Howl of the Wolf

Chapter Eight

Sabrina’s eyelids fluttered open. It was still night, the streetlights casting their glow on the room. She was so tired, and her eyelids slowly drifted shut again. The image of what she’d seen made her frown.

Why was she lying on the sofa and not in bed?

She racked her brain, trying to make sense of it. She started to move and groaned as various aches and pains in her body made themselves known. She fell back against the sofa and moaned. What in the name of all the saints had she done last night?

She forced her eyes open and blinked to help clear away the fog in her brain. No sudden movements this time as she assessed her body. She was lying partly on, partly off the sofa, her head resting against the arm, and not on one of the comfy pillows. And she was half naked.

Memory rushed back. The wolf. Arand. Hot sex.

What a crazy, realistic vision her meditation had created. She’d never had one where she’d stripped off most of her clothing before.

She pushed herself up and saw her panties and jeans in a heap by the wall. Cautiously, she padded over, picked up her underwear and slipped them on. She felt sticky between her thighs and her frown deepened. She didn’t bother with her jeans as she planned to get a quick bath and go to bed.

“What a night,” she muttered. She glanced over at the corner of the room and froze. Her wooden wolf was gone.

“How do you feel?”

The male voice so close had her shrieking and swinging around, leading with her right fist. He caught it easily and cocked his eyebrow at her as if to ask, “What next?”

She glanced down and heaved a sigh of relief when she realized he was wearing pants. Granted, they were tight leather pants that clung to his rock-hard thighs and emphasized the impressive bulge in the front, but they were pants.

“I can’t still be having a vision.”

He released her hand and put both of his on his hips, studying her. “No, you’re not. We need to make plans. I don’t think it will be long until we have company.”

Sabrina swallowed hard and forced herself to take deep, slow breaths. Otherwise, there was a danger she’d start hyperventilating. This was no lifelike vision. This was real. All of it—the wild ride on the wolf, the tinny carnival music, the hot sex. She rubbed her forehead. “Crap.”

“Does your head hurt?” He cupped the back of her head in his palm, and she felt a blast of heat seep through her skull and into her brain. The pain disappeared instantly.

She pulled away and stared up at him. “What did you do?” Amazement swept through her. She didn’t know whether she should hug him or run screaming from him. Her heart was racing, her palms were sweaty and she felt a little lightheaded.

He shrugged his massive shoulders, bringing her attention, once again, to his smoking hot torso. She shook herself and brought her gaze back to his face.

“I merely rid you of the pain in your head. My powers have not fully returned, but I can do minor healing.”

“What else can you do?” Sabrina was equal parts terrified and enthralled by Arand. If what he’d told her earlier was true, she was in a heap of trouble. She tried to remember everything he’d told her. None of it was reassuring. In fact, all of it was downright scary.

He put his hands on his hips, sliding his gaze over her bare legs. She held her jeans more securely in front of her. But that was sort of like closing the barn door after the cow got out. He’d already seen her all but naked.

“I can conjure clothes and weapons.”

“Weapons?”

A four-foot-long blade appeared in his hand, the metal gleaming in the light beam from the streetlight. Oh, shit. This was suddenly all too real.

Sabrina swayed on her feet and leaned against the wall for support. “All of this is real, isn’t it? The devil is coming for us.”

Arand slowly inclined his head. “He will come or he will send one of his minions to bargain with us. Or he will send demons to destroy us.”

A blast of anger gave her renewed strength. “What’s with the we stuff. How did I get involved? I didn’t ask for this.” And why had the evil been stalking her before she released Arand? Was it simply fate that she was the woman to release Arand? Was this entire situation something beyond her control?

No, she refused to believe that. The evil or Hades or whatever he wanted to be called might be urging her to do certain things, but she was still in control of her life, still had choices. She couldn’t believe anything else or she’d end up curled in a fetal position in a corner somewhere, too afraid to move.

He tilted his chin up and his jaw tightened. “No, you did not ask for it, but it is a fact nonetheless. You released me from captivity and now your fate is tied to mine.”

“Great. That’s just great.” She stormed past him, or at least tried to. Anger was a much better emotion then fear. He snaked out an arm, catching her as she went by.

“Let me go.” She curled her hands into fists. Honestly, she was ready to pop him one.

