Tales of the Were

Chapter Three

Denahi

Chapter Three: Brotherly Love

I walked Vivian home that night, dropping her dead flashlight in the trashcan on the side of the road on my way home.

          “Meet me at the creek tomorrow. And bring Adrian,” I said to her before leaving.

          She nodded and went inside. I strode away, hands in my pockets, and found my silver Harley waiting for me behind the Marked tree. My hands groped for my helmet before I remembered that I’d lost it three weeks before. Damn it.

          I shrugged silently to no one in particular. “O well,” I said aloud. “I’ll have to make ‘do without one for now.”

          Slamming on the breaks and revving the engine, I sped off.

          Riding by slowly, I observed the current events of the evening. A girl, about Adrian’s age in human years, walked hesitantly out of the Slipped Disk, an overflowing bag in her shaking hands. She risked a glance over her shoulder and walked a pace. Then looked again and walked some more. And again. And again.

          My glimmering eyes rolled mechanically. Humans, these days, my inner wolf complained. Then it got an idea. What if we play with her, ah? Just for awhile. Until sunrise.

          No.

          What if we just talked to her and fed a little? No one will miss her with her wily ways. She’s much too skittish for any real fun.

          I said no. And that’s the final answer.

          But what if we-

          NO!

          Fine, the reluctant wolf gave in. But just look at her neck for me. Just for a moment. Doesn’t she look tasty and warm?

          I licked my lips in agreement. She did look appetizing. She was not much to look at, so I figured she wouldn’t be missed too terribly.

          Skidding to halt, my bike dropped beneath me. I stepped over easily, my eyes never leaving the bare skin of her throat.

          “Hello,” I called sweetly.

          She looked over her shoulder. “Um, hi. Do I know you?”

          “No,” I told her truthfully. “But I saw you and I thought you might need some help with your um-” I looked pointedly at her bag.

          “Oh, no it’s fine. But thank you.” She began to walk away.

          And the chase begins.

          “I’m Denahi. I’m new in town and I thought maybe you could show me around.”

          The girl looked at me in a strange way. “Right now?”

          I nodded.

          “Don’t you think it’s a bit late for site-seeing?”