by Lily Luchesi
I was in over my head with this one and it was advancing on me slowly, as if measuring up whether I was any competition for its thick, muscled legs and claws so sharp they pierced the concrete. I forced myself not to back up. I didn't want it thinking that I was prey, didn't want it to run and leap at me but I was trembling now, trying to keep it together.
A yowl came from the cage and the Chupacabra twisted its head to look at the cat. I took that distraction to step forward. Crushing the magic in my hand until it was a tight, fiery ball. I flung it at the beast. It hit the creature on the side, the fire singeing what little fur there was, racing along it's back and flickering up the spines. The Chupacabra screamed and it was the same bone shattering one that had woken me up.
"Keep it down!" someone yelled from one of the apartments above.
"Yeah, get a room!"
I did not want to get a room with this beast.
It staggered towards me and I conjured another blast of fire. It leapt, its jaws opening wide, that forked tongue lashing across my cheek, venom on its tongue making my skin burn. I ducked and threw myself to the side, banging my hip on the fire escape at the same time as I let loose the ball of fire. It seared along the other side of the beast, knocking it away so that it smashed into the building on the opposite side of the alley.
I gripped the railing, dragging myself upright just in time to see the beast limping away.
"I'm calling the cops!" someone shouted.
I groaned, pain washing over me as I moved. I did not want to deal with the cops, and what was the bet someone has already called Mr. Abraham?
I pitiful meow caught me in the chest and I stepped towards the twisted remains of the cage. A large white cat cowered inside.
Dammit.
"Okay," I said. "But just for the night." I reached inside and pulled it out, already feeling the tickle in my nose. I sneezed hard but the cat was too busy trying to burrow into my arms to get a fright.
"Let's get out of here," I said, giving the cage one last look. "I think I'm going to need a bigger trap."
***
Greer arrived at my house early the next evening bearing curry and wine; the perfect apology dinner.
Or the perfect plotting dinner depending on which way you looked at it.
She looked as cute as ever in her ankle boots and jeans, a long sleeved boho shirt completing the look. I'd never let appearances fool me though, and as one of the only other witches I knew in this town, she was a force to be reckoned with.
Greer put the curry and wine on the table, and then set her satchel down carefully. I was hoping it contained all the magical components I needed.
Two cats were already rubbing up against Greer's legs, the white one from last night on the left, and a grey one on the right. "You weren't kidding about the cats," she said as another pair tumbled over her feet in play. She hadn't even spotted the three sleeping on the couch yet.
I tipped one of the chairs at the table and a cat jumped off the seat. There was fur everywhere and I was in a constant state of sniffles now despite how many antihistamines I took.
"Yup," I said miserably, sitting down before the cat could jump back up. "I think they thought I could protect them."
"It wouldn't surprise me. Cats can detect magic; it's why they make such great familiars." She grabbed two glasses and poured the wine, and set one in front of me, taking a long sip of her own as if steeling herself. "And you're telling me that a Chupacabra is hunting around here?"
"Yup," I said again. "I searched online and I’m pretty sure that’s what’s going on. Did you bring the stuff? We're going to need to build a trap."
"A trap?" Greer raised an eyebrow as she sat down at the table across from me. "We could just take it out."
"I don't necessarily need to kill it," I said. "I just need it to be gone. Or better yet..." I grinned wickedly. "We can transform it."
"Tori..."
"Nope. I've decided."
"I think these cats are getting to you," Greer commented, taking another sip of wine. Definitely fortifying herself now.
"They are definitely getting to me," I said, staring pointedly at one who was now attacking a shoe.
Greer just chuckled and opened the lid on one of the curries, shoving it towards me. "Food first, and then whatever madness you're dragging me into."
***
An hour later we were in the alley. I'd asked Greer to help because while I was strong enough in my own right, she was the expert at wards and protections; I was picking I was going to need a lot of that. While she got to work on a net of sorts, I created a muffling barrier so that no one in the apartment buildings would get disturbed when this went down.
"You sure we can't just kill it?" Greer asked. "I know a really great magical taxidermist—"
"No," I said. "I know that you might not get it, but—"
"But as much as you gripe about animals, you're a big softie at heart."
I sighed. "Yeah." I hated it. Did not want it to be true. Supernatural creatures deserved a chance at life; even if they were blood sucking fiends.
"Okay, so what's the plan?" Greer put her hands on her hips and surveyed her work.
"I shall lure the beast here where it will be trapped by the wards and circles you've set up." I made elaborate gestures with my hands as though I was some grand witch from the olden days. "And then I'm going to zap the heck out of it and make it into something less life destroying."
"Do you want me to stick around for that?" Greer looked almost hopeful, but I didn't want to put her at risk.
"You've done more than enough already. The curry and wine were a nice touch too." I nudged her with my elbow. "Go on, get out of here. I've got this."
She narrowed her eyes at me. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," I said with a laugh and a shake of my head. "I'm good. I can do this. As long as you're sure this will hold until I can cast my magic."
"It wouldn't even let a thunder stomping elephant loose."
"Excellent," I said. "Hey, thanks for this, and for being my friend still."
