by Brandon Hale
“I’m not dead,” Scott said, “and neither are you.”
Grung lifted his left arm and wiggled his fingers. “I think you just haven’t accepted it yet. We’re dead, brother. It’s the only explanation.”
“Grung, you’re a werewolf,” Scott said.
Grung stared at him for moment with a look of shock on his face. As the reality of Scott’s comment settled in his mind, he began to smile. “Awesome.”
“It’s not as awesome as you think,” Scott said as he sat on one of the beds and pointed to the other one. “Sit.”
Grung sat on the other bed. His eyes were wide with excitement. “I can’t imagine how this isn’t awesome. I was an ass-kicker when I was human. Imagine what I can do now. Did you do it to save my life? How did you do it? Last thing I saw was that wolf dude eating my heart.”
“I didn’t do it,” Scott said. “Talbot did. He ripped out your heart and replaced it with half of mine.”
Grung flinched. “That’s horrid. Is that how werewolves are normally made? In our training, we never covered exactly how it happens. We were just told it’s very rare.”
“They don’t teach it in training because it’s something the werewolves consider sacred,” Scott explained. “Even the vampires don’t know how it’s done. The Day Soldiers were told by the seventy-four, but they decided the information wasn’t something they wanted to fall into the hands of the vampires. The vamps would have been ripping out hearts left and right, trying to make more soldiers.”
“Makes sense,” Grung said.
“Werewolves very rarely turn a human,” Scott said. “Most werewolves are born to it. They think of themselves as the highest species on earth and they don’t often meet a human worthy of becoming a werewolf.”
“They consider themselves gods,” Grung said with a small snarl.
“Pretty much,” Scott conceded.
“So why haven’t they tried to take over the world sooner?” Grung asked. “If they think they’re so great, why did they wait until we captured one before doing anything?”
“They don’t want to rule the world,” Scott said. “They just want to live within it. They think the desire to rule is what’s wrong with humans and vampires.”
Grung nodded. “Gotta admit, they have a point.”
“Yeah,” Scott said. “That’s why they rarely turn humans. They don’t want that mentality infiltrating their world.”
“But they turned me,” Grung said thoughtfully. He was talking to himself more than Scott.
“Don’t get cocky,” Scott said. “Talbot turned you because he follows some idiotic honor code. He thinks he can’t properly avenge Daciana if you’re just a human.”
Grung place his hand against his own chest. “I can’t believe how good I feel. How long was I out?”
“About a day,” Scott said.
“Holy crap,” Grung said. “We heal fast.”
“As long as it’s not silver that hurt us,” Scott said.
“I just can’t get over how fast it happened,” Grung said. “I mean, I really feel great.”
“Yeah,” Scott said. “That’s how Lily claims to have figured out I’m a werewolf. I still think that’s bullshit, though. I mean, I could’ve been some new creature that just healed quickly. Or maybe I was a twin and we were keeping it secret for some reason. There are a dozen explanations that wouldn’t have protected me from a damn crossbow bolt.”
“You’re really obsessing over this,” Grung said.
“She shot me in the head, dude,” Scott said.
“Wait a second,” Grung said. “So werewolves heal so fast that your parts can heal humans?”
“Yeah.”
“So if you had cut off your hand and attached it to my arm, it would have become a new hand for me?”
“Yeah.”
“Then why the hell,” Grung said, “did I have to design that sword arm. The Day Soldiers had plenty of werewolves. They could have been healing the injured all this time.”
“It would have turned those people into werewolves,” Scott said.
“So what,” Grung said. “That would have just made our side that much stronger.”
“Grung,” Scott said, “you’re assuming some big things there. There’s no guarantee those people would fight for humanity once they were turned. Power is a dangerous thing. Besides, we were fighting that war to save humanity. Turning them all into werewolves isn’t exactly the best way to do that.”
“That’s a big steaming pile of horse crap,” Grung said. “I swear, the more I learn about the people in charge, the more I think they shouldn’t be the people in charge.”
