Wolves are coming"So bad, right? I asked you to let me write your profile for you. I could... how did I put it? "Soften the edges a little."I like sharp edges. There's nothing soft about me, Sam. Stop trying to humanize me." She knocked over the whiskey and put the glass back on the bar with a thud."Do you know what we need? Dating app for supernatural beings!" I refilled her glass. Alcohol didn't work on her the way it did on most. She drank it like water. "You won't have to waste your time on people who don't suit you.""It's all my fault. Meg mentioned that without her sisters, who currently live on the other side of the world, she is too lonely. I suggested a dating app and we spent the entire evening creating her profile, adding pictures and swapping positions while Dave gave us cocktails.""We've been through this before. It was a dumpster fire." Meg ate another handful of nuts."Why? For me, this is the perfect solution.""You are so young and innocent. I have no idea why I
In which Sam is forced to wonder who her allies areI talked to most of the bar and bookstore patrons, but eventually I did find the one with Ole's number. Ole, the unblinking-eyed type, was an owl shapeshifter and special collections archivist at the San Francisco Public Library. I asked about his work when he first started coming to the bar to drink and stare. As a folklore librarian, he had access to very specialized databases that I would need to study.When Dave arrived, I asked him to watch the bar because I was about to leave. “No, you won't go,” Dave leaned against the counter, arms crossed over his chest, radiating annoyance.“Almost sure I will. Hold the line,” I said as I walked past him at the counter."Stop." He extended his hand, blocking the way. I did, but mostly out of courtesy. I could dive under his arm. He flashed his eyes. I glared back fiercely. “What the hell, Sam? How many times does someone have to try to kill you before you stop making it easy for them?"At h
Never piss off a bansheeI pressed the "Print" button and heard the sheets slide out of the printer, which was standing somewhere behind me. Ole got down from the stool, got some sheets for me, and returned to his perch.I borrowed Ole's pen and started translating whatever words I could make out. Once I did that, I used context clues to translate the words I was sure of. Thirty minutes later, with a huge headache, I pieced together a story written two hundred and forty years ago, even though the events in that story seemed to have taken place long before the story was written.The story was about a witch who was worried about her newborn. Children disappeared in the village, and she was afraid for her daughter. A protective enchantment was set up to seal her tiny house in the woods.Waking up one morning, the mother found that the crib was empty and the charms had been destroyed. She looked everywhere for her child, but she never foun
He gave me another soft, quick kiss"Yes, they would have done a rape test. We'd have proof of who attacked you." Clive clenched his jaw in anger, but then he managed and pulled himself together."You've had enough problems. When Helena told me that you talked about wanting to live on your own, move out of her apartment and start your own business, I wanted to help. I got the impression that you trust Marcus. Whatever it was, he was a member of the family. If I told you that it was from him, I was quite sure that you would agree.""I nodded. " I think I surprised both of us when I leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. He tilted his head, a wary interest in his eyes. I don't know what got into me. Perhaps the understanding that life is short, that Marcus is dead, and that Clive, no matter how hard he tried to hide it, was a hero, not a villain. Maybe mostly it was because I was tired of living in isolation. Whatever the reason, I changed my mind at the last minute and kissed him on the
In which Clive scares ShakespeareEvery time I turn my back, you are in troubleI kicked with all my might, pushing towards the surface.Gasping for air, I tried not to suffocate, and the waves kept rolling over me. I felt a bite on my hand and heard a loud crack. What, were they shooting at me? Diving down, I tried not to stick my head out, while doing my best not to drown. Blood gushed from the wound. Perfect. Sharks were not unheard of in this part of California.I needed air. If I float, they will shoot me. If I stay here, I'll drown or be eaten. Great. Great options. I was so glad that I decided to leave my sweet, warm, safe home to die saving a dead body. Everything must be well thought out.The chest was on fire. I needed air, but my body was tossing around like a rag doll. I heard a click and the water splashed a few inches from my head. I dived as fast as I could, trying to avoid the trajectory of the bullet.A huge figure was walking towards me. And it was the body of a woma
