Death Woods 1: The Beginning

Chapter 2

    My alarm went off at five thirty that same morning; I woke to the radio playing Addicted  by Saving Abel. I groaned as I threw off the covers, shut off my alarm, and turned to sit on the edge of my bed. It was still dark but it was unusually warm for the month of February.

    “It’s Friday!” I yawned and stood up to stretch. Humming as I walked over to my dresser to quickly run a comb through my hair, I remembered last night’s events and shuddered. 

    Grabbing the towels on my dresser, I walked into my personal bathroom to take a quick shower.

    The house my parent’s and I live in is huge. I wouldn’t really call it a house, it was more like a mini mansion. I guess that’s a perk of being the magical communities Prime Ministers’ daughter. It has six bedrooms, all with full bathrooms. There’s a basement, a large kitchen, an enormous living room, a family room, an office, a place for me to train and our own personal library!

    I turned on the lights over the sink and over the tub. Just as I started to turn on the water, my cell phone went off. I opened the door and ran over to my dresser, picked up the phone and said, “Hello?”

    “Hello. Is this Kelley?”

    “Yes, this is she.”

    “Kelley, this is Lizzie’s mom. How are you dear?”

     “I’m fine. How are you Mrs. Eby? Is something wrong?”

    “I’m fine. It’s Lizzie that I’m worried about.”

    “Why? What happened?” I asked, worried and concerned. I glanced at my silent alarm clock, it was now five forty-five.

    “I’m not sure. When I came home last night from work she had a big bloody knot on the back of her head, and a high fever. She’s also not waking up.”

    “Wait! What? What do you mean she isn’t waking up?”

    “I’ve tried everything but she won’t wake up.”

    “Get her to a doctor before it gets worse!” I told her, trying to remain calm.

    “I will! Bye.”

    “Bye, Mrs. Eby.” I said, before I hung up the phone.

    ‘A high fever and a bloody knot and not waking up? Maybe I should call Reid. Especially while the sun is still down’ I thought but, before I could call him, my phone started to ring again.

    “Hello?” I sighed, exasperatedly.

    “Kitty, Shawnee’s mom just called me and told me that she found her with a bloody knot on her head, a fever and she won’t wake up.” Faith’s anxious voice came over the phone.

    “Star does, too.”

    “Oh my God! Are you serious?”

    “Yeah, we should call the boys to see if they know anything or if they can figure something out before the sun comes up but I doubt it.”

    “Okay.”

    I hung up the phone and sighed. I glanced at my clock again, I really needed to get moving. 

    “Hello?” Reid said, from the other line

    “Hey, hon, it’s me.” I said, in response.

    “Oh, hey, baby. What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.

    “Something is wrong with Star and Winnie. Their mom’s called Faith and I early this morning. Apparently they had bloody knots on their heads, high fevers and they won’t wake up. What did Mick and Steve do to them?”

    He swore and it sounded like he was pacing, “I’m not sure but, I’ll find out and call you back, alright?”

    “That’s fine. Bye, babe.”

    “Bye, sugar.”

    I hung up the phone, sighed and grumbled, “What a Friday this is turning out to be.”

    Glancing at my alarm clock it read six o’ clock. I yelped, jumped up and ran into the bathroom, slamming the door before jumping in the shower. While I rushed through my morning routine I could've sworn I heard a noise in my room. I paused to listen but when I didn't hear anything I shrugged it off and got out of the shower and wrapped the towel around me. When I tried to unlock the door I realized someone had magically turned the knob around trapping me in the bathroom.

    -Faith! Someone magically turned the door knob around and locked me in my bathroom! I need help!- 

    -Alright! Hold on I’ll be right there!-

    -Hurry!-

    “Wait, I’m an i***t. I’m a witch and can use magic and I just called Faith for help. Wow that just goes to show what a genius I am.”

    Fixing my towel so it wouldn’t fall to the floor, I turned and faced the door, pointing my finger at the knob I said, “Basem datorum!”

    There was a small click and when I twisted the knob, the door opened.

    “YES! I am smart!”

    Hurrying to my dresser where I had put the clothes I was going to wear today. I dressed as fast as possible. I went over to my vanity, put on a little make-up and my jewelry, my socks and black timberlands, grabbed my purse, my cell, and my book bag and hurried downstairs. I walked over to one of the cabinets and grabbed a nutri-grain bar, hurried over to the fridge, opened it and grabbed a water bottle. Setting the bottle of water and nutri-grain bar on the counter, I swung my book bag onto my shoulders, grabbed my purse, my breakfast and my water and headed toward the front door.

    I opened the door just as Faith was walking up the steps.

    “Am I too late?” she asked

    “Yes and no.” I replied, irritated.

