With his coat still lying in a heap on a pink, flowery rug, Jarren crossed his arms before him for warmth and thanked the gods the bitch hadn't thrown him out without his trousers too. Not wanting to wait out the coming day without the benefit of a coat, Jarren stole home as the sun crept over the mountains.
It wasn’t that he didn’t respect his sister Carrey or her husband, Aimos, exactly. It was more that he hated the way he was only a part-time player in the domestic situation he had to live in; a grown man living with surrogate parents he’d not grown up knowing.
And then there was Eunice, Jarren’s eighteen-year-old niece. She was part of the reason he lingered in the streets watching the sun come up. He found himself cursing the gods every day for their ill-found humor.
He crept in the door and shut it as silently as a trespassing sneak-thief. Glad to see the house was still, he headed up to his room and fell into bed.
A door slammed, waking Jarren, who groggily rolled over in bed, his feet hanging over the end. He squinted in a well-lit room; it was surely after midday.
“Get back here!”
“No!”
“Put that down!”
Something crashed, breaking against a wall downstairs.
“Eunice get back here!” Another door slammed.
Heavy feet clomped through the house, and then another slam sounded.
Jarren combed his hair with his fingers, and straightened his collar before leaving his room. If they were at it again, it was he that would have to play referee. He headed down the stairs.
“Have you been asleep all morning?” Carrey demanded as Jarren rounded the corner to the living room, immediately regretting leaving his room at all.
“No.”
“Well you’ve missed lunch.”
“I’m not sure I missed anything. You two can probably be heard clear to the mine what with all the banging.”
Jarren seated himself at the counter then and tore a hunk of bread in half. Stuffing it greedily into his mouth he watched Aimos, Carrey’s husband storming into the room.
“She’s in her room,” Carrey called, taking a slight step toward her furious husband.
“She’s under lock and key until I say otherwise,” the tall old man fumed. He looked sternly at her then, daring her to challenge him, but no challenge came. Carrey, who was normally as timid as a black bear nodded silently.
“If she were not your niece, wife,” Aimos growled, “she would be out on the street where she belongs.” Then he pulled his coat from a hook and slammed the door behind him.
Carrey didn’t move immediately, and Jarren stuffed another hunk of bread into his mouth.
“Dammit!” she swore, slamming her hand down on the counter.
He chewed thoughtfully. Eunice was good at getting under her aunt’s skin. “Don’t let her get to you,” he said, trying to be of some comfort. “She is growing up, you know… finding herself. It is only a phase.”
Carrey turned to face him, and he saw something more than anger in her face. “I don’t think so, Jarren.”
“You think it is something else?”
“I am worried for her. Her behavior’s getting worse.” She shook her head and untied her apron, setting it on a hook. “Sometimes she just loses control.”
“She was a wild girl.”
“No,” she looked gravely at him. “This is different. While I’ll freely admit she was prone to hysterics as a teen, something has changed recently. She has changed recently.”
“You don’t think…..”
Carrey frowned. “I do.”
“You think she’s sick?” he demanded in a whisper.
“We all knew it was a possibility,” she said.
“You know what this means…”
“I do.”
Jarren pushed his chair away from the counter and grabbed his coat before stomping out the door.
CHAPTER 1
It was on an otherwise beautiful morning that the awful news was heard from the lips of every crier Darken’s Gate had. Adelmoor’s king was dead. His body was retrieved from the estate of the Duke of Ferringar, and transported back to the kingdom of Adelmoor. Some believed it had been a murder, while others spoke of ongoing health problems, but whatever the cause of the untimely demise of the northern land’s ruler, Darken’s Gate’s citizens were paying the price. New laws to establish a curfew and the restriction of travel papers were only the first ways.
The nobles were all pointing fingers at each other, and dueling in the streets increased, the city guards unable to be all places at once. Three churches were burned; no one was charged with the crime. It was as if the death of one king had sent the eastern state into some sort of uncontrolled dive, and as it plummeted to the ground, more blood was being called for. Bounties were signed for all manner of small-time criminals, leniency was not shown for even children caught stealing, and common people were questioned at every turn by newly recruited guardsmen.
One evening while Aimos smoked in his study, Carrey and Carina snuck off to the garden. Jarren knew they were going to talk about Eunice, so the task of watching the willful girl had fallen to him. Over a chessboard and ivory soldiers they matched wits.
“Check.”
“I saw that coming a mile away.”
“But did you then see this? Check.”
“It was the logical strategy.”
“Why then didn’t you protect your bishop?”
“Bishops are useless,” Jarren shrugged. “They only go on one color.”
“But the game is won and lost with every piece,” Eunice goaded him. “I think your strategy has failed.”
“Perhaps I am trying to get you to slip up.”
