I looked down and realized she was right. "It's all this emotional overload. My body wants to wolf out and run it off and my brain doesn't quite know how to handle it."
"All the more reason for a run. Burn off some of the overload and your brain will be able to think clearer. In the meantime, maybe we can get a few leads together on the killer."
The woods behind their house weren't anywhere near as large as mine, which went from trees to trees all the way to the park which was huge—at least to someone on four feet. On the plus side, her small forest was fenced and posted so Reb and I shouldn't have to worry about hunters.
Over the years, I could see where Rose and possibly Lilith had worn a path that traveled in a figure eight through the trees. Not a bad running path at all, even if it was a bit boring to run in circles. The path was too narrow to run side by side, so we mixed it up a bit and ran in opposite directions, always racing each other for the narrow junction of the path. Sometimes, I let Rebel win.
After an hour or so of running, Rose was right and my brain did start to clear up. I had borrowed one of her fuzzy robes for the trip out to the woods, but I wasn't relishing the idea of changing back to naked skin in the cold. Especially as the robe would be equally cold from laying on the ground for an hour. Besides the run had lulled me into a tired state of peaceful relaxation and security. I felt safe here, away from the park, the killer, and Jed.
In my defense as a wolf, I did sniff things out before leaving the trees for the short run back to Rose's back door. Unfortunately, I failed to remember that Jed was a very skilled wolf tracker who would know to stay down wind of his prey.
We were maybe halfway to the house when I heard the gun and felt the sharp pain in my shoulder. As I went down, I saw the back door fly open and Rose step out with a shotgun.
The last thing I heard was the ratcheting of the shotgun and Rose's sweet southern voice saying, "I really wish you hadn't done that."
Chapter 20
When I came to—Jed had used another tranq dart—I found myself once again immobilized. This time at least I wasn't wearing a muzzle.
My hands and feet were tied with—nylon stockings?—and I was sitting propped up on the couch in Rose's living room. As I became more aware of my surroundings, I realized that I wasn't the only one tied up. Across from me sitting on the blue kitchen chair that had been brought from the kitchen for the occasion, was a trussed up Jed. It looked like they had used all their available rope on him. Which I guess explained the stockings.
"See," Rose was saying, "I told you she wouldn't be out long. Shifting speeds up the metabolism, so the drug burns off faster."
Lilith was staring at me with a great deal of fear. I don't know if she'd seen my change, thus proving our sanity or not, but she did seem to notice the murderous look I was giving Jed.
"Lilith," I said, oozing sweetness, "would you be a dear and untie me, please?"
She shook her head and backed up, putting herself closer to the shotgun. Okay, my guess was that she had seen the change after all. If we didn't have more pressing concerns, here is where I would insert all of my mentoring advice for her upcoming shift, now that she believed. Unfortunately, the pressing concern was staring back at me with equal frustration.
"Rose, why am I tied up?" I asked.
She gave a short grunt of laughter. "Because if'n you weren't, you'd be at Jed's throat right now. And that's really not the way to treat an invited guest." Invited? Rose glared at Jed, "But shooting another guest is extremely bad manners. Even if it was only a dart gun."
"I really protest the only in that sentence. I was shot. Twice. By that man. Both times hurt like hell, and both times I thought I was dying. Waking up is a plus, yes, but it doesn't negate the pain and terror of being shot."
For the first time, Jed looked uncomfortable. Still stubborn in his righteousness, but uncomfortable.
He grunted. "You're trying to tell me you were aware when you were in wolf form? Enough to know what was happening?"
My mouth dropped open and I could do nothing but stare at him incredulously. Luckily Rose was still capable of words.
"I don't know what you've been taught, Jedadiah, but we are Benandanti." Jed looked quickly at Rose, no doubt calculating the correct dosage for his next tranq attack. "As Benandanti, we are humans who can take another form at will. Only our first change is thrust upon us. After that, we choose when and where to change. And when and where to change back. Both forms share one intelligence, one mind. There are no memory gaps from our other form. Our fur forms are not crazy, mindless evil killers. When Taz changes, she becomes Wolf. Not some hideous creature from late night television. Simply Wolf, but her human consciousness and intelligence remain."
