Animal Heart (Beast & Beauty) (20 page)

“Mmmm...” she murmured.

Thankfully she seemed to be past the biting stage.

Later that day, just before dinner, she made sure there was no one around. She walked towards the reception phone and picked it up. She dialled the Heart general store. She had a deep need to find out about last night.

“Heart Provisions, can I help you?” Miss Boyle's high pitched voice was instantly recognisable.

“Oh hello, Miss Boyle. It's Maddy from the Ranch. I came in with Samantha yesterday, remember?”

“Ah yes, so I do... The pretty redhead. What can I do for you?”

“I was wondering if I left my phone in your store. I seem to have lost it.”

“No, I haven't found a phone, I'm sorry... Wait a minute...” The phone was put down with a clunk as Miss Boyle went off somewhere and she could hear muffled voices in the background.  A moment later the phone was picked up again.

“Just had a quick word with young Ellie, she ain't seen it either. Can't help 'ya love.”

Of course there would be no phone recovered as Maddy hadn't lost it...

“Oh well, I'll try the feed store and the bar. How are you anyway? Still recovering after the dreadful events of the other night?” she asked in a sly leading fashion.

“If only, but no, I'm in shock my dear. It seems we're double cursed in our poor town. There's been more devilry afoot.”

“Oh no!.... It can't be. But how?” she asked with real alarm beginning to rise inside her.

“The Mayor, last night, ripped to shreds he were... Heart missing an all. His housekeeper found him early this morning, the poor girl is in a real state... half his chest was gone!”

“That is awful, so terrible,” Maddy said, so sickened by herself.

“Yep. And no person did this, it were the hell-hounds. I told 'ya before. He ordered them in. The Lord of Darkness himself.”

“I'm sorry Miss Boyle, I must go. This has made me feel ill and I really need to sit down, goodbye.” Maddy put the phone down with a soft click and feeling absolutely horrified, she turned.

Aden stood behind her.

“Well?” he asked. “What does the local gossip gal have to say?” He watched her with a grim expression.

“Heaven help me, I feel so sick. The mayor's dead. His housekeeper found him this morning. He'd been ripped to pieces Aden, his heart missing. And I know this was all my doing, wasn't it?”

His heart and soul bled for her at this moment.

“Yes it was. I won't lie to you. You told me you'd taken his heart, last night, when you weren't yourself. Look sweetheart, I'm gonna do everything I can to stop this, believe me.”

“For Christ's sake, Aden. Tell me what you know.”

“Nothing really… Only that you can shift and move as a spirit.”

“So I can't be contained at all?”

“I don't know for sure, but not in the conventional sense.”

“What about holy grounds? Could they keep me under control?”

“It's possible. That holy cross ceremony definitely changed you somehow. We need to find someone who knows about this stuff. We're running blind here Maddy and we need help.”

“You know, I've just had a thought. I asked one of you how to stop all the horror, that first night, and I was given the way to lift the curse. Maybe I should ask for a solution to my own problem? One of you might be able to tell me?”

“It's worth a try. Nothing to be lost by trying. We may as well stay right here and try whatever we can.”

“As long as you're with me.”

“You know I will be, if it's within my control. Now then sweetheart, there's something we need to do. Follow me... ”

She took his offered hand and he led her into the kitchen. The entire pack was waiting and smiling at her. She stared with surprise. Her hands started to shake and he squeezed one of them tightly. She looked at the table in concern, at the silver tray, the towel, and the knife.

“What's this all about?” she asked with tears in her eyes. Suddenly she couldn't take anymore. No more worry, stress, or mating pain, or anything harsh and difficult to bear. Her head and heart were full, and she was about to give up and go completely stark staring and raving mad.

“This is our official mating ceremony. Close your eyes and hold out your hand, towards Shane,” he commanded, holding her to him tightly.

She did as instructed, holding her breath.

“Blood and blood, life and life,” Shane's voice rang out loudly.

Tears flowed freely as the knife sliced across her palm with a heated sharp pain, and a moment later she felt Aden's bloodied, sticky skin against hers.

“We're mated, officially. It's done now sweetheart,” Aden whispered in her ear. He gave her a big wet kiss on her mouth and she opened her teary eyes at last.  He wiped her hand and slipped a ring on her finger. It was much too big and she laughed through her tears.

“This is just a temporary ring. You'll have the biggest rock I can find you soon,” he promised, hugging her tightly and kissing her like a man possessed. A resounding cheer echoed around the room. She came up for air, a little embarrassed, totally breathless, and so happy at that moment that her heart was threatening to explode.

“Aden, no, you don't have to buy me anything else. This is fine,” she replied, looking at it joyfully.

“That's Sammy's mother's ring, I'm afraid, and Sammy wants it back,” he explained with a smile.

“Shane, you wanted to say something, I believe?” Aden asked, turning towards him.

“Oh, err... yeah. I did, didn't I?” he replied, looking uncomfortable. He pulled Sammy to his side.

Maddy had the distinct impression there might be another bloody handed session coming up.

But no, how wrong she was!

“Sammy and I are having a baby!” he announced, his cheeks a bright shade of pink.

“Really? That's so wonderful,” she gushed, truly delighted. They all hugged and kissed and shed a tear or two. Rays of light like this made life worthwhile. Her heart spilled over with love for her new family. She was mated and married, in a wolf-sense anyway, to the most wonderful man ever, and now she was going to be an auntie, well, kind of.

It was dusk. They all began to transform as she waited, seated on the sofa, looking on anxiously. They were awash with ugly faces, full of bared teeth, sprouting hair and evil eyes. She glanced at them all in turn and then back to Verity, her white nose glimmering in the gloomy light of the reception room. Maddy approached her, waiting for the completion. She'd helped before. There was no reason why she couldn't again.

