Shivers

I walk downstairs, my stomach grumbling. The first werewolf I see is Yi, cooking an omelet in the kitchen. His hair is messy and wild, which contrasts greatly with the frilly apron he is wearing.
He turns to the sound of my laughter, startled. Once he realizes that it is directed at him, a blush spreads across his cheeks. "I didn't want anything to get on my clothes!" he nearly squeals.
"Of course..." I chuckle, "while you have that on, though, can you make me some scrambled eggs?"
He flips the omelet, then slides it out onto a plate. He carries it into dining room, then returns and slides off the apron. "You can have it," he smirks and hands it to me, "make your own breakfast."
"That's not something an apron-loving man should say when he is caught in the act," I smirk back, showing him my small camera, which is in the process of recording his every movement.
"That’s not fair!" he yells, lunging for my phone. With lightning speed, I draw my hand away at the last second, Yi tumbling on the floor. He snaps to his feet, racing at me like a bull. I cringe and start to close my eyes, but a form slips in front of me and takes Yi head on. Yi bounces off like a spring, dizziness in his eyes.
"No one is touching Mona on my watch," Ray smiles, his body incredibly close to mine.
"Don't worry, Ray, he was just playing," I step out from behind him, more than a little eager to get away from this alluring werewolf. At moments like this he reminds me of his twin, and right now I do not want to remember. "Yi, could you please make me some scrambled eggs now?" I laugh. As he watches, I slide the camera deep into my pocket–so deep that he would have to assault me to get to it.
He glances at me angrily, then ambles over to the refrigerator and pulls out some eggs.
After another quick giggle, I turn back towards Ray. "Where are the others?"
"Getting ready," he replies, "I'm surprised you got packed so quickly. What did you bring?"
"Just one set of clothes," I dryly respond, "it's not like you gave me room to pack anything else."
"True." He lets loose a big, hearty laugh.
"Couldn't you have given me a bigger bag?" I complain, but he shakes his head.
"Look, I got a debit card, and that is what counts. It has all of our money on it. We can buy what we need."
"But-"
"We need to stay light," he gently, yet firmly insists, "we can't have you dragging a backpack around." I give up immediately, looking at the floor. They just don't know what it is like to be a girl.
A tall, muscled form fills the doorway, his gaze directed at Ray. His face is magnificent yet weary, with faint circles underneath his eyes. Even one glance at him strikes pain in my heart.
"Xavier," I begin, and he looks my way. Fire and electricity immediately snap between us with our sudden connection, along with passion and regret. In addition, a strange type of hate is emanating from him, burning me to a crisp. Ironically, I shiver.
"I need to talk-" I am interrupted by the shrill sound of the doorbell ringing. It sounds like the chime of a thousand bells, making even the ground vibrate.
"Why don't you get the door, Mona?" Ray asks politely, though eyeing Xavier.
"Okay," I shuffle to the hallway, then look back at Xavier. At first we make eye contact, then Xavier looks away, dissatisfied. I shake my head slightly, then I start to run. Before the last chime sounds, I am in the foyer, staring out of the thin windows.
Rain is flooding down, the cold fogging up my view. The clouds are dark and intimidating, shrouding the world like a thick blanket. A shivering figure is huddled outside, his or her head and arms covered by a thin jacket.
Without a moment more of hesitation, I fling the door open, hastily urging the person inside. I can tell that the figure is a girl, for she is wearing a knee-length dress, one that is rather low-cut and very fashionable.
"What's your name?" I ask her softly. She doesn't answer, clutching her soaked jacket with long, pointy fingernails. "Do you want me to take that and wash it?" I gesture towards the jacket. She remains silent, unmoving.
I move my hand towards the jacket, but then she finally speaks, stopping me with her voice. "Where is Xavier?" she softly demands, "I need to see him." All the while she keeps her head down, as if she is afraid of my gaze. Water drips off her bare skin, soaking the carpet beneath her feet.
"Okay, but don't you want to change into something dry first?" I offer, but she shakes her head sharply. Golden ringlets tumble from her jacket head covering, shiny and smooth.
"Come on then." I lead the way back to the kitchen. She follows me softly, making almost no sound. "Hey guys, we have a visitor. It looks like she walked in the rain all the way here."
"A she?" Jake and Yi perk up, their voices blurring together. All of them race to the doorway. Xavier, though lagging behind, follows their movement. Ray remains sitting at the table, engrossed in his newspaper.
"Yeah," I say dryly. Jake and Yi stare at her like she is an unwrapped present, immediately turning on the charm.
"What's your name?" they chorus, smiling brightly. They drink in her beautiful appearance, her nice figure and golden hair.
She is silent for a minute, then she softly says, "Meryl."
Xavier turns stone white, the very life sucked out of his statuesque features. "Meryl," he chokes, "how did you find us?"
Her head snaps up, and the werewolves are immediately struck by a familiar face, judging by their expressions. She is wearing thick raybans, so I can't see her eyes, but her skin is flawless, along with her luscious red lips.
"I have... connections," she says slowly, peering straight at Xavier. He narrows his eyes, staying silent.
She takes a step towards him, distraught in her features. "Why did you leave me that night? Was it because of a girl?" She gets right to the point.
He stood, his face hardening. "Maybe it was, Meryl. But you really don't have to know. You have broken our contract, and I can sue you until there isn't a dime left in your pocket. If I were you, I would leave right now before that happens."
"Was it this girl?" she mercilessly continues, whirling around and flinging a single, accusing finger at me. "Was it she that bewitched you?"
He casts one glance at me, then returned his gaze to her, silent. A smile appears on Meryl's face, one full of laughter and mocking.
"Or maybe you left because you were different

