"What is a thing like that doing here?" he asked the captain.
"He's as much a thorn in Blackwood side as we are, and that makes anybody welcome," the captain replied.
"If a vampire is involved then what about us getting to the Den?" another spoke up.
"That plan hasn't changed," Erik told them. He stepped into the midst of our group and looked at all the curious faces, mine included. "We will endeavor to take the Den from my cousin."
"Wait a sec," I interrupted the meeting. I looked around at all the sailors. "What exactly happened to you guys?"
Captain Black snarled. "We were ambushed and island away from the Old Den," he explained. He pointed down at the map on the table in the center of us. "It was at Market Island that those damned motorboats came upon us and their crew boarded us. We would've been a match for them if they hadn't started stuffing our faces with those pieces of meat and turned us against each other."
"It was the flesh of other werewolves that they fed you," Greg revealed to the sailors.
Several of them snarled, and a dark shadow passed over Captain Black's face.
"Those monsters!" he snarled.
"But where's Draco, your second mate?" I persisted.
Black snorted. "I wasn't going to have the wrath of his mate on me head if he was killed, so I forced him overboard into a boat so he could get back." Black closed his eyes and shook his head. "I don't know what happened to him after that. Hearing what that meat was about I'm glad I did."
"Our foes are desperate enough to do anything to defeat us," Erik agreed. "But we have also determination on our side, and we know our purpose is true and good."
Marge snorted. "I hate to remind you, but Blackwood has the upper hand. He's probably already reached Wolf Island and might've killed everyone on it."
Hazel marched forward and stopped in front of Marge. She stuck her face into that of the werewolf. "Sandra would never let herself be killed!"
Marge jerked her head towards Methuselah. "He said she wouldn't lift a finger to save us. What makes you think she's going to save herself?"
"I don't know anything about her saving anybody else, but I know she's not dead!" Hazel insisted. "Everyone on this lake would know if someone killed her!"
Erik raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
Hazel turned to him, and looked him up and down. "When someone with magic dies the magic inside of them is released. If Sandra was killed, she would have enough magic inside of herself to light up the sky over this lake."
"Wait, so a witch's last act is to be a light show?" I spoke up.
Hazel sneered at me. "It isn't for anyone's benefit but nature. The magic inside of us returns to the ground spreads out for future generations to claim."
"That's all nice and dandy, but that still doesn't get us any closer to repaying Blackwood for what he did to us," Captain Black interrupted us.
"The captain does have a point," Greg agreed. "I do not believe a plan to assault the Den would work."
Erik pursed his lips and grudgingly nodded as he looked over the map of the lake. "I must agree. Unfortunately, no one has ever taken the Den by force."
"Then maybe he hasn't taken it yet," Marge suggested.
Erik shook his head. "I'm sure the guards inside and around the Den helped him gain entrance."
I looked over the map, particularly the area of Wolf Island. I traced a line along the rocky outer part of the small bit of land. My eyes widened as a memory hit me. I whipped my head to Erik.
"What about the Diggers?" I asked him.
Erik raised an eyebrow, which was soon joined by a smile. "That is an interesting suggestion."
"Diggers?" Marge repeated.
I turned to her and grinned. "There are a bunch of over sized rats that live beneath the Den. They've promised to protect the werewolves."
"But that was before Blackwood created a wedge between their people and my family," Erik reminded me.
I folded my arms across my chest and frowned at him. "You have a better idea?"
Erik looked over the expectant faces of our friends and allies, and shook his head. "No."
"What exactly are you two blabbering about?" Marge persisted.
"I think we can get the rats to help us take over the castle," I explained to her. "They know that foundation better than anybody."
"Can these rats can be trusted?" Captain Black asked me.
"Well, they didn't kill Erik and me the last time we met them," I replied. I turned to Erik. "Besides, when we tell them Blackwood is the one who caused the earthquakes they'll definitely want to help us."
