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27: Disasters
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Sean
It takes the valley four days to stop burning, and by that time, nothing there is left alive.
“Sweet Arianrhod,” I whisper, following Jack as we sort through the rubble of the cottage for anything salvageable or that Darby may want or need, but there’s nothing. The few pieces of intact stoneware we unearth from the kitchen pulverize to powder as soon as we try to move them. The stone knives splinter to razor shards. The supernatural fire was so hot even the glass is fused into brittle, glistening drips and puddles, the mortar between the cottage’s stones baked into choking dust.
A few charred tree trunks twist skyward in pained supplication like the shriveled, blackened hands of the damned, all that remains of the once achingly beautiful orchard. Of the younger, smaller trees, only piles
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Sean I don’t know how many times Ian addressed us before he finally physically pries Sandy and I apart. “Get. Your own. Room,” he says firmly, and I feel like a teenager making out with his girlfriend busted by a parent. “Seriously, Sean. Take her back to your rooms in the packhouse. Now.”Sandy drops to her feet gracefully as the wind. Grinning shyly with those wide, blue, adoring eyes, she bites her plump bottom lip in invitation and I almost ravage her right there in spite of Ian looming over us. Grabbing her hand, I pull her out the door with me, past a grinning Lili bouncing Thomas on a knee, and a taciturn Anna who waves knowingly as we hurry down the hall.“Dammit. I should buy a car.” I curse myself, Sandy trotting with quick steps to each of my long ones in my wake.
Where Wild Things Roam 29: Wronged
Darby “You have wings? Not just the airy sylphid form, you can fly?” Incredulous, Sandy gapes at me.Nodding, I pass Thomas back to Lili so she can change his diaper before swaddling him snugly again, then tucking him into the sling across her chest he likes to sleep in. “Yes. I gather you don’t.”“No. Must not be my element.”That comment attracts more than just my attention. Though her hands continue her work, Lili’s eyes are focused on Sandy.“What is your element then, soulshine?”There’s a hint of the siren voice in Lili’s question and I watch Sandy carefully for her responsiveness, but I needn’t have. Like nearly everyone else, she responds immediately, though
Where Wild Things Roam 30: Baby
Anna “Are you alright?”It’s the first thing Sandy asks as she, Darby and Ian catch up to us after what seems like an eternity has passed, at least as far as pain is concerned. Of course I’m not alright, I’m having a baby and my guts are being pulled and pushed and squeezed in ways that aren’t remotely comfortable or fun, but I recognize she’s never had a baby before either and I wouldn’t ever say such a thing to anyone, least of all someone trying to see to my comfort and care.“We need to keep moving,” Jack answers, but at that point, even around the pain, I’ve figured it out too.“Something isn’t right. There should be longer between the contractions.” I bend at the waist as another spasm of pain tears thro
Where Wild Things Roam 31: Battlegrounds
Ian “With Leo in our custody and no leads from Mattie, we’re back to square one.” Across from me in the packhouse dining room, Sean pecks away at his laptop in frustration.“Don’t worry, Sean.” Bleary-eyed, Jack makes his way to the coffee and a moment later, plops down in the chair beside Sean. “If you two losers are doing my job, all hell will break loose soon enough. Thank the goddess David’s handling the actual legwork.”I take a sip from my own cup, glaring at Jack over it. “Look who’s bright and chipper and starting shit first this morning. I’m going to have Darby lullaby your kids to sleep all day so they’re up all night.”Jack snorts. “As if she’d have to. They’re sympathy criers. Eve
Where Wild Things Roam 32: Strategos
Ian “These are fantastic, Sean.” Jack’s quick eyes scan the 3D topographical map on the projection screen across the conference room as I turn it slowly at the computer, absent-mindedly stroking against the grain of the scruff on my jaw.“They did turn out nice. I’m pleased with how well the mapping equipment adapted from drones to battery powered, airtight containers.”I feel Sean’s gaze fall on me, but whether he’s looking for more approval or just trying to gauge where the meeting’s going, I don’t know. What I do know is he won’t interrupt my contemplations for either. While he doesn’t think like I do, Sean has an alpha’s mind and understands both short and long-term strategies take time to develop.Unfortunately
Where Wild Things Roam 33: Futures
