Daughters of Artemis

by Della Buckland

  The wind my body created as I ran felt good. I had not run like this in ages. I know I should be watching Jade, but the wards along my property would tell me if something had crossed onto my land. The cries of the DeLupi pack grew closer. While I was not a member of their pack, we tolerated each other, allowing one another to cross our lands.

  The Alpha male, Logan, and his harem waited just outside my property. The wards did not bar animals or others that I had met and knew, but still they waited. I stopped short, only a few feet separating us. A pounding buzz hit the base of my skull; something had tripped my wards. I let out a low growl, turned, and raced towards my home. The other wolves followed. A new set of demons came into view. They stayed in the shadows, but their scent gave them away. Logan came to stand beside me. I motioned for the pack to circle the house while I headed towards the front door. Logan understood. He yipped a few times, and the harem spread out, leaving me alone to face whatever had tripped the wards.

  I did not have to wait long before one of the Barbie demons rushed the front stairs. I lunged and caught it midsection. The demon and I landed on the ground, my weight crushing it. Clamping my jaw around the creature's neck, I bit. The vile taste of demon blood coated my mouth. I ripped a chunk out of its neck and spat the mess next to me. The demon shrieked, bathing me in dark sparkles as it exploded. I shook to get the sparkles off me as I saw Logan and the harem approach me. Blood lust consumed me, and one fight wasn't enough. The movement of Logan and his pack shocked me out of the fighting fever. They had changed; something felt wrong. My hackles raised, I stood poised for flight or fight. Logan only took a step closer. His normal amber eyes glared red. I took a step forward, ruffling my coat in challenge. Logan took a step back. We were at an impasse. He looked unsure, almost confused. He shook the same dark sparkles from his coat, but made no further move. I let loose a howl that cowered the harem. Logan glanced back at the group before he yipped at me, and then turned and bounded off. The rest of the harem followed. I waited for anything to return, but dawn was coming. I could stay wolf for as long as need be, day or night, but Jade would be waking up soon, and I needed to be at her side. I grabbed my clothes in my jaw and nudged open the door to find Jade coming down the stairs.

  I was in mid-transformation when Jade finally looked in my direction. Her eyes widened, but she did not move. Once again fully human and nude, I stood before Jade with no shame.

  "I know you," she whispered. Her eyes caressed my body in a way I had not experienced in a long time. A warm knot of lust formed in the pit of my stomach. She shook her head—not a smart move. She took one more step down and tripped.

  I had my arms around her before she hit the floor. She had fainted. I was not sure if it was the earlier attack or my nudity. I carried her over and laid her on the sofa. Her skirt rode up, showing her thighs. I caressed the skin lightly. Silky under my touch. Jade stirred a little, and I pulled my hand away. There was a small mark on inner right thigh: circular, the size of a quarter, with a center smaller circle with three half crosses touching the inner circle with their bases while the cross member pointed outwards. I was not sure if it boded well or not as the mark was faint.

  I dressed quickly, fixed two dirty chai coffees, and brought them into the living room. The warm smell of cinnamon, cardamom, and coffee filled the room. Jade stirred, opening one eye. Both eyes popped open, and she scooted into a sitting position, curling her legs underneath her skirt. I handed her one of the cups. She sniffed the contents.

  "I am not going to kill you," I said, taking a drink of my chai.

  "What is this?"

  "A dirty chai."

  "What? Who are you?"

  "Espresso, chai mix and creamer, and I am Toni McGowan. You come into Dooley's Pie Shop a lot when I am there."

  "I know who you are, but who are you?" Jade's eyebrow cocking as she emphasized her question again.

  Jade's eyes narrowed, studying me. Her eyebrow lowered as she waited for my answer.

  Might as well be truthful, "I'm a werewolf."

  Jade barked out a laugh. When I didn't join her in laughing, she quieted down. Her eyes widened in surprise.

  I shook my head. "Look, I have been asked to watch over you until the full moon."

  Jade placed her cup down on the coffee table and stood. She swayed for a brief moment before getting her bearings. "I do not need your protection. I am a witch and can protect myself."

