"About that. It was two months ago that I visited him on the occasion of his birthday. He has-or rather had-a fine piece of property in the upper part of the state with an old manor house brought from Europe stone-by-stone. It was quite an architectural feat, let me tell you. It took him-"
"Cain, focus," Adam scolded him.
Cain coughed. "Yes, well, as I was saying, we planned a weekend visit and arrived Friday night. Abel greeted us with his usual welcome of scaring us to death with a prank that he'd hanged himself from his own entrance hall rafters."
My mom wrinkled her nose. "What a horrible welcome."
"Yes, we thought the same. Lilith was so angry she nearly strangled him. She always disliked him. Fortunately, Abel and I calmed her down enough that she entrusted her jewels to him-that was a habit of his, that all precious items be given over to him for safekeeping in his safe-and we joined him for dinner. It was a really delicious salmon-"
"Cain," Adam warned him.
Cain sighed. "Digressing again, am I? Well, I hate to admit it, but I drank heartily and don't recall any of the rest of that night. When I awoke it was the next morning and I found myself lying on the pool table in the billiard room with a bloodied wrench in my hand and my shirt covered in the same blood."
I snorted. "This sounds like a board game."
"A terribly real board game," Cain corrected me. "You see, the blood was Abel's, as I found out when I rolled off the table and fell onto the floor. He lay beneath the table with his head bashed in to the point where I couldn't recognize him except from his clothes and the ring on his finger. It showed his family crest. Well, you can imagine I panicked. Before I knew what I was doing I'd called the proper werewolf authorities to inform them what happened. That is, until I realized I would be the prime suspect."
"Werewolf authorities?" I repeated.
Cain nodded. "Those who patrol the area looking for werewolf troubles. Abel was very paranoid so they kept a patrol to handle his constant stream of calls."
"Then what did you do?" Adam asked him.
Cain sighed and shook his head. "I hung up on them, but the damage was done. They were coming. I hurried to our room-Lilith and mine, that is-and awoke her. She thought it was a prank with the blood all over me until I showed her the body. She insisted I leave immediately, and she was very upset when I told her I had called the authorities. We smelled them coming and, knowing Lilith would not be suspected and thus would be safe from them, I raced to-well, to a secret place I knew they wouldn't find me. That allowed me to escape into the woods with nothing but the clothes in which you see me now. Then I made my way south to you." Cain's shoulders slumped and he set his head in his hands. "And that is that. I am a fugitive with the charge of murder over my head, and I need your help to clear my name."
I noticed my dad scooted in front of my mom and his eyes didn't blink as they looked at Cain. I couldn't blame him, this sounded like my mom had welcomed a murderer into our home.
"Are you sure it was Abel's blood?" Adam asked him.
"Positive. His scent was always very sweet because he was fond of chocolate and other sweets. We always teased him about having blood in his sugar stream," Cain explained.
"You didn't believe it was better to stay at the manor?" Adam wondered.
Cain shuddered. "There was that option, but you know the punishment for killing another of our kind in cold blood."
"I don't," I spoke up.
"It is death, but the charge must first be proven," Adam told me.
"And there was enough there to convince me, especially since the traveling judge right now is Gideon Hawthorne. He would have my head on a platter now if I hadn't escaped and searched you out," Cain told him.
Adam raised an eyebrow. "Why have I not been approached by anyone looking for you?"
"You're not an easy wolf to find. I only knew your whereabouts because I keep track of you," he explained. Cain looked up and I noticed his face was worn with the last few months of cares. "Adam, you are the only one I can trust to keep me safe and help clear my name. Please, you must help me."
My dad jumped to his feet and stepped in front of my mom. "I think I've heard enough. You need to leave here right now before you bring more werewolves to bother us."
Mom pulled on his sleeve. "Ralph, he needs help," she whispered.
"No, what he needs is to be turned over to the authorities like that werewolf judge he mentioned. Let them deal with the trouble," Dad suggested.
