“That’s… ridiculous,” Van said. The Huntress was frowning.
I nodded. “Kind of makes you wonder… if we were all told something different about the book, which one is the truth? And who has been lying to us?” I let my question hang in the air.
The Gruffalo suddenly lurched into the clearing, heavy brows hooded as it glared at Van. Then it took a threatening step forward, likely wanting to protect the Huntress. Faster than I could follow, Van had the crossbow bolt out, and exactly six bolts were suddenly airborne. They hammered into the Gruffalo’s arm, which was folded in front of its face for protection, but two of them struck the open wound across the Gruffalo’s body.
The Huntress was screaming in fury, and had a throwing knife in each hand, flinging them at Van’s unsuspecting back. He dove, rolled, and the daggers sailed past him as the Gruffalo stomped where he had just stood. Then he was gone. The Huntress screamed, and disappeared herself, threatening the vilest curses imaginable towards Van. The Gruffalo heaved labored breaths, staring at the empty space that had belonged to his master. Then his eyes roamed over towards the pack of wolves, Alucard, and myself. He let out a roar, one hand clutching his open wound, and then stepped backwards, the air quivering as if in a heat wave, and he was just as abruptly gone.
“Well… that was… confusing,” Alucard said.
Gunnar and the majority of the other wolves shifted back into human form, and suddenly dozens of naked people surrounded Alucard and I. He looked uncomfortable, as if unsure whether it was polite to acknowledge their nudity or if he was supposed to ignore it. Also, he was a vampire, and wolves and vampires didn’t typically get along well. He was on edge.
The crowd slowly surrounded us, faces blank as they watched, waiting for someone to say something, I guessed. I scanned the faces. I recognized a few, having fought either against them or beside them during the Grimm battle, but most were new to me. Black, white, a few different shades between those. Old, young, skinny, chunky, handsome, average. I mean, it was kind of surprising to me.
One always had the idea that supernatural shifters were all steamy Romance cover quality pretty or buff or proportioned… or all three. Or that they were all Biker Gang types. Or all Native American. Listen, what I mean is that one typically assumed that each member of a pack had something physically in common with the rest, or that they would all look similar.
But Gunnar’s pack was politically correct, so to speak, which if they hadn’t all been staring at me so intently, would have made me shake my head in amusement. Leave it to Gunnar to be so fair, as to have equal representation among his pack. Or, knowing Gunnar better, I wouldn’t have been surprised to hear that he had hunted down all victims of werewolf attacks in the surrounding counties, and adopted them into his fold, sharing with the victims the true story about the nightmare that had befallen them. Explaining their first shift in forms they could relate to, rather than them denying it, keeping it bottled up inside, unable to share with their very normal friends and family.
Yeah, that tracked.
But these people didn’t particularly look welcoming. In fact, they looked hard. Despite their differences, these werewolves were all closet warriors. And the only thing that could do that to such a diverse group was having a strong Alpha.
As if on cue, the crowd parted silently, not even looking, and Gunnar stood before us. Ashley stood by his side, looking wild and dangerous. As if she didn’t know me. Gunnar placed a hand on her arm, and her features visibly calmed. As the pair approached, the other werewolves finally acknowledged their Alpha with a discreet glance of reverence and respect to his back.
Or maybe they were just admiring the Alpha and his fiancé’s rear ends. Hey, dogs did that kind of thing, right?
Gunnar nodded at me and Alucard, his head angled so that his one good eye could see us. “We should probably talk, Nate.” His voice was hard, and entirely unfriendly.
I nodded. “Yeah. Let’s do that.” He turned away, and Alucard and I found ourselves silently ushered towards one of the buildings. I noticed that one of the werewolves was quivering as if in pain as it followed on the fringes of the pack, still in wolf form. Then it fell over, and abruptly shifted to human form. The figure let out a single cry of pain and then passed out.
The pack instantly exploded back into werewolf form, surrounding the fallen figure with yips and howls of warning. “Stop!” Gunnar commanded, and they just barely listened.