“Hmmm,” Eunice mulled over his words. “I shall rephrase it. Unless your strategy is to give me all of your pieces one by one…. It has failed.”
“Think that if you want.”
“I will. Check.”
Jarren knew he was beaten, but wouldn’t give Eunice the satisfaction of seeing him sweat. “Check.”
“What?”
“I said Check.”
“Where did that knight come from? You moved it too far.”
“I did not.”
“Sure you did. It was three over and three back. You cheated.”
“This is why no one plays with you, Eunice,” he scoffed. “You’re a sore loser.”
“I’m no such thing. I just can’t abide your cheating.”
She glared at him.
“Who’s for pie?” Carrey announced, entering the room with her apron on.
* * *
With Carina as a houseguest, Jarren found he felt more out of place than ever. Aimos and Carrey had always tended the house and chores well enough without his meddling, but with Carina’s insistence on helping with every damn thing around the place, Jarren became a hindrance to the women, so his solution was to be gone most of every day.
Carrey seemed to be fostering some strange urge to have her whole family under one roof, ignoring the moments of tension which arose. One night at dinner, the house was positively brimming with people. Carrey’s son Brock came for a visit, and her daughter Trevina, the same age as Eunice was there with her new husband Eirick. As much as Jarren enjoyed eating, he was tempted to find somewhere else to be, sure the night would prove disastrous in some way before the lights went out. It was how it always was.
Carrey walked her children out after the meal and then joined Eunice with tidying away the dinner things.
“Trey seems really happy,” Eunice said, stacking up dirty plates.
“They’re still newlyweds,” Jarren laughed. “Wait ‘til they’ve been married a few years.” He winked at Carrey, who gasped.
“What a thing to say!”
“Don’t listen to him Carrey,” Eunice said, setting the dishes next to the sink. “He’s just bitter because no woman will have him.”
Jarren narrowed his eyes at his young niece. “Plenty of women would have me, young one.” He knew how she hated to be reminded of her age. “In fact, one lucky lady had me twice last night.”
“Really?” She challenged him. “How much did she cost?”
“Every penny she was worth,” he shot back, smiling.
“Enough you two,” Carrey said. “Jarren, leave if you don’t want to be useful.”
He begrudgingly picked up a towel and began drying the dishes Carrey washed.
“Will you marry me to a man like Eirick?” Eunice asked.
“What?” Carrey asked.
“I don’t have anyone I fancy,” Eunice explained, “but, I think you made a good match for Trey. She looks really happy, and Eirick is a good man.”
“Eunice….” Carrey said. “I don’t have a dowry for you. When your mother died, she didn’t have anything at all.”
“You’re not going to find a husband for me? What is there for me then? Shall I live here with you and him forever?” Jarren couldn’t help but feel slightly offended that he was the him she was referring to. If anyone in the house was a miserable old sod, it was Aimos.
“What am I supposed to do? Live a whore’s life like Jarren’s little friends?” She snatched the towel out of his hand and slapped him in the face with it.
“What was that for?”
Instead of answering him she turned on Carrey like a feisty little barn cat turns on a friendly old mastiff. “How could you not tell me I was never meant to marry and be on my own?”
“You never asked,” Carrey slammed a pot down on the counter. “If you’d ever shown any interest in a husband, I’d have told you earlier. I don’t have any money to buy you a good marriage.”
“I just thought you were waiting until Trey was wed.”
“I’m sorry, Eunice,” Carrey began, taking Eunice’s hand.
“No you’re not!” Eunice shouted. “You’re only saying that because I am not your daughter!” Eunice snatched her hand away with ferocity and then brought her open hand forward, making contact with her aunt’s cheek. Carrey reeled from the blow.
Before Jarren could stop her, Eunice fled from the room. He moved to his sister’s side, and tried to pull her hand away to look at the developing bruise, but Carrey turned away, muttering, “You’ve done enough.” Then she too left the room, leaving Jarren to finish the dishes on his own.
It was after midnight when a soft knock sounded at the door. “Jarren?”
He got up from his bed and set the book he’d been reading on the night table to open the door for Carrey. She stood in her night gown, a small lamp in her hand. “May I come in?”
He stood aside and once she sat upon his bed, he closed and locked the door.
“We may have a difficult time keeping this a secret if she becomes much worse,” she began steadily.
He sat next to her. “She’s sick then?”
“Carina thinks so.”
“Is there nothing that can be done? It’s still early…..”
Carrey shook her head. “I don’t know. Carina is doing what she can, but….. Oh Jarren it’s just so unfair!”
“Forgive me, but it’s hard to hear you talk about what’s fair.”
Carrey crossed her hands in her lap and frowned. “I know we have never been close like some siblings are, but I wish with all my heart there was something I could do to cure Eunice,” she put her hand on his arm, “and you too.”
