Despite his short stature, Gerald O’Sullivan is surprisingly fast. We struggle to keep up as he pulls Myra with him, walking through the oncoming crowd like a snake twisting and twirling its way forward. With Gerald is a small group of bodyguards who look more like black-cat human commandos rather than werewolves. They are entirely clad in black, with black leather jackets, boots and bandanas. They also carry human weapons like rifles and bands of bullets strapped onto their bodies covered by vests.
“Is he always this…ready for battle?”
“Always.” Tammy mutters as we near the west camp. Fires are lit and torches flicker on tent hooks, flickering their yellow glow. Outside of their massive tent, John and Phyllis await with Adam. Behind them are Silver Shadows warriors ready to jump into the fray, just in case.
The air ripples with unbelievable hostility. Tammy grabs my hand and pulls me across to where her family is, as others follow close behind.
“Gerald! What a pleasant surprise! I didn’t know you were already here.”
“Of course, I am, Phyllis. And not a minute too early. Or how would I know how you are treating my daughter?”
Phyllis’s face pales. “I don’t know what you are saying, Gerald. Myra has been happy with us.”
“Happy my foot!” Gerald actually kicks the earth, sending a plume of dust spiralling through the air. “I am disappointed in you, Phyllis. I left Myra with you hoping your jerk of a son will see some sense, but apparently, even you cannot control Jeff.”
“It’s not at all true! You are getting it all wrong, Gerald. And I believe Jeff likes Myra.”
“Don’t lie to me, Phyllis!” He screams in a voice that would send banshees running for the hills. My eardrums ring as if split open with a knife. Olly is startled and Tina actually clams her hands on her ears. Only Tammy is unaffected, but it may be because she has worse things to worry about.
“I very well know what your son is up to now-a-days. Who his latest muse is and for whom he is ignoring my daughter!” Gerald screams as his beady eyes turn to Olly. She stops fidgeting, suddenly realising all eyes are on her. “This… wretched human! It’s because of her that my daughter is suffering. It’s because of this stupid, good-for-nothing whor… ”
“Hang on, Gerald.” John thunders, his face hardening. “There is no need to be offensive. Olivia is our guest. She is Rey Armstrong’s granddaughter. You cannot insult her like this.”
“I will insult her however I like.” Gerald turns to John, his eyes flashing in disdain. “Don’t forget, John, that Rey Armstrong is gone. He is not around to prop up the Silver Shadows anymore. You are at my mercy, all of you. You’ll do well to remember it. It’s my money that goes down the drain every time you fight those rogues. I give you weapons, clothe your soldiers, and feed your armies. So be careful before you speak.”
An uneasy pause stretches as John levels his gaze with Gerald. His face is puce, blotchy with anger. The air has gone tight, crackling with an intensity that can only be associated with his Alpha waves. Both men stand a foot apart, fists clenching, mouths pinching with such animosity, no one can guess they are on the same side.
“Gerald, there is no need for such language…” Phyllis tries to interject, but one look from Gerald shuts her up. His eyes train on Olly, who squirms with unease. The hair on my neck stands stiff as his gaze next falls on me.
“These two…” His gaze flickers between me and Olly. “I want them gone. These two have caused enough trouble. The roughs are gone berserk, and it’s already cost me millions. And then they have the gall to flock around hurting my daughter. Tell me, John, why should I squander my precious money protecting these ungrateful brats?”
Noone speaks. He has a point, and everyone knows it. My face flushes in shame. Beside me, Olly is quivering with rage.
“You! You dare to...”
“Oh, yes, I dare, Missy. I know you are up to no good. I know how you trap young men for your own benefit. But it won’t succeed here.”
“Gerald, stop this…!!” John snaps, as Gerald turns to him,
“No, I won’t. I need an answer, John. For the past four months, since when you have taken in these two, we have seen innumerable incidents. Wolves are being captured, tortured for information. People are being killed. Edna, Rocco and the likes of them are roaming freely, doing whatever they can to get information on that witch. And all the while, these two sit in your house enjoying your hospitality. To an outsider like me, it feels weird, John. You need to show where you loyalties lie. With Rey Armstrong and his good-for-nothing granddaughters or with your pack, and wolf community, which is suffering as we speak.”
I hang my head low, fear gripping my heart. Gerald’s hostility gnaws at my bones. There must be others who share his view, who will be itching to throw us out in the wild. For them were are mere troubles who have brought them unnecessary doom.
“That’s quite a speech, Gerald, but your anger is misplaced.” Adam moves forward. His gait is stiff, eyes like a hawk, watching Gerald with a cold fury. “Our problem with the rogues predates Danny and Olivia. You cannot blame our troubles on them. And as to your contribution to our fight against the rogues – you are only doing the minimal that you agreed with the Wolf council. You supply the money, the rest of us pledge our lives. It’s our life, sweat and blood that keeps us protected, not just your money. So don’t flaunt it in front of us. It’s quite as crude as you described Olivia’s behaviour.”