    “I didn’t do it!” She said, hearing the frustration in my voice and holding her hands up innocently.

    “I know. I just forgot my cell phone on the kitchen counter,” I replied, walking down the steps and over to my Subaru.

    “I’ll go get.” Faith exclaimed.

    “Really? Are you sure?”

    “Yeah, you’ve been driving me to school for the past two weeks! It’s the least I could do! Literally!”

    “Thanks!”

    “No problem!” she called, as she hurried into the house.

    I opened the trunk, tossed in my bookbag, walked around to the driver’s side, and opened the door. I placed my water bottle and nutri-grain bar in one of the cup holders and placed my purse on the seat. I shut the door, hurried to the front steps, grabbed Faith’s book bag and purse, went back to my trunk and tossed Faith’s book bag into it, shut the trunk, walked around to the passenger’s side and put her purse on the passenger’s seat and shut the door. I walked around my car looking for any possible dents or scratches but, there weren’t any. ‘But it does need a bath.’

    My Subaru WRX is an awesome little car. It's an absolutely gorgeous shade of metallic blue. All the guys in my high school were super jealous. My dad had to get me a little beater so i could learn to drive a stick shift but it was totally worth it. 

    “Got it!” she shouted, as she walked out the door.

    “Took you long enough!” I yelled back.

    “I had to go to the bathroom.”

    I rolled my eyes, “Excuses, excuses.”

    “Shut up!”

    Laughing, I opened my car door and got in, put on my seat belt and started the car. Faith turned the radio on and put it on 101.5. “S.E.X” by Nickelback was on. Faith turned up the music and she blasted the bass. My car has a killer stereo system.

    Laughing, I signaled for her to turn it down so I could say something.

    “What a coincidence!” I exclaimed, glancing over at her with a smile.

    “What?”

    “We’re wearing black jeans, black shoes, and black shirts. But your shirt has a silver sword with an emerald-colored viper on it and I have a cat eyes on mine.” I said, revving the engine before backing out of the driveway.

    “Our hair is different, too!”

    “Only because I tossed mine up in a bun.”

    “True.”

    I stopped at one of the few stoplights in our little backwater town, but it was quiet and peaceful, well mostly. My parents preferred it because of how often dad had to travel for work. They felt it was safer than being in the city. If only they knew...

    “Green,” Faith said, breaking the silence, “Did you see our boyfriend’s hair last night?”

    “No, I was busy getting sliced open, choked and healed.” I replied, grumpily as I pulled into the school parking lot reserved for students.

    “Well, Spike got his tips frosted!”

    “Really? What color?”

    “Blue. Reid’s are red,” she said, giggling.

    “What!? He did what?” I squealed, slamming on the brakes and looking at Faith.

    “He got his tips frosted red.” She repeated, slowly.

    I quickly parked the car in my usual spot and turned it off just as my cell phone went off.

    “Here you go,” Faith said, handing me the phone.

    I took the phone, opened and said, “Hello?”

    “Hey, baby. How are you?”

    “Hey, Reid. I’m fine.”

    Faith started laughing.

    “What’s wrong with Faith?”

    “Frosted red tips.” I told him.

    “Oh, so she told you.” He replied.

    “Yeah, she told me.”

    “Yeah, don’t get mad. I know you didn’t want me to do it but it’s not like I have anything better to do during the day.”

    “Reid,” I said, interrupting him, “I don’t care. Did you find out anything about Star and Winnie?”

    “You don’t care? No, we’re still working on it. Spike suspects that they gave them some sort of slow acting fey poison. We’ll know for sure once we’re able to sneak into the hospital tonight and can get a blood sample. ”

    “No, I don’t care. We have more important things to worry about right now. You said a Fey poison? Mrs. Eby did say that Star had a big bloody knot on the back of her head. Do you think that’s how they gave it to them?” I told him, getting out of the car.

    Faith c****d her head at me with a small frown. Probably wondering the same thing I was, how had a couple vamps gotten their hands on a Fey poison. 

    He sighed, “It’s a possibility but I honestly don’t know.”

    “Hey, I have to go to school and I had to shower and I was running late due to all of the excitement.” I told him, opening my trunk I grabbed my book bag and put it on. Faith grabbed hers and put it on and then shut the trunk.

      “Well, if I weren’t a vampire I would be going to school with you and none of the stuff that’s been going on lately would be happening.”

    “Yeah, I know. I wish you could come to school with me.”

    “Gag me!” I heard Faith mutter, from behind me.

    “Shut up. You wish your boyfriend could come to school!”

    “So? Your point is?”

    “What did she say?”

    “She said gag me.”

    “I should tell Spike.”

    “Reid said he’s going to tell Spike!”