No, it wasn’t his fault that she released him from the curse. That was all on her. She’d just had to have the wolf. But he shouldn’t have had sex with her. He’d known that she thought all of it was nothing more than a vision.

“Where are you going? We must stay close.” Even in the dim light she could see the honest concern in his eyes. A little of her anger drained away, leaving her frightened and slightly lost. She had no idea what she should be doing.

“I’m going to get cleaned up and then I’m going to figure out what to do.” She glanced down at his arm where it was wrapped around her and then arched a brow at him. He slowly released her and she stomped off to the bathroom. She could feel his gaze on her all the way and cursed the fact she was only wearing panties and carrying her jeans.

She shut the door solidly behind her and leaned against it. “What are you going to do?” she muttered. She turned on the light and stared at her reflection. Other than her tousled hair and slightly pale complexion, she didn’t look any different from a few hours ago. But everything had changed, including her perception of reality.

She was in the middle of an honest-to-goodness war between a god and a goddess. It was crazy and would be absurdly amusing if it weren’t happening to her.

She desperately wanted to call Tilly or Jessica, but it was too early. Besides, what exactly would she tell them that wouldn’t sound like she was totally off her rocker?

She grabbed her brush from the vanity and attacked the tangles in her hair. When it was smooth, she braided the fiery mass to keep it out of the way. She longed for a shower but had no idea how long Arand would wait before knocking. And then there was the whole Devil and demon thing. If any of them showed up the last place she wanted to be was the shower.

She ran the water in the sink, got a clean cloth from the cabinet and got a quick wash. When she was done, she pulled her jeans on. Shoes, she needed shoes. And information.

Leaving the bathroom, Sabrina hurried back to the living room. It was time to make plans. No way in Hell was she waiting around for some demon to attack her. Okay, maybe she should scratch the word Hell from her vocabulary for the near future. No need to tempt fate.

She didn’t see Arand at first. He was standing in the shadows, looking out through her living-room window. She’d had enough darkness and turned on a standing lamp. A snarling wolf stared back at her, and she gasped.

Arand whirled around so fast he was nothing more than a blur. There was a reddish tinge to his eyes and his mouth was parted on a silent snarl. His gaze snapped around the room before returning to her. “What’s wrong?” He raised his head and sniffed at the air. “Do you sense something?”

She shook her head and walked toward him as if pulled by an invisible cord. “The tattoo on your back.”

He stilled as she got closer, his dark, fathomless eyes tracking her every movement. “You know I am the wolf and he is me. You saw me change.”

Yeah, but she hadn’t believed it was real then. “Your tattoo is a lot like mine.” Both wolves were black and gray in color. Hers was friendlier, more a guardian. His was more primal strength and cunning.

“You belong to the wolf.”

She could tell from the way he said it that he believed it. And she wasn’t sure she could refute him at this point. Everything in her life, every moment, every choice, had led her to this moment.

“Can I see him?” She wanted a better look.

Slowly, Arand turned his back on her.

It went against every instinct he had as a warrior to turn his back on Sabrina, but if he couldn’t trust her he might as well be dead. He kept his hands loose by his sides and tried to relax, but it was impossible with Sabrina standing behind him.

He could smell her, the perfume of the soap she used mixed with the pure essence of the woman herself. And he could still smell himself on her. It was barely there, mostly having been washed away. His wolf snarled within him, wanting to mark her with his scent once again.

Her red hair was pulled away from her face in a braid, emphasizing her large green eyes and high cheekbones. Her lips were full and kissable. He licked his lips, still able to taste her.

Even her ears were beautiful—the seductive curve and the trio of silver hoops in each lobe. Her body was slender, but her breasts were full. A low growl escaped him and he sensed her trepidation.

“Touch my back.” He wanted her hands on him, on his wolf, wanted her to come to depend on him in both his forms. He almost snorted aloud. Fat chance of that happening. He hadn’t known her long, but he sensed a wide streak of independence in Sabrina.

His skin tingled as the air around him was displaced and then her hands were on him. She touched the wolf’s head and he felt her touch on his scalp. Sabrina traced her fingers over the wolf’s flanks and Arand’s skin tingled. His cock was already standing tall, but now his balls ached uncontrollably. Goose bumps rose on his flesh wherever she touched the wolf.

