Tommy’s pull led her into a subdivision she recognized, and after another minute, she was racing up to Ceri’s front door. She hit it running, but a ward flared and threw her back, singeing her fur.
Amber growled at the display of magic and prowled forward. She tensed her muscles to try again when the door was yanked open.
Ceri waved her inside. There was blood on her hands.
She raced inside, following her nose and the pack bonds straight to Tommy. His shirt hung from his shoulders, bloody and shredded. She whined and walked over, sniffing at the injuries. His chest had already healed, but she couldn’t get past the scent of blood. The wolf needed something to do.
“Amber,” Ceri said, tentatively touching her shoulder. “Please shift back. Tommy is going to be okay.”
Amber huffed and nosed at Tommy’s hand. He patted her head. “I healed, and the witch didn’t hurt Woggy,” Tommy said.
Ceri held out a dress. “Come and put on some clothes.”
Giving in, she followed Ceri into what must be her bedroom, and shifted. The wolf wasn’t happy about it, but seemed to agree that she could help Tommy better if she wasn’t a wolf.
Ceri handed her the dress, keeping her eyes glued to Amber’s face. Amber pulled the dress on over her head. It was flowy and girly and nothing like she normally wore. The material was soft, but she still felt naked with it on. She marched out of the room and headed back to Tommy.
Tommy was still in the same chair, though he had on a fresh shirt now.
“Who hurt you?” Amber demanded.
“It doesn’t matter right now—”
“Tell me!” she shouted. Her voice echoed around the apartment.
Tommy slipped out of the chair and fell to his knees, his shoulders hunched in pain. “Blackwood…coven…” Tommy gasped as the words were forced out of him.
Amber took a step back, panting from the strain of forcing Tommy to submit like that. She hadn’t realized it was even possible. That wasn’t something they put in the werewolf literature.
“Which one? Was is the same witch that attacked Ceri?” she demanded, pointing back at her.
“Why does it matter? There’s nothing you can do about it!” Tommy retorted.
Amber took a step back. The wolf was insulted, but she was overwhelmed with guilt. She hated this powerlessness. Enough was enough.
“Stay with Ceri,” she snapped. “I’ll come get you when I’m done.”
“What are you going to do?” Ceri asked, alarm clear on her face.
“Nothing, apparently,” Amber said, brushing past her. Tommy glared at her from the floor. He could hate her all he wanted, but she couldn’t protect them if they tried to hide things from her.
She had let Donovan stomp all over her life, and then she had let that elf shut them down without even the courtesy of hearing them out. She was done taking no for an answer.
Chapter 18
AMBER
Amber’s truck skid to a halt, the right wheel bumping up onto the first step in front of Thallan’s house. She jumped out and marched toward the imposing house. He had laughed them out of the place last time, but she wouldn’t allow him to do it again.
She kicked the door open and walked inside. “Thallan, where are you hiding?” Amber shouted into the dark house. Her voice echoing off the dark, wood floors was the only reply.
She turned down the hallway that led to the study. Her hand curled into a fist, the claws digging into her palm. The pain kept her focused enough to stop the shift, despite her anger. She couldn’t control anything else, but she could damn well control herself. No one was going to take that from her.
The door to the study was closed, but not locked. She threw it open and walked inside. The chair Thallan had sat in last time faced the fireplace. It, and the room, were empty.
“I let you leave without considering you a trespasser once,” Thallan said from behind her. “I’m not inclined to do so again.”
Amber turned to face him slowly. “I came here to negotiate for you to be my sponsor.”
Thallan snorted and took a drag on his long cigarette, blowing the smoke toward her. “Then you wasted your time, and mine.”
“There has to be something you want,” she insisted. “I need a sponsor and I’m not leaving here until you agree to be mine, or give me a damn good reason why you won’t.”
Thallan sneered. “I don’t owe you any answers.”
“Never said you did.” She crossed her arms. “But I’m still not leaving until I get what I came here for.”
