Sins of Long Ago

by Naomi Bellina

  “He already shot a man.”

  “But not a stranger. Now be quiet while I do this concealment spell. It’s not terribly strong, but it should let us get up to the house relatively unnoticed.”

  “How? How does your magic even work?” Vincent ran a finger down her cheek.

  “It’s…I can’t explain. These shielding spells, they only blur the lines a little. That’s the best way I can describe it. People see what they want to a lot of the time. It works on a mental illusion principle. It’s not terribly powerful, doesn’t last long, doesn’t have any side effects. Most witches use it for little things, getting out of speeding tickets, stuff like that.”

  Vincent studied her a moment, his look both calculating and admiring. “Yeah, we’re going to have a long talk soon.”

  They crept together through the trees to the side of the house.

  “We’ll use the kitchen door. More bushes there for me to hide in. I’ll be right here, with my Taser. If it goes wrong, I’m going to shoot so get out of the way, fast.”

  I can do this. It’s just like acting in a school play. Gen took a deep breath and banged on the door. It swung open, and Ethan Kern stared at her, his mouth slightly open and eyes wide.

  “Hey, there. I’m staying in the cabin down the road. I’m baking, and I’m all out of sugar. Can I borrow a cup?”

  His brow furrowed. “I don’t have any sugar. Where did you come from?”

  “Over there.” She pointed randomly.

  “I’m in the middle of an important phone call. Good day.”

  Gen stepped her foot in the door. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Norma.”

  Ethan Kern backed up. No, not back; she had to get closer to zap him.

  “You have to go. I’m busy.”

  One more step in. There! Close enough. She pulled her hand from behind her back and pushed the instrument to his arm. He crumpled like a puppet whose strings were cut and fell to the floor.

  “Who’s at the door?” Another man entered the kitchen and before Gen could even speak, a pop, then a sizzling sound filled the air. The man yelled and dropped to the ground.

  “Good job, Marilyn. Give me the Terminator.”

  She handed it to Vincent, and he pressed it to the tased man’s arm. Thank the Lord, he immediately stopped yelling. Vincent rolled the man to his side and pulled the Taser probes out of his chest.

  “He’s okay. Come on, we don’t have much time before these guys are up.” Vincent patted down Kern and the other guard and took guns from each of them, then handed the Terminator back to Gen.

  They hurried down the basement stairs. An odor of sickness hit her nostrils as they neared the bottom.

  “Who are you?” A man bent over Mark straightened up at their arrival.

  “Reinforcements,” Vincent said and nodded at Gen.

  Smiling, she approached him. “How is the patient?”

  “Not good. I don’t think I can help him any further. You look very familiar.”

  “I have that kind of face. Ethan wants to see you upstairs.”

  He frowned. “I don’t recall hearing about reinforcements.” He moved away from the bed, and Gen went to him, touching him with the device on his shoulder. He dropped to the floor.

  Vincent already had his knife out, cutting the cable ties on Mark’s ankles. Mark moaned.

  “Sorry, bud. I’m trying not to hurt you. I’ll have you loose in a minute. Time to go.”

  “No, stop.” Mark opened his eyes. “Hey, how you doing? You’re the guy who came here before.”

  “Yeah, and we’re getting you out of here.”

  “Nah, too late. I’m dying. Heard them talking this morning. Something went wrong, I guess.”

  “Hang on. We’ll get you to a doctor.”

  “Not going to make it. It’s okay. I knew the risk going in. Made good money while it lasted. Listen, call my wife, would you? I want to say goodbye.”

  Gen stepped closer to the bed. Mark looked like hell. Skin white as snow, sweat covered his face. Red welts rose all over his arms.

  “Come on, we can get you to a doctor.” She reached to touch Mark’s shoulder, but he held up his hand.

  “Let me talk to my wife, okay? That’s all I want.”

  With shaking fingers, Genevieve tapped in the numbers he recited, then handed him her phone.

  “Susan? Hey, baby, I love you. Kiss Jenny and Luke for me. I don’t know when I’m going to see you again. I just want you to know, you’re the most important thing to me. Ever.” The phone slipped from Mark’s fingers, and his head lolled to the side.

