Bloodlines

by Alex Kidwell

  Eyebrow rising, Jed stopped fidgeting. “Updated reading material? ’Cause I gotta tell you, as much as I love the one copy of Home & Garden from 1958, it’s getting kind of old.”

  Anthony frowned contemplatively. “Was Home & Garden even being published then?”

  Jed shrugged. “They had homes back then, kid. And gardens. And words.”

  “I don’t know, that’s pretty far back. Did they even have the written language then?” Anthony teased.

  “I was not even a glimmer in my father’s eye back then, so for all I know they had fucking dinosaurs.” Laughing, Jed shook his head. “So, what do you want me to get? I’ve got a trip to town scheduled. I can pick up some gossip mags for your secret boy band crush stalking.”

  Anthony smiled, but that time he didn’t get distracted. “I wanted to ask you a favor. I know this might sound pretty dramatic, and I’m not asking you to seriously commit to anything. But—” He drew a deep breath. “—if I die, I want to know that there’ll be someone looking out for my brothers. Just checking in on them every once in a while to make sure they’re okay. And I can’t think of anyone better for the job than you.”

  Well. That was one good way to get Jed focused. A frown crept over his face, and Jed instinctively shook his head, wanting nothing more than to get up and run. “I’m pretty sure you must be taking the good drugs, then, Rin Tin Tin.” Jed didn’t do family. He’d never been good at it. Redford was… a massive exception to the rule. “I’m not your guy.”

  “I’m not asking you to live with them and hold their hand, Jed. Just a phone call every once in a while. Help, if they need it.” Another wolf ability, besides the senses and the glamorous fur coat, must have been the ability to give irritatingly good pleading eyes. Redford had it down, and now Anthony was giving him the same face.

  Jaw tight, Jed just shook his head more determinedly. “You want Red,” he grunted, staring somewhere over Anthony’s left shoulder. “Or, fuck, Victor. Anybody but me. I’m not the person someone wants checking up on them. They get in a tight spot, sure, I’m there. But everyday stuff isn’t my thing.”

  “I’d ask Victor if I didn’t think Randall would hang up on him,” Anthony said wryly. “And since Randall would, Edwin would. Can I ask both you and Redford, then?”

  Leg jiggling, Jed tried to think of a really good excuse. Like he was allergic to hugs or he was pretty sure he turned into a wolf-eating maniac on full moons. A were-man of some sort. In the end, though, Jed just heaved a sigh and nodded. “Fine. Redford does the emotional shit, though.” He nudged Anthony’s shoulder. “Not that this conversation matters. You’re going to be fine.”

  Before Jed could protest, Anthony had reached out and gotten an arm around Jed’s shoulder, dragging him into a hug. It was, needless to say, a bit awkward while both of them were sitting down. “Thank you,” Anthony mumbled against Jed’s shoulder. “Really. Thank you. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

  Patting Anthony’s back, floundering more than a little, Jed cleared his throat. “Yeah, well. Good talk.” Christ, he hated stuff like this. Who just went around hugging people? It was weird. Anthony didn’t even let him go after the allotted two seconds. He just kept hugging him.

  After an excruciatingly long time, Anthony said, laughter under his words, “You really hate being hugged, don’t you?”

  “I like naked hugging,” Jed grumbled, arms now stiff at his sides, completely unsure what he was supposed to be doing. “That’s the only kind of hugging that counts.”

  Anthony scoffed. “Regular hugging is good too. Here, I’ll give you a tip. Lift your arms and put them around me. You will have then successfully hugged me back and I’ll let you go.”

  Well, that didn’t sound like a viable option at all. Wincing, Jed held still, hoping Anthony would give up. The bastard just tightened his grip, and Jed swore he could feel him laughing silently. Finally, letting out an exasperated breath, Jed raised his arms and gave Anthony another quick double tap on the back. “There. Fucking hell, you freaking muppet.”

  Anthony was a man of his word. He let go and sat back in his chair. “Now, was that so scary?”

  Glaring at him, Jed rubbed the back of his neck, feeling as awkward as some teenager after their first date. “Whatever. You need anything else while I’m in here? Should we do each other’s makeup and talk about boys?”

