A Curse So Dark

by Heather Davis

  I touched my pendant, feeling the smooth stone against my fingers. This was the only thing keeping me from succumbing to the curse, this little disk. I shuddered. The right move was to give my pendant to my sisters so that at least one life wouldn’t be ruined by the change. I’d have to figure something out for the other sister, try to keep her safe while everyone else was at the party. Pretend we were sick, maybe. Run into the woods. But wait a second—wouldn’t a wolf be able to track another wolf best?

  That was the answer. If I had any chance at all to recover my father’s body before the sheriff did, it would be to take the form I feared. And maybe that was what my dreams had been telling me for the last few days.

  To find a wolf, I’d have to become one.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The songs blasting from the PA system filled me with anxiety. Saturday morning had come. The day of the party. My last day of normal. I’d come to the fire hall to find the twins. I knew what I had to do. And it started with the truth, as ugly as it was.

  Fawn plunked down on the couch in the staff quarters. “I’ve got to go back to hanging decorations. How long is this going to take?”

  “Not long. And I’m sorry to bug you here, but you wouldn’t come back to the house.”

  “We were freaked out. You weren’t home when those weirdos were watching us.” Rose rubbed her arms.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, taking a seat in an armchair across from them. “Those people had something to do with Dad’s disappearance, and it was stupid of me to be gone, but I figured some things out last night.”

  “Ha,” Rose said. “Morgan.”

  “No, he’s... He might be one of those creepers. Or a thief, at the very least.”

  “Is it wrong that I still hope he comes to the party?” Rose winked.

  The DJ, still setting up, kicked on some modern dance music. Fawn glanced toward the door, seeming anxious to get back to setting up. Across the hall, Mrs. Carter shouted something to Lewis about getting a ladder.

  I took a deep breath and said, “Okay, here’s what I didn’t want to tell you. The disease is going to hit you tonight. You know how Dad was supposed to give you your pendants on your sixteenth birthday? It’s not just a tradition. It stops the disease. It keeps our family from turning...into something else, something awful.” I held back the word werewolf. I still couldn’t bring myself to say it. I remembered when I’d first read the word, and when Cooper had told me, how crazy it sounded. I doubted the twins were going to believe it.

  Fawn narrowed her eyes. “That makes no sense. Turning into something? What does that mean?”

  “The other night in the forest, alone in the woods, I took the pendant off. I was fine for a moment, but then I saw something scary, and my body responded. I felt a change starting in my body.”

  “What? You were sick?” Rose asked, looking alarmed.

  Fawn picked a piece of stray decorating tape from her leggings. “Sure. And then?”

  “I put the pendant back on before I got really sick.”

  “This makes no sense,” Fawn said, scoffing. “That night you made us wait in the truck and drive away when the timer went off. Why would you send us away if you were sick and might need help?”

  “What I’m trying to say is that you both need pendants. Tonight, when you turn sixteen and the full moon rises, you’re going to have an episode like mine. At your party. In front of the whole town.”

  Rose and Fawn shared a look that clearly said, Lily has totally lost it.

  I let out a frustrated sigh. “Fine. I’ll just say it. Our family is cursed. You’re going to turn into wolves. We are werewolves. That’s what Dad’s been hiding.”

  After a long pause, Rose said, “Are you feeling okay?”

  “Holy crap.” Fawn studied my face for a moment and then said, “You really believe this.”

  “Now you see why I didn’t want to tell you. When I first heard this, it sounded impossible to me, too. But werewolves are real. That is what we are.”

  “Werewolves!” Fawn whispered. “Dad’s disappearance has pushed you over the edge. We need to get you some professional help or something.”

  “I don’t need help. I found a letter from Dad where he was apologizing to Mom for not telling her all those years ago. Cooper has some old town records that look legit. And then there was my experience in the woods the other night. This is real.”

  Fawn gaped at me. “You’ve completely lost your mind.”

  “You have to believe me. Have I ever lied to you before?”

  “Yeah—that one time with our goldfish. You told us Nemo was just sleeping,” Rose said, attempting a joke to lighten the mood.