“You dare to call me...”
“I merely stated a fact, Gerald." Adam gives a nonchalant shrug. "It’s unseemly of you to bring up money every time we interact. Make sure you do not do it in the future. And as to my brother,” his eyes flicker to Jeff, who stands next to Gabe quivering with rage. “I assure you, he will not overstep his mark. The promise we made will be kept. He will not hurt Myra again.”
Jeff looks white with anger. Beside me, Myra shrinks in her body as if trying to disappear. My hands go clammy as Gerald’s mouth twists into a mocking grin.
“Then let me call your bluff, Beta.” He says, relishing each word as his eyes scan the stunned crowd. “You have said enough. Now let’s see how true you are to your words.”
A frown appears on Adam’s high forehead. Gerald smiles, as if playing the last move of chess before calling checkmate.
“I should have done this before, but tomorrow is the perfect night. Tomorrow night, at the shrine, I want Myra and Jeff to be mated. Tomorrow night, in the presence of the moon goddess, the union will be solemnised.”
*****
Tomorrow night. It seems like a night of doom. Tammy’s. Jeff and Myra’s. And for some unknown reason, I feel it will be my doom too.
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Something prickles my heart. I cannot pinpoint it. Every word Gerald said rings true. I cannot blame him. I do not want to blame anyone but fate.
Tired, I hug myself against the chilly wind, starting my trudge to the tent. The camp is quiet, people having retired early to rest well before the remaining climb to the cliff. Tammy and Tina are sleeping with their parents. The big, cosy family-sized tent is far more comforting than the tiny and lonely ones where we settled earlier. Besides, Tammy needs her mother tonight.
Myra too has departed with her father. He wants to spend one last night with her before she comes back to Silver Shadows. My heart goes out to her, but I do not know if there is anything that can help her in these circumstances.
Sighing, I trudge along the dark pathway. A mild drizzle has started, dampening my clothes and my spirit. I wish I had stayed back at the camp. Or in LA. I wish grandma was alive, and we never had to set foot in this weird and cruel place.
I turn round the curve of the path to reach my tent, only to see Gabe waiting for me. An unease flickers in my tummy..
“Gabe. What are you doing here at this time?”
“Waiting for you.” He comes forward, his golden hair glistening with water beads. “Don’t worry. I just came to see if you are okay.”
His finger tucks a stray strand off my wet face. I shake my head, unable to meet his eyes.
“I am fine. And you should be with your family. They need you tonight.”
“I will be with them. But before that, I need to assure you of something.”
I raise my eyes. In the flickering flames of the nearby torch that’s just about to burn out, his face looks alive with determination.
“Whatever Gerald said today, I know it has affected you. But you must not worry about it. No one can oust you from here. Just remember that tomorrow we will end all this speculation. Tomorrow, along with Jeff-Myra and Tammy and Damien, we too will be mated.”
I blink as his words sink in. In the falling rain, he bends down to peck my clammy forehead. Then lifts up my right hand to his lips, to kiss the finger Adam fixed this afternoon.
Although it's healed, it pricks with muscle memory. The drift of Gabe's eyes tells me he is still angry about it. If it were up to him, he will hurt me again just to heal me himself this time round.
“I know you have been in two minds about us,” he says caressing my hand. “But believe me, this is the best thing, Danny. Just trust me on this. Have faith in me and I’ll set everything right.”
*****
The night passes in haphazard twisting and turning. I wish Olly was here. I wish someone was here to hold me, hug me against the debilitating dark. Two tents down, Olly also must be missing me, but she won’t come here, neither will I go to her.
Turning on my side, I bury my face in the cushion of my sleeping bag. The incessant rip-rip-rip off the rain claws at my skull to rip my brain apart. I just cannot fathom what’s wrong with me. I feel helpless, restless with foreboding.
It could be the new potion. I have taken two doses now, but it’s not the same as the one before. I keep waking up from fitful dreams. In one of them, I am rushing through a deep flower-filled meadow. The next one has me floating in the wind like a wisp of dark smoke. In the third one I am lying with on a warm chest, a deep rumble of heart lulling me to sleep. An earthy, musky scent shrouds me, tethering me to him. My fingers caress a face that is smooth on one side and warped on the...
I startle out of my sleep for the last time to see the dawn peeking. My face is flushed red with shame. I do not know why my dreams are so wanton, why I keep wishing for the impossible. Despite Gabe, despite his pledge, despite me knowing it’s futile to hope.
We eat a hasty breakfast and start our climb upwards. It’s the last stretch of the mountain, steep from the base to its peak that shoots into the sky like an arrow. Last night’s rains have made the slope slippery, yet the wolves climb resolutely.
The sky is still overcast with no sun in sight, which means the moon too might not be there if the weather stays the same.
