by R. L. Wilson
“What are you expecting from this reading?” she asks.
I shrug. “Clarity, I guess. I’m trying to locate my mother.”
She flicks the cards back and forth from one hand to the next. She flips one card over labeled The Fool then places it on the table. And I nearly spit fire. I’m no one’s fool, but carry on.
She flips another card labeled Lovers.
“I’m a fool in love?” I growl.
“No, these are two different cards. You are around a lover. Are you in love?”
“Uh, no.” I shake my head.
“It’s in your cards; you will fall in love. The Fool card means you need to be careful. Don’t be easily persuaded. Ponder before you react.” She nods.
“I got it.”
“Twenty dollars, please.” She holds her hand out. I was going to slap her five. The reading took all of five minutes and it’s twenty dollars? I need this hustle.
I pay the lady before racing from her table. She might hustle me out of the shirt on my back. We continue down the road, viewing the vendor tables. A woman passes us and gives me a nasty stare. She’s a shifter; I observed the fur on her paws. I lean back, skeptical of who she is. Hopefully this is not another relative. Or another attack, like Derrick and the pack.
She stops, pivoting around to us. “I don’t want to harm you, I want to say thank you,” she says calmly, a thick twang to her voice. Staring at her bronze face, it’s like I’ve seen her somewhere before. It must be deja vu.
“For what?” I shake my head, puzzled by what she’s talking about.
“I need to show you how you saved me.” Morgan and I follow her.
Morgan tugs at my arm and whispers, “Are you sure about this?”
I nod yes. “It can’t hurt. They have accused me of causing trouble since I got here.” Someone thanking me for something is a breath of fresh air. I at least want to know why.
We walk with her for a while. In silence, she’s focused on her destination. Until we come upon the land I accidentally awakened last night. I tremble internally. I’m sure she isn’t thanking me for this. What’s her motive?
Morgan eyebrows knitted together—her confused expression. Is she going to attack us? Hell, I’m still sore from yesterday.
We traveled a long way on a different path to end in the same location. But I examine the land differently now. I sense the power of the land, maybe because the sun is shining. There wasn’t much power last night.
“I’m sorry, Harmony, I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Jennifer.”
She has a fresh baby powder scent with periwinkle blue eyes. She has the brightest smile and her spirit is so happy. Her presence is calming; she won’t hurt us.
“This is my friend, Morgan.”
“Hi, Morgan.” She extends her hand, exposing the thick fur.
My laser magic is kicking in, and I know this land is ancient but somehow important. My heart palpitates. Shit, did I wake the dead?
“This land was stolen from my ancestors many years ago. Then used it as an instrument to trap my people in this moon curse.” She gasps then exhales. The tension rolls off her shoulders.
“When you healed the land, you released the moon curse from the werewolves.” She smiles.
“Now we are free thanks to you.” She turns her attention to me. Her face shows gratitude. “We can shift whenever we want. We don’t have to hide or be bullied anymore.”
Shit, I opened Pandora’s box. Maybe this is not such a good idea. Healing this land could be catastrophic for the rest of the paranormals.
We trudge up a slight hill and walk farther out in the middle of the land. The trees sway and the grass is an emerald green. Last night these trees were attacking us. Now they are part of the land.
Derrick and his pack crept from the shadows of the woods. My first instinct is to grab Morgan and run. But his face is peaceful. He grins, showing his crooked teeth. The pack comes closer and Morgan moves closer to me. She was clawed by one of them yesterday. But it’s not happening today. Derrick kneels down to the ground. I close my eyes and then open them again. My eyes must be playing an awful trick. But when I open my eyes, there he is kneeling before me. Along with Jennifer and the rest of the pack.
“You have rescued us therefore we will assist you in whatever you need.”
Chapter 14
What is going on around here? The wolves are kneeling at my feet. As if I’m the leader of the pack. I didn’t awaken the land for them, it was an accident. With rapid shakiness in my knees, I nearly fall to the ground.