  I didn’t smile. “Guys, the only thing standing between us and this freak condition are the pendants. That’s why Dad intended for all of us to have one. But he’s not here to give them to you. And since those creeper wolves, or Morgan, or whoever has the other stones, there is now only one. Mine.”

  “Hold up. Are you saying the people trying to get into the house last night were werewolves? They were walking on two feet and looked pretty normal—well, creepy normal—to us.” Fawn glared at me.

  Rose elbowed her twin. “Okay. Say we believe your story. What are we going to do with one necklace between the three of us?” she said, her tone measured, logical.

  “Thanks for at least humoring me,” I said, grateful at least that Rose was willing to entertain the thought. “One of you has to take my necklace for tonight.”

  “But then you’ll change, won’t you?” Fawn crossed her arms. “What then?”

  “I’ll hide in the woods like Dad did. Now that I know about the curse, I’m pretty sure he ran off after he changed into a wolf. Maybe after he fought those other wolves in the alley.”

  “So there was a big werewolf brawl in the alley? He transformed there?” Rose asked, her forehead wrinkled like she was trying hard to believe me.

  “That’s what I’m saying. He’s probably been transforming all these years. I know it’s hard to believe, but think back. Don’t you remember him taking weekend trips and leaving us with a babysitter? He would say he was camping or fishing or something, but he always went alone. Not with friends. Not with any supplies.”

  Fawned leaned toward me, shaking her head. “Maybe he had a girlfriend or he was out drinking,” she said, with an exasperated sigh.

  “I don’t think so. He always seemed banged up when he returned. Scratches, bruises. I don’t think any of that was booze or whatever—he was probably out transforming, running in the woods, getting scratched by tree branches, rocks or whatever. We never smelled alcohol.”

  “But if he had his pendant last week, why would he choose to become a wolf?” Rose asked.

  “I don’t know. I found what I think was his pendant all crushed up, so maybe he lost it in the alley fight. I don’t know all the rules yet. But clearly, those wolves sniffing around our house last night were the same creatures I saw around town, the ones that attacked that buck the same night that Dad went missing.”

  “Attack...oh, man—what about that body of the dead guy we had to see,” Rose said, wincing. “They said there was animal activity! That couldn’t be from—”

  “Okay. Let’s stop it right there.” Fawn stood up. “You’re both totally losing it.”

  “She could show us the letter,” Rose said, putting a hand on Fawn’s arm to stop her from leaving. “Lily, you still have it, right? I mean, what if this is true?”

  Fawn shrugged off her twin’s grasp. “You of all people, Rose–– you can’t believe this! You, science girl, empirical evidence queen. A letter is not proof. A guy who works in a cemetery is not proof.”

  “Okay, maybe I do go by proof. So Lily performed an experiment in the woods that night and she says she experienced something paranormal,” Rose countered. “Are you calling her a liar?”

  “Whatever. We don’t need a pendant for protection against whatever this made-up condition is.”

&nbs
p; Rose volleyed a look between us. “Fawn, I know it sounds hard to believe. But if it’ll make Lily feel better, I’ll wear the pendant.”

  “Fine with me. Look, if I feel sick, I’ll have someone take me home.”

  I grimaced. Fawn had no concept of the world of hurt coming her way. “It’s not that kind of sick. It’s like bone-crunching, transform into an animal sick,” I explained.

  Fawn sighed. “I have to go finish decorating. When this turns out to be a fantasy, I hope you’ll apologize...and get counseling or something.”

  As she left the room, I felt nauseated again. The choice had been made. Fawn was the twin who’d be unprotected tonight. I’d have to bring her outside into the woods to change with me. Maybe I could create a distraction, pull the fire alarm to break up the party...though if we were already at the fire station, that wasn’t going to work.

  My mind clicked through the scenarios. There had to be a way. And the forest wasn’t going to be safe, since we’d be on the run from the hunters like Rick Bowman and the pack. “I wish we could just cancel this party,” I muttered.

