-All Out of Luck-
"A werewolf can be killed by silver bullets. .38 caliber is the recommended size. This species can be killed by another werewolf if that werewolf is strong enough to own the curse."
-History of the Supernatural
Dressing as fast as he could, Pogue used his power to contact the others. Tyler started the car, waiting for Trisha and him to join them. Straddling his bike, Pogue looked to the one of them yet to ascend.
"They're on their way to the Gordons. We'll probably get there first."
"But they're fine, right?" Trisha held her notebook to her chest. "He would have done something by now. What's to worry?"
"I'll get them to go on vacation," Chase insisted. "I've got the money. I can't let anything happen to them."
A dog howled in the near distance. A second one echoed. Pogue twisted around, hand lifting from the ignition. Chase blackened his eyes, reaching out his senses to feel the creatures were coming closer, and they were huge for dogs.
Tyler rolled down the driver's side window. "Get in the car!"
"Trish! Let's go!"
She ran to the hummer and got in the front. Chase climbed in the back and Pogue turned on the motorcycle. Tyler waited for him to peel out and he tried to see out the window as the vehicle reversed and pulled onto the road.
The biggest dog he ever saw emerged from the woods on the other side of the road. Maybe it was a wolf. Brown fur and a length of seven to eight feet. Just enormous creatures with snapping jaws and determination to pursue them.
Chase hit the seat he was sitting behind. "Speed up. Move!"
Tyler stepped on the gas pedal. He stared out the back. "That's impossible."
They were catching up. He grasped the seat ahead and peeked at the speedometer. Trisha craned her neck to look through the windshield.
"Oh no. Your friend!"
Breaking abruptly when a wolf with black fur leaped onto the road, attacking Pogue's bike, Pogue hit the gas instead of the breaks. He narrowly avoided the creature who flew past. Tyler couldn't correct fast enough to keep going and managed to spin them to a stop facing the opposite direction. A wolf jumped onto the hood and all three of them reacted in shock, pushing themselves as far as they could to the seat backs.
The creature bashed at the windshield, flinging its body against the glass. Chase couldn't use his powers from in here. He strained to see out the other windows of the car to locate the second brown wolf. Risking opening the door a crack, he spotted the animal ripping the rear tire to ribbons. It saw him and lashed out with a claw.
He succeeded in shutting the door before it could get him and locked the door, for the zero good that would do.
"Those are werewolves! Werewolves are real!"
"Werewolves? No way. No such thing."
Trisha stared at him in disbelief. "You're a goddamn wizard! What do you mean there's no such thing?"
"Warlock!" Tyler and Chase corrected at the same time.
"I don't give a fuck!"
A large crack formed in the windshield. The black wolf rammed the right side of the sturdy vehicle. He was glad they hadn't taken Trisha's car. They were all scared but Trisha was overcome with terror.
"I read a ton of books. Tales of magic are as common as tales of lycanthropes."
"One being real doesn't mean the other is real," Tyler insisted.
"Well," Chase conceded, annoyed by this conversation now of all times. "Why don't we worry about the validity of shapeshifting for another time?"
"Right." Tyler's eyes blackened. "Caleb, Reid. We're under attack. Giant wolves. Hurry."
His eyes returned to normal as the windshield broke, sharp teeth pulling on the opening made. Chase grabbed Trisha's arm and helped her into the back. Tyler threw himself back there and the three of them sat on the middle seat thinking on their next move.
"Trish, stay in the car. Tyler and I will try to fight them off."
"Chase!"
He scrambled for the door on the right. The black wolf no longer making a fuss over there for some reason. Pogue was out there, maybe hiding, maybe putting up a fight. He didn't see the guy.
Once outside, he heard the motorcycle and its headlights were carving up a field where a brown wolf chased, lunging and growling. The youngest joined him outside, slamming the door. He realized he didn't know.
"Have you ever used your power in a fight?"
"Sort of."
"So not going all out?"
"No. I mean, when we rescued you."
"Augment your body so you're stronger and more immune to blunt trauma. Although I don't recommend taking hits if you can avoid them."
"Okay." He monitored the guy focusing on doing what he said.
He waited a moment longer and continued, "Any flying you're able to do. I know we can't go high to avoid these jumpy monsters, but we can dodge wider."
"What if I can't do it?"
Chase considered. "Watch my back. We stay close."
"Got it."
Pogue's motorcycle sped across the road to the other side. The black wolf appeared behind the wrecked vehicle, lowering its upper half, stalking toward them. Backing up, Tyler backed up with him.