He tapped the end of his cigarette thoughtfully. “You’re desperate, and desperate people make mistakes.”
“I don’t care and I don’t have time to worry about the consequences,” Amber said. “If you’ve ever been desperate, then you’d understand.”
Thallan laughed, a dry sound that bubbled out of his chest. He looked at her and tugged his linen shirt to the side. Over his heart lay a twisted black scar.
“I know desperation better than anyone,” he said, jabbing his finger into the scar. As he pressed against the black mark, the smell of dark magic filled the room. “Do you know what this is?”
“No.” She forced herself not to cringe away from Thallan, but that thing on his chest scared her.
“It’s a demon mark. A favor owed that can be called due at any time,” he said.
“You summoned a demon?” she asked, horrified. It was illegal, but most people weren’t stupid enough to try it regardless. Summoning a demon was asking to get yourself killed.
Thallan grinned, a crazed look in his eyes as he stalked forward until he was standing toe to toe with Amber. “I was desperate to save my wife,” Thallan explained. “Desperate enough to do anything.”
Amber tried to keep her eyes from the mark, but she couldn’t look away. She bit the inside of her cheek and forced herself to look into his eyes. “Then you should understand why I need you to be my sponsor. Tommy and Genevieve will suffer for the rest of their lives if I can’t pass the Trials. They’re my responsibility. I can’t let that happen.”
“Then take my mark,” Thallan said, tapping the twisted, black scar again.
“What?” she asked, her eyes darting to the demon’s mark.
“Take the mark and I will not only be your sponsor, I will also give you and your pack a place to live and hunt for as long as you need,” Thallan said.
She stared at the mark. If it had been Dylan at risk, she wouldn’t have even hesitated. She was out of options, and quickly running out of time.
“Fine,” she said, determination settling in her gut. She would find a way to kill this demon if she had to. “How do I take it?”
Thallan pressed his hand to the mark and magic swelled between them. “That’s all I needed to hear,” he said. “But I can only give it to you if you are strong enough to fulfill the demon’s wishes.” He lifted his hand and the mark clung to his fingers like black tar.
“What happens if I’m not?”
“I remain stuck with my mistakes, and you get to walk away from all this,” he said, his hand hovering between them.
She nodded. “Do it.”
“A debt for a debt,” he whispered as he pressed his hand to her chest, directly over her heart.
The magic burned through her shirt and into her flesh. She bit down on a scream, unwilling to show Thallan any weakness. The magic twisted into her, taking root. A dark awareness crept through her. The magic was vile.
Thallan lifted his hand and stepped backward. He stared at her for a moment before turning away. Even through the fog of pain, she could see that he looked guilty.
The wolf howled in her mind, as did every instinct she had, but it was done. She stared down at the demon mark that had buried itself in her skin. Cold radiated from it throughout her chest. She touched it hesitantly, and it twitched like it was alive.
“We’re moving in tonight,” she said, her voice hoarse.
Thallan nodded, then walked away.
Chapter 19
CERI
Ceri drove behind Amber’s truck with Tommy and Woggy in the passenger seat. Genevieve was behind them in her car. The truck bed was packed full of disorganized boxes. Amber had said they didn’t need furniture, and she didn’t care enough about what she had to worry about bringing it or storing it somewhere. It wasn’t worth anything anyhow; it had been bought used and then banged around in moves for the past six years.
“Is it weird to you that he suddenly agreed? Thallan seemed pretty adamant when we were there last that he had no interest in helping us,” Tommy said. Woggy was running rampant over the dash of the car, but Tommy grabbed him every time he got in a precarious spot or tried to climb on the steering wheel.
She tapped her fingers against the wheel. It was suspicious, but she didn’t want to give Tommy any reason to doubt Amber. “Maybe they worked out a deal. I think Thallan was more insulted I was trying to use my favor for it than anything. He can be such a prick.”
