They swung open the cage door, cattle prods at full power, humming with electricity. The man lazily lifted his hands in surrender. "Now, now." He said softly. His voice was like velvet. "No need. I'll do as you please." The man in the cage said, his...
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The darkness seemed more complete that day. The barely lit horizon dimmed gradually as the moon dipped to its lowest point in that Alaska winter. Grandmother's arrival was marked by the chime of one of her carved wooden clocks, its cuckoo darting out with a raucous clamor.
It had been three days since the last remnants of Theo's murder had been buried in the clearing just outside, though her feeling of dread had not disappeared with the white wolf like she thought it would.
Maybe it was because she knew what she must still do to escape this place with her brother. A deeper piece of her rejected this though, and drew forth the image of Kiril's face, his tears illuminated like diamonds by the moonlight.
The old woman came inside with a bundle of paper bags in her arms, stuffed to the brim with various goods that looked too numerous to only be for a few days. "Juniper." She called out, her voice oddly hoarse, as if she'd been yelling.
Her eyes turned to Theo as she settled the bags on the kitchen counter and began unpacking. There were dozens of canned goods with hard breads and cheeses to last a month. "You too, child. Come, help me unpack."
Theo did as she was bid as Juniper strode from the back rooms, her steps full of impatience and frustration. When grandmother was satisfied with their proximity, she deigned to speak. "Tonight is the winter solstice. Tonight will also mark the start of a war." She explained, her haggard voice bitter.
Theo stiffened and gazed with wide, panicked eyes at the woman. "What do you mean?"
Dancer perked up, licking shining white teeth and growled out a single envious word that only Theo could hear. 'War.'
Grandmother shot her a dirty look, mouth pulled down in disapproval. Theo blushed lightly and shut her mouth. "I mean, my idiot grandson has chosen to move, lycan or no. He believes he's changed enough men to strike down those of importance on this most sacred day."
"Sacred day." Juniper scoffed. "As if anything was ever sacred to you people."
Grandmother didn't respond, continuing as she turned to Theo. "All magical creatures have signed a treaty to do no harm on the two solstices of the year, each year, from now until the end of time." Grandmother cleared her throat and steadied herself against the counter. "The enemy is a sitting duck."
"We have to help them. Warn them." Theo said immediately, glancing between Juniper and Grandmother.
"You'll do no such thing. Tonight we stay indoors and hope that the war bypasses us entirely."
And then Juniper added, "you couldn't get out even if you wanted to."
"But they ca-" Grandmother cut Theo off.
"That is the end of the discussion, child. If you wish to maintain my protection, you will do as I say."
She opened her mouth to argue, but the woman's dangerous glare made her decide against it. The older woman sighed as she placed a can upon a packed wooden shelf. "Sit. Both of you."
