Dark of kNight (29 page)

“You’re thinking he may be a werewolf aren’t you?”

“Like I said, I don’t know for a fact. I’m not leaning toward that thought. He’s not afraid of the werewolves. He may be one of us, a Lycan. ” I paused. “Please, don’t ponder on this. We’ll find out soon enough. Daniel, Nathaniel is not the one we need to be concerned with right now. Whatever he is, he loves Casey. How bad could he be then?” I pleaded with him.

Daniel’s face softened when he realized my train of thought. Indeed, he was going to have to learn to understand my way of thinking. A smile crossed his face.

“You’re right. I’m going to have to understand your way of thinking. Forgive me?” He grinned.

“Of course I do.” I smiled and leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. “Besides, you’re already starting to sound like me.”

“What?” He gave me a quizzical look.

I smiled. “You’ve started using your words like I do. Can’t, not cannot anymore.”

He chuckled softly. “I guess it’s that bonding thing.”

“Yeah, the bonding thing.” I laughed.

We turned back to the house. “You know, you look kind of scary when you get pissed off,” he said with a chuckle.

“Well, just keep that in mind next time,” I teased. I laughed inside and I knew he could feel the laughter as he laughed aloud. Apparently I wasn’t only woman enough, but was also enough of a she-wolf to handle him as well. Yes, I was beginning to believe we were destined for one another.

Returning to the house, Thomas was the only one that was waiting for us. The grim look on his face told us of the worry that went on inside his mind. He looked at us and poured himself another drink.

“Your mother is upstairs lying down. She took a sedative. This is too much for her to handle. Jason and Heather went out on a run together.” He sipped his drink and motioned for us to sit down.

The feeling in the pit of my stomach told me that the next conversation was one that I didn't want to be in the room for. I sat closer to Daniel as I watched his father sit down in the chair.

Taking another sip of his drink, he began. “You know Charlotte and I have been together for thirty years. That is around two years before you were born.” He motioned toward Daniel with his drink. “I believe if I remember correctly, I dated her a year before we were married. She is as beautiful today as she was when I first laid eyes on her. Our parents brought us up in a strict environment.” He paused gathering his thoughts.

“Not one time did Charlotte and I break any of those laws. We met with the Lycan counsel before our marriage. The head of the counsel performed the rite. I must admit, it was the most terrifying and painful experience I have ever had to endure.” He took another sip and turned his eyes to us. “We knew what would happen to us if we crossed those lines before the rite had been performed.”

My heart thrummed loudly. I felt Daniel’s pulse racing when he reached for my hand and held it tight.

“It is not a normal occurrence that two Lycans can break one of the laws and actually live through it without the rite.” He looked from Daniel to me. “I think you know what I am talking about.”

“Dad, I love Julie.”

Thomas frowned slightly and shook his head. “Son, I loved your mother. Did you not think we would not notice the difference in you both when you walked into the room?

You both smell the same. I guess what I am trying to ask you is, how did you do it?”

My mouth opened wide in shock. Daniel squeezed my hand to let me know it was not the kind of question his father was asking.

“I’m not sure. Julie and I were in a lot of pain from our accident the other morning. I understand we both knew how the attraction could turn into a rage. This was different.

There was so much pain in our hearts; we were ready to sacrifice ourselves for our love. I would’ve truly died for her last night if that was what it took to take the pain away from her.” Daniel said straight forward watching Thomas as he carefully listened.

“Amazing. Truly amazing.” His face did not show disapproval but surprise. “Fate must have shined on the both of you last night. I am truly amazed. What you both endured last night was The Rite. The Rite to be joined together as one. The Rite is a self-sacrificing union. You are tested beyond your imagination. I cannot believe this.” He shook his head again. “There is definitely a purpose for the both of you. One which fate has already given to you. I expect to see something wonderful come from the union of the both of you. I truly do. There is something powerful that is going to happen because of the love you both carry inside.”

I sat in awe, breathless as I listened to his words. Daniel and I managed to complete The Rite on our own last night without the Lycan Counsel. According to Thomas, we have a fate. Satisfied I squeezed his hand and laid my head against his arm.