Erik gave a nod. "You have a point. We will see if we can convince them to help us." My mate turned to the captain. "We will need your best boat and oarsmen to get us to the far side of Wolf Island."
"You've got that, and me," Captain Black agreed.
Marge grabbed his arm and gave it a rough tug. "And you're not going anywhere without me," she insisted.
"And I'm not waiting anymore to see Sandra," Hazel insisted.
"I, too, will go," Methuselah offered.
Erik looked to Greg and smiled. "Do you also offer your services?" he teased his servant.
Greg bowed his head. "If there is room in the boat."
CHAPTER 5
We broke up the meeting and set sail for Wolf Island on our last adventure. I just hoped it wouldn't be our last everything. My imagination filled my mind with thoughts of horrible deaths, or worse, a life as one of those cannibalistic monsters. I could just imagine myself as a slobbering idiot munching on bones "Thinking thoughts too great for man?" a voice spoke up.
I started from the railing of the ship and turned to find Erik walking up to me. He joined me at the railing.
"Only if you count horrible deaths as too great for werewolves," I quipped.
He smiled. "Tomorrow may be a good day to die honorably."
I snorted. "I'd rather schedule that day a little farther into the future. Say like a hundred years."
"Why not two hundred years?" he suggested.
"I'm kind of being serious about the hundred years," I told him.
"As am I with the two hundred," he returned.
I turned to him and frowned. "This has got something to do with what you didn't want to tell me about a while back, isn't it? About how old everybody is?"
He gave a nod. "It is. You see, werewolves age very slowly, about half the rate as a human. So you see, two hundred years isn't too unbelievable."
I clutched my head in my hand and shook it. "Five hundred year old witches-"
"Six hundred," he corrected me.
"Really old hags and really old flea bags," I quipped. I dropped my hand and rolled my eyes. "What unbelievable thing are you going to tell me next? That you love me?"
He caught my eyes with his and I noticed something in their depths I'd never seen before. It was a tender look, a fleeting glance of hope, fear, and-love?
A small, sad smile slipped onto his lips. "Perhaps now would be a time to express ourselves freely before the final battle." He clasped my hands and I blinked back at him. "Our beginning was not as we both wished, but I don't wish for our end to be as displeasing to us both."
"What are you-" I didn't get to finish my question before he answered it with a passionate kiss.
His arms wrapped around me and pressed me against his body. My flesh warmed to his touch, and I groaned into the kiss. He reluctantly broke us apart and smiled at me.
"You are not displeased?" he teased.
"Shut up and kiss me," I retorted. I grabbed his head and leaned forward for another kiss.
The next one was as breathtaking as the first, and a little longer. Our lips meshed against one other and our bodies ground against each other. By the time we broke apart I was seriously considering a trip to the captain's quarters.
Erik searched my face with his beautiful blue eyes. "When this is over, if we find we are victorious, then-" I pressed a finger to his lips and smiled at him.
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"We're going to win," I insisted.
He grasped my hand and pressed the fingers to his lips. There was a small smile on his lips. "Yes, and when we are finished with my cousin we will explore the islands together on a true honeymoon."
I snorted. "Where's the fun in that? We'll be bored with no one chasing after us trying to kill us."
Erik clasped my hands in both of his and the grin on his face was lecherous. "I believe we can find ways to entertain one another."
I rolled my eyes and playfully pushed him away. "Just like a werewolf male." I turned back to my spot at the railing and looked out over the dark water and thick fog. A cloud as heavy as the fog settled on my chest and I sighed. There was so much that could go wrong. I glanced at Erik as he joined me by my side. "You really think talking to the Diggers is going to get them to help us?" I asked him.
He shook his head. "I wish I knew, but we can only try."
"How long is it going to take for us to get to the ten on this over-sized toy, anyway?" I asked him.
"The Captain has informed me that we will arrive within four hours," a voice spoke up, and Greg made his appearance at the railing.
I stuck out my tongue. "That long?"