Jed straightened in his chair, his back ramrod straight. His lips tightened and his face darkened. "That is not possible."
"If Roy hadn't shown up last night, you'd have proof by now. But no, you had to shoot me. Me." My voice kept rising until I was practically screaming at him. More like actually screaming at him.
"I tranqed you," Jed said. "Whether you want to recognize the fact or not, there is a huge difference. I don't go around killing people just because they were born different."
That shut me up. Now he had all of our attention.
It was Rose who recovered first. "But you are a Luparii assassin. Isn't it your job to hunt down and kill weres?"
"To hunt them down, yes. To tranq them, yes," he answered Rose but was staring into my eyes. "Then they are transported to a facility in Italy. A compound where they can live out their lives with others of their kind in peace and safety."
My sister. She could be alive.
"Have you personally seen this wonderful compound?" Rose asked.
He hesitated. "Security is extremely tight there for obvious reasons. Only a handful of people within the Luparii know its actual location. But I have seen pictures."
Rose looked at me, and she must have known my thoughts were of my sister's missing body. Her hand reached out to cover mine, her eyes drawn and her face tight.
"There is no prison, dear." She waved aside Jed's protest. "It is a fallacy the Luparii came up with to keep their more lenient assassins in line. Now they can recruit not only cold-blooded killers but men of honor as well. The honorable ones are told of this miraculous compound. Which gives us hope with this one."
Rose turned her full attention on Jed. “I am assuming that you are one of the honorable ones. I pray you do not prove me wrong.”
Jed returned her gaze stare for stare. “The Luparii is an honorable organization funded, as you probably know, by the Vatican. We are holy warriors of God, tasked with hunting down those creatures not of His and keeping His people safe. As you have stated that you are Benandanti also, I must believe that you are as misguided as Tazlyn is. My honor, madam, is intact.” He tilted his chin upward in indignation. “How about yours?”
“I can honestly say that I have never in my entire existence—spent in either of my two forms—taken the life of another,” she replied. “Can you say the same?”
To his credit, he did seem to squirm a little. “I cannot. I have been forced into situations beyond my control which required the taking of a life.” He was quiet for a minute. “It is not something of which I am proud.” His voice was subdued.
Rose nodded. “If you have been a Luparii assassin—excuse me, tracker—for long, then no doubt you have run up against some evil creatures not of God. Those creatures, like the one who now stalks our town, were not Benandanti.”
I had heard all I could stomach. “Why are you even bothering to clarify the difference to this assassin? Whether he pulled the trigger or delivered them for execution, he is still responsible for the deaths of Benandanti. My parents were killed by his ‘holy organization’ and they were guilty of nothing more than trying to protect each other.”
“We are not assassins and the Benandanti are not summarily executed. We are not barbarians, and besides...,” Jed looked
at me and then at Rose as if judging what to say next. Rose shook her head.
“I have not told her,” Rose said, “but I am well aware of who and what Justin Hunt was. You knew him as Luparii, but we grew to know him as Spirit Hunter.”
Over the past week—had it been only a week?—I had grown to trust Rose. Now for the first time, I agreed with Lilith in doubting her sanity. My father was not a Luparii. He couldn’t have been.
“I’m sorry, dear, that I couldn’t tell you sooner and that it had to come out like this. But if I’d told you earlier you may not have taken the Luparii as a serious threat. And until Jed showed himself, we really didn’t know if we were dealing with a, well, a good witch or a bad witch, so to speak.”
