Brooks laughs. “They’ll eat it if you make it. How about we make a small salad? That way there’s no pressure for anyone to have some.”
The doorbell rings as Brooks pulls various salad ingredients out of the refrigerator.
“I’ll get it.” As I leave the kitchen, I notice that Brooks is suddenly serious, almost tense. He’s not smiling, and that makes me nervous. He is always smiling.
I open the door and am surprised to see a woman standing there. “Hello. Can I help you?”
This is the most ridiculous-looking woman I’ve ever seen. That hair, her clothes, the perfume, I don’t even know where to start. Wow, that’s a lot of makeup on just one face.
“Hello. I’m Christi Chambers. I’m sure you’ve heard of me. I’m very popular. I wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood. I’ve heard so much about you around town that I couldn’t let one more day go by without coming to introduce myself. I just know we’re going to be best friends. Can I come in?” She pushes her way in before I can reply.
Hold on, I’ve heard that voice before. This is the person responsible for the break-in. She’s the one trying to get rid of me, hoping to get Jack in the process.
“Sure. Come on in. We’re just getting dinner ready.” I walk back into the kitchen. Brooks is still not smiling, and he has his phone in his hand.
“Brooks, we have company. Have you met Christi before?” I wink at Brooks, hoping he gets the message held in the wink. That I know who she is. That’s a big job for just one wink. I need to get the information to him some other way.
“Hey, Christi.” He nods ever so slightly toward me and puts his phone on the counter. Maybe he got the message after all.
“I hope you don’t mind, Christi, but we’re going to continue our dinner prep. Would you like a glass of wine? I just opened this one. It’s a Pinot Nero from Italy and it’s really good.” I point to the wine.
“No thank you. I only drink white zinfandel. Do you have any of that? I like a few ice cubes in it if you do. Tell me, what brings you to our town? I can’t believe we haven’t met before now.” She puts her giant bag on the counter.
“I only have red wine, sorry. I guess we just haven’t run into each other. Before the closing on the house I was traveling around New England, taking day trips. Since the closing, I’ve been here at the house. Just busy I guess.” I watch her in awe.
This is the strangest creature I’ve ever seen. The orange tint to her skin is unusual. Why would someone do that, on purpose?
She looks around, a puzzled expression on her face. “I thought this house needed a lot of work. This is nicer than I thought it would be. Someone said the property used to be part of a farm. I was expecting it to be dirtier. I like the fireplace.”
How does she get her hair to stay up on her head like that? It looks heavy.
“I don’t recall anything being said about a farm, but I guess it could have been a long time ago. And you’re right, it did need a lot of work and it still does. Jack and his crew have been amazing. Ever since the break-in last weekend, Jack’s been sleeping here. Work has gone on around the clock.” I look over at Brooks. I think he’s only pretending to be busy with the salad. Interesting.
“Oh, my goodness, someone broke in? I hope everything is OK.” She raises her eyebrows to express her over-exaggerated concern.
The makeup on her face looks like it’s straining under the pressure. Does she even know how fake that sounded? I really want to laugh right now, but I hold it in. I’m finding it hard to believe that this is the woman who wants Jack.
I can see Brooks rolling his eyes and I take a sip of wine before I answer. “Yes, last weekend, on Sunday. I really should thank the person. Ever since that night, Jack has been sleeping here. He is one sexy man. I have a big crush on him and it’s no secret. The nights are getting steamy.” I lean over the counter on my elbows toward her and lower my voice to a whisper. “I think it could turn into something serious. Fingers crossed.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. Jack is uncatchable. Everyone in town has tried. He’d never go for someone like you anyway. I heard a rumor that he’s gay. You know, I have the perfect guy for you. I’ll pull up a picture on my phone.” She digs around in her huge bag, her arm going in all the way up to her shoulder.
“Jack is definitely not gay. The orgasm I had last night is proof of that. The man is incredibly talented. The break-in not only brought Jack into my house, but it also landed him in my bed. Like I said, I should thank the person.” I lock eyes with her, not blinking and my expression flat. I need her to know that I’m completely serious.
