A Forest So Deadly (Pioneer Falls Book 2)

by Heather Davis

  “How do I know where to meet Rick?” Fawn asked.

  “We’ll text him from Alex’s phone telling him where to meet us. I’ll be waiting there in the woods. We’ll practice what to say and I’ll send you messages, like pictures, in your mind in case you need to improvise. I think it will work.”

  “How do you know he can be trusted to keep his word on calling off the hunt?” Fawn said, a flash of worry in her eyes.

  Just then, the back door opened. “Hello?” Dad hung his coat in the mudroom and then entered the kitchen.

  Fawn got up and checked on the spaghetti sauce she’d started earlier. I folded up the plans and tucked them under a magazine on the table. Rose set aside the potato chip bag and opened her Spanish book.

  “What’s happening?” Dad asked, washing his hands at the sink.

  “The usual,” I said. “Homework and stuff.”

  Dad gave us a sideways look, then went off to his room to change out of his work gear.

  “This is exciting,” Fawn whispered. “You’re actually letting us help.”

  “You’re the only ones who can do this.” In truth, I didn’t feel great about having to include the twins, but there wasn’t anyone else I could trust. They’d be the only ones in human form, the only ones who could negotiate with Rick. It was a crazy plan—I knew that. But the thought of doing nothing to save Driftwood and the other wolves and hybrids in danger, let alone save Dad and me, was enough to make me go for it. And maybe we’d actually pull it off.

  ***

  Dad met me on the back porch at sundown that night, spaghetti dinner in our bellies, duffel bags of spare clothes at our feet. Fawn and Rose had gone to the football game, promising to stick close to Lewis and his family.

  “You ready to run? Could be a little tricky tonight. I don’t want to go up by Devil’s Nook. Bowman knows that spot. We’ll head over toward Lost Creek.”

  “I didn’t see any hunters near the bowling alley when I ran last night. Actually, I didn’t see anybody.”

  Dad arched an eyebrow, but his smile was gentle. “So there wasn’t a conversation with Nathaniel? I wondered. You went right up to your room last night when you got home. I figured if you’d wanted to talk about it, you would’ve come to me.”

  “They were gone.”

  Dad let out a low whistle. “Oh, they’ll probably be back. Ezra’s not surrendering that bowling alley after his investment in it. You know, it’s not a new strategy for folks to take off when the full moon arrives. I’ve done the same thing, even with a lupine stone. A wolf needs to run the woods sometimes to feel like themselves.”

  “What’s going to happen tomorrow night?”

  “The sheriff’s calling in extra help from other departments. I’ll work the festival during the day, but I’ll have a bout of food poisoning in the afternoon. We’ll drive a few hours up into the mountains. Far from reach. Fawn and Rose won’t need to come with us. I’ll ask Lewis’s parents if they can stay the weekend with them.”

  “But—”

  “If they came with us, they’d slow us down. We’ll be back at sunrise and keep an eye on things in town.”

  “What about the actual wolves and hybrids around the area? If any of them run into hunters, they’ll be shot while we’re off hiding out.” I felt more sure than ever that I couldn’t let Dad know about our plan to use Alex as a bargaining chip for a cease-fire with the hunters. It was clear he wanted us to run to safety, to do the easier thing. But it wasn’t always about doing the easy thing.

  Dad looked down at his hands. “You’ve always cared about protecting others more than yourself,” he said. “It’s an admirable trait, but in this case, we have to save ourselves.”

  “The wolves know something is up. They’re spooked already. We can’t just leave them.”

  Dad leaned against the porch railing for a moment, a look on his face like he was seeing me in a new light. “The local wolves are wily. They instinctively distrust humans.”

  “Not the hybrids bred by Ivan. They need to be somewhere no one can get to them. I tried to tell them to go to Ivan’s. I’m hoping Cooper will have a change of heart and put them into his kennels where they belong.”

  “You tried to tell them?” Dad asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

  “Yeah, when I ran into them last night.”

  “Lily, that kind of communication doesn’t always work with common wolves.” He walked over to the truck. “It’s getting late. We need to get going.”

