Page 7 of Brush with Death


  Chapter 27

  Calvin

  Driving to the outskirts of town turned up nothing. Every time I saw a flash of long dark hair or black clothing my heart would race, but it was never Yuki. There was no sign of Yuki anywhere. All of her usual haunts had been checked, now I was just clutching at smoke in a windstorm.

  I turned west at Shaw’s Creek, truck bouncing as I drove across the old covered bridge. As soon as I crossed to the opposite embankment, my arm started itching like fire ants marched beneath the skin.

  For the first time since Emma’s phone call, I smiled. Yuki and I had matching tattoos, hers was on her ankle, but my tattoo was on my arm—right where the itching and tingling had begun. Our tattoos were more than a symbol of our love. They were evidence of the bond between werewolf mates.

  The fact that Yuki wasn’t a werewolf was unusual, but it didn’t weaken our bond. Spirit ink, blended during a full moon, contained the essence of werewolf ancestors who chose to aid the chosen couple. Those spirits came to me now, causing the itching beneath the skin, strengthening my link to my mate.

  Yuki must be nearby.

  I used the first designated pull over, an empty picnic spot, to move my truck off the narrow road. I stopped scratching at my arm and closed my eyes, reaching out with my wolf spirit. Setting my hands on my thighs, palms facing upward, I breathed in deeply through my nose and out through my mouth.

  My wolf spirit seemed eager to heed my call, and with a nod in my mind’s eye, leapt to meet my request. In spirit form my wolf has no physical substance and could run, literally, through the forest, unimpeded by trees and tangled undergrowth.

  Just as I began to worry how far my wolf spirit could travel from my body, it stopped in its tracks.

  There.

  It was faint, but I could sense Yuki’s presence to the North West. That was strange, even for Yuki. There’s not much out in that direction and, without a car, it was a long hike from town.

  I growled as a flash of panic ran down through our bond. Yuki was in trouble.

  I jumped out of the truck and stashed the keys beneath the wheel-well. Listening for approaching vehicles, I took one last look around the picnic area. With no humans in sight, I ran for the woods.

  I needed to reach Yuki, and the fastest way to do that was to track her while in my wolf form. I hoped that we were close enough to Yuki’s location. Now that my wolf had identified Yuki through our spirit link, I should be able to pick up her scent. But I was still learning my wolf skills. Hopefully the lessons Simon had given me would pay off.

  Quickly removing my clothes, I wound them into a tight roll and tied them around my waist. If I had to travel far, they wouldn’t emerge unscathed, but bringing my clothing with me could save time if I had to change back to human form. My sneakers and phone I left behind. They would be too cumbersome tied against my body and I wasn’t going to carry them in my mouth.

  With my clothing secured, I started to run.

  I began shifting into wolf form, branches hit my face as I ran. The transformation wasn’t painful, but once my arms and legs began to shift, I had to stop running. Crouching on matted leaves and pine spills, I felt my awareness expand. The forest suddenly seemed so alive—squirrels chattering, birds singing, rodents burrowing—that I felt dizzy. I shook my head against the overwhelming cacophony of sounds.

  My teeth lengthened, becoming fangs, and fingers rapidly transformed into claws. I blinked as the forest, so deafening mere seconds before, went quiet. The birds had gone silent in their trees and animals seeking refuge hid beneath the ground or stood frozen in place, waiting for the predator to pass.

  My transformation was complete.

  I tilted my head, sniffing loudly and tasting the air with my tongue. Yuki hadn’t come this way, but she was close.

  I turned and took a step forward. There. It was faint, but the trail led deeper into the woods.

  I ran.

  More panic ran through the bond and I struggled not to howl. I didn’t want to give up my position until I knew what dangers Yuki faced. If keeping my presence secret would give the girl I loved an advantage, then I would become one with the lengthening shadows that filled the forest.

  I would become one with the night.

