You… I thought dumbly.
I thought you would have clued on sooner, The Shadow taunted. Then again, what can be expected from a mixed-breed mutt.
Oh Morgana, I whined internally as I rested my face in my hands. I had made a very stupid mistake.
“Going for a run Evelyn?” Sam’s voice cut in and I screeched in fright as I stood upright, every thought I’d been having flying from my mind.
My barriers had broken?
Sam was breathing hard, obviously having been running and his eyes widened at my extreme reaction as he stumbled back a few steps, arms raised in defense. “Woah!” he cried. “Go easy Evelyn.”
“Sam,” I spluttered. “I’m sorry, you—you surprised me.”
“Sorry,” he said quickly. “I was just out for a run.”
“It’s f-fine,” I stammered. “I’m just a little jumpy today—I think this whole, getting my wolf thing is really messing with my head.”
Sam nodded and a look flashed across his face, but disappeared so quickly I couldn’t be sure if it even happened. “I just wanted to say thank you,” Sam started. “Karla and Aiden have had a chat—he’s going to speak to a few people about their behavior. He’s even been friendlier with me.”
“That’s good!” I gasped as actual happiness was felt. “I’m happy about that.”
“So is Karla,” Sam muttered. “She can finally do her job without feeling like no one has her back.” We were both silent for a moment and I glanced down at my phone. “Hey Evelyn, I actually need to talk to you about—about something else—”
“Morgana!” I shouted. “Is that the time?”
I had been out here for an hour already! It had felt like seconds!
“Sam,” I panicked. “I have to go, like right now, or I’m going to have a search party out for me. I’m supposed to be at the school.”
“That’s fine,” he said quickly. “Hey, make use of that new werewolf speed.”
He had an idea.
“I’ll see you later!” I said with a quick wave before I began running in the direction of town. If I was any longer than an hour everyone would panic and come after me. How had that small amount of time to me, been such a large amount of time to everyone else? What happened when I blended in with the surroundings? How much time would I lose?
With The Shadow on my back and my wolf cowering weakly in my mind, I grit my teeth and kept running.
∞
“The entrance will be lit up, I’ve got the signage on its way!” Grace snapped into an earpiece before she spotted me stumbling onto the field out of breath. “Ah! Evie, Miss Greene wants to see you right now, she wants to see if you like the layout of your work.”
I nodded breathlessly and ran off without another word. If she didn’t question why I was still in my workout gear and not showered, I didn’t care who I had to go and speak with.
Making my way through endless stalls that were being set up, I recognized a few of the faces of wolves in the pack who all gave me a slight nod out of respect. There were giant rides being erected and I found my stomach flip in excitement as I saw a ferris wheel. I had never ridden one of those before… or any ride for that matter.
I had never been allowed the privilege of fun when I lived in Idaho, which meant missing out on a lot of experiences.
Spotting Miss Green, I quickly made my way over to her and she beamed when she saw me. “Ah, Evelyn!” she said happily. “Now your real art obviously isn’t down here, but I have laid out on the boards fake drawings of how we should display the work, starting with…”
She drawled on and I nodded absentmindedly. I didn’t really care how she displayed it, I trusted her enough to make it look good. I was more nervous that my name would be all over this art and everyone would know I had done it. What if people hated it? What if I heard them saying they hated it? My insides clenched nervously as I tried to resist the urge to go and burn all the work I had done.
“So, you’ll be here from five till six,” Miss Greene said. “After that hour is up you’re free to go and roam the carnival with your friends. I will take care of any purchases made as agreed. Half the purchase money will go toward the art department and the other you pocket. This is very exciting Evelyn.”
“I’m nervous,” I found myself admitting.
“I’d think you strange if you weren’t,” she laughed. “Try and enjoy the moment. Answer as many questions possible. Don’t let your nerves drown out the excitement of it all, okay?”