Greg gave a nod. "Yes, and Methuselah has reminded me that he will not be able to assist us after sunrise."
"If we can't defeat our enemies with Captain Black's crew then I'm not sure his assistance would turn the tides," Erik commented.
"No, but what it would've taken some more of them with us," I pointed out.
Erik smiled and clasped my chin between his fingers. We will win, remember?"
I sighed and took his hand in mine. "Yeah, but I'd like better odds."
"Captain Black has assured me that his crew is very prepared for revenge," Greg informed us.
I dropped Erik's hand and looked out over the deck. Black's crew sat on boxes and the deck, and many of them were sharpening the blades of daggers, axes, and long swords. I grinned. "So I see."
"They are preparing and we had better get some rest to prepare ourselves," Erik pointed out.
I stretched and yawned. "I guess some sleep wouldn't hurt. I can't remember the last time I got a little shut eye," I agreed.
Erik and I settled ourselves near the railing for a short sleep. I didn't expect to fall asleep so quickly, but the next I knew I was being rocked back and forth.
"Sophie? Sophie, we're here," Erik's voice told me.
I batted away his hand and rollover away from him. "Just a couple more days," I pleaded.
"We must launch in the boats immediately," he told me.
I reluctantly opened my eyes and saw that the away boats were being prepared by the crew. All of our companions minus Methuselah stood close by watching the men release the away boat from the ship. Erik helped me to my feet and we joined them at the railing.
Black stood to one side and looked us over. "How do we know if you haven't convinced these rat people to help you?" he asked us.
"If all is well we will have Marge return to you," Erik replied.
"And I'll tell you to get your rear moving to help them once they're inside," Marge spoke up.
"And how long will that be taking?" the captain persisted. He stretched his arm out towards the fog. "We're hidden for now, but I'm not betting on that for long."
"We can't be sure ourselves, but we will find a way," Erik assured him.
The captain hitched up his pants and pursed his lips. "All, right, but don't take too long or we'll have to assume the worst."
"And then you'll do what?" I asked him.
"Then we try to take the Den without you," the captain replied.
Marge grabbed his arm and frowned at him. "That's suicide!"
The captain patted her hand and grinned. "Aye, but it's better than turning tail and running, and I won't let that monster Blackwood get away without a fight. Not after what he did to my crew."
Erik stepped up to the captain and set a hand on our friend's shoulder. "We will make sure to get the front doors open before you make that decision."
"You'd better," the captain retorted. "I don't want to be trying to climb those tall stone walls with those cannibal werewolves coming down at me for I've no doubt but Blackwood's got more of them waiting for us."
"Possibly most of the guards are now wild werewolves," Erik agreed.
"If there's going to be some at the front lines then I may as well stay here on the ships," Hazel spoke up.
Erik turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "That sounds almost gallant of you," he teased.
She frowned and waved away his words with her hand. "Perhaps, but I want to ensure that I see Sandra again, and your plan to speak to the rat people sounds more dangerous than his plan." She jerked her head towards the captain.
"We shall see," Erik replied. "I only hope we each have an easier time than we expect."
The captain scoffed. "I doubt it, but good luck." He held out his hand and Erik gave it a hearty handshake.
"Good luck to you, too," Erik agreed.
We climbed into the away boat and were dropped into the water. There were four oarsmen and we four for passengers.
I looked around at the others. "Anybody have any idea where the bloodsucker went?" I asked them.
"I noticed him near the railing of the bow just prior to the sunrise," Greg spoke up.
Marge scoffed. "Just like a vampire not to be around when you most need him. He's probably found himself a good hole to hide in."
"We have greater worries then our nocturnal friend," Erik pointed out.
"Well, the Diggers are either going to help us or throw us out," I commented.
"We shall see," Erik replied.
The oarsmen cut through the waters to the shores of Wolf Island. We landed at the old decrepit dock where I first saw the mysterious boat. Our small group disembarked, and the boat remained for Marge's return. If she returned.
