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I remained behind, watching as both Max and Gregor walked inside, yanking my phone from my pocket. I shifted to her phone number, studying the screen for a full minute. Every cell in my body, every muscle remained on edge. I curled my fingers, digging my nails into my hand as I tipped my head, listening to the sounds made by the wind.
Including the slight howl, the message clear.
Whatever had started was just the beginning.
CHAPTER10
Stone
“You’re out of order!” one of the councilmembers shouted. As with two others, his appointment was recent. I knew nothing about him other than he owned a good portion of the land underneath Roselake.
The emotions in the room were volatile, the arguments heated and after well over an hour, nothing had been accomplished.
I’d described the effects of the gunshots with what information I’d learned, hoping that Jonas would provide the final analysis during the meeting. I could see the look of horror on the councilmembers’ faces, with one exception. Markel Wyatt. He was now the oldest member of the council, an honorable elder whom everyone in the pack looked up to. While he was particularly good in hiding his emotions, I was able to see how much the news troubled him.
“I agree with Kyle. However, we must figure out what pack this wolf is from,” another insisted.
“He is not one of record,” a third stated in a matter-of-fact tone, as if he was bored with the entire meeting.
“A black wolf with a white stripe, Markel,” Max said far too quietly for the others on the council to pay any attention to.
Yet they did.
Max turned his head toward the third Wolfen, narrowing his eyes. “If I remember correctly, my father mentioned a breed depicting that very description. I found notations in his things indicating a breed of wolves capable of challenging us.”
I thought about what Max was saying, my memory suddenly jogged, visions of the roaming beast unfurling in my mind. I could see his eyes, the evil glint that was mesmerizing in their darkness. I would never forget his snarl, the sound laced with evil. Then I heard the words of a mighty Cherokee Indian echoing in my mind.
“We have many enemies, including our own kind, wolves that were formed from the earth as well as the devil himself. They fashion themselves to be superior in every way to the Wolfen, determined to rule the earth as they were promised the very day they set foot on the soil. There is one who is almost extinct, cursed to annihilation by beings far superior to any known to the Wolfen.” Blackhawk swept his arms out in front of us, miming the earth and stars, creatures prepared to strike.
“Who are they, Papa?” Max asked, his eyes glued to his father.
“Not who they are, my son, but what they are,” Blackhawk answered. “They are the sins of those sent to purgatory, monsters with no concept of right versus wrong. They are assassins.”
“How can we stop them?” I asked.
Blackhawk turned in my direction, moving closer. As he crouched down, cupping my chin, he offered a kind smile. “We maintain our humanity.”
I shuddered as I remembered other parts of the story. While Blackhawk’s recounting of the passages in the ancient book wasn’t meant to terrify either one of us, the stories at least remained with me.
Even though I’d never been good at following a righteous path.
“LaRue,” I said in passing. The three amigos had heard countless stories over the years from Blackhawk, his knowledge of the ancient prophecies and legends notorious. He’d been the most educated man remaining in the Wolfen, although I was also aware Markel had at least basic knowledge of the great ancient reads.
The moment I issued the single word, Markel’s reaction was noteworthy, a tic appearing in the corner of his mouth as he also remembered.
“Where did you hear that expression?” Markel demanded, the veins in his neck popping.
“It’s not an expression. It’s a breed of wolf,” I countered, locking eyes with Max. “They are almost extinct yet still powerful in their own right. They are considered assassins amongst us, their oath to annihilate their enemies, including humans taught from birth.”
Max furrowed his brow, then I could tell by the flash of gold rimming his irises that he’d remembered. “Yes,” he whispered. “Creatures with no conscience, far more dangerous than a significant portion of our enemies.”
“And we were never warned about this?” Kyle barked.
Markel merely shifted in his seat. “There was no need, their numbers dwindling.”
“At least one has returned with a vengeance. The question is… why?” I allowed the question to linger, the discomfort on every elder’s face evident.
I glanced at Gregor, who’d shifted to the edge of his seat, struggling to figure out what I was talking about. He slowly lifted his head, the recognition settling in, his eyes glazing over and his breathing suddenly ragged. Even his skin seemed clammy, as if the memory from a story ages ago had sparked something else. He’d been the one most affected by the detailed and brutal accounts of our enemies, his night terrors requiring counseling.