“Which kind of backs up the argument that power isn’t always a good thing to give humans,” Scott said.
“Okay,” Grung said, letting that debate go, “tell me how to change into a wolf. I want to see what that feels like.”
“Not yet,” Scott said. “You need to understand what it does to you.”
“Does it hurt or something?”
“No,” Scott said. “It’s actually very empowering, but it’s hard to control. When you’re a wolf, instinct is much louder than reason. Killing feels... natural. You have to hold onto your humanity when you’re in wolf form or you’ll do things you regret.”
“How do I do that?” Grung asked.
“Experience is the only way,” Scott said. “When you’re a wolf, never just let yourself go. If you give in to the wolf, it’s very hard to come back. People can die. People you care about.”
“So if I’m in a fight with a bunch of vamps or werewolves, I should just cut loose.”
“Not necessarily,” Scott said. “One of the reasons you’re so good at killing those things is because you keep your head when they don’t. Explore your new abilities slowly and learn them well. If we survive this, I’ll help you of course.”
“Speaking of surviving this,” Grung said, “what are our odds?”
“We need to figure out how to escape,” Scott said. “If it comes down to facing Talbot, our chances aren’t good. He’s not like the other werewolves we’ve faced. He’s a soldier. This isn’t a game for him like it was for Dennis. Nothing’s more dangerous than a soldier who believes in his cause.”
“We believe in our cause too,” Grung said.
“He knows that,” Scott said. “That’s the other thing that makes him dangerous. If he didn’t respect you, he’d have killed you in the desert. Dennis underestimated us. Talbot won’t make that mistake.”
“It almost sounds like you respect him,” Grung said.
Scott sat quietly for a moment, then said, “I respect him more than I respected Dennis or Daciana. They wanted power. Talbot wants a better world. That’s an important distinction.”
“We need to escape,” Grung said.
“Yeah.”
There was a knock at the door.
Grung looked at Scott. “It’s him,” Scott said.
“Come in,” Grung said.
The door opened and Talbot stepped inside. Grung was again disturbed by the fact that Talbot’s human form was far from human.
“I heard voices,” Talbot said as he pulled the chair from under the small table and placed it beside the bed. He sat in the chair backwards, resting his harms on the chair’s back. “I’m glad to see you’re okay.”
“I’m far from okay,” Grung said.
“You’re better than okay,” Talbot countered. “You’re one of us, Grung.”
“I’ll never be one of you,” Grung said.
Talbot’s mouth curled into a subtle smile. “Nonsense. You were one of us before we turned you, Grung. You’re a soldier. I wish things were different between us. I genuinely don’t want to kill you.”
“Then don’t kill me,” Grung said. “You’re in charge.”
“If I ignore the old ways, I’ll lose the respect of my men,” Talbot said. “I must avenge Daciana. I’m just relieved she was killed by a warrior. It makes my path much clearer.”
> “What path is that?” Scott said. “To turn a man into a werewolf so you won’t feel guilty about murdering him?”
“You have no part in this, traitor,” Talbot said to Scott. “As a matter of fact, it’s time for me to keep my promise about letting you go. You’re free to go. Get the hell out of my territory.”
“If it’s all the same to you,” Scott said, “I think I’ll stay.”
Talbot turned back to Grung. “I’m letting the traitor stay because you need someone you can trust to help you prepare for our fight. After the fight, if he doesn’t leave, I will kill him. I think that’s more than fair.”
“It’s fair,” Grung said. “You seem like a reasonable man. You said you don’t want to kill me. Is there a way to avoid all of this?”
“There is one way,” Talbot said, “but you won’t accept it because you won’t accept our culture. A werewolf has to earn a position of power. We have to deserve it. We aren’t automatically granted power when another werewolf dies.”
“That’s not true,” Grung said. “Dennis came to power when Lily killed Phillip.”
