Broken Wolf

by Stacy Claflin

  A faint red light shone at the end of the tunnel, barely visible. I stretched out my hand and kept my fingertips along the damp wall as I tiptoed along. Droplets of freezing water ran onto my fingers and down my hand. Soft whispers sounded from the direction of the light. They seemed to be calling me by name.

  “Victoria.”

  “Viiiictoria…”

  “Victorrrrria…”

  “Victoria…”

  I wanted to run, but didn’t dare. I could barely see two inches in front of me. Breathing heavily and shivering, I kept my focus on the faint red light in the distance. The whispering grew louder with each step I took. Though it was hard to see, I picked up my pace as much as I could with the rocks under my bare feet.

  The whispering continued growing louder. Clearer. I could almost make out a word.

  “Come here…”

  I stumbled, but steadied myself against the wet, chilly wall.

  “Keep coming…”

  My heart raced. I walked as fast as I could without tripping myself up. Finally, I came to an open area. It was still really dark, but I could see the red light brighter on the ground. Or was it under? I moved closer and could see blue mixed in with the red.

  “Victoria.”

  “Viiiictoria…”

  “Victorrrrria…”

  “Victoria…”

  “I’m here.” I knelt on the ground and ran my hands over the light. Rocks covered the glow. I moved some pebbles out of the way. The bigger rocks would take more effort. I wrapped my hands around one that was close to the size of my head and pulled. My hands slipped and flew back. I wiped them on my sides to dry them, I gripped the stone from underneath, and then pulled again. It took a minute, but it finally budged. Then I managed to lift it and set it aside.

  The blue and red light shone brighter, lightly illuminating the area. The whispers sounded like conversation dancing around me. I couldn’t make out a single word. I pulled more rocks until I found the source of the blue and red light.

  A large red and blue stone attached to a thick, sturdy silver chain.

  “Victoria.” The whisper came from the artifact.

  “Viiiictoria…”

  “Victorrrrria…”

  “Victoria…”

  Heart racing, I reached for it. The whispers grew louder. Deafening. I picked up the heavy stone and held it up to get a better look. The stone was half the size of my palm with a red and blue swirling pattern.

  “Put me on.”

  I froze in place, staring at the beautiful artifact.

  “Wear me.”

  My hands shook, making the light bounce around.

  “Victoria.”

  I slid my fingers underneath the chain. My pulse raced through my body. The light grew brighter as I moved it closer to me. The whispers continued dancing around me, begging me to wear the beautiful gem.

  “Slide me on.”

  “Over your neck.”

  “Wear me.”

  “Put me on.”

  My mouth gaped slightly in wonder. I couldn’t resist the soothing whispers.

  Finally, I pulled it over my head and let the icy metal rest against my bare flesh. The light from the stone shone bright enough to light up the entire area. A locked chest and a bed sat at the far corner.

  The icy metal grew warm, first just enough so that it wasn’t cold against me, but then it warmed so much that I was no longer chilled in the freezing cave. The stone continued glowing. I rose to check out the ornate trunk, but the light intensified, glowing brighter and brighter until the light shot out of the stone, swirling and dancing toward the nearest wall.

  The light turned into a mist, which then appeared to be hardening into something solid.

  No, it was forming into someone. The outline of a large man appeared from the red and blue mist. My mouth gaped as the form continued turning into a person.

  He stood with his back to me. His form was far taller than average and extremely muscular. His arms and back were covered in tattoos. They appeared to be Nordic symbols and letters. His thick dirty blond hair fell to his shoulders. The scent of werewolf drifted my way. Like me, he wore no clothes. He stretched his arms and his neck before he slowly turned around.

  Our gazes locked. He stared at me with unnaturally bright blue eyes as though entranced. “You freed me.”

  My mouth wouldn’t form any words. We continued staring at each other. The room seemed deafeningly silent after all the loud whispering. At last, I found my voice. “Who are you?”

  “Fenrisúlfr. How long have I been in the stone?”

  “I-I don’t know. Centuries, probably.”

  He twisted his neck, popping it. “It feels like it.” He shook his hair and looked around the room, studying it.

  “How is it you speak English?” I asked.

  “The world created in the stone was made to match the outside world as it changed through the years—only without any other people. If a new house was built in your world, it showed up where I was in the stone. As new books appeared in stores and homes, I read them. Studied them. Then came the talking box. It was the only way I could see others, but never get close. The screen kept me from them.”

  The stone continued growing warmer. It was hot, but not excruciating. Rather, it felt powerful.

  He turned back to me. “How did you know to free me?”

  I cupped the stone. “It seemed to call to me.”

  “Nobody’s been to this cave the whole time I’ve been here.”

  “That’s because no one knew where the stone was. Plenty have searched for it, most have gotten killed.”

  He swore. “That stupid witch! How did you manage?”

  I shrugged. “I really don’t know.”

  We studied each other again. My mind raced. With him free, did that mean all wolves could shift at will now, or would more be required?

  “Perhaps we should get some clothes.” He turned and walked toward the chest. “I want to see the actual world for myself.”

  “Okay. What did you say your name was?”