Jarren sighed. His heart hurt. “You’ve been lucky. I don’t know if you even realize how lucky. You’re perfect. Your line shows no sign of the curse.”
“I know,” she said weakly, “and I pray every day that it remains so.” She wiped her eyes.
He got up from the bed. “I’ve known I was sick since I was young. When Uni died, Momma took Eunice in and raised her as her own. I was eight; still a child. But when our brother Mikael died….. Momma became so sad. I raised Eunice and me until Momma finally passed.”
“Jarren, did you know she had a twin brother named Mikael too?”
“Who, Momma?”
“He died as a boy.”
“She never told me about him.”
“I’m not surprised,” Carrey said, drying the rest of her tears. “She loved him so much, but I don’t think until our brother Mikael died she realized there was a connection….. that her kids were… different.”
“Except you.”
“Except me." She sighed. “Well after Mikael died, Uncle Aiden had made some comments about our grandparents. I didn’t think about it much at the time, but I remembered it the other day. He said that this all began with them.
He mentioned how our grandfather Kael had… died a mad raving animal and had been put out of his own misery in the end. I mentioned that to Carina.”
Jarren clenched his jaw. “How did he get it?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know if anyone can answer our questions. It was a very long time ago.”
“Who knows that Eunice and I are sick?”
“Only Carina and me.”
“You haven’t told anyone else?” He approached her.
“If you’re asking whether I have told Aimos anything, the answer is no.”
She stood then and took his hand. “Jarren, this thing, whatever it is, has killed most of our family. Momma’s brother died young, then our sister and brother. None of them made it past eighteen.”
“And I am twenty-six and have the worst case, yet I continue to live.”
“I can’t explain it Jarren,” she sighed.
He turned away from her.
“I came to apologize to you, not delve into our family secrets. I was angry with Eunice earlier. Nothing that is happening here is your fault. I’m sorry I took it out on you.”
“It’s okay. I should do more to stand with you. She has gotten aggressive. I need to keep my guard up before she hurts you.”
“Thank you for your concern. Try to get some sleep, Jarren. You don’t look well.”
Jarren laid back down as the moon rose. It didn’t matter what he did; he could not sleep. As the pale orb drifted higher in the sky, he felt it pulling him, taunting him. His heart raced and his hands sweated as it called to him. His joints ached.
Next morning Jarren found Carrey and Aimos at the table breaking their fast. Aimos rose as Jarren took a seat and after a dark glare, left the house.
“What’s his problem?”
“He was upset I left him last night to talk to you.”
“Prick.”
“Jarren!”
“What?”
“He’s noticing that things aren’t quite right around here and knows I’m keeping things from him.”
“That doesn’t give him the right to tell you what you can and can’t do.”
“He’s my husband, and has been for a long time.”
“Not longer than I’ve been your brother. If we have secrets, what’s that got to do with him?”
She sighed and shook her head. “Carina asked me to get some supplies for her; I thought you might be able to do it today?”
“Why me?”
“Some of the things… aren’t available at the local apothecary…..”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Here’s what she wants.” She handed him a note.
“Colt’s foot, Comfrey? These are available at any shop.”
“Keep reading.”
“Skullcap, Nettles, oh.”
“Yeah.”
He laughed. “You want me to go find a drug dealer?”
“I just thought you might know where to look…..”
“What in the hell does she need Crimson Dolly and Witchweed for?”
“I didn’t ask a whole lot of questions. She told me what to get, and I told her I’d find it. Can you help me?”
“Yeah I think I can get these.”
“By tonight?”
“What?”
“She needs them right away. It’s for Eunice.”
He saw the concern on her face. “I’ll see what I can do.”
* * *
Jarren was on his way home, traveling through a rough neighborhood, trying to avoid the guards who were shooing stragglers home before curfew.
Suddenly two men were blocking the road, and Jarren knew he would only get one chance to talk his way out of a confrontation. “You in a hurry for any particular reason?”
“I don’t want any trouble,” said Jarren putting his hands up to show he was unarmed. “I don’t have any money.”
“We’ll see about that,” said another ruffian from a nearby shadow.
Not wanting to risk bodily harm for the sake of a few coins, Jarren tossed his remaining money on the ground. “That’s all the money I have.”
One of the men stepped forward to retrieve the small pouch, but the leader stopped him. “Where’s the witchweed?”
Jarren’s heart sank. The men had probably tailed him from Starla’s, where he’d bought the drugs. He turned and tried to run past his attackers, clearing through the street and running into an alley. Of course his pursuers gave chase.
He climbed over some crates and grabbed a window ledge, but someone grabbed his ankle and pulled firmly. He fell to the ground in the alley.
