12
The "conversation" that ensued took place on a white board in Anna's kitchen, as Derek was insistent that his bite be kept a secret.
Stiles-Well the curse has gone viral. Now what?
Derek-Keeping our mouths shut is the most important thing we can do.
Stiles-Why can't we tell Scott and Jackson? They need to know this!
Derek (shaking his head)-It will only get them upset. If we can figure this out soon then they'll never have to know.
Stiles (erasing to make more room)- Soon? We were on borrowed time BEFORE you were bitten! It's not fair to them. You can't do this. Wouldn't you want to know?
Derek-What, that I might die? No! Look, I'm the alpha. I do everything for a reason. You are both going to have to just trust me.
Stiles-Anna? You want to chime in?
Anna-Not really.
Stiles-Anna…
Anna-Pass?
Stiles threw his hands up in frustration. "Really?" he mouthed.
Anna grabbed the eraser and deleted their conversation. She looked between Stiles and Derek. "Alright then. Back to the old grind Stiles," she said in mock cheerfulness. "I say you and I go on another trip and then go see how Slider and Danny are doing. Derek, will Lena be sufficient in guarding the pack?"
Derek thought back to Lena's eyes and the shocking revelation of her alpha status. No one else seemed to notice what took place outside. Slider was in too much pain, Danny was laid up and the pack had been inside. Anna mentioned seeing Lena change when she was younger but Derek wasn't sure that she knew what the crimson mark of an alpha was. Therefore, he decided to keep yet another tidbit of information to himself. Besides, he wanted to avoid another whiteboard discussion anyway. "She's more than capable, yes."
"Good," said Anna. "Stiles, you drive."
"Where are we going?" he asked, arms folded, refusing to budge. His irritation was more than apparent.
"Library," said Anna.
Stiles frowned. "Why? We've got plenty of information online. This isn't the Stone Age, Wilma Flintstone."
"The Internet has proven to be about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. Besides, libraries are great. They're full of these strange artifacts called books. These books are made from big, tall things called trees. The books have paper pages that you turn and, on these pages, there's information," she said.
Stiles eyes widened in surprise and Derek bit back laughter. He looked at the alpha with disdain. "What's so funny?"
Derek chuckled. "Sorry. I just didn't realize that Anna had the same knack for lacing a comment with sarcasm as you do, Stiles."
Stiles stuck his tongue out at both of them before exiting the kitchen. "Yeah well she learned it from me," he called over his shoulder.
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Anna watched Stiles drive, his face a mix of disappointment and concern. She sighed. "Stiles please don't be upset with me."
He stared dully out of the windshield. "I'm just reeling from the new experience of you taking DEREK'S side over mine. Especially in this incredibly shitty situation."
She put her hand on his knee. "I understand. However, I think Derek may be right in keeping this from the boys."
Stiles looked incredulous. "You're kidding me, right? Scott is my best friend and he needs to know what's going on. His life is hanging in the balance. I can't even believe that I have to pretend that everything's fine just so Derek can get his way."
Anna looked at him sympathetically. "Stiles, Derek isn't doing this to get his way," she said quietly. "He's doing it to spare Scott and Jackson from any pain. Imagine if someone told you that you were going to die. Not only that but this impending death was going to be slow and excruciating. That would be just like torturing someone. Derek's taking the brunt of the worry on himself. Look, I know he's not your favorite person but from what I've observed, he is a good leader. Right now I prefer to step back and allow him to make the important and tough decisions that any leader has to make. Sometimes they aren't the most popular, but they could be the most effective."
Stiles looked over at her. "What happens if it backfires? What then?"
"It very well could backfire. I don't disagree with you. But I prefer to let things take their course in that regard," she said.
"If you were in Derek's shoes would you tell me?" he asked.
She looked down. "You know my husband Dave…he has…he HAD this habit of leaving his shoes out in a variety of different places and I would inevitably end up tripping over them. Well, after about three years of near death by shoe, I started to devise ways to get back at him. I'd hide the shoes or put funny laces on them or glue them together." She started to laugh. "He went through so many pairs of shoes it was ridiculous. One night we were getting ready to go to some fancy party at a house in Boston. Well don't you know, he leaves his dress shoes in the middle of the kitchen floor and I nearly knocked myself unconscious on the corner of the counter when I tripped over them."
Stiles smiled. "What'd you do to the shoes that time?"
She giggled. "I got out this bright fuchsia nail polish and painted hearts all over his brand new black shoes."
