Page 80 of Wolf Trap

“And you could howl?”

He threwthe towel at me, I dodged, and edged past him to the kitchen to make some hot chocolate.

Scouring around the place, I found a small pebble with a wolf head painted on it, then grabbed a few pennies from my jacket pocket. He placed some logs in the hearth and lit them.

I threw together a few sandwiches.Magic is hungry work. It can be pretty draining, and although his fridge was stocked, I wanted something quick. So tuna sandwiches and mayonnaise, I added cayenne pepper to add some heat.

His eyes like saucers, the key to his heart was certainly through his stomach.

“Aw, this is good! Thank you. I never realised it was so tiring.”

We sat on large cushions on the floor in front of the fire, the crackle and spitting of the logs protecting us with a fire guard.

For the moment everything was bliss. I noticed the smattering of rain on the window panes, but here inside his place it was snug, warm and cosy. It was almost like a normal evening.

I didn’t want to break the calm but I had to ask him the one question that plagued my mind. Unfortunately, my mouth and brain weren’t aligned and I kind of spat it out.

“So, do you really eat… humans? I didn’t think wolves did that unless they were absolutely starving?”

His chest roseand fell heavily as he contemplated my question. Putting his plate before him, he leaned forward, took a sip of drink then looked earnestly at me.

“That is why I was at Conor’s before I met you. Some months ago,” he glanced away, his face reddening. “I was in the Black Forest, in Germany. It’s one of my most favourite forests in the world. I could go on, telling you of the ancient legends of that place, the Witches towers dotted inside of it. And the few other werewolves who live in isolation there. They’re friends, close friends of mine, who like me, hate the fact that we’re designed to kill. I’m hoping actually that this magic in me, that your blood has unleashed, well… Maybe that will help. But to bare all, I slaughtered a couple camping in the forest. I ate them, I know,” again he turned his head away and stared at the flames. “It was awful. My wolf, well… I know I should’ve told you before. But I knew that if I did that, you’d never look at me in the same way again. Just like you’re looking at me now. I can feel it, your judgement. Your eyes burning into me. And you should. I am a killer.”

As he faced me again, raising his chin, “Honestly, you worry about using blood magic, or dark magic as you call it. You say it’s forbidden, and heck, maybe it is. But I kill and eat people, so what does that make me? I’m no better than Adara,” he raised his hand, palm facing me. “No before you try and defend me, I’ve killed and eaten innocent people. Parents, siblings, no children, but still. I’ve tried to reign in the beast, but when I do, it gets worse. Conor knows and he and others, like Austin will contact you soon enough. It’s too much to wish that we’ll finish Adara within a few nights. And I can feel it even now, the full moon effects are starting to drive me. Drive the beast inside of me. I can usually control it pretty well. But a Hunter’s moon, on All Hallows Eve? The souls of the dead will seek me out, wanting their revenge. I live in torment Elsa. You, even with your blood magic, are my light. You give me hope. But, I realise that my darkness is no doubt too much for you to bear.”

I’d stopped eating,it didn’t seem right stuffing my face as he bared his soul. My stomach disagreed at the wrong time though.

He smirked, “Please eat, unless I’ve put you off?”

“I don’t wantto leave you. I won’t lie, the fact that, as a wolf you kill and eat people disturbs me. I know you look for evil people. There’s no need for me to say anymore, you’re already trying to amend that. But the deaths of the innocent lay at Zeus’s conscience, he put the curse on you. I guess gods care little for us though. I’m no immortal, heck, I’m not much of a witch. But I think once we’ve learnedto harness this power, this magic between us, perhaps anything’s possible. It’s not like you wanted to kill. I could lock you away, if there’s somewhere strong enough? But maybe we’ll be lucky, and when the full moon madness grips you, Adara will be on your path?”

He picked up his plate,taking a large mouthful and dazed into the flames.

I did the same.

After a few minutes, he added, “I’m counting on that. Meeting Adara eye to eye with the power of the moon and the souls of the dead beside me.”

We finished eatingand he took our plates to the kitchen and washed up. I crossed my legs, the pennies before me, and the small smooth rock.

Hovering my hand over a penny, I tried to still my mind, to calm my thoughts. Lycaon came back in, sat down before me and watched in silence.

It was a penny, but I could already feel an energy thundering through me. I knew I could make it move easily, but I needed to control it. Whilst doing this I felt the cold metal of the penny on my palm.

In my mind I saw it fall, and it fell.

“I thinkI’m starting to understand.” He looked up at me as I spoke. “My intention to lift the object was slight, I thought about the penny levitating then I relaxed my mind. It hovered after that, that is I didn’t constantly imagine it levitating. So, I mean, not in here, now, but perhaps when you produce a flame, relax, feel the energy, see the flame in your mind, feel its heat, then let go of the outcome. Do you want to try it?”

“Sure. That sounds promising. Um,”he rolled his lips, “So perhaps with Adara, we could see, imagine them leaving peacefully?”

“Maybe. Let’s master objects first, but…” my mind was buzzing. “That gives me an idea. If we can learn fast, how tocombine our power, maybe we can stop Adara? It’s probably too much to hope for. But, well it’s an idea.”

I sat back as I watched him close his eyes, chest rose and fell as his breathing softened.

Slowly he held out a hand,palm down over a penny. Then he exhaled deeply, drawing his hand away and the penny floated before him. A blurry cloud, almost diaphanous, surrounded it. His face full of wonder, his smile widened and as he nodded, it fell to the floor.

Letting out a gasp, he fixed me with a grin. “So I was simply using too much force to manifest my intentions! I only needed to feel them, imagine them, see the coin floating before me in my mind, then just know that it was done. And relax! I can’t wait to use this more.

Elsa, this is fantastic! I’m a mage, and a werewolf! Come on, I want to go outside and see what else is possible!”

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