  Gen picked up the phone. “Hello? This is…a friend of Mark’s.” She sniffed, trying to hold back her tears. “Yes, he’s pretty bad off. You know where he is? Okay, we’ll be here.” She disconnected.

  “Mark, Susan is on her way. Hold on just a little longer. Vincent, we have to call an ambulance.”

  “No. No ambulance.” Mark tried to raise his head but failed. “Just make sure Susan gets what was promised to her.”

  “You’re not calling anyone. Put the phone down.”

  Ethan Kern stood at the bottom of the stairs, a pistol in his hands.

  “Get your hands up. I don’t know who you two are, but I know you’re not Marilyn Monroe. And you,” he pointed the gun at Vincent, “You’re not Colin Sysco. I…”

  “You what? You killed him? Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. Now tell me what the fuck you’re doing in my house messing with my property.”

  “Your property? This is a human being, and he needs medical attention.” Gen took a step toward Kern.

  “A human being who willingly agreed to participate in an experiment, for which he’s been well compensated. He understood the risks involved and signed a waiver. Both of you, get out of here right now.”

  “If he dies, you killed him. I don’t care who you are—you’re not above the law. I’ll call the police.”

  “Fine. You do that. My lawyers will have me out in a day. And do you really want to bring attention to yourselves? You’re not Mark’s relatives, I know, so I’m going to guess you have something to do with the shape-shifters in this area. You creatures like to stay under the radar, don’t you? Get the police involved, and there will be all kinds of unwelcome interest in your group. I have the money to buy silence from the local law enforcement. Do you?”

  Vincent’s clenched his fists at his sides. “What I have is a bunch of pissed-off men and women you don’t want to mess with.”

  “Then stay out of my business. This doesn’t concern you.”

  “The hell it doesn’t. You’re experimenting with my people.”

  They turned at the sound of footsteps on the stairs. The other man lumbered down, shaking his head.

  “Tony, relieve these two of their weapons, then get the duct tape from the back room and tie them up.”

  Tony took their weapons then headed around the corner.

  Kern motioned with his gun to the man on the floor. “I’ll assume you hit him with the same weapon you used on me. Not one I’m familiar with. How long does the effect last?”

  Vincent shrugged. “No telling. Apparently not as long as I thought.”

  “Wake him up.” Kern pointed to Gen.

  She knelt over the man and shook him gently, then harder. He grunted, but didn’t open his eyes.

  “Get him awake, now.”

  Gen shook him harder, then slapped his face lightly. Finally, his eyes opened.

  “Dr. Blake, we need to move the subject out of here. Can you stabilize him to travel?”

  The doctor pulled himself to a sitting position. “I don’t think so. He’s too far gone.”

  Kern cursed. “You two, over there. Tony, bind up their hands and feet. Then help me get Mark to my car.”

  “Did you hear me? He doesn’t have much longer,” Dr. Blake said.

  He didn’t have any longer. Gen bit her lip to keep the tears inside. Mark had died; she’d felt his spirit
leave his body a moment ago.

  “We’ll talk upstairs.” Kern nodded to Dr. Blake. “Tony, come up when you’re done.” He turned again to Vincent. “Who else knows you’re here?”

  “My second, who has instructions to head in this direction if I don’t check in soon.”

  Had he really told Roland his location? Gen hoped to hell he had. Kern and Dr. Blake headed up the stairs, and Tony came over to them.

  “Hey, man, you don’t want to do this. Ethan Kern is in deep shit. Let us go. We’ll make sure you’re treated fairly later.”

  “Can’t,” Tony grunted. “I belong to him. Sit down, on the floor, hands and feet in front of you.”

  “You don’t belong to anybody. No one owns people. Come on, help us out, and we’ll help you.” Gen tried to catch his eye, but he refused to look at her.

  “These guys do. They own people. Hold still.”

  Gen and Vincent exchanged a glance. “Hey, can you do some of your, you know…”

  But by now they were bound. From upstairs came the sound of furniture being moved and doors opening and closing. Without looking at them, Tony stood and went up the stairs.

  “They’re packing up to leave.” Vincent struggled against the tape. “Damn it, I knew I shouldn’t have let you come.”