“He’s really incredible.” The wistful tone of her voice made him turn around.

“Would you like to see him again?”

Her eyes widened with wonder. “You’d do that?”

Did she not realize he would do anything for her? She belonged to him, was his to protect and care for. In answer to her question, he took a step away and willed his pants to be gone.

She gasped and he caught a light whiff of her arousal. His shoulders straightened and his cock flexed with pride. She liked what she saw and there was no denying she wanted him.

Sabrina swallowed hard and took a step back. “Ah, you said you were going to shift.”

What he really wanted to do was pounce on her, drag her to the floor and fuck her until she screamed his name as she came over and over. He snarled with anger, knowing he couldn’t do it, not now. But when the curse was done—

Arand embraced his wolf and allowed the shift to overtake him. His wolf, ever eager, jumped to the fore, craving freedom as much as the man did. Both of them had been imprisoned for fifty centuries.

Bones cracked as his limbs reshaped and reformed. Fur pushed through his skin to cover it. His jaw lengthened and his teeth grew. Arand stared at her through the wolf’s eyes, seeing her wonder and excitement, sensing her fear.

“Wow. You’re amazing.”

He padded over to her and sat, hoping to ease some of her trepidation. Even then he could almost look her in the eyes, as he was much larger than any normal wolf.

“Can I touch you?”

He dipped his head in silent assent and she slowly reached, her fingers trembling slightly. She touched his head and pulled back slightly before doing it again. He patiently waited, allowing her to become accustomed to his wolf form.

“You’re so strong, so powerful. You look exactly like the carousel wolf I bought.” She tentatively stroked her hand over his left front flank. “Of course, you look like him. You are him.” She shook her head. “Do you realize how crazy that sounds?”

As much as he enjoyed her touch, time was of the essence. Plus, the more she touched him the more aroused he grew. If she didn’t stop rubbing his neck and back soon, he wasn’t going to be responsible for his actions. After so many years in captivity, he was starved for a gentle touch, her touch.

He was about to shift when there was a disturbance in the air, a more rancid smell slipping into the atmosphere. His wolf scented evil. Arand leapt at the front door, knocking Sabrina to the ground where she would be safer. She cried out, but he ignored it for now, focusing all his attention on the threat. He’d kill whatever came through that door. Nothing and no one would take Sabrina from him. He was alpha male and she belonged to him.

Sabrina scrambled back to her feet and stared at the front door. For a brief second, when he sprang at her, she’d thought she was about to become the wolf’s dinner. It had happened so fast she’d had no chance to defend herself. But she hadn’t needed to. As always, it seemed the wolf was determined to protect her.

If she hadn’t already believed in the paranormal, if she hadn’t been dealing with the dreams and visions and fighting back the evil that threatened her, she might have been calling 911 and checking herself into a psych ward for evaluation.

Her entire life was turned upside down. She had a wolf in her living room, for Heaven’s sake, and not just a wolf, but one that turned into a man. Not quite a Loup Garou, but something even more astonishing—a shapeshifting immortal warrior. If she were a drinking woman, she’d need a big one right about now.

Arand’s dark gaze was fixed on her front door, a menacing growl rumbling up from deep in his chest. Something was coming. Even she could sense it now. She glanced down and noticed the slightly scuffed layer of salt. Marcel and Jules must have disturbed it when they brought her the wolf earlier this evening.

Sabrina sprang for the door, shoving the wolf aside. The large beast grabbed her top and started dragging her backward. “No,” she cried. “I have to fix the salt.”

The wolf released her and she rushed to the entryway, falling on her knees. She frantically swept the salt back into an unbroken line. Something hit the wooden panel. Hard. Sabrina scrambled away, her butt sliding on the floor, but she kept her gaze on the door, terrified of what was waiting outside. She needed help.

Coming to her feet in a flash, she tried to remember where she’d left her phone. She’d tossed it on the coffee table after she’d talked to Jessica. It wasn’t there. It had probably gotten knocked off in all the commotion. Sabrina only hoped it wasn’t broken.

There it was, lying in front of the unfinished paintings in front of the shelf. She dove for it and hit the second button on her speed dial. “Come on. Come on. Answer.”

Arand was still blocking the front door with his massive body. She could hear something moving outside, and then a low growling sound that had all the short hairs on her body standing on end. This was so not good.