He claimed that I belonged to him“Miss Quinn, good to see you again. Although I regret this reason.” His gaze flickered over the dead woman, and then returned to me again. Is there a better place to work here?For a second I thought. "There is a sofa in the bookstore. Will it fit?""Yes, I think it will lift you higher." He smiled kindly. At least that's how it seemed to me. I hardly saw his face behind the beard. However, the skin around his eyes was wrinkled."Can we lose the wetsuit?"I tried to get up but slipped, my legs were too weak to stand. Clive was there, holding out his hand, but I pushed it away. I could fucking take care of myself. I didn't need his protection or his hand. I stifled a sob as I pulled my good leg under me and stood up. My wounds revived before a wave of pleasant pain relief washed through me again.I tried to unzip my wetsuit, but my hands were trembling. I was wearing only cycling sho
Mom's friend"Hey!" He carried me to the bathroom and set me on the floor, holding me until my legs began to work properly.“Remind me who was wandering around the city alone in the dead of night after numerous attempts on her life? Who jumped into the ocean for a dead body?" He tapped his chin in mock thought. "Let me think." He waited while I stood motionless in the bathroom with the door open."Now what? Can you help me undress?" I snorted and closed the door. Knowing I needed help but not wanting to ask for it, I kicked off the covers and tried to figure out how to get out of my shorts and sports bra without bleeding out. I knew that Clive and the drugs would take away most of the pain, but I still suffered from sudden painful spasms when I moved in the wrong direction.I was finally able to remove my shorts and panties without hurting the wounds and let them fall to the floor. A sports bra is a completely different story. I repeatedly and unsuccessfully tried to remove it, sweat
They stole my memory"Sam? Are you awake?" Squinting one eye, I tried to focus on Owen's worried face. Why did it hurt so much? "Thanks that..." Saved me. Knives pierced his throat with every whispered word.“Shit, Sam." The couch shook as Owen fell to his knees next to me. “Healing magic is none of my business. I tried, but I doubt I did well.” He rested his forehead on my shoulder. "I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life. Even when Jenny Lim tried to kiss me in first grade,” he said with a shudder."Underfoot?""I called. It took a while to trace his number and then he didn't answer, but I left a message. I also called my sister. Healing magic is her gift.""Clive?" If anyone could quickly bring Underfoot here, it would be Clive."Ah, no. I didn't bother him. I mean, the sun is still…” His voice trailed off at the last word. “And, well, he’s a little intimidating." I started nodding, but my neck and head were screaming in pain, so I tried to lie as still as possible."Cli
The both of us ventured to Coco's quaint and welcoming shop, a place filled with the comforting aroma of incense and the soft tinkling of wind chimes. It was a sanctuary of serenity amid the chaos of our enigmatic quest, a place where we could share our deepest concerns and seek solace in each other's presence. Coco greeted us with a warm smile as we entered her shop, sensing the gravity of our visit. We settled into the cozy nook by the window, surrounded by shelves adorned with mystical trinkets and ancient books. With a blend of unease, I began to recount the unsettling visions that had plagued me – the spectral girl, the waterlogged bodies, and the nightmarish river. Coco listened attentively, her eyes filled with empathy and understanding, as if she could feel the weight of my experiences.
Amidst the disorienting maelstrom of her vision, as Sam was inexorably drawn closer to the enigmatic river's depths, she glimpsed a figure emerging from the shadows. It was the same ethereal girl, the one she had encountered before in her unsettling dreams and visions. Her presence was as eerie as ever, a haunting specter in the nightmarish tableau. The girl's features remained elusive, obscured by an otherworldly aura, and her eyes held a depth of knowledge that seemed to transcend time and reality. She watched Sam with an inscrutable expression, her presence both disconcerting and strangely familiar. As Sam's journey down the dark river continued, more macabre elements of her vision began to manifest. The waterlogged bodies that had previously appeared in the waters of her bookstore bar now floated eerily around her, their lifeless forms suspend
Further into workout time at the bookstore bar, I stood behind the counter, gazing out of the window as the last traces of daylight faded into the evening. The tranquil atmosphere of my shop was shattered once again when I heard a scream. I rushed to the window, my heart pounding, and my worst fears were confirmed. There, in the dim twilight, I saw the silhouette of a lifeless body floating in the water. Dread washed over me as I realized that Randy wasn’t the one behind the rape and killings. He must have been sent if bodies keep appearing Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized that whoever was after me wouldn’t quit torturing innocent women. Anguish and rage coursed through me, but amidst the turmoil of emotions, I knew one thing for certain – I had to find the person responsible for this sinister chain of events. My mind raced as I tried to connect the dots, searching for any clues or patterns that would lead me to the elusive enemy. I retraced the moments leadin