  He turned back to me. “Fenrisúlfr. Have you not heard of me?”

  I shook my head no.

  “I’m the original werewolf—accidentally created by a careless witch.”

  “How did that happen?”

  “I had a pet wolf, and that made everyone in my village nervous. The witch tried to make me disgusted by the animal, instead, my pet and I became one, shifting from one form to the other.”

  I took a moment, letting the story sink in. “That’s how we came to be?”

  “Yes. Let’s get some clothes. I want to see the world for myself.” He turned around and yanked the lock from the chest.

  “Can I call you Fenri? Or Fen? Fenrisúlfr is a mouthful.”

  He turned back to me. “It means Hell Wolf.”

  My blood ran cold. “Oh.”

  “Call me what you wish.” He turned back to the chest and rifled through some fabric.

  “What do your tattoos mean?”

  “Warnings to stay away.”

  “Why?” I stepped closer, curious. He didn’t seem dangerous.

  “After I shifted into a wolf and then back to human, the village leaders restrained me with ties and marked me with these permanent warnings.”

  “That’s horrible.”

  “It is what it is. They’re all dead now.”

  My eyes widened. Dead from natural causes, or because he killed them all?

  He held up a deep blue regal robe. “This should fit you. Come here.”

  I walked over to him and he slid it over one of my shoulders and then around to the other.

  “It ties in the front.”

  “Thanks.” I found the small pieces of string and tied the robe from top to bottom.

  Fen turned back to the chest and found a red robe for himself. “This’ll do.” He eyed the stone. “Are you going to keep wearing that?”

  “If it’s okay with you.”

  His
face contorted. “I want nothing to do with that. Beware that a witch can lock you inside. It’s a horrible, lonely world—even with the talking boxes.”

  I gasped and reached for the stone. “I heard it’s supposed to be able to break the curse of the moon so we can shift whenever we want.”

  “I know nothing about that, but I can’t wait to shift and run free. I don’t suppose it’s the full moon?”

  “Not yet.”

  “That’s just as well. I need to get reacquainted with the world. Will you show me?”

  I nodded. “Let’s go.”

  Maybe between the two of us, we could figure out how to break the curse of the moon.

  Chapter 17

  Toby

  Tap stopped walking. “This is it.”

  A long row of caves loomed in front of us. The cliffs were to our left. Rushing water sounded from beyond them.

  “Which cave is it?” I asked.

  Tap held out the map. “That’s not clear. It could be any of them.”

  I counted them quickly. “Oh, only thirteen caves to explore. That’ll be easy.”

  He glared at me. “This isn’t my fault. If I’d had my way, my half of the map would’ve stayed hidden for many more centuries.”

  “I’m not mad at you. How are we supposed to find her? Even splitting up, that could take all day.”

  “We’re not splitting up,” he snapped. “Not when Fenrisúlfr could be on the loose. We stick together.”

  My stomach twisted in knots. What would the world’s most vicious werewolf do to Victoria?

  “How are we going to find her, then?” Hale asked.

  I turned to the young vampire. “Maybe you should head back home or the castle.”

  She folded her arms. “Why?”

  “The oldest rumors say that one bite from Fenrisúlfr can kill an entire line of vampires.”

  Her eyes widened. “What?”

  I swallowed. “There’s no gentle way of saying this. If you get bitten, your children, your parents, any siblings, and every other vampire in your line could die.”

  She swore. “I thought the stone was just going to let you guys shift at will.”

  Tap shook his head. “Magic always comes with a price.”

  “Now you’re telling me that my entire species is in danger?” Her eyes flashed red.

  “If the ancient rumors are true,” I said.

  Soleil put a hand on Hale’s shoulder. “I’ll try to take his essence from him, but I can’t make any guarantees. If I were you, I’d call the most powerful supernaturals you know. We have no idea what any of this means.”

  Hale shook, her eyes growing redder.

  I stepped closer. “Tell the queen that I’ll do everything in my power to keep vampires safe.”

  She nodded, handed me the spare clothes for Victoria, and then ran off, disappearing from sight.

  “What about Ziamara?” Soleil asked. “Is she safe at Moonhaven?”

  “She’s in labor at the castle.” I pulled out my phone and sent Jet a quick text, telling him to keep Ziamara there at all costs. Although, if Fenrisúlfr bit anyone from Zia’s line, she would die regardless of where she stayed.

  Jet sent me a text immediately.

  Y? Whats going on?

  I explained the situation as best I could over text. He replied with a string of profanities.

  Just tell the vampires so they can prepare.

  Fine. U kill that bastard.

  Killing him could wipe us all out.

  He swore again.

  I stuffed my phone into a pocket and stared at the caves. “I suppose we better get started. Maybe we can track her scent and figure out which one she’s in.”

  Tap held up the map. “I’ll keep the two pieces together just in case it gives us more specific results as we get closer.”

  Soleil put her hand on my arm. “I meant what I told Hale about draining that wolf’s essence.”

  “Won’t that kill him?” I asked.

  She smacked her forehead. “That’ll kill all you guys.”

  “Maybe,” Tap said. “That could just be an old wives’ tale.”

