Dueling Moons: A Pat Wyatt Novel (The Pat Wyatt Series Book 2) (16 page)

“That’s my girl,” Angel said with a smile.

I shook my head again, closing my eyes in the process. Both Angel and Mike helped me move around without bumping into things. It wasn’t a long walk, because about ten second later, Mike said, “Okay. Count to ten, and then open your eyes.”

“Fine,” I huffed, feeling them both abandon me. Then I counted silently in my head, and when I reached ten, I blinked.

I had to wait a minute for my eyes to adjust against the sun, and as the spots cleared, I saw that the whole pack was standing in the parking lot.

“Merry Christmas, Pat,” they all said, and I just couldn’t believe it. They had outdone themselves. The black tar lake was dressed to the hilt with green and red streamers that seemed to sparkle in the daylight. There were tables and chairs on either side of me where the cars used to be, and in the middle was the most beautiful Christmas tree I had ever laid eyes on. It was decorated in gold and silver tinsel with ornaments of white, and at the very top was a star that almost seemed to have been brought down from the heavens, it shone so bright.

As I looked into their eager faces, each wolf appeared to be proud to have done their very best to cheer me up, and when I smiled, they all smiled with me. “This…” I paused, trying to find the right words, “this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. You have all made my Christmas. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” big, burly Nathan boomed from behind Angel, and they all laughed.

“How did you do this?” I asked Mike as he walked over to me.

He shrugged. “We paid the landlord a shit load of money to have the tenants move their cars this mornin’.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, kissing him on the cheek.

“Will ya sing for us?” he asked, loud enough for everyone to hear.

I narrowed my eyes. “If we weren’t in the middle of a pack of werewolves, I would hit you so hard.”

He smiled. “So that’s a yes, right?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“No,” Angel said, and everyone laughed again.

“Okay,” I sighed. “But just one.” Mike moved out the way so everyone could see me. They all became very still, and when I took a deep breath, I could almost feel the anticipation rise. I began to sing my favorite holiday song,
White Christmas
, and the werewolves just loved it. They swayed to the music and a couple of them even danced to the sound of my voice. Finally, the song came to the last verse, and every one of them lifted their voice in harmony with mine.

After it was over, we all clapped and I felt so happy. We ate, laughed, and played games until the sun went down; that’s when the wolves started to go home. Angel was the last to leave, giving me a hug, kiss, and another thank you. I smiled at her and she winked before she got in her car, leaving Mike and me alone at last.

“What are we going to do about this mess?” I asked, as he hugged me from behind.

“Landlord said he’d get somebody to clean it up.”

I gave a contented sigh, leaning my head against his chest. “Good.”

“You tired, bébé?”

“A little.”

“You wanna go inside?”

I shook my head. “Not just yet.”

He let go of me, kissing the top of my head. “Come in when you feel like it.”

I smiled over my shoulder at him as I watched him walk away. “I will.”

“Soon?”

I nodded. “Soon.”

He left me with my thoughts, and I was grateful.

I walked up to the Christmas tree and just stared at it, thinking of how wonderful my life would be if I could just let it. That’s when
life
—
being
the bitch that she
is
—
threw
me another curve ball.

“I see they’ve taken quite a shine to you,” Stag’s voice came from behind me, and I quickly turned to face him. “Don’t be alarmed, girly. I just came here to talk.”

“There is nothing I have to say to you.”

“Good,” he said with a cocky smile. “Then you can just shut the fuck up and listen. The pack kicked me out because of you and the least ya can do is hear me out.”

“No,” I snapped. “They kicked you out because you’re no longer one of them. You did this to yourself. I had nothing to do with it!”

“You had everythin’ to do with it,” he screamed, moving closer to me. “You and your precious Michael. If you would’ve stayed and died in New York, I wouldn’t have done this to myself!”

“Bullshit! You would have done it no matter what; that’s just the kind of greedy,
power
-
hungry
bastard you are.”

He shook his head and laughed. “You’re right, girly. I would have done it anyway. This pack has been in the dark ages for too long, and it’s time they see the light.”

I shook my head. “I think they would rather stay in the dark if the light means becoming an abomination.”

“Abomination?” he laughed without humor. “Sweetheart, they’re the abominations. I’m just the man tryin’ to rid the world of them.”

“No,” I said quietly. “You’re the man who wants to watch the world burn. You can’t just change a whole species and expect it not to have consequences.”

He smiled. “And who’s gonna stop me?”

“I am.”

“You and what army?”

“No army. Just me, I’ve seen it. We die together, Stag. You and me. And there is nothing you can do about it.”

His eyes widened. “Who showed you this?”

“It doesn’t matter. All you need to know is that your time on this earth is running out, and fast. If I were you, I’d be afraid. Very afraid.”

“You’re lyin’,” he hissed.

I smiled a dark baring of teeth. “Am I?”

I could see the fear in his eyes, and in an instant, it was replaced by anger. “I don’t believe you.”

“Then go home, Elliot, and have your little nightmares about ruling the world. But by the end of this week, you will die by my hands and my hands alone.”

“This isn’t over,” he growled.

I rolled my eyes. “Like I haven’t heard that one before.” And with that, he was gone.

I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. I couldn’t believe that I was discussing my death so casually. After all, I was resigned not to die, and yet that little voice in my head kept butting in, telling me that it was going to happen whether I wanted it to or not.

chapter

SIXTEEN

Stage Two: Anger

I was livid the next morning when I woke up late. I felt as though my whole body was on fire, and I needed to take a cold shower. All that did was make my anger worse, so I decided to use the emotion for the greater good.