  “We totally should.” Anthony was so deadpan Jed found he couldn’t tell if he was being serious or not. His heart sank. Shit. Was this like a Make-A-Wish thing? Did he now have to follow through for the sick guy?

  Fuck that. “You come near me with mascara and I will kick your ass, I don’t care how many needles the doc has got in your arm,” Jed grumbled, scowling. “My lashes are perfect. I don’t need a goddamn thing on my face.”

  Anthony’s expression split into a grin. “So you’ve spent time thinking about your eyelashes, huh?”

  Jed swore he was going to hit him. Jed rolled his eyes heavily, flopping back in his chair. “You are an asshole,” he declared.

  “A loveable one,” Anthony corrected. “So, have you got anything planned for this night’s full moon?”

  “That’s debatable.” Going back to making lazy circles on the stool, shooting Anthony the required scowls as he turned, Jed shrugged. “Spend as much time with Red as he wants. Sleep. Get fucked into the ground when Red gets back.” A slow smirk spread across Jed’s face. “You know, nothing big.”

  Victor would have scowled at him. Hell, most people would have protested that was way too much information. Anthony simply slapped him on the shoulder and said, “Good luck. You’ll need it, especially if Redford is getting more in tune with his instincts.”

  The smirk turned into a full-on grin. “Any tips?”

  “Eat a lot of carbs and try not to pass out,” Anthony laughed. “Wolves are more energetic than most.”

  “I’ve never had a complaint.” Snorting out a laugh, Jed waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “I think I can keep up just fine.”

  “I’m sure you can.” Anthony half turned in his chair as Cedric bustled over to do something with the IV in his arm. “Okay, Jed, I’m sure you have something better to do than watch me get treated. But thank you.” Anthony looked up at him again, a teasing light in his eyes. “For a human, you’re pretty good to have as a friend.”

  He’d been released from sticking around with the threat of future ninja hugs, but Jed didn’t move. “How’s that going?” he asked, nodding toward the IV. “Better than the smelly paste shit?”

  It was Cedric who answered him. “I can’t say there will be any improvement just yet.” He sounded grumpy. Then again, the guy always sounded grumpy.

  “But I think I am starting to feel better,” Anthony said optimistically. “Not improved yet, but less worse, if that makes sense. My hands don’t shake as much, at least.”

  Nodding, Jed glanced over at Cedric—who, frankly, scared him a little—and rolled his shoulders forward, unsure. “Look, seriously, if you need something… just ask. Supplies or better drugs, some weed, whatever.” That was a good way to show support, right? Besides, pot would totally help with the pain.

  “Are you angling for another thankful hug?” Anthony raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Please, God, no,” Jed returned, arms folded. “Just, you know. Jesus, don’t give me the goddamn puppy eyes. I’m just saying, okay?”

  Anthony’s expression softened. “I know. And thank you, again. I’m not sure weed will ever be on my shopping list, but medicine might be one day.”

  Nodding, Jed sat in uncomfortable silence for a few more beats before standing. He felt like something else needed to be said or done, but, at a loss, he wound up sticking out his hand for Anthony to shake. “Good stuff.”

  Anthony, the asshole, smirked at his awkwardness. “Have a good full moon, Jed.”

  Back out in the main flow of the camp, most of the busy work seemed to have eased. This was the first full moon at the ne
w camp, and it seemed a little bit like the hours before some kind of government holiday. There were people cooking, a few doing some wash by the stream that came off of the lake, but most people seemed too jittery for mundane tasks. Even the kids Victor was teaching were practically vibrating out of their seats, restless and obviously done with whatever Victor was teaching.

  Jed wandered over, hands in his pockets, smirking as one of the kids shifted into a plump dark gray wolf and took off toward the woods, howling its little head off. Three more followed him, and just like that, half of Victor’s class was chubby, on four legs, and wrestling with one another in mass chaos while Victor closed his book in resignation and looked like he was trying to figure out if he should stop them biting one another.