Solid blows rained down as the men swarmed upon him, four or five in total. Jarren fought back, but was outnumbered, and after taking a few mighty kicks to his midsection, he was pulled to standing. While two men held his shoulders the leader fished in his jerkin for the drugs. Jarren’s thoughts turned to Eunice, and then to the full moon he knew hung low in the sky.
Strength coursed through him with every desperate beat his heart pumped. He knew what was coming, but he did not try to stop it. He was out of money and Eunice needed him. He tore his right arm free and grabbed the leader about the throat. The man’s eyes went wide at the crushing strength of his Jarren’s hand.
As his muscles bulged, claws grew from his fingers, stabbing into the leader’s neck until he shuddered, blood coursing over Jarren’s clawed hand. He threw the dying man aside and grabbed another.
With his body still changing, he attacked another, slashing at his face, and as that one fell to his knees, Jarren grabbed a third. His face was inhuman by then, and he sank inch-long fangs into the other’s throat, ripping viciously. Copper exploded in his mouth, spraying his fur with fine mist. He dropped the man, knowing he had to stop the fourth one from leaving the alley. On all fours he ran after the escapee, and dived upon him with teeth and claws bared. While the weight of his attack had probably broken the man’s back, he flipped him over and tore out his throat for good measure, then quickly glanced around. No one remained in the alley or the surrounding street. Damn.
Making haste, Jarren fetched his things as his body shrunk and skin again replaced fur. He had to get home before the bodies were discovered, and avoid the guards if at all possible.
He let himself in through the garden gate and practically fell in through the kitchen door. Leaning against it, he caught his breath. Adrenaline subsided, and a few moments later Carrey rushed to his side.
“Jarren!”
“Where’s everyone else?”
“Aimos is in bed, and Carina is tending Eunice.”
He tossed the parcel he carried on the counter. “Give that to Carina, then.”
He drew his torn bloodied shirt over his head and threw it into the fire.
“Are you alright?” she demanded, concern marring her pretty face.
“Do I look bloody alright?”
“Oh gods, what happened? Where did all that blood come from?”
“Some men followed me from the drug den.”
“How did you get away?”
“I killed four, but I think one got away.”
“You… killed them?”
“I had to, Carrey! It was them or me tonight!”
“Oh Gods, Jarren,” she gulped, “what are we going to do?”
“I don’t know. I need some time to think.”
“Five men tried to rob you?”
“No, they tried to kill me. For that!” He pointed an accusing finger at the drugs on the counter. “There are addicts all over this damned town, thanks to the miners, and they are driven mad by their desire.”
“The one that got away…. What did he see?”
“Probably everything,” said Jarren splashing some water on his face to clean away the blood. Carrey took a step forward to stop him dipping his hands into the pot. “That was for my… tea.” He glared at her. “Oh, never mind.”
As he fetched a towel to dry his hands, she sighed. “If you transformed, you’re not safe here.”
“I know, but where shall I go?” He left her alone in the kitchen and headed for his room. After changing his ripped trousers, he flopped on his bed. His animal instincts were still high, and he couldn’t help panting with his teeth bared. It took time to calm down after the transformation. The beast inside him wanted more blood; had enjoyed sinking its teeth into those men’s throats.
He got up to close the window where the moon would soon shine in. Jarren turned back to his room, when he saw his reflection in his mirror he frowned.
His face was handsome by most people’s standards. His dark hair was usually neatly combed, ending in untamable curls at the base of his neck when it got too long. His mouth still tasted of blood, so he swilled with saltwater and spit it into his chamber pot. He fetched a bottle of cheap wine from his cabinet and took a long drink.
He realized he’d forgotten to lock his door when Carrey entered. “Here,” she said, tossing a small object onto the bed next to him.
“What’s this?”
“Carina’s key.”
“You told her?”
“No. I told her you were going to Adelmoor and needed to use her house. Now get up and get a bag packed. You might be in danger if you stay here ‘til morning.”
“I haven’t got travel papers, Carrey,” he argued, rising. “Won’t that be more suspicious than if I just waited until morning and…”
“I don’t want to find out.”
He glared at her, thinking her voice rather cold. A realization dawned. “I had to kill those men. I’m not mad; and I’m certainly no danger to you or your family!”
She pulled him into her arms, something she had never done before. “I’m afraid for you, little brother, not of you. Now leave, for your own safety. I will send a letter to you in Adelmoor when this thing has blown over.”
Jarren tied the key onto a leather thong around his neck.
“Go out the back door,” whispered Carrey as she hurried him along, “Aimos is in the sitting room. It would be better if he didn’t see you go.”
“You’re not going to tell him, are you?”
“Never. Our secrets are our own. He needs never know about this night.”