Darby “Girl, ya wan’ know wha’ dat baby is? Well, let’s find out.” Vermillion drains her glass, reaching behind her to set it on the sofa table.It’s some beverage she calls a Hurricane but all I know is it’s exceptionally sweet and heavy on rum. Opening the small clutch purse that doubles as a wallet and a cellphone case, Vermillion removes a deck of cards. “Now, I may not be de hoodoo queen o’ New Orleans,” in her Louisiana drawl, the name comes out as ‘Na’Arlans’, “but I tell ya, girls, I ain’ never been wrong ‘bout babies.”Leaning forward so she can reach the coffee table in front of Kasey, Vermillion shuffles the cards. She waits as Anna and Lili draw an oversized ottoman up so they can see. Kallie crowds close
Where Wild Things Roam 34: Complications
Leo Fucking Christ. Am I dead?I haven’t even opened my eyes yet and I feel like all the worst parts of having the holy hell beat out of you and getting a concussion by slamming your head into the steering wheel in a head-on collision got hitched and moved into my body. I groan weakly, and even the sound feels like it’s splitting my head open.I can’t be dead. This hurts too much.What the hell did she do to me?Laying there another long moment, I force my brain to remember the last several hours. When nothing is forthcoming, I open my eyes, looking about with another groan.Bright light rings the edges of the black-out window coverings like a full solar eclipse and my head throbs mercilessly. Great, now I’m stuck here
Where Wild Things Roam 35: Aftermath
Sean “Lemme get dis straight.” Big Easy leans back in his chair, burly arms crossed over his broad chest. In daylight, the skull type tattooed mask around his eyes is even more pronounced and adds significantly to the impression of wariness. “All ya’ll someting extra. Ever’ single one o’ ya in de Candlewood leadership.”Jack raises his hand. “I’m normal.”A hard snort and hearty laughter explodes from Big Easy’s mate where she’s perched on the arm of his chair and from Tarot in the seat next to him. “Jack,” Vermillion drawls, “much as we love ya, ain’ nobody accuse ya o’ bein’ normal, even if ya didn’t shift in half de time other wolves do.”Facing me, Jack mutters, “Why does everybody always say that?”“Is there really an issue for you, Big Easy?” Leo bites defensively. “Your mate and your sister wield the tarot cards like the Fates. Tarot there,” his eyes light on her and soften, skimming her from head to foot where she lounges comfortably with a sly smirk curling her lips, “she
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Where Wild Things Roam 54: Postlude
IanStanding at the bare office window in the temporary building housing me, Sean and our assistants, I stare unblinking even against the brightness, noting the construction crews’ progress clearing and rebuilding the Candlewood shops along the destroyed plaza. With the framing complete for the shops in the small notch where Suzanne’s boutique once stood, the contractors have started installing the building’s major systems, including plumbing pipes, electrical wiring and heating and cooling ducts. I cross my arms over my chest, pleased overall.Further around the plaza, crews are working on a new façade— the forties style diner storefront Darla and Joe have always wanted—and the Main street government offices like mine and Seans and Jack’s Security building will be restored to look as they did before. On the opposite side of the plaza, I see Charlie, dresse
Where Wild Things Roam 53: Afterward
JackLili? Anna?We’re good here, lover. Anna took care of the vamps—did you know she can see when they port in?—and ten, maybe fifteen minutes ago, the zombies all evaporated in this reddish mist. The packhouse is brimming with people though. Townsend’s working his way around with first aid. What happened? Is it over?I think you could say that. Stooping, I pull a dazed and wobbly Leo to his feet. I’ll give you the details when we get home. “Fucking Christ!” Leo wipes a hand over his face, rubbing his eyes, and surveys the destruction of the plaza. “What the hell happened? We get hit with an intercontinental ballistic missile?”“Kinda.” Turning him towards the shallow depression where Darby still clings to Ian, Tessa sittin
Where Wild Things Roam 52: Shifting Tides
CarsonWhen you’ve planned something out to the tiniest of details—using a fold, one the weres mistakenly failed to close, to march a massive contingent of hungry ferocious vampires into the snowy sleeping midst of your rival’s territory and cursing their own raised dead to send battling against them, then drink the blood of a god, becoming one yourself so you can take captive your rival’s reigning queen—to suddenly find yourself spectacularly upstaged after all that damn work, well, it grates on you.A lot.It was irritating enough when the Candlewood alpha made his grand entrance to my plaza mayhem by fucking dropping out of goddamned nowhere, pulverizing an entire building to absolute rubble, complete with rolling thunder and a superhero pose. But when he stands up buck naked, flaming like Lugh of the Long Arms himself, and strikes d
Where Wild Things Roam 51: Rising Waters
