Inheritance (The Dark Gifts) Read online

  Jason barked.

  She took another step closer, he barked again. Certain he had total control of himself now; she walked right up to him, reached out, and patted him on the head.

  Jason growled. Placing his head in the center of her chest, he gently pushed her toward the door.

  She anchored her feet and pushed back, but he was stronger and managed to ease her from the cage. Then grabbing the bars of the door in his teeth, he pulled it shut.

  “Fine. I’ll stay out here, but I think we just learned a valuable piece of information. You are not a monster. Something about the moon makes you lose control. Now we know and can prepare.”

  When they woke, it was already noon. Jason opened his eyes and saw Sarah lying right beside the cage with her narrow arm wedged between the bars. Her hand lay inches away from his own. “What the hell do you think you're doing?” he bellowed as he leapt to his feet.

  Sarah’s eyes snapped open and she sat up.

  “This is not a freaking game, Sarah. That thing I become is not a pet. I knew I shouldn’t have let you stay here last night.” Red faced, he kicked the chair and sent it flying into the wall.

  “You want to cover yourself up, please? I mean really. I’m your sister for Pete’s sake.”

  Jason grabbed the blanket, wrapped it around his waist, and pushed at the door ready to demand she unlock it so he could strangle her. When the door swung open, he really had a fit. “I cannot believe…Of all the stupid…Do you have any idea? Oh my God, Sarah! What have you done?”

  “Oh shut up, and quit having a cow. I’ll tell you all about it Mr. Smarty-pants. You think you know everything just because you’re older. I’m starving, let’s go have breakfast and I’ll tell you what happened.” She ordered. Doing her best impression of a military about face, she tossed her disheveled hair over her shoulder, and began to climb the basement stairs.

  A few minutes later, Jason entered the kitchen fully dressed, and still angry. He sat at the table brooding and barely offered a “thank you,” as she put down his cup of coffee.

  Ignoring him, she grabbed her own cup, and began to discuss what had happened the night before. When she got to the part about opening the cage and coming inside, he jumped out of his chair, knocking it over and yanked her out of her seat by her shoulders.

  “Are you out of your ever-loving mind?” he asked as he shook her. “What’s wrong with you? You just don’t get it. I have already killed several people. Do you get that? They are dead. Dead! I ripped them to shreds, and left them rotting in the woods.” Then seeing he was hurting her, he pulled her close and hugged her.

  Even as tears rolled down her cheeks, she tried to comfort him, “You wouldn’t hurt me. Don’t you remember anything at all about last night? You knew exactly who I was and what you were doing. It’s different when you can’t see the moon.”

  “Sarah, we are all the family we have left. If you can’t promise me you'll never do it again, well…then I am going to have to send you away.”

  Placing her hands against his chest she shoved him away. “That’s just stupid. You can’t send me away. Who will take care of you? Who will help you? Besides, if you try it, I-I’ll tell people.”

  “Harrumph. Who in their right mind is going to believe you? Go ahead, tell people. Tell everyone you meet. They’ll lock you in a mental ward. That’s probably the only damn place you‘ll be safe from me.”

  Sarah sat back down her tears once again flowing. Seeing her so upset brought him out of his rage. They’d always been close. He’d always tried to protect her and be a good big brother, maybe even her father. He couldn’t stand to watch her cry. Jason picked up his chair and took his seat, waiting for the waterworks to subside. As she pulled herself together, he thought about what she’d told him of last night’s events.

  He could remember some of it. He hadn’t realized until just then, but when he started thinking about it he could remember bits and pieces. He definitely remembered being angry with her for coming in the cage, and pushing her out. He even remembered some of the questions she'd asked, or at least he thought he did. Looking at Sarah in amazement he asked, “Did you ask me about Amy Sanders last night?”

  “Yes. You always said she wasn’t your girlfriend, but I knew she was.” Sarah chuckled as she wiped her eyes.

  “You asked me if I ever kissed her.”

  “Do you remember? You are remembering aren’t you!”