Jarren left his home and traveled north to the new gate. It would be busier than the others at night, and that alone might help him to leave without papers.
It wasn’t that he didn’t respect his sister Carrey or her husband, Aimos, exactly. It was more that he hated the way he was only a part-time player in the domestic situation he had to live in; a grown man living with surrogate parents he’d not grown up knowing.
And then there was Eunice, Jarren’s eighteen-year-old niece. She was part of the reason he lingered in the streets watching the sun come up. He found himself cursing the gods every day for their ill-found humor.
He crept in the door and shut it as silently as a trespassing sneak-thief. Glad to see the house was still, he headed up to his room and fell into bed.
A door slammed, waking Jarren, who groggily rolled over in bed, his feet hanging over the end. He squinted in a well-lit room; it was surely after midday.
“Get back here!”
“No!”
“Put that down!”
Something crashed, breaking against a wall downstairs.
“Eunice get back here!” Another door slammed.
Heavy feet clomped through the house, and then another slam sounded.
Jarren combed his hair with his fingers, and straightened his collar before leaving his room. If they were at it again, it was he that would have to play referee. He headed down the stairs.
“Have you been asleep all morning?” Carrey demanded as Jarren rounded the corner to the living room, immediately regretting leaving his room at all.
“No.”
“Well you’ve missed lunch.”
“I’m not sure I missed anything. You two can probably be heard clear to the mine what with all the banging.”
Jarren seated himself at the counter then and tore a hunk of bread in half. Stuffing it greedily into his mouth he watched Aimos, Carrey’s husband storming into the room.
“She’s in her room,” Carrey called, taking a slight step toward her furious husband.
“She’s under lock and key until I say otherwise,” the tall old man fumed. He looked sternly at her then, daring her to challenge him, but no challenge came. Carrey, who was normally as timid as a black bear nodded silently.
“If she were not your niece, wife,” Aimos growled, “she would be out on the street where she belongs.” Then he pulled his coat from a hook and slammed the door behind him.
Carrey didn’t move immediately, and Jarren stuffed another hunk of bread into his mouth.
“Dammit!” she swore, slamming her hand down on the counter.
He chewed thoughtfully. Eunice was good at getting under her aunt’s skin. “Don’t let her get to you,” he said, trying to be of some comfort. “She is growing up, you know… finding herself. It is only a phase.”
Carrey turned to face him, and he saw something more than anger in her face. “I don’t think so, Jarren.”
“You think it is something else?”
“I am worried for her. Her behavior’s getting worse.” She shook her head and untied her apron, setting it on a hook. “Sometimes she just loses control.”
“She was a wild girl.”
“No,” she looked gravely at him. “This is different. While I’ll freely admit she was prone to hysterics as a teen, something has changed recently. She has changed recently.”
“You don’t think…..”
Carrey frowned. “I do.”
“You think she’s sick?” he demanded in a whisper.
“We all knew it was a possibility,” she said.
“You know what this means…”
“I do.”
Jarren pushed his chair away from the counter and grabbed his coat before stomping out the door.
CHAPTER 1
It was on an otherwise beautiful morning that the awful news was heard from the lips of every crier Darken’s Gate had. Adelmoor’s king was dead. His body was retrieved from the estate of the Duke of Ferringar, and transported back to the kingdom of Adelmoor. Some believed it had been a murder, while others spoke of ongoing health problems, but whatever the cause of the untimely demise of the northern land’s ruler, Darken’s Gate’s citizens were paying the price. New laws to establish a curfew and the restriction of travel papers were only the first ways.
The nobles were all pointing fingers at each other, and dueling in the streets increased, the city guards unable to be all places at once. Three churches were burned; no one was charged with the crime. It was as if the death of one king had sent the eastern state into some sort of uncontrolled dive, and as it plummeted to the ground, more blood was being called for. Bounties were signed for all manner of small-time criminals, leniency was not shown for even children caught stealing, and common people were questioned at every turn by newly recruited guardsmen.
One evening while Aimos smoked in his study, Carrey and Carina snuck off to the garden. Jarren knew they were going to talk about Eunice, so the task of watching the willful girl had fallen to him. Over a chessboard and ivory soldiers they matched wits.
“Check.”
“I saw that coming a mile away.”
“But did you then see this? Check.”
“It was the logical strategy.”
“Why then didn’t you protect your bishop?”
“Bishops are useless,” Jarren shrugged. “They only go on one color.”
“But the game is won and lost with every piece,” Eunice goaded him. “I think your strategy has failed.”
“Perhaps I am trying to get you to slip up.”
“Hmmm,” Eunice mulled over his words. “I shall rephrase it. Unless your strategy is to give me all of your pieces one by one…. It has failed.”