    “What!? NOOOO!” She squealed. 

    Reid started laughing on the other end of the line, “Nice!”

    “Yeah, I know.”

    “I don't know how long it’ll take to find out what the poison is. You’ll be the first to know once we figure it all out.”

    “Call me back and let me know what you find. I love you.”

    “Love you, too, baby.” he said sweetly, before hanging up.

    I grabbed my water bottle, nutri-grain bar and purse before shutting and locking my car. I opened my nutri-grain bar and ate it. Suddenly, my cell began to ring again.

    I opened the phone and said, “Hello?”

    No one answered.

    “Hello?” I said, questioningly.

    A deep, scratchy voice said, “You’re not gonna live long enough to save your friends, slayer.”

    “Mick, is that you?”

    The person hung up after saying, “You and only you.”

    A sudden chill of fear ran up my spine, as I hung up the phone.

    “Kitty, what’s wrong? Who was it?” Faith asked, concerned.

    “I don’t know who it was but, I’ve got a really bad feeling.”

    “Was it Mick or Steve?”

    “I don’t know, Faith. It didn’t sound like either of them. The voice was deep and scratchy. The person could have used one of those voice changers so I wouldn’t recognize them.”

    “But, how could a vampire get a hold of such technology?”

    “I’m sure it's not hard to get a hold of something like that. I’m scared, Faith, something feels off and I really don’t like it.” I replied as we walked into the high school.

    We exchanged glances and I’m sure Faith saw the fear in my eyes.

    “What are you gonna do?” Faith asked when we got to our lockers.   

    “I’ll probably call Reid. Let him know what’s going on. I suppose it’s a good thing vampires don’t ‘die’ during the day like most legends claim, huh?” I said, taking my history and science notebooks and textbooks out of my book bag and putting them into my locker. I got my Spanish, Math, and English notebooks and textbooks out of my locker, put them in my bookbag and shut my locker.

    “Right? Makes it easier if something is going on and we can’t do anything about it. If only they could walk in the sun. That would be fabulous. Are you going to call him now?” She asked, pausing to look at me.

    “No, at lunch.” I replied, zipping up the book bag and standing up.

    “But, what if he calls while you’re in class?” She asked, as she shut her locker and stood.

    “I’m not worried about it.” I responded, picking up the bag and swinging onto my shoulders.

    “Why not? One of the teachers could confiscate it.” Faith asked, putting on her book bag.

    “My phone is on silent, so no one will hear it, I’ll check it between classes. It’s as simple as pie.”

    “Don’t make it obvious.”

    “I won’t. I know better than that.”

    “Bye. See you next period!” Faith called.

    “See ya!” I called back, over all the noise in the crowded hallway.

    I was on my way to Spanish, when my phone started to vibrate.

    ‘Oh, no! Not now!’ I thought.

    I hurried to my class, when I walked through the door I said, “Profesora Flores, Puedo usar el baño, por favor?”

    “Si. Dame tu agenda.”

    She signed my agenda and I and I said, “Gracias.”

    “De nada,” she responded.

    I hurried to the bathroom by the gym; all of the foreign language classes are by the gym. When I reached the bathroom and was in the handicap stall, I pulled out my cell phone to see who had called. It had been Reid.

    “Figures,” I muttered, under my breath.

    I sighed and tapped his name on the screen. While I was waiting for him to pick up his phone, I remembered the mysterious phone call I had received earlier. Another chill of fear washed over me.

     “Hello?” he said, finally picking up his phone.

    “Hey, baby, it’s me. You called?” I asked, attempting to keep the fear out of my voice. Unfortunately, it didn’t work.

    “Kitty, what’s wrong?” Reid asked, concerned.

    “Nothing. Did you find out what kind of poison it was?”

    “Don’t change the subject, babe. Now, tell me what’s wrong.”

    “Okay, fine. Earlier this morning I received an anonymous phone call. I didn’t recognize the voice because it was deep and scratchy. I don’t know who it was but I suspect it  was a vampire.”

    “A vampire? How could a vampire have your cell number? Did it threaten you?” He asked.

    “I don’t know another vamp would’ve gotten my number. Yes, it called to threaten me.” I replied slowly

    “Well, what did he say?”

    “He said, ‘You’re not gonna be alive long enough to save your friends, slayer.”

    “What did you say?”

    “Am I on speaker?” I asked, curiously.

    “Yeah, Spike has a right to know what’s going on. What if the vampire threatens Faith?”

    “That’s the thing,” I said, “Before he hung up he said, ‘You and only you, slayer’. So, Faith has nothing to worry about.”

    “I don’t like this but I’ll talk to you later. If we keep talking you’ll get in trouble. Whatever you do, don’t let your guard down, alright?”