Tommy snorted. “Yeah, I got that impression too. He seemed a little…self-absorbed.”
“That’s an understatement,” she muttered.
“What’s his deal? He’s like some kind of Jane Eyre character holed up in a dying mansion.” Tommy snatched Woggy from the gear shift, tutting at him. Woggy squeaked back imperiously, smacking Tommy’s fist.
She looked at Tommy out of the corner of her eye. The more he relaxed and showed his personality, the more she wondered how he had ended up homeless. He was well-educated, kind, and very perceptive. Where were his parents?
She realized she’d been silent too long and cleared her throat. “Thallan lost his wife a few years ago. After that, he drove his daughter away, let the place fall into disrepair, and became a grumpy hermit. Losing someone you love can really change a person I guess.”
Tommy was quiet for a moment, then whispered, “Yeah, it can.”
The truck turned down the driveway. The gate swung open, beckoning the caravan inside. She followed, despite her misgivings. She wanted to catch Amber alone and demand some answers, but she had a feeling she wasn’t going to get any no matter how hard she pressed. Her mother’s voice echoed in her mind, suggesting a spell that would make Amber more honest, more likely to share secrets. She shoved the thought away. She was a white witch. Dabbling in magic that took away a person’s free will was black magic. Plain and simple.
Amber drove straight to the guest house they’d seen on their first visit. Ceri was curious to see inside. She’d never been able to really explore the main house, much less the grounds.
The old house had two stories with a sharply slanted roof, and the outer walls were a cheery white with deep green shutters. She could have sworn the house looked drearier last time they were here. Perhaps it was eager to have new guests. Old estates could be funny like that. The longer magic infused a place, the more…alive it seemed.
They parked in the designated spots at the end of the driveway and clambered out of the car. Woggy was eager to run. He loved being outside.
“I’m going to go let Thallan know we’re here, but he said the door would be unlocked. Y’all can go ahead and pick your rooms, there’s more than enough for all of us,” Amber said, already walking toward the main house.
“I call dibs on the an upstairs rooms,” Tommy said, hurrying toward the front door.
She smiled to herself. He was as eager to be here as Woggy. That was a big change from the boy that had his bags packed and ready to go that first day.
Genevieve ran after Tommy. “I want a room with an attached bathroom.”
It was cool in the house, with the faint scent of mint in the air. It was elf-spelled to stay pleasant year round, warming itself in the winter and cooling itself in the hotter months. Not that it was ever that hot in Oregon.
Ceri took her time walking through the space. The entryway led right into the living area, which was open to the kitchen. It was very homey, with dark wood floors, bright white cabinets, and accents of orange. A leather sectional and two stuffed chairs sat in front of the fireplace. The back door was hidden behind the staircase, which was lined with a stately, carved bannister.
Tommy and Genevieve’s footsteps thundered overhead as they raced around trying to find the best room. A little twinge of jealousy settled in her gut. This weird little pack had issues, but they were starting to trust each other. They would trust each other eventually.
Pausing in the doorway of a small room at the end of the hall, she leaned against the door jamb and sighed. The window had a perfect view of the backyard where it sloped down into the forest. There was a window seat and a desk in the corner of the room.
She walked further in and saw a bathroom on the right, and another room on the left. The door creaked as she pushed it all the way open and peered in the attached room. There were two work benches and an empty shelf. It was a spell room.
“This one looks perfect for you,” Amber said, startling her.
She whipped around. “What?”
“If you ever want to stay over, or whatever. Or if you need a place to work. There’s plenty of rooms. You should consider this one yours,” Amber said with a shrug.
Her heart ached a little at the kindness. It was like Amber, or the house, had read her mind. “That would be really great. I really appreciate it. This place is so cool.” A grin split her face. Magic had its ways, and it never ceased to surprise her.
Genevieve appeared in the doorway. Her buns had been knocked sideways. “My room is uh-mazing,” she said with a huge grin. “Is this Ceri’s or yours?”