  The small hairs on the back of my neck rose. I carefully placed my cup down before I broke it in my hands, and then stood. I was a few inches taller than her. "Look, New Ager, you are not a witch; you are a lost little soul who thinks your rituals can cure everything. In fact, your little rituals have caused more harm than good."

  "New Ager? How dare you." Jade's face reddened in anger, her bright green eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

  I felt like a heel, but it needed to be said. I bowed my head a bit. "I am sorry; that was uncalled for. Let me take you back to your shop to see what type of damage has been done."

  "Damage? What the hell happened?"

  "You were attacked."

  Jade said nothing, she only turned and stormed out of my home. "Where is my bike?"

  "You ride a bicycle?" I asked, following her out.

  "No, my Harley. Where is my Harley?"

  "At your shop." I headed over to my truck. "Jump in; I will give you a lift."

  Jade climbed into my truck and buckled herself in. The ride was quiet. Jade stared out the window, watching the trees pass us by. Why the council wanted her protected, I did not know; I could sense nothing magical about her. She wore skirts every time I had seen her, but she claimed to ride a Harley. But I have never seen a Harley at Dooley's. The only motorcycles I have seen belonged to groups that ride up and down the mountainside roads as a day trip, some fast and sleek, while others looked as though they were on their last legs.

  Jade played with the corner of her mouth with her fingertip. A knot of pleasure tightened itself in my stomach once again. Against my better judgment, I smiled.

  "You are handsome when you smile," Jade commented.

  I looked at her briefly. Her eyes still held the sparkle of unshed tears, but they were brighter, with something lingering there that I could not place. My lips went back into their tight line.

  Jade laughed. "And there is the bad-ass werewolf once again."

  I laughed; I could not help myself. The MP3 player played quietly over the truck's speakers. Sarah Brightman's Fleurs du Mal started to play.

  Jade leaned over turning up the song, allowing me a brief glimpse at her cleavage. My mouth unexpectedly watered at the sight. I turned my attention back to the road before she caught me staring at her. "I love this song," she commented. I watched her from the corner of my eye as she cocked her head to the side. "You know, the song sounds a bit like you, powerful beats yet a gentle message." Her eyebrow quirked. "Who are you really?"

  "I am a bounty hunter on a unique assignment."

  I heard a gasp of breath from Jade as it registered with her. "What did I do?"

  "Nothing. I have been ordered by the council to watch over you until the full moon."

  "Why?"

  "I have no clue."

  We pulled onto Main Street, and I parked across from Jade's shop. The red door was closed and showed no appearance of being tampered with or exploded off its hinges. I pulled my beastie taser from its case and motioned for Jade to stand behind me. The door was locked. Jade went over to the side of the shop and opened a shed door. Inside there sat a Fat Boy Softail Harley. The bike was a wild mosaic of color and chrome. Jade smiled at the bike and closed the door.

  "She's still here," she said as she walked to the shop's front door.

  "Don't you listen? I said stay back. Something is wrong."

  "Hello, the door is locked. I lock it at night so no one can get in."

  "You were out cold last night. I carried you. Remember, waking up at my place?"

  Jade waved me of
f and unlocked the front door. I tensed as she stepped inside. She looked back at me. "What fight were you talking about?"

  Stepping inside the shop, nothing was out of place. I strode over to the counter; the burned symbol remained. Looking over at Jade, I asked, "Does this symbol belong in your shop?"

  She stood behind me, standing on her toes and resting her chin on my shoulder as she looked at the symbol. Her body felt good against mine. I pushed down the urge to turn around and kiss her. She smelled of sage and wood smoke. My mouth watered, wanting to taste her. Jade, for only having met me in the most unusual of ways, was flirting. I could smell it, her scent stronger and tinged with the musky scent of lust.

  "No." She moved away. My body cried out at the emptiness. She surveyed the shop. I watched her move through the small aisles. She stood in the center of the shop with her hands on her hips, glaring at me. "So, where was the fight?" She could turn off and on like a light switch. It confused me, making me jump from wanting her body to beating sense into her until she understood that there was trouble about her.

