by Bell, A. C.
A hand clamped onto his shoulder, startling him harshly from his reverie. Agent Morrison drew his hand back apologetically and directed Peter’s attention to the door he was holding open. Bright afternoon light lit a parking lot beyond. Peter squinted through the glare. There, waiting against the front bumper of Adeline’s old charger was Adeline and Nikki. Morrison gave Peter an encouraging nudge and Peter took a few steps forward. The girls took off at a sprint toward him and Peter matched their pace. They met in the middle in a tight group hug, a tangle of arms that knit them all together.
“Thank you,” Peter whispered.
“Let’s get you out of here,” Adeline insisted. “Where do you want to go?”
The three pulled apart and a wicked grin stretched Peter’s cheeks.
A grimace was set in Nikki’s lovely face. “Charlie’s Pizza?”
“How well you know me.”
An hour later, the three of them were at Adeline’s house, stretched out across the hood of her car. They’d laid out several blankets and pillows to make it more comfortable as they used to do in high school. Huddled together, they were three peas in a flannel pod with Peter protected in the middle. The hollow pizza box that Peter had emptied himself since Nikki and Adeline refused to touch Charlie's “ill-inducing” pizza was on the roof of the car. They stared up at the full moon as it slowly drifted through the sky, one of those weird times where you can see it during the day, or late afternoon as was the current case. Their breath made plumes of frost in the snow-kissed air.
"You're not turning into a wolf," Nikki teased.
Peter laughed. "You know that's all nonsense, right?"
"Where did that start?" Adeline asked. "The books I've read just say it's an old superstition.”
"The first sighting of a werewolf changing on the full moon was actually a cynocephalus who unintentionally created the inspiration for the movie Werewolf of London, which coined the myth of werewolves changing on the full moon.”
“Why didn’t your government big-wigs shut down production?” Nikki asked cynically.
Peter lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “The portrayal was so inaccurate and misleading that they didn’t bother. Throughout history, several other cynephi have intentionally been seen on a full moon to keep the myth going, enforcing it by pointing out that during a full moon, the shape of the craters looks like a creature leaping across its surface. The myth caught on and was eventually believed to be the official myth, moving away from the traditional theory that werewolves were witches who could change on command.”
Adeline grinned. “So, people used to be close to knowing the truth, then.”
“Yeah,” Peter said with a chuckle. “The movie actually helped us stay hidden rather than exposing us.”
Nikki cackled at the irony as a sedan pulled into the driveway beside them. Tears stained Mrs. Parker’s cheeks when she climbed out. Adeline threw the top blanket off so Peter could shuffle off her car. Donia met him with a warm hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” she said through a tight throat.
“It’s good to be back,” he agreed.
Just then, a large cruiser pulled loudly on to the street. Peter instantly recognized his parents in the front, even at a distance. He pulled back, his hands balling into fists on their own.
Guilt was etched in Donia’s face. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t know you hadn’t told them.”
Peter clenched his jaw as he watched his “dad” pull up. His mom and brother leaped out first and he sprinted to meet her embrace. Ben stepped up to their side, but he was sending Adeline a strange, guilty look, shoulders slumped. Peter pulled the punk into their hug. It was Elias who hung back with an anxious frown curled beneath his greying goatee.
Peter’s mom framed his face in her cold hands and he gripped them with his own. “What happened?” She asked tearfully.
Peter slid a baleful glare to his father and Elias tensed. “Ask him.”
She looked to her husband, confusion mudding the relief in her features. "What's he talking about?"
"Peter…" Elias looked helpless beneath his son's rueful scowl.
"Elias?" his mom asked.
"Did you know?" Peter asked roughly.
"Pete—"
"Did. You. Know?"
Elias set his jaw. "Yes."
Peter tried to lunge for him, but Adeline shot in front of him and pushed on his chest to hold him back. She’d gotten stronger since he’d last seen her.
“Peter, don’t,” She begged.
He pinched his lips together and drew an angry breath, but stopped trying to get past her.
Nahamina clenched his shoulder. “What’s going on?”