"Chase!"
He only had time to fling a wave of energy at the wolf before him but Tyler handled it, a shock wave throwing a brown wolf through the air. Grinning, he moved them away from the hummer to keep Trisha safe. He didn't hear the motorcycle anymore. Chase levitated upward to stand on the roof of the vehicle. Tyler successfully joined him up there.
"Find Pogue."
"There!"
That was fast. Chase looked over his shoulder and saw Pogue was pinned beneath his bike. Tyler threw himself off to the road without warning, floating to land lighter. He sold himself short. He had his abilities pretty well down. He wouldn't be anywhere near as powerful as the others until he ascended, but he was still a force of a warlock.
He hopped down by more natural means. "We're supposed to stay together!"
A growl and he spun to find two wolves pouncing at once. He blasted them far away and the third wolf leaped for him from around the front of the vehicle. Rolling without the use of power, he narrowly avoided the attack. A car door reached his ears and instead of continuing the attack on him, the brown wolf changed targets to the girl trying to distract it.
"No! Get back inside!"
Why was no one listening to him? Two wolves bounded for him along the road and he pitched energy at them, charging the wolf biting at Trisha. Maybe it was luring him in, because the wolf suddenly put her behind it and howled. Chase came to a screeching halt as teeth snapped, almost taking his head off.
His augmented speed allowed him to avoid the deadly attack. Primal ferocity made the attack continue, body slamming into his own. He rolled painfully, not scraping up his body because of the toughened shield he formed around himself. These probably weren't wild dogs. Werewolves? Was it a full moon?
Rising onto one knee, the black wolf lurked in the shadows of the trees to his right and behind. He was using the trees for cover, seemingly waiting or wanting to retreat. Chase watched the brown wolves closing in on either side of him. Trisha was in the middle.
"Run that way Trisha!"
He pointed left and stomped the ground, sending a wave of energy to the wolf closest to her. Chase ran right and punched an arm forward, sending an energy ball at the creature. The black wolf remained where it was and Trisha was running where he indicated, to the other Sons. A wave with both arms to hold the wolf back, the nearer wolf was going for his friend again.
Making a face of disgust, he whirled about and extended his arms, creating tendrils of energy to wrap around her. She shrieked in surprise and fear and he took off running. Using his power to increase speed, he accelerated past the wolf, flying into the air, and collided with Trisha. He grabbed and held her close, spinning in circles through the air. Landing near the edge of the road, the two Sons close, they reacted with shouts he wasn't listening to.
Chase pushed her toward them. "Keep her safe."
Tyler ran over. "I've got your back."
Pogue joined them, shaking his head. "You're not ascended yet. Chase and I fight. Watch her."
He backed away, reaching for Trisha, and a brown wolf hurled itself into her. It was another one? No. It got behind them somehow. Confusion died as it tore into the girl's throat.
"Trisha!"
Why her? Why? Why?
Tyler shoved him to the ground and shielded them when the other brown wolf tried to strike. "Chase! You with me?"
Pogue sent a ball of energy and hit the wolf killing Trisha. It yelped and fell onto its side. He continued using the energy to wrap around the creature, holding it in place. Chase felt a hand smacking his cheek repeatedly and it jarred him to action.
"I'm here," he growled, and pushed through the shield before Tyler could remove it, screaming rage with the energy he flung out of his own body shape.
They were fleeing. He glanced at the sky. It wasn't a full moon. He followed several yards, urge to pursue and make them pay rising. The black wolf walked around the back of the vehicle and jumped, scratching stripes through his shirt. He swung around, levitated the car, and dropped it on the creature.
Cursing under his breath, he tugged on his shirt, sticky with blood. "Ouch. Sneaky bitch."
Chase walked back to the others. Pogue was cradling Trisha in his arms but his head was bowed. Tyler was on his knees looking at her like he couldn't believe it. They looked at him when he arrived, careful to conceal his emotions.
"I tried to heal her. I had to heal myself when my motorcycle crushed me. It takes life force in exchange. I didn't have enough left. The wound closed but she lost too much blood. I'm sorry, man..."
He was emotional. What was the point?
"I'll call Lionel."
Putting his back to the Sons, he called his old friend. Maintaining a steady voice, he told the old man wild dogs attacked him and his friends on the road. Trisha Burns was killed. Chase asked him what he should do.
A car drove up in the direction they came from. Caleb's car. Lionel told him not to be there. He was calling the emergency line to send police and an ambulance. He asked Chase how he was.
