by Gina Kincade
Lucius broke the tension. “Buy one of the pies.”
The man grinned. “Yes, a pie. Very sweet.”
Ben said nothing more, opening the door and leaving.
Once he was gone, the men converged on Rev, slapping an album on the counter.
Rev retrieved her tablet and marked the change in inventory. “Ten dollars.”
“Ten?” The man who had picked it out stared in disbelief. “Do you know—"
The scarred man stopped him with a hand. “Easy there, pussycat.”
Rev assumed he meant her and Lucius' grip on hip tightened.
The scarred man produced a twenty and leaned over far enough to touch it to the skin above the neckline of Rev’s sundress. She snatched it from him and opened the register to get the change. Before she could give it to him, he caught her hand, running his fingers over it.
“Think on my offer, Two-point-oh. Come on, boys, I have a sweet tooth.”
The ten dollar bill floated to the counter as Rev turned to hug Lucius, comforted enough in his presence to allow a shudder to reflect in her voice, a betrayal of her feeling uncomfortable despite the confident and strong front she'd put up, now that the men had gone. “Who are they?”
“They come across the county line every now and then. A group of thugs.” Lucius stroked her back and eased her grip around his neck.
Rev sank back onto her heels. “Do you know what they wanted me to do?”
Lucius nodded and rubbed her shoulder. “They try to peddle it every time they come here. We keep close tabs on their visits.” He pulled her close again. “Don’t be scared, okay. We will keep you safe.”
“I know you will. Thank you.”
“Why don’t you close up early? We can go for a walk, work off any residual nerves.”
Rev rocked back and forth, from toes to heels, heels to toes. Lucius reached out and touched her hand where it wrapped around the gold deer hanging from her neck. She hadn’t noticed grabbing it. She forced herself to drop her arm.
“Grandma said I shouldn’t play with it. Why would she do that?”
Lucius shrugged. “Got me. Come on, she’ll forgive you closing a bit early.”
Rev had to agree. Less than an hour until closing time seemed close enough. “I’ll meet you in the back.” She opened the front door for him, and he flashed a smile as he walked out. Flipping the sign and slipping the deadbolt, she heaved a sigh and headed for the back of the store.
Reverie grabbed for her throat and the deer again when she opened the back door, expecting Lucius. Instead, Kerwin leaned in the frame. He ran his fingers over her face and then cupped her cheeks while he kissed her.
“You’re okay,” he said when he let her go.
She dropped the pendant to cover one of his hands with her own. “I’m fine.”
He pressed his forehead to hers in gesture that was at the same time comforting and intimate. Silent, he rubbed his nose along hers, pressing his lips to hers again. His hands left her face and wrapped around her hips, pulling him tight to her in an embrace, which although chaste, made her blood rush. He took deep breaths, and it felt like he was pulling her soul out of her and into him, drinking it in.
Rev let a deep groan slip from her throat as Lucius cleared his throat and Kerwin broke the kiss, turning to scowl at him all in one breath.
Rev pulled free of Kerwin’s grip and moved to stand between them. She felt pulled in two directions at once. Did she want to return to Kerwin’s silent clutches or move into Lucius' reassuring grip? Unable to decide, she took her frustration out on both of them. “Guys, don’t fight over me? I’m not worth it.”
They wore mirrored incredulous expressions. Kerwin broke the silence first, chuckling. “You have no idea how much you are worth.”
Lucius added his own bubbly laughter. “You mean more than anything.”
Rev pushed past both of them. “No, I don’t. I’m only here to help Grandma, and then I’m leaving.”
“Wait,” Lucius snagged her hand and pulled her back toward them. “You know we’re going to get past this, right?”
Kerwin crossed his arms, dark tattoos snaking out from under the sleeves of his t-shirt. He didn’t speak but nodded in agreement. “We will always be cousins.”
“But there’s only one you. We’ll fight each other, not to death, but with everything we have, and when one of us finally wins you, the other will step back, be happy for the other. But we aren’t there yet. You aren’t ready to choose and we both know it.”
