Wolves, Witches and Watchers oh my!

Fay: Hercules

The position at the bakers was as good as mine before I even stepped through the door. Turns out the pies Ma was making were for the Bakery and that she does most of the pastries for the Bakers Wife- either from home or by working in the shop. My coming in was just a formality to close the deal.

Mmm nepotism at its best. It explains how she paid for my new bedroom set and the paint- the gold in the chest she keeps hidden was untouched when I checked, curiosity got the better of me.

"If you cook half as good as your mother I'd be very pleased indeed, you definitely are pretty enough" A plump flour covered woman said on meeting me. It looked like the Bakers wife personally finished off the leftovers at the end of each day; her cheeks had a permanent pink stain and she eyed me eagerly as if wanting me as a side course.

"I can just see all the lads in here, we'll be busier than ever!" She said excitedly "Just having you stand at the register will give us more than enough business" she chuckled between gasps for air. It appeared breathing was an effort for her.

I looked around at the delightful array of large puffed pastries, tarts, donuts, cookies and creamed cakes which screamed eat me and made a mental note to go easy on them.

"I'm quite experienced making buns, breads, cakes and tarts- Grandma made sure of that. She saw it as every young ladies duty to bring home cooked food to friends and family and make them feel loved".

"Your Grandma is a wise woman, I couldn't have said it better myself!" The baker retorted merrily on coming out of the kitchen. He was as small and thin as his wife was tall and fat- displaying a well groomed mustache. I had it on good knowledge they had 6 children, how they performed the act with their vastly different builds I had no idea. The disturbing visual filled my mind- making me shake my head to force it out.

Ma forced back a smile as if finding my whole act amusing.

We left the smell of cinnamon, bread and deliciousness in our wake, walking out into the glorious summer sunshine. Ma wanted me to be seen by as many people as possible and true to form I couldn't go two steps without being drawn into introductions and young men approaching- pushing their suet.

"Ma, I'll see you in a few minutes, I just want to speak to the jeweler about his vacancy " I interrupted mid way through her discussion with a farmer's wife about the intricacies of handling and glazing puff pastry- something I could do without listening through.

Ma gave me a displeased look. Clearly she took my earlier comment about having two jobs as a fit of anger. Regardless- she couldn't do anything without calling me out in front of this human.

I smiled and walked away towards a dark green and black sign labeled Bancroft Jeweler's.

"Fay? is that you?" A tall stunning girl with sandy blond curls screeched in front of me. She purposefully put her delicate jewel filled hand on the front of her lavish gown in mock shock, reflecting the colors into my eyes. Her attire was equally as luxurious- a beige, emerald green embroidered and trimmed gown, but for the life of me I couldn't place her face.

"Oh my god it is her!" the girl next to her jumped up in glee. She had light brown ringlet hair topped with a small tilted feather hat matching her lilac dress. The hat added several more inches to her small frame and although she was petite she wasn't as small as me. In my high heeled shoes however I was equal in height- meeting them on a level footing.

"Beth and Marie?" I said, letting my nose do the work for me.

"Yes! she remembers us! Oh my gosh, welcome back! your mum told us you'd be arriving today, wow you look so...different" Beth the brunette babbled excitedly.

Marie on the other hand watched me with shrewd dissecting eyes. I could tell she was deciding whether or not to like me and accept me into the fold. I wasn't going to give her an option on that account.

Falling into a disgusting show of enthusiasm, charm and wit- I gushed over her clothes and jewels until she was left high in the clouds not knowing what to do with herself. By the time I finished she looked like the cat that got the cream.

People are so pliable..so weak.

I dropped tiny breadcrumbs of us as a threesome- planting the idea of us being unstoppable together rather than apart. When her face told me she no longer saw me as a threat I eased into my goodbye and tuned to leave.

"Oh my gosh! look" Beth covered her blush with her hand, stopping me in my tracks.

An appreciative lustful look filled Marie's eyes before I glanced to where they were looking. Walking into the Blacksmiths Lucian filled the scene, adding to the sunny surroundings with his overwhelming good looks. Expensive dark pants and a clean cut white shirt struggled to contain his muscular physique- stretching under the strain as he moved despite being tailored. The fitted nature and high quality of the fabric set off his physique to a tee, making him look like a wealthy aristocrat. He looked divine. My heart clenched then beat into overdrive. Thankfully he hadn't noticed us.