  Chapter 28

  Yuki

  My phone rested safely inside my backpack while I pedaled like flying monkeys were hot on my tail. Knowing that my friends were there with me, on the phone, gave me strength. Having Emma included as one of those friends brought tears to my eyes. Thankfully the rush of wind in my face dried the tears before they could fall.

  Speaking of falling, it was a miracle that I hadn’t wrecked my bike or flown over the handle bars. Night had truly come to Wakefield Park in all its lightless glory. Tree roots and rocks littered the narrow trail and branches snaked out to touch my face and tangle in my hair.

  The only reason I hadn’t fallen off my bike was the appearance of two glowing ghosts in my path. Well, that and the white knuckled grip I had on my handlebars.

  Jackson had emerged from the gloom, responding to my fear. As an ethereal creature there was little he could do to help, but he did find one task he could tackle. Jackson joined Rose a few yards ahead of me, lighting the trail and keeping me from accidentally wrapping my bicycle around a tree.

  So I rode as fast as I could. My legs burned as I pedaled like mad, following the two flitting ghosts who had become shining beacons against the night.

  Sweat ran into my face and blood pounded in my ears. If I survived this night, I was totally taking up exercise. Maybe I’d even join Cal on one of his trips to Wolf Camp. The werewolves there were always engaging in outdoor activity. You could say that it ran in their blood—it certainly didn’t run in mine.

  Cal went to Wolf Camp monthly. I’d been there once, when we went to ask Simon for help, but hadn’t returned. As alpha it was Cal’s duty to make an appearance before his people. Maybe this month I would join Cal at his side. It was time I met the rest of his pack.

  Jackson’s vinegar smell and Rose’s floral scent strengthened, jolting me from my thoughts. The strong smell impressions were my only warning before something, or someone, lumbered into sight.

  I hit the handbrakes and stopped so fast that I bit my tongue. But I barely noticed the salty taste of blood filling my mouth.

  A wolf stood in the center of the trail, blocking my way.

  Chapter 29

  Calvin

  I could feel Yuki through our bond. With my enhanced wolf hearing, I could also hear heavy breathing and something crashing through the woods up ahead. She was close. But was she alright?

  I rushed silently between the trees, moving so fast and stealthily that I was like a falcon flying through the dark forest. Reaching Yuki’s side was my priority, but I was also on the hunt. Whatever danger Yuki faced, she wouldn’t face alone.

  Nearly there…

  I burst out onto a narrow hiking trail as something came rushing toward me. It was Yuki, riding a bicycle. Yuki on a bicycle was peculiar, but my brain didn’t have time to wonder at what she was doing. I could smell blood as she stopped on the trail before me.

  And her clothing was drenched in something red and wet.

  No, no, no, no…

  Against my will, I let out a howl of pain and heartache. I was too late.

  Wasn’t I?

  “Cal?” Yuki asked breathlessly.

  I lowered my head, meeting her worried gaze.

  “It really is you,” she said. Yuki set her kickstand and, in a rush of black skirts and tousled hair, she wrapped herself around me. “You scared me half to death. I thought you were a wild animal, or the Grabber.”

  I snuffled over the surface of her clothes confused. I had smelled the tang of blood, but the wet, red substance that covered Yuki’s skin and clothes wasn’t blood after all. She was covered in paint.

  Yuki lifted her head from my shoulder to stare into my eyes. Human eyes in a wolf’s face, she’d told me once.


  “Cal, we have to get out of here,” she said. “Emma is on the phone and she said the Graduation Grabber is in Harborsmouth. She said there’s already one girl missing, someone from our school, and…I found a person’s skull back there.”

  She pointed to the trail behind her. As she talked, the smell of blood increased. I sniffed her face and she smiled giving me a kiss on the nose.

  Yuki was definitely bleeding, and it was coming from her mouth.

  I felt the fur begin rise in a ridge along my back. Yuki was my mate and I was bound to protect her. Adrenaline rushed through me and I tensed, ready to fight.

  I was angry, but I was also worried. My tail tucked between my legs and I let out a whine. Yuki may be my mate, but she was human. She didn’t have the advantage of werewolf healing that I had. She needed to get the injury in her mouth checked out.

