“It was my understanding from my hours spent with Mr. Finley that the werewolf who Monstrana considers a hero has been harboring a dark secret,” Stasia explained, half to Thea and half to the audience behind the camera.
Her palms grew moist as she paused. This was Billy’s secret and she wasn’t sure she should be sharing it. But it was far too late for second thoughts. The cameras were rolling and a country of viewers sat at home, wondering what she’d say next.
“That he blames himself for his fiancée’s death,” she continued in a shaky voice. “He believes he should’ve done more. Thea, this is where you come in. Can you connect us with Esther’s spirit tonight?”
“I can certainly try, young lady.” Thea grinned and pulled a shallow silver tray of water toward herself on the table next to her chair. “The stars have aligned.”
As the witch began muttering over the reflective layer of water, Mr. Treckle made wild motions behind the camera. Blood flooded Stasia’s cheeks and she cleared her throat before looking into the lens again.
“Thanks to the efforts of my manager, Travis Treckle, and the studio, this is the first time something like this has ever been attempted on live TV. You’re seeing it here, first, folks.”
She tore her eyes away from the smirking troll. He’d only agreed to sneak her into the studios and run her interview if he got all the credit. It was a small price to pay in the long run.
“Do you see anything, Thea?” she asked, leaning closer.
She’d never seen anything like this. There was no crystal ball. No candles and holding hands around a table. Just an ancient-looking tray made from silver metal and inscribed with runes. The surface of the water had become almost as solid as a mirror, but what it reflected wasn’t the studio. It was something else. Something dark and swirly, like fog over a bog.
“Patience, my child.” The pink tip of Thea’s tongue stuck out as she concentrated on the water. The wrinkles in her forehead doubled. “This is an art, not a science. Our target may decide that she doesn’t want to show her face.”
No sooner than the words were out of her mouth did the fog from the mirror begin to spill into the room. A collective gasp went through the camera crew and Stasia drew back from the strange substance. Thea cackled and waved her hands over the fog, causing it to grow larger.
“Esther Okpik, murdered werewolf child, speak to Aunt Thea,” the witch cried. “Tell us your story.”
There was a long moment of silence in which no one spoke. Stasia hardly dared to breathe. The fog continued to pour from the water, but nothing happened. No ghostly figures. No voices from beyond the grave. The hole in her stomach was beginning to grow. It felt like it was going to swallow her up whole.
She had to call this thing off. It wasn’t going to work. She was fooling herself if she thought she’d ever make anything up to Billy. His love letter was like a red-hot brand in her pocket. It was going to melt into her flesh and remain there forever as a reminder of her failure.
Just as she was about to tell the cameras to cut, the fog changed. It became pure white, like fluffy clouds. The lights in the room flickered and a disembodied voice echoed from its depths.
“Who’s there?” It was sweet and feminine. Nothing at all like what Stasia expected. “Who calls me?”
“Esther?” Stasia peered desperately into the fog. “Can you talk to us? We have questions about you. And about Billy.”
“Billy?” A torso appeared above the silver tray. It was the figure of a young woman with long dark hair, a smooth complexion, and black eyes. She was translucent and colorless, but her beauty was apparent nonetheless.
“Yes, your fiancé.” Stasia scooted as close to the tray as she could get. Adrenaline coursed through her veins. “What can you tell us about that horrible night that cut your life tragically short?”
Her face grew dark and she frowned. Memories seemed to reflect in her eyes. She shuddered and looked pointedly at Stasia. “Why do you want to know? Why do you care so much about me?”
Stasia bit her lip and her breath caught in her lungs. “I...I want to know because I care for Billy. He blames himself for your death. I want to set the record straight.”
Recognition flashed in Esther’s eyes. She narrowed them and growled. “It’s you. You’re the one he loved.”
Stasia nodded her head just a fraction of an inch. “Yes. And I’m so sorry.”
“Do you love him?”
