Inheritance (The Dark Gifts)

by Willow Cross

  “Don’t be ridiculous, you just got here. This is your home, you own it. The basement here is already set up for your needs. You will be perfectly safe down there. There are no windows and the cage is well fortified.” Shana assured them.

  Shocked, the siblings stared at her. For some reason, it had not registered with either of them that she knew what had been going on. Jason‘s jaw muscles grew tight and twitched as his teeth clenched. His eyes narrowed as he spoke. “Are you freaking kidding me? You know everything, and have done nothing to help us?” he bellowed.

  “Don’t you dare raise your voice to me. Sit down, shut your mouth, and listen, young man. I will be happy to explain the circumstances in which you find yourselves. What do you think I'm doing here? Just setting up a family reunion? Everyone goes through hard times, believe me, if you‘d stayed it would have ended up the same way. Possibly worse.”

  Sarah placed her hand on Jason’s arm. “Calm down. We need to know more. I need to know more. Anger will get us nowhere.” Something felt very wrong. Wrong about Jason, wrong about her, and most importantly…wrong about what they were going to find out.

  Jason looked from Sarah to Shana. Taking a deep breath, he attempted to control his emotions. “Fine. We’ll listen to your excuses for being a rotten human being, but first, I want to see the basement. It’s too late for us to make it back home.”

  Ignoring his sarcasm, her mouth slid into a wide grin. “Wonderful. Follow me,” She said as she moved through the kitchen to a panel door. After one last glance over her shoulder, she headed down the stairs.

  Amazing, Sarah thought as she gazed at the luxuriously decorated, enormous cage. It took up half the large basement. A thick and obviously expensive oriental rug covered the entire floor. A television sat in the corner beside a small fridge, and a large comfortable couch offered seating. There was even a bed covered with thick soft blankets against the back wall. Jason and Sarah exchanged surprised expressions, and then started laughing. “Don’t you think it’s a bit of overkill for a dog?” Jason asked.

  “I’m not sure what you mean,” Shana replied.

  “All of this, so a dog can be comfortable? That’s pretty ridiculous. Seriously, when I change I’m not interested in watching television or having a cold beer.”

  “Oh, that. I’m afraid you have it all wrong, dear. The cage is not for you, it is for your sister.” Shana answered.

  Sarah stared at her while waiting for Jason to say something. Hearing nothing but silence, she turned her gaze to him. Jason’s face was white and drawn. His lips moved as if he were trying to speak but could not find the words. The muscles in his neck twitched as he glared at the woman.

  Placing her hand on his heavily muscled arm, she felt the tension in his body, and slipped between Jason and Shana. “What do you mean? I don’t change.”

  “Well of course you don’t, not yet anyhow, but the rest of us do, dear. That is why this is here, to keep those too young to change out of harm's way.” Shana replied, then turning to look at Jason, asked, “Don’t you remember any of this from before? I know you were young, but you were still six the last time we saw you. Surely, you remember something?”

  “I don’t remember any of this.” Jason answered.

  “It’s okay, Jase. I’ll be fine down here. Look how nice and cozy it is. I can even catch up on my favorite shows.” Sarah’s eyes wandered over the massive structure.

  “Exactly how many of us are there?” Jason asked Shana.

  “Hundreds. All over the United States. Seventy-five in our particular pack. Each pack consists of clans, and each clan has their own territory. Our pack is lead by my husband, Thomas; he's also the Masada clan leader. There are also the Rashuk and Indera clans. They all live in this territory but each have their own lands.”

  Jason crossed his arms over his chest looking as if he might throttle someone.

  Unabashed, Shana continued, “Try to understand, children. Growing up as you did was only out of necessity. None among us could have possibly taken you in without being discovered for what we are. If any of us had attempted to foster you, the human world would have been involved. With welfare case workers and court appointed busybodies, we couldn't have kept our secret long.”

  “So our parents made this cage for us?” Sarah asked

  “No dear. Your grandparents made this cage for us before we were even born.” Shana leaned over, and gave her a one-armed hug.

