After they finished the interviews, Bill yawned. He was exhausted.
Tatya knew he’d never complain; a murder case such as this would take every bit of his attention every second of every day till it was solved.
“Tat? More coffee?”
Tatya nodded. She was drained. Scrying people’s memories used a great deal of psychic energy and a session like today’s left her as tired as if she’d run a marathon. “Could I have a couple of donuts?” Carbs were best for a quick refuel after expending energy.
“Branton, you heard the lady. Chop, chop.” After the door shut behind the deputy, Bill turned to Tatya. “That was a long session, thanks, Tat. You got any ideas?”
“Yes. Everyone we spoke to today has been glamoured.”
Bill’s eyes widened. “What makes you say that? There weren’t any vamps there that night.”
“Do you remember what you told me when we were on the Weston case two years ago? What aroused your suspicions was four of the family telling the story using the exact same words. Well, everyone’s final image of her is identical.”
Bill shrugged. “Mmm... yeah... but...”
“Think about it, Bill. How likely is it that every single person looked up at the same instant and received the exact same image no matter where they were sitting in the bar? Plus, there’s something I nearly caught in the first student’s mind, but it’s like a cloud or a mist or something.” She stopped as Changing Sky’s words popped into her mind. Or a mask.
The door swung open and Branton entered, carrying a tray with three cups of coffee and a large plate of donuts.
“What is it, Tatya?”
Tatya grabbed a donut, sinking her teeth into the sweet pink icing covering the sticky bun. “Give me a sec,” she mumbled as she chewed voraciously, savoring the sugar and carb rush flooding her system.
Bill and Branton ignored the donuts. They were far too familiar with police canteen food. Five minutes, three donuts and two cups of the hot brown liquid that passed for coffee later, Tatya told Bill of Changing Sky’s recent vision quest.
“Did he think it was Angelus?”
“He couldn’t tell. But it’s possible the same masked presence he detected is our killer.”
“Great,” said Bill. “A vampire with enough power to hide from one of the best shamans in the country, and able to glamour a bar full of people is on the loose in Orleton.”
Chapter Fifteen: The Pack
Tatya sat in her truck studying the crimson sky and lengthening shadows along Main Street. No sign of her special vamp bodyguard, but she knew they were around somewhere. She could see Forked Lightning weighing a bag of fresh herbs for Mrs. Hagen. Good. Her regulars were returning. But as Forked Lightning tried to pour more herbs into the paper bag, he managed to spill half the bottle’s contents into the scales. Tatya giggled. The big bad werewolf appeared noticeably challenged when it came to using his fine motor skills.
He looked up as Tatya entered, a smile of genuine relief lighting his features. “Hey! Um, can you…?”
“No problem.” Tatya came around, shoved her purse under the counter, scooped the herbs into the bag, deftly pouring the rest back into the jar. “There you are, Mrs. Hagen. It’s good to see you again. How’s your husband’s knee?”
“Much better since you did that healing, and those herbs you gave him, they truly made a difference. We’re both very grateful.”
Tatya smiled, somewhat embarrassed. “That’ll be five fifty.”
The woman left, and Tatya turned to Forked Lightning. “Thank you. This can’t have been easy. I’ll tell Changing Sky you’re an A student.” A hot bath and early to bed were top of her agenda at the minute. She was tired and wanted him gone. “And I owe you for taking care of the shop this afternoon.”
“If Changing Sky is pleased, I’ve succeeded.” He looked at her, a question in his eyes.
“I hear a but coming. Spit it out.”
“I need to call in that favor tonight.”
Tatya glowered at him. “Tonight? It has to be tonight? What’s the urgency? Can’t you wait till tomorrow?” Even without the subliminal werewolf vampire antipathy generating an ever-present tension between them, she and this guy, despite his good looks, would never have been compatible.
“Look, I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t urgent. Come through, I made fresh coffee five minutes ago.”
Well, maybe they weren’t totally incompatible. Tatya threw back two good strong cups of her new Bolivian brew before demanding an explanation.