"He'll be mine soon, it's only a matter of time. He'll be the jewel in my crown" Marie said, stretching out her sparkling hand- admiring all the stones obnoxiously "Someone has to sooth that tortured, lost soul of his" she added with a laugh.

"You'll have the poor guy on his knees any day now" Beth elbowed her giggling, just as disgustingly.

"Tortured? What do you mean?" I asked perplexed.

"Oh of course, you wouldn't know" Marie looked down at me, taking in my face before putting me out of my misery "Just after you left, his parents died, well, were brutally mauled and killed by some animal. They had to go by the pieces of clothing and jewelry around the body parts to identify who it was. He's been living with Pastor ever since and let me tell you, even the Mayor is scared of our spiritual savior- letting him run the town in his stead. Pa isn't happy about it at all".

A cold dread filled my body and I found myself rooted to the spot.

"There's something creepy about that man" Beth shivered "the look in his eyes is so heartless for someone so in tune with god, although he is good looking I'd give him that".

"Are you okay?" Marie asked me, almost concerned "you've gone all white".

"Well you just told her a wild animal ripped apart Lucian's parents silly" Beth explained.

"Oh of course, it's such old news I forget to be sad sometimes".

I wanted to punch her in her spoilt pretty face.

"What kind of animal was it? did they catch it?" I asked, trying not to sound overly interested.

"No that's the thing, they said it had all the signs of a wolf attack by the style of it but no breed we know would rip a person apart like that. The mouth wounds were almost human".

Of course they were, we didn't turn into an animal, we just got possessed like one and grew larger teeth. Long sharp canines filled our mouth- our locking jaws cutting through even bone. I wanted to be sick- Lucian's parents were dead and they died shortly after I left. The coincidence of it coinciding with my departure was too strong. I did this! a Rogue killed them, maybe several, in search of me.

Quickly I said all the right things and made all the right facial expressions and noises to appease the looks I was getting. It didn't take much, I already was in shock but had to look like a scared little girl- not an angry one wanting to find the fucker who did it and rip them a new one.

"I remember his uncle" I said eventually "he was handsome but stern and wasn't Pastor back then. It explains the warm reception I got from Lucian- being raised by such a man".

"You don't know the half of it" Beth started before Marie interrupted.

"You met Lucian?" she said with fake calm. Her cool blue eyes were alert and shockingly astute. I got the odd feeling there was more to her.

"They were best friends remember" Beth said for me, getting the death stare from Marie.

"Yes I remember" she said silkily.

"I ran into him in the woods today. He didn't show the slightest interest in me or the friendship we once had. We barely even spoke".

Marie was appeased. She smirked conceitedly.

"Of course he didn't, you poor thing, everyone knows he has a thing for me, it's so obvious it's embarrassing. I don't know why he doesn't just stop playing the gentleman and ask Pa to court me already".

Cos you're a snobby cunt?.

"My grandma once told me proud men like Lucian are the most scared of rejection, especially by a beautiful girl who could have anyone".

She never said that of course, I just pulled it out my ass. God, all this faking it was making me want to puke all over her expensive dress.

"You're the prettiest girl in town so it must be harder for him" I added, watching her look pleased.

"Hmm, I think you're right".

"What did you mean about me having no idea?" I asked Beth finally; inside I was dying to get this piece of information throughout the process of un-ruffling Marie's feathers.

"Well he got whipped...beaten" Beth elaborated in hushed tones "like really bad. When he moved in with Pastor his disobedience and mischievous ways were not tolerated. We wouldn't see him in town for weeks. He'd be confined to his family manor over at Bostall Hall. When he did make an appearance his skin looked raw and was covered in fading bruises and cuts. Pastor said his behavior was unholy and more than acting up over his parents death. He said it was his duty to exorcise the devil out of him. Lucian quickly became a model citizen after a few months and the Town made his Uncle Pastor- praising him for being there for his nephew in his time of need and asking him for spiritual guidance with their own problems".

That's sick beyond belief.

Burning anger rose up my chest and throat to my temples- I was utterly fuming.

"I see" it took everything in me not to grind my teeth and crack the pebble stone pavement in two with my fists. I continued the worried, shocked act to a tee.

God I deserve a medal.

The girls offered me their company for the rest of the day but I told them I had errands. I'd sooner gouge my eyes out with one of Marie's rings than spend the day playing Minion.

Entering Bancroft's a bell jingled over my head- summoning a tall, striking, clever looking man with familiar ice blue eyes.

