Threatening Dark Chapter 6

Chapter 61

It felt so good to get to Rose Crest, away from all the hustle and bustle of the school; away the nonstop talking and screaming. People had followed Caleb and John every time they were seen, and as I had to protect them, I too was strangled in the middle of the infatuated girls. It was sickening how all the women were swooning at to people who most of them have never met; unlike the first week, they were not wary of them. In fact, they could not stay away. To add to the pain of fighting claustrophobia, visions kept plaguing my mind, images flashing in a sequence. A dull headache had formed from when I had to fight away the full vision.2

Sitting down on the hay bale, I opened my mind and let in the entirety of the images. A werewolf sniffed the ground in a dense green forest. Insects buzzed and frogs chirped, stopped when the wolf got close, and then started their song again. He was searching for something. Then the images changed, the wolf left, and in his place, people emerged. No, not people: vampires—the Morgans. They had started their search and they were close, by the looks of the forest. As quickly as the images appeared, they vanished. My mind cleared and I ran around the barn to find Mr. Carter.3

He was wearing his old hole-infested jeans and a red plaid shirt, rolled up to his elbows. He was working on the cow fence that was beginning to sag, but looked up as I approached, a smile on his face.4

“They are coming.” My voice was flat and emotionless. We had expected more time; well, I had, anyway.5

His smile faded, and he rubbed a calloused hand over his short beard that was left unshaven. “I’ll consult with the elders—Adie, don’t give me that look, you know I have to—I was not expecting them so soon.”6

“Neither was I, but from the vision I recognized our forest. The werewolf was alone; I’m guessing it was a scout to find their home.”7

This idea just formulated itself in my mind. Why else would he be sent alone? He needed secrecy, to not be found, which would ruin the mission.8

“Go home. I know Edith wants to see you after everything. I will stop by to inform you of the meeting.” Mr. Carter waved me along, seeing my hesitancy at going home.9

“But the chores?” Why did he have to force me home like this? It was the last place I wanted to be. Mom would not be happy to see me at all. And let us not get started on her temper. The thought made me shudder. “Wha—” I started, but he cut me off quickly.10

“It won’t kill Matt to work a little, or Jana for that matter. Now, either you walk yourself home, or I shall drive you,” he told me bluntly.11

I scowled at him and turned to walk home, dreading what was to come when I opened the front door.12

My hand wrapped slowly around the cool metal attached to the door. Waiting a moment, I took a deep breath, before twisting the handle to open the door. I pushed ever so slightly to cause the door not to creak, wanting to sneak in undetected. Maybe Mom was already asleep. I let out my breath as the door softly clicked behind me.13

“Adie? Is that you?” Her voice was high pitched, like a songbird. If only our meeting would be as sweet as their song.14

So much for that idea, I thought to myself. To her, I said, “Yes, it’s me.”15

I watched as she rounded the corner, dishtowel in hand. She must have been washing the dishes piled up in the sink. Wait, Mom was washing dishes? She must be pissed to the extreme. She never washed dishes. Great.16

The next thing I knew, my mother’s arms were wrapped so tightly around my body I could barely breathe. I struggled in vain to free myself from her grasp. If I had not been immortal, I might have literally suffocated.17

“Mom! Mom, need air…can’t breathe.” I struggled to speak; the sentences came in short, choppy verses.18

Her arms dropped from around my body and she mumbled a soft, “I’m sorry, darling.”19

I stared at her, dumbfounded and at a loss for words. I had been expecting to meet her in a raging fit; instead, I was smothered in a bear hug. “Okay, who are you and where is my mom?”20

I had not been hugged by my mom in a very long time. Actually, not since the day I decided I would stay with the Order and keep fighting. She was not happy, to say the least.21

I knew I had one of my skeptical looks on my face, but she looked like I had backhanded her. In an instant, her defensive nature came back. “What are talking about? Can’t a mother hug her daughter?”22

“And do you know how long it’s been since you have done that? Close to a hundred years.” I looked to the ground: It was first time I had actually let on that I had missed her hugs and overprotective nature—my old mom.23

She gave me a half-smile and gently hugged me again. She whispered softly in my ear, “I’m sorry.” She gave me another little squeeze and let go. I was still shocked at her sudden change of heart—if that is what you’d call it.24

“It should not have taken this incident for me to realize you have to live your own life. I thought I could make you happy seeing things my way. However, you are just too much like your father. I should have seen you liked what you did.”25

Her voice was filled with grief and regret. I could feel the raw emotions flooding from her body, the ones she usually tried to keep from me. She did that ever since my gift became apparent. She wanted my forgiveness and approval. She was scared of losing me for good.26

“Mom, you haven’t done anything to be sorry for. You tried to give me a life that you thought was best. Nothing is wrong with that. I still love you and that isn’t going to change.” I smiled and hugged her then.27

It felt very strange have this sincere conversation with her, but good at the same time. It was like fifty pounds had been lifted from me and tossed aside. I could only hope that this would be a turning point in our relationship, back to how it was before the war so long ago.28

“So.” She smiled back at me. “What happened after you left? I got a call from Elizabeth telling me they found you and you were okay, but other than that I know nothing.” Mom’s voice was full of concern, as a mother’s should be.29

