Crimson Secrets

by Garnet Davenport

  He sighed and held his hand out for me to take it again, but I didn’t. “It’s settled then. We’re close to my car.”

  I looked around. “Really? Where is the road from here?”

  He looked over his shoulder and pointed in the opposite direction. “It’s about a quarter mile that way.”

  “Oh. I thought I was close.” I continued to look where he had pointed.

  “Yep. Just over there. You ready?” he asked.

  I could tell he was annoyed, and this was turning into one of the most awkward conversations I would ever have, but I wanted to get home. “Yes,” I said. I took a look around me just to remember my surroundings.

  “Come on. Let’s get you home.” He reached out his hand again for me.

  I looked at his hand. “I’m sure I can walk the rest of the way myself.” What a gentleman. This was bullshit. This asshole had barely talked to me. He hadn’t even been nice to anyone not in his prestigious circle. He could have been some crazy serial killer who wanted to lock me in his basement to torture. I looked him up and down and then started to back up slowly. “You know you really don’t have to. I know my way out now. I can find the road myself.” I kept my eyes on him while I backed up a few more steps. “I could never leave a damsel in distress,” he said, smiling at me.

  Since when was I some damsel in distress? “I’m not in distress,” I said with my personal piss-off attitude.

  “Well, you’re doing a good job convincing me otherwise,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.

  I was having a hard time trying to figure out if he was trying to flirt with me or kill me. And why did he get to be so smug? I would never have even talked to him intentionally before.

  “Well? Are you coming?” He turned away from me toward where he’d said the road was. He also took a few steps toward me.

  I felt uneasy with what he was doing. “You know, I think that I’m going to be okay. I still need to think some. The fresh air is good for that. I’ll just get off your property.”

  He looked at me aggressively. “Look, I’m trying to be nice and—”

  “Excuse me?”

  He suddenly jerked toward me, and everything went black.

  ***

  My eyes opened. I was lying on a really overpriced sofa in an extremely elegant, dark, wood-paneled room. I sat up quickly. There was a fire in the fireplace, and when I looked over the back of the sofa through the doorway, I could see that there were plenty of elderly people talking in the next room. I slid off the edge of the sofa, trying to make sure no one saw me. I quietly made my way down the hall. The moment I opened the front door to leave, I saw him, my captor, Duncan Callamore.

  “What are you doing?” he said.

  “I actually decided to take you up on that offer and go home,” I said, smiling.

  But inside I was panicking. Those words had come out of his mouth in a deep, growling tone.

  He grabbed my arm and pulled me around, basically dragging me into the room.

  “Stop. What do you think you’re doing? This is kidnapping,” I called out as I looked at the other people in the room. They were all standing as Duncan Callamore spoke.

  “Did you lose something?” Duncan said.

  He let my arm go when he got everyone’s attention.

  Duncan continued, “She was about to leave.”

  The eldest woman came forward. “My dear, we need to talk.”

  This woman stood in front of me with her hands clasped, looking at me as if she’d just struck gold. She had dark gray eyes that freaked me out. It was like a storm was brewing inside of her. Her hair was a light brown but had started to gray. When she smiled I could see that she had a crooked tooth, but her smile was thoughtful and caring. She wore a brown dress with a suitable gold necklace. She looked very elegant, and I didn’t know how I would relate to her or the situation I had been thrown into with her. In fact, I wondered just what this situation was that I had been thrown into.

  “I don’t even know who you are, and not to mention this asshole kidnapped me. I could press charges.” I rubbed my arm where Duncan had grabbed me. I looked down and saw red finger marks on my skin.

  The woman readjusted her torso, turned her head to look at Duncan directly, and spoke with elegance. “Duncan, apologize.” She glared at him in disappointment.

  He turned toward me and lowered his head. “I apologize for my recent behavior. It was juvenile and disrespectful. Please forgive me.”

  I swear no boy my age would ever come up with an apology like that.

  “Good boy. Now go into the kitchen with your brother and sister.”

  He glanced up at her as she gave him the order. “Yes, ma’am.” He bowed again and left the room.

  She walked over to me gracefully with her hands clasped in front of her chest. She took my right hand in both of hers, patting it a few times as we walked into the living room. “Let’s have a seat, I’ll try to explain. My name is Edness Callamore. I would be that asshole’s grandmother.” She turned to me with a bit of a smile on her face. “Don’t worry. I know how most people feel about my grandchildren.”

  “Oh,” I said, feeling embarrassed. I looked back and saw Duncan turn around to smirk at me as he walked down the hallway and out of sight.

  “May I offer you some tea, my dear? I find it calms the nerves.”

  “No, not to be disrespectful, but why am I here?” I asked, very scared to hear anything right now.

  “Oh, my dear, I understand that you truly have no idea why this has happened to you or maybe even how you got here. That is really something else my grandson should apologize for.” She turned to the table in front of the sofa and picked up her hot tea.

  “How did I get here?” I asked as I motioned by pointing with both hands downward at the floor so that I could get her attention back to me.

  “Well, more than likely he cut off your air supply until you passed out, but you recovered quite nicely,” she said in a nonchalant manner.

