by Tasha Black
He continued past the Victorians, the small bridge that went over the creek, past the stone front post-war homes, past meticulously kept vegetable gardens and trellises as overgrown as his own backyard.
Overhead, squirrels scolded and ran their tightrope walk up and down the tree branches as the birds sang to welcome the morning.
The lush landscape of Tarker’s Hollow had always been Mac’s comfort. A wolf could feel at peace in a place where he could shift and disappear into a leafy backyard at any moment.
But today the birdsong jangled in his ears.
Mac walked on, trying not to picture Parker on a plane, Parker with purple flames in her palms, an unfamiliar sneer on her lovely face.
The day wore on as Mac wandered the streets of his childhood, in search of comfort that would not come.
When the sun began to sink in the sky he found himself headed to the one place he probably should have started with.
His feet carried him down the sandstone sidewalk of Princeton Avenue, as they had since he was a very young man, and Ainsley’s father had first taken notice of his potential.
“You’re a thoughtful person, Jerome,” Michael Connor had told him, ignoring Mac’s many nicknames to call him by the one his mother had given him. “You’re strong, loyal, powerful, and kind. These are the qualities of leadership. These are the qualities of the person I want by my side to guide the pack as my anointed beta.”
Mac had stared at him, practically slack-jawed. He had just graduated college. His alpha saw things in him that he didn’t yet see in himself.
Or perhaps Michael Connor had actuated those qualities, merely by choosing him.
Mac had no idea how difficult being the beta would be. He was elevated high above the rest of the pack. Yet his submission to his alpha was a constant in his life.
While his pack mates might spend all their time with one another, remembering their submission only at moments of crux, Mac’s great power and his supporting role were a constant for him.
Today, he was glad.
He would lay his problem at Ainsley’s feet. Together they would find a way forward.
He approached the old Victorian where Ainsley’s parents had lived. Though she and Erik spent more than half of their time at Erik’s place these days, Ainsley still liked to transact pack business and entertain at her family home.
He sensed that she was near, and he could just make out the bell-like voice of her best friend, Grace, coming from the back of the house.
Mac followed the sound around the house and found them both sitting on Ainsley’s back porch, bundled up with steaming cups of tea.
“Mac,” Ainsley said warmly.
He felt the leafy green sense of contentment he always had in his alpha’s presence.
“Hi, Ainsley,” he said. “Grace.”
Grace gave a little wave.
“We couldn’t stand it indoors anymore,” Ainsley said with a smile.
“It’s cold but sunny, so we’re seizing the moment,” Grace added.
“I spent the day outside too,” Mac said.
“We’re glad to see you, Mac,” Ainsley said. “What’s up?”
She knew something was wrong. That was her job.
But she wasn’t going to embarrass him in front of Grace by not letting him express himself on his own terms.
This was just one of the reasons Ainsley was a truly great alpha.
“I need your advice about something,” he told her.
“Want to go inside?” she offered.
She was offering him warmth, but also a chance to talk privately.
“I’m good,” he told her. “Actually, I’d be glad to have advice from both of you.”
“Come sit, then,” Ainsley said, looking pleased. “Would you like some tea?”
“No, thanks,” he told her.
But Grace frowned and poured him a cup anyway.
Ainsley pushed the plate of cookies toward him.
He took one in spite of himself. It was rich and delicious. He closed his eyes and savored it, reminded of the fact that he hadn’t eaten all day.
“Mmm,” he said appreciatively.
“That’s gingerbread from Kate Harkness,” Ainsley said. “One of the kids dropped it by. I can’t take credit.”
“She knows what she’s doing,” Mac said.
“Agreed,” Grace said, nodding.
“So, what can I do for you?” Ainsley asked.
Just then a squawk came from the baby monitor in her hand.
“It’s like he knows,” Ainsley said to Grace.
“Want me to get him?” Grace offered.
“Nah, we both know he wants his mama,” Ainsley said. “Mac, I’ll be right back. Eat cookies, drink tea, ask Grace to tell you knock-knock jokes.”
Grace grinned at him.
Mac took another cookie and Ainsley headed inside.
“I’m guessing you don’t really want to know any knock-knock jokes,” Grace said as he chewed.
Mac shook his head.
“Good, because she was lying. I definitely don’t know any,” Grace said. “But I’m glad to listen. If you want to talk.”
He took a sip of tea. It was spicy and delicious.
“You might be the perfect person to talk to,” he said. “This is about magic.”
“The magic everyone’s been talking about sensing in the woods?” Grace asked, leaning forward.
“Yeah,” Mac said. “Exactly that magic. You know I’ve been, er, dating Parker Everly?”
“Oh believe me,” Grace said with a smile. “Everybody knows.”
“When I was out with her the other night, the shadows in the woods starting acting… strangely.”
“What do you mean strangely?” Grace asked.