    “Don’t worry I’ll be fine. For now, anyway.” I replied, grimly.

    “Please, don’t say that, baby.” He begged.

    “I’m only stating facts, hon,” I told him.

    “That’s not the point. Something is going on and it has me worried.”

    “Oh, alright, talk to you later.”

    “Okay, love you. Bye.”

    “Love you, too. Bye.”

    Hanging up my phone, I grabbed my agenda, unlocked the stall door and hurried to class. The morning announcements hadn’t started yet, so I’m in good shape. I walked into my Spanish class and crossed the small room to my seat. A few minutes later the announcements came on.

    “Good morning, students. Please pause for the moment of silence.”

    There was a two minute pause before Mrs. Johnson, my gym teachers’ wife, came back on the intercom.

    “Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.”

    Everyone in the class stood, hands over their hearts.

     Everyone chanted, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated.

    “The wrestling team is still undefeated. Our J.V. and Varsity boys and girls basketball teams are also undefeated. Congratulations to those players. The following students need to report to I.S.S.: Jeremy Anderson, Carlos Reyes, Steven Dunn, Jonathan Barnes, and Stefan Espinosa. Teachers please send work for these students. Have a great day!”

‘Yeah, right!’ I thought, tartly.

-I heard that, Kitty.- 

-Ugh! Faith, why are you in my head? I know we have telepathic link but that doesn’t mean you have to eavesdrop.-

-Sorry! Has Reid called you, yet?- 

-Yeah, just before I got to class.- 

-Did you mention the mysterious phone call?-

-Yeah, but he only because he knew something was wrong and pressed me for details. Spike knows as well and he’s worried about you.- 

-Were you on speaker? I’m sure he is but I’m not the target. You are-

-Yeah, that’s what I told them.-

-We’ll finish talking about this in gym class, alright?-

-Okay.-

    First period dragged by slowly and I didn’t really pay attention to half of what Mrs. Flores said. When it was time to switch classes; I was dreading going to gym class. My muscles were still sore from last nights’ escapade in Death Woods.

    I went down the stairs to the girl’s locker room, cursing all the way. I was usually the first one there because my first period class was literally next to the gym. When I finally walked into the locker room and over to my gym locker; my phone started to vibrate. I groaned and hurried into one of the showers, took out my phone, opened it and said, “Hello?”

    “Hello, Kitty darling, how are you this lovely morning?”

    “Mick?” I asked, rolling my eyes. 

    “Who else? Have you changed your mind, my sweet little slayer?”

    “Look Mick, this is starting to get ridiculous. You really need to back the f**k off.” 

    “Then you really won’t be able to save your friends, slayer. I’m your only hope but by the time you realize it, it’ll be too late.” He sneered, coolly.

    “I knew it!” I shrieked, “You bloodthirsty son of a b***h. What the hell is going on? You know something and you better tell me dammit!”

    “Whoa! Back up, little slayer, are you insulting me?”

    “YES! Now answer me!.” I snarled into the phone.

    I heard the phone disconnect and then silence. The bastard did not just hang up on me! I really wanted to hit something, I was so infuriated.

    ‘Oh! I can’t stand him!’ I thought, tartly.

    I stepped out of the shower stall so I could quickly change into my gym clothes.  

    “Who, Kitty?” Faith asked, as she walked into the locker room, startling me.

    “Mick!” I snapped, harshly.

    “Okay, just because Mick did something to upset me does NOT mean you have to take it out on me!”

    I sighed and as quickly as it had come, my anger disappeared to be replaced by sadness and hurt. My shoulders, which had become tense with anger, relaxed and fell. I sighed again in exasperation and said, “Yeah, you're right. I’m sorry, I’m just frustrated.”

    Faith looked worried about my sudden mood change. Usually, my temper lasted longer than a few minutes. I sighed again and opened my gym locker and pulled out my black sweatpants and black tee with my nickname on it. I dressed quickly and waited for Faith. When she had finished dressing out for the gym, the rest of the girls in our gym class arrived downstairs in the locker room. We headed upstairs to the gym.

    “Mr. Johnson!” I yelled. Mr. Johnson was super laid back and didn’t really care about what we did. He didn’t want to be here any more than we did.

    “Yeah?” He called.

    “May I go to the bathroom?” I asked.

    “Yeah, go ahead.”

    “Thank you.”

    “Uh-huh,” he said, as I walked past him to the bathroom.

    “Can I . . .” Faith started to ask.

    “Yeah.”

    “Thanks.”

    “Sure.”

    I waited for Faith to catch up with me at the gym door. Then we headed for the bathroom next to the gym. I growled in frustration and kicked open the bathroom door.

    Faith grabbed my shoulder and spun me around.