My heart lurched up into my chest as I watched, knowing I wouldn’t be fast or strong enough to stop them from tearing the figure to shreds, but I would do my damned best.
Because the naked form lying on the ground was Indie.
Chapter 39
Ignoring warning growls, I rushed to her side, skidding to my knees as I tore off my shirt to cover her. She was shaking as if cold, and her amulet hung between her breasts. The amulet that made her a Grimm.
The amulet that forced her to shift into whatever supernatural she was in close proximity to. Well, forced until she learned to control it. Once she mastered her control, she would be able to resist such urges, or to act upon them of her own free will. But right now, she was a loose cannon. Hence her posing as one of the wolves, and so well that they hadn’t even noticed. Which, judging by their reaction, surely infuriated… and worried them. And she looked to be fresh out of the hospital.
“I need to get her inside. A change of clothes,” I growled at Gunnar who was standing beside me, holding out a hand to keep Ashley back. Her hands were claws, and she was openly snarling, not fully in wolf form, but still barely keeping it back, thanks to Gunnar. I could see that he was squeezing her arm tightly, and that little by little she was getting her breathing back under control, especially now that Indie was no longer a threat.
Gunnar stared at me, shaking his head.
“I know.” Ashley had about as much control over her newfound werewolf ability as Indie did with her Grimm ability. Which made double-dates kind of impossible. Gunnar and I had been friends since childhood, and now, at our happiest moment – both engaged to be married – we couldn’t go hang out with our pal and his fiancé. Unless we wanted to change our date night into a tag-team wrestling match… with claws and fangs. Gunnar nodded after a second, murmured something into Ashley’s ear, and then he turned to lead us back to our original destination. Ashley remained behind with a pair of other wolves. She exploded into wolf form after a moment and the three began loping off into the distance as if going to check the perimeter for more threats.
Then I had a sobering thought.
Or to pick up the bodies of the fallen, of which I was sure there were several.
I shook my head, following my friend. Alucard stayed on my heels, making sure I was safe from attack. He was good at the monster thing. Manager thing though… not so much.
I disregarded my concern about an attack as I stared down at Indie’s face. I murmured under my breath, “What are you doing here…?”
Of course, there was no response. But I did notice several wolves glance over at me curiously. I hadn’t thought about their supernatural hearing. I kept my eyes forward, wanting to get Indie clothed, safe, and back home. And presumably, to a doctor.
After I dealt with the big bad wolf, of course.
I twisted enough to fit through the doorway of the clubhouse office, which I found momentarily odd, fearing to find the manager sitting there staring in confusion as an army of naked people suddenly descended on her. Then I took notice of our surroundings. Boxes were piled everywhere, and loose dog toys, bowls, bags of dog food, leashes, and basically any other type of accessory designed for a pooch covered almost every square inch. Except for the office space which still looked functional, and even had three monitors and two phones. I noticed the same logo as on the boxes on one of the screens.
Underdog – Get it or get bit!
I blinked, glancing over at a nearby box to make sure I had read the slogan right. Yep.
I turned to Gunnar, who
was now facing me with a cool gaze. “That’s catchy…”
He dipped his head in acknowledgment. “That was the point.”
“So, what… you’re running a,” I glanced around the room trying to come up with the words, “a dog toy company?” He shrugged.
“It pays the bills.” He cracked a wry grin. “More than pays the bills. We own the apartment now, thanks to Ashley. Business expense. She’s quite invaluable…” his eyes hardened. “In more ways than one.” I swallowed, setting Indie down on an empty sofa that used to be the sample model for the apartment complex. I turned back to my old friend. “You put her and my pack in danger tonight. With the mess, the one I told you that I didn’t want to be involved in.” I could feel the tension in the air from the other wolves, who all stood in silence, watching, waiting, expectant.
“I didn’t send them here. They attacked Tory, Mallory, and I outside the Mausoleum. Tory sent them running. The Huntress turned that defeat into a counterattack against you. Your name was never brought up, so I don’t know why or how she randomly chose you, or how she knew where to find your home.”