Stiles laughed. "And what did Dave do when he saw them?"
"That little stinker," she said. "Didn't miss a beat. He just put on his tux and proudly slipped on the black shoes with the hearts and strolled out of the house on his way to get the champagne."
Stiles chuckled. "That's too funny." Then he paused. "Wait, you said on his way to get the champagne?" He gulped. "That was the night he died."
She nodded. "You know in some ways I'm grateful that his death was so sudden. I'd hate to have him suffer with a terminal illness that drags on for months or even years. I just keep thinking of that one last moment I had with him. It was happy and funny and so totally Dave. In that moment I wasn't thinking that he'd die only minutes later. I was just in that place in time. No fear. No worry. They don't say 'ignorance is bliss' for nothing."
Stiles took her hand. "I think I'm seeing things a little more clearly now. You're right. Derek, God help me, is right too. We'll figure this out and Scott and Jackson can just go about their lives, free of any concern." He swallowed hard. "We'll take the worry for them."
She squeezed his hand and smiled. "You're a good friend, Stiles. To Scott and to me."
He exhaled. "Hopefully this all goes our way."
"Well let's not think about that right now," she said. "I need a break from the drama."
He went to turn onto Brooks Street, which led to the library. "Go straight," she said. "We're not going to the library."
Stiles raised an eyebrow. "Detective Mason, you LIED to Derek? Shame, shame."
"You think he could tell?" she asked, suddenly nervous.
"He can always tell. But I think he trusts you enough to know that if you lie it's for a good reason," he said.
"I hope so," she said.
He watched her for a moment. "I thought you looovveedd the library and all those wonderful books," he teased. "Unless you're pissed about me calling you Wilma Flintstone, because as cartoon characters go she was pretty smokin'."
Anna laughed. "You and your redheads Stiles."
He shrugged. "Hey some like it hot. What can I say? But I am glad we're not going to the library. I don't like it there. I have to be quiet, which, for me, is much harder than for the average person. Plus sifting through books doesn't seem like the best way to be using our time right now."
"Agreed," said Anna, directing him to take a right towards the historic part of town.
"So," he said, looking expectantly. "Where are we going?"
She sighed. "It's a bit of a long shot, actually. You'll probably just laugh."
"Anna I only laugh at you when you try to eat with chopsticks or…when I catch you eating raw cookie dough out of the freezer wearing only your underwear. Which, then I wasn't so much laughing but panting."
She shook her head and cracked up. "In my defense, I was wearing a t-shirt, it was one in the morning and I thought you'd left."
"I fell asleep on the couch." He sighed dramatically. "Ah, what a night that was, Anna. What a night. I wake up for some water and standing before me in the silvery light of the moon is a ravishing beauty in black panties with little pink polka dots and,"
"How do you even remember what kind of…?"
"Just trust me on this Anna, okay?" He giggled mischievously. "I'd return the favor, but I don't like cookie dough. Could I interest you in a nice mint chocolate chip ice cream perhaps? Or a Klondike bar? I've also got a variety of boxer briefs to choose from. Spiderman, The Hulk and, of course…Iron Man," he offered, winking.
"Stiles!" she scolded, laughing hysterically. "My goodness, I think you sometimes forget you're only sixteen, my friend. Wow. Save that seduction technique for Lydia. Turn left Iron Man."
Stiles chuckled as he pulled the Rover on to Benefit Street, a beautiful, historic part of Beacon Hills. The street used to be the center of town many years before. Through hours of volunteer work and donations from the town's wealthier residents, Benefit Street was able to maintain the same charm it had in years past. In fact, the Benefit Street section of Beacon Hills had a bit of a following with local historians and tourists alike. It held the distinction of being one of the most well preserved historic sections in Trinity County, as well as in the entire state of California.
Anna led Stiles to the town's first cemetery, its earliest burials going back to the 1850's. Stiles noted headstones so old that one could hardly read the deceased's name. "This is so cool," said Anna. "Historic areas look so different out here than they do in Boston. This looks like a movie set. Pull into the cemetery gates."
Stiles stiffened in apprehension. "Why? Where are we going?" he asked.
"Just beyond the cemetery. In the old caretakers cabin," she said.
Stiles suddenly looked more than freaked. "But…it's abandoned back there."
Her eyebrows knitted together. "Geez, I hope not. This is the address I got."
"Please tell me we're not going where I think we are. Please?"
