CHAPTER 10
I had thought I would have the rest of the night alone in my room to think things through, but when Sebastian's dad dropped me off and peeled off down the street, I noticed a strange car parked in my neighbor's usually empty driveway. It was a large black SUV with tinted windows. No license plates. Weird.
I knew Julianna was still at the dance and I could hear Uncle Vito and Aunt Theresa upstairs arguing in their bedroom when I opened the door. Rebecca was most likely asleep, online, or watching television. I walked through the dark living room and decided to go straight to my own without looking for Nonna. I didn't want her to see me like this, it would worry her.
"Maria, vieni qua," I heard her voice from the kitchen "There is someone here to see you." I walked into the lit kitchen. The brightness was harsh to my night vision adjusted eyes. Her stiff posture told me something was wrong. She held her rosary beads tightly in her hand and mumbled under her breath in a mixture of Latin and Italian. Was she praying? The smell of freshly brewed tea greeted me as I passed through the oak door frame. Bunches of herbs hung on drying racks along one wall and permeated the air with their powerful fragrances. The kitchen was as warm and friendly as ever. It seemed to invite me in and beg me to taste the succulent wonders hidden behind pantry doors and double refrigerators. But something, or rather, someone was out of place.
Sitting in a chair at our kitchen table was an older man. He was familiar, but I didn't know him. He had a short mustache and beard that were light brown with steel gray streaks. His hair was the same color and thick and wavy. He was very handsome for an older man and equally formidable. He didn't smile, heck, he hardly blinked. He simply looked me over from head to toe. Like he was judging me. Right then I wasn't too concerned with how I measured up. Instinctively I felt I should fear him, but I didn't for whatever reason. Maybe it was because I recognized his piercing blue eyes where I couldn't place his face or form. Or maybe it was because I had killed someone that night. No, Grazi, not someone. You killed a demon. Whatever the reason, I stared him in the eye until I could feel both his anger and his amusement. I'm not sure who blinked first. He chuckled deep in his throat and took a sip of his steaming tea.
"Well, garinion, you're as feisty as your da ever was." He stood smoothly, his large frame taking up most of the space in the kitchen. "Aye, you'll do." He strolled purposely out of the back door without another word or backward glance. His scent stayed behind. I breathed deep as Nonna collapsed into a chair and held her hands over her face. I smelled Wolf on him. Powerful and old.
"Nonna, who was that man?"
"Oh, Maria! It is time, the prophecy is happening now and that man, that man,-" She wrung her hands and attempted to compose herself. "That man is the Alpha of Greyback Pack, leader of the Hounds of God. He is your grandfather, Maria. Signore Rolf Kelly." Somehow the news didn't shock me. Those familiar eyes of his, I'd seen them a thousand times before. They stared back at me from the pictures in the scrapbooks and photo albums I had stacked in my room. Of course, they were younger there and more carefree. They were my father's eyes.
Well, this was certainly the year for family reunions. I don't know why, but I didn't trust him. How could I? A grandfather who had no interest in me until now? Who killed his own son, my father? I didn't think I was capable of dealing with anything else that night. Nonna didn't seem to see me, so I left her alone in the kitchen. I was exhausted and confused, but I felt so dirty. Up in my room I took off my gold lace dress. Miraculously, it had survived the night. I stood under the hot spray of the shower and scrubbed my body furiously with my rubber duck shaped loofah and a bar of Ivory soap. I had to get the stink of rot and death off of me. I had to brush my teeth four times before I was satisfied I was clean and still the memory of Ms. Vorax's face stayed fresh in my mind. Despite Ronan's reassurance, I still wondered if there was something else I could have done. You know, besides kill her. I stepped out of the foggy bathroom in my robe and was not surprised to see my uncle sitting by the window. My Wolf had sensed him immediately. He was facing the almost full moon, when he turned towards me I could see his scruffy beard had gotten longer and his eyes were different. More Wolf-like than human.
"You had a busy night, inion dearthar."
"Did you know he was coming here?" I stood on the opposite side of the room and waited for his answer.
"How did you do it? How did you change?" His voice was a whisper, but I heard him clearly as if he'd been shouting.
"Did you know he was coming?" I repeated, my volume increased with emotion.