    “What’s wrong?” She demanded, after the door hand swung shut. 

    “It was Mick!” I ground out, angrily.

    “What do you mean ‘It was Mick’?”

    “The ‘Mysterious’ phone call? It was him and he called me again in the locker room!”

    “You’re kidding, right?”

    I shot her a dirty look. 

    “Call Reid.” She ordered.

    “What?”

    “Call Reid.”

    “Why?”

    “So, he can help you. He needs to know what’s going on. Maybe there is something he can do.”

    “Like what? Kill him? Mick might be a useless prick but he’s just as skilled a fighter as Reid. Plus he has Steve and unless you’ve forgotten Steve seems to have a ton of connections."

    “Of course he does. He’s a vampire and he's been alive for a long time. Reid and Spike have a lot of connections. It comes with being an immortal.”

    “Reid and Spike don’t have nearly as many connections as Steve. He’s not much older than they are and he’s an ass.” I frowned, as I started to ponder this more thoroughly. I need to do some digging on him. Look into some old legends. 

    “Whatever. Hurry up and call Reid. We don’t need someone to come looking for us.”

    “Oh, alright.” I pulled my cell out of my sweatpants pocket, opened it, hit five and Reid’s number was automatically dialed. It took him a few minutes to answer the phone.

    “Hello?” My boyfriend said, sounding as frustrated as i did. 

    “What’s wrong?”

    “Just reading through books to see if we can figure out what poison was used without breaking into the hospital's lab. It’s just tedious work.”

    “Oh. Reid, I know who called me earlier.”

    “Really? Who?”  

    “It was Mick!” I snarled, a bit too loudly.

    “Not so loud!” He growled. I heard Spike laughing at something in the background.

    “Am I on speaker phone?”

    “No.”

    “Are you sure?”

    “Yes.”

    “Then why is Spike laughing?”

    “Because I said you must be PMSing; you’re being awfully moody.” He replied, slowly

    “That’s NOT funny, Reid!” I said, practically shouting.

    “Shhhh, Kitty! Not so loud!” Faith muttered.

    I waved her words aside with a lazy gesture and she glared at me sternly. I rolled my eyes and shrugged in response.

    “I know! I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”

    I hesitated before sighing and saying, “Yeah. I’m just worried. Something is going on and I have no idea what is.”

    “Yeah, I know, baby. But try not to worry, alright? As long as I’ve got your back, you have nothing to worry about. And you know it.” He replied softly, trying to comfort me.

    “Yeah, I know.” I murmured, just as soft.

    “I’ll talk to you later, alright?”

     “Alright.” I murmured tartly, hanging up the phone.

    “Let’s go, Kitty.” Faith said, patting my shoulder gently.

    Just as we walked out of the bathroom, the lights went out. Now what?

    “Faith, do you feel that?” I paused, feeling the black magic swirling around me.

    “Black magic? Why would dark witches be here?” 

    I shrugged just as clueless as she was. 

    “Oh no!” Faith and I groaned as the intercom came on throughout the school and a deep, scratchy voice said, “Slayers, I shall find you and you will NOT survive!”

    ‘Mick,’ I thought. Fear shot through every inch of my body before I realized that couldn’t be possible. It’s daytime and vampires can’t walk around in sunlight without becoming ash. I quickly changed my eyes and ears to spirit animals, so I can see and hear better. I pulled out my cell and called Reid.

    “Hello?”

    “It’s me again.” I said.

    “What’s wrong now?”

    “Something’s going on here at school. Black magic is thick in the air, the lights are out and someone came over the school’s speaker system. Same mysterious voice that originally called me this morning. It can’t be Mick the sun is up.” I exclaimed in complete panic.

    “Kitty, calm down! Are you armed?”

    “Of course I’m not armed. I’m at school, you know I can’t have weapons here!”

    “s**t, I can’t help you during the day. You have to get out of there, Kitty, now.” 

    A howl echoed through the halls. It was followed by five different howls.

    “Werewolves?” Faith and I said, in unison.

     “The f**k do you mean werewolves?” Reid demanded.

    “Werewolves are in the school, Reid. Faith, call the local Alpha to see if he knows about this.”

    “I’m on it.” She paced away dialing numbers.

    A sudden wave of sheer determination washed over me and the fear was gone as quickly as it had come.

    “Alright, I’ll call you back as soon as I can.”

    “Kitty, wait, what are going to do?.” He said, hanging up.

    “Probably something dumb.” I answered, before hanging up on him. He’s going to be pissed about that. ‘Oh, well.’

    “Kitty, Alpha McCoy says there has been a small pack of rogues around town but they haven’t hurt anyone and they’ve stayed off his pack lands so he decided to let them be.”