Dropping his arms and stepping forward, Kerwin moved behind Rev, sliding his hands over her hips and pulling her against him.
Still holding her hand, Lucius stood in front of her, reminding Rev of her dream the first night here.
“Don’t run away from us. Please.”
Closing her eyes, she released all the anxiety of the drug dealers, the tension of trying to choose between them. All her fear and frustration melted away and she sagged in their hold.
They each kissed opposite cheeks and backed up, leaving her on her own two feet again. Lucius, as always, was the first to speak. “I know I jumped the gun asking you, but I hope you’ll still consider attending the mid-summer festival with me. And I’ll understand if you want to go with him.” He nodded to Kerwin.
“I–I don’t know yet. The twenty-second, right? That’s a few days yet. Maybe...” Who was she kidding? She wasn’t going to be able to pick between them in the next month, let alone the next week. “Tell you what, I will definitely be there. I expect I’ll see both of you there, too, right?”
Kerwin let out a huff behind her, then something more resembling a grunt and a chuckle. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”
“Sure, Rev. That’ll work. We could split the day?” Lucius stepped to her side so she wasn’t completely blocking his view of Kerwin. “I’ll take the afternoon?”
Kerwin nodded. “That’ll work.” He passed close enough to brush his lips over her cheek before leaving the alleyway.
“Can I walk you home?” Lucius asked, offering his hand.
“Thank you. And thank you for earlier. Who were those guys, really?”
Lucius took a deep breath before answering. “You know the Hatfields and McCoys? Kinda like that. They’re from the next county over and try to encroach on a regular basis.”
“Do you ever push back?”
He shrugged. “Not really. We’re happy with what we have. I think they’re jealous of that.”
Rev smiled, thinking about the tight-knit residents. “I can see why they would.”
GRANDMA, AWAKE BEFORE Rev, sat on the toilet lid, curling her hair when she stumbled in yawning. “Oh, sorry.” She backed up and stopped when she realized Grandma wasn’t using the toilet. “Do you want help with that?”
“No, my arms are working fine, thank you.”
“Do you have makeup on?”
Grandma’s lips pursed and her eyes narrowed. “What is that to you?”
Rev held up her hands. “Nothing, absolutely nothing.” She scratched her head. “Why today? Oh! Are you going to the festival?”
Grandma’s hand went to her throat, and Rev did a double take. “Is that?” She fingered the pendant resting at her throat; an exact replica of the one Grandma wore.
“Yes. It was in my jewelry box, right where I left it.”
“Then where did this come from?” Rev stared at the golden deer, willing it to share its secrets.
“The same place as mine, I expect. I found it shortly after I moved here, just as you did.”
“But it was in the shop? Was yours in the shop?”
Grandma grinned. “Of course not. I didn’t open the store for several months after moving. No, mine was caught on a tree, glittering as it twisted in the breeze.”
“Weird.”
“Weird indeed. Do you need me to move?” Grandma started to work herself up, but Rev stopped her.
“No, not right away. You can finish. I’ll go change.”
She
rooted through her suitcase, trying to find something fitting. After all, if Grandma was going all out for this, she should as well. A strappy sundress seemed about right.
In the kitchen, she started eggs and toast, moving them to plates and setting the table just as Grandma’s walker scraped against the tiles of the bathroom floor.
“Oh, good.” Rev slipped past her and closed the door as soon as she was out of the way. Her bladder could be put off only so long. On her way back to the table, she stopped at Grandma’s side, staring at the deer around her neck. “Can I touch it?”
“I’d rather you didn’t,” Grandma’s voice wasn’t cold, exactly, but clear, unyielding.
“Okay.”
After breakfast, Grandma took a few minutes selecting and donning her dress. In that time, Lucius arrived, ringing the bell.
“Hello. Grandma’s almost ready to go. Do you mind waiting for her?”
“Of course not,” he said just as Grandma shouted from the back of the house.
“You kids go on without me. I’ll make my way.”
Rev shook her head. “Can you believe her? She wouldn’t slow down at all if the doctor didn’t demand it.”
“I heard that!”