," she turns back to face Xavier, "I saw you that night. I saw who you really are." Her voice takes on a menacing edge, but then softens with her next words. "I am the only one that will accept you, Xavier."
Xavier stares at her, horrified.
She smiles, "you are a monster, Xavier. I am the only person you can be yourself with."
I can't take it much longer. This is like an episode of a soap opera. Does she really and truly believe that? He is so handsome that any girl would run off with him, regardless of his quirky, morphing-into-a-wolf tendencies.
I break down into a fit of laughter, causing the crazed girl's attention to turn to me. "So you know too?" she asks dangerously, each word like a sharp dagger against my skin. "You think you can deal with him?"
"Meryl!" Xavier frantically tries to turn her attention away, "you only saw me shift once! You know nothing else about me!"
She ignores him, staring at me. "Looks like I'll have to get rid of you then," she mutters sharply, then flings off her sunglasses. Alarm electrifies my being, sending ripples of shock through my veins as I see that her gorgeous eyes are as red as blood.
Oh no.
She races at me, the jacket flying off her head and right into Ray's face. I quickly dodge her attack, running to other side of the kitchen. Ray snaps to his feet, looking anxiously at Meryl.
She looks like a rabid dog, full of thirst for blood and fighting. All four werewolves run at her, but she avoids them easily. She is very quick and nimble, racing through their grasp like it is just a game.
Somehow Meryl makes it over to my side, a Swiss Army Knife in her hands. She grabs my arm as quick as lightning, holding to my throat. "Don't move!" she shrieks, pressing it towards my neck. A single bead of blood forms at the edge of the knife, dripping down it towards my chest.
They freeze, even their heartbeats slowing. Her smile widens to one of madness. "Now, Xavier, I want you to watch me kill her," she says darkly, staring straight at him. My life flashes before my eyes, and I feel even more regretful for trying to end it only a couple of weeks ago. It is such a wonderful gift... one so easy to lose.
A few more agonizing seconds pass, full of pain as she makes an even deeper incision. I look down towards the blood, and then snap my gaze to where it was before. A tear bubbles at the edge of my eye, sliding down my cheek. The other werewolves look just as horror-struck as I feel right now.
Suddenly, there is a blur of movement, and Meryl howls in pain. The knife slips from her hold, clattering on the floor. The werewolves immediately race into action, and within a few minutes she is firmly held by Jake.
Danae stands on the table, holding a dagger dripping with blood that isn't mine. She shoots me a smile as the werewolves force her on that table, nimbly jumping off and taking the knife to the sink.
Shock crosses my face when I realize what she has done. "Danae!" I shout, racing over to her, "you saved my life!"
"Yes," she says plainly, "I couldn't lose the only friend I have." She washes off her knife, then takes a towel and wipes my neck.
"Thank you so much!" I smile, and then hesitantly laugh. I walk back to the table, and without fear I place my hand on Meryl's head. It is so easy and almost painless for me to heal a person now, having done it so often.
When the red had finally faded from her eyes, the werewolves still refrain from releasing their hold. Xavier's eyes are bloodshot, full of savagery and anger.
"We have to go," Ray abruptly let go of Meryl, fury in his features.
"Yeah," Xavier agrees, his silky smooth voice washing over us. "Put her away," he commands. Jake and Yi silently slide off to do his bidding.
"Can Danae come with us?" I ask, a hopeful expression in my features. They both stare at me, confused.
"Why would she want to come?" Ray asks bitingly. Danae appears by my side, smiling. At this distance, I can tell she has aged considerably, a few gray hairs sprouting from her scalp.
"Because I want to have an adventure," she smiles enchantingly, and I see Ray's firm expression soften. Without a word, he turns and walks to the door, vanishing from my gaze. Xavier looks at me for a second, and then follows Ray.
After a couple of minutes, Danae and I meet them at the door. My neck is patched with a band aid, and I am carrying my small pouch. Danae is adorned likewise, but the two werewolves are carrying nothing.
"Let's go," Xavier says softly.
The rain soaks my hair as we race into the darkness.

Continue the Adventure By Reading
A Howl in the Night
a free book available here on Bookrix

Impressum

Lektorat: Olivia Jones
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 24.03.2012

Alle Rechte vorbehalten