I think she’s getting twitchy. Brooks watches closely. The look on his face tells me he can’t believe what I just said. If he didn’t know before, he definitely knows that I know who Christi is now.
Christi breaks eye contact and walks around the island to where I’m standing, near the dining table. She holds out her phone to show me a picture.
“This is Carl. He’s just your type. Cute, right? We should all go out sometime. We can double date. Me and Jack, you with Carl. I can set it up for next weekend. Won’t that be fun?” She continues to scroll through her pictures.
“I’m keeping Jack for myself. I really like him. And like I said already, I think it could be serious.” I walk to the opposite end of the island, closer to the hallway. I don’t like her being that close to me. She smells terrible. No wonder the police knew who was here that night. You can smell her for blocks.
She points at me. “Is this how you look normally? I can help you if you want. It’ll take a lot of work, but we’ll get there eventually. People ask me all the time how I do it. I’ll share my secrets with you if you promise not to tell anyone. I’m sure my beauty advice would be worth a fortune.” She continues to look me up and down, her nose scrunched with disapproval.
Did she just insult me? I think she did.
I step away from the island toward the hallway to the front door. “No, thank you. You can keep your advice. Well, we really need to get ready for dinner. The guys will be coming in soon. Maybe you can come back some other time.”
I turn around to see if she’s taking the hint to leave. For a second, I can’t move. I’m stunned and can’t comprehend what I’m seeing.
I gasp in disbelief. “Are you seriously pointing a gun at me?”
I try to hold back my laughter. It’s not funny, but at the same time, it is. I can’t imagine what she thinks this will accomplish.
Brooks spins around. “Oh shit. Don’t do anything stupid, Christi. Put the gun away.” His arms are outstretched toward her.
Her attention is focused on me as she talks. “Don’t move, Brooks. Just stay over there. You’re not the one I have a problem with.”
“Let me get this straight. You came to my house to be my friend and get me away from Jack. When that didn’t work like you wanted it to, you pull out a gun. Am I missing anything? Was the competition not what you were expecting?”
Brooks watches her. I think he’s getting closer to her a little at a time.
I continue talking, hoping to stall her. “Wow, you’re crazier than I thought. And because you seem to be new at the whole criminal thing, let me give you some advice. When you break into someone’s house, don’t wear your perfume. Everyone knows it was you. The police have been following you all week. And they know you’re here now.
“Do you really think that Jack will go running to you if you shoot me? He moved in here to protect me from you. Think about what you’re doing. This is not going to end well for you if you don’t put the gun away. It’s not too late, Christi. Put it away and let’s discuss this like adults.” I stand completely still, waiting.
“Shut up, you bitch. You don’t know anything. He was mine until you took him. You destroyed everything. All my plans to control them are ruined. If I get rid of you, then it can still work. Just shut up and stop talking.” Christi is breathing hard and is on the verge of panic.
I’m starting to
think the gun was not part of her plan. Nothing she’s saying is making any sense. I need to pull back on my attitude to get a handle on the situation.
Before I can respond to her outburst, Runt walks up behind me. He must have been in one of the bedrooms. I’m relieved that it’s not just me and Brooks here. I wonder if anyone else is around. I didn’t pay attention when everyone left.
“What the fuck is going on in here?” Runt moves to stand beside me. His focus is on Christi. He’s breathing hard and sounds angry.
“Move away from the bitch, Runt! I don’t want to hurt you.” Christi’s yelling now. She’s definitely panicking.
I’m starting to get nervous.
I don’t know where my phone is to call for help. Brooks’ phone is on the island but neither of us is close to it. I need to think. How else can we call for help?
“I’m not anywhere near you, bitch.” Runt doesn’t take his eyes off her.
Man, I love a smart-ass, but now is not the time.
She moves so that the gun is pointed at Runt. “Move away from the girl. Now!”
“I can’t do that. You’re going to have to shoot me.” Runt stands his ground, staring right at her.