He grunted. “She’s a hunter. She scented me at the first meeting. Wouldn’t be difficult for her to find me after.” He looked pained. “Nate, I know this wasn’t your fault, but my pack was still placed into danger… because of you.” I swallowed, nodding slowly with guilt. “Some died.”
“I know…”
“You are reckless.”
My shoulders tightened instinctively, ready to snap back a defense, but I bit my tongue. He was right. I needed to start taking responsibility for my actions. I had been raised in an imaginary world where I was above the law, untouchable, in both the mortal world and the supernatural world. Now, the mortals had no fear of me. I was a failure in their eyes. And… although feared in the supernatural world, if I was being honest with myself, I had merely survived a handful of very dangerous circumstances by utilizing a combination of my skills, cleverness, friends, and a whole hell of a lot of luck.
I had surrounded myself with capable people, and together, we had gotten through some pretty extraordinary scrapes pretty much unscathed. I glanced up at Gunnar’s face, and flinched in shame.
Except last time.
Gunnar had lost an eye.
Misha had been killed.
Ashley had been unwillingly turned into a werewolf.
Indie had become a Grimm… having to die in order to do so.
And countless others had died. Names I didn’t even know.
Gunnar had been forced to kill the Alpha of the local werewolf pack, taking his place, and although he had accepted it, even found new purpose with the responsibility… it was all my fault.
I needed to grow up.
I nodded once at Gunnar, hardening my resolve.
His gaze was tough, thoughtful, and demanding. “Stupid. Irresponsible…” each word was a lash that made me grit my teeth to endure. But they were all fair. “Careless,” the words began to wash over me in a steady rhythm. I didn’t ignore them, but embraced them, acknowledging and accepting them like scars from a battle. It was a new experience for me.
Because I had never in my life let anyone talk to me this way for this long without extreme retaliation. It was… humbling. I noticed Alucard watching at first in anger, then astonishment, and then concern, as if wondering which of the words would be Gunnar’s last.
With my past, and even in the brief window Alucard had known me, he knew me well enough to understand that no one had ever talked to me this way. Especially not with an audience to witness my shame.
“…Noble. Cunning. Self-sacrificing. Son of a bitch.” The room was silent, and I found myself slowly grinning as I caught his last words. Gunnar was assessing me with a reserved pride. I nodded back, not trusting myself with words. And I wasn’t about to try to shake hands.
Listen, I was new to humiliation. No need to ruin it by decking him.
Indie stirred on the couch. I was beside her in an instant, hovering over her as she fully woke, eyes shooting wide open as she realized she was naked, and that a crowd was watching her. She tucked her legs up closer in an effort for my shirt to cover her entirely. She latched onto my arm, fingers digging into my flesh as her eyes danced wildly. I began murmuring a soothing chant under my breath, something one of the monks had taught me years ago when I had first met them. It just kind of came to me, and I realized I had heard it over the past few weeks as they worked.
The tone instantly caught her attention, and her eyes calmed, her fingers loosened, and a small smile split her cheeks as her eyes finally met mine. I caught one last flicker of lightning in her irises, and then she gasped, hands shooting to my face. She wiped my cheeks, fingers coming away wet. I stared at them, not understanding.
“Nate’s a big girl without you looking after him, Indie. A sobbing mess-” The dog bowl was in my hand before I realized it, and sailing through the air to smash into Alucard’s forehead with a resounding clang.
Gunnar burst out laughing, and I flashed a guilty grin. Indie was sitting up, staring over the couch as Alucard climbed to his feet with a grumbled protest. “He can say all that and you cry, but I say one thing and get clobbered by a dog bowl?”
Gunnar piped up. “Nate and I have beaten the living hell out of each other for decades. I’m pretty sure I am the only one whom he would have allowed to say those things to him.” I nodded as he shot a look my way. “And the only one who could have said those things while imparting a much more important lesson that he actually heard…” I smiled guiltily, and kissed Indie on the cheeks.