I nodded at her mutely and when I was finally dismissed I made my way over to Lucy, who seemed to be glowering over her clipboard at two figures. Coming up beside her I followed her line of vision and noticed Geoff speaking with a human girl. She looked about our age and I think I recognized her from our gym class. She was quite a lot like Lucy. Blonde, tan and built in all the right places and she knew it too.
She threw her head back and laughed loudly, ever so slightly touching Geoff’s arm.
Lucy growled.
“Hey,” I warned. “Come on Lucy, you know she’s just a human. She doesn’t know what Geoff is and she doesn’t know about the two of you.”
“Geoff said she’s been hanging behind in Math,” Lucy bit out. “Constantly asking him questions she already knows the answers to. Now she’s got him tutoring her four nights a week—”
“What?” I gaped. “Four nights?”
“Her parents are loaded,” Lucy growled with a roll of her eyes. “Unfortunately, Geoff can’t get out of it. The extra money is good. Plus, we’ve been fighting more about college. He knows I have to go, but then he makes these stupid little comments and argh!”
“Mate’s fight,” I consoled her. “That doesn’t mean he’s going to jump ship. He’d lay down his life for you Lucy.”
“I know,” she huffed.
“We graduate soon,” I told her with a small smile. “All this high school crap will be over and you can be with Geoff properly. Out in the open.”
Lucy smiled at me, tearing her eyes away from Geoff—who in my eyes looked very uncomfortable. “Thanks Evelyn,” she told me. “I know I’m being ridiculously paranoid.”
You’re not the only one, I mused. If only you knew what was going on inside of this head.
“You seem really good,” she commented. “Was the ball of light to the stomach enough for your wolf?”
“Ha,” I said nervously. “You could say that.” The Shadow had been marginally quieter since my small episode in the forest. Ignorant hope rose in my chest at the prospect of it being gone, but just as quickly, it felt as if icy cold hands clenched around my heart and I gasped in surprise as ticklish liquid trailed from my nose.
“Shit your nose!” Lucy gasped as she sifted roughly through her bag, producing a tissue. “Here!”
I put my head back instantly and caught the blood, tears stinging in my eyes as I suffered through the tight grip on my chest and that awful hissed laughter echoing throughout my mind. “Oh,” I whined into the tissue.
“Are we okay here?” Geoff’s voice broke into our panic.
“Evie has a nosebleed,” Lucy sighed.
“I’ll be fine,” I garbled with a wave of my hand. The pain was subsiding, and the cold reminder was now stuck in my head. I wouldn’t be throwing all my hope into one basket anymore that’s for sure.
Sorry, my wolf’s voice clawed its way through. She sounded muffled, like she was trapped somewhere. Had I even heard her, or was that just my mind?
“How was the set up for the art display?” Lucy asked me.
“It was fine,” I shrugged as I dabbed my nose. The blood was gone. “I only have to stand there for an hour.”
“You make it sound like someone is putting bamboo shoots under your nails,” Lucy snorted. “I think you’ll be surprised with how much interest will be shown. Almost all of Baker City is going to be attending the fair, and who knows who else will come. I’m curious to see it too!”
“Don’t get too excited,” I mumble
d reluctantly.
“I’m sure it will be great Evelyn,” Geoff smiled kindly.
The sun was warm today and I relished in the feel of its rays casting across my face. Lucy and Geoff engaged in conversation and I glanced around the field in search of Grace, frowning at all the faces that weren’t hers. I needed to help her before she found me doing nothing. If I offered to help then she couldn’t get grumpy at me.
Why was she so difficult to find?
Glancing to my left I noted Lucy and Geoff were very much involved in their discussion, so I shut my eyes, opening my palms as I pictured Grace and how I had seen her not even twenty minutes ago. Where was she… my feet began moving on their own accord and I my eyes popped open as I allowed the pull to drag me in whatever direction. People made an unknown effort to move around me and not get in my way and I breezed my way through the crowds of teeming students, all trying to follow orders Grace had no doubt given them.