I try to push Runt out of the way, but he isn’t letting me. It’s like trying to move a brick wall. When I try to get in front of him, he pushes me out of the way. I don’t want our struggling to intensify the already bad situation. Why is he refusing to let me handle this?
“I need to get back on track. The plan can be salvaged if I just get rid of her. Jack won’t know what’s best for him until I tell him. I’m the human. All of you are nothing but a bunch of animals. Don’t you understand, I’m trying to help you?” Christi sounds strangely calm and I don’t like it. Her eyes look weird and the gun is still pointed at Runt.
Everyone starts talking at once.
Runt roars at Christi. “You want to help me? You’re pointing a fucking gun at me.”
Brooks yells at me. “Ashley, move! Let Runt take care of it.”
I shout toward Christi, trying to be heard over everyone else. “Christi, I’m the one you have a problem with. Leave them out of it! Put the gun down and we can talk about it.”
I’m still fighting to push Runt out of the way, but he keeps pushing me back. Brooks won’t stop shouting my name, but I have to stay focused on Christi.
Everything is happening in slow motion but moving really fast all at the same time. I hear a strange shuffling commotion beside me and look over at Runt. Runt is not there, but a big brown wolf is. He’s growling and baring his teeth at Christi. Runt’s clothes are lying on the floor in pieces. I’m stunned. Runt just turned into a wolf right beside me. I can’t even think about what just happened or how he did it, but I need to protect him.
I look back at Christi, she’s shaking uncontrollably.
“Stop. Everybody stop!” She’s shouting, and for once she has a good idea.
“Christi, put the gun down. We can sit by the fire and talk.” My voice is calmer, quieter. Maybe she’ll follow my lead.
I try to step in front of Runt again using my hip, but he won’t let me. He’s trying to get in front of me by moving on a diagonal. Is he still in there? If I talked to him, would he understand me? His growling is getting louder, and he’s taking small steps toward Christi. This can’t be good.
“Stop talking! Stop moving! Everybody shut up!” Christi’s yelling. Her eyes are wild, and her hair is falling down the more she shakes.
I glance over at Brooks. Wait a minute, his eyes are glowing just like Jack’s do in the middle of the night. The wolf in my dream had glowing eyes as well, and Runt is now a wolf. What is happening?
Christi’s shaking, her hands and the gun are all over the place. She’s frantically looking back and forth between Runt and Brooks. Runt is inching closer. Brooks looks like he’s about to launch himself over the counter toward Christi. I feel it in the air the second before it happens.
Christi is going to pull the trigger.
I scream and dive in front of Runt, smashing into him as a loud pop vibrates the room and echoes off the walls. One shot is fired. As Runt and I hit the floor, I look over to see Brooks leap across the island. He turns into a wolf in midair, landing on top of Christi, sending them crashing to the ground. The gun hits the floor with a metallic clank and slides out of reach, coming to a stop under the table.
Brooks has Christi pinned down. He’s baring his teeth and growling. Her tears are leaving black streaks down her face from all the makeup. She can’t move, but that doesn’t stop the yelling. “I hate you, you stupid bitch. You’ll never have him! You’re human! You ruined my plan to control them. I’ve spent years training the animals in this town.”
I move off Runt. I basically tackled him. I see small droplets of blood splattered everywhere. Not a lot but some. Is it mine? His? I don’t know. I don’t care right now. He’s not moving. When I dove into him, I think his head hit the corner of the wall.
Oh shit, oh shit. What do I do? I can’t even think about how they just turned into wolves right in front of me. I have to call for help. But who do I call? I can’t let anyone see them like this. I have to protect them, no matter what.
I crawl toward Brooks and Christi. Christi pulls an arm free and tries to grab me. I fall backwards just in time to avoid her fist. Brooks growls at her, his face only inches from hers.
“Brooks, are you in there? Do you understand me?” Brooks turns his head toward me slightly and nods. Holy shit. “OK, good. I think Runt is unconscious. He won’t wake up. You need to be you again so that you can help me move him before anyone gets here. We have to hide him.”