Of course I thought smelling him, Brancroft was Marie's father. That explains her wealth.

I couldn't catch a break.

"How may I help you my dear" he said silkily, eyeing me as if calculating my worth.

"My mother is Clarissa Blackmore, she told me you have a vacancy available".

He sized me up more carefully, watching me in thought.

"Yes, yes, you'll do nicely" he smiled charmingly "follow me my dear".

I walked past glass counters and cabinets full of jewelry, knives and gems. Continuing behind a sparkling counter, with a huge silver till, that housed the most beautiful of them and followed him into the back end of the shop. He led me down a lavishly carpeted hallway which was emerald green like their logo and into a beautifully furnished toasty room. Wooden cupboards and cabinets lined the walls while a fireplace blazed on the right hand side when I came in. I could see newly added papers on the flaming logs. He added some more documents to the flames which were lying on a stylish coffee table parallel to it. In the center of the room two plush sofa's faced this table so it was in-between them. Dark green and gold strips went down the fabric of the furniture in the most elegant pattern. I was admiring it when he spoke.

"Please sit".

I did as I was told.

"The hours are flexible and wage is generous" He said walking to a cupboard and opening it with a key joined with others at his belt.

"I presume you can multiply, add and subtract?".

"Yes sir. Grandmother educated me to the highest level".

"Good girl. You are to be at the register then, sell and speak to customers on the front of shop. However your real purpose is to display our goods in an...enticing manner" he paused for effect.

He eyed me shrewdly, taking in my every detail like it mattered for his next move. He smiled his charming smile. Facing the cupboard again, whose contents were hidden from me by the thick wooden door, he took out a black and green trimmed box. Checking the contents by looking at my face then back to it, he smiled as if pleased. He then came to the coffee table and placed it closed in front of me.

"You are a beautiful girl Fay, your key purpose is to make others want. Want you in the case of men, want what you are wearing in the case of women. Gentlemen should feel the need to shower you in jewels they will grow accustomed to seeing around your neck".

He gestured to the box idly but didn't tell me to open it.

"You my girl are the face of Bancroft Jewelers. No one is to know this of course and for this extra task you will be paid handsomely on top of your normal wage".

"So my front of house job is just a cover?".

Gya would love this man, and what was it with adults encouraging me to exploit my looks to take advantage of others. I was partly to blame for allowing Gya to train me and play on my appeal of power but still- adults sucked.

"Yes, is that a problem?".

I slid into airhead girl mode.

"Not at all sir, as long as I get to wear pretty jewelry I'll be happy to do this modeling thing for you".

He smiled.

"Open it please" He gestured to the box.

I opened the hinged lid, gasping before I could stop myself. A heart shaped Safire necklace caged in a silver heart shone up at me on a delicate silver chain. The air left my lungs and my eyes widened as I gaped at its mesmerizing beauty, no- Godliness. It literally looked like a creation not of this world, as if it fell from the heavens and was crafted by the almighty himself. Matching dangling sapphire earrings were above it trimmed in silver as well.

"The person who made this made me promise not to sell it, however I doubt he'd mind a beauty such as yourself wearing it for a few days. Look after it well and make sure it is widely seen, I'll handle the owner if he has a problem with it".

"Oh I will!" I said, not taking my eyes off of it. I held the cold necklace in my hand, running my finger over its smooth surface. Never before had I held such finery, I liked it- liked the weight, the glamour, what it represented and what it promised- more jewels and wealth and then some.

Now I wasn't materialistic- coveting pretty shiny things. I faked my interest in that regard. Still, I never really understood why Ma worked for a living and didn't fix up our old creaky cottage. It didn't make sense when we had a chest full of gold at our disposal. We had pretty gowns that any woman would kill for but that was the extent of our indulgence and Ma's skillful sewing was the only reason we even had that.

"Marie is your daughter right?" I said, airing what was on my mind.

"Yes" his clever blue eyes sharpened, seeing where I was going with this.

"Why isn't she your representative, she's prettier than I am and would most likely do it for free, she already is from what I can see".

"As much as I love my daughter she doesn't inspire what I envision from such a display. You will do nicely" He said with a shrewd smile.

"Well thank you for the honor. It truly is a dream come true to wear such finery".

He gave me the full force of his charming smile as I put everything on- it warmed up the ice blue of his eyes. Looking at his face properly for the past few minutes it was hard to deny how handsome he was with his sandy blond hair and sharp light blue eyes. I could see where Marie got her unparalleled good looks.