I found myself walking up behind the ferris wheel and I shrieked in shock and embarrassment when I caught Trey and Grace in a rather… compromising position.
“Shit!” Trey shouted in surprise as he shoved Grace away from him, and she growled as she stumbled to the floor.
“Trey!”
“I’m so sorry!” I spluttered as I backed away, my face flaming.
“Evelyn!” Grace called out quickly as I began power walking away. “Evelyn, wait up!”
I stopped and took a breath. “Grace, you are crazy.”
“I know!” she panted as she fixed her skirt. “Listen, we weren’t having sex. Mom would kill me if she so much as scented that on me, given we are nowhere near the pack compound.”
“It’s your business,” I told her quickly. “I wasn’t expecting that. I just wanted to know what I needed to help with today.”
“I’d say most of it is covered,” she said with a breathless smile. “Really, I’m not even doing anything, I’m just shouting at people.”
“Sounds like your favorite job,” I snickered.
Trey came out from behind the wheel, a smirk plastered on his face and a swagger to his walk as he approached us. “Are you alright, Evelyn?”
I frowned at him. “Your fly is undone.”
“Oh,” he said in surprise, quickly zipping up.
“How exciting does this all look?” Grace asked with a smile. “I mean, it’s twice as big as last year was. I pulled some serious strings to get the extra rides. The face painters were so hard to book! But heaps of people were keen to set up a stall. This is going to be a great year, and some of the proceeds are going toward live entertainment for Prom!”
“It looks amazing Grace,” I admired. “Only you could have pulled something like this together. I’m sure Prom will be even better.”
A cold chill ghosted across my skin and I grit my teeth in irritation. Couldn’t it leave me alone for one moment?
“Goddess,” Grace chilled and I was surprised to see her tremble. “Is it just me or did it just get really cold?”
“Oh shit,” Trey gaped as he pointed up at the sky.
We both looked up and Grace squeaked at the deep gray cloud that moved over us. It looked cruel and unforgiving and it was about to totally trash the fair. Grace covered her eyes with her hands and screamed loudly into them.
“No!” she whined. “The forecast was supposed to be clear for weeks!” I felt the first fleck of water hit my cheek and if it was possible Grace yelped even louder. “We can’t get rained out!”
Do something, my wolf encouraged.
Careful now little witch, The Shadow warned. Whatever you do will incite questions—
I said do something! My wolf snarled. Don’t listen to it.
The drops seemed to increase in pressure and without thinking I brought up my hand and snapped my fingers. The sound clapped like thunder and Grace yelled in shock while Trey’s eyes widened. Just as instantly the clouds rolled away, the rain disappeared as if it had never started and the sun was out once more, shining brighter, if possible.
“Evelyn!” Grace gasped as she put her hand over her mouth. “Did you—”
“I didn’t think it’d be that loud!” I panicked as I looked around frantically. “Do you think anyone saw?”
“How—you just stopped…. Goddess,” Grace breathed.
Trey looked from Grace to me, his mouth hanging open. “I think humans will believe it was just normal thunder. You could have clicked at anything or any time.”
“Okay,” I agreed quickly.
See what happens when you don’t listen to that thing? My wolf murmured into my mind. Do not let it hold you back Evelyn. You can be great. We can be great.
Something within me felt like it was being suffocated, and for the briefest of moments I felt light—as if I were walking on air. My body felt fluid and I felt weightless… free.
Now make it rain, The Shadow ordered and something lurched within my stomach painfully, growing its way up my chest and the instant that I blinked the skies opened on us all and shrieks resounded through the field and Grace shouted in frustration.
“Quick Evie!” she pleaded frantically. “Fix it again!”
I tried, oh Morgana did I try.
The rain only fell harder!
“We need to get under cover!” Trey shouted. “It’s coming down hard.”