“It was Gabriel,” He snapped.
Her eyes widened in horror and guilt roiled within him. Her breathing grew shallow and she turned to Elias.
“He was here and you didn’t tell me?”
"Mina, please—"
"No!" Her beige lip trembled. "I had every right to know I was in danger. That my son was in danger. How could you not tell me?"
"After he infected that girl, the SAU was after him. I didn't think he would be stupid enough to stay."
"I don't know about stupid, but he was angry enough," Nikki cut in. Over at Mom's side, she shrunk under Elias's glare.
"Stay out of this," he barked.
Peter made to lunge for him but Adeline held fast. "Don't you dare talk to her like that!” He settled for pointing threateningly at Elias. “You screwed up, ‘Dad’. My own father tried to kill me!” His voice broke with emotion and he took a raspy breath, trying to calm down.
He shoved both hands into his hair and stepped back. Elias looked stunned when he looked back over. “He blamed you for stealing Mom and thought killing me would be the best way to hurt you, but when he figured out I was his son I had to watch him kill himself instead. I don't even know if I feel sad or relieved! How screwed up is that?"
"You need to leave."
Peter barely heard his mom, but Elias sure did. The anguish in his brown eyes was difficult to look at, even through Peter’s anger. Elias held his wife's stare and when she refused to blink, he turned and got back into his car. Peter relaxed as he sped off and his mother drew him into another hug.
"I'm sorry,” he whispered over and over into her hair.
***
Raiden brought me to see Lorraine the next day after I got off of work. I thought it would be easier to explain everything to her in person. The others would be arriving sometime soon as well so Raiden could explain what we should expect in court. He would be coaching each of us for our testimonies until the case went to trial. As he pulled into the lot of the manor, his glance flicked to a charcoal Audie and his lips turned down. Slade's car. The air went still when Raiden turned the ignition off. He sat idly back in his seat.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Do they feel like they can't talk to me, or is it just that they can't talk to anyone?"
I looked over at Slade's car through the drifting snow. "Do you know?"
Raiden looked down at his hands. "I've known about Slade for a long time, but not Wyatt."
"I don't think it's about keeping things from you. It's just...a lot of pain. He wouldn't have told me if I hadn't found out myself and even then, he could barely talk about it."
"Come to think of it, why is he out here?"
"We found his wife," I blurted without thinking.
Raiden gaped. "He's married? Now, this I have to see." He hopped out of the car and I hurried after him.
"Wait! We should leave them alone for now."
"Nope."
He strutted quickly around the building and I had to sprint a little to catch up. His grey suit jacket billowed behind him as he hopped up the steps to the front door and I scurried up to get ahead of him. As he lifted a hand to ring the bell, I wedged myself between him and the tall Maplewood door. His body formed a wind block, keeping me warm.
“Wait,” I insisted again.
Amu
sement sparked in his green eyes and he took half a step closer to ring the bell. The scent of green apple tangled in the recipe of his cologne tickled my senses. I felt my cheeks turning pink at his closeness but forced myself to keep stubborn eye contact.
"His wife is Kendra Cahn. Do you know what that makes him?" I asked.
"A monkey's uncle."
I pinched my lips together to prevent a grin. "Make fun if you want, but this monkey is gonna protect her uncle.”
“Step aside, Adeline.”
I crossed my arms and glared up at him. “Make me.”
His mouth twitched and we faced off until the door opened behind me. Renenet made a surprised sound, but not as incoherent as the one I made when Raiden wove an arm around my middle and spun me around him to move me out of the way.
“Made you,” he quipped. He was sassy when he was feeling stubborn, I thought in a fluttery huff. He strutted inside past the sorceress, who smiled wryly.
"Sorry to interrupt."
“Oh, he did not,” I grumbled and marched after him. "Slow down, you don't even know where Slade is."
“He’s in the sparring room,” Renenet hollered unhelpfully.
“Thank you!” Raiden called back.
I sprinted in front of him again and he slowed down when I walked backward in front of him. “They’ve been through a lot. Why not give him a few days to work through things? He might come to you about it.”