    “Are you serious? Why didn’t he say anything about them?”

    “Didn’t think it would be an issue.”

    I sigh in frustration, “Alright, I’m going to attempt to lure them away from the school and into the woods behind it. See if he’ll send some of the pack enforcers to help deal with them.”

    “What do you want me to do? What are planning on doing, Kitty?”

    “Don’t worry! Go change for next period and guard everyone else.” I yelled, over my shoulder as I rounded the corner. 

    I ran down the main hallway when I neared the school’s main entrance near the main office I paused to look around and listen. Silence. All I heard was silence. I put my fingers to my lips and let out an ear piercing whistle. After another moment of eerie silence I heard the sound of growls and paws hitting the schools tiled halls.

    “s**t, time to move.” I muttered under my breath, as I turned toward the doors and pushed through them, bolting for the woods on the left side of school. 

    As I’m running I heard a loud yelp as one of the wolves burst through the doors leading out of school. Hearing paws hitting pavement I pushed myself to move faster, hoping and praying that McCoy sent some of his enforcers to help. I knew I couldn’t outrun the wolves and without any of my weapons there was only so much I could do in a physical altercation, especially one filled with teeth and claws. I finally hit the tree line and started weaving through the trees and moving in different directions in an attempt to spread my scent around in order to make myself harder to track. Somewhere behind I heard paws hitting the earth. I pushed myself to move as fast as possible, unfortunately I wasn’t able to move quick enough as a big furry body collided roughly with mine.

    I let out a scream as the wolf and I went tumbling down a small incline. I let out another yelp as my back hit a tree and the wolf landed on top of me with a grunt. Mustering all of my strength I shoved the huge creature off of me with a groan and sat up looking around. I see a really small stream down a rather deep embankment and a trail weaving alongside before turning back towards what I think is the direction of the high school.

    A loud, vicious growl rung through the trees snapping me back to the issue at hand. I turned my head around looking back towards the huge ass wolf that was standing about a foot away. How the hell did I get myself into this mess? Oh, right, my need to protect everyone at the school. Well, that and as Slayer it’s kind of my job to keep Supers under control. The wolf let out another growl and lunged. I rolled out of the way at the last second and was awarded a loud thud and a yelp as it collided with the tree. I landed in a crouch a few steps away from the pissed off wolf; I’d be pissed too if I went face first into a tree. 

    Glancing back at the stream I noticed it wasn’t very wide, I could probably jump across it. It also wasn’t deep so worst case scenario my feet get a bit wet and best case I made it and can hold off the wolf a bit longer. Only one way to find out. I turn and bolt towards the stream, pushing off the embankment and clearing it; my right slipped in the soft dirt as I landed but I managed to grab a root and pull myself up. I started running again and heard the wolf howl behind me. Great, that’s going to give me a way. I don’t stop, I keep running as fast as humanly possible. Why couldn’t this have happened at night? At least then I’d have two vamps to lend me a hand. 

    I broke the tree line of a small clearing and bolted across it, hoping I made it across before the wolves spotted me. Halfway across the clearing I heard a growl and knew I wasn’t that lucky. I swore and pushed myself harder. I was so close to entering the woods and yet still so far. I cried out as I was once again tackled by a wolf and sent rolling into yet another try. I need a new hobby because this one sucks. I groaned and swore as I pushed myself to a sitting position and glared at the furry beast that wasn’t far from me.

    “You’re an asshole. Anyone ever told you that?” I snarked to the beast.

    It chuffed at me mockingly in amusement. Glad someone finds this amusing. 

    “Not that you can answer but, what the hell do you want?” I poked my stomach, “I don’t think I’m going to taste very good so you should find someone else to snack on.”

    The mutt rolled his eyes at me and snarled before lunging again. I rolled my eyes and rolled out of the way but this time it was expecting it. I screamed out as teeth sank into my flesh just above my ankle. Thank the heavens the full moon is still a ways off and the bite shouldn’t cause me to turn. Really wasn’t interested in being a wolf or a hybrid witch/wolf combo. Though being a wolf and a Slayer could have it’s perks. Wait… I’m a witch, what the hell am I doing running when I could use magic?

    I throw my hand out towards the wolf and yell out, “Incendium!” 

    I hear a series of yelps and snarls as the scent of burnt fur hits my nose. Gross. I roll to a crouch trying to keep most of my weight off my injured leg. The wolf, now a bit crispy around the edges, is rolling around trying to put out the fire. That spell wasn’t particularly powerful but it had been enough to get it off of me. I stood slowly never taking my eyes off the enraged beast in front of me. It had finally stopped rolling and was now glaring at me and slowly making its way towards me. 