Carson“Oh-ho-ho, yeah!” I chuckle-growl wickedly, stretching and looking from one hand to the other. Not that I needed to see it. I can definitely feel the power of a fae god pulsing inside me. There’ll be no wiping this smile off my face, that’s for sure. “Well, on to bigger things.”Reaching inside my leather duster, I draw out one of the iron cuff bracelets I’d used before on my lovely little princess. Nudging her father’s limp form with a toe, I roll him over and stooping, slip the iron cuff over his wrist, loving the sound of his weak groan. “You just wait right here, Dad, while I take care of your daughter.”I glance around the wrecked plaza as I make my way to the front steps of the hotel. The entire host—undead and were—have stopped what they’re doing and stare wide-eyed at me. Ex
Where Wild Things Roam 50: Invaders
CarsonI’d have preferred launching a rapid assault into Candlewood to capture my lovely fae Luna while she was still in her grove. But if she and these filthy weres are going to make it difficult, then I can certainly adjust.I’m flexible and obliging that way.In fact, it might even be better. Because if I’ve got to march a vampire contingent through that boring little dump town to get her, I’m letting them loose to wreak havoc and tear it apart at the seams. Wipe those hairy were bastards off the face of the planet like that stupid slacker Cordelion was supposed to.Since it’s a land attack, I don’t have to contend with whatever that scary as hell sea monster thing was and Madame Soublet’s doing an admirable job keeping my snowy-haired necromancer kitten and her vampire-devouring smoke phantasm busy here in New Orleans.True, I’ve no real counters for the bird woman, or the nifty fiery fox the weres brought to Cordelion’s reservoir slaughter. Absent intelligence otherwise, I have to
Where Wild Things Roam 49: Deadly Tic-Tac-Toe
JackAn anxious looking Dr. Myers is waiting outside Darby’s door when Sean and I arrive.“Good morning, Dr. Myers.”“Good morning, triumvirs.” She glances, nodding, to each of us in turn. “I assume you’re here to talk to the Luna as you’d previously mentioned.”“If we can.” There’s a faint hint of concern in Sean’s voice. “Is there something wrong?”“Not really, no.” Dr. Myers inhales deeply, then continues slowly. “The hospital’s staff psychologist has been in this morning already. It’s only been a few days and based on the Luna’s responses this morning, I don’t think we’re at therapeutic dose on the antidepressant yet. If you’re going to talk to her, I would ask that you do so gent
Where Wild Things Roam 48: Second Chances
JackSo when’d you figure out you’re fae too, Tess? I blur along with her, about two seconds behind Leo with Darby, and with Sandy and Sean somewhere behind, undoubtedly arguing about why she went and did what she wanted after he told her not to. I’m sure I’ll get an earful for encouraging her later.What else can I do? Not like I could have stopped her.When you shouted that our Luna was walking out over the water. I thought to shift and break the window to escape the closed office. The thought was what broke the glass. And this—this—travel? You thought and it happened too?No. I could see how the lady triumvir did it when she carried you to the reservoir. So I followed. Fae are somewhat strange, are they not, triumvir? Wolves are much simpler.
Where Wild Things Roam 47: Desperate Measures
CarsonIf I thought it sucked clawing and dragging my blackened flesh out of the scraping clinging earth, I was sorely mistaken.Compared to the blinding screaming pain of crumpling every severely damaged nerve against every inch of edgy crisped flesh into the smallest iota of space, then twisting and squeezing it through a port, crawling over frozen coarse loam and grit to lay in the snow was child’s play.When I come to, I have no clue how long I’ve been draped like a wet towel over the back of a Queen Anne wingback chair in the downstairs parlor. Just that the scratchy cotton-polyester upholstery I spent a small fortune for during the renovations here feels like I’m lying on ground glass.Ahhh, home.The scent of garden violas drifts on the mercifully warm moist air and from somewhere in the distance, the
Where Wild Things Roam 46: The Call
Anna Jack’s arm tightens around me reflexively as I try to leave the bed. “Roll over, lover,” I whisper, pushing against him, and obliging even in his sleep, he does as he’s asked. His hand unconsciously seeks Lili as my replacement and he pulls her against him on the other side, allowing me to slip out. I kiss his temple, then hers.It doesn’t make any sense. I pad quietly to the French door that leads to the courtyard, ruminating. Then again, neither does what I’m about to do. I don’t know why, but it’s all I can think of since Ian’s funeral. Now that all the strangers have departed for their home territories, there’s time for me to pursue it.The bitter cold raises fierce gooseflesh over my entire body as I soon as I step outside and I shiver. Fighting th