I glance over at Morgan, whose darting gaze lands on the face of Derrick. Either she’s shocked or terrified, but she stands as still as a deer caught in headlights. The only thing moving is her slick black hair, ruffling in the slight wind.
“Harmony,” a sharp, deep voice calls from nearby.
I recognize the voice. However, I'm stuck staring at the werewolves before my eyes. I’m soaked with sweat from anxiety. I can’t believe this. Wishing I could disappear is imminent in the back of my mind.
A tap on my shoulder snaps me out of it. Pivoting around to the hand on my shoulder, my warm gaze lands upon Morgan. I’m confused. because I didn't consider it was her calling my name. Morgan points to the street behind me. I blindly turn my head toward the street, where I view Kato coming toward me. He is the one calling my name.
I wipe the damp hair from my face then race to him, leaving the pack kneeling. I need his help. I don’t have a clue about wolf packs except they shift. After the brawl involving the pack, I’m a little terrified. And since I’m paranoid, I assume it might be a trap. But I need help. I’ve got to trust someone other than Morgan.
“What’s going on over here?” He wipes his brow as sweat trickled down his chest “Why are they kneeling at your feet?” he questions.
“My magic has gotten dark,” I say, trying to avoid the questions he asked.
“Harmony, trust me, you don’t have any dark magic.” He points to the wolves who are now standing and chitchatting amongst themselves.
“What’s this?” He gulps the last bit of water from a bottle then tosses it across the field.
Against my better judgment, I tell him what Jennifer said. He was already angry before I healed the land. I don’t want him to be even more pissed now.
“Now, be more careful around Andrea.”
“Why?”
“Why? The pack is her biggest enemy, are you kidding me?” His face is now bright red. I’ve got no energy to argue. I’m hot, sweaty, and frustrated.
“Since you have awakened the land and broken a curse for the wolves, she will view you as an enemy.”
I lower my head as my blood goes cold, causing me to shiver. I didn’t realize the possible negative effect on my relationship with Andrea. After all, she’s my family. And she has been nothing but welcoming since I arrived to New Orleans.
“Who will tell her?” If she doesn’t know, I can’t become her enemy. Besides, the wolves sniff out a person ten times better than any other paranormal.
He raises a brow, silently assessing my face, nostrils flaring. “News around here spreads like wildfire. There’s only a limited amount of time before she knows.” His voice raises.
“I understand.” I hold my hands up. “We’re wasting time.”
“I came here to tell you I located Prentiss’s base of operations.” He bites his bottom lip. “Sneaky bastard is hiding on the east side of town. Last place I would search.”
My heart rate speeds up and I almost wince. “You did?”
“However, there’s no sight of Jeanette at the location.” He scratches his head. “I want to construct an offense against Prentiss.”
“What did you have in mind?” I’m willing to do almost anything to get my mother home.
He shakes his head. “Don’t have a plan yet.”
I snap my finger. “I’ve got it! I’ll ask Andrea to run an offense against Prentiss while I save my mother.”
“Remember, Jeanette might not be there. No one has seen a lady.”
“She’s there, where else would she be?” I assure him.
And I have these werewolves with their amazing ability to find Momma by her scent. I hold my index finger up at Kato and race over to the wolves. The gravel crunches as I run, stinging my feet. My body is sluggish and sore from the day before. I have to ignore the pain.
Before I make it to Derrick, Morgan grabs me by my forearm. A sharp expression of fear crosses her face. “My aura tells me there’s danger relating to your mom, and it doesn’t feel good.”
I shake my head. “Don’t worry, Morgan, it will be ok. Kato might have found her. ”
She releases her grip and steps aside.
“I need some help to find my mother,” I say to the pack. “She was kidnapped.” I reach in my purse and pull out the picture I took from the nightstand.
Derrick grabs the picture and glances at it before taking a sniff. He passes it around to the rest of the pack.
What is this, sniff and scratch? The rest of the pack is sniffing the picture. Is their scent detector strong enough to pick up her scent from a picture?