  “I’m starting to, I think. Maybe. I don‘t know it‘s kind of fuzzy, but a few things stand out.” he answered.

  “Holy crap, Jase! Do you know what this means? You're getting control. You can beat this. Maybe you can’t stop the change, but you can at least stop killing!”

  They were making huge progress. If she could just keep working with him, and keep him out of the moonlight, they could manage this thing. “I know we don’t have time today, but tomorrow, we need to wake up early and go find the house. We need answers and at this point it’s pretty obvious there are things about our family we should know. I don‘t believe you’re the only one this has happened to.”

  Chapter Three

  The sky was black, as if a velvet blanket hung behind the moon and stars. Tiny sparkles punctuated the deep emptiness of space with glittering brilliance that dulled close to the low hanging moon. Shana had grown to hate the moon. In her youth, she’d anticipated its coming with excitement; the thrill of the power it evoked was beyond measure. That was years ago, before she knew love was optional and fleeting. Long before she had become Seer and passed sentence on her own family. Safety equaled power and power resulted in a heart as empty as a starless midnight sky.

  The pack leaders had finally arrived. Shana waited impatiently for everyone to settle and begin the meeting. For twenty-two years, she had been the pack Seer. Although Thomas was the leader, more times than not, decisions about current and future events were based on Shana’s visions. What she needed to tell them tonight would bring about enormous change, possibly even upheaval among the Lycanthrope people. Last time, they hadn’t listened. This time, well this time they’d better.

  As the others quieted, Thomas took the floor. “Shana called the meeting tonight. I'll not take up much of your time, but I'd like to address a few stray issues while we are gathered.” He cleared his throat, and his dark eyes became cold and angry as he continued, “Rashuk clan…It has been brought to my attention that your young ones have been wreaking havoc on the national parks in your area. You will put a stop to this immediately. My sources tell me there are two; lock them up and keep them safe until they have control, or we will send out the Hunters. They are making headlines.”

  Thomas leaned against the mantle of the massive stone fireplace. Running a hand through his thick, dark hair, he sighed. “People, I shouldn’t have to keep reminding you of these things. You know the laws. Indera clan, your houses are in need of repair. We cannot possibly hope to keep our cover if we live in hovels. Fix it. Also, a hunter has informed me a human family has taken up residence in your area. Do not hurt them and don’t let them see you. You should have purchased the property the moment it came up for sale. I've already set things in motion to have the father transferred to another position much further away. If all goes well, they will move. Buy the property,” he ordered. Giving Shana a quick nod, he took a seat.

  Shana took a deep breath. She knew the minute she spoke the atmosphere of the room would change. Many would be thrilled with her news, but many others would be enraged. With any luck, there would be more of the latter than the former.

  “I’ve seen them. They are ready. He has already been changing, and somehow with no help from us, he has managed to gain partial control. He is of monstrous size and power. It is exactly as foretold.” Silence filled the room before agitated voices disrupted the calm.

  “How can that be?” asked a man leaning against the far wall.

  “Shana, are you positive?” said an older woman sitting in the corner.

  “Send the
Hunters and take them out!” The leader of the Rashuk clan yelled as he stood.

  Thomas raised his hand for silence and the room went quiet. “What is to happen?” he asked Shana.

  Brushing her platinum-blond hair from her face, she answered, “They are coming. They will be here tomorrow.” After glancing at her feet, she raised cold blue eyes to glare at the crowd. “I warned you when the hunters terminated the parents, this was to be. The children should have died then. If you'd done what you were supposed to, and looked harder for that traitorous bitch Edna, we'd have known where they were and could have prevented this.”

  An elderly white haired man spouted from the back of the room, “Even if we’d found her, she wouldn’t have given up their location.”

  Several gasps disrupted the silence that followed his outburst.

