A Symphony of Howls

by Val St. Crowe

  “So, the last time I saw him, he knocked me out,” I said. “He’s really a total ass, don’t you think?” I waited. Nothing from Sinead. “I should forget about him. I’m trying to forget, I really am, it’s only that he keeps showing up. You probably think I’m an idiot.”

  Silence except for some deep, even breaths.

  “Sinead?”

  I peered down at the bottom bunk.

  She was asleep. I had talked her to sleep. I lay back on my pillow and laughed softly to myself. Served me right, anyway. How could I be here, talking about boys, when my pack was in danger? I needed to solve that problem. How could I solve that problem?

  I tossed and turned on the top bunk, trying to sleep. I was hoping the answer to my problems would come to me in my dreams. But sleep evaded me. After an hour of trying to get comfortable, I gave up.

  I climbed out of the bed and put on boots and a coat. I went walking in the woods.

  It was starting to snow. That was bad news. Snow just meant that there would be easier tracks for the bloods to follow.

  But the snow was beautiful and magical. It made me feel as though I was living in a fairy forest as I looked up at the sparkling flakes floating down through the air.

  I saw the pack’s lookouts prowling the woods, and I reached out to touch their minds and guide them away from me. I wanted to be alone.

  Slowly and quietly, I moved further into the woods away from the hunting village. I sniffed the air for any sign of bloods or vampires, but all I smelled was the cold, clean scent of snow.

  And then—I did smell something, a blood, but I recognized the scent almost immediately.

  Landon.

  “You’re here,” I said, not even turning to him. He was coming up behind me. I could smell him. I could hear him. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “Should you be surprised?” came the dark rumble of his voice.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Oh, you know. Watching you while you sleep. Fantasizing about you naked. The usual.”

  I did turn to look at him now. “You do have a crush on me.”

  “I don’t get to have crushes anymore.” He gave me a wry smile. “What are you doing out here on your own? You know it’s not safe.”

  “I have to think,” I said. “I have to come up with a solution for my pack. I need to protect us.”

  “Going to be hard to protect your pack if you get yourself killed,” he said. “You should go back to safety.”

  “Oh, I figured you’d be around, ready to leap into the claws of danger to keep me safe. Or my tits safe anyway.”

  He laughed, and he looked away, almost as though he was embarrassed.

  “I need to keep the bloodhounds from attacking my people. You don’t have any more of those darts that Desta gave you before, do you?”

  “Sorry, used those all up,” he said.

  “I figured,” I said. “Well, next best thing, I need a protection spell. Do you know of any witches besides Vivia?”

  “What’s wrong with Vivia?”

  I explained to him that Vivia had betrayed us to the vampires for a payout.

  “Well, she always did seem like a royal bitch,” he said. “And it probably should have been a warning sign that she was willing to deal with me. Most everyone out here in the woods stays clear, you know.”

  “Do you know of any other witches?”

  “Sorry,” he said. “Can’t say I do.”

  “So, if I can’t get a spell, then what? How can I get the bloods to stay away? Maybe… I could bribe them.”

  “Don’t be stupid, Camber.”

  “What do bloods want?” I looked at him. “What could I offer them?”

  “They don’t want anything,” he said. “They have everything they could want provided for them. They’re fed, they’re clothed, they’re given free rein to hunt, to do as they please. They have speed and strength and no one can touch them.”

  “Well, if it was so great, why didn’t you want to stay?”

  “Are you seriously asking me that?”

  “It’s because you didn’t have your freedom,” I said. “That’s what they don’t have. That’s what they want.”

  He shook his head. “You can’t give that to them, though.”

  “What if I could? How did you get free? Who got the chip out of you? Was it Desta?”

  “Desta set it up, but she didn’t do it herself.”

  “Well, I don’t think I can ask her to free a whole pack of bloods,” I said softly. “Especially not if I’m going to ask for her help with Judah.”

  “Look, she probably can’t help you at all,” said Landon. “It cost her to free me. I know that Viggo wasn’t pleased.”

  The king of the vampires, gunning for my sister. That was what I would be bringing down on her head? “Okay, so if she didn’t do it herself, then who did do it?”

  “Uh, a guy. Um, he worked for the vampires. He was a scientist type. I think he created the bloodhounds.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “Why does it matter?”

  “Could you get me to him? If we went into the city?”

  “Are you crazy?” he said. “I’m not going into the city. You’re not either.”

  “We’ll kidnap this guy who makes bloods. We’ll force him to remove their chips.”

  “That’s never going to work, and it’s a stupid idea,” said Landon. “I’m not helping you with that.”

  “Oh, come on, Landon, I need you. Besides, I’m going, and you seem pretty dead set on keeping me safe, so you’ll have to follow me anyway.”

  “No way.” His blue eyes flashed. “There are things I won’t do, not even for you.”

  “Fine, I’ll do it without you. Just tell me this guy’s name and where I can find him.”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “You know why not,” he said. “Because I don’t think you should go to the city. Because I don’t want anything to happen to you. Besides, if you go there, you’ll leave your pack unprotected.”