“The student who was killed the other day was a member of my pack. She was a werewolf.” He watched her as she absorbed the information. “Another family has several daughters. The father asked me, both as the next tribal shaman and as the pack leader, to arrange protection for them. Not physical security, but a psychic shield. I’ve done what I can, erected the barriers as Changing Sky taught me, but I understand your knowledge of these matters is greater than mine. I’m asking for your help.”
Tatya recognized what it cost Forked Lightning to beg for her assistance because that’s what he was doing. Swallowing his pride and resentment toward her for the second time today. He was trying to do what a good leader did—putting the needs of his followers first.
“I’m sorry about the girl. We’re never prepared for a sudden, unexpected death. I’m still coping with losing the two most dear to me last year. Of course, I’ll come. Give me a sec to get the items I’ll need.”
“It’s better if we take my vehicle,” he said as Tatya locked the shop door, and slung her backpack over her shoulder. “They won’t recognize yours.”
“They?” she queried.
“We’ve increased patrols in our territory… we’re not taking any chances with a rogue vampire on the rampage.”
Five minutes later, sat in the passenger seat of Forked Lightning’s old Ford truck, Tatya watched the headlights rise and dip as they raced along the same route as on the last occasion. She had her safety belt on but still clutched the door handle.
Turning off the main road into the Gluskap Forest, she glanced at the heavy shadows among the trees. Yes, it was easy to imagine something evil lurking in wait. Tatya pushed the thought away. She remembered Changing Sky had once told her, ‘Being this near to the demon drains hope. It’s part of his potency’.
This time Forked Lightning took a longer track leading further into the heart of the forest.
“Do all your members live out here?” She guessed transformation was easier in isolated spots, far away from populated areas.
“We’re a family, and some live on the rez, some in town, and a few, like Adahi, prefer to be closer to nature. We’re a mixed blood pack.” By the time they arrived at their destination, she’d gained an overview of werewolf society—clearly a topic dear to Forked Lightning’s heart. She now knew that purebreds had existed separate from one another for millennia in Europe and among the indigenous peoples. Yet after the Europeans settled, mixed blood packs had sprung up all over the American continent composed of descendants of Africans, Caucasians, Asians and Native Americans. The latter were looked down upon by the purebreds, but their groups were now stronger, and possessed more members. It was only a matter of time till the pure breeds mixed, or they died out.
Understanding how werewolf society operated had never been high on Tatya’s agenda, but since she seemed destined to spend more time with one, it made sense to learn something of his background. In the meantime, the track had disappeared, and the truck wove through the trees, sometimes barely squeezing through gaps. When he stopped, she still couldn’t see a house. They’d parked in the middle of nowhere.
“Don’t worry, I’ve not lured you out here for any sinister purpose,” he said, opening his door.
A stray thought or two in that direction had crossed her mind, and for a second she pondered hijacking the vehicle and taking off but realized that would be plain stupid. Getting out of the car, she stretched, shaking the kinks out of her body, and
shouldered her backpack. She breathed in the cold night air laden with the aromas of leaf mold and earth—the smells of life. The woods were silent. Their arrival had disturbed most of the night creatures in the vicinity.
“How good is your night vision?” Forked Lightning called over to her.
“Adequate. Why?”
“Do I need to hold your hand? I wouldn’t want you to fall and break a leg.”
Tatya heard the smile in his voice and snorted. “I can see well enough to realize you think yours is better than mine. But you forget I’m not just human anymore.”
He turned away, but not before she caught the guarded look in his eye at her words.
“Am I safe here?” she asked, not moving.
“I give you my word, no harm will come to you.”
Tatya had to be content with that. Vanse would give his life if he made such a vow, but he had an old fashioned rigid understanding of honor. She wasn’t convinced Forked Lightning’s words had quite the same value.
Thankfully the waxing moon, more than half full, and the clear night sky meant she didn’t have to eat her words. Trailing him through the trees was easy. After half an hour, during which neither spoke, she dismissed the idea he was leading her in a big circle as they emerged in front of a cabin similar to Adahi’s. But this one was larger as the owners had extended the building to double its original size. The curtains were drawn, and she couldn’t see inside, but small rays of light escaped from gaps at the window frames, illuminating the porch.