“Dennis came to power,” Talbot said, “when he avenged Phillip by destroying the entire town of Iveyton.”
“So that’s what this is about,” Grung said. “You want power, and the only way you can have it is by avenging Daciana. You’re no better than Dennis.”
“You’re half right,” Talbot said. “The only way I can truly lead my people is by avenging Daciana. I have to earn it, which is why you’re a werewolf. But you misjudge me if you think I’m doing this because I want power.”
“Then why is it so important?” Grung said. “Looks like these werewolves are pretty devoted to you already.”
“Until I earn my right to lead them,” Talbot said, “I have no choice but to follow the path Daciana set for us. If I want to change things, I have to earn the right to do so.”
Scott leaned forward. “Do you want to change things?”
“I want the option,” Talbot said. “Don’t get me wrong, I agreed with Lycaon’s decision to declare war on humanity. They have grown too destructive. But I emphatically disagree with his decision to join the parasites to accomplish his goal. If I earn my place as the leader of my people, we can walk away from that alliance. Ultimately, it won’t make a difference because we’re just one group of werewolves… but it matters to me.”
“It would make a difference,” Scott said. “If you weren’t allied with the vampires, we could have won the battles in the west.”
“You misunderstand me, traitor,” Talbot said. “The assault would have happened either way, but instead of taking prisoners, we would have simply killed the humans. I happen to think that’s more compassionate than making them food for parasites.”
“So what’s the way?” Grung said.
“I’m sorry,” Talbot said with a confused look on his face. “You’ve lost me.”
“You said there’s one way to avoid a fight to the death,” Grung said. “What is it?”
“You could surrender to me and swear allegiance to my cause,” Talbot said.
“Your cause being the complete destruction of humanity,” Grung said.
“Yes.”
“Okay, so that’s not really an option for me,” Grung said.
“If that is your choice, so be it,” Talbot said. “But you shouldn’t make that decision lightly.”
“Oh, come on,” Grung said. “You honestly think I’d consider destroying every person I’ve ever loved?”
“Grung,” Talbot said, “I’m not a bloodthirsty monster, no matter what you’ve been told by this traitor. If I enjoyed killing, I’d do it slowly. I’m an efficient killer because I’m a compassionate man. I do what I must.”
“What you must?” Scott said. “Are you seriously going to pretend there’s no other way?”
“There is no other way,” Talbot said. “The destruction of humanity is inevitable. They will lose this war because they’re fighting for themselves. We’re fighting for something bigger. We’re fighting for the world itself.”
“We’ve made mistakes,” Grung said, “but we’re getting better. We have electric cars and solar energy. We’re moving away from destruction, not toward it.”
Grung expected Talbot to laugh, but instead the man-wolf just looked sad. “I wish that were so, Grung. You know, humanity isn’t really the problem. Technology is. No matter how advanced it gets, technology will always destroy more than it creates. Always. And humans can’t exist without technology. It’s just… what they do.”
“You’re wrong,” Grung said. “We can find a middle ground here.”
“Stop saying that,” Talbot said. “Stop saying ‘we.’ You’re not a human. Not anymore.”
“I’ll always be human,” Grung said.
“Don’t be silly,” Talbot said. “You know I’m right, Grung. Eventually, humanity will destroy itself anyway. I just want to push that along before they take the world down in the process.”
“What happens if I win the fight?” Grung asked.
“You won’t win the fight,” Talbot said. “I turned you to make it as fair as possible, but the truth is, being a werewolf won’t really help you. I was using a sword before your parents were born.”
Grung eyes widened slightly. “We’re fighting with swords?”
“Yes,” Talbot said with a sigh. “Grung, I know you fancy yourself a swordsman, but you won’t win this fight. I’m just trying to be honest here. If you want to survive long enough to enjoy your new condition, you’ll have to join us. It’s really the only way.”
“But if I win…” Grung pressed.