    While the spell wasn’t that powerful, the force of it was enough to push it off of me a good distance away. I stood slowly never taking my eyes off the enraged beast in front of me. I was debating bolting for the woods again but with my leg injured the way it was I didn’t think it was smart to keep running. Not that it was particularly smart either but gotta do what I can to hold them off until backup arrives. If it arrives. I was shifting through my memory back of spells when I heard five howls to my right. s**t. Looks like the leader’s cronies showed, so where the hell are the enforcers? They had better hurry.

    “I’m warning you now, the local Alpha is sending some of his men to help me. I suggest you back off and leave before it’s too late.” I yelled, and regretted it almost immediately.

    The leader howled and the others bolted across the clearing headed straight for me. 

    Closing my eyes and focusing my energy, I listened to their paws hitting the dirt. When they were close enough I released the pent up energy and yelled, “Acritas conamen!”

    The force of the energy I pushed out was enough to almost send them back to the opposite side of the clearing. I staggered, I used too much energy on that spell. I had to keep going or at least throw up some sort of barrier. 

    “Circulus ignis!” I cried out, throwing my hands up around me, creating a circle of flame. The leader snarled, obviously pissed off. I had used more fire and managed to find a way to hold them off. For how long I had no idea but I had to do whatever I could. They all howled in outrage and I laughed at them mockingly. Then, off in the distance, I heard more howls. I never thought I would be so happy to hear more howls. While they still seemed to be a ways off, I needed to be sure they were Mccoy’s men and not more rogues. Should’ve gotten a number from him when I made Faith call him. 

    The leader let out a loud snarl and ran and just barely managed to clear the wall of flames around. s**t, that is the absolute last thing I wanted right now. If I drop the barrier I’d be swarmed by wolves and if I keep it up I have to fend off the one inside with me. I’ll take one wolf over six any day.

    “Come get some, pup.” I sneered.

    He growled loudly and lunged and I dove underneath of him and rolled to my feet. He snarled and I carefully dodged to the side and danced away. We started circling each other in the ring I had created. After what seemed like an eternity of circling, he finally lunged again and I wasn’t quick enough to dodge him completely. His teeth sank into the flesh of my forearm and I screamed. I heard howls in response to my scream and watched as more wolves broke through the clearing. I recognized McCoy’s wolf form in the lead. His wolf is all black except for a white spot on his chest and his paws.

    “Eatenus exstinxisti!” I yelled, and dropped one hand putting the flames. Seeing the flames go out McCoy and a couple of his wolves rushed to my aid. The wolf swung me around and tossed me at the oncoming Alpha. I yelped in surprise as I hit the ground and rolled coming to stop at McCoy’s feet. I watched him step over me so that I was laying under his belly, he let out a loud ferocious growl. The two wolves flanking him lunged and took down the wolf. I sighed in relief. 

    “Miss Adams! Are you alright?” At the sound of my name I glanced around and saw Daniel, the pack beta headed toward us. He was dressed in a pair of sweats and nothing else. Damn, he was hot. Too bad he probably had a mate somewhere and that i was taken. He was the definition of tall, dark and handsome. 

     “Beta Daniel, good to see you. While I wish the circumstances were better it’s a pleasure as always.” I said with a smile, still lying beneath his Alpha.

    “Agreed, little one. Are you okay? We heard you scream. Alpha, it’s safe to let the poor girl up.” 

    McCoy chuffed and backed off allowing me to sit up. “I could be worse off, Danny. Have a couple bites from that mutt over there and some minor scrapes but nothing major.”

    Daniel gasped, “Bites? He bit you? How do you feel? Are you hot? Do you feel any pain?”

    “Whoa, whoa, slow down, big guy. I feel fine and other than where the bites are, I don’t feel any pain. Relax, I’m going to be fine.”

    He and McCoy sighed relieved. I chuckled at them. “Mind telling us what happened?” 

    Nodding, I gave them a quick run down of the morning's events. While I did this Danny knelt down and looked at my leg and then my arm. He sighed, looking upset and McCoy whined while sniffing at the injuries.

    “Alpha says you don’t smell like a wolf, so it’s possible he didn’t inject the virus into you. Though you still need to be careful. Things could change at the drop of a hat.”

    “Don’t worry, Danny, I’ll be careful.” I looked to the Alpha, “I need to head back to the school, I sensed dark magic along with rogues. Whatever is going there isn’t over and I have quite a hike.” 

    Alpha McCoy barked and looked at his Beta. Daniel’s eyes glossed over a moment before he nodded, “The Alpha says he will give a ride back to the school. It’ll be faster and because it’s run by the Delta female he’ll have it shut down for the remainder of the day.”