Anna looked confused. "Just to see a woman named Zarya Melnikov," she said.
Stiles sucked in air. "No, absolutely not," he said, putting the car in reverse and beginning to turn around.
"Stiles what's wrong with you?" she asked. "I heard it through the grapevine that she's a very powerful psychic."
"She's a very powerful something but it's not a psychic," said Stiles. "She is freaking scary and dangerous and starred in ninety percent of my childhood nightmares. I can't believe that you almost just led us right to her."
Anna looked baffled. "Can you just please stop the car for a second? I didn't know you were so afraid of her."
Stiles begrudgingly placed his foot on the brake and looked at the small road leading up to the old caretakers cabin and shuddered. "It's not just me who's afraid, Anna. Since Zarya moved to Beacon Hills in the sixties, she's been the source of many nightmares for people in town, kids and adults alike. There are rumors that she's laid curses on people in town who she doesn't like. Odd things happen around here at night, too. Real scary shit like screams and moaning and all that. Everyone just knows to stay away from her. Even my dad won't come down here."
Anna watched him intently. "But you're especially messed about her. Why?"
He bit his thumbnail and looked down at his lap. "A little over three years ago, Scott and I came down here on our bikes. We thought we'd be these big badasses and go to the cabin, then brag about how brave we were around school. The whole time up here, we talked all big, like we were six feet tall and bulletproof." He nodded to the small road ahead. "But by the time we pulled the bikes onto the path, our resolve had already begun to disappear. We made it to the entrance of the garden before Scott started hanging back. But you know me. Mister Curious. But you know what they say about how curiosity killed the cat," he said in an almost whisper.
"Stiles," said Anna, squeezing his hand. "What happened?"
"Scott hid in the trees, begging me to leave. But I just…I just kept walking towards the cabin, like I wasn't even in my own body anymore. My feet kept moving forward, no matter what my head was telling them to do. Once I got to the front door, I remember standing there, thinking 'You've made it this far! Can't turn back now.' I felt this burst of courage and couldn't stop myself. Just as I was about to reach up and knock on the door, it opened and this horrible, bony hand shot through and grabbed my forearm. She had these awful long fingernails that dug into my arm. I tried to get free but she was so strong, not like a frail old lady should be. Scott started to scream to me near the trees. I just remember yelling at her to get off me. I called her an old witch and told her my father was going to come and arrest her if she hurt me." He shuddered. "She just smiled this creepy grin. Her teeth were cracked and brown and her eyes were cloudy. Her breath was so stale and hot."
"How did you get free?" Anna asked.
"Scott mustered up all of his courage and pried her hand from my arm. She just started cackling and then she pointed at Scott and me, not saying a word. She just laughed that awful raspy laugh. The two of us took off like bats out of hell and never went back. I've never even told anyone else that story before," he said. He reached down to his right forearm and rubbed it. "I swear I can still feel her fingernails digging into my skin."
"That sounds really scary Stiles. But don't you think Zarya was just trying to scare you because you were trespassing on her property? I mean I'm sure you and Scott weren't the first two kids in Beacon Hills to try something like that. She was probably just fed up," said Anna.
Stiles shook his head. "No. It gets worse. Not three weeks after the incident at the cabin, my mother was dead," he said, flatly. "And around the same time, Scott's dad had his bags packed and left town."
Anna looked stunned. "Stiles, you really think Zarya had something to do with your mother's death?"
"I KNOW she did. She cursed us. It's because of her that my father only leaves the house to go to work and he drinks himself to sleep every night. It's the reason why Scott's mom stays up crying. Scott and I made some stupid dare, and look what it's done to us? Look what it's done to our families?" He looked at her only briefly with red-rimmed eyes before he put the car in drive and cut the wheel. "You know at first, right after Scott was bitten, I was convinced that it was part of the Zarya curse. Instead it was that lunatic Peter. I don't know what's worse; Zarya or Peter Hale."
Anna watched him, astounded. "Stiles I had no idea. But listen if Zarya could, in fact, curse you and Scott, that means she could possibly have the power to curse Peter. If you'll just let me talk to her, I can,"
He simply shook his head, indicating that he didn't want to discuss the matter any further. She gulped, turning to face out the passenger side window. They rode once again towards the cemetery. Stiles could see headstones in the clearing and accelerated towards them, wanting nothing more than to be away from that horrible little cabin with the hag that wasted away inside. Just as his foot became heavy on the accelerator, a hunched form appeared in front of the Rover. Stiles pumped the brakes, landing just inches from the figure. He and Anna watched with wide eyes as the creature removed her babushka with gnarled claw like hands. Her cloudy eyes met Stiles and she sneered at him. She walked to the driver's side door. Stiles had a white knuckled grip on the steering wheel. "Why you be here again, boy?" she asked in a heavy Russian accent. "You don't learn lesson?"