“It’s hard to describe,” Mac said. “They were gathering, moving of their own accord.”
“Did they harm you?” Grace asked. “Or try to?”
“No,” Mac said, thinking about it. “They didn’t. It was creepy as hell, but nothing actually happened. And we spent the night in an open cabin, and they didn’t come back.”
“I see,” Grace said.
“Then Parker’s brother came to town,” Mac said.
28
Mac
By the time Mac was finished explaining everything, Ainsley had been back for twenty minutes or so and both she and Grace had asked half a dozen questions.
“What do you make of this, Grace,” Ainsley asked at last.
“Regardless of her brother’s attitude,” Grace said carefully, “what Parker has is called shadow magic.”
“That’s what I was afraid of,” Mac said. “Something dark.”
“Actually, shadow magic is very different from dark magic,” Grace went on. “It requires both darkness and light.”
The tightness in Mac’s chest unfurled slightly.
“Like all magic, it can be powerful, even dangerous,” Grace said. “But it doesn’t have to be. Whatever Parker’s brother’s motivations might be, hers could well be as innocent as she claims.”
“So she can learn to use her magic for good?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” Grace said. “It may be difficult, but she’s a determined person, Mac. I believe she can do it. Or maybe she’ll choose not to use it at all.”
Mac was rising to his feet before he could fully form the thought. Which was good, because he was past the time for thinking.
“Ainsley Connor,” he said, turning to her. “I surrender my position as beta of this pack.”
She gazed up at him, clearly horrorstruck.
He knelt at her feet.
“Will you release me?” he asked, placing his forehead on her knee.
“Of course,” Ainsley said, approval in her voice. “But the position is open if you ever change your mind.”
He felt a weight lift from him, even as his heart tore itself in two.
“Fill it,” Mac yelled back to her as he launched himself off the side of the por
ch and sprinted toward the woods. As soon as he got beyond the tree line, he shifted into his wolf form for speed.
He didn’t have time to waste.
29
Parker
Parker stood in the college woods, at the base of the stone amphitheater.
The moon shone softly above, looking larger than usual through a hazy veil of clouds.
She shivered.
Arkady had brought her a snowy gown to wear. It was so thin and gauzy, it might as well have been made of spider webs.
Her amulet rested around her neck, cold against her bare chest.
“Don’t be frightened,” Arkady told her. “Shadow magic is your birthright - the light and the darkness each have a role to play.”
“You said that before,” Parker pointed out. “But how do you know?”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Nothing, never mind,” she replied.
He smiled in an understanding way, and once again she saw their resemblance, the dimple in the corner of one cheek, the determined set of his eyes.
She turned back, wondering if she would see Mac at the top of the stone seats, ready to run to her.
But she knew better.
She’d asked him to leave her alone, and he would respect that.
He was that kind of man. He would allow her to go, even if it killed him.
She wondered what it would do to her.
“Remember, when I say the words, we’ll slide the amulets together,” Arkady said. “Then hold on tight, no matter what happens. That’s the moment the magic will be released. It will be pulled from both of us and mixed together in the amulet before returning to us in its stable form. If you let go, then you’ll lose your magic forever.”
“What would happen to it?” Parker asked.
“It would all go to me, I suppose,” Arkady said. “But I won’t take it from you. I promise. I’ve spent my life searching for you.”
Parker nodded.
She knew he was telling the truth.
Little as she’d liked seeing him launch his powers at Mac, she knew it was only because he’d thought he was protecting her.
Arkady cared about her. He wanted to belong. That was only human. She wanted it herself, had wanted it for so long. Until she found Tarker’s Hollow and the people there.
Especially Mac.
She closed her eyes and saw his face.
“Now,” Arkady said suddenly, as the moon came out from behind the clouds.
Parker held up her half of the amulet.
“Adiungere et dimittere,” Arkady cried as the two halves slid together.
Parker felt all the tiny hairs on her arm lift as the amulet sucked something invisible from deep inside her.
She felt the power flow from her and into the necklace.
This was her chance to finally be part of something bigger. To realize the potential she always knew she had.
To leave her old life behind forever.
Parker wrenched her hand away and let the amulet fall.
“Parker, no,” Arkady cried.
But it was too late.
Parker had been emptied of something that she’d never fully undertood she had.
She collapsed onto the grass, the cord of the necklace slipping over her head, freeing her.
She closed her eyes as Arkady screamed wordlessly.
Wind whipped across the grassy stage, tearing at her gown.
She wrapped her arms around herself, holding on.
Suddenly, the air was perfectly still and quiet.
“Parker,” Arkady said, his voice somehow deeper.
She looked up at him.
He was the same, but not quite. He looked just a little taller, his skin a little more luminous, his eyes a little wiser.
“What have you done?” he asked her.
“Light and darkness,” Parker said. “Shadows and magic. It’s too much for me. I accept that the magical world exists. But if I have to get involved, I’d rather pick a side.”