  I was more than a little shocked that she took this news so lightly. “Excuse me? He choked me?”

  She took another sip of her tea, holding the small antique teacup in her right hand and the saucer in the other. “Yes, that is something that can happen. Sometimes it is the easiest way to move someone unwilling.”

  I just sat there with my mouth open until I could regain the use of my jaw. “How is this possible?”

  She sipped her tea again. “Let me start from the beginning. Will you sit with me for a few minutes and hear me out?”

  I glanced back at the door. “Do I have a choice?” She had such regal elegance, and at this point I felt like I needed to know more.

  “You do. But you will get many more answers to your questions if you stay.”

  I turned back to her and took a deep breath. “Okay.”

  “I promise that you are safe in my company.” She took my hand. “You are very special. I would like to tell you a story that started centuries ago, when a young girl was first seen in the early 1100s. She was human but was turned into a goddess by the most powerful sorcerer of that time. Her name—the Morrígan. She was brought forth out of battle, strife, and sovereignty to become more powerful than ever before. She was known for appearing in times of war when strength was needed, and sometimes, when strength was gone, she took souls to the next world and gained their strength. She was a great healer, and many thought her to be a witch. But she was really a transmute—a shape shifter. We now prefer the term mac tire. It means wolf.”

  I took a breath. “Wolf?” I said, almost in a whisper.

  “Yes, my dear. In years past, mac tires have been seen by humans who were thought to have gone insane shortly after. It wasn’t until around 1200 when a Catholic priest traveling south from Ulster to Meath, in Ireland, was met by a mac tire that had revealed itself to him. He explained that he had been cursed and that he needed to be saved. The priest believed in him. The mac tire explained that his wife was also cursed and that she
was dying. As we later learned this mac tire was cursed to be a human for seven years and then he could return to his mac tire form for the seven years that follow. His wife was dying from human sickness and there was nothing to be done. The curse had made him a mac tire while his wife was in human form and his wife a mac tire while he was in human form. The priest took the mac tire and his wife to Meath where she could be treated for her illness. The mac tire was so grateful that he and his wife remained by the priest’s side until their last days in promise.” She paused, watching me and then took a sip of her tea, closing her eyes for a moment.

  Then she continued. “During this time it was found that the priest had never been ill or had any afflictions that needed to be treated. He died of old age. The story tells us that the mac tire had healed him when sick or wounded.”

  She paused again, watching closely. “We do not tell people the truth easily. Our people have been hunted for centuries. The Morrígan was the first mac tire. It was said that she had three daughters, who showed many signs of mac tire abilities. They were killed for this reason by a coven of hunters led by a man named Cas Corach. He was hailed as a hero for the destruction of these creatures, which were only slain for killing sheep for food.” She had a look of grief and hostility on her face.

  “I’m not sure how this is supposed to answer my questions.” I sighed in confusion, still not understanding why I was in that home.

  “I’m getting there. The Morrígan had three daughters that were killed for their abilities. Everyone had assumed that her first daughter had not born any children, but centuries later, we found indications in bloodlines that could lead back to the original mac tire. My dear, the Morrígan was beautiful, more beautiful than any woman they had seen before me. Her powers grew. Many stories told of her flying over battlefields as a black bird or an eagle, watching her warriors. In some stories she was said to take the form of a fox, but most talk of her in the form of a red-furred mac tire. She would run through the battlefield to protect and heal her followers. These were men that had fallen in love with her for her beauty in human form as well as in her mac tire form. This will all make sense very soon. The nightmares that you have been having, in which you are running through the forest right outside these walls…” She gestured toward the window.

  I got up and looked through it to the outside world.

  “These are not just normal nightmares. They are real, my dear. While in transition, when you sleep you will run in your human form to find your mate. Once you have completed your first transition, you will no longer have these walking dreams. However, we never knew that you were in transition because you have mac tire bloodlines with no indication of any abilities.”

  I felt so confused. “Mate? Other wolves? What are you talking about?” I shook my head.

  “Shay, my dear, you are still in transition because your family is of great mac tire bloodlines. Your brother transitioned when he was about thirteen.”

  I couldn’t believe what she was saying, but she continued.

  “Male mac tires transition earlier in life than females, and to be honest it has been decades since we have had a female go through the full transition process. You have also been in contact with Matthew Pearson. He has also gone through the transition process.”

  I shook my head again. “Wait. You’re telling me my brother is a wolf, Matt is a wolf, and so are my parents?” I turned and started to step back from the window so I could get away.

  She never stood, just sipped her tea and spoke. “No, your dad is mac tire; however, your mother only carries the Morrígan genes in her bloodline for the mac tire. She never transitioned. As for your brother and Mr. Pearson, yes.”

  I thought that she was crazy. “This can’t be real. I’m in one of my nightmares right now?” I scoffed and turned to run.

  I’ve never run so fast in my life. I opened the door without effort and went out into the sunlight. It was so bright, gleaming off the fresh layer of snow that had just fallen. After the relatively dim light of that mansion, I could barely see. I went barreling through the forest. There was nowhere I could hide where they couldn’t find me.

  I heard Edness Callamore demanding loudly, “Go after her! Bring her back. Unharmed.”

