Shifters Hallows Eve

by Lori King

  He narrowed his eyes and sprinted forward, limping on his injured leg while trying to move as quickly as possible. Pain washed over him with each movement. He gritted his teeth, pressing himself forward.

  There was a break in the trees ahead, where he saw what appeared to be a run-down, abandoned house. I have to get to that house. After ignoring his intuition all day, he decided to follow it this time. What could it hurt at this rate? It was just his luck to be caught in a storm while being chased by savage werewolves on Halloween. His day couldn’t possibly get any worse.

  Well, it could if the pack caught him. That’s not going to happen. Get to the house.

  It should have frightened him that the house practically called to him, but he was too cold, hurt, and tired to care. Maybe he could get there undetected and have a chance to tend to his wounds -- even shift a few times to heal them completely.

  I have to get to that house. The need coursed through him again. He should run toward home, but somehow he knew he’d be okay if he made it to the house. There was no way to verify that, and maybe his injured body was making him delirious, but right now it was his best choice. Now to find a way to get there.

  A twig snapped behind him, and he growled. He’d have to take out a few wolves before seeking solitude. They’d gained on him.

  Jace hopped onto a log and leaped onto the ground, swearing in his head as his broken leg twisted. The leg gave out and he landed on his side. The stinging rain pelted his bloody, mud-covered fur while he worked at pulling his broken body as close to the log as possible.

  In a few seconds, the other wolves would jump over the log. He hoped to catch them by surprise. Their footsteps thudded and sloshed through the muddy terrain until the wolves took flight, one after another.

  Jace rolled, lashing out with his teeth and catching a rear leg in his mouth. He tugged as he turned, pulling the joint out of its socket. The wolf howled. Jace swung his good leg around and swiped it across the wolf’s jaw. Blood spurted out of its muzzle as it tugged itself free and limped away from him, making a beeline back into the trees, no doubt going for reinforcements.

  The other wolf stalked forward. Jace pushed himself to a stand. He was in no position for a fight, but he wasn’t being given another choice. The wolf lunged. Jace ducked to the right, but not fast enough. His body was propelled into the broken branch. He yelped as heat surged through him, so intense, he feared he’d lose consciousness.

  The wolf dove in to strike again, but Jace forced his screaming body up onto its hind legs. He landed on top of the wolf’s back, catching him off-guard. Twisting, he opened his jaws and pressed them around the wolf’s throat. Coppery warmth filled his mouth as he jerked his head from side to side. It was kill or be killed, and he wasn’t ready to leave this Earth.

  The wolf whimpered and fought to get free, but Jace’s grip was ironclad. He didn’t release until his enemy collapsed to the ground, unmoving.

  Howls continued to chorus through the trees. The rest of the pack was nearly upon him. He had to make it to the house. If he could just get there, he’d be safe. Again he had no way to justify his thoughts, but it didn’t stop him from having them.

  Jace climbed to his feet and hobbled into a sprint, bounding toward the house. Each time his mangled leg hit the ground, white-hot pain scorched its way through his body, causing him to see stars. Just keep moving. Don’t stop. Only a few more feet to go.

  The closer he got, the more he could see its disrepair. The shutters clanged against the worn, wooden siding as the wind blew them. The white paint had peeled back. A few windows were missing their glass.

  It looked less than inviting by appearances, but the house seemed to be calling to him, urging him to enter, if that were even possible. He pushed his body faster. Leaping, he barely cleared the threshold of one of the broken windows. HIs back legs gave out as he skidded across the hardwood and into a bookshelf.

  Books toppled off as the shelf swayed a moment before tumbling onto him. He winced, curling in on himself as the heavy wood bit into his body. Darkness clouded his vision before blocking it out completely and pulling him into oblivion.

  * * *

  Eva tip-toed into the library and peered around at the collapsed bookcase. White and gray paws stuck out from the ruins. She took a step forward, gasping as the paws shimmered and then elongated into human hands.