About a dozen emerged out of the shadows of the surrounding trees.
Tatya drew closer to Forked Lightning.
“Wait here,” Forked Lightning said, striding over to the men. He spoke a few words to them, and they melted back into the shadows. He headed for the porch, knocked on the door and disappeared inside.
Charming, thought Tatya, searching the darkness for the guards. Her reception when she’d entered Adahi’s home sprang to mind. Maybe, under the circumstances, Forked Lightning was just being cautious. She looked up catching sight of the swelling moon, glad it wasn’t full. She wouldn’t want to be out here when the moon was full.
The door opened and Forked Lightning beckoned her forward.
She took a deep breath, calmed herself and raised her shields, an automatic precaution when entering somewhere new—let alone a den of werewolves. Tatya flinched as a palpable swirling red cloud of hostility struck her as she stepped into the large living room.
Forked Lightning grabbed her arm, pulling her forward as he kicked the door shut behind him. “This is Tatya. She is under my protection and that of Changing Sky. She’s come to help and is not to be harmed.” An authoritative laying down of the law not to be questioned.
Tatya glanced around. Among the men, women, and children of all ages, she spotted half a dozen teenage girls bunched protectively together. There must be at least twenty people crowded into the living space. She started at the subliminal rumbles coming from several young men over by the far wall, and couldn’t help thinking a twenty-four-hour sports session ought to work off that testosterone. She’d come here to help, and this was the welcome they extended. Anger rose, fueling her power. Well, if they thought she was vulnerable she’d teach them a lesson or two.
“Why have you brought something contaminated?” A voice called out. Others murmured agreement. “We don’t need protection from witches or vampires.” A ripple of aggression flickered from one to the other; distrust and suspicion showed even in the children’s eyes.
Tatya sensed the power of their collective link. What one experienced, they communicated to others, reinforcing and strengthening the emotion. This was something she hadn’t expected and she wasn’t certain she’d stand a chance against them if they were determined to harm her. Outrunning them wasn’t an option, even with her physical abilities heightened, seeing as how Forked Lightning still had a solid grip on her arm. Possibly she could hold them off for a short while, but that depended on how much psychic power they had. She suspected their animal aspect gifted them with greater ability to sense others’ emotions through smell, so she focused on calming her breath, slowing her heartbeat, and giving off an atmosphere of relaxed tranquility.
“I’m Daniel.” An old man, his back to the blazing fire in the hearth, moved toward her. Tall, upright, his mane of silver hair tied in a ponytail, he studied her with fierce bright eyes. Despite his evident age, he moved with ease, the group parting to let him through. He extended his hand.
Tatya found her own much smaller one being grasped and shaken. The warmth and sincerity of his greeting melted her misgivings.
“I’m the founder of this pack, though this pup,” his voice carried an undercurrent of power as he indicated Forked Lightning, “is the leader now.” He eyed the young men. “Does anyone disagree with Forked Lightning?”
Feet shuffled, and the bravadoes looked away, not meeting his gaze.
“Does anyone wish to challenge Forked Lightning over this?”
Absolute silence. No one wanted to face the wrath of their patriarch or their leader, let alone with the two combined. A baby squalled and broke the impasse.
“Welcome to my home, Tatya. Let’s offer our guest proper hospitality. She’s here to aid us. Come sit. You’ll need to gather strength before your task.”
A collective breathing out of relief as the belligerence dissipated and people relaxed.
Tatya sat by the fire, her backpack at her feet, as a cup of sage tea was thrust into her hand. Daniel rattled off a list of names, pointing at various individuals, introducing her. This wasn’t their entire family, he told her, but those families with young girls who were most worried had come to him for help. Forked Lightning had spoken to Changing Sky who had recommended her.
Tatya breathed easier, her smile genuine with relief.
The young men appeared to have gotten over their initial reaction and nodded sheepishly when introduced. Nobody mentioned it, but everybody knew it was the scent of her blood that had caused their response.