  And I had to find a way to protect her from the Grabber.

  While the Graduation Grabber was on the loose, no teenage girl was safe. According to the police, the Grabber always abducted and killed two girls during the week before graduation. With one girl already missing, a second abduction was imminent. It was the Grabber’s pattern—a pattern that put my friends and my mate at risk.

  Yuki said that she had found a human skull nearby. If the skull belonged to one of the Grabber’s victims, that discovery could put Yuki in even greater danger.

  “Cal, hey, you listening?” she asked. “I said we need to get out of here. Emma, Gordy, and Katie are going to meet us down at the front gates.” She pointed downhill. “We have to get out of the park.”

  I nodded, backing up a step. She was right. We needed to get out of these woods, where a killer might be lurking. When Yuki was safe from harm, I could return with Simon to examine the skull that she had found.

  I took point, wondering for the first time how Yuki could see anything at all. She didn’t have wolf eyesight, but was getting on her bike without stumbling. I was sure there was an interesting story there, but it could wait.

  Leading the way, with Yuki riding behind me, I trotted down the trail. I stayed alert for any sight, sound, or smell that may indicate an approaching danger, but the most threatening thing I sensed was a bat searching for a hearty dinner of moths and mosquitoes. A bat could have caused a problem if it became tangled in Yuki’s hair, but it flew away without her ever knowing it was there.

  I loped ahead, checking around the next bend in the trail, and caught sight of artificial light. After the darkness of the woods the light hurt my eyes, making them water. I blinked against welling tears until I was certain of what I was seeing.

  We had found the park gates.

  Chapter 30

  Simon

  Horns blared as I ran across the highway. Playing chicken with human drivers may be foolish, but this was the fastest way to complete my search.

  Plus, there’s nothing like a near death experience to get your blood pumping. No wonder our dog cousins chased cars—it was invigorating.

  Unfortunately, my search for Yuki was far less exciting. I had hoped to catch Yuki’s scent by shifting into wolf form, but hadn’t found any sign of her so far.

  I sniffed the game trail running alongside the busy road, scenting deer and fox, but no Yuki. I had run out places to search. Should I circle back to my motorcycle and shift into my human form?

  Cal had designated the east side of town as my search area, saying that he would look for Yuki to the west. Had Cal turned up anything while hunting the other side of town?

  Being out of phone contact was becoming difficult. I had only been in wolf form for about an hour, but not knowing if Emma was still safe was eating me up inside. If I returned for my things, I could get a status update from Cal and check in with Emma.

  It would be better than running around here in circles, chasing my tail. My tracking skills were heightened while in wolf form, but the east side of town was too populated to run around freely. I had already taken too many chances. If I didn’t change back soon, someone was likely to call animal control, or take matters into their own hands.

  I turned to the field behind me and started running back to my motorcycle. I needed to retrieve my things and shift back to my human form. I’d stashed my clothing and cell phone in a fallen tree a few yards from my bike. At this speed, I could be there in ten minutes.

  Panting, I ran. Emma was a phone call away. I just had to make it to my phone without an ignorant human shooting me, or hitting me with their car. Considering the way Americans drive, I’d take my chances against a bullet.

  I turned further from the road and raced across the open field.

  Chapter 31

  Yuki

  I lost sight of Cal as he rounded a corner up ahead. My heart started pounding in my chest and my hands started to sweat. Not only was that totally gross, but sweaty hands also made it difficult to hold onto the handlebars.

  It was completely silly for me to freak out. I was perfectly safe. Cal was just checking the trail ahead. He hadn’t abandoned me. I wasn’t in danger.

  So why was I having a massive panic attack?

  I’d been getting those more and more frequently. Like I needed another thing to make my life crazy. Smelling ghosts, and now seeing their glowing aura, was bad enough, but hyperventilating and sweating was a major pain, and totally unattractive.