  I thought I was free to leave, so why was she sending anyone after me? I ran harder than I ever have. My chest felt like it would explode, and my legs burned. I wanted to stop. I knew they were coming. I heard dogs howling and my nerves were on edge. What if it was true? Could this be real? All I knew was that I must get away.

  I remembered from my nightmare where the dead tree was down and where Duncan had found me by that stone. It was close to the road. I had to get there—fast. They were getting closer. I saw the tree ahead. I leapt over it like a deer and then kept running. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that wolf—the wolf from my nightmares. His blueish-silver fur and bright ice-blue eyes mesmerized me as he was approaching me fast to the right. I would never escape. He let out an aggressive bark while showing his lustrous teeth. I tripped. My whole body stopped in that moment, and I fell to the forest floor.

  I opened my eyes to see the wolf standing in front of my face with a glare that could pierce any kind of bravery out of someone’s soul. I slowly reached up and grabbed the same red stone that I had tripped on before.

  He let out a snapping bark.

  “I’m sorry. Are you going to kill me?” I looked him in the eye. He moved back a few footsteps while keeping his eyes on me. “I can’t go back.”

  He moved aggressively, putting his head low and baring his teeth.

  “Okay, I’m going to get up slowly. Please don’t hurt me.” He closed his mouth and stood silently. I stood up then realized I had a gash on my left leg. I sat down beside the red stone while he watched me close. I rolled up my jeans and saw blood running down my leg. “Shit.”

  He looked up at my face then back down at the wound.

  “I’m not one of you. I don’t understand what you are trying to tell me.” Suddenly my hands were hot, and I leaned down to rub the blood off, but when I did there was no gash. I blinked my eyes. “That did not just happen.” I heard footsteps off in the distance. I turned quickly to see who it was. The shadows of two men were approaching.

  “Shay?” It was my brother.

  “Tommy?”

  He started to run for me. “Shay!”

  I yelled back to him. “I’m over here.” I turned and saw the wolf in an aggressive stance. “It’s my brother. What’s wrong?” I turned back toward them. I could see the other figure. It was Matt. “Thank god. I’m having the strangest day. I think I hurt my leg.” I bent down to grab it.

  Matt looked concerned. “What did you do?”

  I just shook my head. I really didn’t know what was happening. “I tripped when I was running from the Callamore mansion.”

  Matt came closer to me. “Yeah?” They were so close to me now.

  “Yes. Will you help me?”

  They finally got close enough to see the wolf staring aggressively at them. They both stopped immediately.

  “What the hell? Shay, are you okay?” said Tommy. They put their heads down.

  I looked at them and then at my leg. “I’m fine. My leg kind of hurts. I think there is something weird going on.”

  They kept their heads down. I looked back and forth between this wolf that I had been seeing and the two people I thought I could trust the most in the world.

  “I’m sorry, my liege. I did not know you had the situation. My deepest apologizes,” Tommy said, lifting his head, then lowering it.

  The wolf barked aggressively at them.

  I turned to them.

  “I’m sorry, Shay, but we can’t get involved,” said Tommy.

  I looked at them, feeling betrayed. “What? You’ve got to be kidding me.” I slowly stood. They all watched me intently. “I want to go home.” I looked the wolf straight in the eye.

  Two men from the Callamore mansion started to walk into
the standoff. “Miss Evans, you are going to have to come with us,” said one of them. They stood with enough distance between them and the rest of us to not really be involved.

  “Where?” As if I didn’t already know.

  “To the Callamore residence. Mrs. Callamore has more to talk to you about. She requests your presence immediately.”

  I looked at Tommy. “And if I don’t come with you?”

  One of the men spoke—the tallest. “You will be coming with us either way. It’s your choice how.”

  I looked at my brother and Matt, standing with their heads down in a submissive manner, and they never picked their eyes up to see me after they saw this wolf.

  I looked at the wolf. He stood proud and dignified. I didn’t know what I had just walked into, but I guessed it was happening to me either way. I started to walk toward the men that came back to take me to see Edness Callamore. I was footsteps away when I looked back at the wolf. He continued to stand with smug confidence. I’ve decided that he must have been Duncan. Turning back to the Callamore mansion, to whatever I could be walking into, terrified me.

  I tried to walk slowly, but the men surrounded me and I had to walk at their pace. Just on the other side of the clearing was the mansion. I could see it from miles away. Nobody needed that much space. I took a deep breath as I entered through the front door. Edness Callamore was sitting on the sofa with her petite cup of tea in her hand.

  She hadn’t looked when I entered the room. “Miss Evans, let’s continue. Come have a seat.”

  I walked over to the sofa and sat, trying not to make eye contact.

  “Would you like some tea?”

  “No, thank you.” I wanted to say, ‘What, did you poison it?’

  She made a weird face, never looking directly at me until she set down her cup on the table by the sofa. Then she looked me up and down. “Oh, no, this will not do.” She reached for an intercom, pressing the button. “Will you have Maxwell Ruben come over this afternoon? I have a project for him. Please express to him the sensitivity and confidentiality of the situation. I expect he will be discrete.”