“You guys found out I was tailing you…” Indie whispered guiltily.
Gunnar grunted, ordering his wolves out to give us some privacy while he and Alucard remained with us. “I knew it all along, but apparently, none of the others recognized you.” His eyes grew thoughtful. “I’ll have to remedy that. Perhaps once you get a bit more control you would like to come over and… play with my pack?”
Indie grinned. “Would love to. But it may be a while. I think Ashley and I both have a lot to learn before that is a safe option.” Gunnar shrugged, reaching into a wardrobe. He tossed Indie a pair of leggings and a long tee that said, God Save The Queen. She tossed it on eagerly, and then a pair of flip flops landed beside her, much too large, but at least it was something.
“How did you know to come here?” I asked softly.
“I saw your… talk with Van. And Tory. So I Shadow Walked here.” I blinked.
“Oh,” I responded lamely. No big deal, she had just Shadow Walked, tapping into my Maker power, riding my coattails.
“I didn’t have Alucard’s umbrella sword, so decided to try and blend in with the pack. I took a swipe at that monster thing,” she beamed proudly.
“Gruffalo,” I said, still trying to wrap my head around what she had so casually done.
She frowned. “The children’s story?”
I nodded, turning back to Gunnar. “I’m sorry about everything. We’ll get out of your hair and figure this stuff out on our own. I-”
“No.” His fingers flexed into fists as he turned to the window, staring out at the parking lot. “Members of my pack have died. Now we’re involved. I can’t let them sit here. They must seek vengeance.”
I exchanged a look with Indie, who knew Gunnar pretty well. She piped up before I could. “That’s not really… how you work, Gunnar.”
He was silent as he continued studying the parking lot, the apartment buildings, and a form or two that darted across the pavement, too quick to be human. Then I spotted two forms carrying a dead wolf across their back, eyes downcast. His voice was rough. “We all change, right, Nate?”
I cleared my throat, torn at seeing my friend this way, but understanding that it was only logical that we meet in the middle. Me, to learn some much-needed responsibility, and Gunnar, to learn some recklessness. I shivered at the thought of what we would be like in a few years. “Yeah.” I let the silence carry for a bit. Alu
card was rubbing his head idly, where a faint cut was already healing. He saw me and instantly dropped his hand with a scowl.
“We need to get out of here. I need answers. You need to take care of your pack. Let’s meet up at Chateau Falco later, unless I call you with a change of plans.”
He turned a hard eye in my direction. “You better call. I want in on this.”
I nodded, unsure whether to smile in relief or cringe in regret at what I had made him become.
I clasped hands with both Indie and Alucard, and a vertical slit of light sliced into the room, instantly spiraling into a circular shape alive with green sparks racing into the center of the opening. I could faintly see a field in the distance. I tugged my shirt back on, and then had a thought. I asked Gunnar for another set of clothes. He frowned, but didn’t say anything as he complied. Indie and Alucard were watching me, frowning at the clothes and the field on the other side of the gateway.
I nodded in thanks at Gunnar and stepped through the gateway. He stepped into view on the other side and nodded back at me before turning away. I let the power evaporate as I took a deep breath of…
Meadow muffins.
“Gross,” Alucard muttered.
“Oh… this probably wasn’t a good idea, Nate. I can’t control-”
I pressed a finger to her lips. “I’m counting on it,” I winked. They both stared in confusion as I crept through the field, dodging cow patties, and masking our stealthy advance. Full night was coming. Perfect for this sort of thing.
Chapter 40
I masked our approach, hoping against hope to bring a little bit of light to my day.
Something for everyone to laugh at.
Well, everyone but the Minotaur, of course.
I scanned the field, but the evening was cloudy and it wasn’t easy to spot anything limned in the darkness. I spotted a shape, pointed urgently, and began creeping towards it, hoping it wasn’t simply a hay bale.
Silver Tongue: A Novel in The Nate Temple Supernatural Thriller Series (The Temple Chronicles Book 4) Page 21