  “You look like you could use a drink,” Jed informed Victor cheerfully. One of the roly-poly wolf cubs ran straight into Jed’s leg. He stooped down to pick the kid up, carting him under one arm while he took a seat and tugged a flask out of his jacket pocket. Rubbing behind the wolf’s ears, grinning when it nipped at his fingers with a playful growl, Jed tossed the flask toward Victor. “Happy full moon, princess.”

  Victor only glanced at the flask before passing it back. “I’ve decided not to drink in excess anymore,” he announced. “But thank you for the offer.”

  Well, next thing he’d know the sun would be coming up ass backward and shitting rainbows. Blinking, surprised, Jed took his own drink and put the bottle away. “What’s gotten into you?” he asked, wrestling lightly with the wolf pup, smiling when two others ran over to help. They were rolling on the ground with little growls that shook through their bodies, tails wagging happily while Jed attacked their stomachs with both hands.

  “It’s a long story of contemplation that would no doubt bore you to death,” Victor said dryly. “But if my medusa blood is going to kill me someday, chancing liver disease is only adding to my problems.”

  “You’re thinking ahead?” Jed smirked, shaking his head and watching as the wolf kids decided that chasing one another around trees was far more fun. They waddled off in a run, and Jed kicked back, watching them play. “Seriously, Vickie, it’s like I hardly know you. What’s going on?”

  Victor sighed as he turned to the makeshift table that he’d obviously hauled out for the class, for the sole purpose of bearing ridiculous numbers of books. As he began getting them into order, he replied, “Before the pack moved here, I was told that I exhibited a number of self-destructive behaviors. Though I initially thought it was ridiculous, I’m beginning to see the truth in it.”

  “Everybody’s self-destructive,” Jed dismissed, taking another long drink. “Wouldn’t have thought you the type to get your panties in a bunch over something like that.”

  “You only think that because you constantly rush headfirst into things that would happily kill you,” Victor pointed out dryly. He paused then, staring at Jed oddly. “Is there something you wanted?”

  Yeah, he wasn’t exactly someone who sat down and chatted it up with random people. Especially not Victor. But he’d been surrounded by wolves for a month, and even though he’d be the last damn person to admit it, Jed felt… well, like he was something else. And yeah, he knew, Victor wasn’t human either. But he also wasn’t wolf, so maybe they were something else together.

  “Anthony just asked me to look after the furry duo when he kicks it.” Jed absently picked up a stick, drawing patterns in the dirt while Victor packed up his books. “Not really sure what I feel about that. I mean, he’s crazy, obviously, but kinda couldn’t say no.”

  Victor made a faint huh noise, obviously surprised. “And are you going to do what he asked?”

  “You ever tried to turn down a pleading wolf?” Jed snorted, shaking his head. “Yeah, I guess. I mean, I’d rather the big lug just lived, you know, but I said yes. Redford and I will play mommy and daddy if he can’t.” God, just the thought of it was close to giving Jed a panic attack.

  Victor was trying, and failing, to contain an amused smirk. “What an entertaining thought.”

  Rolling his eyes, Jed took another drink. He’d have to ration himself—he was running low on his booze supply. “So why doesn’t the nerd talk to you anymore?” Christ, maybe there was something in the water. Jed really didn’t want to know, but there he was, asking anyway.

  Then again, Jed had watched Victor and Randall dance big fucking circles around each other for three weeks. Maybe somebody needed to point out that everyone knew they were idiots.

  “Because of the aforementioned self-destructive tendencies,” Victor replied, his voice clipped. “It’s something I’m addressing.”

  Oh, well, he’d found a nerve. “Wait.” Jed couldn’t help the huge grin. “Are you telling me the virgin blushing geek boy turned you down?” That was hilarious.

  “Oh, shut up, Jed,” Victor said witheringly. But there was a hint of a returning smirk on his face. “Besides, he’s not a virgin anymore.”

  Pausing, Jed waited for Victor to walk that back. Surely that wasn’t what Victor meant. But oh no, Jed knew that smug look. He’d had that smug look. “You seductive devil.” Jed grinned, raising his flask. “Come on, drink to that, at least. Virgin chaser.”

  Victor still refused the flask. “Well, none of it’s any good if he continues to avoid me.” He went right back to looking morose.