  “I wanted us to have it, but now I’m not so sure,” Rose said, getting up from the couch. “Fawn’s stubborn. She always has to learn things the hard way. She’s not a just-read-the-directions kind of person.”

  “I know. Well, happy birthday.” I stood up and unfastened my necklace and then placed it around Rose’s slender neck. “Tuck it inside your dress and please don’t take it off for any reason.”

  “I won’t,” Rose said, touching the pendant, her finger tracing the moon design.

  My throat felt tight. I hoped she’d be safe, that she’d find comfort in the stone not just when the full moon rose tonight, but whenever she felt stressed. Dad may have had an ulterior motive for giving me the pendant, but having it around my neck had always made me feel safe, close to him. As if I’d known instinctively the stone had some kind of protective powers.

  I only wished that he could’ve trusted we wouldn’t be like Mom, that we wouldn’t freak out, or blame him, or hate him. If only he hadn’t run from the truth, hidden from his fears. But I couldn’t go back and fix his mistakes. I could only forge ahead.

  I gave Rose a hug and said, “Dad would be very proud of you. I don’t know if he’s alive or dead, but maybe becoming the wolf tonight will help me search. Maybe there’s some good that will come out of this disaster.”

  “You’re going to become a wolf on purpose?” Tears glistened in Rose’s blue eyes. It seemed like she really did believe me. That was something, at least. If I didn’t make it through this full moon, or if something happened to Fawn, Rose knew the truth about us. Would have the pendant to protect herself. She’d survive.

  “I don’t have a choice about transforming,” I reminded her. “And neither will Fawn without a stone. But maybe that’ll be an advantage.”

  Rose nodded. “It makes sense that your tracking abilities, sense of smell, sight, hearing will be better when you’re a wolf.” She shuddered. “It sounds horrible, though.”

  “Don’t think about that, okay? I’ll deal with it. We’ll be safe.” I tried to sound confident. I didn’t know how everything was going to go down, but Rose needed to hear that I had things under control.

  Rose walked me to the door. “The party starts in a couple of hours. You better go get ready. Wear the blue dress from last year’s spring dance.”

  “Yeah... I don’t think it’s going to matter what I wear.”

  ***

  The lighting in our upstairs bathroom has never been the best for applying makeup. The vintage fixture seemed to flicker above my head as I got ready later that night. Still, I looked okay. Rose was right about the dress, since the shade of blue made my cheeks look pinker, my eyes more like sky than sea. My hair was braided simply, then swirled it into a bun at the nape of my neck. Perfectly presentable for my last night as a full-time human.

  Downstairs, I set a big duffel bag packed with two changes of clothes and shoes on the kitchen table—both mine and Fawn’s stuff, just in case. I’d stash this gear in the woods behind the fire hall. If we came out of this alive, we’d be naked, cold, and hungry. It made sense to prepare. I’d texted Cooper earlier, laying out my plan. He hadn’t hit me back yet, but at least I felt better knowing that someone would know where to look for us...after.

  As I grabbed some bottled water and granola bars out of the cupboard to add to the bag, there was a tapping on the window. Startled, I nudged aside the curtain and saw it was Alex. I hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not I should even be talking with him, before I met him at the back door.

  “No one knows I’m here. I swear.” He wore dark jeans, a white button-down shirt, and a navy tie with an X-Wing fighters print beneath a wool peacoat. Clearly, he was planning to go to the party.

  “You look nice,” I said, letting him into the mudroom.

  He brightened. “Thanks. Figured I’d make an effort, but you look...wow.”

  “What are you doing here?” I said. “You shouldn’t be coming around.”

  “I’m sorry, okay? I had no idea my dad was some kind of psycho.”

  I could see genuine regret in Alex’s eyes. “Yeah, he’s got some strange ideas,” I said.

  He stuck his hands in his pockets and leaned against the washing machine. “His best friend died a few years ago in an unsolved animal attack case. He’s been kind of obsessed with cryptozoology ever since.”

  “And here you made fun of me for believing in Bigfoot.” I forced a little laugh.