Forked Lightning hovered behind her, whisking away her cup the instant she finished her tea. He spoke in her ear. “Whenever you’re ready,”
Tatya understood. It was late, he still had to drive her home and get back to the rez. Today was as long for him as it was for her.
“Can you ask them to move the furniture aside and stand in a circle?” she asked, rummaging in her backpack. The space was large and should accommodate what she had in mind. Five minutes later, they stood in a somewhat squished elliptical circle, the best they could manage given the confines of the space and the numbers. Tatya waited, holding the white material she’d brought with her, and mentally smudged the room while everyone settled. Cleansing this way was more efficient as she couldn’t tell how these werewolves would react to the scents. If the sage and cedar smoke made the babies cry, she’d struggle to concentrate.
Tatya opened the square of silk, unwrapped it and placed a large malachite crystal in the center of the circle, before taking her place between Forked Lightning and Daniel. The message was unmistakable, mess with her and you messed with the most powerful weres in the group.
“Can everyone hold hands?” As everyone linked, Tatya rocked backward on her heels as the intense surge of emotion pulsing around the circle hit her. As an empath, she realized straight away that the weres’ physical contact with each other reinforced their emotions, and she picked up fear, hope, expectation and distrust. This was good, even the negative feelings, as she could transform and use this energy to enhance the protection spell.
Closing her eyes, pulling on her power and tapping into the strength available, she sent a wave of energy into the crystal, creating a sphere of translucent emerald light. She expanded and raised it, till it hung like an umbrella sheltering the group. With care she lowered the luminous semicircle till it sank behind each person, stretching the lower rim under their feet and bringing it together underneath, encasing everyone in a luminous green orb.
The crystal came from a small stock of prepared crystals she’d imbued with protective magic. Those standing within the protected sphere now had a heightened awareness of danger. If a vampire was near, they would be less likely to panic and, judging from the strength of the link, be able to alert everyone else connected to the crystal.
Tatya sent a final push of shielding through the crystal, watching as it strobed through the orb and shrank, the green translucence fading as it entered the bodies of those present. She didn’t care if they were werewolves, and it might not be enough, but she was doing what she could to defend them. No one deserved to die while being drained of their blood. Whoever this masked vamp was, she prayed each person here had sufficient protection to avoid becoming his next victim.
She cut her link to the crystal, ending the protective ritual. Forked Lightning caught her as she sagged against him. She shook off his hand under her elbow. “I’m fine, just bring me the crystal. Thank you, everybody, that’s it.” She released Daniel’s hand and gave her own a quick shake to discharge any negative energy.
“You need to sit and have a hot drink of tea.” Daniel sounded as if he was rarely disobeyed, but Tatya needed something stronger than tea as she still had one more ritual she wanted to do.
“Could I have a coffee?”
Not a soul moved.
“You heard the lady, Keyan. A strong sweet coffee, quick.” Daniel led her over to the couch by the fireside.
Almost instantly, a mug of steaming coffee appeared.
Tatya drank the hot beverage far too fast, burning her lips and gullet as the sugar flooded her bloodstream. “I’d like to speak with those girls, if I may.” She nodded at the teenage girls huddled together by the far wall. “I brought something extra as they’re the most vulnerable.”
“Of course.” Daniel beckoned them over.
Tatya dug into her backpack, pulling out a velvet pouch. “Here,” she produced a small green crystal on a pendant from the pouch, beckoning the girl nearest. “Wear this day and night, even in the shower.” As the girl reached for the pendant, Tatya grasped hold of her wrist and turned to Daniel. “Give me your hand.” She turned the girl’s hand over, placing the gemstone in her opened palm, positioning Daniel’s on top so they both touched the crystal and each other’s hands. Tatya rested her hands above and below theirs, directing a final burst of protective magic into the crystal. “There. Anything supernatural that scares her, you’ll get a flash warning too.” She let go of their hands. “Next.”
The Kala Trilogy: An Urban Fantasy Box Set Page 34