  I pedaled around the bend in the trail and saw Cal waiting for me. My heart slowed and a cool breath of air rushed into my oxygen-starved lungs. See, silly, he’s still there. He wouldn’t run off and leave you here all alone.

  Relief washed away the panic, leaving me lightheaded. I was seeing spots and it took a minute to realize that two of those glowing dots weren’t the product of my mind.

  Cal had found the park gates.

  Lights shone atop stone pillars at either side of the park entrance and another pair of lights was moving toward them. A car was approaching from the direction of the parking lot, shining its headlights across the gates. Was it Emma, a random passerby, or the Grabber?

  Only one way to find out.

  Cal started down the trail with me riding close behind. I was anxious to get out of this place and out of my paint spattered clothes. I could feel paint stiffening my blouse and drying beneath my fingernails as I rode.

  As I struggled to keep up with Cal, my tongue began to throb. It hadn’t hurt when I first bit it, but now my tongue ached with every beat of my racing heart.

  If the car at the gates belonged to Emma, I’d let her brew me up one of her noxious teas. Adrenaline had pushed away my pain, but now every part of me was beginning to hurt. My back and neck ached from my nap in the woods and a cramp was forming in my left leg. A headache was also creeping in behind my eyes, probably the result of being in close proximity to two smelly ghosts.

  I pushed through the pain and exhaustion to follow Cal across the last stretch of park. When we neared the gates, we both stopped in the center of the trail. Cal came to stand in front of me, his back nearly the same height as my bike while in his wolf form. He made a formidable barrier between me and any danger.

  I raised a paint covered hand to shield my eyes against the glare of headlights. The car was idling at the curb with its headlights aimed right at us. I couldn’t see who was in the car. If it wasn’t our friends, we were in trouble. There was no way Cal would pass for a dog.

  Son of a dung beetle.

  In my race to escape the park, and Cal’s fierce effort to protect me, we’d made a mistake. Unless this car contained the Grabber, Cal will have exposed his true form for no reason. Even if the car was Emma’s, Gordy and Katie would be waiting inside, and they didn’t know Cal’s secret.

  They had no idea that werewolves existed.

  Chapter 32

  Emma

  My friends raced toward us, heading for the park gates, Yuki on her bicycle and Calvin in his wolf form.

  That was a problem.

  What was I supposed to tell Gordy and Katie? “Oh look, the
re’s Yuki and her pet wolf” just wasn’t believable. Plus, Katie had been listening to Yuki through my phone. She’d heard Yuki talking to Calvin. So even if Katie and Gordy believed that the wolf was tame, how would I explain Calvin’s sudden disappearance?

  Of course, telling them that the wolf was in fact Calvin, that he was a werewolf, wasn’t believable either. And most importantly, it wasn’t my secret to share.

  But what was I supposed to do?

  Maybe if I got out and let Yuki and Calvin know who was shining high beams at their faces, Calvin could run off and change into human form. There’d be lots of questions, but we could deal with that later.

  “You two stay in the car,” I said. “I’m going to see if Yuki’s alright.”

  “There’s a w-w-wolf,” Katie said.

  “It’s alright,” I said. “I’m used to working with large animals. This is what I do all day. I’ll be fine.”

  “Are you sure?” Gordy asked. His voice was a whisper for my ears only. He didn’t want to question my judgment in front of Katie, but he was willing to come with me if needed backup.

  I nodded. Reaching for the door handle, I swung my medical bag over my shoulder. I hoped that I wouldn’t need it, but there was something on Yuki’s clothes that looked suspiciously like blood.

  Hopefully it was just a trick of the light.

  I was better at treating animals than people, which was the reason the wolf pack elders were sending me to veterinary school, but I could patch up a human in a pinch. Walking toward Yuki, I figured this was one of those situations.

  The clinical part of my brain began assessing injuries as she came closer. There was dried blood on Yuki’s skirt, blouse, arms, face, and hands. Her pupils were constricted against the bright light, a good sign that she wasn’t drugged—willingly or against her will. Thin red welts rose on the sides of her face and across her arms.