  Sarah bristled at the physical contact. It all felt too forced. Although she didn't know why, she was certain most, if not all, of what she was hearing was bull. As the woman continued to smile and speak, Sarah watched her eyes. Lips could easily smile and lie, but eyes always seemed to tell the truth. She'd learned that a long time ago.

  “I know this all seems impossible and frightening, but you will be perfectly safe in here, I assure you. Tonight, Jason and I will change and meet with the pack. For the first time, Jason, you will know your descendants.” Smile steady, her eyes darted away from their faces.

  “I am not leaving my sister locked in a cage so I can run around like a wild animal.” Jason hissed.

  Tossing her long hair over her shoulder, she said, “You'd rather stay here and take a chance on killing her then? That seems rather unintelligent to me.”

  “He won’t hurt me. He can‘t.”

  Shana shrugged, mumbled something about seeing is believing, and went up the stairs.

  Jason placed his hand on Sarah’s shoulder, “What do you want me to do?”

  Sarah thought for a moment before answering, “I don’t know why, but I don’t think you should go with her tonight. Something is wrong, really wrong. Before you go out to meet them, we need to know the whole story. We don’t know half of what is going on. I can feel it. Have you noticed how she wouldn't say our parents’ names? All of those pictures across the mantel, yet none of Mom and Dad, or us? Please don’t leave me here. I don’t trust them.”

  Although it was a few hours before his change would come, Jason almost growled as he answered, “I won’t leave you alone. I don’t trust them either. Let’s make sure this room is secure against moonlight. When I change tonight, I’m going to be in there with you. I don’t like the way she looks at you when she thinks no one’s watching.”

  Chapter Four

  The setting sun spread hues of purple and pink across the horizon. Fascinated, Sarah watched from the steps of the front porch as the darkened part of the sky overhead began to twinkle with small bursts of light. Jason and Shana's voices filtered through the screen door in various volumes. Hushed whispers would be followed by loud speaking, only to die down to whispers again. Although it was obvious they were trying to keep their conversation private, they failed miserably.

  “Look, maybe you do mean well, but I don’t want anyone here when I’m not myself.”

  “You will not hurt us. We are part of you. Why can’t you get that?”

  “I’m not worried about hurting you. I don’t trust you alone with my sister.”

  Shana’s voice grew louder. “Why in the world would we want to hurt Sarah? Of all the unreasonable--”

  “Unreasonable? You climb out from under a rock, after we’ve been going it alone our whole lives, and now all of a sudden you want us to trust you? Are you insane? Do I look stupid to you?”

  “Well of all the--” she gasped.

  Jason’s tone lowered as he hissed, “Keep your voice down. I don’t want her getting upset. Give me the keys and get out.”

  “Or what? You’ll leave?” Shana laughed.

  Sarah sighed and rose from her seat. I better get in there before they start beating the crap out of each other.

  Both heads turned in her direction as she entered the living room. Shana smiled a phony, sickeningly sweet smile, before gently placing her hand on Jason’s arm. “Of course, dear. The keys are on the table. You two have fun tonight.” Then turning to Sarah, she said, “Don’t forget to lock yourself in, dear.” Her eyes flashed to J
ason as she continued, “Everyone will shift tonight and some are like your brother and have little control.”

  Sarah nodded.

  Shana gave Jason one last menacing look and headed out the door.

  Exhaling loudly, Jason followed her to the door and locked it behind her.

  “What was that all about? Oh, and by the way, in what universe did you consider that a quiet conversation?”

  Without answering, Jason began shutting and locking the windows.

  “Hello? Speaking here.”

  “I know. Sorry. She gets under my skin easier than she should. I don’t trust her,” he answered.

  “I don’t either, but we should give this thing a chance.” Her eyes pleaded with him as she followed him from room to room.

