Blood and Beasts

Chapter 40

She saw in him a new vigour, new hope that had only been a faint mask before. The times they made love by candle light behind the bars of that cage were exhilarating, transporting them to a new world that was beyond the reach of all the horrors lurking in the dark. Cara loved him; she felt that in a way she hadn't felt since before her mom was killed, before Nolan was taken (before he left). She loved Daniel like she had loved Angel, with a youthful ignorance and passion. And she felt his love back, powerful at times, but also soft, deep.

However it did their love no good to hide in a cage. Cara wanted to bring him back completely, to save him in a way she had never been able to save anyone she loved. She needed him to have his life back. So, taking precautions, the tranquilizer in her hand, she led Daniel out of the cage one morning. He put clean clothes on and walked up the hidden cellar stairs into the kitchen with a nervous smile on his face. He stayed and stared out the window, beaming at the sun and the glimmer over the lake. Cara held him around the waist; breathing him in as he marvelled at a view he'd been missing for so long. And the way he held her arms as they stood in silence; that was love.

Fading as he was, even Logan managed to join them in the kitchen for breakfast. Logan wasn't eating much now, but a smile stayed steady on his face as he watched the two of them. Cara smiled more easily too; they were a family, for the time being at least.

She continued to try and reach Jack, but his spirit was nowhere to be found. He was far away, and she worried greatly for him, but it would have to be Bethany and Andie that found the solution. Cara began to realize how far removed from everything else she had become up here. Logan still insisted they were where they needed to be, but Cara had doubts as his mind drifted each day.

For the time being, the only one she seemed able to help was Daniel. The more control he had over the wolf, the more they could hope to move. If Daniel could travel, they wouldn't be confined to the cottage anymore. As horrid as the thought was, Cara had begun to accept that Logan's time was growing short. He would die soon, peacefully she hoped, and Daniel and her would be on their own. They could hit the road, meet up with other hunters, Bethany and Andie perhaps if they resurfaced by then, and they could all take on the Imperial Cult together. They could find spots along the road to keep Daniel secure when he transformed, or sedate him if there was no better option. And Cara dared to dream of a point when he would gain control over his werewolf side completely. Let's see how well the Imperial Cult stands up to a werewolf ripping through their ranks.

For now though, baby steps. That's how November went, stepping a little farther each day. Cara had felt Daniel's joy as he stepped out of the house for the first time. It was cold, light snow falls had begun that week and they were both dressed poorly for the weather, but regardless they laughed with each other through chattering teeth.

Their walks got longer, going down to the lake to look at the thin layer of ice forming around the edge, and then further still, wandering through the paths and trails around the house, past the neighbouring houses. Cara always kept the tranquilizer on her, but her hand did not stay nearly as close to it anymore. She had been fortunate, never having to use it.

In the afternoon of an unseasonably warm day in late November, the kind that only required light sweaters, Cara and Daniel made a full trek around the hiking trails. The ground had been a bit soggy due to the melting snow, but otherwise it was a perfect day to be outside. The couple had even dared to make love quickly sheltered by the trees, still mostly clothed, hands exploring beneath the layers.

It was on their way back that they ran into them. Cara easily recognized Meredith Johnson in the distance, in a purple tracksuit and bright pink runners, though her hair was less puffed up than last time they'd met. She had her one hand on the elbow of a man next to her, and was holding the dog leash of a fluffy Pomeranian in her other hand.

Meredith waved at Cara when she spotted them. It was too late to change direction and though Cara would have preferred to ignore them completely, Daniel and her approached to say hi. She felt Daniel squeeze her hand nervously; this would be his first interaction with anyone besides her and Logan. The dog started to bark as they got closer, yappy and annoying. Meredith made the introduction of her husband Ted, who had what clearly used to be a rounder face, now his skin hung loose and pale, almost translucent. His hair was thin too, and the grey eyes under his spectacles were unfocused. He looked like Logan, Cara found herself thinking.

"This is Daniel, my partner," Cara introduced him, finding the word had a nice roll off her tongue.

"Oh well it's very nice to meet you!" Meredith beamed, taking his hand with a firm grip. "Have you been staying up here long?"

"A little while," Daniel said softly. Cara felt tenseness in him that she hadn't for weeks. Daniel's eyes focused on the little dog as it continued to bark at him, beady eyes fixed.

"Don't worry about little Bonnie, she thinks she's a lot tougher than she is," Meredith laughed, though Cara didn't like the way Daniel's hand was tightening on hers. "How's your dad by the way? Feeling any better?"

"Uh, yeah. He has his good days and bad days, but the air up here does him good," Cara muttered out. Her attention was more on Daniel, as was the dog's. And as was Ted's she realized. The man's blurry eyes had locked in on Daniel, until they eventually shifted over to hers. Cara held the uncomfortable stare of the man who had yet to say a word.

"I know exactly what you mean," Meredith blathered on, unaware of all this. "Even as it gets colder I would still rather be up around here than anywhere else, well except maybe Barcelona," she laughed at this. "We felt Ted could use the fresh air right now, so we decided to spend a couple more weeks." Her full smile softened into something much more human as she looked tenderly at her husband. "All three of you should come by for dinner some night!" Meredith exclaimed, eyes back to Cara and Daniel. "What do you think? I could do up a roast, or perhaps some steaks?"

"No, that's alright," said Cara. "We couldn't." The dog kept on barking at Daniel. Cara wanted to dart away, but didn't want to make them too suspicious either.

"Oh nonsense, it would be our pleasure. And we could use some company up here, gets a little quiet once the snow starts coming down."

Bark! Bark! Bark!

"Shut the hell up!" Daniel suddenly screamed at the dog. The dog winced away, and Cara was just as frightened as the dog, not because of his outburst though. She had seen his eyes flash yellow for a moment.

"I'm sorry, we have to go," Cara said to Meredith's bewildered expression. They could think what they want, but for their safety Cara had to get Daniel back to the house. They rushed off in the other direction, away from the dog that had resumed it's yapping. They cut back onto the trail through the trees, taking cover from prying eyes. Daniel's steps grew heavy, as he pressed his weight into Cara, gritting his teeth and groaning. He collapsed down on his knees, grinding his palms into the gravel of the trail.

"Its coming, I can't stop it," Daniel wheezed out.

"It's okay," Cara said calmly. She drew the tranquilizer and shot once into Daniel's neck. His eyes fluttered a few times before closing. Cara caught him before he went face first into the ground. She sighed as she heaved him onto her shoulders. Some setbacks were inevitable.

Still there had been something deeply unsettling about that whole interaction which Cara couldn't quite pinpoint. What was it about Ted Johnson's stare that had troubled her so? She was almost certain he had seen Daniel's eyes change too, but he hadn't reacted when they did. Perhaps she was being paranoid, but it had almost felt to her like he was expecting it.