Greer moved towards me and then before I knew it, she'd wrapped me in a warm jasmine scented hug. "Thank you." After a few moments she pulled away and gave a little nod, as if reassuring herself of something. "Let me know how it goes."
"I will."
I watched as she climbed the steps back to the apartment, almost wishing that I had asked her to stay. But as nice as it was to know that we were going to be okay, there were still those few weeks where I'd thought she'd cursed me, and she'd assumed the worst of me too. I had a feeling it was going to take more than curry, wine, and working together on a magical net to make things right again.
She disappeared through my window and I turned to take one last look at everything.
Reaching out with my magic I tested the boundaries. All the wards were strong, the concentric circles were tightly drawn and would pull in on each other when the beast came this way. All I needed now was a lure. I glanced up at the it, fire escape, tempted to bring down one of the pesky cats, but as much hassle as they were, I couldn't do it do them.
Instead, I jogged up the steps and went into my apartment, grabbing my athame and the right crystals for the joy. They'd been imbued with plenty of magic. Amethyst for transformation, blue lace agate for peace and kindness, obsidian to absorb the negative energy and grounding, amazonite to help us communicate and find an understanding.
That would do the trick.
At least, I hoped so.
I took one last gulp of wine and headed back down the stairs.
A small meow followed me and then the light pitter patter of paws on metal.
"What are you doing?" I asked. I didn't need to look over my shoulder to know it would be the little black cat. It was the only one who had a habit of getting up in my business. And the only one who seemed to be able to walk through doors and walls. Aside from that first night when I'd had to invite it in.
Heck, had I found myself a vampir
e kitty? Ha, that would be kind of cool actually.
In response it simply meowed and then dashed ahead of me to the bottom of the steps.
"Okay then..." I followed behind it, each step I took making my gut clench a little tighter. It had been one thing to lay this trap, it would be another thing entirely to spring it; and then to come out the other side intact. But I was set on this course of action now. No going back. I needed the cats to stop showing up at my damn window, and I needed for them to be safe here on the streets.
I stepped through the wards, the little cat traipsing at my heels again. I didn't bother telling it this was a terrible idea. It might get crushed or killed some other way, but I had a feeling it would still choose to be here. And then I sat down and laid the crystals out around me along the edges of the smallest circle. They caught the threads of magic and glowed from within, sending out arcs of their own between each other.
One more thing to do.
I took my athame and sliced a long thin line along the back of my forearm. Blood welled up in the cut and I winced in pain, swallowing down my scream. I wiped the blade on my pants and pushed it out through the wards and circles so that it clattered against the wall of the building. I did not need to accidentally kill myself tonight.
Rubbing my palms together I summoned the currents of a wind, sending the scent of my blood into the night air around us. Hopefully it wouldn't take too long for it to find the Chupacabra’s nostrils because the chill was already seeping up through the concrete and into my backside. The little black cat seemed to realize that, as it came and sat down between my crossed legs, resting its head on my thigh and purring.
"Well, I'm glad you're comfortable." I sighed and looked around, trying to sense if there was anything out there in the darkness, slowly approaching me through the alleys. There was, after all, every chance that when I'd wounded it the night before it later succumbed to its wounds, or just taken the hint and got the heck out of dodge.
We waited for over an hour and I was just contemplating setting up a magical alarm bell for when the wards were triggered when I heard it. The pad of paws, the scrape of claws against concrete. I shook my head, trying to focus my mind and pull together some of the magic I knew I was going to need. The crystals were still active, so I scraped against the now dry blood, casting flakes into the air to spin around me.
It snorted, and red eyes flared to life as it turned the corner. I shot to my feet, displacing the kitten who gave a disgruntled meow and then stretched like there wasn't a vicious vampire-dog-beast about to try and suck it dry.
"Come on then," I whispered, focusing on the Chupacabra. It started towards me and I forced myself to stay still; though my muscles tensed, ready to move. I was still battered and scratched from our last encounter.
I couldn't afford to let this go on for too long.
The beast approached low and slow, like it knew I was dangerous, yet that forked tongue darted out as if it could scent the blood on the air and it wanted more. I slid one foot back, moving towards the edge of the circle, and then lifted my foot to step it over the line of salt on the ground.
Just a little closer. A few more steps.
I picked my other foot up to lift it over the line and the beast launched into a sprint, dashing towards me, it's red eyes seeming to flicker in the dim light.
I stepped back as the Chupacabra closed the distance, but my heel caught on the cat and I tripped, slamming hard against the concrete. Long claws sliced through the air where my face had been a moment before, but then the creature was caught by the magical net, suspended in the air. It flailed its legs, snapped its vicious jaws in my direction, even tried to use its tail to get free, but the net held.
Exhaling in relief, I wriggled out from beneath the hulking creature. Or at least it looked hulking from lying on the ground. As I moved, I drew the circles tighter around the beast so that it couldn't lash out at me. An invisible barrier to keep both of us safe.
"Quit fighting me," I hissed, sweat breaking out on my forehead. Still, it raged against the barrier. I siphoned some of its venomous energy through the obsidian and then tried to draw from the blue lace agate, sending soothing vibes to the beast through the net. It stilled.