“Well, I must tell you what I told Jason and Heather earlier while you two were having your spat. Daniel, your mother is in no condition for this little escapade tonight. I am not sure she could change if she wanted to, and I am not going to take a chance on that. I cannot leave her alone. Son, please forgive me. I love my wife as much as I love you and Casey. My child is out there. Please bring her home to me safely. It will just be the four of you going tonight. Charlotte and I will stay at Julie’s house and wait for all of you to return. At least we will be a little closer. I will be listening carefully.” Concern filled his voice.

“Dad, I think we can manage. Just take care of Mom. I believe that Julie can handle this. She’s a lot tougher than I imagined.” He said thinking back to a few moments ago when I snapped at him. “Jason and Heather, well they’re not to be underestimated. I have never seen anything move as fast as she can. She locks onto a target and does not back down.

It’s incredible.” I was impressed when Daniel bragged on his friends.

Thomas crooked his head to the side. “Do you realize, Son, that for the first time in your life you are using contractions?” Daniel smiled, and squeezed my hand. “I so wished I could have been there the other night,” Thomas continued, smiling as well. “I would have loved to see that tiny little woman take you down.” He chuckled.

“Hey, I heard that!” Heather said as she and Jason returned.

“She’s one of a kind.” Jason said kissing her on the cheek.

The next few minutes Jason explained they found a few scents of the werewolves. It appeared they were running a total of six now in their pack. Heather noted there was another scent around the house. A scent she had never come across before. She was not sure what it was. It was neither a werewolf nor a Lycan. She explained the scent had a certain smell like a lily or carnation. She said it reminded her of the flowers in a funeral home. The scents of the werewolves were a strong foul odor. It was the stench of rotten flesh. The scent I remembered all too well. In comparing the new found scent to that of a Lycan, each of our scents are different, but they are all pretty much the same. The scents ranged from a light spiciness to sometimes a fresh spice. Still there is that hint of spice in our scent that sets us apart.

Daniel looked at me as I was thinking I would keep the scent of the lily and carnations in my mind. He knew that the scent was probably Nathaniel. He had been to this house with Casey. Daniel’s eyebrows rose as his attention turned to me.

“There is something different about him.”
Daniel thought. I nodded and left it alone.

Jason discussed tactics and our plans. Since we were going to be outnumbered we were going to have to be fast as we worked together. Jason suggested the best offense would be the best defense. Just as Heather baited Daniel last night, that is how I should move. Work on killing the creatures one at a time. Confuse them. Go for the hindquarters.

In order to slow them down, we would have to injure as many as we could.

Daniel and I listened carefully as Jason explained that the werewolves were not as slow as what we thought. They were very fast. The only clear shot we have will be for the throat. Our teeth were sharp enough to tear out their throats and snap their hind legs in two. If we had to, we could take them apart limb by limb until we brought the whole pack down. The strongest points of the werewolves were their enormous mouths and teeth. He explained if by chance they were able to grab our throats, it would be the end. We would have to avoid the attacks to our necks at all costs. If we were bitten or scratched, we would heal almost immediately.

One of their plans, Jason suggested, would be to gather us inside the barn. This would be our biggest weakness. We can’t fight as we needed to in a closed in area. It was too dangerous. We needed to draw them into an open area where we had room to move.

My suggestion was to lure them into the meadow. They agreed with me. The question remained as to how we were going to do this. The werewolves have Casey, what we want. We didn’t have anything to offer them as bait. There had to be some way we could lure them.

The thought of a piece of my flesh being ripped from my body made me uneasy. Daniel squeezed my hand and gave me a soft look. I would be brave tonight. I could handle this. A proud smile crossed his lips. Daniel and I would fight as one tonight. It wouldn't be as hard as I thought.