Esther’s question cut sharp and deep. Stasia inhaled a sudden breath of air and felt tears spring to her eyes. It was the question she’d been asking herself over and over again. Suddenly, in this moment, the answer came as clear to her as the occupants of the room.
“Yes, I do. More than I could ever imagine.”
Her heart sang with the confession. It had been there all along, tucked deep inside for years. She’d loved Billy since that summer. Back then, she didn’t know what love was, but she recognized it now. It made her want to dance and sing and scream all at once.
He was the only one who’d ever truly known her. A young man who hadn’t cared about her social status, her wealth, or even her physical beauty. He’d loved her first as a friend and that love had grown into the most beautiful love of all. One that was lasting and intense. One that made her feel the need to shield his fragile heart from anything. Including her own foolish behavior.
Esther observed her for a moment, her lips pressed into a thin line. Anger and jealousy wracked her face. Finally, a kind of acceptance melted away the lines in her forehead and she sighed softly.
“I’m glad to hear it. Billy is a wonderful man. He might not have been the man for me, but he was still a wonderful leader, a dedicated alpha, and a respectable man. He deserves to be happy with you.”
Stasia swallowed her nervousness and shifted in her seat. “He seems to think that his refusal to end your marriage contract was what got you killed.”
Rage flashed in Esther’s eyes. She snarled and bared her teeth. “No, what got me killed were those hunters. They wanted to eradicate us. Wipe us from the Earth. Billy’s only fault was in thinking I would follow his instructions. He couldn’t have known I would rush into battle. But I wasn’t going to let him fight them alone. It was my pack, too. I would’ve died for them a thousand times.”
Esther’s image flickered and Thea leaned forward, her thick black dress bunching at her thighs. “She’s not going to last on this mortal plane much longer, I’m afraid. Better finish up.”
Stasia nodded and cleared her throat. “Esther, I appreciate you coming tonight. I hope these words ease Billy’s soul. Do you have any last message you’d like to impart? Any unfinished business?”
“I have no unfinished business.” Esther snorted and tossed her head. “My pack is alive and I’ve rejoined my family. I’m happy. There is nothing left for me to do. I just wish that Billy will stop blaming himself for my death. If he can’t forgive himself, then I won’t be able to rest in peace. Tell the brute that he better knock it off or I’ll come and haunt his butt for the rest of his pathetic life.”
She laughed and the image faded. The fog rolled back into the silver tray as if it were being vacuumed up by a giant Hoover. Thea fanned herself with her hands and collapsed back into her chair, exhaustion showing in the lines on her face. She gave Stasia a thumbs up and then promptly fell asleep, her head rolling to her chest and soft puffs of air escaping through her thin lips.
Stasia grasped the armrests of her chair for a moment, orienting herself to what had just happened. Esther had been everything she’d hoped for. She’d cleared Billy of any wrong-doing. She’d given him her blessing. Stasia couldn’t have asked for anything better. Now, she could only pray that the stubborn werewolf had the sense to watch the program and get the message himself.
“Now you see, Monstrana,” she said breathlessly into the camera. “Billy Finley really is our werewolf hero. I hope you all celebrate him as much as I do tonight.”
She closed her eyes and wil
led herself to end the broadcast. Her message had been sent and there was nothing left to do. But ending the show felt like severing the last link she had to Billy. Without it, they were officially done. It hurt more than she could explain.
“Billy,” she opened her eyes to stare into the camera, “I don’t want you to feel like you owe me anything for tonight’s broadcast. I did this because I wanted to make up for a mistake almost two decades in the making. You loved me and I stomped on that love with my distrust and anger. I should’ve known better. Should’ve opened my eyes to what I had in front of me. I’m so sorry.”
Silence filled the room. She could hear her heart pounding in her chest. With one last inhale, she managed a small smile and nodded at the camera.
“And to the citizens of Monstrana, this is my last broadcast at Lochness. I loved filling your living rooms with the supernatural kind of entertainment, but I’m dedicating myself now to the running of the country. You deserve a leader who will give herself to you fully. I know that, now. I couldn’t ask for a better calling in life. As such, I will be leaving tonight for my very first royal mission outside of Monstrana. A werewolf village in the country of Ghana awaits my arrival. Just remember that I love you all.”
