He jerks out of the way. His grip loosens. I chop at his neck. Cadoc evades me. I use the interruption to swipe at him with the blade.
I kick his instep. He swears, releasing me to dance away and circle back. I track him, moving my body in opposition to his.
I lunge forward. Using the flat side of my hand to go for his neck, I bring the knife up on the opposite side. He dodges and grins.
“Nice job, Brat.”
“I’m not even touching you.”
“I’m not the average person.” He comes toward me, tackling me to the ground.
I kick my legs and bring my knife hand to my side, controlling the blade, and making myself a difficult target. I manage to catch him in the stomach with my foot.
Rolling with the blow, he kneels and smiles. “You’ve got a nice base to start from.”
“I’ve taken plenty of women’s self-defense classes in my time.”
“Good girl.”
It’s criminal how soft those two words make me.
“Are we okay?”
“As long as you keep this blade on you, we’re square. Choose another bigger one that fits comfortably in your hand to hook onto your belt.”
Unlike werewolves of legend, our change is magical. The clothes aren’t destroyed during the transformation.
However, the price we pay for the gift is the pain we still experience.
“Go get dressed. We’ll leave here within the hour. Once we’re in the forest we’ll shift.”
“Not before?”
Cadoc frowns. “I’m not convinced we aren’t being watched. We’ve swept the house for cameras and bugs, but I can’t shake the feeling we’re under surveillance.”
“But you took me on the front porch.” I think back to the blankets he’d covered me with and how he fucked me.
“They’d only see enough to be jealous. One whiff of your sweet pussy would have them salivating anyway, Brat.” Standing he offers his hand. I take it allowing him to pull me up.
“Be quick.” He slaps my ass. I jog away with adrenaline running high. There’re few things I hate more than feeling helpless. This is a good reminder.
I control my destiny, not the other way around.
Thirty minutes later, we’re loping through the woods. Hopping over tree limbs, we follow the path Cadoc and Kirk mapped out.
It feels good to run on all fours without worry of being discovered. Our forested area has a distinct smell, ancient, clean, and powerful.
I can taste the tangy citrus energy on my tongue. Savage power gathers like an imminent storm. I hope when it breaks, we’re on the right side of the damage.
We passed the familiar spaces some time ago. This land is forgotten, untouched, and wild. There are no signs of our people. The tall trees and overgrown moss carpets are hauntingly beautiful.
My eyesight has improved since I accepted my position as a child of Fenrir and keeper. The earthy scent of fresh soil and blooming wildflowers tantalizes my nose.
Is this what I missed when my senses were dulled? I’m fully alive for the first time and our grim task doesn’t take away the joy that bubbles up inside my chest.
Easily, I keep up with the men. There’s no more slow-poke Ylva hindering our pace. Kirk Yips. I feel his joy and pride at the happiness I’m feeling through our bond. I return the call. Cadoc howls.
Bo and Fell answer. We join in. For a moment, I feel united, like a proper clan. We slow to a trot as a ramshackle wooden structure appears through the trees.
The old, worn wood and the crude windows are covered in layers of filth. Did we get the direction correct?
I sniff. Wait. I recognize that scent. It’s the man from the restaurant. We shift. Four legs become two. Muscles shift, and rearrange as our point of view changes to that of a creature on two legs. Cadoc takes the lead.
“Bo, come with me to scout the surrounding area.” Cadoc points at us. “You two stay here and keep an eye out.”
Nodding I grip the knife sheath clipped to the utility belt. Cadoc and Bo circle around to the back of the dwelling. I remain still as we all scan the darkness.
They return. “It smells clear,” Cadoc says.
Bo wrinkles his nose. “And it looks like a filthy hovel from where I’m standing. If we’re not careful we’ll catch the plague.”
Really? I turn to Bo. “You are an absolute snob, your highness. We’re in the middle of nowhere. What did you expect the place to look like?”
“Not this.” Bo’s voice drips with disdain.
“Look.” I point the glowing triangle. The closer we get the brighter it becomes. The front door swings open. The paper bursts into flames in Bo’s hand.
“Shit.” he releases the slip too slow, and shoves the singed fingertips into his mouth.