Lucius laughed and stepped inside. “We don’t mind, Penny. We aren’t in a hurry.”
She hobbled out with her walker, frowning furiously. “I know exactly what you’re here for, young man, and it isn’t me. Go on, take her out of here.” She made a shooing motion with her hand.
Rev rolled her eyes. “What difference does ten or fifteen minutes make? We can spend them with you.”
Grandma continued to grumble. “Don’t have wait on me. Not like I can’t see to myself. Think I’m not fit to walk.”
All the muttering only made Lucius' grin wider, but it made Rev fume. She held it check until Grandma reached the sidewalk. “Ugh, fine. Have a great day, Grandma. Make sure you let someone give you a lift home.”
“Lift. Like I can’t do it.”
Snatching Lucius' hand, Rev pulled him away with her. “You’re only going to make it worse if you laugh.”
“You’re right.” He moved into step behind her. “I don’t think anyone told you, but the party isn’t exactly in town.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you’ve noticed that we all enjoy the outdoors, the woods in particular.”
She understood but didn’t know how to reply. “It’s in the forest. Where? Just all over?”
“Almost. There are a few meadows that are more popular than other places. Mostly it’s a chance to enjoy the sun on the longest day of the year.” He took the lead, tugging lightly on her hand. “Don’t worry. It’s way less scary in the sunlight.”
Letting her trepidation go, Rev followed, smiling with Lucius and even giggling after a while. The summer sun shone through green leaves and its brilliant rays fell across sidewalks, trails, and everywhere Lucius led her. Humidity grew under the emerald canopy until she darted into a meadow just to find relief from it.
Exhaling a deep breath, Rev stepped through wildflowers, looking toward the tree line. “Where is everyone?”
Lucius ran to her, spun her around and pulled them both to ground. Flowers perfumed the air and she laughed with him, kissing awkwardly as she continued to grin.
“Do you really need anyone else?” He kissed her again, pulling her atop him with her legs straddling his hips. He rubbed his hands along her back, sliding one around to whisper over her belly and edge under her shirt.
“No,” she agreed, running her fingers through his black hair. Her own white-blond locks fell forward, curtaining their faces and contrasting with his. Following his example, she pushed his shirt up and traced the muscles beneath, six rectangles and a vee, a trail of soft hair leading to hidden delights under his waistband.
He snagged her fingers and pulled them up onto his chest. “Careful there, or we might be celebrating more than the day.”
“I can be good. Thanks for understanding.”
He shrugged. “What? That you don’t want to jump into bed with me. I mean, you’re like the only girl ever that hasn’t—”
Giggling, she slapped a hand over his mouth to shut him up. “Stop. You know what I meant. And it’s not like I’m completely against the idea. I just need some more time.”
“Rev, I get it. No pressure. Really. Especially if you don’t mind sitting there a bit longer.” He wiggled his hips and she lost her balance, sliding off to the side.
Her laughter quieted when he rolled over her and wove a forget-me-not into the strands of hair over her left ear. He seemed about to say something else, but a snarling stopped him. She sat up, trying to see what was making the noise.
A badger stood on its hind legs and scraped at the air with its paws, seeming to swipe at Lucius. She screeched and pushed herself away. Her face flooded with heat when she realized she was freaking out for no reason.
“Shit, that scared me. It’s not going to hurt us, is it?”
The badger returned to four feet and took two steps toward Rev. Lucius grabbed it by the scruff of the neck and turned it toward the trees. “Go on. You’re not welcome here.”
“Why not?” Rev asked. “He’s the first thing I’ve seen out here besides us.”
“You’re not looking closely enough.” He pointed to a tree where a hawk sat on a branch. Then his hand tracked right and stopped where a dog shape hunched.
His hand stopped there, but she continued to turn. The next animal was far larger than the others, and it lumbered out of the trees.
“Is that... Lucius! It’s a bear.” She darted behind him, but he didn’t show any signs of fear. Why wasn’t he scared? The bear came closer and she screamed, turning and running. The badger reached for her and left four scratches on her calf, not slowing her at all.