“We got her scent; we will break into different groups to go find her.” He hands the picture to me, then wipes his nose with his paw.
A white dove flies above my head, landing on Morgan’s shoulder. I continue conversing with Derrick, but I notice the bird shift into a small woman with steel-grey eyes.
I observe her from the corner of my eye as she and Morgan have a conversation. Derrick continues talking and I catch what he says, all while having my attention on Morgan. The grim sight of despair graces Morgan’s face. I strut away from Derrick, leaving him talking as the rest of the pack disperses.
Before I make it to Morgan, the woman quickly shifts back into a dove. And as quick as she came, she flies away.
I continue walking to Morgan and judging by her face, it isn’t good news. The hum of her heartbeat is loud enough for me to hear.
We get within a foot of each other and Morgan’s eyes fill with tears. My heart stops, my hands tremble. It’s something horrific. Morgan hardly ever cries. I swallow the lump of pain in my throat, telling myself as long as Momma is alive, I will get through this.
“Who is the shifter?”
“Uhm, uhhh.” She fidgets around. Sweat beams down her temples.
The suspense is eating me alive. “Come on, out with it,” I demand.
“She is a messenger from Prentiss.” She sighs.
“Ok, and?”
“She said your mom is in danger and the clock is ticking.”
“Did she say she was hurt?” My eyes bulge.
Morgan darts glances around, then at the ground, trying to avoid eye contact with me. This is serious. I need her attention.
I grab her face. “Is my mother hurt?” My voice is a low growl, strong and assertive.
“No. Not yet.”
I remove my hand and gasp, placing my hand over my heart.
She’s not hurt and we still have time. Maybe not much. I race over to Kato. I need to let him know. Morgan follows behind.
“Kato,” I say, panting, trying to catch my breath. “Can I count on you to do one thing for me?”
I don’t completely trust Kato, but I have no other choices. He has the most resources here; this is his hometown.
“Of course. You will learn to trust me one day. I’m on your side.”
“Get Andrea to run the offense, distract him.”
He nods. “No problem.” Then he trots down the hill toward the city.
Exhausted from the sun beaming above our heads, I take a seat on the grass and lay my head on my knees. I’m not sure what’s worse, not knowing where she is or finally knowing for certain Prentiss has her.
Morgan takes a seat on the grass beside me.
“We’ll find her,” she says, trying to give me hope. I appreciate having a friend like Morgan. She traveled across the country to help me.
Footsteps hitting the gravel behind us startle me and I glance back to witness who is there. It’s Derrick, and he’s back fast.
I spring to my feet then nervously walk forward. Did he find out anything? Shit. I push my hair back and bite on my inner cheek.
His eyes dart around the scenery as if worried someone is listening. His gaze lands on my face. “Got a location, and the scent is fresh.”
Chapter 15
Holy shit, a huge castle with a pointed roof. Spooky is an understatement. I’d bet there are tons of spirits floating through this house. Dark clouds loom across a dusky gray sky. The castle is three times the size of Andrea’s headquarters. It sits alone on a hill, with nothing in sight for at least two city blocks. “We’re going in alone to find Momma?” I question.
“Yes, and they have twenty-four-hour guards,” Derrick says as we watch the castle. My laser vision is hazy, but I observe someone pacing the pavement.
I zero in on a creature standing in front of the entrance. His orange eyes are like flames of fire. Horns peel from his skull. Gray fur zips along its tail. I’m not sure what it is, but I’m sure it will do some damage to us.
“There’s a guard at each entrance,” Derick mutters. “No telling how many on the inside.”
We’ll need more backup. Me, Jennifer, Derrick, and Morgan can’t take on all these beasts.
I try again to use my laser magic but it’s clouded by a thick haze. I gasp, realizing something other than my inadequate abilities is blocking my magic. I’ll have to go old-school and use my two fists, because I’m not leaving without Momma. Derrick lifts his hand to his forehead to block out the sun. “Some other wolves are coming.” A long sigh escapes from his lips as if he is relieved we have more fighting power.
