What moonlight there was glinted off something metal—a knife of some kind, I guessed.
As I moved to try to jump out of its way, Henry and Ella leaped to my defense, jumping straight from being what looked like sleeping wolves to becoming attacking wolves in a heartbeat.
Whatever the creature was, she was strong, and fast. With a single spin, whipping out its arms, it slammed the twins back against the dorm room wall.
They hit with a resounding thud, and I winced on their behalf. I felt the pain of their impact shudder through me as it poured down the lines that connected us. But it was a distant pain, and I didn’t allow it to distract me. Pain was good. The pain meant they were still alive.
But then the creature was on me, attacking with all her might.
She was coming toward me, her mouth open in a rictus smile, exposing pointed teeth.
I focused on that smile, that face. That evil, ugly, face. Even though time seemed to stretch out around me, I knew there wasn’t enough of it for me to completely shift before the creature hit me.
But I had been practicing partial shifts all my life.
With a single hand, I swiped at the creature just as it let out a horrific screeching noise.
But I got my one swipe in. Even as the monster was screaming, I had hooked one claw into an eyeball.
Whatever this thing was, it was definitely alive.
Her scream intensified and I clung to her with my claws imbedded in her for dear life as she tried to shake me off.
Ella and Henry got up woozily, rubbing their heads.
Help me, I sent across the lines that bound us to one another.
Instantly, Henry and Ella jumped up, each clamping down on one side of the intruders body.
Wolves like to take their prey down and then kill them cooperatively, I remembered from some social studies class I had taken.
And in this case, cooperative meant me. Henry pulled the creature down from behind while Ella clamped down on an arm the creature had thrown up in front of its face at the last minute. Between the two of them, they wrestled her to the floor.
And without hesitation, I slashed my half-shifted hand across her throat, claws extended.
The horrific shriek turned to a gurgle, the noise bubbling out of the wound I’d made in his throat.
The three of us were still standing, watching the creature bleed out, when my door burst open and virtually all the pack members on campus tried to rush in at once.
“We’re okay, we’re okay,” I called out.
Everyone out the hall started talking at once.
We heard you. I knew you were in danger. I could tell it was a problem. I knew there was somebody who had broken and...
Apparently, not only was I able to kill monsters when the time came, but I was also the member of an extended pack that knew when I was in trouble.
I liked that.
I was beaming by the time Reo and Kacie made their way through the front of the crowd and to my door.
Reo frowned down at the body on my floor.
“Looks like a banshee,” Kacie said.
“Yeah, and it’s one we admitted to the Academy yesterday.” Reo sounded worried.
“She said she was going to kill me,” I said.
“I believe you,” Kacie said shortly.
“Whatever it was, it was clearly not here to do any of us any good.” Reo nudged the body with his bear foot.
“You know,” Kacie said, “banshees can often foretell their own debts. I wonder if she was here to try to stop it?”
“She might have foreseen her own death, but the last word she said were that she was doing it for the Lusus Naturae,” I noted.
“It’s a good thing you killed it, then,” Reo said.
My two friends and I beamed at each other.
“I’ll take over here,” Reo said. “Why don’t you gather up your stuff and go stay with Ella?”
I couldn’t think of a better idea.
I didn’t really sleep, though.
The next day’s seminar consisted of strengthening our pack bond and practicing moving together in ways that would allow us to fight together.
But I already knew that I could do that.
For the first time, I didn’t feel anxious about what was coming next.
“I’m excited about the spring semester starting,” Ella said as we packed up to leave the day after that.
“Me, too.” I closed my suitcase and grinned at her. We headed toward the portal that would send us home again, meeting up with Ella’s twin on the way out. “I still wonder why the banshee was out to get me, though.”
Henry reached down and took my hand in his, squeezing it as we walked along. “I think that’s something we need to look into next semester.”
I smiled at him. “Absolutely.
When Ms. Allen stepped through the portal to escort me back home, I smiled at her.
We had won.
Now I knew where I belonged.
I was going to stay at the Hunters’ Academy. I knew how I was going to join the fight against the Lusus Naturae when my time came.
And until then, I was going to learn everything I could.
With Henry and Ella.
And a whole new pack.
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About Ivy Hearne
IVY HEARNE SPENDS HER days dreaming of heroes and monsters and the heroines who tame them. She writes young adult paranormal romance and urban fantasy and fully expects to find herself someday transported to a world of fantasy and magic, where her snarky tendencies will win her the respect of the realm—and probably a crown, too.
The Christmas Pudding Disaster by Susan Burdorf
Snow had been falling for hours now, having started just before she went to bed the evening before. Jane woke to frosted windows, and cold toes. Shivering, she pulled her shawl from the end of the bed and slid her feet into the worn slippers at the edge of the rug.