  As Shana’s fierce eyes glided over the group, she had to wonder how intelligent humans could really be. Those gathered possessed various shades of red hair, with similar honeyed skin and the same blue eyes. So few had dark hair that they stood out in the crowd. Only the eldest Lycans differed greatly with their snow-white locks. And she was the only blond. After years of living in this small Ozark community, no one had seemed to notice. Shaking off her ruminations, she continued, “He is already stronger than the best of you. There is no stopping this now. We either bring them in and hope they are in a forgiving mood, or hide and hope they leave us alone. We cannot stop him now.”

  “And the girl? What of the girl? Has she become?” the older woman asked as she pulled at the collar of her blouse.

  “No. It is not time. However, she has already become enlightened, although she does not realize her full potential. She has no fear.” She looked around the room repeating her previous statement with fervor, “She has no fear.”

  “Thank you, Shana.” Thomas said as he waved his hand in dismissal. He looked them over one by one. His mouth broke into a slow malicious grin. “As this affects the entire pack, I will not make a declaration on this matter. I was against this from the beginning, so you all know where I stand. Those in favor of taking them in, stand and say aye.”

  Several in the room stood. “Aye.”

  “Those opposed?”

  ***

  The drive to the cabin took longer than expected. On the map, it appeared to be an hour or two away, but with all the winding country roads, the drive stretched to three hours. The view was a panoramic kaleidoscope of fall colors that gave a sensation of driving out of reality and into a fantasy world. As they drove down the long wooded driveway, both Jason and Sarah expected a jog in their memories. If they'd ever lived here, something should seem familiar.

  The cabin was as beautiful as the surrounding forest. Its cedar exterior had aged to a rich dark brown. The lawn was well manicured, and the flowerbed surrounding the wraparound porch had been weeded and brimmed with beautiful burgundy and white mums.

  “Someone must live here,” Jason said.

  “Okay, if this was not our parents’ place, then why do we have the deed?” Sarah asked.

  “I don’t know. I don’t understand it. The title company assured us the property was ours.”

  “Well, whoever has been paying the taxes must be keeping it up. Maybe they’re relatives. Maybe we have more family and they just didn’t know about us.” Sarah said.

  He flashed a cynical look in her direction. There was no way anyone living on this property wouldn’t know about them, but seeing her enthusiasm, he kept quiet. He’d never needed a family. She’d always been enough. Protecting her from the other foster children, and even some of the parents, had been a full-time job. As he grew larger and stronger, it had become easier.

  At fifteen, his size alone was enough to intimidate those who’d wanted to hurt her. And there were many. Glancing at her, he wondered how he’d managed to keep her body and spirit intact. Her long auburn hair, pale skin, and bright blue eyes were enough to attract unwanted attention from men and boys alike. Perfectly symmetrical features, plump pink lips, and a sculpted lean body, added to the trouble. Thankful the latter had come after his first growth spurt, he sighed. Yes, she’d always yearned for family, but past interactions with people in general left him wanting nothing more than for the two of them to be left alone.

  As Jason parked the car, the front door opened and an older, blond version of Sarah stepped on the front porch. She waved excitedly, motioning for them to join her. “Come on up. I’ve been waiting for you for hours. I thought you’d be here early this morning.” she said with a smile.

  “Uh… Hi,” Jason answered.

  “Hiya!” Sarah was so full of excitement, she could hardly contain herself. She wasn’t sure how she knew, but she was positive this woman was her aunt. It was more than the resemblance to her mother’s picture, or herself. There was a pull, a feeling of recognition from deep within. For the first time since they found out about their dead aunt, she knew they were not alone in the world.

  As they stepped on the porch, Shana held out her arms welcoming them. “Do you remember me? I'm your Aunt Shana.” She took Sarah by the shoulders, looked deep into her eyes, and said, “You know me. I can see it. I've been waiting a long time to see you two. Well, let’s not just stand here, why don’t we go inside and have some lunch? I made your favorite, Jason.” Turning, she entered the front door.

  Sarah grinned, grabbed Jason by the arm, and pulled. “Come on.”

  Looking down into her brightened face, he exhaled and allowed her to drag him across the threshold.