    I sighed and rubbed my face, “That might be for the best, I’m not really sure how to explain to everyone, the humans especially, what happened. They had to have knocked everyone with a sleep spell or temporary hold on time. The magic didn’t feel particularly strong but it was thick in the air. Probably a handful of witches working the magic. I left Faith back at the school in case something else happened.”

    Alpha McCoy barked once before laying low enough for me to climb on his back. This is such an awful clichè, wolves don’t typically allow this because it’s demeaning to their kind. However, in times of crisis I suppose exceptions can be made. And who the hell am I to argue with an Alpha?

    “Are you sure about this?” I asked him, c*****g a brow as I walked towards him. He barked and nodded his head in affirmation.

    I sighed, “As long as you’re sure, Alpha.” I put my hands on his neck, careful not to yank too hard on his fur as I tried to get on his back. He was pretty broad making it difficult. I huffed in annoyance and muttered, “Do you have to be so big?”

    Of course all the guys took it out of context and laughed or chuffed depending on which form they were in. I huffed and glared and at a still laughing Danny. 

    Smirking at me he walked over and lifted me up like it was nothing. Probably was nothing for a Were. I took a moment to settle and get comfy and once I was alpha McCoy pushed himself to a standing position. I yelped in surprise and held on like my life depended on it. I’m never doing this again. It is so not like the movies. 

     “You good?” Danny asked. I shot him a dirty look and he laughed again.

    “Yeah, totally, I’m ready when you are Alpha.” I told him warily, I was definitely not ready. He barked again and took off like a gunshot. I yelped in surprise and held on for dear life. Yeah, definitely never doing this again.

Faith

    I was still in the locker room changing for my next class. I was just stepping into the shower. I had changed my eyes and ears back to their normal state.

    I took my time washing, loving the feel of the water. I sang an old fey song my grandmother had taught me. As I sang, the tattoo of a snake on my arm came to life and slithered around me. (It was one of my favorite tricks.)

    I was unaware, however, that my ex, Steve, was outside the stall taking my towel. I let the water run over me just a few more seconds then turned it off and reached for my towel.

    “What the world! Where’s my towel? I know I brought it with me . . . oh well,” I said, shrugging.

    I stepped out, dripping wet, and walked over to get another towel. As I dried and dressed I thought I heard a noise, so I rounded my ears and transformed my eyes to human eyes. (No one knows me about my true identity except Tiger, Spike, and Reid.)

    When no one burst through the door, I became skeptical. Something wasn’t right. I dressed more quickly, listening for every slightest sound.

    Again, I thought I heard a sound. So, I went to my locker and grabbed my dagger, put it in its sheath around my ankle. I also grabbed my whip and coiled it, loosely, around my hand.

    When I heard the sound for a third time I knew someone was trying to sneak up on me. I made my movements slow and lazy, making it look like I thought I was alone. I stretched lazily, then bent over and pretended to tie my shoe but, really I was looking for a pair of feet. I didn’t see any.

    I started to recite a spell in the Fae language. To anyone who doesn’t speak our language, it would sound like music. This spell would enable me to read others' minds. However, I didn’t get to finish the spell.

    Steve had been crawling on the ceiling watching me. Just as I had started to “sing”, he dropped down on top of me, driving out my breath. He covered my body with his. I kicked and bucked. Punched and bit. I got a good punch to his head and I bit him hard in the shoulder.

    I didn’t last long, however. He had a stun gun and he put it to my neck. The last thing I remember was Steve standing over me, rubbing his shoulder and saying, “You give up a good fight. I can’t wait to see how tough you are in . . .” I was gone.

Kitty

    Arriving back at the school after what felt like no time at all, I dismounted off of McCoy’s back and ran to the doors of the school. Throwing the door wide, I rushed in and looked around and had to wait for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. What the hell? Despite the windows next to the doors not an ounce of sunlight was streaming through. What kind of magic is this? I glanced towards the gym and noticed that the only light I saw was coming from the locker rooms. I was getting ready to head that way because that’s where I had left Faith. Before I could get to far the door was thrown open and in walked Alpha McCoy.

    “What the f**k is going on?”

    Same dude, same. “No idea, Alpha. I left Faith near the lockers so I’m heading that way.”

    “Alright, young one, just be careful please. Your father will have my head if something happens to you.”

    “I won’t tell if you don’t.” I muttered jokingly.

    He chuckled. “Go, call if you need me I’ll hear you.”

    Wolf hearing, almost jealous. Almost. There are some things you don’t wanna hear. “Will do. Orbis luminis.” I muttered as I walked away, a small orb of light appearing in my palm to help light my way. 

    As I neared the steps outside of the gym that headed towards the girls locker room. I noticed a familiar form walking up the steps.

    “Steve?”

    Glancing down I noticed another familiar form cradled in his arms.

    “Faith!”