She was excited about today. She, her mother, and sister Cassandra would be starting the process for the Christmas puddings they would be serving at the dinner at her brother Edward’s nearby home in a month. They’d already begun the treat, a traditional dessert that would be served after the Christmas dinner at Edward’s home, but today would be the actual creation as all the ingredients – the raisins and other fruits that would be inside the pudding – had been soaking for a few days in the special marinade her mother used that made her puddings so popular.
Jane was not domestic, she knew this, tea and simple meals were her specialty, but these were such a traditional part of the holiday that she always looked forward to the time with her sister and mother as they made them. They never laughed as much as they did when elbow deep in flour as they created that Christmas magical dessert. Some liked to call the dessert plum pudding or Figgy pudding, but to Jane they were always Christmas puddings as that was the only time they ate them.
A gust of wind from outside rattled the window, reminding her that the season she loved the most had arrived.
“You’d think after so many years on this earth I’d be used to English winters,” Jane muttered, but they still always surprised her with their ability to be warm or at least tolerable and then suddenly freezing. It was just a week before Christmas, 1814 and Jane was not feeling at her best. A cold had come upon her several weeks ago, and a persistent cough was leaving her weak and tired all too often. Her health, always fragile these days it seemed, was taking more and more out of her every time she became ill. Being tired was becoming the norm and she pushed through it like she always did, loathe to give her family reason to call for the doctor who liked to bleed her too much.
She walked to the window, blowing on it with warm breath to free up some of the ice coating the surface. She wiped away the beadi
ng moisture and looked out onto a white world. Cold. Lonely. Bleak. That was the way most people described an English winter, but Jane always found solace in the silence of winter. The blanket of white was a renewal, a reaffirmation of life regaining its foothold on the world once spring arrived. Winter was the answer to all the questions in her soul, and she treasured the solitude that came with the season, until the holidays, of course.
She could just barely see thin gray puffs of smoke rising above the trees from houses miles away. If she turned her head just right she could see down the lane that ran from town past their small cottage and off to join another road over the hills and valleys. They were isolated during bad weather especially, but she was not alone in this cottage, and Jane liked the feeling of family nearby, and yet her time to focus on her writing was always available if she asked for it. Edward’s home was just a five or ten minute walk down the road if she needed more than the company of her mother, sister, and their friend Mary Lloyd.
With them as companions, she knew the chill of the winter day would soon diminish.
Today was going to be a glorious day full of surprises; she could feel it in her bones.
The aroma of breakfast cooking drew her to the kitchen. Dressed very simply in her woolen robe over her thin nightdress she found herself seeking comfort near the warmth of the fire.
“Thank you,” she said to Cassandra.
Blowing on the hot liquid of the morning tea they always shared she looked around the kitchen. Frowning, she noticed the women were not dressed for baking. As a matter of fact, none of the ingredients were laid out on the table waiting for mixing.
Instead, her mother was seated, enjoying her own cup of the beverage, although Jane noted there was no steam rising from the cup indicating her mother had been there for some period of time.
“Is everything okay, mother?” Jane asked ignoring the warning look from Cassandra.
Her mother didn’t answer. Jane made as if to speak again only stopping at a touch of Cassandra’s hand on her arm and a gentle shaking of her head warning Jane to silence.
Jane took another sip, watching her mother through the rising veil of steam.
“Your sister and I were just discussing the state of our Christmas desserts.” Her mother finally answered. She didn’t meet Jane’s curious glance, looking out the window at the falling snow as she slowly sipped her cold tea.
“And what state is that, mother?” asked Jane curiously. To her knowledge everything was ready. Joining Edward and his family for the meal they wouldn’t have to make their own although they would most likely eat a quick meal before going to Chawton House, as Jane hated waiting for them to serve the meal as they liked to eat quite late. She was becoming excited at the idea of the dramatic entrance of the Christmas Puddings they’d be bringing as well.
“We have a very strict schedule to get everything ready, and I’m just not sure we can do it.”
“Mother, we are only making the Christmas pudding, not the full meal.”
“Yes, well, Edward’s cook has taken to her bed and I must go with Cassandra to the manor to prepare their meals, and with all the accompanying fuss that needs to be made for the visitors and family I’m not sure how it will all be done in time. I believe they are expecting a few guests besides us, and then the children... well, not only is the cook ill, but Edward’s wife is ill as well and you know children always catch what everyone else gets. I fully expect them to be ill soon.”
Jane looked from Cassandra to her mother with a slightly raised eyebrow, curious as to why she was being given such a long-winded explanation of her mother and sister’s intended doings when her normally quiet mother barely ever spoke that much all at once.
“Cassandra?” Jane asked as she set her cup of tea down on the table.
Cassandra, a small smile tugging her lips upward nodded to acknowledge their mother’s comments as true.
“Well, that’s settled then,” said Jane as she stood. “You will just have to make the Christmas pudding at Edward’s. Be sure to send a carriage or a horse for me when you need me to join you. Do you need me to gather the ingredients we’ve ready so far?” Jane spoke the last over her shoulder as she entered the doorway to the pantry where the ingredients were being kept cool under their cloth.
