The Lunar Witch

Chapter 5

I woke up lying on the little couch and sat up and stretched. It was not comfier than last time, and my neck was sore.

“Good morning.” Oliver was sitting in a recliner reading a book.

“Morning. How is he?”

“Nothing new. I’ve been checking his pulse and breathing. It's slow but steady. Do you know him?”

"No.” I told him how he came to be a bloody mess on the dining room floor.

“Chrys will be up soon, and I don’t think she’ll change her mind.”

“I’m not killing him, and I won’t let you kill him, either.”

“I know. I’m sorry about last night. But hearing about his condition makes me worry about how he’s doing. Can you be certain that he isn’t in pain? Or that he isn’t brain dead, and his body is just forcing itself to stay alive?” He asked, running his hand through his black hair. I contemplated what he said, and didn’t know what state the man was in. But my gut told me him being here wasn’t a coincidence.

“Something brought him to me. I don’t know why, but I’m meant to help him. I can’t stop thinking about what Gran always says about Fate and trusting our instincts.”

“‘Your instincts are your greatest weapon. Follow them and arrive at your true answer.’” Oliver mimicked. “Why’d you have to throw Gran at me like that? But you’re right; that’s exactly what she’d say.” He gave me a sad smile and looked at the man.

He looked clean; the mud and blood from last night were gone. If it wasn’t for his pale skin, he would’ve passed as healthy.

“Did you clean him?” I asked.

“It was a quick spell. Thought it would be easier for you to check him for additional wounds. Plus, I was tired of seeing all the blood.” He scrunched up his nose. I went to the side of the bed and finally got a good look at his face.

His skin was ghost white, but I’d guess that under normal conditions it would be tan. His hair was black and curly, like a mop atop his head. He had a crooked nose above full lips. He might’ve looked handsome if he didn’t look so corpse like. His eyes were sunken in, with deep shadows under them.

I pressed the back of my hand to his forehead and found his skin was cold. I checked his pulse, too. Oliver was right-slow but steady. Lifting the sheet that covered his chest, his abdomen still looked deflated.

“Any idea what he is?” Oliver asked from his recliner. What kind of creature could’ve survived something so brutal?

“No. I’ll have to run some tests.” The full moon was recent. Maybe he’s a Were? I opened a drawer near the bed and grabbed a silver ring. There were more pleasant ways to determine someone’s species, but this was faster. Grabbing the man’s wrist, I pressed the ring against the back of his hand. It sizzled and when I removed it, there was a slight burn where it had been.

“He’s a Were. Probably a wolf.” I placed the ring back where I had grabbed it.

“Was that really necessary?” Oliver c****d his head to the side. “Isn’t there a more… humane way of finding out?”

“There are. But they take too long. You think he felt that?” We both looked at the man. He hadn’t moved when I touched him with the ring. Not even his eyes. “Now that I know what he is, I can start helping him better. There are medications I can give to a wolf that wouldn’t be safe for others.”

The door creaked open and Chrys came in. She glared at us, then at the man, and crossed her arms. It amazed me how similar Chrys and Oliver looked alike. They were both the spitting image of our father-or rather, what I could remember of him. Short black hair and green eyes. Chrys had a professional bob that matched her serious face and the pantsuits she always wore. The only resemblance Chrys had to our matriarchal line was her freckles.

“He’s still alive?” Chrys asked. Her face was twisted in annoyance, and today’s pantsuit was all black. She could've been dressed for a funeral.

“Yeah. And he’s a Were.” I lifted his hand and showed her the burn.

“Look Pepper, I know you don’t want to hear this. But it’s not right for you to keep him alive. We need to put him out of his misery. He’ll go quick if we- “

“No. I won’t let you kill him. Fate brought him to me; I’m meant to help him, Chrys. Gran would tell me to trust my gut, and my gut tells me I need to help him.” Last night, the shock of what happened had made me weary. I wasn’t ready or able to defend myself against Chrys. But today I wouldn’t let her win. I’ll do everything I can to protect you.