  She bit her lip and huffed. The wolves knew better than to enter her home. Anyone who did got what was coming to them quickly. She cocked her head to the side as she decided what to do with him.

  She reached out with her mind, lifting the shelf from the body. A man lay on her floor. His chest rose in slow, even breaths, but he was unconscious. Blood coated his bare body from his head to his torso. It looked like he’d been in one hell of a fight. The Mountain Pack. No one else lived in these parts, at least not that she knew of.

  She took a step forward so she could kneel before him to brush strands of his russet-brown hair out of his face. This man wasn’t like the other wolves – she didn’t know how she knew, but she did. He wasn’t a member of their pack. Judging by the howls surrounding the house, this man was on the run from them.

  “Who are you?” she asked in a whisper even though she knew she wouldn’t get an answer. Her eyes raked over him again.

  His face was mesmerizing. She wished he were awake so she could gaze into his eyes. There was something familiar about him, but she couldn’t place what. Wolves are the enemy, she reminded herself. Yet there was something about this man. There was no way she’d known him in her past life. It wasn’t possible. So who was he?

  Howls and barks drew her attention to the window. She rushed to the opening, staring out into the storm. Figures lurked in the grass, stalking toward the house. She cast her gaze back to the mystery man on the floor. Any enemy of the pack is a friend of mine.

  She inhaled as she whispered a spell, shrouding the home with a protective barrier. Certain no one could get in, she turned back to the man on her floor. His breathing seemed to be normal. That had to be a good sign.

  “Let’s get you upstairs where I can have a better look at you.” Her eyes trailed over the fine muscles on the plains of his chest before dipping lower. She bit the inside of her cheek to stifle a smile. Heat warmed its way through her and she blushed, thankful the handsome stranger couldn’t see her. “Perhaps we can find you some clothes too. Now how am I going to get you all the way upstairs?”

  She tilted her head to the side. It was All Hallows Eve, the one day of the year she had her actual body to move about in. However, there was no way she could lift or drag him through the house. Her magic was at its peak today, but did she have enough energy to float him all the way upstairs? She’d have to. There was no way she could drag his muscular, tall frame through the house.

  She thrust her hands forward, letting her magic flow through her fingers, and smiling when his body levitated off the ground. She took a step back while keeping her focus on him. Her hands moved so his body floated in front of her, then she started a steady walk through the house, to the stairs, and finally to the first bedroom. Holding him in the air with her magic, she pulled back the covers and gently guided him onto the dusty old mattress. Her face reddened as his member came into view again. The sight made her insides tingle and long for things she could never have. Love. Family. Companionship.

  Eva closed her eyes and shook the thoughts away. There was no use dwelling on what could never be. Covering him with the old wool blanket, she stared at his face. He was breathtaking, despite the blood and cut at his temple. She reached out to touch him, but stopped when he groaned. He shuffled beneath the covers as his eyes fluttered a few times before opening. They were a beautiful gray, like the storm clouds outside.

  He sat up, running his back into the headboard and causing it to thump against the wall. His eyes darted around the room before finally landing on her. “Where am I? Who are you?”

  She took a step back and swallowed. It had be
en so long since she spoke to someone, she wasn’t sure what to say. “I…my name,” she croaked, her voice coming out a strangled whisper. Clearing her throat, she tried again. “My name is Evangeline Telford, my friends call me Eva. You’re in my house. You caused quite the disturbance in my library.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared. It would take her hours to fix the mess he’d made.

  Even though she’d long since read all the books in there, it was still one of her favorite places to go in the house. For a few hours, she could escape her prison and live vicariously through the characters in the stories.

  A chorus of howls serenaded from outside. Her gaze drifted to the window where a few wolves sat on the grass, staring at the house.

  “I can’t stay here.” He gathered the blankets around his waist and attempted to stand. His body swayed and he fell on his rear on the mattress, sending up a puff of dust. He coughed, then sneezed.