I told her everything, about my uncontrolled rage—she was not thrilled about that, she thought I should have had more self-control, as she put it—and about still being bonded to Caleb. I was waiting on her to flip, to be the other mom I had lived with for so long, but no. I felt her understanding and acceptance; she was actually somewhat happy about the situation, leaving me completely confused.30

“Why are you happy?” I asked, my mouth getting the better of my judgment.31

“Because no one has ever survived the ritual in our history. If it was not for Sebastian, the rite would have gone as planned, and I fear that the both of you would have perished. Parts of your soul would have been gone for eternity. Even if the plan had succeeded, I don’t believe you would have been the same person—just a shell of who you are.” She took her time explaining this, speaking very slowly.32

I nodded my head in agreement; she was right. Neither Caleb nor I would have been the same, just a body. I would have to thank Seb again for his intervention.33

Looking at the clock, I closed my book to get ready for bed. I was exhausted, and a ten o’clock bedtime sounded perfect to end the day. Reaching into the drawers of the dresser, I pulled out my camisole and exercise shorts. I stumbled as I went to push the drawer closed, a vision hitting me at the exact moment.34

In less than five seconds, I had the window blasted open and leaped from the second story into the starry night. My paws thundered across the dew-dampened ground. I could already smell the stench of the werewolf, but the Morgans could not. Vampires could not detect the damned creatures through scent or hearing. The vampire coven was completely oblivious to the lone werewolf that was quickly approaching their home. I hoped the vision was far enough in the future to get me there in time. Even alone, the wolf could greatly harm the four in a surprise attack.35

In the near distance, I could see the lights of the old white house, people moving inside—they heard my approach, though only Thomas would know that it was me. Next, I scanned the surrounding woods, the smell burning my sensitive nose: He was close. Then I saw the white glint of his eyes as the moon reflected off the iridescent pupils.36

He saw me as I saw him, eyes locked in hatred. I heard a door squeak open; they were all on the porch seeing what was happening. They were in danger; I could not let that thing get them. I growled into the darkness, running at full speed. Thomas got the hint and jerked the boys back from the lawn.37

Flying out of the woods, my solid body slammed into the creature. A muted whimper escaped his lips as he crashed to the ground. He climbed to his feet, a fierce snarl escaping his bared teeth. In return, I sent up a roar into the night, and bats flew from their tree holes at the rumble.38

We circled each other for a time; I was waiting on him to make the first move. I was ready for the fight, excited. Adrenaline pumped through my veins. I smiled; it had been so long since I’d had the opportunity to engage in combat with a werewolf. I wanted nothing more than to tear him limb from limb.39

In a split second, he charged, but I was ready. Lunging to the right, I dodged his attack and launched one of my own from his side, throwing him off balance. My claws dug into his shoulders, dragging his malformed body towards me.40

He managed to right himself and throw me over his back and into the ground. His luck enraged me, and I was furious. I stood on hind legs by his side, slamming a clawed paw into his face before he registered what had occurred. I had slung him backwards a few feet.41

A deep rumbling growl distracted me from the fight. Turning my head, I saw John about to sling himself into the fight, letting his vampiric nature take over more than he was able to control. Momentarily taking my mind off the fight, I put up an invisible shield around the house, keeping them away.42

In the time I stopped focusing on the creature, he had regained his feet and sunk his teeth and claws into my shoulder before I had even completed the block to protect the Morgans. I registered a gasp from Elizabeth. The werewolf and I rolled on the ground, locked to each other by teeth and claws. Finally, I was able to unlatch him from my body. I saw him on his side and lunged. My claws dug into his shoulder and abdomen as my mouth closed around his throat. Pushing with all my strength, I slammed his body to the cold, damp earth, at the same time pulling his head toward mine, his neck snapping. The monster fell limp by my feet.43

I morphed back into human form, throwing a hard glare at John. If he had restrained himself, I would have been healed by now. Then I shook my head: No, it was not his fault. It was probably the first time he was not allowed to fight the creatures, the first time he had to retain his anger. It was not his fault.44

The next problem was the body. The stench would attract other wolves, people, and the witches responsible. Before I did anything else I would have to dispose of it. Grabbing his hind legs, I led him through the woods as fast as I could run and as far away as I could get him in thirty minutes.45

I was a good hundred miles away when I stopped and burned the corpse. I watched the purple and turquoise flames devour his flesh. Looking to the sky, I saw the moon directly above me. Then I headed back to the Morgans’ house.46

I walked quietly up the front stairs and into the kitchen where the family was seated at the table, all looking at me. They all had the same questions. How did the thing find them, and how did it do so in such a short time?47

“It was a scout, sent to find vampires to lead the army back. It will not be able to complete the task now.”48

It was all I told them, for it was all I knew; Mr. Carter had not come with news. They nodded their heads in reply.49

Thomas got up and motioned me to him. “You need that cleaned up.”50

I was confused at first, but then I remembered the wolf hurt my shoulder pretty badly. I saw the red blood starting to cake around the edges of the wound. “Right, I forgot about that. Mother wouldn’t be happy if I came home like this.” I laughed, but Thomas only smiled.51

He cleaned the blood off my shoulder and I sat waiting for the wounds, which were now cuts, to heal over. Being able to heal at a fast rate was a nice advantage to the whole fighting thing. Once the cuts were unnoticeable, I headed out into the night to go home. It felt good to be in my bed, and I fell asleep almost instantly.52