Mr. Treckle motioned at the cameras and the blinking red lights shut off. The spotlights on Stasia dimmed and the whole room shuffled about in awkward silence. Nothing seemed to disturb Thea from her nap, though. Stasia grabbed a blanket from the set and placed it softly over the old woman’s lap.
“Very good, very good,” Mr. Treckle exclaimed, his exuberant smile causing a double chin to form on his neck. “I’ll bet Myra’s bleeding mad right about this moment. I can’t wait to see her face.”
“I think I’ll go clean out my desk and get out of here, Mr. Treckle, if that’s alright with you.” Stasia rolled her sore shoulders and watched the cameras being torn down. “I’d prefer not to be here when she shows up.”
“That’s probably for the best,” he said, rubbing his chest. She turned to leave and was two steps away before he called out again. “Oh, and Ms. Pavlosky?”
She cringed, wondering what kind of last-minute insult he’d hurl her way.
“That was a fantastic interview.” He chuckled softly. “The best idea you’ve come up with yet. If you ever decide to come back to broadcasting, give me a call. There’ll be a place here for you.”
A small smile played on her lips. She nodded her head and continued toward the exit. What a change of events. The range of emotions from this day had left her exhausted and weak.
She might never get to see Billy again, but at least she’d done her best to mend his shattered soul. And hopefully, wherever in the world he ended up, he’d have a clear conscience.
And maybe, one day she’d get over this heartbreak.
Chapter Eighteen
Billy stared at the television screen, not really sure what he’d just witnessed. Esther, from beyond the grave, talking about how happy she was now and absolving him of all wrong-doing. And Stasia. Beautiful, wonderful, lovely Stasia confessing that she loved him on live TV. His heart seemed to swell with the knowledge.
Puncturing the introspective moment was the sound of a witch cackling in the background. Billy turned to see Madge shoving the last handful of popcorn into her mouth and then making the bowl disappear with a snap of her fingers.
“I told you, didn’t I?” she asked, her cheeks pink. “Good old Althea always comes through on a promise.”
“You knew.” He stared at her, unblinking.
“Of course, boy. Now, don’t make old Madge kick you in the rear. Go get your girl.”
He sprung from the couch, adrenaline coursing through his body. She was right. He needed to go to Stasia. Take her into his arms and show her just how much he still loved her. But how would he get there? His beater truck would take hours to get there. That was much too slow and Stasia could be leaving the country any minute now. He needed a better way.
“Any chance those handy powers of yours include transportation?” he asked.
“No can do,” she said with a shake of her head. “Not unless you want to risk reappearing with your skin inside out. I’d suggest you try less supernatural modes of transportation.”
He shuddered and turned toward the door. The truck was it. His only option. He’d better get a move on.
“Thanks, Madge!” he yelled over his shoulder. “You’re a doll.”
“Don’t mention it,” she said, slapping her thigh with a grin. “Just another love match in the books.”
He ran through the screen door and stopped short when he spotted a familiar 88’ red Toyota pickup parked in his drive. Two people were getting out and walking his way. He recognized the hulking form of his friend Garret and the petite shape of his sister in the fading evening light.
“Billy, did you catch Stasia’s interview?” Ashley asked. She looked at him with big green eyes, her lower lip trembling.
“Yes, I’m on my way to her now.”
He didn’t really have time to talk. The seconds were ticking away. Stasia could be back at the castle by now. Or, she could be on her way to the airport for all he knew. He needed to be on the road.
“There’s something you have to know, first.” She followed him toward his truck.
“Can’t this wait?”
He tried to remember how much gas he had in the tank. Was it enough to make it to the studio or would he have to waste precious moments at the gas pump?
Rounding the front of his truck, he cursed and kicked at the ground. The front driver’s tire had been viciously slashed. No doubt, another part of the Wilson brothers’ shenanigans from last night. The tire lay flaccid on the ground. No way was it going anywhere soon.