  “Not if I can make a deal with the bloods first,” I said. “I’ll promise them this guy, whatever his name is, and then I’ll make them promise to leave the pack alone in the meantime.”

  “Oh, right. That’s brilliant. They’ll tear you to bits the minute you get close. They’re not going to listen to promises.”

  “That’s a risk I’ll have to take.”

  He glared at me. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

  “I am. I’ll find out his name some other way if you won’t tell me. I’ll ask Desta. Giving out a name can’t hurt her, right?”

  He threw up his hands. “You know what? Whatever. You’re dead set on killing yourself. I don’t know why I care one way or the other. Go for it.” He stalked off into the woods.

  I thought about calling after him. I didn’t.

  Instead, I called Desta.

  “You can’t call me,” she answered, her voice a bare whisper. “I can’t talk to you. What happened in the woods was a gift, and I can’t give that to you again, so—”

  “The name of the man who took the chip out of Landon,” I said. “That’s all I need. I won’t call you again, I promise. I know you’re in a tough spot there and that you can’t stick your neck out for me.”

  “What do you want his name for? Oh, you know what? Never mind. Better if I don’t know. It’s Aston Waterfield.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Camber?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  The line went dead.

  Aston Waterfield, huh? I could work with this.

  * * *

  It was morning, and I was carrying a cup of coffee through the hunting village, trying not to slosh it everywhere. I had gone to sleep late last night, more out of sheer exhaustion than anything else. I also knew that I couldn’t set up a meeting at that time of night with the bloods.

  I wasn’t
even sure how to set up a meeting with the bloods at all. But I did know where their headquarters were.

  When I’d awoken that morning, Sinead had already been up and gone, her bed made. I stumbled around, found some coffee in the kitchen, and then set off. I hoped Sinead was okay.

  Now, I reached the cabin where Ewan was staying. I pounded on the door. “It’s Camber,” I called. “Is Ewan awake?”

  Sinead opened the door. “Hey. We’re having breakfast. Come on in.”

  I stepped inside. This cabin was very small. It was only one room and it didn’t have a bathroom. Wolves either had to use the neighbors’ or get an alpha to make them shift so that the could do their business in the woods. There was a kitchen—well, there was a hot plate and a toaster oven sitting on a counter and a rickety metal table set out in front of the counter. No sink or anything—no running water. On the other side of the room were three bunk beds. Ewan and several of the other younger, unattached wolves were staying there, but no one else was around besides Ewan and Sinead.

  I surveyed the table, where there was a big plate of scrambled eggs with mushrooms and a stack of sausage patties.

  Ewan was up, coming across the room. “Camber, what’s going on?”

  I shook my head. “You know what? I’ll ask someone else. You and Sinead should stay here, enjoy your breakfast.”

  “No way,” said Ewan. “Why are you here?”

  I shook my head, starting back out the door.

  Ewan caught me by the arm. “What is it?”

  “I’m going on what might end up being a suicide mission,” I said. “I’m not bringing you along. I’m not going to do that to Sinead.”

  Sinead’s eyes widened. “Well, Camber, I don’t want you going on a suicide mission either.”

  “I’m the alpha. It’s up to me.”

  “Actually, it’s not,” said Ewan. “You’re more valuable to the pack than anyone. You can’t go on a suicide mission.”

  “I figured the council would say that, which is why I didn’t go to them,” I said. “I’m going to go ask Amber.”

  “Screw that,” said Ewan. “If you’re going, I’m going.”

  “Wait,” said Sinead. “Where are you going?”

  “To try to make a deal with the bloods,” I said.

  * * *

  Ewan and I shifted back into human form in the woods outside the bloodhounds’ headquarters. It still looked a little worse for wear, given that it hadn’t been very long since we’d trashed it.

  We shivered in the snow that had fallen on the ground. It was only an inch or two, but it was still pretty cold outside. I rummaged in the bag we’d brought along for our clothes. I’d figured cloaks wouldn’t be enough, not if we were trying to make a deal here. I wanted to look important, but I didn’t really have a power suit or anything. So, I had to settle with what we had. I was afraid I would only look like a bedraggled girl, shivering in the snow.

  Ewan and I dressed quickly, neither looking at the other. He was nervous. I could feel it radiating through the bond we shared as part of the pack. I sent a tendril of calm through our connection, steadying him. He smiled at me gratefully.

  Sinead had argued with us, trying to convince us not to go, but once Ewan heard my idea, he said it was the best that we had. No one knew of any other witches that could help us. Word had been sent out to other packs, but with the death of Geneva, many others would be lying low, frightened of exposing themselves. It wasn’t likely we would get a spell in time.

  Eventually, Sinead gave up trying to stop us, and then she just wanted to come along. But I told her that I couldn’t risk that. She wasn’t pack. I couldn’t force her to retreat if I needed to. Besides, Ewan and I had gotten used to each other these last few times out in the woods together. We were a good team. I said I would do everything in my power to send him back to her. I planned to keep that promise.

  Now, we were here.

  We couldn’t be sure that the bloods would even be here, but if they weren’t, we would wait until they came back. We had to speak to them.

  Together, Ewan and I set off through the snow towards the door to the headquarters.