“Ceri’s,” Amber answered. She pointed across the hall. “I’m taking that one. It has a good view of the driveway and the side of the house so I should be able to see anyone approaching. And someone would have to pass by my room to get upstairs.”
Genevieve snorted. “Okay, whatever floats your boat, alpha.”
Amber rolled her eyes. “Go start getting boxes.”
Ceri followed them back toward the cars. Amber was already thinking like their protector, but she had a feeling the inexperienced alpha would be doing that even if she wasn’t a wolf. Amber had a persistent air of worry about her. It was an almost pessimistic determination, which was an odd combination.
She ran her hand along the wall as she walked. This place…it felt like home. And she would do anything to help protect that. There was little enough good in this world sometimes.
Letting her eyes slip shut, she whispered a blessing, and a prayer to the goddess of life and renewal. Magic slipped from her fingertips, seeping into the wood and binding her to the house. If anyone with ill intent ever crossed the threshold, she would know.
TOMMY
Boxes were scattered around him and Ceri, but Tommy was focused on Woggy. Perched on a bottle of water, he was trying his best to get the cap off. He scrambled to one side then the other, back and forth. The pixie’s long fingers dug into the grooves but he wasn’t quite strong enough to make it move.
“Thirsty?” Tommy asked, signing as he asked the question aloud.
Woggy stopped and licked his lips, then tentatively repeated the sign. Close enough.
“I can’t believe how quickly he’s picking it up,” Ceri said with a smile. She didn’t have anything to unpack, so she had been helping him.
“We should be able to really talk to him within a couple of months, I think.” Tommy picked up the bottle and nudged Woggy to the side as he opened it. The pixie wrapped his wide mouth around the opening and his tongue flicked down into the water like a frog.
“Gross. Guess that’s your water now, buddy.”
Thallan’s voice echoed up from downstairs and Tommy froze, creeping toward his door. He listened carefully as the elf spoke. “Just keep your pack out of the main house. I don’t care where else you go. The grounds are open to you.”
“What is it?” Ceri asked, watching him tensely.
“Thallan is here,” he replied quietly, pressing his finger to his
lips and waving for Ceri to follow.
They slipped out of his room. Peeking over the bannister, he saw the elf standing by the front door facing away from him. Amber had her arms crossed, and her face was carefully blank. She looked like she resented Thallan for some reason. It made him even more curious what Amber had agreed to in order to get them this place. Surely it wasn’t anything…shady.
Genevieve hissed Tommy’s name, getting his attention. Thallan? she mouthed. He nodded, and she scurried over to his other side, crouching next to him. She looked as suspicious as he felt.
“Don’t worry, we’ll stay out of your hair,” Amber said, her tone was half annoyance, half impatience. “Do you have any information on the Trials at all?”
“I’ll look through the library. I wouldn’t hold your breath though. I’m an elf, not a werewolf.” He handed Amber something. “Here are the spare keys. If you actually need something, come yourself. I don’t want the kid or the girl with the pink hair bothering me.”
Amber rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, they don’t want to talk to you either.”
She was right about that. He had no intention of going in that house, or talking to that elf ever again if he could help it. This house, however, was awesome. There was so much room, and it felt like it wanted them there. The whole place smelled like magic, but it wasn’t as weird as the stuff at The Market.
Thallan nodded and left the house. Amber’s eyes immediately flicked up to their location. Panic clenched in Tommy’s gut, but she just smirked at them. “Didn’t anyone ever teach you not to eavesdrop?”
“We’re werewolves, it’s basically impossible not to hear,” Genevieve said, unashamed at being caught.
The girls were starting to feel like the big sisters he’d never had. He smiled at Amber, and the irrational fear faded away.
“Get down here and help me cook dinner,” Amber said, turning and walking toward the kitchen.
Misfit Pack (The Misfit Series) Page 9