Despite the fact that Billy knew the brothers were currently sitting in a stuffy Molodoy jail cell, awaiting the trial that would most likely expel them from their pack, he didn’t feel any satisfaction at that moment. Instead, he felt the strong desire to punch each of them in their big snouts.
“Looks like your truck isn’t going nowhere tonight,” Garret said, whistling when he caught a look at the damage. “Those boys got you good.”
Billy clenched his fists and snarled. If only he hadn’t kept his spare tires in the garage. Now, they were melted piles of goo. No good to anyone.
“Billy, seriously, I really have to tell you something.” Ashley tugged on his flannel shirt, redirecting his attention toward her.
She flinched when she got a look at his face. He forced himself to calm down and breathe, putting on a neutral expression. “What did you want to say?”
Ashley stared down at her painted toenails and wrung her hands together. “I was the one who stole your letter all those years ago. I was the one who turned Stasia into the palace guard. I was jealous of your friendship and wanted her all to myself. This is my fault. I apologized to Stasia this morning, but I needed to tell you, too.”
Garret reached down and took Ashley’s hand in his. She looked up at him and he smiled softly, squeezing her fingers.
Shock and anger hit Billy simultaneously. His breath came out in forced puffs of air, his whole body tightening. He stared at his sister and thought about giving her a good tongue lashing. A lecture that she would never forget.
He’d been a good big brother to her. Maybe not always the most patient, but definitely above average. How could she have done such a terrible thing to him? It was as if he didn’t know her at all.
But just as quickly as it came, the anger was gone. In its place was a strong sense of calm. That summer had been hard on all of them. His sister never really had the best luck at making friends. Especially, with girls her age. Maybe this wasn’t the way he’d wanted things to go down, but Ashley was still his baby sister and he’d do anything for her. Including, forgive her for something that had so altered his life.
“I still love you, kid,” he said, wrapping her up in a tight squeeze. Her eyes widened in shock and then she smiled and returned the
embrace. “Thank you for telling me. I guess it all makes sense now.”
Stasia hadn’t known about the letter when she’d chewed him out. She’d been angry about someone turning her into the palace guard, not about his declarations of love. The mix-up seemed almost comical now.
“If there’s any way I can make it up to you, let me know.” She blinked through her tears. Garret ran his large hand up and down her back.
“I don’t suppose there’s any way you can get me to Lochness Broadcasting Studios in the next few minutes?” he asked, scratching the back of his head. “I’m kind of in a hurry to see a girl.”
“As a matter of fact,” a grin tugged at her lips and the tears faded, “Garret has a plane. We just went for a ride this afternoon. Our very first date.” She smiled adoringly up at the big man. “He can get you anywhere you want on this island in less than an hour. Will that do?”
“It’s a small Cessna 172,” Garret explained, his eyes never leaving Ashley’s face. “All fueled up and ready to go.”
“Let’s go!” Billy grabbed his friend’s arm and tugged him toward the Toyota.
They’d have to talk about that budding relationship and the rules about dating his sister later. Right now, they had a plane to catch.
❖
“Are you sure you know how to fly this thing?” Billy splayed a hand on the window next to him and gritted his teeth. The plane dropped a few feet in the air, sending his stomach contents up into his mouth.
“Relax, buddy.” Garret grinned from behind the controls, huge headphones over his ears. “We’re almost there. You can change your underwear when we land.”
“Ha, ha, very funny.” Billy gave him a sour frown and grimaced when the plane dropped again.
He was of the mind that a werewolf belonged on the ground at all times. None of this flying nonsense. That was for birds and bugs. Not creatures of the woods, like him. Still, he’d take a hundred planes if it meant he could see Stasia tonight. He was within minutes of finding her. Holding onto that thought, he managed the rest of the bumpy ride and the treacherous landing on the busy Monstrana airstrip.
Bite the Big Heartache: Werewolf Shifter Romance (A Monstrana Paranormal Romance Book 2) Page 11