“Oh, no, Jane.” Her mother said walking toward her when Jane stopped at the entrance.
“No?” said Jane. She wrinkled her brow as she took in the amused look on Cassandra’s face, and the firm set of her mother’s jaw. Something told her she was in for trouble.
“We won’t have time to fuss over the Christmas pudding. You know it takes forever and has to set for a month. You will have to make the puddings. Remember, we will need several as Edward always has a few guests. I have left the recipe and other instructions on the card on the table for you. There are enough ingredients for at least three puddings. Cassandra and I must leave immediately for Edward’s.”
Jane glanced toward where her mother had been seated to see she had indeed placed a small piece of paper on the surface. Turning toward Cassandra, who hid a grin behind her gloved hand, Jane frowned. Her sister’s expression went from amused to positively, wickedly joyous which promised no help in Jane’s attempts to avoid at all costs having to make the Christmas puddings.
“Yes, sister, we must leave immediately, before the snow deepens.” Cassandra rose and followed their mother from the kitchen to the front door. Jane sensed the laughter her sister contained would burst forth once they left if her shaking shoulders were any indication of her sister’s restrained mirth.
Jane sputtered and argued with her mother and sibling to no avail as she followed them to the door where they gathered cloaks, scarves, and hats. In spite of her best efforts her protests fell on deaf ears. “But... you know that I have difficulty with that darn pudding. Can’t I perhaps bring something else?”
“No, dear, we will expect you and the puddings on Christmas Eve at eight o’clock on the dot. Please, don’t be late. We are leaving Millicent to assist you while we are gone so you will not be here alone. She’s going home to her family for Christmas so be sure to have the puddings done in time for her to leave and you to get to Edward’s. A carriage will be sent for you.”
“Are you sure you have to stay the whole time? Can’t you come back to make the puddings?”
“Now, dear,” her mother said putting a hand on Jane’s arm, “You know you haven’t been feeling well yourself lately. I don’t want to bring home something that might infect you too.”
Jane cursed silently under her breath. Her mother had an answer for everything.
“Can’t Cassandra stay?” Jane said. Her look toward her sister was met with an even wider smile.
“No, I’ll need her help. You know she’s an excellent nurse. No, no more arguments. We have to go.” Her mother held up a hand to hold off anymore discussion and Jane relented. She knew a losing battle when she saw one.
Their bags, it appeared, were already on the carriage, her mother and sister having packed them a little while ago and already loaded everything they needed. They had just been waiting for her to rise so they could tell her of their plans.
Kisses at the door and the two older women were gone. Jane closed the door as Millicent entered the room. The young girl was dressed in a maid’s plain garments with a cap on her head, her blonde hair braided and her expression pleasant and expectant.
Jane grinned wryly as she heard the carriage Edward had sent for her mother and sister leaving. The snow had abated for the moment, but the cold air when she’d opened the door told her it would soon return. She shivered and pulled her clothing tighter around her body.
With a sigh she re-entered the kitchen and looked about. She knew there was plenty of food, so she would not starve while she waited for Christmas to arrive, and that was a relief.
“Well, Millie, dear girl, what are we to do?”
“Miss?” asked Millicent. She appeared to be confused, her brow wrinkled sl
ightly as she looked at Jane.
“How are you at making the Christmas pudding?” Jane asked.
“Oh, I never made one before, miss,” said Millie with a small curtsey. “Me mum always makes the Figgy. She never let me try me hand at it. But I’m happy to help you make it, if you’d like.”
Jane frowned then shrugged her shoulders.
Millicent was young, she looked to be about fourteen, so no surprise she wasn’t a hand at the pudding, either.
“Well, we shall just have to do our best,” Jane muttered as she picked up the note her mother had left for her with the directions. “Serves them right if I ruin the darn thing.”
Jane left the room still holding the recipe, a shake of her head the only sign of her concern. Behind her she could hear Millie humming as she set about cleaning up the breakfast.
If only I could be as carefree as she, thought Jane as she studied the precise directions her mother had left for her.
In spite of her concern, Millie’s good humor soon restored her own and Jane found herself whistling a gay tune she’d heard at the last dance at Edward’s while she .gathered the necessary ingredients.
A short while later, both Millicent and Jane pronounced the pudding well and truly made and set them in the pantry to set. They would continue to add brandy and other spices as it “cured” for the next few weeks before preparing the last step before going to her brother’s for the holiday.
Rubbing her hands together Jane startled as the clock in the living room struck the noon hour. Had time passed that quickly? She marveled at how little effort she’d had to make to finish the pudding.
“Well then,” she said, “that is that.”
“Miss?” said Millicent as she stood nearby with her head tilted slightly. She had her hands folded in front of her and was standing at attention as if awaiting her mistresses’ next instructions.
“We should probably see about a meal. How about a lovely sandwich for lunch with some tea?”
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