  Soleil stood taller. “There are other ways. I can leave in just enough so that he’s weak enough to subdue.”

  “Won’t his essence restore itself?” Tap asked.

  “Yeah, but you guys could lock him up and throw away the key. Then it won’t matter.”

  “Maybe,” I said. “But then we’d always worry about him escaping.”

  “I wish Victoria had never heard of the stone,” Tap muttered.

  Guilt ravaged me. I’d been the one to tell the pack about it. I should’ve done my research before saying a word.

  “Well, there’s no sense in regret,” Soleil said. “We can’t change the past—only the future. Which cave are we going to start with?”

  I studied the thirteen entrances. It was anyone’s guess which one she was in. There wasn’t anything to give us a clue as to where we should begin. Frustration ran through me. I wanted to find that ancient wolf and punch a hole in his face.

  Instead, I picked up a stone and chucked it at the caves. It flew into one.

  “That seems like a good place to start,” Soleil said.

  Tap marched toward the cave. Sighing, I followed him. I sniffed the air, trying to track Victoria’s scent. I picked up a trace, but it wasn’t strong enough to give me any clues. The air was mixed with salty ocean air, mermaids, vampires, faeries, and a whole host of other nearby creatures.

  We stepped inside the dark, cold hole. Water dripped all around, some misted on us, giving me the chills. I reached for my phone, turned on the flashlight, and shone it around. Puddles pooled all over the ground. Bats shrieked, jumped from their places on the roof, and flew down a tunnel.

  “Maybe that’s a sign,” Soleil said.

  “Or we just scared them,” Tap grumbled.

  “I don’t care. I’m following them.” I marched toward the cave, holding my phone out. Bats continued screaming and the sounds of their wings fluttering echoed all around. I sniffed the air again, not picking up even a trace of Victoria. It could have been because the bats’ odor was too strong, or because she had never been in there.

  The tunnel twisted and turned several times before coming to a dead end. Just as I’d figured.

  “Better turn around,” Soleil said.

  I shone the light on the map. “Has it changed?”

  Tap held his arm in front of his face. “No.”

  We trudged out of the cave into the bright light. It was growing dark outside, but was still much brighter than it had been in the cave. “Only twelve more caves to go.”

  “There has to be a better way to go about this,” Tap muttered. He turned to Soleil. “Isn’t there anything you can do?”

  “Like what?” She flicked her head in my direction. “He’s the one who should be able to sniff out a wolf.”

  “Not with as many other odors that are in the air around here.” I narrowed my eyes at the cave openings, trying to come up with something. “Wait.”

  “What?” Soleil and Tap said in unison.

  I turned to the valkyrie. “Can you suck out essence from a distance—?”

  “Drink,” she corrected.

  “Can you?”

  “What, you want me to just face the caves and drink, seeing what I can pull?”

  Excitement ran through me. “Yeah, actually.”

  Soleil shook her head. “It doesn’t work that way.”

  I leaned against the entrance and sighed in defeat. It would take all night to explore a dozen more caves.

  Footsteps sounded nearby. They echoed, like coming from a cave. My heart leaped into my throat and I jumped into position, not knowing what to expect. The footsteps continued, coming from the left.

  Tap, Soleil, and I exchanged curious glances. I turned back in the direction of the sounds.

  Two figures—a man and a woman—stepped out of a cave about a hundred yards down. I na
rrowed my eyes, trying to focus my vision. The setting sun was directly behind them, making it impossible to make out any distinguishing features. The only thing I could tell was that the female was similar to Victoria and the guy was enormous.

  Fenrisúlfr?

  They both turned our way and froze.

  “Is that them?” Tap asked.

  “There’s only one way to find out.” Soleil walked toward them.

  Tap and I caught up with her. The closer we got, the more obvious it became that the woman was my beloved Victoria. My stomach twisted into tight knots seeing her so close to what could only be the original werewolf—the one who could kill us all if he died.

  Victoria turned to us. I couldn’t read anything good or bad from her expression.

  A glowing red and blue stone rested against her chest over an intricately decorated traditional robe.

  “Looks like we don’t need these extra clothes after all.” I dropped them on the ground.

  Chapter 18

  Victoria

  As my eyes adjusted to the light, I noticed three people standing off to the side, staring at Fen and me. Fen was too taken by the sights to notice them. He was gasping and exclaiming about the fresh air and the sunset.

  He put a hand on my shoulder. “Appreciate things like this. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve seen a real sunset?”

  “I thought you said the world you’ve been living in is a replica of this one.”

  “Exactly—a fake. Dull colors. Stale air. It was meant to be a prison, and it succeeded.”

  I studied the three figures, and finally I recognized them. My eyes lit up, shocked to see Soleil, Tap, and Toby in Iceland. “Those are my friends. Let me introduce you to them.”

  “Can they be trusted?” He sniffed the air. “Only one is werewolf.”

  “I would trust all of them with my life.”

  “Okay. I need all the allies I can get.”

  We walked over to them. It felt like I hadn’t seen them in so long—especially Soleil, who had disappeared. I wanted to break into a run, but the heavy, awkward robe prevented that.