“There are no sides,” Arkady said sadly.
“That’s where I think you’re wrong. I know too many of the good guys to believe that,” Parker said with a shrug. “Too late for me, either way.”
There was no point arguing with him. She was the normal human she’d always wanted to be now.
And Arkady had the powers he wanted. He’d gotten what he came for, except for one thing - she wasn’t leaving with him.
It reminded her of that old Rolling Stones song her mom used to sing when teenaged Parker lost her mind that they couldn’t afford new jeans or movie tickets.
She couldn’t always get what she wanted, but if she tried, she might just get what she needed.
And Parker needed Mac. Needed him more than ever.
If she could convince him to take her back.
“It’s the man, isn’t it?” Arkady asked.
“It’s about me,” Parker said. “But yes. He makes me happy. Well, he made me happy. I think I might have screwed that up.”
Arkady nodded.
“I never wanted any of this,” Parker said, indicating the joined amulets around Arkady’s neck. “Really, I didn’t.”
“Go to him,” Arkady said. “Maybe I’ll see you again one day.”
“I’d like that.” Parker smiled up at him.
“And be careful,” Arkady added. “I know you like him, but shapeshifters aren’t to be trusted.”
He was wrong. At least about Mac.
She chose not to argue, and let him place a kiss on her forehead.
Then she turned and ran up the aisle past the stone benches, hoping she could find Mac before it was too late.
When she reached the top, she turned back to wave to her brother.
But he had already disappeared into the dark forest.
30
Mac
Mac reached the amphitheater at last, his muscles quivering from the run.
He exploded onto the grassy stage, his splayed paws kicking up a little turf as he came to a stop.
It was empty.
His nose had already told him that she was gone before the clearing came into view.
He yowled once at the moon, then trotted up the hillside to catch her scent.
She had gone to her car.
That made sense. They were heading to the airport after the ceremony.
His internal human did a quick calculation to see what it would cost him to go home, get clothing, and drive to the airport.
But his wolf already knew - it was better to run. There were no traffic lights or accidents in the wetlands that bordered the highway.
Mac ran back into the woods, cutting south, pushing himself as hard as he could.
Trees flew past. He crashed through the underbrush, unconcerned with startling the resting animals. Birds cried out and flew at his approach.
He ran until his muscles burned.
At last the college woods ended unceremoniously in a highway on-ramp.
Mac looked around.
There were a few cars, but he had no choice.
He trotted in the shoulder until at last the ramp joined the old highway.
Quick as a thought, he leapt off the guardrail and into the wooded area beside the roadway.
The smell of the exhaust hurt his nose and the endless engine noises grated in his sensitive ears.
But he had to get to Parker, had to tell her he would come with her. He would follow her to the ends of the earth, if that’s what it took.
The woods turned to marsh and still he ran.
When the tall grasses met the edge of the road, he knew he was close.
The piercing sound of airplane engines overtook the auto noises.
Mac reached the departing gates and hid in the shadow of a luggage cart.
His human pushed to the front and read the signs.
* * *
Glacier City
* * *
He waited until a family with several small children
pushed through the door with a gigantic cart of luggage.
When they had the door propped open, he made his move.
He pictured himself sailing in over the cart.
But once in the air, he realized that there was a glass transom over the doorway.
He ducked mid-flight and landed directly on top of the luggage cart. There were gasps and shouts as people moved away.
Mac looked around, then jumped down and loped off in the direction of Parker’s gate.
He could hear the children applauding him as another astonished bystander held up a phone to record the mayhem.
Great.
Ainsley was going to love this.
But then he remembered that what Ainsley Connor thought didn’t apply to him anymore, and he forgot about public relations and concentrated on finding Parker.
Oddly he couldn’t seem to find her scent. But this was an enormous airport with a dozen ways in. If she hadn’t checked luggage, she could have come in anywhere.
As he ran, people shied away and shouted.
This was no good. Sooner or later security would track him down.
Mac didn’t want to hurt anyone.
He needed to get to Parker, fast.
He pushed his aching limbs as hard as they would go, leaping over suitcases and slithering beside passengers.
Suddenly all traffic came to a halt.
Mac straightened his legs and slid the last fifteen feet to the security area.
Two German Shepherds looked up at his entrance.
Mac gave them a good snarl to prevent any trouble.
They both moaned and lowered themselves to the marble floor, one in a puddle of its own pee.
Sorry, little brothers. This is life or death, he tried to tell them with his mind.
One was too frightened, but the other tilted his head as if trying to understand the strange half-human message.
Mac sprinted past the guards, praying they wouldn’t draw weapons. Surely wildlife wouldn’t be seen as a terroristic threat.
The woman operating the conveyer belt with the x-ray watched him, her mouth hanging open, as he leapt onto the belt and over her head.