“Think that if you want.”
“I will. Check.”
Jarren knew he was beaten, but wouldn’t give Eunice the satisfaction of seeing him sweat. “Check.”
“What?”
“I said Check.”
“Where did that knight come from? You moved it too far.”
“I did not.”
“Sure you did. It was three over and three back. You cheated.”
“This is why no one plays with you, Eunice,” he scoffed. “You’re a sore loser.”
“I’m no such thing. I just can’t abide your cheating.”
She glared at him.
“Who’s for pie?” Carrey announced, entering the room with her apron on.
* * *
With Carina as a houseguest, Jarren found he felt more out of place than ever. Aimos and Carrey had always tended the house and chores well enough without his meddling, but with Carina’s insistence on helping with every damn thing around the place, Jarren became a hindrance to the women, so his solution was to be gone most of every day.
Carrey seemed to be fostering some strange urge to have her whole family under one roof, ignoring the moments of tension which arose. One night at dinner, the house was positively brimming with people. Carrey’s son Brock came for a visit, and her daughter Trevina, the same age as Eunice was there with her new husband Eirick. As much as Jarren enjoyed eating, he was tempted to find somewhere else to be, sure the night would prove disastrous in some way before the lights went out. It was how it always was.
Carrey walked her children out after the meal and then joined Eunice with tidying away the dinner things.
“Trey seems really happy,” Eunice said, stacking up dirty plates.
“They’re still newlyweds,” Jarren laughed. “Wait ‘til they’ve been married a few years.” He winked at Carrey, who gasped.
“What a thing to say!”
“Don’t listen to him Carrey,” Eunice said, setting the dishes next to the sink. “He’s just bitter because no woman will have him.”
Jarren narrowed his eyes at his young niece. “Plenty of women would have me, young one.” He knew how she hated to be reminded of her age. “In fact, one lucky lady had me twice last night.”
“Really?” She challenged him. “How much did she cost?”
“Every penny she was worth,” he shot back, smiling.
“Enough you two,” Carrey said. “Jarren, leave if you don’t want to be useful.”
He begrudgingly picked up a towel and began drying the dishes Carrey washed.
“Will you marry me to a man like Eirick?” Eunice asked.
“What?” Carrey asked.
“I don’t have anyone I fancy,” Eunice explained, “but, I think you made a good match for Trey. She looks really happy, and Eirick is a good man.”
“Eunice….” Carrey said. “I don’t have a dowry for you. When your mother died, she didn’t have anything at all.”
“You’re not going to find a husband for me? What is there for me then? Shall I live here with you and him forever?” Jarren couldn’t help but feel slightly offended that he was the him she was referring to. If anyone in the house was a miserable old sod, it was Aimos.
“What am I supposed to do? Live a whore’s life like Jarren’s little friends?” She snatched the towel out of his hand and slapped him in the face with it.
“What was that for?”
Instead of answering him she turned on Carrey like a feisty little barn cat turns on a friendly old mastiff. “How could you not tell me I was never meant to marry and be on my own?”
“You never asked,” Carrey slammed a pot down on the counter. “If you’d ever shown any interest in a husband, I’d have told you earlier. I don’t have any money to buy you a good marriage.”
“I just thought you were waiting until Trey was wed.”
“I’m sorry, Eunice,” Carrey began, taking Eunice’s hand.
“No you’re not!” Eunice shouted. “You’re only saying that because I am not your daughter!” Eunice snatched her hand away with ferocity and then brought her open hand forward, making contact with her aunt’s cheek. Carrey reeled from the blow.
Before Jarren could stop her, Eunice fled from the room. He moved to his sister’s side, and tried to pull her hand away to look at the developing bruise, but Carrey turned away, muttering, “You’ve done enough.” Then she too left the room, leaving Jarren to finish the dishes on his own.
It was after midnight when a soft knock sounded at the door. “Jarren?”
He got up from his bed and set the book he’d been reading on the night table to open the door for Carrey. She stood in her night gown, a small lamp in her hand. “May I come in?”
He stood aside and once she sat upon his bed, he closed and locked the door.
“We may have a difficult time keeping this a secret if she becomes much worse,” she began steadily.
He sat next to her. “She’s sick then?”
“Carina thinks so.”
“Is there nothing that can be done? It’s still early…..”
Carrey shook her head. “I don’t know. Carina is doing what she can, but….. Oh Jarren it’s just so unfair!”
“Forgive me, but it’s hard to hear you talk about what’s fair.”
Carrey crossed her hands in her lap and frowned. “I know we have never been close like some siblings are, but I wish with all my heart there was something I could do to cure Eunice,” she put her hand on his arm, “and you too.”