“He’s had three hundred and seventy years. If he hasn’t told me by now, he’s probably not going to.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Adeline.” He held my elbows and moved me to the side. My back touched the wall and my heart rate picked up. “I’m not angry that he’s kept it to himself. I get it. I just think it’s time for everything to be in the open. I can’t help him if we can’t even talk about it.” His eyes held mine and I took a deep breath.
“Yeah, okay.”
He continued on. As we neared the sparring room, the sounds of a fight began echoing through the hall, shouts accented by the sound of metal striking metal. Inside we found Kendra and Slade sparring with metal staves. They used the ends to deflect each other’s swings and Kendra swung her foot around to kick at Slade but he grabbed her foot and shoved it away. She wove her staff behind his when he swung and spun hers so it struck his wrists to weaken his grip and then pulled it back to disarm him.
"You're getting soft old man," Raiden called over.
Slade jumped and looked over, eyes wide. "What are you doing here?" He asked.
Kendra took advantage of the distraction and swept his legs from under him. With him flat on his back, she pressed the head of the staff to his sternum. He pursed his lips irritably and held his hands up in surrender. Kendra strutted toward a rack of sparring equipment at the left end of the room to return the staves. Raiden strode forward to help Slade back to his feet. Slade couldn't quite meet his friend's eye. I hung back, torn between wanting to help and letting them work it out.
"I, um, this is an old friend. Dropped in unexpectedly,” Slade said not altogether convincingly.
“A friend from your time with the other Viesci?” Raiden asked. Slade’s mouth popped open and he looked to me. “No, she didn’t tell me.”
“He already knew.”
“How long?”
“Seventy years, give or take.”
Slade crossed his arms, eyes downcast. “You never said anything.”
Suddenly Raiden looked more reluctant. “Neither did you.”
Slade sighed. "My name is Slade de Vere and I'm one of fifty-nine Viesci who survived the Hunter's purge against us. Kendra is my wife, whom I thought was dead until Alexandra passed a note to me about her through Adeline. And I have been lying to you about all of it for two hundred and twenty-five years." Slade's lips pinched into a thin line when he finished.
“Finally.” Raiden hugged him. Not one of those half-hugs guys usually do, either, but a full-on Joey-and-Chandler bro hug. Slade reciprocated and they patted each other on the back.
"I didn't sign up to be a polygamist," Kendra jabbed. The guys turned to where she leaned against the wall.
I eyed her curiously. "I’m glad to find you still here. Your leg is obviously better."
Kendra didn't bother glancing my way. "I have a job to do here. As soon as it’s done, I’m out.” She quipped acrimoniously. Slade’s blue eyes flicked to the floor. I narrowed in on Kendra.
“Well gee, Auntie Kendra—”
“I am not your aunt,” she barked.
I pinched my lips, anger flaring up. “Guys, can we have a minute alone?”
Raiden and Slade looked at each other and shrugged. “Of course.” Raiden nudged a more reluctant Slade toward the door. When it shut behind them, I pulled my forest green hoodie over my head and strutted past Kendra to the rack of staves and snatched two. Kendra watched me with idle amusement.
"Look, we're related and you can't change that. You can keep taking digs at me if you want, or you can try to work it out of your system," I challenged.
Her jaw set. I tossed one of the staves to her and her hand shot out to catch it. She looked at it, debating for a moment, and then pushed off of the wall with her hip. I tied my hair back so it would be out of the way as she confidently spun the staff around and juggled it expertly back and forth between hands as it spun. When she was done showing off, she tucked it under her arm and waited for me to make the first move. We faced off, walking slowly in a circle and I tested the positioning of my hands on the staff, having never used one before. I’d be clunky with it, but the concept wasn’t terribly complicated. I would have to rely on brute strength to outweigh my inexperience.