“My father was not a killer. He was the gentlest man I ever knew.” I swallowed back the lump and blinked away the tears as I remembered him. “When I was little, I was frightened by a spider and screamed for Dad to kill it. He took the spider, carried it downstairs, out the front door and across the yard to set it on a tree where it would be safe. Then he explained to me that you never took a life just because you were afraid of something.” I shook my head. “I’m sorry, Rose, but whoever told you that my father was Luparii lied.”
“Your father was a great man. He personally trained me.” Jed looked at me, his eyes narrowed. “I only recently found out that Justin Hunt was your father. If I had made the connection earlier, I would not be in this predicament. It was rumored that he was married to a werewolf. I am saddened to find the rumor true.”
Bound or not, I would have jumped him had Rose not stepped in front of me.
“Tazlyn, control yourself,” she said, her voice stern. “Remember Jed never knew your mother, and he has only the teachings of the Luparii to guide him. Until now. If we are going to set his teachings straight, we will both need to be level headed.”
Rose grimaced and motioned to her deformed leg. “When I was hurt in the car accident that took Lily’s parents, the doctors repaired me by putting a steel rod in my leg. On the day of the operation, I lost my freedom to change into fur form. Should I change, the rod would disappear and I would be dealt a great deal of pain. I have been in skin form for twelve years now. And I still miss my other self on a daily basis. It is one thing to be able to change and choose not to, and another altogether to have the choice taken from you.”
Of all the times to choose, Rose decided to tell me now why I was needed. My fury at Jed faded a little as sympathy for Rose took a portion of its place. I couldn’t imagine being trapped in skin form for twelve years or more, the wolf caged inside.
“Oh, Rose...”
She waved me silent. “I didn’t tell you for your pity. I told you because you need to know why it rests with you to change his mind about our other forms.”
“What?” I hate to admit it, but it came out more of a screech than actual speech.
“I’ll admit I was attracted to you, Taz, before I found out what you were, but don’t think you can use that attraction to trap me as your mother did Justin.” His lips were so tight, they nearly disappeared from his face. “I won’t be so easily brainwashed. You may as well kill me now and be done.”
“Look, Mister I’m so Holy and you’re satan’s spawn, we are not the trained killers here. You are. I believe I told you last night the biggest thing I’ve ever killed was a rabbit, and even humans hunt rabbit.” I thought for a moment. “Although, since the Benandanti doesn't have a prison compound, I’d be willing to consider making a one-time exception for you.” I gave him a wolf smile—all teeth showing. It was more like a snarl. Sue me. The man had shot me twice.
“G-Gran?” We all glanced over at Lily who up to now had been silent. All the color had washed from her face. I have to admit, though, that what first registered in the self-preserving part of my brain was that she was clutching the shotgun in a death grip. My breathing stopped as I realized it was pointed at me.
Chapter 21
Rose, probably the only one of us still capable of breathing, calmly stepped over to Lilith and took the shotgun from her. “It’s okay, Lily. No one in this room is going to kill or be killed. At least not while a guest of my house. Isn’t that right?” She glared pointedly at both of us.
I swallowed and nodded. “Benandanti’s honor.”
Jed grunted, disparaging my oath. I realized his chair was close enough for my feet to reach. I kicked him. It would have made a greater impact if I’d been wearing shoes.
“Hey!” He hastily rocked his chair back out of kicking distance.
“Hey what? You’re still alive, aren’t you?” I asked, bending down to rub my sore toes.
Rose sighed. “From this moment onward until you step foot behind the closed front door of this house, do you pledge no violence to each other?” I noticed she hadn’t let go of the shotgun. I really didn’t think she would use it, but then again, I was seeing a side of Rose I hadn’t known existed.
Selecting my words carefully, I said, “I promise not to do any person in this house bodily harm of any kind unless I should be compelled to do so in self-defense or in the defense of a friend. Until I am outside of your closed front door.”
Jed judged my words, then nodded. “I willingly pledge the same. For as long as she will keep her oath, I will keep mine.”
From the look on Lilith’s face, she wasn’t buying into it. We probably weren’t very convincing. Especially since we both obviously still harbored ill-will toward each other. Personally, I wanted to try out that dart gun of his a few times.