“Hello.” The groggy greeting reminded Sabrina that it was really early, or late depending on how you looked at it.

“Jessica. Wake up. I need help.”

There was another growl. This one morphed into a blood-curdling howl.

“Sabrina?” There was a sound of bedclothes rustling and she knew her friend was awake now.

“Yeah. I need help. That carousel wolf I bought is really an immortal shapeshifting warrior. Oh, and I released him from his five-thousand-year-old curse and now we have twenty-four hours to evade the devil or he kills us and gets our souls.” She was sobbing for breath by the time she finished.

Arand glanced over his shoulder and snarled his disapproval. She ignored him. He might not like her contacting someone else for help, but that was his problem. At a time like this, she needed someone she knew was on her side and didn’t have any hidden agenda. She wanted to trust Arand, but he had his own priorities. After all, the guy worked for a goddess. Surely getting to her and his fellow warriors was on the top of his to-do list. Hers was simply staying alive until this nightmare was over.

“Were you dreaming again?” Now Jessica sounded really concerned.

“No, I’m not dreaming or having a vision of any kind.” She held out the phone as a demonic scream ripped through the air. Sabrina had no idea why one of her neighbors hadn’t called the cops to complain about the noise. “You hear that? It’s outside my front door. And a gigantic frigging wolf is in my living room.” She could hear the growing hysteria in her voice and took a deep breath to bring it under control. Losing it wouldn’t help her now. If she lived through this she’d have a nervous breakdown.

“Is the salt still in front of the doorway?” She could hear Jessica moving around her apartment as they talked.

“Yes. It got scuffed, but I fixed it.” Or at least she hoped she had. Sabrina prayed it would keep out whatever was outside the door.

“As soon as whatever is out there goes away you need to get out of town.”

“What?” That was the last thing she expected her friend to tell her.

“You can’t stay in the city. There are too many innocent people who might get hurt. I’m also not sure the wards around your apartment will hold for very long. That’s some powerful evil after you.”

Jessica was right. “I’ll head out to Granny’s place.” The small house on the edge of the bayou was the only place she could think to go.

“I’ll join you there as soon as I can.”

“No.” Sabrina was adamant. “I don’t want you or Tilly there.” It made her blood run cold to think of either of her friends getting hurt by whatever was out there.

“You need help or you won’t make it.” Her friend sounded so certain, but Sabrina still wasn’t taking any chances.

“No. Arand and I will manage.”

“Arand?”

“The name of the warrior.”

“Who does he belong to?” A sense of urgency filled Jessica’s voice.

“The Lady of the Beasts. That’s what he said. Do you recognize the name?” Jessica was more up on the gods and goddesses of various pantheons.

“Yes.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “You need to get out of town fast. Take Tilly’s car.” Of the three of them, only Tilly owned a vehicle, but she was generous with it, loaning it to her friends whenever they needed it. “I’ll call her and tell her you’re coming.”

Before she could respond, the line went dead. “Crap.” She scrambled for the closet and grabbed her tote bag, dumping her phone in the outside pocket. There were probably a dozen things she should take with her, but she couldn’t think of a single one.

Shoes, she needed shoes. She’d forgotten all about them earlier the moment she’d seen Arand’s tattoo. She tugged on a pair of sneakers, figuring if she had to run they were the best things to be wearing. It was going to be cool outside, so she grabbed a brown sweater and slipped it on over her tank top.

The noise outside the door suddenly stopped and the silence was deafening. Sabrina crept over to stand beside Arand. “Are they gone?” she whispered.

He waited several long minutes before his body started to change. She stepped back, watching in total awe as the wolf disappeared and the man reappeared. Fur was replaced by skin, paws by hands and feet. His jaw shortened and his teeth became normal until Arand was frowning down at her.

“Who did you call?”

“A friend.”

“No one should know about what is happening.”

“Tough. I’ve been having dreams for a couple of weeks now and strange things have been happening to me.” An understatement if there was one. Her entire life had been crazy lately.

“What things?” He grabbed her shoulders and lightly shook her. He was also still totally naked, and all that exposed male skin was making it difficult for her to focus.

“Could you put on some pants?”

He gave an exasperated growl and a heartbeat later was covered in the same tight leather pants he wore earlier. Leather moccasins covered his feet, and he wore a vest that left his arms and chest bare. “Answer me.”