Adam sighed and shook his head. "I must disagree with you, sir. I have personal experience with Judge Hawthorne, and I know him to be a rather ruthless executioner of his duties. My friend wouldn't be given a fair hearing."
"Well, whatever happens he can't stay here," Dad insisted.
"That is fine. I will take him to the upper part of the state and see what we might find," Adam offered.
Cain's face lit up with hope. "Don't jest with an old wolf, Adam. You really mean you'll help me?"
"I keep to my word," Adam affirmed.
"And I'm going, too," I chimed in.
My dad whipped his head to me and glowered. "You certainly will not! You're staying right here and staying out of this trouble."
I put my hands on my hips and glared at my parent. "Dad, I'm not a little girl anymore. You can't tell me where I can and can't go."
"I can and I stick by what I say. You're not going with them," Dad insisted.
I opened my mouth to object, but Adam set a hand on my shoulder. I looked up into his serious face. "Your father is right. You should remain here while we investigate the matter."
I snorted and waved away his hand. "Like hell I am. I haven't been left out of any of these crazy adventures yet and I'm not about to start now." I looked to Cain. "When do we go?"
Adam grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him. "Chris, this isn't like the others. This is far more dangerous. A werewolf was murdered and Judge Hawthorne is a persistent executor of his justice. He won't stop until he has caught Cain. If that happens and we don't have evidence to clear him then I will be accused of accessory to murder."
I gulped. "And what's the sentence for that?"
"Death," Cain spoke up.
I rolled my eyes. "You guys just can't do anything halfway, can you? It's gotta be death or nothing, huh?"
"The laws of the werewolves are very Draconian," Cain agreed.
"If that's the case then I really don't want you going," my dad insisted.
My mom grabbed his arm and yanked him back onto the couch. "Ralph, if Chrissy wants to go with Adam then we should let her. I would go with you if I were in her place," she pointed out.
"But that's different," he argued.
She frowned and folded her arms over her chest. "How, might I ask is that different?"
My dad winced and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, she's-um, she's our daughter, not you."
"Good, then she'll be doubly able to weather whatever storms they come upon," Mom insisted.
"But Annie-"
"Don't 'but Annie' me, Ralph. She's old enough to know what she wants, now you just let her do it," Mom countered.
"Mrs. Monet, I must agree with your husband," Adam spoke up. "This is far more-"
"It's Annie, Adam, and I trust you and your friend can take care of my daughter in any circumstance," she told him.
I snorted and patted Adam on the shoulder. "There's no winning, Adam, there's only giving in to the Mom-side," I teased him.
Mom did the same to Dad's shoulder, and he sighed. "It seems we don't have a choice in the matter."
"So it seems," Adam reluctantly agreed.
"Wonderful! The more the merrier!" Cain spoke up.
Adam looked to him and frowned. "I expect you to guard her as I guard her," he snapped.
Cain jumped to his feet and bowed at the waist to Adam. "If you can get me out of this mess then I will be your servant, and you my master."
"That remains to be seen, but we should prepare. The dista
nce to Abel's house is quite far," Adam commented.
"Why go today?" Cain wondered as he straightened. "We could stay here for today, or maybe for a week. No one knows I'm here."
"Your method of attracting us may bring other inquisitive werewolves," Adam pointed out.
The color drained from Cain's face. "Oh dear."
"That is an understatement, but we are fortunate that others have not yet arrived. We will leave today within the hour and travel as far as we can via the roads until we reach Abel's home," Adam told our small group.
My mom jumped to her feet and smiled. "That gives me some of time to fix up some food for your trip."
"They're not going for a picnic, Annie," Dad scolded her.
"No, but they still have to eat, and I'll make sure they have plenty of food," she insisted. She turned her attention to me and grabbed my hand. "Come, Chrissy, I'm going to need all the help I can get."
"But-" My objection was overruled when she yanked me out of the room and to the kitchen.
Mom plopped me down in one of the stools around the island and walked over to the cupboards. She opened the doors and inspected the contents. "Now let's see, a few days journey at-"
"Mom," I spoke up.