"Fine. Bye, Lionel."
He walked toward the car, Sarah and Kate exiting the car and racing up to him. "Are you okay?"
"Fine. Caleb, I can't be here when the cops show. Get me out of here."
Reid was halfway out of the back but paused upon hearing that. "Caleb?"
Caleb was still behind the wheel. Chase could see him. He nodded.
"I'm staying with Tyler," Reid announced, leaving the door open for him to take his place.
Kate seemed torn between going to Pogue or making sure he was okay. Chase looked at her and went to the car without a word. They could figure out their own stories or positions. He just wanted quiet.
Looking at his phone, he messaged Selene. I love you. Just wanted to say it.
Less than thirty seconds later, a reply vibrated his phone. I love you too.
Promise to stay home for now.
You told me that. Is something going on? Don't lie to protect me. That's BS.
A weak smile slipped onto his face. I'm all out of luck. I want to keep you safe. I'll stay in contact. Please trust me.
It was a full minute before the reply came. Okay.
He pocketed the phone and leaned against the door. Sarah returned to the car and so did Kate. Caleb and Sarah peered back at him but didn't say anything. Kate sat on the same seat as him and was worried.
"Pogue wanted me nowhere near there. What happened? Something to do with," She made hand gesture waves he couldn't decipher. "The whole Sons of Ipswich thing."
She looked defeated he couldn't puzzle her motions out. It led him to think she may have been practicing them and it amounted to nothing. He forced their eyes to meet out of respect.
"Trisha's dead. I don't know what the hell happened. Monstrous wolves attacked us."
The ride back the three discussed among themselves their thoughts on wolves, wild animal behavior, and yes, werewolves. If they were werewolves, he knew nothing about them. Not the mythical creature and not the very real type they encountered tonight.
He was already wiped from barely sleeping the previous night and was feeling less well the longer the drive went on. Chase wanted to get out of the car to lie down. His head hurt and he was sweating excessively.
Caleb brought them to his big house and directed him to the bedroom he could use for the night. He stumbled through the doorway and fell onto the bed. Dragging up to lie proper on the pillow, he drifted into a restless sleep.
Chase tossed and turned on the bed, feeling like he was burning up. It was so hot. His dreams were filled with nightmarish scenes filled with the wolves. He thought someone came into his room and opened his shirt, cleaning his scratch marks and dabbing at his feverish forehead. A thermometer was stuck in his mouth. Too bright of a light from a lamp forcing him to keep his eyes closed.
He woke under clean sheets wearing his boxer shorts. The rest of his clothes were missing. Sitting upright, morning light filtered in through a thin opening in the heavy curtains. There was a bandage on his abdomen where the two lines of the wolf's claws got him.
Rubbing his eyes, he swung his legs around and stood. Feeling surprisingly good. He wasn't tired at all and he felt full of energy and strength. He felt awesome.
Chase used the bathroom toilet and left the bedroom. Descending the stairs, Reid and Tyler appeared and the former whistled. He narrowed his eyes and remembered his general lack of clothing, embarrassment filtering in.
"I don't know what happened to my clothes."
"Chase?" A woman appeared from a room off to the right of the front door. "You're awake. I had your clothes cleaned but I'm afraid your shirt was beyond saving. My son has a shirt you can wear."
"Oh." He reached the bottom of the stairs. "Thank you, Mrs. Danvers."
He scratched at the itchy bandage and part of the tape came off. Peeling it farther open to look, he saw the wound had disappeared. Chase removed the patch, noting blood on the other side.
"Did Pogue heal me?"
"No. It seemed minor enough not to bother. A couple scratches."
He stared at Tyler. "Uh."
Caleb and Sarah appeared from the same room Reid and Tyler emerged. Sarah had a pile of clothes in her arms and Caleb had a book tucked under one arm and another open. He held the second book in both hands.
"Okay. It's been two days. So the curse of the werewolf will kick in after the mark of the wolf heals."
He lifted his eyebrows. "Uh."
Neither of them had a free hand to wave at him, but Reid was happy to take over for them with a wave for him to not worry. "Based on our research so far, the full moon is the twenty-second. We have until then to dig up how to cure you."
"You knew this would happen."
"We've seen enough movies," Sarah shrugged, smiling. She went to him with the clothes and he spotted the majority of what was on the stack was his clothing. "Here you go."