Grace looked positively furious as she stared up at the sky with about as much hatred she could muster before she allowed Trey to pull her in the direction of the cars—where everyone else seemed to be headed toward. I watched as everyone ran off and I found myself alone in the middle of a half-built fairground that was in the process of being completely drowned out.
Cars began pulling away and before long I was left alone, drenched to my core.
Anything you do Evelyn, I will do better! The Shadow hissed. You are not powerful enough to control the weather.
I will be, I thought determinedly. And one day you won’t be here to stop me. You’ll be nothing.
That’s right Evelyn, my wolf urged. You are better and stronger than this evil!
Shut up! The Shadow crowed and I fell to my knees in agony as my head began to pulse painfully. I’m in charge here! You’re never going to be stronger than me. I’m going to run your life to madness, Evelyn and soon you’ll forget about everyone and everything you hold dear. Your mate won’t love you and your friends will hate you—
Stop! I cried out into oblivion.
You will be their end! The Shadow snarled venomously.
No! I growled and I raised my arms high, power surging through me so rapidly I swayed. The rain faltered for the briefest of moments, but my small victory was cut off when it seemed to fall harder, the wind roared louder and the thunder crashed angrily above me.
Grinding my teeth, I imagined pushing the rain back up, higher and higher until the drops no longer fell. I pictured the brightness of the sun, drying the damage the rain had caused. I pictured myself, powerful and able. I could do this. I can stop rain. I’m a witch, a powerful witch and no insignificant evil voice was going to tell me otherwise.
You. Are. Nothing! I spelled out in my mind as my chest seared with heat.
With one final and brutal clap of thunder, the rain seemed to be sucked back up into the sky and the clouds slowly rolled away. The sun was slow on arriving and the clouds hovered dangerously but drifted.
I stood panting and dripping wet, every inch of my body freezing to the bone.
I looked up and came face to face with a full-length mirror that had been set up at what Grace had called the “Makeup & Dress Up” stand. My reflection was unrecognizable. My eyes glowed the deepest amber they ever had and they were narrowed so cruelly, I was terrified of what I saw. My lips held a serious looking snarl and my brows were furrowed so deeply, I wondered if they’d ever straighten out again.
What made me scream however was the figure behind me.
It wasn’t Jonah and it wasn’t my mother. It wasn’t any dead wolf I knew.
The moment he touched my shoulder, I buckled in pain and fell to my knees, all the while the figure seemed to get sucked inside me, disappearing completely, before a ghostly sounding chuckle resounded through my mind.
You’ll never get rid of me.
Chapter Fourteen
Leaning back against the cool wood of the bathroom door, I took a deep breath in, noting how shaky it sounded. Upon exhaling, I walked further into the bathroom and leaned on the benchtop as I stared into the mirror, looking deep into my own eyes. The change in them was so slight, you’d barely notice if you weren’t looking hard enough, but I caught a glimpse of that creature inside me and I recoiled instantly as if I had been burnt.
This thing wasn’t my own thoughts—it was a real figure and I needed to find out who it was. If anything, this drove me further to wanting to remove it.
My wet clothes clung to my skin tightly and I stripped them off, cringing at the loud slapping sound they made as they contacted the tiles. I quickly turned on the water and waited for it to heat up, all the while acutely aware that the sun was now shining outside, in stark contrast to those angry gray clouds that had rained out the fair.
Standing under the hot water, I leaned my head against the cool tiles of the bathroom and watched my hands tremble every now and then. The power I had felt out there… it had been indescribable. It was almost as if I would fold in on myself and be consumed by it. Closing my eyes, I focused on the house and the people in it.
Alpha James was loitering around his office, and my eyes whipped open when I realized I had penetrated the soundproof barrier that usually guarded that part of the house. He was pacing—that’s what it sounded like. I heard a familiar cough and I realized it was Aiden. Neither were saying anything and I wondered if they were communicating through the pack link.
Wolfsbane: The Wolf Within Page 19