  “It’s okay. I’m all right; so are you. Mark just died. Kern and these guys, they’re going to take off. They’re not going to hurt us.” Maybe. Hopefully. She kept her tone as even as possible. Gen’s heart pounded so loudly, she hoped Vincent couldn’t hear. He was pissed enough; he didn’t need her fear added to his worry.

  “So you got any magic tricks up your sleeves to get us loose?” Vincent angled his body to face her.

  “No duct-tape-cutting spells. Let me concentrate a few minutes and I’ll try to do something to make Tony sleepy, get him out of the picture.” She closed her eyes, breathed in deeply and tried to slow her pulse. They would be okay. Between her smarts and Vincent’s skill, they would get out of this. Alive, with all their parts still attached. She murmured a few words, concentrating her focus on Tony. A guy who thought he belonged to another man could prove mighty dangerous. If he were to pass out, one less obstacle.

  “I’m going to shift.”

  “No! Don’t leave me alone with these guys.”

  “You won’t be alone. I’ll be right here.”

  “I want the non-furry Vincent. Give me five more minutes. Maybe I can get them all to sleep.”

  Probably not, but fierce as wolf-Vincent was, she needed his human presence to steady her right now.

  “What’s happening?” He’d managed to be quiet for three minutes.

  “I don’t know. Wait. My magic is slow sometimes.”

  “We don’t have time for slow.”

  “Oh my God!”

  They both turned at the sound of a woman’s voice. Susan, Gen guessed, stood on the stairs, her hand over her mouth. Ethan Kern appeared behind her.

  “What have you done to him?” She strode across the room, sat on the bed, and took Mark’s face in her hands.

  “Get away from him. Tony, Dr. Blake, get down here,” Kern called up the stairs, then stalked over to the bed as the other two men rushed down the stairs.

  “He’s dead! You motherfucker, you killed him.”

  “You’re the subject’s…You’re Mark’s wife, Mrs. Smith?” Ethan Kern asked.

  She nodded, tears rolling down her cheeks.

  “Mrs. Smith, I’m very sorry for your loss, however, Mark did understand this experiment was not without risk.”

  “Susan, get out of here. This man is dangerous.” Gen scooted around to face the woman.

  Susan rose from the bed and looked at Vincent and Gen. “Who are you?”

  “Friends of Mark. Please. You have to go now. There’s nothing else you can do for your husband.”

  Kern turned to Susan. “I understand one of your children has Down syndrome. Mark told me the money we provided went toward day care and other expenses for him. Do you want to continue to receive more money?”

  Susan nodded.

  “As a sign of our appreciation to him, we will continue to compensate you per our agreement. Checks will still be sent every month. Go home and forget you ever saw me. We’ll have him cremated and send you the remains so you can have whatever type of ceremony you’d like.”

  Susan clenched her fists, and Gen sensed her struggle. Her husband had just died and Mark’s wife desperately wanted to lash out at Ethan Kern. But how did a mother turn down money to help her child?

  “You cocksucker.” Vincent continued tugging at his restraints.

  “It’s what Mark would have wanted.” Kern put a hand on Susan’s shoulder.

  She shrugged it off. “You told us the experiment wasn’t terribly dangerous.”

  “Maybe that’s what Mark told you. To protect you. He knew what he was getting into.”

  Liar, Gen wanted to scream but bit back her anger. They had to stay calm. She and Vincent were in enough danger. No reason to put Susan at risk. Having spent a few more minutes in Kern’s presence, her assessment of the situation changed. The man was becoming unnerved and slightly desperate. He had a black place in his soul and could easily decide killing them all would be the best way to solve his problem.

  Vincent leaned his head toward her. “I’m going to shift,” he whispered. “I’ve got a knife Tony missed strapped to my leg. Get Susan to cut you loose and both of you get out of here. Call Roland.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’m gonna push it really fast, so if you hear me yell, don’t worry.”

  Before she could answer, Vincent shifted. And good thing he warned her. The shriek coming from his mouth made the hair along her arms stand up. His shift was like a blur, one minute human, the next wolf. With a roar, he leapt at Kern.