"Thanks." He quickly dressed in his jeans and t-shirt right there. Plopping down on a chair by the staircase railing, he tugged on socks and shoes. The socks weren't his either. "Thanks, Caleb."
The guy poked his head out of the book. "Ah. No problem. Hm. I need a different book."
The doorbell rang and a knock at the door followed which Caleb completely blocked out. He turned and called for his mother to get the door. Reid laughed and said he'd get the door. Putting on the last shoe, he tied the laces, looking to the door. Police were at the door. He frowned. Well, what was this about?
"Good day. We're looking for Chase Collins. We heard he was staying here?"
"What's it to ya?"
The cop who hadn't spoken sounded hostile. "We have a warrant for his arrest. He's under suspicion for the murder of Trisha Burns."
"Murder? She was mauled to death by a wild animal."
The cop had his hands resting on his belt and was trying to look past him into the house. "Could have set a trained dog on her."
"That's ludicrous. Have you lost your minds?"
"Excuse me?"
His partner put his hand on his holstered gun. "Do we have a problem here?"
Chase sighed and stood, abandoning his jacket for this outrageous arrest. "It's alright, Reid. I'll go with them and be back soon. No way they hold me for long on that kind of charge."
Approaching the door with his hands in plain view, Reid opened the door wider and the officers stepped back. He stepped outside and they put him to the wall, yanking his arms behind himself to slap on the handcuffs. This wasn't his first time doing this routine. His "parents" were assholes.
Led away to the squad car, he wondered how this would go.
/
Pacing nonstop for the last few minutes, Tyler jabbed a finger at Pogue. "Caleb and Sarah said they were going to which cult shop?"
"Will you stop pacing, Tyler?" Kate whined, resting her chin on her hands. "I'm getting dizzy."
Reid took a large bite out of the green apple. Kate tilted her head to her stolen snack. "Really, Reid?"
"I'll get you a new apple, babe."
Smiling in a charmed manner, she perked up, leaning toward the chair Pogue vacated. "Thank you, boyfriend."
Tyler refused to roll his eyes and resumed pacing. "They've kept him at the station all day. When are they going to release him? Should we call Doris? My dad's lawyers?"
Reid's cell phone rang and he answered, leaving the room while loudly chatting with Caleb. "Granddad? Huh. Yeah. Maybe. I'll check. Oh sure. I'll text the number. Bye."
Pogue tossed Kate an apple and bit into his own, sitting in his chair. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek before settling in to eat the fruit. Tyler heard the door open and a voice called out.
"Sons of Ipswich! May I have a few moments of your time!"
"Stay here, Kate."
The three of them entered the large foyer area and found Shawn Austin standing just inside. He shut the door behind himself as though he'd been invited. Glaring, he stood shoulder to shoulder with Reid and Pogue. The latter taking the lead.
"Hello there."
"Leave."
"A nice night, wouldn't you say? No moon in sight with all those clouds."
"What the hell do you want?"
"Calm yourself, Pogue Parry. You'll miss something important."
Tyler ground on his teeth, frustrated. He didn't usually hate people, but he hated this man. Chase was the only one out of the lot of them who didn't seem rotten. The first of them to ascend claimed it was too late for him with the addiction every now and then, however, he doubted that was right. He was young yet. Habits could be broken easier when they hadn't entirely set in.
"I think it's poetic. The fifth Son, newly joined member of the covenant, from the exiled lineage. He'll be the one to kill the other bloodlines."
"What do you want from us?" Reid demanded. "What are you after?"
"Power. Won't you give it to me?"
Tyler raised an eyebrow and chuckled bitterly. "Not a chance."
"My dear nephew is already mine. He'll be a good dog." His smile was all teeth. "A valuable weapon."
His expression darkened, mock concern appearing on his face as he examined them in turn. "I do wonder on the safety of the boy."
Pogue took a step, fists clenched. "Are you threatening us?"
"Well I suppose Chase is safe and sound, locked up tight in a jail cell tonight. He's under the close protection of the fine officers of this town. Then again, that's supposing every officer in the station is loyal to the law. Suppose an officer is loyal to me? Well, Chase would be in a fair bit of trouble, wouldn't he?"
"Get out."
Tyler stood with him, panic building. He couldn't fail Chase. Trisha died on their watch. He had to make it up to his new brother. Austin left without a protest and a satisfied smile.
"Kate! Stay here!"
"Where are you going?" she hollered from the other room.
Tyler looked at his brothers. "We'll contact Caleb on the way."
Reid's eyed darkened. "On it."