Rev leaned against the trunk of a maple tree, chest heaving, unable to get enough oxygen. Had that really been a bear? And more importantly, did it have Ben’s eyes? A bird cried out above her and Rev looked up into the branches at a brown hawk. It screamed again, lit off its perch and circled around Rev.
She trembled in fear, feeling the eyes of predators on all sides. A lynx came around one of the trunks and Rev bolted again. Four feet splashed through the creek and she screamed, tripping, her front limbs collapsing, her snout pressing into the earthy debris of the forest floor.
Her snout. What was happening? Was this another dream? A daydream? A daymare? It was definitely horrific. A badger waddled up to her and she scrambled back up to four feet and galloped away as fast and as far as she could.
“Rev, stop!”
Rev’s hooves dug into the dirt to stop short of colliding with Grandma and her walker.
“I don’t want to know what will happen if I try to shift now, probably nothing good, but you can stop panicking, you flighty girl.”
“What’s happening to me?” she asked. The sounds she made were strange and quiet.
“Close your eyes, Rev. You’re the doe. Feel her in you, don’t fight her. She’s the same one you wear around your neck. Remember? Just a deer, nothing to be afraid of.”
Rev tried but everything sounded wrong, felt different, smells weren’t the same.
Grandma sighed loudly. “Does someone else want to help me here? Really, leaving it to the convalescent.”
The lynx came through the trees and Rev was about to bolt. However, the cat stood on hind legs and then morphed into Lucius. A naked Lucius. She lowered her head to look away, feeling heat creeping into her cheeks.
“It’s okay, Rev,” he assured her, coming close enough to caress her neck.
She shied away.
“It’s okay.” He followed her, making her skitter every time.
“That’s right, Rev.”
Lucius turned to look at Grandma, but she didn’t address him. “She wants to run, to hide, doesn’t she?”
Rev’s ears twitched and her white tail flicked up.
“Before you bolt, w
hen you embrace her, you’ll find your human legs again. Just let her in.” Grandma picked up her walker and made small, meticulous steps down the path away from Rev and Lucius.
“You’re going to be fine, Rev,” Lucius tried to reassure her.
There was a flap of wings that snapped too loudly for regular bird. Rev reared up at the scaly creature gliding down to the canopy. She screamed and ran in the opposite direction as Grandma, Lucius, and the dragon, desperate to hide.
The deer was an excellent runner, so much so she didn’t notice the wolves gaining on her until they had her surrounded. Five black shadows emerged from the trees around her and she tried to run faster.
A burning in her leg brought her down. She fell amid old leaves and debris, sending a dust and dirt cloud up that promptly rained back down and settled on her now human form.
The wolves growled and she pushed herself up, trying to limp away. The back of her leg was wet and sticky with blood. The pack stopped and one morphed into the scarred man.
“Hello, Two-point-oh. I was expecting lunch, not dessert.” He licked his lips, looking over her naked body. She tried ineffectively to cover herself.
“Brandon.”
One of the wolves came closer and stood on its hind legs, appearing ready to revert to human form as well.
“No. I need you like that.”
Rev felt three pairs of hungry golden eyes, including Brandon’s, drinking her in. The last wolf stood and became a woman. “I’m not sticking around for this.”
“Don’t stress, Trix. Two-point-oh?”
“Rev.”
“Rev, ready to go, I like that.”
Rev didn’t bother correcting him again.
“Rev, climb on Brandon’s back. He can carry you out of here.”
She eyed the largest wolf, its tongue lolling from his mouth in what resembled a canine expression of pleasure.
The blood running down her leg would leave her weak, eventually unconscious, and possibly kill her. She had no way of getting herself out of the forest, and even if she did, she didn’t know which way was out. Already feeling disoriented and dizzy from blood loss, her heart still thumping under her breast, she gave in to the logic of self-preservation despite whom it forced her to trust at the moment. Wait, trust? No, accept help from, yes. Sighing, she reluctantly bent, wrapping her arms around Brandon’s thick neck, her legs falling to either side. She squeezed them together when Brandon moved to a walk, trying to hold on to the swaying sides with her knees.