Three male wolves come ready for war.
Derrick devises a plan: Enter through the side door. The guard standing watch is much smaller. The castle is gigantic but by the time he calls for backup we will be in already.
With the other wolves we are now seven strong. We have to get there and quick before someone becomes suspicious of us.
We race toward the side entrance. Our intended goal is to ambush the guard. A cool breeze from air encircling the castle brushes against my legs. I keep running at the guards straight ahead. Blades of wet grass hit my ankles. Anxiety pierces my guts; too late to turn back now.
The pack shifts into wolves racing down the hill. It’s hard for me and Morgan to keep up, but we are only feet behind. Shit, the guard spots us and grabs his walkie-talkie. Before he gets a word out, Derrick shifts and slams him against the stone wall of the castle. He slides down to the ground.
We reach the door and I push and pull on the door. It doesn’t budge. I’m trying to catch my breath but a panic attack is coming on. For a second, everything is silent. Morgan voice brought me back. My lungs open and I take in a deep breath.
Morgan smacks her lips. “This door is a thick wood, and locked.”
Derrick grunts and raises his hands, shaking the keys he must have gotten out of the guard’s pocket.
Problem is there’s twenty keys and we don’t have time to check all of them. Derrick tries two of the keys before static from the walkie-talkie floats through the air.
“Benny, are you there?” the voice from the walkie talkie says.
We only have a few minutes before they realize Benny is out cold. I grab the keys from Derrick and scan the keychain. All the keys appear the same. One has a skull engraved on the top, so this must be it. I grab it and it zaps me. I grab it again, trembling, but get the key in the door.
The key turns and my entourage cheers quietly. After such a close call, sweat trickles from my brow as I push the door open.
We creep in one by one. I go behind Derrick since he’s the leader of the pack. Better that Derrick gets hit first. Everything is silent and dark. We walk up a set of stairs and come upon a kitchen. The gray clouds barely allow any light through the window.
One wolf flicks the li
ght on the wall. “She’s here,” another wolf says as he sniffs the air. He points toward the ceiling. “She’s upstairs. I smell the blood pumping through her veins.”
Damn, they can pick up a drop of blood a hundred miles away. Their noses are better than any hound dog. They’re keen sense is magnificent. Good thing they’re on my side and not my enemies.
“Okay, we’ll break up in small groups,” Derrick says before a crash comes from the front of the house. “Shit, the guards know we’re here. Break now.”
Everyone scatters, but we are surrounded by three beasts. Derrick shifts into a full silver werewolf and attacks. The largest of the beasts knocks Derrick to the floor.
I drop the keys and race to the sink in search of a knife. I’ll need more than my fists. I don’t get more than a few feet before I’m thrown against the wall. My hands are yanked roughly behind my back. I squirm uselessly, trying to get free.
My magic better kick in. Or else this will be the end. The heat from his breath with the stench of jalapeños nearly melts my neck. A deep grunt then a thick, muffled voice Asks, “What’s your business here?”
“I’m here to find my momma.” My voice is shaky. I’m petrified, my stomach queasy. Breakfast may come rushing through my mouth. My face gets pushed harder into the wall. “You came to the wrong damn house. Your momma isn’t here, little girl.”
My breathing rapid, my body shaky, from the corner of my eye I view Morgan with a large object in her hand, aiming for his head. Thump, boom, he crashes to the ground. My hands free, I close my eyes and let out a sigh.
Turning around I see another creature charging toward me. There are five beasts in here now. I jump and kick him in the stomach. He stumbles back and then charges toward me again. I’m using what I have, but he is too strong and overbearing. He grabs me by the throat. I struggle, trying to breathe, then I knee him in the stomach.
He releases his grip from my throat so he can grab his stomach. I race to Morgan, who’s pinned down by a beast. My teeth crack with anger. I grab the beast and fire shoots from my hand. My magic is working again. The beast rolls off Morgan and I turn and unleash a bolt of fire to the asshole who had me by the throat.