"Stick with me girl and you will be wearing such gems all your life".

He gestured me out as he turned to put the box back in the cupboard. Just as I went to walk through the door a towering figure went to walk in- bumping into me and blocking my way. Warm strong hands grabbed me just in time so I wouldn't get hurt from the impact. I looked up at a rough square jaw and the same cool blue eyes I had just turned from looking down at me; these however were different- they sparkled and held a lively playful look in them. The guy looked my age, was built like an Ox and was just as attractive as Marie- if not more. He took in the length of me and gave a dimpled grin that soothed out the alarm ringing through my head on seeing his Hercules like frame. Quickly it dawned on me I never heard nor smelt him coming. Glancing back at the room an interesting thought dawned on me- the walls were lined with cabinets full of silver ornaments and jewelry which led me to reason it must have dampened my Lamia abilities somehow- there was no other explanation- such things just didn't happen.

"Fay?".

Recognition filled me as I breathed in his refreshing, manly scent. It reminded me of rain kissed leaves.

"Nemesis? what happened- did you eat a house?".

He laughed deeply, enhancing his attractive dimples. Sandy blond hair fell over his eyes, covering them in merriment.

"I haven't heard that name in a while. So you didn't forget me, I'm glad". He eyed me up and down again making me hold my breath "And I've got to say you've changed too sweetheart- I wouldn't have recognized you if it wasn't for those dark blue eyes" He paused, raising an eyebrow "only an angel or demon is put on this earth to torment me with such captivating eyes" he mused- looking deep into them.

What?

His intense steamy gaze combined with his words had me momentarily speechless. Was he always this smooth or just randomly quoting verses at me? or at least I hoped they were someone else's words- the alternative would be far more stirring.

My heart clenched on being locked in his ice blue gaze, an odd feeling churned in my stomach. I was shocked to realize my cheeks were warm and tingerling.

Since when did I blush? The world has truly gone to s**t.

Gya had me train on the boys in the area but none of them looked like Kain- my childhood Nemesis.

I moved my hair to one side of my neck, my skin was burning up.

Not again.

Kain grinned alluringly on watching my behavior, all the while having a dark hungry look in his eyes. His whole being was so strong and virile I was getting hot under the collar just thinking about what such a body could do if given my abilities- he already looked like he could bench press the whole town without breaking a sweat. I couldn't believe this was the same brat who annoyed Lucian and I with a vengeance, tattling on us, ruining our plans whenever we went about our schemes.

"Which one am I?" I said breathlessly as Mr Bancroft joined us.

"Only time will tell" He grinned, his deep voice vibrating down me pleasantly.

"Good, you two know each other, this will save a lot of time from introductions. Son, show Fay around the store and how to work the register, she's our new sales person" He gave me a wry smile "Fay, I have business to attend to so I'll leave you in Kain's capable hands".

Kain suppressed a smile and raised an eyebrow suggestively. I did my best to hold back a smile- we appeared to have the same dirty sense of humor. As we walked into the front shop I felt oddly at peace in his presence despite the obvious attraction to his Hercules good looks. I hadn't been this relaxed in, well, ever. I needed to be careful about slipping in and out of character but it was proving more difficult than I imagined to act like I had a tumble weed rolling around in my head- not to mention exhausting.

"So that was your father who just hired me- which means Marie is your sister" I turned to him with mock disgust, deciding to be myself with him. His presence was disarming and I rationalized he wasn't a threat.

"Don't hold it against me" he grinned, guiding me to the register "She's definitely been indulged more than is healthy for a young woman her age but she's a sweet girl at heart. She only shows her true self to those that matter to her. Father especially tries to keep her happy, ever since mother died, it hit Marie the hardest out of all of us. She stopped speaking for a good part of her childhood, not eating or sleeping either. Rough times" he said, running his hand through his sandy hair agitated "so when she started talking again our main aim was to keep her happy and Pa especially kept giving her whatever she wanted for fear she'll go back into depression again".

"That's terrible, when did your Mother pass?".

"Shortly after Lucian's parents were found dead my mother was found in the woods".

I froze, feeling as if he had thrown a bucket of ice water over me.

"The same bite marks to the ones that defiled the Ame's bodies were all over her but she was vastly more in tacked, enough so we could bury her in a coffin at least. Lucian didn't have that honor".

He watched me carefully. I must have gone white again because he put a strong warm hand on my shoulder.

Good god, another family broken because I left.