“You’re making a mistake, Pepper. You’re allowing him to have a slow, painful death. What, you think he’s going to miraculously heal himself? Look at him! He’s a living corpse!” Chrys’s voice rose.

“I’m not giving up on him. He needs my help, so my help he’ll get.” I willed my voice not to shake. I hated arguing with Chrys; she always made sure she got her way.

“You’re out of your mind! Okay, let’s pretend that you can save him. What happens when he wakes up? He’s a Were! They’re dangerous and unpredictable in normal circumstances, but when they’re injured? You better hope you’re not around when he wakes up!”

I looked down at him. He was a large man and had probably been alive for centuries. Fought for his life countless times. And yet, he looked small. Helpless.

“I’m helping him. He came here for help; he needs me. You can’t bully me into allowing you to kill him.” I met her eyes and straightened my back. I won’t let you win this time, Chrys. You’re not killing him.

“What, you’ve got nothing to say? You’re okay with her torturing him like this?” Chrys turned to Oliver. He shrugged.

“She’s adamant that we aren’t allowed to do anything to him. Maybe Fate did bring him here?” Oliver said. Chrys scoffed.

“Where’s Gran? She might tell you to follow your instinct, but I doubt she meant torturing a man like this.”

I thought of last night when she asked where Gran was. I was too shocked to answer properly. Gran hadn’t been able to tell me much since I’m not in the United Coven of America, but it was odd that Chrys didn’t know where Gran was. Chrys had made it into the UCA recently and should’ve known about whatever business Gran and Patricia had to go handle.

“She’s gone for a few days. Said she had to help Patricia with Coven stuff.”

Chrys’s eyes narrowed, and she straightened. She really doesn’t know about them leaving.

“Where did she go? Did she mention anyone other than Patricia?” Chrys asked.

“You didn’t know about them leaving? Why wouldn’t they tell you if it had to do with the Coven?” I rarely knew more than Chrys. And since Chrys was a know it all, she deserved to have someone get under her skin.

“Pepper, answer me. Where did Gran go? What did she tell you?”

“You think I know more than you?” I chuckled. “Maybe I would. I’m not even in the Coven and I knew they were leaving, yet you didn’t. I wonder why?”

“Ugh! You’re insufferable! You know what? This is ridiculous. I’m going to get Gran and we’re going to put him out of his misery!” She turned to leave the room.

“You think Gran is going to side with you when Fate dropped a wolf on my doorstep? After an altar for Selene appeared on a full moon?” I would never challenge Chrys like that. But something gave me confidence.

Chrys stopped before getting to the door. She paused for a moment, and the air thickened. She turned back to me, her eyes narrowed. The electricity in the air crackled over my skin.

“Your doorstep? This is our house. The Thornhart house. You have no place to claim it.”

I scoffed. “You think it’s yours? You don’t even live here, Chrys! I live here. With Gran. I take care of the property. I take care of the customers. It’s my house!”

“The next matriarch in line gets the house. It can’t be yours. You can’t even do magic!” Chrys yelled, waving her hands in dismissal. I flinched and my confidence dissipated.

“That’s enough! Both of you!” Oliver stood. “Arguing like this won’t help solve anything. Why don’t you see if you can find Gran? Pepper and I can’t go looking for her if she’s out on Coven business.”

Chrys glared at me for a moment. “Fine. But when I return with her, we’re finishing this.” She waved her hand at the man and walked out of the room.

I sighed, and my shoulders dropped. I hadn’t realized how tense I’d become during our argument. The man’s face hadn’t changed during the argument, not a furrowed brow or a single noise. If he’d heard the shouting, he gave no indication of it.

“You alright Pepper?” Oliver asked.

“Why did you send her after Gran?”

“I mean… did you want her to stay? I just wanted her gone. Maybe Gran will know how to help him?”

“What if Gran agrees with her? What if she tries to kill him?” A tear escaped, making its way down my cheek. I can’t let you die. I won’t let them hurt you.

“Why is it so important to you that he lives? You don’t even know him.”

“I wish I knew.” My cheeks became wet as more tears escaped.