  The trees around us rustled softly in a slight breeze and tiny bits of snow trickled to the ground, sifting off the branches.

  Every step we took seemed too loud, as if it was reverberating against the winter sky and the tree trunks that surrounded us. Except for us, except for that slight breeze, there was no movement and no sound. It was as though we were walking through a snowy tomb.

  The headquarters was quiet and still as well. The broken windows had been covered in boards. It looked like a prison now. Maybe it had always looked that way, but now it was even more grim.

  Was anyone inside?

  There was no way to know.

  We reached the door without incident. Surely, if they were there, they had seen us coming. If so, they would have attacked us. At least, I thought so.

  But I had no choice but to knock on the door.

  Ewan stood close, right behind me. He was alert, waiting for an attack from any direction.

  The knock echoed through the silent woods.

  Nothing happened.

  They must not be home. I put my hand on the doorknob to turn it.

  And the door was ripped open from the inside and a bloodhound was grinning at me with his sharp teeth. “Well, well, well. Surprise. Werewolf delivery.” He growled menacingly. “Yum.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  I took a step back, but I wasn’t fast enough.

  The blood leapt through the door and tackled me, claws in my midsection, teeth gaping and going for my throat.

  Behind me, Ewan yelled, “Shift! Make me shift, now!”

  I didn’t shift and I didn’t make Ewan shift either. We weren’t here to fight. Instead, I just cried out, “Wait! We’re here to negotiate.”

  But the bloodhound was going for my throat anyway. His teeth were inches from my skin when a voice from the door said, “Dirk. Heel.”

  The blood over me snarled in annoyance, but he snapped his teeth shut and pulled his claws out of my body. He stayed on top of me, though, seething. “Let me have this one, James. Please?”

  My heart in my throat, I looked over Dirk’s shoulder. I was bleeding from his claws, and it hurt, but I could shift and heal it. I had to pretend I couldn’t even feel it.

  There was a bloodhound behind Dirk. James, obviously. He was leaning against the doorway, eyebrows raised. “Negotiate, huh? What do werewolves have to negotiate with? And who the fang are you?”

  “I’m the alpha of the Northeast Pack,” I said. “And how would you like those chips out of the back of your skulls?”

  James scoffed. “What do you know about that?”

  “You’ve seen me with another bloodhound, haven’t you? One that runs free, on his own?”

  “You have a point?” said James.

  “Do you know how he got that way? Because I do.”

  James raised his hand and flexed his claws idly. “Dirk, off her.”

  “Oh, come on, James,” said Dirk.

  “Now,” said James.

  Dirk, clearly not pleased with this directive, climbed off me, giving me a murderous look as he did so.

  I got to my feet, brushing myself off.

  “If I don’t like what you say, I’ll set every bloodhound in the place on you,” said James mildly. “And I doubt I’ll like what you say.”

  I looked over my shoulder at Ewan. His nostrils were flared and he was warily looking all around, but he was all right. Which was good. I needed him to witness what happened. If the bloods didn’t go for it, I’d send him running back to the pack, and then they’d at least know what happened.

  But the bloods had to go for it. I couldn’t fail at this.

  James pushed off the door frame. He sized me up and then spread clawed hands. “Well?”

  “Look,” I said, “we have a common enemy. The vampires took you and made you into what you
are. They took your freedom and they turned you into…” I swallowed. Maybe it wasn’t a great idea to insult James, now that I thought about.

  “Into what?” said James, raising his eyebrows.

  “Into… bloodhounds.”

  “What were you going to say? Monsters?” said James. “Beasts? Freaks?”

  “No, I wasn’t—”

  “It’s all well and good when you can shift back and forth between your furry form and your human side,” said James. “Easy to be a werewolf.”

  “You agree that we have a common enemy, then.”

  “I don’t know if I agree with anything you’re saying.” James took a step toward me, and a feral smile stretched over his face. He was like Landon—every part of him except his eyes was like a beast. His eyes were the only human part of him left, but there was insanity buried in his eyes. There was hunger. He wanted to hurt me.

  “You like being a freak, then?” I said. “You grateful that they can force you to do whatever they want to do? You glad that some fang back in the city can flick a switch and make your head explode?”

  His eyes flashed. He took a step toward me.

  I flinched.

  He laughed. “Listen, little girl, I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you and your little friend a running start if you go now. We’ll still catch you. We freaks are faster and stronger than you wolves. Don’t forget that. When the vampires did this to us, they made us the deadliest predators in existence.”

  “Right,” I said. “And they knew that you would be a threat to them, so they made sure they could control you. But I’m offering you a way out of that.”

  “Yeah, you mentioned something about that, but then you’ve spent most of your time calling me names, so, the thing is, I’m getting a little bored—”

  “I can get the chips out,” I said.

  “Really?” He raised his eyebrows again. “How? Because you don’t think that we’ve tried to get them out? What can you do that’s so special, little girl?”

  “W-well, not me personally, but I know who can do it.”

  “And who’s that?”

  “Aston Waterfield,” I said.

  His whole body stiffened and his voice came out as a growl. “What do you know about Waterfield?”