“How do I end my madness, return to how I was at my first full moon?”

“When holy earth is above the brow, an inner peace it will allow. Three grave days await thy rest, still and silent, to be blessed,” her strange and guttural human voice replied.

Maddy's mind spun in horror. Her first impression was it sounded like she had to lie in a grave, buried underground, for three whole days. And a whole month away, at the next Moon's cycle?

“How can I do this? Is there someone who can help me, another way perhaps?” She appealed, desperately.

“She who knows, at the nest of the crows. Holy and kind, the unholy in mind,” Verity replied cryptically.

“What? I don't understand?” Maddy implored. But Verity was no longer communicating with her. Her eyes took on a blank, evil look and to her horror they all started behaving very ferociously, snarling, and swarming around her, looking as if they were about to eat her alive. It was just like the first night, all over again. Their curse wasn't gone at all. Not permanently it would seem. She reacted quickly, telling them to sit still and watch her quietly until dawn. Her own curse overtook her once more. She prayed for all her worth and tried to think good and loving thoughts until her mind faded and she remembered nothing.

He awoke at first light, they were all stirring. Their bodies were transforming in their usual bone crunching and groaning way. Aden felt relieved they were all safe yet again, although he also knew that their curse was still very much a part of their lives. His eyes caught hers. She lay in her wolf form, flicking her tail back and forth slowly, next to him. He nuzzled her contentedly, with his half-human snout. He was sure he didn't paint the best picture of beauty, but he didn't care any more. She was his and he was hers.

As his change finished, he rose and went to find his clothes. They were all piled in a big heap in the middle of the floor. Nakedness in the pack was so normal that no one batted an eyelid anymore. He found Maddy's clothes, ripped and ruined. She needed to remember to undress, he thought with a smile. He led her back to her room where she shifted and found some more clothes, dressing for the day.

“So we're still all here. You've obviously worked your wonders again,” he said, kissing her head.

“Hopefully wonderful enough that I didn't rampage through Heart last night, or anywhere else for that matter.”

“Think positively honey. I know it's hard, but something will come up to help you soon.”

“Oh something did. I had a very interesting chat with one of you.”

“Right?... And?”

“I didn't get to write it down, there wasn't time. But I do have a good memory and I'm pretty sure it went like this, 'Holy earth above the brow, inner peace it will allow. Three grave days await thy rest, still and silent, to be blessed'. And when I asked for help, in understanding it, I got a reply, which I don't have a clue about.  'She who knows, at the nest of the crows. Holy and kind, the unholy in mind.'”

Aden's mind spun into action. The nest of crows must mean the Pastor Saunderfoot's house. She was holy and kind and she definitely sensed something unholy in him. But he didn't want to get Maddy's hopes up. Not yet. He'd pay her a little visit, on his own first.

“Let's think about it properly later,” he suggested thoughtfully. “Write it down now so we don't forget it. Because you have other things to deal with, don't you? We need to go to Calgary, love.”

“I know that. I've had some rather pressing horrors to deal with though, haven't I?  Do you honestly think I've forgotten that I have to bury my own parents somehow?” she snapped with heightened emotion. “We'll go tomorrow, shall we? I'll call my sister later today.”

“It's up to you. I was just pointing out the obvious. And I'll stay with you, if you want me to?”

“Of course I do!” she snapped again. “What a stupid thing to say.”

He sighed. “Are we having our first little row?”

“No, I'm being unreasonable and upset and over-reacting and taking it out on you because I love you.”

“That sounds pretty much it,” he agreed. “Look, I need to get out and get some supplies later. You speak to your sister and do whatever you need to do here while I'm gone.”

“Can't I come?” she asked with appealing eyes.

“Shane and Lucas are coming. It's a feed and fodder run, that's all. You look after the horses, take them for a run. I'll be back as soon as I can.”

“Yeah, I'd prefer a ride to be honest. Clear my head and relax. I'm sure tomorrow and the next few days are gonna be awful.”

“Take your time. Ask Mia if you like, being as you two seem to be getting on well these days.”

“I might just do that.” She smiled beautifully at him, having a moment of inner happiness.

“I'll be off soon, then I'll be back to get you all hot and sweaty before dinner,” he whispered in her ear, running his lips up and down her silky soft neck. She shivered beneath his touch. He tucked her hair behind her ear and kissed her mouth.

They left Samantha tidying up after breakfast and set off for town. Aden explained their extra errand.

“Last night Maddy discovered something that may help her. One of us told her that she can be rid of her full moon curse by lying beneath holy ground for three days, presumably at the next full moon. Well for obvious reasons that doesn't appeal too much. She dug deeper and found out that someone may be able to help. Maddy doesn't know anything about this, and I'm keeping it quiet for now. But the Pastor Saunderfoot could be our answer.”

“How do you know all this, man?” Lucas asked with a look of intrigue.

“When I was at the rectory, getting the water blessed, I spotted her house sign, “The Black Crow's Nest”. At the time I thought it was an odd, creepy name for a minister of the Lord. Maddy's message mentioned a crow's nest and a female. Who else could it be?”

“So we're going there now?” Shane asked.

“Straight away, then picking up supplies on the way back.”

“Why couldn't Maddy go?”

“She's having a quiet morning. I insisted. She's got a tough time coming up. I don't want to raise her hopes.”

They arrived and parked outside the rectory. All three trailed up the yard path towards the front door of The Black Crow's Nest. Aden smiled at the large cross shaped topiary on display as they passed by it. He knocked at the brightly polished brass bird knocker firmly.

The door swung open and there stood Pastor Saunderfoot, in full black church attire, looking very holy indeed.