Jarren sighed. His heart hurt. “You’ve been lucky. I don’t know if you even realize how lucky. You’re perfect. Your line shows no sign of the curse.”
“I know,” she said weakly, “and I pray every day that it remains so.” She wiped her eyes.
He got up from the bed. “I’ve known I was sick since I was young. When Uni died, Momma took Eunice in and raised her as her own. I was eight; still a child. But when our brother Mikael died….. Momma became so sad. I raised Eunice and me until Momma finally passed.”
“Jarren, did you know she had a twin brother named Mikael too?”
“Who, Momma?”
“He died as a boy.”
“She never told me about him.”
“I’m not surprised,” Carrey said, drying the rest of her tears. “She loved him so much, but I don’t think until our brother Mikael died she realized there was a connection….. that her kids were… different.”
“Except you.”
“Except me." She sighed. “Well after Mikael died, Uncle Aiden had made some comments about our grandparents. I didn’t think about it much at the time, but I remembered it the other day. He said that this all began with them.
He mentioned how our grandfather Kael had… died a mad raving animal and had been put out of his own misery in the end. I mentioned that to Carina.”
Jarren clenched his jaw. “How did he get it?”
“I don’t know. I don’t know if anyone can answer our questions. It was a very long time ago.”
“Who knows that Eunice and I are sick?”
“Only Carina and me.”
“You haven’t told anyone else?” He approached her.
“If you’re asking whether I have told Aimos anything, the answer is no.”
She stood then and took his hand. “Jarren, this thing, whatever it is, has killed most of our family. Momma’s brother died young, then our sister and brother. None of them made it past eighteen.”
“And I am twenty-six and have the worst case, yet I continue to live.”
“I can’t explain it Jarren,” she sighed.
He turned away from her.
“I came to apologize to you, not delve into our family secrets. I was angry with Eunice earlier. Nothing that is happening here is your fault. I’m sorry I took it out on you.”
“It’s okay. I should do more to stand with you. She has gotten aggressive. I need to keep my guard up before she hurts you.”
“Thank you for your concern. Try to get some sleep, Jarren. You don’t look well.”
Jarren laid back down as the moon rose. It didn’t matter what he did; he could not sleep. As the pale orb drifted higher in the sky, he felt it pulling him, taunting him. His heart raced and his hands sweated as it called to him. His joints ached.
Next morning Jarren found Carrey and Aimos at the table breaking their fast. Aimos rose as Jarren took a seat and after a dark glare, left the house.
“What’s his problem?”
“He was upset I left him last night to talk to you.”
“Prick.”
“Jarren!”
“What?”
“He’s noticing that things aren’t quite right around here and knows I’m keeping things from him.”
“That doesn’t give him the right to tell you what you can and can’t do.”
“He’s my husband, and has been for a long time.”
“Not longer than I’ve been your brother. If we have secrets, what’s that got to do with him?”
She sighed and shook her head. “Carina asked me to get some supplies for her; I thought you might be able to do it today?”
“Why me?”
“Some of the things… aren’t available at the local apothecary…..”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Here’s what she wants.” She handed him a note.
“Colt’s foot, Comfrey? These are available at any shop.”
“Keep reading.”
“Skullcap, Nettles, oh.”
“Yeah.”
He laughed. “You want me to go find a drug dealer?”
“I just thought you might know where to look…..”
“What in the hell does she need Crimson Dolly and Witchweed for?”
“I didn’t ask a whole lot of questions. She told me what to get, and I told her I’d find it. Can you help me?”
“Yeah I think I can get these.”
“By tonight?”
“What?”
“She needs them right away. It’s for Eunice.”
He saw the concern on her face. “I’ll see what I can do.”
* * *
Jarren was on his way home, traveling through a rough neighborhood, trying to avoid the guards who were shooing stragglers home before curfew.
Suddenly two men were blocking the road, and Jarren knew he would only get one chance to talk his way out of a confrontation. “You in a hurry for any particular reason?”
“I don’t want any trouble,” said Jarren putting his hands up to show he was unarmed. “I don’t have any money.”
“We’ll see about that,” said another ruffian from a nearby shadow.
Not wanting to risk bodily harm for the sake of a few coins, Jarren tossed his remaining money on the ground. “That’s all the money I have.”
One of the men stepped forward to retrieve the small pouch, but the leader stopped him. “Where’s the witchweed?”
Jarren’s heart sank. The men had probably tailed him from Starla’s, where he’d bought the drugs. He turned and tried to run past his attackers, clearing through the street and running into an alley. Of course his pursuers gave chase.
He climbed over some crates and grabbed a window ledge, but someone grabbed his ankle and pulled firmly. He fell to the ground in the alley.