  On the drive up into the hills, I tried to send a mental image to Driftwood and the pack I’d seen the night before. If Dad had been there, he’d know how vulnerable they were, how much they needed us to help them.

  We drove toward the rising moon as twilight fell around us, deepening the greens of the forest. Dad pulled onto a logging road, one it seemed he’d used before. A few minutes later, we parked and then trudged through dense brush on a muddy trail. I tried to send out the picture to Driftwood again.

  Dad turned. “Who is this white-gray wolf you’re summoning?”

  I jumped back. “You could see that? It’s one from the hybrid pack I met on the hill last night.”

  His brow furrowed. “That’s no hybrid. He’s old, but he’s a werewolf. You can tell by the eyes. You don’t see any natural wolf with irises like that. Ours are more iridescent, like his.”

  My skin rippled with goosebumps. “There’s another shifter in the area?”

  “Yes. I’ve seen that wolf a handful of times on my runs over the years,” Dad said. “I have a few guesses, but one thing lone wolves do is live and let live.”

  I glanced up at the hills in the distance. “Driftwood could be someone we know. That’s what I call him. So, wow—we’re not the only werewolves in Pioneer Falls…”

  “No, and we’re probably not the only supernatural beings, either. Keeping our secret goes deeper than us and our full-moon problem. People in town find out there’s one species in residence, the natural curiosity is to find out what else exists.” Dad paused, his arms around his stomach, his face pained. “We better change here,” he said, his voice tight.

  I felt it too, the shift growing closer. We stashed our bags under a fallen tree and found soft places on the ground a little ways apart. And then we suffered the pains of our becoming.

  We ran most of the night, never encountering Driftwood and his pack mates, or hunters. But a couple times we did hear the slow grind of wheels on gravel from roads below us on the hill—some vehicles cruising the logging roads.

  It was a chilling reminder that tomorrow, with the festival in full swing, the town would be distracted, law enforcement busy, and hunters prowling free.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Maggie and I hadn’t seen crowds like this in Pioneer Perk seen since the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Tourists swarmed in as soon as we opened. Maggie’d come in early to bake a special selection of pumpkin-spice goods, anticipating the crowds for the Harvest Festival. We’d already sold out of the pound cake, and the scones were going fast. My tip jar, still adorned with the College Fund sign, was half-full with coins and actual dollar bills, too, by lunchtime.

  “I’ll have a tall vanilla soy latte and a pumpkin-spice muffin,” Ms. Wilson said, lowering the hood of her red cape late in the afternoon. “Read about those in the high school paper.” Her crimson lipstick made her face look even paler and her cheeks rosier. Her hair, braided in two sections, brought home the Little Red Riding Hood look she was going for. “You look wonderful, Lily.”

  “Just threw it together.” I hooked one thumb through my overall strap and adjusted my straw hat. I was pretty sure my hastily painted face looked more scary than scarecrow, but it was festive. I wouldn’t be wearing this all night, or anything.

  Ms. Wilson handed me some cash and I made change while Maggie finished making her drink order. I used tongs to slide her muffin into a paper bag. Ms. Wilson took it from me, lifted it to her nose, and inhaled. “Mm. Nothing says fall like pumpki
n.” She placed it reverently into the wicker basket on her arm.

  “One vanilla soy latte, ah-ah-ah-ah,” Maggie joked, setting the cup on the counter. She pulled the edge of her velvet cape and held it across her face, waggling her eyebrows.

  “That’s from Sesame Street’s Count, not Count Dracula,” I corrected.

  “I think all vampires can get away with that phrase,” Ms. Wilson said, giving Maggie a smile. She took a sip from the latte and made that dreamy expression coffee lovers often do when we’ve got their drink just right. She pulled a dollar from her change on the counter and pushed it into the tip jar. “I hope we can get some good pictures tonight from the costume contest. Bound to be a few of our students in the finals.”

  “Yeah, I think Alicia’s got that covered.”

  “Oh, aren’t you going?”

  “Sure, but she’s just better at the photos.”

  Ms. Wilson arched an eyebrow. “You’ll get the story down, though.”