  She shook her head, not wanting him to leave quite yet. There was something about him that she couldn’t place. “I assure you, you are quite safe in the manor. The wolves that are chasing you cannot come in. I’ve cast a spell that prevents them from entering. We are safe in here.”

  The man narrowed his eyes at her, scrutinizing her. Had it been a mistake to tell him about the spell? No, he was a magical creature, too. She smoothed a hand down her white gown and tossed her curly raven hair over her shoulder with a turn of her head.

  “Who are you?” he asked, his face softening.

  “I’ve already told you my name. I believe it is your turn to tell me yours.” She lifted her brow and tapped her bare foot on the floor.

  He smiled, flashing her his white teeth. “Jace Herrington.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Herrington.”

  Jace threw his head back and laughed. “Please, call me Jace.”

  She hugged her middle tighter. It seemed very forward to call him by his first name having just met him, but she wasn’t going to argue. He was the first friendly person to enter her house in years. Who knew when she’d see someone again? However, this was also the only night she had to free herself. Did she ignore him to work on her own dilemma or help him? She closed her eyes, already knowing the answer. She wanted to get to know this mystery man-wolf.

  He’s the enemy. Be cautious, a tiny voice warned.

  “I’m surprised Atticus has a pack so close to witches,” Jace said as he settled back into the bed.

  Atticus! The man’s name made her blood boil. She balled her hands at her sides and gritted her teeth. Was he here? Could she finally exact her revenge on him?

  Her gaze drifted to the window to see if she could spot him.

  “Truth be told, I didn’t expect anyone lived here. The outside looks pretty run down.”

  Eva snapped her attention back to Jace. His gaze roamed over the bedroom and she followed it. A thick layer of dust covered all the furnishings and the wallpaper was yellowed with age. He smiled as he returned her stare. “The inside looks pretty, uh...nice, though.”

  She giggled as some of her anger dissipated. Jace wasn’t the problem and it wouldn’t be fair to direct her anger at Atticus toward him. He was Atticus’ enemy, and that made him her ally. “Don’t be afraid of hurting my feelings. I admit I’m not the best housekeeper. Cleaning is the last thing on my mind. I tried to keep up with the housework, but who wants to spend an eternity doing that?”

  “Huh?” His brow wrinkled with confusion as his eyes widened.

  She sucked in a deep breath. Perhaps she should have kept it secret. Would things be awkward when he learned the truth about her? It was too late now.

  “I don’t understand. I thought you were a witch?” he asked when she didn’t respond.

  “I am. I mean, I was a long time ago. I am cursed in death, unable to cross over and forever trapped in this house.”

  Jace clutched the blanket around him tighter. “What?”

  “I’m a ghost.”

  “You’re dead?” his face fell.

  She nodded and looked at the floorboards. “I was murdered Oct. 31, 1921.”

  2

  Jace’s eyes scanned over Eva. She didn’t look dead. In fact, she looked very much alive. He wanted to reach out and touch her, to trail his fingers down her bare arm. Would she be warm? He hoped so. The woman before him was breathtaking. His wolf stirred inside him. Mine.

  It was no accident that he’d felt compelled to enter this house. Eva was his mate. His wolf growled again, acknowledging that his thought process was correct. He grinned and swept his gaze over her once more.

  Her full, pale pink lips begged to be kissed, and her azure eyes bored into his. The long white gown she wore hugged her curves wonderfully, but flowed out at the waist, hiding what he was sure were shapely legs. Then her words sunk in. Murdered.

  “What do you mean you were murdered?” He’d met witches and vampires – but ghosts? Sure he’d heard of them, but he never really thought they were real. If she was telling the truth, and he had no reason to doubt her, then how could she be his fated mate?

  She shrugged. “I was murdered Halloween night.”

  “In 1921?” he asked. He went to stand but then realized his naked state and settled back on the bed, holding the blankets over his hips.

  “What year is it?” she asked quietly.

  “2016.”

