’d met when I first arrived. “I mean … everyone else will have big families there. I don’t really have that.”
“Of course we’ll come,” Rooster replied smoothly. His tone told me that anyone who put up a fuss would be on the receiving end of a brutal diatribe, much worse than what I’d received when he’d found out I’d offered the siren a way out. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Great.” She did a little hip-wiggling dance. “I’m so excited. But I’m also afraid. What does it feel like when you’re going to pass out?”
I laughed. She wasn’t going to pass out. Youth was an extraordinary thing. Two weeks before she’d been fighting for her life at her father’s hands. Now she was looking forward to a future she probably never thought possible.
Three
My plans for a nap went awry. After leaving The Cauldron, I headed straight home.
All I could think about was climbing out of my pants and crawling into bed. Apparently that wasn’t in the cards.
Merlin, the cat I’d somehow adopted (even though I wasn’t sure how) had been on a rampage in my absence. There was toilet paper scattered from one end of the cabin to the other, and as far as I could tell it was still attached to the roll.
“You little ... .” It was hard to yell at the kitten. Not impossible, of course, but difficult. I never considered myself the mothering type, but there was something about the little scamp that melted my heart. Of course, admitting that was out of the question. “I think you might be my own little form of karma,” I complained to the one-pound wonder of black and white fluff.
For his part, Merlin merely sat in the middle of his mess, eyeing me with what could only be described as disinterest. There were times I almost expected him to shoot back a snarky response. He never did, of course. That didn’t mean I would’ve been all that surprised if it happened.
“You should be thrilled I even gave you a home,” I complained as I started gathering the toilet paper. Merlin perked up when he saw what I was doing and gave chase. “Stop that,” I scolded, frustrated when he yanked at the end of the toilet paper. “You’re making a mess.”
The kitten grinned — no, seriously, he let loose an evil smile — and continued attacking the paper.
“Fine. You win.” I threw my hands in the air, tossing the toilet paper like confetti in the process. “I hope you have an absolutely fabulous time with your mess.” I stomped toward the bedroom. I had no idea who I was putting on a show for because the cat was the only one present, but I let loose a series of sighs before falling face first on the bed.
I was out before Merlin stopped preening over his toilet paper ... and the dreams chased me in daylight the same way they did in darkness.
I WOKE TWO HOURS LATER, the sound of wolf howls echoing in my brain. My breath came in raspy gasps and my heart pounded at a fantastic rate. The dream had been a continuation of the one I’d had the evening before, a race through a pack of snapping jaws and extended claws, and I woke only when we reached the woods. I thought we were safe, but then another line of wolves emerged.
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