His Dark Howl

A Walk in the Woods

    Although Lara had offered Bria a ride to and from work, she had opted to walk instead. It was a bit further than she normally walked, but the late April morning was pleasant and warm. She needed time to cool off after her confusing, and steamy, dream. Life had changed so quickly for her. That is what brought on the intense dream. And the dream had changed because her circumstances had changed. She felt safe for the first time in a long time, back in a home where magic was the way of life, where she could be accepted, for who she truly was. That is why she was no longer running, in the dream, like she had every other time. She allowed herself to stay put, to celebrate who she was, where she was. And the handsome stranger, whose features she couldn’t quite make out? Teenage hormones. Maybe she was a late bloomer, but she obviously hadn’t escaped a s****l awakening after all. She blushed, thinking about the dirty thoughts that had raced through her head. As for the werewolf angle? That was obviously her subconscious thinking about her tea leaf reading, and learning recently that werewolves, much like witches and vampires, are very real. Yes, she could rationalize every aspect of this dream, and in the fresh morning air, listening to the birds singing, it felt silly to think it meant anything else.

    Bria’s morning had passed quickly, and much to her disappointment, and relief, Reggie’s handsome nephew, Marcus, hadn’t made another appearance at Leaves. She wasn’t sure if she could have handled being in the same room as him, after her intense dream the night before, she had too many ideas of what she wished she could do to him. Her mind wandered to such naughty places, lately. Yes, it was better to concentrate on work!

     Bria spent the morning sorting through boxes of books that Reggie had recently acquired from an estate sale, from the comfort of the back room. There were piles of leather-bound copies of the classics, that once lined the bookshelves of a grand library. They were in very good condition, and Bria suspected they may have been owned by a collector rather than a reader. Still, nothing in the lot seemed to be very remarkable. There were no hidden gems in the bunch, like rare first editions or autographed volumes, but Reggie would still make a nice profit off of it.

    Then, in the last box, she found a slim, leather-bound book. It was tucked along the bottom of the box, and she almost didn’t see it. When she reached out and touched it, her fingers tingled, like static electricity. The leather was soft and supple, she enjoyed the way it felt as she turned the book over in her hands. There was no title on the cover, or along the spine. She pages seemed to be hand-cut, the paper slightly jagged and uneven. Maybe it was a journal? A notebook of some kind?

    Bria opened the book to where the green silk ribbon had been laid, maybe years and years ago. The swirling script of the page was definitely handwritten, and exceptionally beautiful. Bria read the title on the left hand page, and gasped. “Spell to Seek a Spirit” it read, the each capital S illuminated like a serpent, in beautiful jewel tones. Bria knew what this book was, it was a grimoire, a witch’s spellbook.

    She was so busy staring at the page to notice Mr. Reginald come in behind her. “What do you have there, Bria?” he asked, “Something good?”

    She jumped when she noticed that he was looking over her shoulder. What would Reggie say about the spellbook? Would he want to sell it? Would he even understand what it was?

    “Ah, an old blank diary!” He laughed, “You know, more people buy diaries than actually use them. If I had a dollar for every old, blank datebook or journal I’ve found…well, I’d have more than a few bucks in my pocket.”

    Bria looked back down at the pages, they were blank and white, and unremarkable, except for maybe, their age. The grimoire had disguised itself as something innocent, when Reggie had glanced at it. There was definitely real magic, here. “Hey, could I buy this diary from you?” she asked. Bria knew she had to have the book, she needed to have it.

    “Buy it?” Reggie chuckled, “You can have it, Bria. I’m not worried about losing any profit I’d get off an old, empty book.”

    “You mean it?” Bria held the grimoire tightly to her body, lest he change his mind.

    “Of course, kiddo!” he assured her. “With all the work you do around here, the least I can give you is an old diary. Maybe you’ll actually fill it!”

    Bria got off of work early, as Reggie needed to close the shop for a private appointment. She walked out of the bookstore that afternoon with a spring in her step. She couldn’t wait to read more of the grimoire. There was so much she didn’t understand about herself, and she felt a connection to the book, like maybe it contained answers or an explanation. She patted it, tucked inside her satchel, and she could have sworn that she felt it grow warmer, in response to her touch. “Have you been lonely? Sitting on an old library shelf, no one knowing you for what you really are?” Bria mused. She really could relate to this old book, waiting around so long at the Group Home, pretending to be human. At least at their new home, she and the grimoire were free to be themselves.