Brooks tilts his head sideways like he doesn’t understand me. Maybe he only understood his name. Shit! What do I do now? Nothing is making any sense and I can’t think of what to do.
“You stupid bitch. You have no clue what you’re dealing with. These animals will never be yours.” Christi’s yelling, and her sobbing has morphed into a hysterical laugh. She’s still trying to push Brooks off and her rants sound just as crazy now as they did before. This woman has clearly lost her mind.
Is Christi out of touch with reality, or am I? I’m the one trying to protect a wolf who, only moments ago, was a perfectly healthy man. He transformed right in front of me. She saw it too, but she acted like it was normal. Something she encounters every day. It almost seemed like she was expecting it. Which one of us is the crazy one?
I can’t think about any of that right now. I have to figure out what to do? Who do I call for help? How do I move this wolf? How do I get Brooks to understand what I’m saying? But he can’t help me without letting go of her. Where did the gun go?
I’m startled as the backdoor flies open in an instant. I jump in front of Runt, trying to shield him from view. Nicholai rushes through the door, followed by the sound of the front door banging against the wall. I panic. I can’t cover Runt from both directions. What about Brooks? They’re going to be discovered. I look up to see Jack coming toward me. Behind him are the police and the rest of his crew.
Before I can react, Jack is standing over me. He pulls me up into his arms and for a second, I let him hold me. My heart is racing, and I need a few minutes to calm down.
I try to push Jack toward Runt. I whisper. “No, Jack. Hurry, Runt won’t wake up. Help me move him. Please help me hide him. I’ll explain everything later.”
“I’ll take care of Runt, but first I have to know that you’re OK. Look at me, Ashley.” He’s holding me so close and trying to look me in the eye.
I can’t think straight.
“I’m OK. It happened so fast. She fired a gun.” I pull back just enough to finally make eye contact with Jack, and I feel him relax.
Jack’s smile is so big that I’m completely confused. What is going on? I have to be missing something, but I can’t think straight.
Jack kisses the side of my head and whispers in my ear. “It’s over, Ashley. Everything is going to be OK.”
We’re both pushed out of the way by struggling police officers. Christi is not going peacefully, and they’re having a hard time getting her to the front door.
“You stupid bitch. He’ll never be yours. You’re human. These animals will never accept you.” Christi’s loud outburst is heard by everyone. She continues her rant as she’s dragged past us. “Jack! Jack! Tell them I’m yours. They’ll listen to you. Please, Jack. I was trying to get rid of her for you.”
Jack stares into my eyes and holds me close throughout her tirade, a smile slightly visible. He turns his back toward Christi and doesn’t look away from me for even a second. Everyone watches as Christi is finally dragged out of the front door. I can still hear her shrieks as the front door closes.
“I know you have a lot of questions. I’ll explain everything as soon as all the police clear out and it’s just us. OK?” Jack looks at me with concern.
“Yes.” I lay my head on Jack’s chest and let his warmth comfort me. I’m baffled by how calm I feel. Am I in shock?
Resting in his arms, I look around the room. Police are moving about everywhere. Brooks is back to being Brooks and is in the kitchen acting like nothing happened. The rest of the guys are talking in the living room with Nicholai. I make eye contact with Nicholai and he nods in my direction, the slightest smile on his lips.
When Nicholai came through the backdoor earlier, I know what I saw. He was looking right at me. His eyes were glowing bright red, and I’m positive there were small flames coming out of his mouth before he clenched his teeth. Fire! The man was breathing fire.
Jack, Brooks, and Runt’s eyes all glowed, but their eye color didn’t change in the process. They just glow, intensifying the color to a degree. But Nicholai’s changed from regular green eyes to a bright glowing red. I wonder what that means? Why are they so different?
Christi was yelling that I’m human. It didn’t make sense when she kept saying it before. I just thought she was crazy, but it seems to fit now. Brooks and Runt turned into wolves, Nicholai can breathe fire, and all their eyes glow in intense situations. What other secrets does this town have?
Delivered: (The Blackpaw Prophecy, Book 1) Page 15