Erik led the way up the path and to the cave entrance that led to the Diggers' underground world. Unfortunately, there was an unpleasant surprise waiting for us at the entrance. Erik rounded the last large boulder along the path and stopped so fast that I ran into him.
"What's the-" He scuttled back and slapped his hand over my mouth.
Erik pulled us both behind the boulder, and Greg and Marge sidled up beside us.
Marge lifted her nose to the year and growled. "Cannibals," she commented.
Erik nodded. "Yes. A dozen of them and two normal Guards."
"It seems our enemies to not wish us to ally ourselves with each other," Greg commented.
I pulled Erik's strangling hand from my mouth and glared at him. "Why don't you use that trick that Hazel did with the nuts?" I reminded him.
He closed his eyes and shook his head. "I have nothing like that on me."
"I don't see how those small round things did the trick. . ." Marge murmured.
My eyes widened and I frantically dug into my pockets. In a moment I found what I wanted and pulled forth the bag Lady Cassandra had given me. I held out the bag to Erik. "Why not try these? Methuselah said they'd come in handy."
Erik took the bag and pulled handful of the beans out of the container. But I do not know if they will work," he pointed out.
"If My Lady gave them to you then they will work," Greg encouraged him.
"But the witch spoke words to make the nuts work," Marge reminded us. "What will he say to rid us of these monsters?"
Erik clasped a single bean in his hand and handed the bag back to me. "I will see what comes to mind as I throw the bean," he suggested.
I grabbed his arm and arrested his move around the side of the boulder. "I've seen you do some crazy things, but isn't this just a little suicidal?" I commented.
He grinned. "Yes, but there is no success without a little risk."
"And there's no 'you' without a pulse," I quipped.
He pulled my hand off him. "I will be fine. Trust me."
I pursed my lips. "All right,
but if you die I'm going to ask your mom to bring you back so I can kill you myself."
"Then I will see you in a moment," he promised.
Erik stepped out from behind the boulder and disappeared from our view. We heard the werewolves snarl and gnash their teeth.
"Get him!" one of the normal ones yelled.
"Bean in my hand do as I command! Attack!" I heard Erik yell.
I rolled my eyes. "You've got to be-" My comment was interrupted by a large blast.
Several werewolves flew past the boulder and landed among the rock-strewn coastline in front of us. They weren't dead, but they weren't getting up. Greg shot past me and around the rock. Marge and I were a split second behind him. We stopped and stared at the mess in front of us.
Erik stood a few feet in front of us. In front of him was the cave entrance. The werewolves who hadn't attacked him lay face-down on the rocky ground around the opening. They still breathed, but like their friends they'd be taking a long nap. Smoke lingered around the cave entrance, and one whiff of the hazy air made my nose curl into my face.
I waved my hand in front of my face and wrinkled my nose. "What the hell was that?"
"I believe we may call the attack a bean bomb," Greg mused.
Erik turned to us and jerked his head towards the open entrance. "Let's go."
CHAPTER 6
We rushed past our fallen enemies and into the cave. A thick smell of dampness hit my powerful nostrils and I slapped my hand over my nose.
"Why can't any of these places be five-star hotels?" I spoke up.
"Because the islands are a little short on such luxuries," Erik replied.
"Silence is our greatest ally at this moment," Greg scolded us.
We heeded his wise words and rushed silently down the dark passage into the underworld. I kept my eyes and ears open for the Diggers, but I suspected they would find us long before we would find them. I wasn't too far off when a mile or so into the cave Erik stopped and held up his hand. We piled up behind him, and I looked around. We stood in a small, circular chamber within curved dome-like ceiling. My wolf eyes allowed me to see that there were four passages through which we could travel.
Marge lifted her nose and smelled the air. "What is that smell?" she whispered.
"Diggers," Erik replied.
"And we Diggers demand to know what brings you into our domain," a voice spoke up from the shadows.