  Once he was certain the cabin was locked up tight, he sat at the large kitchen table. Sarah rummaged through the cupboards and made some coffee as he silently contemplated the day. Her mind drifted as well. She missed Liz. Until today, Liz was the only positive female influence in her life. Sure she’d had foster mothers, but those that weren’t drunk all the time, were more like prison guards than mothers. Except for Rose. Her chest tightened as she thought of the mother that almost was. They only had one month with Rose and Leo, before she was killed by a drunk driver. Even after ten years passing, it brought tears to her eyes to remember the lovely plump woman's smiling face and comforting hugs. After that, it was back to the same old story.

  Liz volunteered at the boys and girls club with Sarah. Two weeks of working together was all it took for them to become fast friends. She was a year or two older than Jason and for a while, Sarah had hoped to get the two together. But Liz had no time for men. Sarah sighed.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she said as she sat a cup in front of him.

  “Whatever. I know that sigh. What?”

  “I wish Liz was here. She’d know what to do.”

  Jason reached out and took her hand. His eyes held compassion and worry. “We can’t tell anyone. Ever. That life is gone now, and we must learn to live in this one.”

  She squeezed his hand. “I know. It’s just--”

  “No, Sarah. It wouldn’t be fair to her anyhow. If she did believe you, and it’s not likely, why would you want to bring her into this mess? What could she do anyhow? What can anyone do?”

  Looking around the empty house, her eyes filled with tears that refused to spill over. “Nothing I guess. We are totally alone…again.”

  Jason smiled and tried to make his voice light and carefree. “Alone? We’re not alone. We’ve never been alone. Sheesh girl, you’re always trying to get rid of me.”

  ***

  Close to transformation time, Jason and Sarah retired to the basement. Around 8:00pm the howling began. Jason stood and paced the cell floor. His breathing grew labored. Each new howl filled him with longing as if the night and everything in it beckoned. Grabbing the remote from the top of the television, he flipped through channels until he found MTV, and turned the volume up.

  It did not have the same affect on Sarah. Each new howl had a melodious, mournful quality. She couldn't help but think how beautiful it sounded. Sarah was not afraid of the wolves. When the music began to blare, she sighed, but said nothing. A different kind of uneasiness ate at her. What am I so afraid of? They can't get it here. It's not them anyhow. Like a whisper in her mind, one word echoed, knowledge. The secrets she knew were being kept filled her with foreboding.

  Jason fought it like a trooper. From the moment he heard the first howl, his body wanted to change. He sat on the couch beside his sister pretending to watch television with his teeth clenched and muscles ridged.

  After several minutes Sarah noticed his condition. Grabbing the remote from his hand, she muted the TV, and laughed, “What are you doing? You look constipated!”

  “It’s not funny,” Jason’s strained voice answered.

  Sarah laid a hand on his arm. “Don’t fight it, Jase, it’s not worth the effort. You won’t hurt me. I can tell you right now what will happen; you will change and then haul your big butt up here on the couch, and lay down. That’s all, nothing more. Don’t worry.”

  “I would've hurt you the other night. I remember grabbing you. I knew it was hurting you, and I didn't care. This is a bad idea.”

  Raising her hand to his cheek, she ran her fingers from his temple to his chin. “You won't hurt me. It took you off guard. You know it's coming, all you have to do is let it happen. I really believe it's worse when you fight it.”

  He nodded, but moved farther away. “Turn around.”

  “I’ve already seen you naked,” she laughed.

  His deep voice changed pitch as he spoke. “Please.”

  Sarah turned her head to the side and held a throw pillow in front of her face. “Better?”

  Standing against the back wall, Jason removed his clothing, let his guard down, and allowed the change to take him. The transformation was less violent this time. His body shimmered, giving the impression of an image in a vibrating mirror. As the vibration grew stronger, hair burst from skin to cover his body. Bones shifted and elongated, but the snaps and cracks that had frightened her the last time did not accompany this change. Within seconds, it was over.

  Exactly as predicted, nothing happened. Jason sat on the floor watching her. She laughed and patted the couch, “Come on, get up here.”

  As Jason put his front paws on the cushion beside her, the old wooden frame creaked and groaned.