  “Trends in costumes, adorable little-kid winners, shoo-ins that don’t win. I can see a few angles.”

  “Perfect. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but it can’t always convey backstory or why we should care.” Her smile warmed. “I’ll see you there. It won’t be hard to spot you. Such a memorable scarecrow.”

  My senses tingled a little. Was there a threat mixed in that comment? “It’s going to be a packed house, but I’ll look for you,” I said carefully.

  “She could enter the contest herself. Just needs an adorable crow on her shoulder,” Maggie said, holding up a little towel she’d folded in a birdlike shape. “I could pin it here,” she said, acting as if it was a work of art. “Or maybe you could hold some mini-brooms during the judging?”

  An irritated expression traveled across Ms. Wilson’s face, winding up in a dismissive smile. “Oh, I think she’s great as she is.” She turned and gave us a wave as she headed out from the shop.

  “Okay,” Maggie said, lowering her towel. “Your teacher is really fun, Lily,” she added sarcastically.

  I shrugged. “She’s hot and cold. I wouldn’t say fun.”

  Maggie moved back behind the espresso machine and grabbed a couple pitchers to take to the dishwasher. “You’re sure you don’t want to stay a few more hours this afternoon?”

  “Can’t. My dad wants me to be done by four.”

  Maggie sighed. “Well, he’s got the right idea. Make time for fun during the festival. Do you know if he’s bringing a date to the dance later?”

  I gave Maggie a curious look. “Really? You vampire vixen, you!” I joked, but I thought back to the sheriff’s hint that Maggie had a crush on Dad.

  Maggie gave a shrug. “What? I’m just wondering.”

  “He’s working the festival, so no date for him. Wait. You don’t like, actually like, my dad, do you?”

  “He’s cute,” Maggie said, putting in her plastic fangs. “You think he’s into vamps?”

  Shaking my head at her, I left to check my phone, which was in my bag in back. There was a text from Rose telling me she’d spotted Alex in a Darth Vader costume and was heading to see him. I’d asked the twins to stick together, so that made me a little nervous. They were supposed to arrange a meeting with him at our rendezvous point—the town library. I’d make sure they were good to go, then they’d head off to the cabin together. I texted her to stick with Fawn. I waited a moment, getting no response.

  The door chime sounded a few times, so Maggie was probably busy. I slipped the phone into my apron, something I normally wouldn’t do, and went to join Maggie at the counter. “Thank goodness,” she said, wiping her brow with the hem of her cape. “I had a rush. You just missed Cooper. Aren’t you two friends?”

  “Cooper?”

  “Yep. I know you’re not over Morgan yet, but those long-distance things are problematic anyway. I once dated a guy from New Mexico for a year and he ended up marrying a local woman who groomed his Pomeranian.” Maggie gave me a smile. “Cooper’s broody, but so handsome.”

  “Where was he headed?”

  “Said something about the library.”

  “Library?” I ran to the back and got my coat. I couldn’t let him reach Alex and the twins and disrupt the plan.

  “You still have ten minutes,” Maggie called.

  I pulled my straw hat off and removed my apron. “I’ll make it up tomorrow. I’ll be in early.”

  “This is not very scarecrow-like behavior. You guys normally stick around.”

  “You’re killing me with these jokes,” I said.

  “Fangs for laughing,” Maggie asked, striking another vampire pose. “See you out there later?”

  “Sure.” I nodded, not bothering to correct her. Hopefully, by the time the costume contest was underway at six tonight, the twins would have Alex up at the cabin and I’d be on my way to meet Fawn and force a cease-fire.

  ***

  The sidewalks teemed with ghosts, pirates, superheroes, and witches. A few aliens congregated in front of the old movie theater. Near Town Hall, I saw Ms. Wilson showing off her costume to a group of kids from school, including Alicia and Jeanie. I’d need to text Alicia some kind of excuse once the plan was rolling, since she expected to see me at the costume contest later. Both of the girls were outfitted in classical Shakespeare dresses and headwear. Jeanie, who was in the drama club, probably sweet-talked Mr. Schuman into letting them raid his school play stash. They looked pretty cute, and I felt a stab of jealousy that they were spending this weekend having fun, not devising plans to stay alive.