  Large and open, the living room had a homey feel. Eight evenly-spaced, cedar beams spanned the ceiling sporting rows of baskets filled with dried flowers and herbs. A massive stone fireplace on the East wall was the focal point of the room. Three blue gingham couches arranged in a U shaped pattern surrounded an oversized coffee table and offered a cozy view of the fire.

  The fireplace sparked Jason's memory. He vaguely remembered sitting by the fire with his father roasting marshmallows, while his mother told stories.

  Shana left the room for a moment, and returned with a large wooden tray holding a plate piled with sandwiches and three glasses of lemonade. Placing the tray on the coffee table, she said, “Here we are. You two look starved. Have a seat and we’ll catch up.”

  Jason and Sarah looked at each other in confusion, before sitting as requested. Ridged and unmoving, Jason glared at the woman. If she was related to them, why did she leave them to fend for themselves instead of taking them in? What kind of family did they come from? The more he thought, the more his anger began to build.

  “Well let’s don’t all talk at once, shall we?”

  Uncomfortable in the permeating silence, Sarah shifted in her seat.

  Jason turned his gaze to the fireplace.

  Smiling, Shana continued. “Sarah, you look so much like me, it's uncanny! Why, except for our hair color, you're the spitting image of me when I was your age.”

  Sarah returned her smile and nodded. Now that she had an honest to goodness living family member sitting in front of her, she couldn't find words to say.

  Not receiving the desired reaction from the girl, Shana turned to work her charms on the brother. “And Jason, what a strapping young man you've turned out to be. You know, even as a small boy, you were big for your age. We always thought you'd be a big man when you grew up, but I don't think any of us ever thought you'd be this huge.” Her voice grew soft, almost caressing in its tone, “You look so much like your father. But you have other features as well. See that picture on the mantle?”

  His eyes moved over the many silver framed photos resting on the mantle.

  Pointing, she said, “That one on the end. That's my daddy, your grandfather. You bare a resemblance to him, too. I think you get your size from him, and your dashing good looks from your father.”

  “Aunt Shana, Who is the dark haired man in the photo with our grandfather?” Sarah interjected.

  “Oh, he's my husband Thomas. He was a looker in h
is younger days, don't you think?”

  Jason made a grunting noise, but offered no conversation. Still scanning the pictures, he was surprised there were none of his parents. I guess it's out of sight out of mind with them. If they don't have to look at us, they'd never have a reason to feel guilty about being such worthless human beings.

  Shana spotted the change in his expression. “Jason, you must think we're a horrid bunch to leave you two alone for so long. We are not. You were left where you were for your own safety. I am your mother’s youngest sister. What has happened is a tragedy, yes, but you must believe it was set in motion solely to safeguard the well being of our people.”

  “There‘s more of us? I mean more than just the three of us?” Sarah asked.

  Eyebrows rising, Shana nodded. “Oh my, yes. Oodles and gobs really. It’ll take you two awhile to remember everyone’s names.”

  “But if,” Sarah paused, “if there are so many, why would you…well…”

  Shana’s eyebrows drew together in a barely masked look of disdain. “We had no choice. It is simply a matter of survival. I’m sure you can grasp the precariousness of our situation.”

  Shaking her head, she answered, “No. I don’t understand at all. I mean, there are tons of people in our family, and no one ever--how could they never come for us?”

  “I don’t know if I want to understand any of this,” Jason leaned forward in his seat and pointed his finger at the woman across from him. “You left us to live in one foster home after another. Completely alone. Do you have any idea what they tried to do to us, to her? Look at her,” he pointed to his sister, “can you imagine what she went through, what I went through, trying to keep her safe. At least Edna gave us a home when she died. That was something. Something more than the big fat nothing you’ve done for us.” He stood. Enough was enough. Anger clouded his thinking and it was getting late in the afternoon. Tonight should be his last transformation in this cycle and he was not going to be caught outside in the moonlight again. “Come on, Sarah, we need to go. It’s getting late.”