"-a couple of pounds a day in case you hike-"
"Mom!" I persisted.
She turned to me. "Yes, Chrissy?"
"What did you want to talk to me about? You never drag me away from Dad unless you want to talk to me about something," I reminded her.
My mom sighed and closed the cupboard doors. She slipped into the stool beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "I know what I said in the living room, but-well, like your father I'm a little worried. This sounds very dangerous."
"So why are you letting me go? I mean, you could lock me up in the attic and feed me until I fell through the floor," I pointed out.
Her eyes swept over me and she smiled. "Because you're not our little girl anymore. You have your own life and a fiance who's willing to save you from any trouble, but it doesn't mean we don't worry about you. Are. . .are you sure you want to go through with this? Nobody would blame you if you stayed behind."
I clasped her hands in mine and sighed. "I know it's really stupid of me to get involved with these werewolves, but I. . .I just don't want Adam to think I can't be a part of his world, especially the dangerous part. I want him to trust that I can be by his side."
My mom caught my eyes with hers. "Chrissy, are you. . .are you wanting to become a werewolf?"
I cringed and shrugged. "Maybe?"
A smile slowly spread across her face and her eyes lit up. "Then does that mean I'll have that many more puppy grandchildren to spoil?"
I snorted and rolled my eyes. "Mom, you're impossible."
"A mother has to have her priorities, and neither of us is getting any younger," she pointed out.
"I'd hate to burst your bubble, but werewolves don't have any more puppies-children then the average human," I told her.
Her smile turned into a sly grin. "Then you've been talking about having children?"
I blushed. "N-not yet, Mom! Geez, we're not even married!"
She freed a hand so she could wave it in the air. "Pish-posh. Your generation isn't so old-fashioned to wait until marriage."
"Mom!" I scolded her.
"Oh Chrissy, sometimes you're such a prude," my mom teased. She hopped off the stool and turned to me with that devilish smile. "Besides, you won't find a better husband, human or werewolf, than Adam. He really does love you."
I fidgeted on my stool. "You think so?"
She put a hand on my shoulder and nodded. "I think so. Now let's get you young people some food. Nobody should go hungry on an adventure."
Chapter 3
Mom and I gathered as much non-perishable items as we could find and filled a hefty basket full of the goodies. Our work was interrupted a few minutes later when Dad slipped into the room. He went straight to me and grabbed my hands.
"Chrissy, I don't want you going," he insisted.
I snorted. "Dad, we've been through this before. I'm going."
"But you can't help them in this. They're dealing with their own kind," he pointed out.
"I can help like we helped with Eb the Werewolf, by being there ready to distract the werewolf," I argued.
"That's the perfect idea!" my mom spoke up.
"Annie, you're not helping," Dad scolded her. My mom smiled, walked up to him, and pecked a kiss on his cheek. He blinked at her and rubbed the spot. "What was that for?"
"For giving me the perfect idea. Now why don't you get the rest of the food packed so Chrissy can get herself packed? Chrissy, you go up to your room this instant and start packing."
This was my chance to get away from my remaining doubting parent. "Yes, ma'am!" I agreed, and hurried out of the room.
"What? Hey, wait! Chrissy, get back here!" my dad yelled.
"Can't hear you! Going up to my room!" I called back as I took the steps two at a time.
I sprinted down the hall and slid to a stop in front of the two doors at the end. Voices caught my attention, and I turned to the door that led into Adam's room. I tiptoed over and pressed my ear against the entrance.
"Do you know where Lilith is now?" I heard Adam ask.
"Probably at our home some hours away from here, but I haven't dared make contact with her," Cain replied.
"Chris, you can come in," Adam called to me.
I cringed and sheepishly peeked my head inside. Cain sat on the end of Adam's bed, and Adam himself stood in front of his mentor. "I'm that loud?" I asked him.
"No, it was your scent from beneath the door," Adam told me. He gestured for me to enter, and I slipped inside and closed the door behind me.
"So what's up?" I wondered.
Adam nodded to our guest. "Cain was just telling me the particulars of those involved."