As I waited anxiously on the couch, I knew I didn’t have to worry about forgetting anything. Clive always had everything meticulously prepared for me, down to my underwear. The thought of his thoughtfulness brought a small smile to my face, even in the midst of my fear. When I heard a knock on the door, my heart leaped into my throat. The uncertainty of whether it was Gulther or Clive sent shivers down my spine. I hesitated, frozen in fear, until my phone buzzed with a text from Clive. Relief washed over me as I read his message, confirming his presence at my door. I rushed to the door and swung it open, my heart pounding. Seeing Clive’s familiar face filled me with a mix of emotions—relief, gratitude, and a deep sense of trust. I hugged him tightly, feeling safe in his embrac
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across Clive’s face as he lay beside me. I watched him sleep for a moment, his chest rising and falling with each peaceful breath. The world outside felt distant and unimportant in this fleeting moment of tranquility. My fingers traced the contours of his face, memorizing every detail—the strong jawline, the delicate curve of his lips, and those piercing, crimson eyes that had captured my heart. I marveled at the way love had brought together two beings from opposite sides of the supernatural divide. As I leaned in and gently kissed his forehead, Clive stirred, his eyes fluttering open to meet mine. A soft smile graced his lips, and he pulled me closer, our bodies entwined in the warmth of the sheets. In that embrace, we forgot about the complexities of our respective worlds—his as a vampire and mine as a werewolf. All that mattered was us, here and now. But, as it often happens, the peace was abr
"Sam, I can't even begin to imagine what you've been going through," Clive said softly, his words filled with empathy. "But I want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what." His unwavering support was a source of comfort, and I found myself opening up to him about my fears, my doubts, and the unsettling suggestion of black magic that Coco had introduced. Clive listened intently, his presence on the other end of the line a lifeline in a sea of uncertainty. After discussing the nightmarish vision and Coco's insights, Clive made a suggestion that surprised me. "Why don't I come over, Sam?" he proposed. "It might be easier to talk in person, and we can explore this black magic idea together." I agreed to his suggestion, feeling a mixture of relief and anticipation. Hav
In the nightmarish vision that held me captive, the boundaries of reality and unreality blurred further, leaving me ensnared in a grotesque and surreal landscape. The relentless figures, their forms twisted and nightmarish, closed in around me like vengeful spirits hungry for my torment. Every attempt to move, to escape the paralysis that bound me, proved futile. The weight on my chest was an invisible vice, crushing the breath from my lungs, and my limbs remained immobilized, as if shackled by unseen chains. Panic coursed through me, and I could feel the cold sweat on my brow as I struggled to regain control over my body. The whispers grew louder and more insistent, their words now forming a sinister narrative that echoed through the twisted void. They spoke of ancient curses and malevolent entities, painting a chilling picture of the supernatural forces that held sway over this nightmarish realm. The erratic flickering of the neon lights above cast eerie, dancing shad
Coco's story had cast a shadow over our conversation, leaving a lingering sense of unease in its wake. Her eyes held a mix of compassion and concern as she leaned closer, her voice lowered to a hushed tone. "Sam," she began gently, "I know it might sound unconventional, but considering what you've been through, have you ever thought about exploring the possibility of using black magic to find answers or to protect yourself?" Her suggestion hung in the air, a palpable shift in the conversation's tone. I hesitated, my thoughts a tumultuous whirlwind of doubt and uncertainty. The idea of delving into the arcane and the unknown was both alluring and terrifying. Coco, ever the persuasive friend, began to share stories of individuals who had turned to such practices as a last resort, finding
In the days that followed the unsettling events and revelations, my life settled into a somber rhythm, marked by a cautious return to a semblance of normalcy. Before I resumed working at my bar, there was a period of introspection and support from my friends. Each morning, as the sun cast its gentle rays upon my apartment, I would awaken to the gentle sounds of the city outside my window. The memories of my recent ordeal still haunted my dreams, leaving me with restless nights and moments of reflection in the quiet hours before dawn. My days were often spent in solitude, grappling with the myriad emotions and unanswered questions that swirled within me. The city outside buzzed with its usual activity, yet I felt detached from the bustling world beyond my doorstep. The weight of the pendant's mystery and the looming threat of unseen adversaries cast a shadow over my every thought. Throughout this period, Clive, Dave, and Dr. Underfoot remained unwavering pillars of supp