"Aye, of course, I did. But too soon, Grazi, he's here too soon. Now please, how did you do it? You drank the tea, the moon, she's not yet full, how could you change? It's impossible!"
"I don't know. I just did."
"He'll oversee your training now, you know. We've little time left."
"What's the prophecy, uncle? Why is he here now?"
"A Wolf unlike any other will lead us to battle for the right to hold dominion over the Earth. It wasn't Patrick at all! It's you!"
"You thought it was my father before, didn't you?" Uncle Sean rubbed the top of his head the way he did when deep in thought, but this seemed to be born of anxiety rather than contemplation.
"You followed my father here too, didn't you? Like Ronan's dad. You knew my mom! You saw her die!" My accusation hung between us in the room. My uncle's shoulders sagged in defeat.
"I'd never have had her hurt for anything, Grazi. Lilliana was supposed to be home that night! She was, she was ill and she, just- She was supposed to be home! I was supposed to stay with her! But Patrick, I wanted to help Patrick, my big brother." My uncle's shoulders shook as tears rolled unabashedly down his face. I heard my Wolf howl in my mind. I didn't move, didn't want to comfort him. I don't know, maybe I was a bit harsh, but there was still so much I didn't understand. And he was holding back. That's the thing about Werewolves, we can actually smell a lie. Even one of omission.
"Someone let the Wendigo out, Uncle Sean, who?"
"I don't know. I'm sorry, Grazi. And you're right, I failed her. Oh God, Lilly. But I won't fail you. That's my vow, daughter of my brother, I'll not rest until I've found out who is responsible." He left shortly after. There was nothing more to say.
I sat at the window and looked out at the remnants of our garden. What a terrible season we had had! This cold front was not helping any either. What was going on with the weather? Months of heat and drought followed by bitter cold. It was awful. Suddenly lightning flashed in the sky, followed by loud thunder. Miracle of miracles, rain started to fall. A light splattering at first, but so needed. I could practically hear the plants rejoice. I opened my window and climbed out onto the sill. I breathed in the fresh scent of the rain and let it soak through my robe. The cold drops ran down my face and body, I tilted my head back and relished in it. It was such a wonderful relief from the putrid stink of death and fear and blood.
So, there was a prophecy about a Wolf who would lead the Hounds to glory in some big battle. And all in the name of God. And that Wolf was supposed to be me. I didn't know what to make of it. I mean I was still just a girl, wasn't I? I tried to push those thoughts out of my head and enjoy the rainfall. Clear your mind, little one. You have won tonight. We will face tomorrow together.
I jumped back inside my room and pulled a crocheted blanket Nonna had made for me out of the window seat. I dropped my wet robe and wrapped the warm fuzzy blanket around me. I knelt back down on the cushioned seat. I knew I had to get ready for bed, but not just yet. I closed the glass window and surveyed the garden and the woods beyond trying to make sense out of the fantastic events that had occurred. That's when I saw a pair of glowing eyes watching me from behind the tall pine trees beyond the back fence of our yard. My Wolf snarled in alarm. I stood and tried to get a closer look, but they were gone with the next flash of lightning. Maybe I imagined it? I stood and closed the curtains. Plenty of time to think about it tomorrow. I fell asleep fitfully and dreamt of my mother.
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From that night on Nonna's attitude changed. She no longer wept for me, but seemed to accept my place in things. Something of a feat since I didn't accept my place yet. She started putting little statues of the saints, Jesus, and Mary all over my room. Even taking down some of my rubber ducks to place them on my shelves. My appetite was growing, and she always made sure we had fresh organic roasted turkey breasts and whole baked fish on hand all the time. She wouldn't invite my grandfather or uncle or even Ronan over for dinner, not even on a Sunday, but I guess I couldn't blame her.
Nonna calls me a benendanta, something out of Italian folklore. Uncle Sean calls me a Hound of God. Ronan simply uses Werewolf or, when he is feeling playful, Wolfgirl2014. Well, whatever I am, I am still me. I am still a teenage girl with all the same drama as anyone else. I still had midterms, PMS, college brochures, mean girls to deal with, and a crush on the cutest boy in school. I just also had to worry about an upcoming supernatural battle with witches in order to save the world. No biggie.