  “2016,” she said as she tipped her head to the side. Her eyes glazed over, staring at a spot over his shoulder. “I didn’t realize it’d been so long.”

  Jace did the math in his head. Ninety-five years. Had she been alone, in this house, all this time? He needed to learn more about her. There was something amiss. His mate couldn’t be dead. It didn’t make any sense.

  Mine, his wolf repeated in his head. Claim her.

  Even looking at her the intense need to touch her, get to know her, and protect her nearly overwhelmed him.

  “I believe there are some clothes in a bedroom down the hall. They might be a bit short for you, but they should suffice,” Eva said, breaking the silence. Her eyes swept down to the blanket as her cheeks darkened. She swallowed and turned away, heading for the door.

  He gathered the blankets and stood. This conversation would go better clothed. “How did you get me all the way up here?” he asked, curious. He waddled while trying to keep from tripping over the long blankets.

  “Levitation. I floated you through the house and onto the bed.”

  “You still have your magic?” he asked, watching the sway of her long dress as she sashayed down the hall.

  “Yes and no. My magic is limited in my ghostly state, but tonight is the anniversary of my death and also All Hallows Eve. Magic tonight is heightened for all witches. My power is at its fullest tonight, at least until midnight. The rest of the year I can do simple parlor tricks. But I am able to stay corporeal for several hours each day regardless. It took me a long time to figure out how to do that.” She stopped at a room and motioned for him to go in first. “All the clothes are in the dresser. They may be a bit drab and outdated, but it’s all I have.”

  “Thanks.” Jace shuffled past her. He pulled out a few drawers until he found what he was looking for. There was a thick layer of dust on top of the trousers, but they’d do. He took them out and clapped them against his leg, sending debris floating into the air. An oncoming sneeze tickled his nostrils. He crinkled his nose, effectively stopping it.

  Blowing out a breath, he set the pants on the bed and turned back to the door. It was empty. Where had she gone? He’d transition a few times to finish healing his wounds, then dress and seek her out.

  Jace tossed the blanket on the bed and lowered his injured body to the floor. The first change when he’d leaped through the window had healed a lot of his injuries. One more should have him in tiptop shape again. He closed his eyes and grunted as his bones snapped and realigned. The tender flesh knitted back together as his broken leg reshaped, lining up correctly. He winced, yelping as it snapped in pl
ace, and then collapsed on the floor, panting. Fully changed, he blew out a few breaths before standing and starting the shift back to human. This time, it didn’t hurt, and once changed, he stood. Aside from a few new scars, he was back to normal and ready to defend his mate and himself against the wolves lurking outside. First, he needed to get dressed, then find Eva.

  He tugged on the pants. They fit around the waist but were several inches too short. It was better than being naked, especially since his nudity seemed to embarrass his mate. Hopefully, she would come to love him in that state. He wondered if she was experiencing the same urge to mate as he was. As a wolf, it was next to impossible to ignore the call to mate. But she wasn’t a wolf. She wasn’t even alive. One thing at a time.

  He was getting ahead of himself. First, he needed to find out what was going on with her. There was no way he could mate with a ghost. Hell, he didn’t even know if he could physically touch her.

  Walking out to the hall, he looked left, then right. There was a bluish glow coming from one of the rooms. He walked toward it, listening as Eva’s soft voice echoed out into the hallway. She was murmuring something he couldn’t quite discern. He stopped in the doorway, watching.

  As if sensing his presence, she stopped. The luminescent blue glow faded, and she turned to him.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt you,” he said as he leaned against the doorframe.

  “It’s okay. I’ve been trying for years to no avail. I’m sure tonight will be no different. Besides, you are the first person I have spoken with in many years. I think I should like to enjoy your company. There is always next year, and the year after.” Her face fell as she closed the spell book she’d been standing over.

  His heart broke as he saw the resigned look on her face. There had to be a way to help her. First he needed to find out what was going on. He had so many questions, it was hard to decide what to ask her first. “What are you trying to do?” That seemed as good a place as any to start.