Finally.
I heaved a sigh of relief and stood up straighter, no longer having to strain against it. Next, I channeled the amazonite, hoping like anything that it would allow us to come to an understanding. The energy it gave off was pale blue-green like the stone itself, exuding calmness. I needed some of that right now as I stepped forward with my hand out. The beast sniffed it, then lashed its tongue across my skin. This time it didn't sting me though, didn't leave a thick welt across my hand.
"You can't keep killing cats around here. It's not on," I told it. Rolling my shoulders back and trying to look more intimidating than I was. The Chupacabra hovered in the air so that we were almost eye height, and I prayed to the goddess that Greer's net would hold or this thing was going to tear my throat out. "If you kill a human then someone is going to have to put you down. You don't belong here."
It growled at me and bared its fangs, so I snarled back. That made it open its eyes a bit wider and look at me more. I was beginning to feel the amazonite working, could tell that it was curious now, knew I didn't mean it harm but still wasn't sure if it wanted to eat me.
Not that I was going to give it a chance.
I inhaled through my nose and held my breath, infusing it with good intentions, with a vision of what I could see for this creature’s future; the shorter muzzle, the barely-there grey fur, the regular sized claws on regular sized feet. No spines, definitely no spines. I pictured it gnawing happily on a bone, catching a ball, or a rat, it could eat rats I was sure. I added in the warmth of a fire on a chilly night, a pile of soft blankets to rest on. And then I blew that wish for him through my body and out of my mouth.
The beast froze and then its nostrils twitched and its pupils dilated. I could sense the yearning there, for safety, for comfort. It seemed like even vicious vampire-dog-beasts craved a home.
"I can help you get this," I said, willing it to believe me. "And if you don't take this deal then you're going to die. I'm not going to kill you, but someone will take you out." I sucked in a quick breath and exhaled, showing him what would happen. What I knew would happen one way or another. No one minded a few dead cats, but if he got too hungry, he would move on to bigger prey. I knew it. He knew it too.
There was a subtle shift of energy between us, a gentling, a softening, especially on his part. I pushed an assuring vibration his way and then began the hardest part.
Transformation was never easy, but the fact I'd managed to get him to consent would go in my favor. I drew on the energy in the amethyst, raising my hands and using them as conduits between the fine lines of the net around the beast, the circles, the wards, everything that Greer and I had put into this alley.
The Chupacabra seemed to be putting some of himself into it too, offering up a part of him. This would not make him a normal dog, but he'd appear enough like one to get by. Enough for me to convince someone to take him in.
The small black cat rubbed against my calf and a vibration ran the length of my body as if she had used me like a tuning fork, honing my magic into something more powerful, more focused than before.
I let it loose. Funneling it towards the beast, an intense scream welling in my core, driving the magic on and in. The Chupacabra twisted in the air, the strands of the net pulling free as I used up the magic that had created it. The creature sunk lower, but it did nothing to stop the process though a keening whine escaped its jaws as its body morphed into something a little less intimidating, and a little less drawn to blood.
A howling wind started to blow, whipping up trash from around the alley, tossing it into the air like a hurricane. I thought for a moment that I was going to tip over, that this whole thing would collapse and the beast might suck my blood, but then it dispersed and standing before me was a large grey
dog with very short hair and a suspiciously spiked collar.
I had a feeling that it wouldn't be removable…
All my energy was gone and I sagged down onto the ground. The little cat jumped onto my knee and pushed itself into my face, smooching my nose. I went to bat it away but the fact I wasn't sneezing already made me stop.
"I'm really not allergic to you, am I?"
It smooched me again and I laughed, the chuckle turning nervous as the big dog approached. Sitting here on the ground, the dog seemed to tower over me. Its lips rippled like it might break into a growl, but then its great big tongue lolled out and slobbered against my cheek.
"Gross!" I wiped it as clean as I could with my sleeve and then summoned the strength to get to my feet. The alley was no more of a mess than normal, but I bent over to scoop up my crystals, tucking them into a pouch for safe keeping. Every muscle in my body ached from the deep magic use. I felt like I'd drained just about every resource I had, and yet when the little black cat rubbed against my leg a tingle of power crept back into me.
I guess I had a familiar now.
The dog nudged my hip, as if sensing my thoughts.
"Fine. Two. Though how the heck I'm going to hide you from the landlord I have no idea." I moved towards the fire escape and gripped the railing, hauling myself up the steps one at a time. My familiars followed, but it took a whole lot longer to make it to my apartment than normal.
Before we even got there, I heard voices. Well, one very specific voice. Mr. Abraham.
What the heck was he doing in my apartment?
I ushered for the two animals to stay back and then headed for the window, climbing inside and putting my hands on my hips.
"What are you doing?" I demanded as a few people walked in with cat cages.
Oh.
Ohhhh.
Crap.
My shoulders sagged and he raised an eyebrow at me.
"You have cats," he said. "One week, I want you out." He turned to the other intruders. "Get the rest of them." The men scattered, grabbing up the white and the grey, and a large black cat that I didn't even know was here. When they'd left the apartment Mr. Abraham stepped into the hallway and looked back at me. "One week."