"And I haven't yet warned you about the judge's deputies," Cain spoke up.
Adam returned his attention to the werewolf on the bed. "How many are there?"
"An even dozen. He calls them his Disciples," Cain replied.
I raised my hand. "Um, I'm a bit of a novice to the werewolf world. Mind explaining to me what 'deputies' are?"
"Deputies are werewolves in the employ of the judge. They assist him in tracking down renegade werewolves and bringing them to the judge," Adam explained.
"Ah, and do any of them know you're here?" I wondered.
Cain shook his head. "Doubtful. I have been here for a week and haven't seen any sign or smell of them. They wouldn't have given me free rein for that long, not if they believed they could catch me."
"That is a point in our favor. We may yet be able to travel northward without trouble," Adam mused. "We will keep to the roads for as long as we can manage and will rent a car to ensure the deputies don't connect Chris to us."
"What are we going to do if we do run into these deputies?" I asked the pair.
"We will hope that doesn't happen, but if it does we will 'wing it,'" Adam suggested.
I snorted. "I guess that's a plan. Not a good one, but it's a plan. When are we leaving?"
"As soon as possible. I merely need to pack a few things, and only the essentials. You should do the same," Adam advised.
"No problem. Give me a few minutes and I'll be ready for any hiking fun," I assured him.
I slipped from the room and across the hall to my own domain. I pulled my overnight bag from my closet and tossed in a few clothes. The packing was only half completed when I heard my door open. I turned in time to see Adam slip inside. His lips were pursed together and his eyes fastened on me with a worried expression.
"I am worried about your decision to join us on this dangerous endeavor," he admitted as he walked over to me. "Are you sure you wish to join us?"
I rolled my eyes. "Everybody's asked me that, and I'm giving you the same answer I gave them. Yes, I'm going, and no, I'm not going to listen to reason," I insisted.
> He set his hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eyes. "This will be the most dangerous adventure we've yet had. Our foes will be werewolves, and they will not have mercy on you though you are a woman and a human."
I frowned. "What's that supposed to mean? What's wrong with me being a woman?"
"Nothing, but they will not differentiate you from any other enemy," he pointed out.
I stepped from his grasp and folded my arms. "Good, and neither should you. I'm not going to be some dead weight. I'm going to help you stay out of trouble, and if I can't do that then I'm going to get you two out of trouble," I told him.
"I may not be able to save you if trouble comes our way," he warned me.
I smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "I'll handle myself. I promise. Now how about you go pack your bag? This is going to be a hell of a ride and I don't think either of us wants to forget our toothbrushes."
I was surprised when Adam smiled. He swooped down and pecked a kiss on my cheek. "That's my girl," he whispered.
I felt my cheeks redden, but a sly smile slipped onto my lips. "How about you show me what you really think about me with a better kiss than that?"
I leaned towards him, but Adam pressed his finger against my lips. "For this adventure we must avoid intimacy. If we are captured, I would rather they not know our relationship. Otherwise our foes may use it against us." His eyes trailed down to my engagement ring.
My shoulders drooped and I sighed as I removed the sign of affection from my finger. "Maybe this won't be as much fun as I was hoping."
Adam chuckled and petted my hair. "Our honeymoon will more than make up for this short bit of suffering. For now we will take your advice and pack. Prepare well, for the next few days will be very long day." He left, and when the door closed I plopped myself onto the foot of my bed and glared at the entrance to my room.
"This is going to be a really long adventure. . ." I mumbled.
I packed my bag and opened my door as the entrance on the opposite side of the hall opened. Adam and Cain stepped out, each with their own bags with Cain borrowing one from Adam. Our little group marched downstairs and joined my parents by the door. They were dressed in their coats and my mom had a small canvas bag in her hands. The bag was closed by a drawstring, and was large enough to hold a small chicken.
Mom held out the bag to me. "A few surprises for your trip," she told me. I took the bag and pulled at the strings, but she arrested my hands with her own. "Not here. When you're alone," she advised me as her eyes flitted to the werewolves.