“I will, but we have to leave.”

He frowned at her. “Why?”

“Because it’s not safe here, and it’s not fair to my neighbors and friends. They didn’t ask for this.” She couldn’t bear being responsible for anyone being hurt.

“Where will we go?” Arand followed her when she went to the front door but placed his large hand on the wooden panel to keep her from opening it.

She met his gaze and wanted to fall into his bottomless black eyes. She wished they’d met under different circumstances, which was crazy. The man was an immortal warrior, and she was an artist who read tarot cards. Plus, she was human. He was only here until the curse was broken.

“We’re going to my granny’s house. Well, I suppose it’s mine now that she’s gone. It’s on the edge of the bayou and fairly isolated.” The humor of the situation struck her and she laughed. She was taking a wolf to Granny’s house. She didn’t have a red cape, but maybe she should wear her red sweater instead of the brown one.

“What is so funny?” His shaggy hair framed his rugged face. He looked tough and totally hot.

She shook her head. “It’s nothing.” No way was she going to try to explain it. “We need to get going.”

He nodded and unlocked the door, making certain she was behind him. When he determined there was no one there, he allowed her out and kept watch while she locked the door.

“We have to go to my friend’s house to get her car.”

She started to go around him, but Arand stopped her. “Tell me which way to go, but stay behind me.”

Warmth filled her when she realized he was protecting her. He could have easily left her to fend off whatever demon or evil came her way. Instead, he was going with her and was obviously intent on shielding her as best he could. Maybe he was only doing what he saw as his duty. Maybe it was more. Either way, she was happy he was with her when they hit the sidewalk and started toward Tilly’s house.

Hades peered into his mirror into the other realms and watched Arand and Sabrina scurrying down the sidewalk like frightened mice. He liked the analogy. They were also doing exactly what he wanted them to. It would take too much energy to shield their fight from an entire city, and that might attract the attention of his annoying siblings. Once they were in a more isolated area, he could send in more demons and not have to worry about anyone seeing them.

Perfect.

A few growls, a threat or two and his prey were ready to run. He loved it when a plan came together.

The glass in the mirror went dark. He sat back in his chair, sipped a particularly fine brandy from a crystal goblet and contemplated his next move. He didn’t need the serpent’s help at all in order to deal with the wolf and his woman. No, he was much better off doing it on his own. It showed him how little he really needed Mordecai. Once the war was over and he had ultimate power over the Earth and the Olympians, he would destroy the serpent.

He waved his hand in front of the mirror, wanting to see what Mordecai was up to. He didn’t trust the sly creature. They were too much alike.

The immortal warrior stood on the edge of a meadow staring up at the night sky. Hades couldn’t see anyone else around. Had Mordecai destroyed the Lady of the Beasts?

Hades frowned. He hadn’t sensed any great implosion of power, which would happen when a god or goddess was killed. Then he laughed as the obvious answer came to him. Of course he hadn’t felt anything. The goddess had grown weak during her imprisonment in Hell. She’d used all her power to curse her warriors in her effort to save them and had no way to replenish the energy she’d lost. As a result, she had hardly any power left.

He rolled the goblet between his palms, warming the liquor within. That meant the other gods and goddesses would be weak as well. He was the only one who still went among humans, the only one who many of them still worshipped in their way. His power continued to grow daily.

Satisfied his plans were unfolding as he wanted, Hades let the mirror go dark again. Mordecai would make his way to New Orleans, but he would probably be too late to join in the action. Arand would either be turned to Hades’ side or dead by the time the serpent got there.

Hades could get Mordecai there in the blink of an eye if he opened a portal, but he wanted the serpent to have to work to get there. He’d shown the warrior too much favoritism. It was time to remind Mordecai of his place in the hierarchy of Hell.

But the truth of the matter was he’d come to rely heavily on the warrior over the past few decades. It was Mordecai who dealt with the more mundane business that Hades didn’t want to be bothered with, like meeting with investment bankers, powerful businessmen and terrorists. They weren’t all that different in Hades’ mind. They all wanted power and wealth and didn’t care what they had to do to get it.

It was Mordecai who ferried contracts back and forth to the humans Hades had dealings with. And it was Mordecai he sent in to enforce the terms of the agreements if the puny humans tried to default on the deals.