    Jade had mentioned to Bria that a local trail that started behind the convenience mart at the edge of town ran run past their family estate, and that she used that trail to go to and from town from time to time. It was slower than walking on the roads, but very beautiful. Since she had time to spare, Bria picked up a sandwich and a lemonade at the convenience mart, and headed up the trail. Nature always called to her, and she fancied the time alone to commune with the forest.

    She enjoyed the walk. The trail was relatively easy to walk, the slopes gentle, and the path free of rocks and roots. She ran her hands along trees that she passed, letting her magic dip into them, and feel the life inside of them. She sang to herself as she walked, oblivious to anything but herself, and the magic of the forest. She didn’t see the shadow in the bushes behind her, or understand their meaning.

    A black wolf trailed her steps from just off the path. If Bria had been paying attention, she would have heard the whisper that passed through the forest behind her. She would have seen the pair of golden eyes watching her, intently, from the bushes. She would have realized that she wasn’t alone, and that she was being watched with a predatory gaze.

    She came to a clearing, where the forest became a tall, grassy hill, overlooking a small, beautiful lake. She nestled under an oak tree, and took out her lunch. Then, she reached into her satchel, and took out the grimore. She opened it to the first page, expecting to see the name of the witch to whom it had belonged, but instead, in the same beautiful hand she had seen earlier, in deep blue ink, her own name was written. “Bria Charlotte Cabot”. As Bria stared, unbelieving, an illustration started to take shape above her name, in the same blue ink.

    It was the sketch of a woman, a strong, and powerful woman, wearing only a crown on her head. Her breasts were bare and proud, and she gazed skyward, towards a crescent moon, that looked exactly like the moon emblazoned on her left palm. At her side, was a wolf, large and howling. Bria gasped, that was the wolf from her dream, and this woman, this beautiful and confident woman, had her own face. The same small nose, the same strong cheekbones. Even the hair that flowed about her shoulders, and down her back, was Bria’s hair.

    Was this supposed to be her? Quiet, timid, Bria? Naked and proud and strong? Wearing a crown? There must be some mistake, this must be some kind of joke. Maybe someone had enchanted the book and left it for her to find? No, how would anyone have known about her dream, about the wolf? Maybe the grimore was showing her what she might be, one day. One day when she was a grown woman, a more accomplished witch. She didn’t feel any closer to being grown. Her eighteenth birthday was soon, but still… “It’s tomorrow.” Bria said aloud, slamming the book shut, unable to look at the beautiful witch…herself…any longer. “s**t, it’s tomorrow already!”

    “What’s tomorrow?” a voice asked. It was a deep, alluring voice, masculine and smooth. Bria felt a gaze fall over herself then, and wondered how long someone had been watching her.

    “What are you doing, spying on girls in the woods?” She accused, rising and turning to face the person who had invaded her privacy.

    “What are you doing, on my family’s land?” retorted Marcus. He was leaning against a tree, eating a peach, and staring at her, boldly.

    “Oh, its you.” Bria exhaled, suddenly feeling a flush creep across her face. The lake she was looking at must be where Reggie’s lakehouse was located. She had no idea it was so close to her new home.

    “You know me?” he asked, flashing her a cocky grin. “Am I that popular around here, already?”

    “You’re Reggie’s nephew. I’m Bria, I work at Leaves.” she explained, “I’m the weekend help.”

    “So, what are you doing here, Bria who works at Leaves?” He asked. Marcus unnerved her, she didn’t know if it was his arrogant confidence, or his devilish good looks.

    “I’m walking home.”

    “You looked like you were sitting and reading, to me.” Marcus laughed, “But that’s alright, I come out into the woods often to sit and collect my thoughts. Solitude is meditative, and the forest…well, the forest understands me.”

    “Well, I am on my way home, so if you’ll excuse me…” Bria picked up the grimoire and pushed it hastily into her satchel, which she slung over her shoulder. She turned, and went to head back onto the trail.

    “May I join you?” Marcus was at her side in an instant, and she felt so small, all at once. He was tall, and muscular, and towered over her diminutive height. Could she even say no to a man like Marcus? Would she want to?

    “If you wish. I’m sure you have better things to do than to escort a stranger through the woods.” Bria swallowed. What an awkward thing to say. What was his interest in her? Is this how they would pass the time it took to walk to the estate?