  I didn't know what to say. The shop—other than the symbol on the counter—was cluttered, but otherwise ordered. "I don't understand." I turned away to look at the symbol. A stylized half wolf head and human head joined as one surrounded by a circle of Greek keys. I didn't get a good look at it last night during the fight, but now I recognized it. I pulled out my cell phone and took a quick picture of it. I grabbed Jade by the arm, pulling her towards the door. "Come on."

  Jade jerked her arm away from me, moving to stand behind the counter. "No. I have a shop to run, and it's tourist season, my busiest time."

  I shook my head,. "Look, I know who did this. I will pay for what you would have made today. I just need to keep you with me for one more day."

  "You are a pushy woman for a werewolf."

  "Let's keep the werewolf part of who I am on the quiet side of our conversations," I whispered, hearing the shop's door chimes ring.

  An elderly couple walked into the shop and poked around the crystal balls. They wore matching floral print Hawaiian shirts of shocking red, yellow and pink hibiscus flowers on a sea of light green and khaki shorts, despite the morning being cool.

  Jade looked over at me and then the couple. "You owe me big, wolf," she whispered, heading towards the couple. I just smiled at my small victory.

  The elderly couple moved closer towards Jade. The hair on the back of my neck stood of its own volition: not a good sign. I walked over to stand behind Jade. The elderly woman smiled, the tips of her fangs barely showing. I casually put my hand on Jade's shoulder, baring my own set. The couple backed away, leaving the shop without a word.

  "Okay, did that little old lady have fangs?" Jade asked, moving closer to me, her back pressed against me. I squeezed her shoulder one more time before letting go.

  "Daypires. Like vampires, but they walk during the daylight when their brethren cannot. You are in danger here. Now will you come with me?"

  Jade shrugged, "I don't know why I am doing this, but okay, you win. Protect me from the baddies, oh bounty-hunting wolf. But first, can I at least change?"

  "Where do you live?"

  "Behind the shop," Jade answered locking the front door, making sure that the closed sign was in place. She motioned me to follow her through the back door. She had made a small archway from clinging ivy. On either side was a small garden full of herbs and flowers. Her front door was an understated blue, and the home itself was just a studio with only two doors other than the front, one to the bathroom and the other to a closet.

  The interior was a mish mash of furniture: wicker end tables, a yellow linoleum dinette table with matching plastic chairs, faded overstuffed couches and books. And everywhere, there were books.

  "Have a seat." Jade offered, ducking into the closet.

  "Leave the door open." I called back, taking a seat on the overstuffed couch close to the door.

  "Why? Do you want to watch?" I could hear the laughter in Jade's voice.

  "Keep an eye on you more like it. You know, you are taking this all in stride."

  Jade chuckled, poking her head out to look at me, "Karma is a fickle bitch, so I must have done something to warrant this. Besides..."

  "When did you get the mark on your thigh?" I asked, cutting her off. I did not really want to hear her reply. I just wanted her dressed so we could leave.

  I heard Jade shuffling around in the closet. "What the hell?" She came out wearing only matching white lace bra and panties. I could not help but stare. Curves fit her well. I cocked an eyebrow watching her walk over to me. She put her leg up on the wicker coffee table, showing me the mark. It had considerably darkened since the first time I had seen it. She tucked one finger under my chin, pulling my gaze away from her thigh. "Two things. One, when did you first see it, and two, how did I get it?"

  I swallowed hard. "I saw it when you fainted at my home. As to how you got it, I have no clue. Do you know what it is?"

  "It's almost a Hecate's Circle. But the crescents are in the wrong place and the center circle is larger than normal." Jade pulled her leg away from me and headed back to her closet. "Okay, now things are getting weird. So, tell me, wolf."

  "My name is Toni," I replied between clenched teeth, standing so I could get away from her body.

  "Toni. Wolf. It's all the same to me. Anyway, what do you plan to do?"

  "Other than locking you away for a day? We are going to start looking into who attacked your shop."