Jason suggested that he and Heather would go ahead, take a few gallons of gasoline, and hide them in the woods not far from the barn. Once we have killed all of the werewolves, we were going to have to burn the bodies. He suggested covering the trail we used with a light dusting of a chemical that would hide our scent. In case the police came by the burning barn and decided to use the dogs, it wouldn't trace the scent back to my house. I totally agreed with that plan. I was tired of seeing the local authorities around my house.

Daniel suggested that if we could lure them to the meadow, we needed to collect enough wood and have a place ready to burn the bodies. If our plan worked. He suggested this was on my property and the police will not think anything of it if we have a bonfire. Jason threw in the option of bringing a cooler of beer for the party. We all laughed over his suggestion, and then agreed it would probably work. Just in case.

With our plan somewhat together, I let Jason and Heather take my car and run to the local convenience store to buy the beer and gasoline. They dropped Daniel and me off at my house so we could prepare the wood for the bonfire.

Daniel and I headed around the back of the house and through the woods. I tried to maintain my thoughts and it was hard. Daniel was concerned for me. His thoughts ran back to Casey and Nathaniel. Then he focused on Nathaniel, wondering what he was.

“Julie?” He began. I knew what he was going to ask me before it came out of his mouth.

“Daniel, I don’t know what Nathaniel is.” I said flatly.

“Do me a favor?” I heard him stop behind me.

“What?” I turned around to face him.

“Don’t you ever do that again?” He frowned. “It’s rude.”

I raised my eyebrows as in questioning “What?”

“Answering my question before I ask it. I do not like that.”

“I’m sorry.” I realized that it was a bit rude of me. “You’re right.”

“I was just wondering, if Nathaniel is not a werewolf or Lycan what could he be? You knew he had been to the house, and apparently the new scent Heather came across was his. So apparently he’s not human.”

“So, have you ever come across anything that smelled like that before?”

“No.”

“Well, I guess we’re going to have to wait until tonight to see what he is.”

“Tonight?” Daniel’s voice ran a pitch higher.

“Yes. He and his brothers are coming over.”

“Oh great! That is all we need. We can’t afford to baby sit whatever these things are.”

“Things?” I stopped and turned around to look at him. “Daniel! Nathaniel is not a thing. You don’t know what he is. Why can’t you just let this go?”

“Why would Casey involve herself with someone out of her line?” The words shot home.

“Does love have to be so stringent?” I kept walking.

“It does for us. She knows better than this.” He shot to me. The words stung.

“Like my father?” I retorted. Apparently he forgot I was the product of a non-Lycan love. He remained silent.

We walked down through the meadow to the other side, looking for any dead trees and tree limbs we could find. I heard a crunching noise and I saw Daniel carrying a dead tree to begin the pile. My eyebrows rose. Looking around I saw a smaller dead tree. It had fallen over on another tree. Walking toward it, I grabbed it with both hands.

Apparently, I had put more force on it than needed, the tree snapped from the ground like a toothpick. It should’ve been heavier, but it was very light weight. I pulled it away and walked toward the pile Daniel had started. He looked surprised as I tossed the tree on the pile. I smiled and went back to my search.

Within a few minutes, Daniel and I managed to compile enough dead wood for a huge bonfire. Jason and Heather returned with the gasoline and then headed off down the trail. Daniel and I worked the flammable fluid in the center of the pile and around the edges. Our job was complete. We headed back to the house. Daniel stopped in front of me.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Take a deep breath,” he commanded.

I inhaled deeply. I smelled his warm spicy scent, the trees, the grass, and a light fragrance. “What is that? A light fragrance.”

“It’s your scent. The one I took from you last night. You carry my scent now.” He sounded so sad.

“Daniel?” I walked toward him. “This is the spot we were given by fate. The spot that I swore my love and my life to you.” I said and then lovingly wrapped my arms around his waist.

“I know, but … I kind of miss that scent.”

“You know, I just had an idea. Now that I have your scent I think that is part of the reason we don’t have that animal instinct anymore.”

“I think you’re right,” he agreed casually.

“So, does that mean you aren’t attracted to me like that anymore?” I teased.

Daniel looked at his watch. “I’ll answer that question when we make it to the house,” he purred.