Rose, obviously a firm believer of the out of sight, out of mind philosophy, carried the guns into her bedroom. She locked the door as she came out and made a point of trying it to show that the lock held. So much for the dart gun try out. I didn’t see a keyhole in the doorknob, but with Rose’s lock picking skills, I had no doubt she could be in the room in a flash.
She walked over to me first and began to cut through my stocking bindings. Once free, I couldn’t resist another grin at Jed as I stretched my now fully mobile body. My thought had been that she was going to release both of us, but to my utter joy, she left Jed tied to the chair. When he realized he wasn’t being set free, he protested.
Giving him a stern look, she said, “You still believe the three of us are evil abominations when we change. I don’t want you using the fact of Taz’s change to constitute a reason for you to use self-defense. Now, let’s establish some ground rules.”
“Wait a minute,” I said. “You want me to change while he just sits there and enjoys the free show?” While I had been okay—well more than okay—with seeing Jed naked, I was not fine with being naked myself. Especially as he sat there fully clothed.
He smiled slowly. He was enjoying this way too much. “It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked before.”
Until that moment I hadn’t stopped to think about how I came to be dressed in a robe on the couch. When I passed out from the dart, I would have changed to skin immediately. Blushing, I glared at him.
“Pervert.”
“Hound of hell,” he responded.
“That’s enough you two!” Rose said. Anyone else would have shouted, but her voice, quiet as it was could have cut glass. We shut up.
“As I was saying,” Rose continued, looking pointedly at both of us, “we need to establish some ground rules. First of all, Jed, from what you said before you have been taught that our fur forms have no control, just warped animal instinct. Is that right?”
He nodded, silent.
“Very well, that is easy enough to disprove.” She looked at me. “Taz, change.”
I crossed my arms and raised my chin in defiance. “I don’t care if he has seen me naked before. I’m not undressing in front of him.”
“Turn your back to him, untie the robe and take your arms out of the sleeves. When you change, you can easily shake off the robe.”
Lilith backed up behind Jed, her eyes wide. I had to do this. As much for Lilith’s benefit as for Jed’s. M
ore so. I smiled at her then turned my back and did as Rose instructed.
Rebel, who had been patiently waiting by the fireplace on his rug and watching our conversations back and forth like a badminton game, came forward to touch noses with me. At his touch, my tension drained and I rubbed my face against his, nuzzle to nuzzle. Fur friends were the best.
When we were finished with our greetings, we turned toward the rest of the room and sat. Waiting.
The group was silent. Lilith’s face had gone from terrified to awed. She stepped around Jed’s chair and slowly reached a hand toward me. I stretched my neck out and tilted my head to indicate that a chin scratch would be just what the doctor ordered. Laughing, she complied with the scratch. Then she knelt before me and hugged me, whispering in my ear, “I know you did it for me. Thanks, Taz.”
I chuffed and nuzzled her neck. Lilith rose and turned back to Jed.
“Satisfied?” She asked like she herself hadn’t been terrified only moments before. She held her arms out and tilted her head to show her neck in full view where I had nuzzled. “No blood, no teeth marks. Where is that evil beast you were expecting?”
Jed was staring at me, but I couldn’t read his expression. His voice was toneless as he answered, “But then you are one of them, aren’t you?”
Rose sighed. “Okay, so what do you want Taz to do to prove herself?” she asked.
I rolled over onto my back and stiffened, sticking all four paws into the air, my tongue hanging out from the side of my mouth. Lilith laughed.
“Yes, dear, wolf charades is a nice touch, if a bit over dramatic. But if Jed had wanted you dead, he would have used bullets and not darts. Isn’t that right, Jed?”
Jed’s face was no longer expressionless. His mouth opened and shut as if forming words was beyond him. Finally, his voice cracking, he managed to squeak out, “She can understand us?”
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