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Derek eyed Jackson with concern, noting the boy was asleep for the third time that day. Jackson had complained a few hours earlier that he was feeling very tired, probably because of the late hours they'd been keeping. What made Derek nervous was that, although werewolves slept and had times when they felt tired, they never got sick. Derek just hoped that Jackson's lethargy wasn't, in fact, something more sinister.
Fortunately, Scott remained chipper, looking online for any information or talking with Allison on the phone. He'd also called the hospital and happily reported that Danny was doing just fine. Slider, on the other hand, sustained more serious injuries. He did, in fact lose part of his right earlobe and had moderate nerve damage in his hand. Derek was wholly grateful to the Hells Angel for attempting to save him and the pack from the curse. It was a selfless act that Derek would not soon forget.
He touched the fabric of his shirt that covered his bite wound, which was nearly healed. However, Derek knew its effects would still be felt, so matter what. He went closer to Jackson and listened to the young mans heartbeat. It was a little elevated for Derek's taste, a possible sign that his body was already beginning to fight something off. He seemed otherwise fine.
Derek's mind drifted to Anna. She had been lying when she told Stiles that they were going to the library. However Derek knew that she was using the fib to keep everyone from panicking. He was curious as to where they really did go and if it produced anything useful. He pulled out his cell and shot over a quick text asking if everything was okay. He smiled when he got the immediate response: 'Everything is good, even in the perpetual state of weirdness that is now my life. How are you, Lena and the pack? Any word on Danny and Slider?'
He didn't want to alarm her by mentioning Jackson. 'We're good. Danny is fine and Slider's a little worse for wear but he'll be okay too. Get back safe.'
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Stiles shifted the car in park, locking eyes with the woman. "Zarya," he said, coldly.
"So now you upper lip nice and stiff, ey boy?" she asked, amused. "You run like little hare when I see you last."
"I was thirteen," stated Stiles. "I was just a kid."
"Sixteen make you a man?" she asked, cackling. "You think because you grow little hairs on you spuds that now you a man? Ha!"
Anna got out of the car, much to Stiles' chagrin. "Zarya," she said, going to her. "My name is Anna Mason. We didn't come today to bother you. We need your help. It's about a man named Peter Hale."
Zarya grunted in irritation, focusing her cloudy eyes on Anna. The old woman approached her slowly, causing Stiles to get out of the car and stand protectively by her side. The woman watched Anna with interest. "You pretty. You giving mister big man here tastes?" she asked, licking her wrinkled lips.
Stiles felt his face get hot, not so much from embarrassment but from anger. He went to say something in response but Anna stopped him. "No Zarya. We're just friends. There's no…tasting going on."
Zarya grunted and took Anna's hand, sniffing at her wrist. Stiles, again, went to assist, but Anna told him it was okay. The woman then moved to Anna's neck, the wet stench of her breath making Anna wrinkle her nose in disgust. The old woman pulled away. "You don't lie. The boy's scent don't linger on you. But another's does. This one a man, not a boy. This one strong, like his scent. He marks you. As his."
"Terrific," said Stiles under his breath. "Not only am I face to face with the witch that cursed me and Scott but now I find out that Derek's been peeing on your leg."
"I'm no witch," said Zarya, indignantly. "And boy I don't curse you or you friend!"
Stiles looked at her skeptically. "Oh really?
"Of course not. Come," she said. "I will show you."
"Show us what?" asked Stiles.
Zarya looked at him, her expression oddly soft and malevolent. "The truth boy. The truth." She hobbled up the path towards the cabin. She turned as she saw Stiles go back to the car. "The car won't fit on the path," she said. "You must walk."
"Great," he said, looking at Anna apprehensively. Stiles felt every cell in his body fight him as he grabbed Anna's hand tightly. The trees felt as if they were closing in upon the trio, ready to strike at any moment. Their knotty branches reminded Stiles of Zarya's twisted, arthritic hands.
Zarya turned again, nodding to Stiles and Anna. "You want my help or not? Let's go."