"I'm so sorry, that's...no one deserved that- it's horrific".

I felt like utter s**t.

"It's not your fault" I vaguely heard him as a stream of depressing thoughts flickered through my mind. I must have gone paler because he held my shoulders with both hands- most likely thinking I'd faint.

Not bloody likely.

The gesture was comforting. Warm ripples went down my body at his touch and I instantly looked up into his eyes. I snapped out of myself on finding cool blue eyes watching me, it jolted me awake and sharpened my senses. The attraction and hunger in his dilated eyes were shockingly obvious. It made my blood flow faster to see him look at me that way. He was the definition of male and strength and it called to the primal animal part of me.

"What happened after" I whispered, quite breathless. The question was more for the sake of ignoring the feelings buzzing through my system than wanting to know.

"We were relatively well off. Instead of selling all of mother's jewels Pa used them as collateral to open this shop. She always loved sparkling stones and minerals. He wanted this place to be a shrine to her. It wasn't until recently we changed the name from Jessabelle's Gems to Bancroft Jewelers. We all felt it was time to move on; we weren't getting anywhere business wise by holding onto the past- right now we're barely scraping by".

This made me feel bad about all the money his dad was going to pay me for my two jobs; if he only knew who I really was- what I was responsible for.

Kain looked down at my neckline and took the Safire between his fingers, grazing my skin with his knuckles. My heart skipped a beat.

I don't know when the atmosphere shifted from sad and gloomy to strained and exciting but I could feel it pressing against the walls then back at us. The room seemed ten times smaller. I could read everything his sharp blue eyes suggested he wanted to do to me, they were annoyingly transparent. Maybe that's why I was so relaxed around him- he made no qualms about showing his true self, his true thoughts, what you saw was what you got. I was responding to everything about him- his scent, his strength, the layers upon layers of testosterone pouring from his pores in waves- everything aroused me beyond belief. I felt like an animal in heat.

"This gem doesn't do you justice" he said caressing it between his fingers- it was as if he was caressing me.

Yes I must be in heat.

"Trust me, I've grown up around the finest things produced from this earth- I know a rare treasure when I see one".

He looked at me in such a way that caught my breath in my throat. Words had a limited effect on me- but that look.

God Damn.

I tried to understand what was happening, why I was responding to him like this. There was no doubt he was untarnished and pure- everything I wanted to be. Lucian on the other hand was damaged and angry, just like me, and it was imperative we didn't collide. We would click into place like two pieces of the same puzzle and then it would be over- we'd be stuck and therefore dead.

The electricity between Kain and I thickened as he moved closer; we had just been talking about dead people, DEAD PEOPLE- the most unsexy morbid thing you could imagine and now we were a hairs breath from kissing.

My skin was burning at this point, driving my libido through the roof. It was wrong to go from one guy to another but I hadn't really done anything with Lucian and the thought of him confessing his love, nay like for me, was laughable.

I wanted Lucian, I couldn't believe I was admitting it to myself but I did. The fact of the matter was we weren't anything right now and I didn't believe we ever would be. Now- I didn't want Kain to die either and had no intention of kissing him, but I was more inclined to indulge in what he ignited in me because the mere sight of him screamed he could take on the gods, forget the change, and walk away unscathed.

His strong large hand touched my face and I held my breath, snapped out of my thoughts. The look in his piercing blue eyes made me part my lips from arousal and shock. The subtle sound of them opening caught his attention and this is where I had to act.

"When you said I'm either an angel or demon" I began in a whisper, as his face inched closer "I'm a demon" I said when he looked back up into my eyes "and you have no idea the hell I will bring into your life if you kiss me".

He hesitated, taking in my words exactly as I had intended- seriously.

"I say bring on Hells fury, I'd gladly spend an eternity with Lucifer himself if it meant one kiss from you- make it a long one mind" he smiled his dimpled smile at me.

I pushed his rock hard chest back and he raised an eyebrow when I succeeded. He looked at me intently, taking in my face as if seeing me for the first time. He must weigh more than 200Ib and not be pushed about so easily- let alone by a half pint of a girl like me.

"Please stop saying s**t like that, you haven't the slightest clue who I am, what I am, what I can do and it only makes me...I'm not like you Kain, and this isn't some Romance novel where you can say lines like that and we kiss and it'll all be fine- I'm a monster!".

I couldn't believe I just said that.

Have I gone insane? I must have- I must have gone completely and utterly insane!.