“It might be for the best.” Billy comments as we continue our arduous journey. “Without the goddess, there will be no mating tonight.”
I purse my lips and exhale. If that is the case, I would prefer the goddess to stay hidden.
*****
Anadin Peak. The tallest cliff in these mountains, lush green yet chilly as the icy wind whips us from all directions. In the glorious glow of the setting sun, the mountain is drenched in liquid gold. Its snowy peak, that is yet hundreds of feet high, shines like an orange flame. Colourful gold flecked clouds float around us, making it feel like we are in some dreamland.
I watch, mesmerised, as an impressive black stone structure carved entirely out of the mountain rock looms ahead of us. It’s the most beautiful sight I have seen in my life. Thousands of lanterns and torches are lit around, making the place glitter and shine. Some packs have already reached and the merrymaking is started. Some pray at an altar set with a white marble effigy, others just roam around, exploring the place.
We move closer and come across a small lake, alight with the orange dots of flickering flames reflected in it. Its clear water ripples in the cool breeze. In the middle is a small island where a marble statue of a beautiful woman stands tall.
Her lush long hair cascade to her waist in rippling waves. Her eyes are alight with a motherly smile as a pack of baby wolves cuddle her from all sides.
“It’s the moon goddess.” Billy tells us as we all gather round the edge of the lake, watching with wonder. “And those are the first wolves. Legend has it that it was at this place the wolves took shelter when a bunch of human hunters pursued them. They had nowhere to hide. It was a full moon night and the wolves, as a last resort, howled to the moon, begging for her help. The goddess blessed them by turning them into werewolves, who then proceeded to hunt the human hunters. And thus the first werewolves were born.”
The First Wolves of the ancient fables, of whom, I and Olly are descendents. A strange urge slithers down my spine as I gaze at the carved sculpture. A pit forms at the base of my stomach as the goddess gazes at me with a serene smile. A hunger blooms, a prickling, a clawing to rip my skin apart to reveal something that’s dormant underneath for a millennium. I do not know what it is. It’s not me for sure. It’s something else, some alter ego that is waiting to unleash itself from within.
I groan and turn away, feeling sick to the core, only to find Olly rushing to a nearby bush to vomit her heart out.
*****
The dusk approaches fast. The shrine glitters as if thousands of stars have descended on it, yet everywhere else is inky dark. Hundreds of eyes keep gazing ay the sky, waiting for the goddess to make appearance but the moon stays hidden, playing a cruel trick of hide and seek with the waiting souls.
As the sun sets and the last sliver of orange disappears into the distant horizon, a flock of birds appears on it. All eyes draw to it as flies closer. From this distance, it looks like a flock of swallows. Or crows. Or hawks, as they have sharp claws. They get bigger as they draw nearer and I can make out shapes. They are, in fact, a mixed bunch. Most of them are bats, along with many smaller, weaker-looking birds.
“Vampires.” A hushed whisper goes round, and the crowd falls silent. The birds swoop in from all directions, landing around the lake in swift motions, and start turning into human forms.
A tall and lean man leads the procession as if stepping through a porthole, and gliding on thin air. His pale skin gleams, as his silver hair flows in the icy wind. A pair of brilliant sapphire eyes glitters, leaving behind the gleam of the brightest of the gems. Next to him is Damien, as beautiful as before, his hazel orbs quiet as he walks with the man.
“That’s King Vasili! I didn’t know he would be here!” Billy mutters, his voice stiff with foreboding. “And that’s the band of slaves that goes with the vampires everywhere they go.”
I push down the bile rising in my throat. A picture of Stella, ragged, thin, harsh, yet achingly child-like forms in my head. Her hungry eyes watch me still, craving for my blood.
My stomach churns as I shake my head. I really need to consult someone about this mindless dazing. For now, I pinch myself hard to pull my mind back to focus on the surroundings.
The King and Damien walk in tandem, approaching the podium where the wolf council members stand waiting for them. Behind them, the other vampires fall in line, each looking regal with flowing silk robes. Each of them has a group of youngsters following him obediently: kids and teenagers of various races forming neat lines. They all are beautiful, a heavy gold collar around their neck marking their fate. A thin white string made of no earthly material shoots out of the collar to bind itself to the wrist of a vampire leading them.
That must be their ‘master’, as Stella had mentioned. These kids must be the ‘gifts’ their families made to these vampires.
My heart shudders as As the king nears the podium. His own set of slaves stops a few feet behind, as the king scans the crowd. His eyes find Adam, who is standing to the right of the podium with Phyllis and Gabe. For a brief instant they linger on Adam, before moving to the line behind, where I and Tammy stand with the girls.
The sapphire embers of his eyes glow brighter as they find me. I feel dazed despite my potion, but to my relief, his gaze turns to Damien.
“I am glad we called this Triumvirate, Damien.” He smiles as Damien too glances in our direction. “I am sure we will have fun tonight.”
***** *****