  “Come on, princess, I know you’ve got some balls hidden under all those perfectly ironed slacks. Go after him.” Smirking, Jed leaned back. “Try a little pursuit for a change. There’s got to be something in those boring books of yours about how to woo, or whatever the fuck nerds call it.”

  Victor looked incredulous. “Are you trying to give me relationship advice?”

  “Well, I am in one,” Jed pointed out. “And he hardly ever tries to eat me. So yeah. I think I can give you a few pointers.” He winked at Victor. “Don’t worry, professor, no charge for this one.”

  “Jed,” Victor said delicately, “I’m not going to say that you’re a slut, but you’ve had more balls in your mouth than the Hungry, Hungry Hippos.”

  A beat of silence and then Jed started laughing. Oh, Christ. His stomach actually hurt, how hard he was laughing, head thrown back and eyes watering. “You’re a little bitch,” he told Victor, grinning broadly. “Come on. I’m going to go get some food. Let’s find Red and get dinner before everyone gets all furry.”

  Though Victor seemed a bit startled at the offer, he nodded and said, “I should take these books back to my tent first. But I can catch up with you later?”

  He and Victor had started to walk, pausing where their paths would split. “Sounds good.” Just as Jed turned away, someone collided full on with him, falling back with a grunt. It was Randall, arms loaded with books and maps, everything going flying as he landed on the ground. His glasses were somewhere in the grass, and he blinked blearily up at Jed, looking dazed.

  “Sorry,” Randall automatically apologized, fumbling to find his glasses again. “I wasn’t looking where I was walking.”

  “No problem. I wasn’t looking where I was standing.” Jed shot Victor a little encouraging smirk, shoving the man toward Randall. “Here, let us help you.” This was like a fucking love connection. He couldn’t wait to tell Redford. Pack gossip was almost better than soap operas.

  Victor dropped his armful of books to go to Randall’s aid. He found Randall’s glasses and picked them up first, holding them out, close enough that Randall would see them. “Here,” he said softly. “Are you all right?”

  As soon as he realized who else was with Jed, Randall had flushed, gaze dropping away. “Yes, of course,” Randall answered stiffly, but something in his expression softened slightly as he took his glasses back. “Thank you.”

  Victor started gathering Randall’s books for him, wincing at the sight of dirt on one of the covers and doing his best to wipe it off. “You’re sure? That fall looked painful.”

  Jed was, honestly, not really helping. He was standing back, giving Victor
a huge shit-eating grin from behind Randall every time Victor looked over. Randall seemed flustered, unsure of what to do. His and Victor’s hands kept getting tangled together as they tried to gather his books.

  “Yes, well.” Randall shot Victor a quick glance, obviously awkward. “I’m not really that breakable.”

  “That’s a relief to hear.” Victor picked up the last fallen book and handed it to Randall. He seemed to handle that tome with more caution than the others, making sure it didn’t have any dirt or creases. Randall looked intensely embarrassed that he had seen that particular one out of the stack, but when Jed craned his head, it didn’t look like porn or anything. Just an old book, one he’d seen Randall carrying before, with a weird title, something about Jeeves. A butler porn book, maybe?

  “Thank you,” Randall said again, softer, standing and cradling his armload closer to his chest, the butler porn held closest. “I appreciate the help.”

  Victor collected his own books off the ground, clearly unsure what to say. “I hope you have a good full moon,” he wound up going with. Jed could have smacked him. Randall was obviously going to take the out, and then they’d just go back to being awkward.

  So he shouldered Victor aside, grinning at Randall. “And by that he means you’re joining us for dinner. Me and Red and Vickie.”

  Randall looked a little surprised, eyes darting over to Victor quickly. “I’m not sure—” he started.

  “I’d really like if you did,” Victor said in a rush. “We’ll get the food together. All you need to do is show up.”

  Clearly hesitant, Randall fidgeted, foot to foot. “I just—”

  Jed didn’t give him a chance to say no. “Great.” He beamed, slinging an arm around Victor’s shoulders. “See you in twenty.” And then he guided Victor off, sneaking quick looks behind them to catch Randall staring after them, utterly baffled. He’d show up, though. He was far too polite not to.

  “Well, I hope you’re in the mood for an awkward dinner,” Victor sighed.