“If you somehow won,” Talbot said, “my life would belong to you. More importantly, you would be the leader of every werewolf from Arkansas to Nevada.”
Grung sat quietly, considering Talbot’s words.
“Grung,” Talbot said, “don’t put too much thought into that. If you choose to fight, you’ll die. I won’t give you the opportunity to change your mind. If there’s any chance that you’ll join us, you have to do it before the fight. Once the fight starts, I’m not stopping until you’re dead.”
“I’m not going to join you,” Grung said flatly.
Talbot stood up and placed the chair back under the table. “That makes me sad. You have no idea how difficult this is for me.” He walked to the door then stopped and turned around. “Daciana was more than my leader. I loved her dearly. I wanted nothing more than to kill you in the desert, but I didn’t because I know you deserve better. Honor is that important to me, Grung.”
“Okay,” Grung said. “Good to know.”
“I want you to think about honor,” Talbot said. “Has humanity earned your sacrifice? After you give your life for them, do you think they’ll do anything differently? My people aren’t fighting for power. We’re fighting to preserve nature’s balance.”
“You’re allied with vampires,” Scott said. “That invalidates everything you just said.”
“For once,” Talbot said, “I agree with you, traitor. That problem will be solved by the destruction of humanity. The best way to kill a predator is to kill its prey. Two birds, one stone.”
“Do I get to practice with a sword before our fight?” Grung asked.
“I’ll have a sword delivered to your room,” Talbot said. He pulled the shades back on the motel window. It was dark outside. “We’ll face each other at dawn. That’ll give you about nine hours. Feel free to walk around the resort. The humans used it as a ski resort in the winter. This time of year, there’s no snow, but the view is spectacular.”
“I’ll be ready,” Grung said.
“Before I leave,” Talbot said, “I have one question for you. You don’t have to tell me the answer. Just answer it honestly, to yourself.”
“Okay,” Grung said.
“When you first found out you were a werewolf,” Talbot said, “were you happy about it? The answer to that question might help you to determine where you re
ally stand.”
Without another word, Talbot left the room.
“He’s an interesting guy,” Grung said.
“What are you planning to do?” Scott asked.
“I’m going to fight him,” Grung said. “I don’t really see another option.”
“We can try to escape,” Scott said.
“You know we wouldn’t make it fifty feet,” Grung said. “The guy has an army. Besides, I can beat him, Scott. I know I can. I was killing werewolves before I had supernatural speed.”
“I hope you’re right,” Scott said. “If Talbot starts seeing himself as the true leader of these werewolves, I think he’ll succeed at making America a human-free land.”
“Do you think I can beat him?” Grung asked. “Be honest.”
“Yeah,” Scott said, “I think you can beat him. Talbot’s obviously powerful, but he’s made a crucial mistake.”
“What mistake?” Grung asked.
A smirk slowly crept onto Scott’s face. “He challenged a member of the B-Team. And what’s the B-Team’s number one rule?”
“We always win,” Grung said.
Scott’s smirk grew to a full grin. “We always win.”
Chapter 20
The Congressional Defense Force
The intercom by Abbie’s bed buzzed. She reached over and pressed a button. “I was in the middle of a really good dream about eating slaw dogs. This had better be worth pulling me from that moment of heaven.”
“Abbie,” Charlotte’s voice said, “one of your soldiers is back. He wants to talk to you.”
Abbie immediately sat up in her bed. “Who’s back? They’re not supposed to come back. What are they doing here?”
“Not sure,” Charlotte said, “but he seems really excited about something.”
“Thanks, Charlotte,” Abbie said. “I’ll be right up.”
She quickly got dressed and headed to the communications room. “Cooper,” she said as she walked into the room, “you’re supposed to be half way across the country by now.”
Cooper was the leader of one of the Day Soldier infantry squads. He was also among the troops who joined Abbie and Wallace in the battle at New York a year earlier. Abbie always considered Cooper to be a bit arrogant, but the fact that he was a channeler justified his confidence.