Hades set down his goblet of brandy and stood. Ah well, time to get his hands dirty. He had a quick meeting in the Sudan with a warlord who no longer thought he needed Hades. He’d soon discover the folly of such thoughts. Hades had a nice spot on the sixth level of Hell all picked out for him.

When it was done, he’d come back, check the mirror one more time and make his final plans.

Jessica hung up the phone and tried to think what she needed to do next. She needed to get some of her things gathered before she headed out to Sabrina’s place in the bayou. She prayed she’d told her friend the right thing to do. If she was wrong—

No, she wouldn’t think that way. She’d known this was coming, known the evil stalking her friend would not be deterred. All they could do was meet it head-on and fight it.

She went to the antique cabinet that dominated one wall of her dining area. Opening drawers, she began to pull out everything she thought she might need.

The first thing she removed was a small silver box. She reverently lifted the cover and pulled out the amulet that sat there. It had belonged to her grandmother. Jessica lifted it and slipped it over her neck, knowing she’d need it in the coming fight. It was their ace in the hole, the one chance they had to defeat the devil.

Her grandmother’s journal rested in a place of honor on top of the cabinet. She took it down and held it to her heart, drawing strength and comfort from it. She’d read the words over and over, committing many of them to memory. She’d done the same with her grandmother’s spell book as well. But she was taking them both, just in case.

She hurried to her bedroom to dress. She hit the second number in the contacts list on her phone, waiting impatiently while it rang.

“’Lo.” She’d obviously woken Tilly from a deep sleep.

“Tilly, you need to get up. Sabrina is on her way to your place and she needs your car to get out of town.” She carefully set her grandmother’s journal and spell book on the bedside table.

“What?” There was some scrambling on the other end. “What are you talking about? What’s happened?”

“Hope you’re sitting down.” Jessica took a deep breath and plunged onward in her explanation. “Sabrina has freed an immortal warrior from a curse and now the devil is after her.”

“What have you been drinking?” Tilly’s voice got louder with each word she spoke.

“Listen,” Jessica yelled. “Listen to me. There’s no time.” She kept the explanation as brief as possible, cutting Tilly off each time she tried to interject a word. She put the phone on speaker, yanked off her nightclothes and started to dress. “You’ve only got a few minutes until they get to your place and you’ll see for yourself.”

“This is crazy.” She could hear the brush of fabric in the background and knew Tilly was getting dressed too.

“Crazy or not, we have to help Sabrina.” Jessica grabbed an oversized purse and stuffed both journals inside. The amulet around her neck warmed and began to pulse. She paused, wrapping her fingers around it.

“I’ll get a box of supplies ready to go with her and meet her outside.”

“I’ll get to your place as soon as I can,” Jessica told her friend. “I have some things I have to do before we can join Sabrina and her warrior. But they can’t wait. The quicker they can get out of town the better.”

“I’m going to call my granny.”

Jessica didn’t try to stop Tilly. As far as she was concerned, the more help they had, the better. “See you soon.” She ended the call and tossed her phone into the bag.

Jessica hurried to her desk, opened her laptop and sent out an urgent message to her circle of Wiccan friends. She’d put them all on alert a week ago, letting them know she’d be calling on them for help. They would all focus their power on protecting Sabrina.

That done, Jessica typed Lady of the Beasts into the search engine and pressed enter. Immediately, a page with choices popped up and she hit the top one. The website was devoted to this obscure goddess and included the story of the curse. It also included an email address.

“They’ll either be able to help or think I’m crazy,” she muttered as she began to compose a message. When she was finished, she read I aloud. “Wolf is free in New Orleans.” That was vague enough in case these people had nothing to do with the curse. She also included directions to the cabin.

Jessica rubbed her hands up and down her arms, feeling a distinct chill. “Do it.” She pressed the send button and closed her laptop. It was done. If they could be of any help, they would. And if not, Jessica and her friends were on their own.

She had a few more things to do before she left. She had to center herself and cast a powerful protection spell. This was too dangerous a situation to go into without doing everything she could to protect herself and her friends.

Jessica stopped and looked around her tiny apartment, wondering if she’d ever see it again. There were no guarantees any of them would be coming home.

Straightening her shoulders, she strengthened her resolve. She had to do this. There was no other way.