I focused on Kendra. She tapped the butt of her staff on the floor a few times to egg me on. It occurred to me that I probably wouldn’t find a ‘good opening’, so I instigated the fight. It was amazing how easily I could tap into my supernatural strength now. She deflected my first few swings but had to step back to retain her stance when my strength nearly knocked her off balance. She readjusted to a stance meant for fighting foes bigger than her to counter my advantage.
Kendra wove nimbly around my advances. The ends of our staves continued to clank together. When I blocked one of her swings, I kept it near my left hand so I could redirect the other end of my staff into her exposed ribs. She grunted and snarled and when I moved for another strike, she moved around my obvious bluntness and struck me in the gut, then swiped the middle of the staff upward into my chin. My neck popped and I bit my tongue. A coppery taste filled my mouth and I stumbling back. I spit the blood out and readied myself again.
“What are you doing?” Slade asked sternly from the door.
“What exactly is this supposed to solve?” Raiden asked at his side.
“Stay out of this,” Kendra and I both snapped. He held his hands up and they scowled but piped down.
Kendra circled, glaring. “You want to know my problem? My father was selfish. He abandoned all of us when we needed him the most.”
“How is that my fault?”
She didn’t answer and instead came at me with swift swings that I wasn’t fast enough to block. She got in several good blows that would leave lovely bruises. I accidentally left my right side open to deflect a strike and she jammed her knee into my side. The wind was knocked out of me and I gripped my ribs, stooping to rest my other hand on my knee. She let me be.
“Do you want to know where he was when I got these scars?” She tapped her leg with her staff. “His honeymoon. He was off with his tramp starting a new family while our people were slaughtered. While they burned.”
“What? That’s what they did?” I gaped. I looked to Slade across the court, horrified. No wonder he hadn’t been able to talk about what had happened to the Viesci.
“Kendra, stop!” He hollered.
“Shut up!” She barked over at him.
Her eyes were wild when she turned them on me again. Now that I could breathe again, I straight
ened and resumed a defensive position, but Kendra did not. She squinted analytically for a moment and then tossed her staff to the side, her mouth pinched in an angry line. It clattered loudly against the floor and rolled away. Anger flared in me when I thought she was throwing the match, but then she readied her fists for hand-to-hand combat.
“Let’s even the playing field,” she said.
“I don’t know if that’s actually-”
“Drop the staff.”
I grumbled but threw it off to the side. I hoped my Splinter Skill wouldn’t flare up too much and make this unfair. I wanted to win without an advantage. Fair and square. I readied my stance and she lunged. Without the clunky staff, I could move around more easily. Though she was still faster than me, I was able to make up for it better and I only used enough strength to match her Viesci strength. We took turns evading punches. I ducked around her fist again and wove around her to deliver a kick to her side. Her leg was apparently still a bit weak and it couldn’t hold her weight against the force to stop her from falling and she stumbled to the floor.
I used this chance to speak up. “I’m sorry for what happened to your people. It was horrible in ways I know I can’t imagine, but it’s not my fault Xavier left.”
Kendra jumped back to her feet with a snarl. I came at her with fists flying. She evaded expertly but when one of my strikes hit her shoulder, I heard it pop. Crap. Too much. It apparently hadn’t popped out very far and, with teeth bared, she gave it a rough tug to pop it back in like it was nothing. I gaped.
“You’re the cultivation of his selfishness. Walking breathing proof.”
She started another assault. Adrenaline pumped through me in my attempts to avoid her fists. When she struck my jaw, I got angry. I glared through the little lights sparkling in my vision and grabbed her next punch in a vice-like grip.
“I won’t apologize for being alive!” I pushed her arm away and ducked under her next punch.
Finding good footing, I kicked up at her. Once again, I was using too much strength, I knew. I didn’t actually want to hurt her. I tried to pull back on my kick and Kendra used the chance to grab my knee from underneath and knock me off balance by shoving it up higher. Let me say that I can’t do the splits, so her method worked. She then swiped a foot into my other knee. She lunged as I fell so she would land on top of me to pin me down in victory. Anger fueled my fist as I sent a punch forward and something new happened. My arm, from the tips of my fingers to my elbow, turned metal.