  I kept moving toward the library, wanting to reach my sisters before they were interrupted. Ahead, Cooper stood gazing up at the clock tower. I saw a flash of green sequins in the library’s portico ahead—Rose’s mermaid tail.

  “Hey!” I called out to him, trying to preempt him meeting up with Alex and Rose.

  Cooper turned and the shadow of a smile appeared on his full lips. “Need a brain?”

  “What?” I frowned at him, then caught his joke. “Oh, scarecrow.”

  “You don’t wanna scare crows or ravens. I told you they’re natural friends of wolves,” he said, his voice a bit monotone.

  I wasn’t that surprised Cooper hadn’t dressed up in a costume. In fact, his jeans were dirty from working, grass stains on the knees. But there were dark circles under his eyes and his smile was gone. That worried me.

  “Can we talk?” I glanced around, not really seeing any good place besides a bench near the entrance of Town Hall, but that would get us away from Rose at least. I led him over to the bench. From that vantage point, I could see both the portico of the library and the sidewalk. “About tonight…” I began.

  “I can’t do anything,” Cooper said flatly. “It’s all in motion now.”

  “What’s in motion?”

  “The ordinance, the hunt. You’re right that my dad wouldn’t have wanted it this way.” He looked down at his hands. “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry for what?”

  “I gave Bowman the histories,” he said in a hushed voice. “He wanted them and I gave them to him. I was so angry and frustrated and I missed my dad. It seemed like nothing mattered anymore.”

  “Oh, Cooper, no—”

  “Real life’s a lot murkier than war. At least in war I knew who the enemy was most of the time,” he said, a sad look traveling across his face. ”But the way Bowman reacted when I gave him those notebooks—his euphoria, Lily—it was sickening. I don’t want a part of that. There’s no place for me with them, or in this town for that matter.”

  I put an arm around his shoulders. “I tried to tell you.”

  Cooper nodded, his face reddening. “I”m confused now… I don’t know what to believe about what happened.”

  A spark of hope struck up inside me. “Listen, I saw your hybrid dog pack the other night. They’re alive and running with some wild wolves. I think one of us has been helping them survive. They’ll be shot tonight if they come close to town.”

 
; He stuck his hands in his pockets. “I don’t know…”

  “Those hybrids need you. I told them to come to your compound. They’re scared, they may not even come tonight. But if they do, you could be a hero again. Can you be there to kennel them up, help keep them safe?”

  He rose from the bench. “Don’t look,” he whispered. “Get up real slow and walk into the crowd of people moving toward the gazebo. Try to blend.”

  “What’s happening?”

  “Zombies headed this way.”

  I groaned. “Real zombies? In Pioneer Falls?”

  He flashed me an irritated glance. “Some of the hunters, dressed as zombies. If you see them, run.” I calculated how many people I’d passed that were made up like the undead. Only one or two.

  “Bowman and son know what you are. The rest of the hunters probably think they’re shooting rogue wolves and wolf-dogs today. They’ll sneak away from the festival tonight and try to bag some wolf trophies. Nothing’s stopping them, Lily.”

  I shuddered, thinking about my nightmares, about how my sisters would survive on their own if my father and I were killed. I felt tears welling. “I—I can’t…”

  Cooper looked at me for a long minute, his gaze traveling from my eyes to my brightly painted cheeks and nose. In his mind, I could almost hear him thinking, this is not the face of a killer. This is the girl I know. His eyes softened. “I’ll be home about six o’clock. I’ll skip the dance. I wasn’t planning on staying long anyway,” he said. “Don’t have a costume, obviously.”

  I gave him a hug, squeezing his rigid body tight. “Thank you. You’ll save a bunch of lives.”

  He broke from my embrace and gave me a half-smile. I sincerely hoped he was telling the truth. That this wasn’t some kind of a trap. There wasn’t any way to know. I’d have to go on faith, which so far hadn’t served me very well.

  As I turned to go meet the girls, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I picked it up to read the text. It was from Fawn and the news was not good.