  “You better be careful. This is old and worn out.”

  Jason gave a slight whimper and laid his head in her lap.

  Without hesitation she stroked his head, enjoying the feel of his soft fur under her hand. “It’ll be okay. We’re going to be just fine. Ugh! Lay still, you’re heavy,” she said as he attempted to get comfortable.

  Sarah must have fallen asleep for a time because she awoke confused and upset. Jason sat in front of the cage door intently watching the stairs. His ears twitched and wiggled as they leaned forward on his head. When she heard the noise the second time, she realized what must have awakened her. Sounds of breaking glass tinkled in the distance, and something scratched at the basement door.

  Jason issued a low, deep growl. He glanced between Sarah and the door, and whined. Sarah knew what he wanted. He wanted out.

  “Absolutely not,” she whispered loudly. “You’re not going out there. They are trained and have been doing this longer than you.”

  Jason looked at the basement door and growled again. The scratching noises had stopped, but rustling could be heard behind the door. A loud crack reverberated as something, or someone, fell against the door causing it to split down the center. A second blow would send the two halves flying off the hinges. Jason howled in rage, shoving against the barred door.

  “Stop!” Sarah screamed. “You’re going to hurt yourself.”

  The massive wolf turned to her and looked pointedly at the covered basement window just outside the cage.

  “Oh yeah. I never thought of that,” she replied. Sarah quickly pulled the keys to the door out of her pocket and unlocked it.

  Once outside, he pushed it shut and stood guard, blocking anyone from entering the cage. They could still hear rustling noises upstairs and the sound of wolves growling. One barked several times before a fight broke out. Growling and barking, yelping in pain, it sounded like the entire pack was in the kitchen tearing each other to shreds.

  Something hit the door again, and this time it did go flying off the hinges. A large black wolf followed the broken pieces down the stairs. Jason drew back, the hair on his back stood straight up. Head lowered and ready to spring, he snarled. The black wolf rose to its feet and turned to face the stairs, growling in warning to those who might decide to bring the fight down to the basement. Jason’s head rose to sniff the air. Turning to glance at Sarah, he joined the newcomer at the base of the steps. The black wolf was huge, but still half the size of Jason, he stood teet
h bared, waiting.

  There were many figures surrounding the basement door, all of them wolves. They snarled and growled at each other as if arguing about what to do next. The pack divided and a beautiful snow-white wolf began to slink down the stairs. The protectors at the bottom of the stairs roared in warning. Stopping, the white wolf raised its head, and released an ear-splitting howl.

  A massive wave of teeth, claws, and fur rushed over and around the wolf. In a split second, the two protectors were covered in adversaries. The weight of the opposing forces knocked them to the ground. Jason pushed up and shook, throwing three across the room. They hit the walls with a dull thud and lay whimpering.

  Three more snapped and bit the black guardian. Bits of fur and flesh floated in the air. He spun and grabbed a grey wolf by the throat before tossing it away like a rag doll. Those who'd attacked Jason lay dazed on the ground. He turned to help the guardian dispense the few remaining.

  The white wolf stood on the stairs, salivating and howling as if giving orders to the mass of angry wolves.

  Sarah’s terrified scream reverberated against the concrete walls, “Stop it! Stop it right now.”

  As one, the entire pack became still. The animals stood watching Sarah as if awaiting orders. The white wolf whimpered and began moving down the stairs. Sarah bellowed out, “I said stop! What kind of family are you anyhow? I have spent my whole life wanting a family, and now I have one, and they want to kill me? What’s wrong with you people?”

  The white wolf stood still as stone, its muscles tightened and relaxed only to tighten again. The others in the room looked as if they were fighting her orders as well, but did not seem able to move. Memories of Jason and how well he obeyed her, flashed through her mind.

  “You have to listen to me don’t you?” she whispered in awe. “That’s why you don’t want us here, because you have to do what I say.” Sarah was dumbfounded. In her heart, she knew these wolves would follow her every command. Hesitantly, she ordered, “Sit.”