  "There is nothing wrong with my shop."

  "Please finish dressing." I paced in front of the living room door.

  Jade's smile turned sly, and her eyes darkened. She was not embarrassed by what she wore or wasn't wearing. The scent of sage and wood smoke grew stronger as she wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me closer to her. "You smell of pine and earth."

  I growled quietly, pulled her arms from around my waist and backed away. "Get dressed."

  Jade did not pout, but did as she was instructed. She pulled on boot cut jeans, a plain white tank top, and hiking boots. She also grabbed a jean jacket with a pentagram embroidered on the back.

  "Well?"

  I nodded. Jade rummaged through her bag, pulled out her wallet, cell phone, and a pack of Black Tar gum, tucking them into her pockets.

  "That stuff will rot your teeth." I commented about the gum.

  "It is better than my old habit."

  "Which was?"

  "Smoking."

  I laughed. "A witch that smokes. Come on, let's go."

  She grabbed her helmet and reached for the spare.

  "No. We are taking my truck. They know it and will let me pass."

  "Who?"

  "DeLupi Pack."

  Stark reminders of the dragon's rage still marred the mountain as we drove down towards Trading Post Lake. Light green growth sprouted from blackened dead hosts, giving hope that the mountains would one day be green again. Old life for new may be the way of nature, but when a dragon is involved, regrowth takes a lot longer. The DeLupi Pack of werewolves ran the Trading Post Lake bait shop, cafe and gift shop. The lake, over a hundred acres in total, sat nestled in the mountains between oak and pine trees. The fishing season there was almost non-stop. The Los Lobos clan had a good thing going.

  We drove past the main entrance, where one could get their permit, license, bait, and anything else they needed for a day on the lake, to a rickety old bridge that held a private property chain across it. I parked the truck beside a small, plain call box and pressed the call button.

  "What do you want, wolf?" A gravelly voice responded to the summons.

  "Nice to hear your voice too, Mica. Need to speak to Logan."

  The speaker went dead. Jade and I waited patiently. A few moments went by, and I had thought about pushing the call button again. Mica was, at times, a pain in the ass, old and set in his ways. We had never hit it off; there was something oily about him that I had never been able to place my finger o
n. He never tried for Alpha, letting Logan take the position, apparently more than happy to stay in the background.

  "Enter, wolf, and bring your bond mate with you," came Mica's voice over the speaker.

  "She is not—" I started to reply, but Jade gasped at the sight of the poles and chain being lowered, so I didn't worry about the rest of my comment.

  The road was dirt ruts cutting among the oak and pine. Jade inhaled deeply and smiled. She could not smell the scents I was detecting, though: males marking their territory along the path, strong and pungent. It did nothing for me. The only scent I was interested in, against my better judgment, was sage and wood smoke, and that was coming from right beside me.

  A large log cabin came into view. Jade whistled low at the impressive sight. Old oaks made up the place. Windows decorated the facade, and massive double doors stood open. Mica stood in the center, waiting for us. Hewas older than the last time. His hair was grayer, and he supported himself on a walking stick. I parked the truck in front of the door and walked around to help Jade out of the truck. Her body pressed up to mine. "Your mate, huh?" she whispered in my ear.

  I stamped down my desire. "We will discuss that later," I hissed. I stepped away and turned to face Mica. The walking stick turned out to be an oak staff decorated with eagle feathers and a wolf's head carved onto the top, dark from oil and age. His eyes were nothing more than black chips in his wrinkled, brown face.

  "Logan will see you," Mica said, and then turned to go back inside, leaving the door open. He stopped for a brief moment, looked over his shoulder, and sniffed the air. He grinned, and I cringed.

  "Is he always this pleasant?" Jade asked, following me up the stairs.

  "No. Most of the time he leaves me to my own devices," I answered. My mind pondered why Mica would come down to show us in. He knew that I had been to the manor often enough to know my way around. Out of sheer habit, I sniffed the air. Something was amiss. I pulled Jade closer, and let her scent calm me. I clasped her hand, leading her to the main room.