Solid blows rained down as the men swarmed upon him, four or five in total. Jarren fought back, but was outnumbered, and after taking a few mighty kicks to his midsection, he was pulled to standing. While two men held his shoulders the leader fished in his jerkin for the drugs. Jarren’s thoughts turned to Eunice, and then to the full moon he knew hung low in the sky.
Strength coursed through him with every desperate beat his heart pumped. He knew what was coming, but he did not try to stop it. He was out of money and Eunice needed him. He tore his right arm free and grabbed the leader about the throat. The man’s eyes went wide at the crushing strength of his Jarren’s hand.
As his muscles bulged, claws grew from his fingers, stabbing into the leader’s neck until he shuddered, blood coursing over Jarren’s clawed hand. He threw the dying man aside and grabbed another.
With his body still changing, he attacked another, slashing at his face, and as that one fell to his knees, Jarren grabbed a third. His face was inhuman by then, and he sank inch-long fangs into the other’s throat, ripping viciously. Copper exploded in his mouth, spraying his fur with fine mist. He dropped the man, knowing he had to stop the fourth one from leaving the alley. On all fours he ran after the escapee, and dived upon him with teeth and claws bared. While the weight of his attack had probably broken the man’s back, he flipped him over and tore out his throat for good measure, then quickly glanced around. No one remained in the alley or the surrounding street. Damn.
Making haste, Jarren fetched his things as his body shrunk and skin again replaced fur. He had to get home before the bodies were discovered, and avoid the guards if at all possible.
He let himself in through the garden gate and practically fell in through the kitchen door. Leaning against it, he caught his breath. Adrenaline subsided, and a few moments later Carrey rushed to his side.
“Jarren!”
“Where’s everyone else?”
“Aimos is in bed, and Carina is tending Eunice.”
He tossed the parcel he carried on the counter. “Give that to Carina, then.”
He drew his torn bloodied shirt over his head and threw it into the fire.
“Are you alright?” she demanded, concern marring her pretty face.
“Do I look bloody alright?”
“Oh gods, what happened? Where did all that blood come from?”
“Some men followed me from the drug den.”
“How did you get away?”
“I killed four, but I think one got away.”
“You… killed them?”
“I had to, Carrey! It was them or me tonight!”
“Oh Gods, Jarren,” she gulped, “what are we going to do?”
“I don’t know. I need some time to think.”
“Five men tried to rob you?”
“No, they tried to kill me. For that!” He pointed an accusing finger at the drugs on the counter. “There are addicts all over this damned town, thanks to the miners, and they are driven mad by their desire.”
“The one that got away…. What did he see?”
“Probably everything,” said Jarren splashing some water on his face to clean away the blood. Carrey took a step forward to stop him dipping his hands into the pot. “That was for my… tea.” He glared at her. “Oh, never mind.”
As he fetched a towel to dry his hands, she sighed. “If you transformed, you’re not safe here.”
“I know, but where shall I go?” He left her alone in the kitchen and headed for his room. After changing his ripped trousers, he flopped on his bed. His animal instincts were still high, and he couldn’t help panting with his teeth bared. It took time to calm down after the transformation. The beast inside him wanted more blood; had enjoyed sinking its teeth into those men’s throats.
He got up to close the window where the moon would soon shine in. Jarren turned back to his room, when he saw his reflection in his mirror he frowned.
His face was handsome by most people’s standards. His dark hair was usually neatly combed, ending in untamable curls at the base of his neck when it got too long. His mouth still tasted of blood, so he swilled with saltwater and spit it into his chamber pot. He fetched a bottle of cheap wine from his cabinet and took a long drink.
He realized he’d forgotten to lock his door when Carrey entered. “Here,” she said, tossing a small object onto the bed next to him.
“What’s this?”
“Carina’s key.”
“You told her?”
“No. I told her you were going to Adelmoor and needed to use her house. Now get up and get a bag packed. You might be in danger if you stay here ‘til morning.”
“I haven’t got travel papers, Carrey,” he argued, rising. “Won’t that be more suspicious than if I just waited until morning and…”
“I don’t want to find out.”
He glared at her, thinking her voice rather cold. A realization dawned. “I had to kill those men. I’m not mad; and I’m certainly no danger to you or your family!”
She pulled him into her arms, something she had never done before. “I’m afraid for you, little brother, not of you. Now leave, for your own safety. I will send a letter to you in Adelmoor when this thing has blown over.”
Jarren tied the key onto a leather thong around his neck.
“Go out the back door,” whispered Carrey as she hurried him along, “Aimos is in the sitting room. It would be better if he didn’t see you go.”
“You’re not going to tell him, are you?”
“Never. Our secrets are our own. He needs never know about this night.”
Jarren left his home and traveled north to the new gate. It would be busier than the others at night, and that alone might help him to leave without papers.