  “I mean, he’s actually obsessed with unusual wolves. That’s why I was so excited when we found that trap, but then it got this ball rolling. He’s out there tonight with his rifle.”

  “He’s going to shoot wolves tonight?” I couldn’t keep panic from my voice. Rick was keeping his ugly promise.

  “It’s a vendetta, seriously. He thinks this pack might be connected to the one that attacked his friend. That body they found...the injuries were similar.”

  “Where is he right now?”

  “I don’t know. Most of the time he doesn’t tell me where he’s off to. But you know, it doesn’t seem like it’s a good sign that he was dressed in camo before he left the house.”

  I took a breath and ran a hand over my hair, nervously. I couldn’t tell if Alex knew about everything, if Rick had told him his suspicions about my family. “You need a ride to the party?” I asked, breaking the awkward pause.

  “No. That’s not why I’m here. I came by to give you this.”

  I stared down at a little white cardboard box in Alex’s hands. “That’s nice of you, but it’s my sisters’ birthday, you don’t have to give me something.”

  “Just take a look,” he said, giving me an encouraging nod.

  The box made a little creak as I opened it. Inside, a vial of something white rested on a bed of red tissue paper. “What is this?”

  He pulled the vial from the box, revealing a black cord underneath. “It’s the stone fragments we found in the alley behind the bar. I collected all the pieces of the pendant I could find. I know how much your dad means to you. I thought you might want it.”

  I took it from him, hope filling my heart. “I can’t believe you did that.”

  He shrugged, lowering his eyes. “I was over there skating in the parking lot anyway. No big deal.”

  “You’re wrong about that. You have no idea how amazing this is,” I said, fastening the cord around my neck.

  Alex smiled. “If anyone asks, you didn’t get it from me,” he said, moving to the back door. “I’ll see you at the party. And hey, um, is it all right if I ask Rose to dance?” A tiny blush crept up into his cheeks.

  “What?” I smiled. “Yeah, I think she’d like that.”

  After Alex left, I put a hand to the vial, resting it against my collarbone. He’d taken a risk, returning to the alley to gather up the fragments. Maybe his dad was a sworn enemy of wolves, but that didn’t mean Alex was anything like him
. He’d been someone I could count on, and for the moment, I was grateful to have him on our side.

  I grabbed my duffel bag and locked up the house. I’d be transforming when the moon rose, but at least now I had something to give to Fawn. That was one less werewolf to worry about.

  ***

  The fire hall blazed with light and color against the dying afternoon sky. In the gravel parking lot, I locked up the truck. Slinging my duffel bag over my shoulder, I checked around to make sure no one was following me. Then, wobbling on high heels, I made my way to the woods behind the fire hall.

  Shadows rimmed the path as I stepped carefully over exposed roots and vines. The last thing I needed now was a twisted ankle. A few hundred yards in, I found a shelter formed by two trees and a partially hollowed-out stump. I nestled the bag in the hole, where it would stay protected and dry.

  I retraced my steps through the woods, pausing at the edge of the clearing, where I could see the parking lot. I leaned against a tree, watching cars arrive. Folks stepped from pick-up trucks and SUVs, elegantly dressed by Pioneer Falls standards: knee-length skirts and dresses with tall boots or heels, blue jeans with sport coats, not a ball cap to be seen.

  As I straightened, I noticed deep grooves carved into the tree I was using as cover. They were claw marks, I realized with a shiver. Of course there were other animals in the woods, cougars for one, that could have made those marks, but I had the fleeting image of wolves.

  “Wolves tend to mark in other ways. Urine, for one,” Cooper said, stepping out from behind a tall rhododendron.

  I took a breath. “Dang! You scared me. I didn’t expect you to come.”

  “My dad would want me to be with you tonight.” He looked far more like a hunter than I’d expected, wearing brown pants and a camouflage jacket and holding a pair of binoculars in his hand. A rifle was slung on his back.

  Fear snaked through my gut. “You’re not dressed for the party.”

  “Didn’t plan to come inside,” he said. “I can do more good out here.”