  Susan screamed and moved away, her hand over her mouth.

  “Susan, come here. There’s a knife, over here.” Gen tipped her head at the shredded remains of Vincent’s pants.

  The woman just gaped at her, then looked back at where Kern and Tony stood, trapped in a corner with Vincent inches away, growling loudly.

  “We’re the good guys, honest. Please, get his knife and cut this tape. Hurry.”

  Gen didn’t blame the poor woman for being shell-shocked. Her husband had just died, and she’d watched a man turn into a wolf, but Susan had to get her ass in gear. She finally moved, kneeling next to Gen.

  “It’s somewhere on the floor. There. Do my hands first.” Susan cut the tape on her wrists, then ankles, and Gen stood. “Go, get out of here.”

  “What about you?”

  “I’ll be in touch. I have your number in my phone.” One of the men screamed, and Gen looked up to see Tony on the floor, holding his leg, blood gushing from a wound.

  Vincent now had Ethan Kern pinned to the floor and stood on him, teeth bared at his neck. No, please, don’t let Vincent rip out the man’s throat. Gen scrambled on the floor for Tony’s gun. There. She picked it up and pointed it at Dr. Blake, who had scooted to a corner of the basement. Now if she could just hold it and not accidently fire it with her shaking hands.

  “You, Doc, take care of Tony’s leg. Make it stop bleeding. Vincent, I’ve got a loaded gun pointed at Kern. You can get off him now.”

  He remained where he was and growled, pointing his snout to the shelf. What did he want?

  “Get this fucking animal off me!”

  Gen moved slowly, keeping the gun on the man and wolf. Tape. Probably a good idea to restrain Ethan Kern, even with a gun pointed at him and an animal on top. Vincent had to change back soon. She needed help with this situation. Human help. Susan still stood by the basement door. Shit, if she wasn’t going to leave she’d have to assist. Gen tossed her the tape.

  “Susan, tie up Kern’s hands and feet.”

  Susan approached cautiously. “That wolf. He won’t bite me, will he?”

  “No, don’t worry. And you, don’t move a muscle or you’
re going to feel teeth or a bullet in your skin.”

  “I…I don’t know what to do.” Susan wrung her hands together.

  “It’s your choice. I understand you need to take care of your son.” Shit. Of course she did.

  “I have a daughter too. She’s finally been able to take piano lessons with the extra money.” Susan bit her lip. “It’s been her dream for so many years.”

  “I know you’re torn, but please, just help us get out of here.” A pop, then sizzling noise sounded again. Vincent suddenly yipped and slumped to the floor.

  Gen whirled around, a second too late.

  “Sorry about this,” was the last thing she heard as Dr. Blake pressed a hard object to her skin.

  Gen slowly opened her eyes. A cold surface and the stench of bleach were the first things to penetrate her awareness. Pushing herself up, she looked around. Vincent, his face changed back to normal, lay next to her and they were still in the basement, but all the others were gone, including Mark.

  “Vincent.” She shook him lightly. “Wake up.”

  He grunted, then opened his eyes. “Shit.” He sat up quickly. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine.”

  Standing, he looked around the room. “Everyone gone?”

  “I guess so. I just woke up too.” She rose slowly, taking a body inventory. Legs seemed to be functioning correctly. Brain, a little fuzzy but not too bad.

  Vincent prowled around the room until he found a light switch. The fluorescent glow hurt her eyes but allowed them to see more clearly. The place had been cleaned out. The bed was still there, but the sheets had been stripped. All the food, any personal items, swept away.

  They moved upstairs to find the rooms there in the same condition. Computer gone, no sign of anyone. Peering into the bathroom mirror showed her face had also reverted back to her own.

  “They must have given us an extra dose or two with my Terminator device to knock us out for so long.”

  Great. A supercharged zap of an experimental weapon. Shouldn’t cause any lasting damage. Still, they were alive. For some reason.

  “Not like I’m complaining, but why didn’t Kern kill us?”

  “He knows better than to murder the leader of a powerful wolf pack. If he has any brains, he checked in with whoever he’s working for and was told to leave us alive. Anyway, who are we going to tell? He’s right. We can’t get the police involved, or anyone else.”