    Marcus shrugged. “I probably have better things to do, but nothing so interesting. Besides, you never answered my question.” He finished his peach, and tossed the pit into the forest, off the trail.

    “What question?”

    “What’s tomorrow?” He repeated. “It’s a mystery that I’m dying to have solved.”

    “Oh, that.” She blushed. “It’s nothing. Just my birthday.”

    “That is not nothing!” Marcus told her, his eyes widening, “Birthdays are always important. Every year is a milestone.”

    “Maybe, I haven’t made a big fuss over them in a while. Not since…Never mind. Just, in a while.” Bria thought of her grandmother, baking her a lemon cake with buttercream frosting every year. It was always just the two of them, but when they lit a paper lantern, and watched it sail across the pond…well, it was special. “At the Group Home, we always got cupcakes or something. But its not like celebrating with family.” She didn’t know why she was telling him this, what he must think of her!

    “Group Home? That’s not where you’re going now?” Damn. He had to continue with that subject.

    “No, I recently got a family, actually. My foster moms took me in, because they knew I was aging out of the system…they wanted me to have a real home. A shot at a future.” Bria told him, “I’ve only been there a week, and its really nice. It’s good to belong.”

    A sadness flashed across Marcus’ eyes then, and he smiled wanly at her. “Yeah, belonging. That’s all we ever want. That’s what all of us are looking for.”

    Bria wondered what Marcus meant by that. He seemed so put together, so capable. Maybe it had something to do with the tough upbringing Reggie had mentioned to her, his strict father. Maybe he came to the area to look for himself. “So, what are you doing here?” She asked, trying to come across casually.

    “I’m walking a pretty girl home, and having the first decent conversation I’ve had for a while.” Marcus laughed, sadness gone as quickly as it had come.

    “No, I mean, why did you move here?” Bria elbowed him playfully, shocking herself with the familiarity she already felt towards this strange man.

    “Change of scenery? It’s beautiful here.” Marcus gestured around, meaningfully.

    “I can’t disagree. But, nothing else? A job? A…special someone?” Bria couldn’t believe she was asking him that. Would he think she was flirting? Was she flirting?

    “I’m on a…sabbatical from my job. And no, I haven’t met a…special someone…yet.” Marcus sighed, and ran his hand through his hair. “If you would believe it, a dream lead me here.”

    “A dream?” Bria asked, curious.

    “Well, how old are you tomorrow, anyway, birthday girl?” Marcus changed the subject, obviously not wanting to elaborate.

    “Eighteen.” Bria told him. She could hardly believe it, herself.

    “Wow. That’s a big one.” Marcus nodded. “I remember eighteen…”

    “How long ago was that?” Bria asked. Reggie had said he wasn’t much older than she was.

    “Oh, about a year and a half ago.” He mused, “As you can see, I’m very grown up, now.”

    “I didn’t know you before to compare.” Bria reminded him.

    “Well, you can take my word for it.” Marcus winked at her. Suddenly, they rounded a bend, and there was the house. The trail went right past the edge of the grassy field behind the house. The colorful home looked small from here. Over the stone wall she knew to be the property line, was home.

    “This is my stop.” She told him, smiling. “Thank you for the company. It was nice.”

    Marcus bowed slightly and smiled, “It was my pleasure, Bria.” He took her hand in his, and kissed it lightly.

    Bria felt herself blush, and looked away. How did one man make her feel this awkward? She was so inexperienced. She turned to run off, when he caught her hand in his, and she noticed that he was looking at her palm. The palm of her left hand. He pressed his fingers to the silver moon, and her heart leapt.

    “It’s you…” he breathed, so softly that Bria barely heard it. She turned, and leaped over the stone wall, calling the Spirit of the Air to guide her swiftly across the field. She didn’t know why she was running, why she was so startled by his discovery. Seeing the mark on her palm, was like seeing her naked. “Wait, Bria!” she heard Marcus call after her.

    She knew that he couldn’t cross over the property line, not with the protection spell on it. She couldn’t deal with him quite yet. She wasn’t sure if she could trust the powerful urge she felt when he pressed the mark on her palm, the urge to touch him, to kiss him, to discover every inch of him. Her feelings spilled over as she ran through the field, towards the house, and she could feel Marcus’ eyes on her the whole way. When she reached the back porch, she stopped to catch her breath. She collected herself, and gathered the courage to look back, towards him. When she looked back, she gasped. Marcus was no longer there, but the whole field was now filled with flowering lupine.