Mike was still asleep when I called Herb, and surprisingly, he was awake. “Patricia,” he said, sounding very confused. “What seems to be the matter?”

“Remember when I told you that I would need your help?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I need it now.” I explained what Kathryn had seen, and how I had to be the one to kill this monster with a silver sword. “Do you have anything like that?” I asked, mentally crossing my fingers.

“I do,” he replied. “What is the weather like there?”

I looked out of the kitchen window. “Cloudy. It’s either going to snow or rain. Why?”

“Perfect,” he said, and I could almost see him smiling through the phone. “It is an overcast day here, too. I will be right over.”

“What? No, Herb, you don’t have
to
—” but before I could finish my protest, he hung up on me. I felt my stomach churn. “Tina is going to kill me if I get her fiancée fried.” I sat on the couch with a thump, taking a deep breath, trying to get the nausea to subside. It was of no use; I was going to vomit and that was that.

I bolted up off the couch, but before I could take two steps toward the bathroom, I doubled over in pain. I could feel bile in the back of my throat. “No,” I screamed, and suddenly the queasiness subsided. “Thank you,” I whispered to the baby, rubbing my stomach. I sat back down, taking another deep breath.

“Bébé,” Mike said as he walked into the living room, rubbing the back of his neck. “You okay?”

I nodded. “I’m fine.”

He yawned. “Then why’d you scream?”

Before I could answer him, the buzzer to the front door went off, so I got up and answered it. “Hello?”

“It is Herb.”

I couldn’t help the surprise that washed over me. It had been literally minutes since I talked to him, and then I remembered he was a vampire. I mean, I knew they were ridiculously fast runners, but I didn’t know they could cross entire states like that. “Come in,” I said, pressing the buzzer.

“What’s he doin’ here?” Mike asked.

“I need to practice with a sword,” I told him.

“Oh,” he said, just accepting it as he rubbed his neck again. “I should get dressed?” he made it a question.

“That would be a good idea,” I said, and then there was a knock on the door. I opened it without hesitation, and Herb smiled at me. “Come on in.”

“I will meet you outside in the lot out back.” He told me, smile never wavering. “You will need to dress differently,” he said, and I looked down at my jeans and
long
-
sleeved
shirt.

“What’s wrong with what I have on?”

“Do you wish to get blood on it?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No…” I answered, and then realized what he’d said. “Blood?” I asked,
wide
-
eyed
.

He shrugged. “Better safe than sorry.”

I gulped. “I’ll go change.”

He nodded, giving me a wink before disappearing. I closed the door, shaking my head again. The day had only just begun, and already there was going to be bloodshed.
This is just great…

About five minutes later, all three of us were outside in the parking lot. The cars had been moved back to where they once were, so the only place we could practice was in the middle.

I had changed my clothes, as Herb suggested, into a ratty, gray tank top and a pair of Mike’s old black sweats. The good news was that I didn’t have to bother with a jacket, because my temperature had spiked due to the baby.

“
Gut
,” Herb said as he placed a large, black duffle bag down.

“What?” Mike asked from behind us.

“It means good in German,” I explained.

“
Sprechen Sie Deutsch
?” Herbert asked with a smile.

I shook my head. “No. My mom used to say that when she wanted my sister and me to pay attention.” I smiled over my shoulder at Mike. “She got her point across because we always looked at her like she had ten heads.”

“
Gut
,” Herb said again, still smiling. “Now, let us get ready for this.” He bent over, unzipping the bag. The dark clouds prevented me from seeing what was inside, that is, until he pulled out two very large, very sharp, silver swords.

“Holy crap,” I said without thinking. I had never actually seen a sword up close and personal, and frankly, they were freaking me out. The fact of the matter was, the closest I had ever come to a sword was when I did a whole series on how to improve high school athletic departments, and I just happened to meet a very sweet English teacher with all of his hair and a very nice copy of
Moby Dick
…if you catch my drift.

Anyway, when Herb trotted over to me, he placed the over
two
-
foot
long silver blade in my hand. As soon as he let go, my arm dropped with such force that it almost dislocated my shoulder. “Ow,” I exclaimed, rubbing my muscle. “How in the world did knights do this? This thing must weigh over twenty pounds.”

“Some didn’t,” Herb said, smiling as if he was thinking of a private joke.

I sighed. “Let’s get this over with.”

Herbert’s smile faded as he took off his coat, revealing a white puffy shirt that was open at the neck, a pair of tight black pants, and a pair of old fashioned black boots that came up to his knees. He looked very handsome and I couldn’t help but notice that beneath that white open neck shirt was a very muscular body.

“Wow,” I said softly, and he cocked his head at me.

“What seems to be the matter?”

I shook my head. “Nothing. It’s just…you’re a very sexy man. I didn’t notice before.”

“
Danke
,” he said, as he picked up the other sword.

“You are very welcome!” I told him while I watched the muscles ripple under his shirt.

Mike cleared his throat, and when I looked at him, he seemed less than pleased. “You know I’m still here, right?”

I glared at him. “I know. It was just a compliment.” I also knew that I shouldn’t have been so angry with him, but he was there and I just couldn’t help myself.

When I turned my attention back to Herb, he was swinging the sword like it weighed nothing. “Now,” he said sternly, “it is time for your lesson.”

“Herb?”

“Yes, Patricia?”

“How can I have a lesson if I can’t hold up the sword?”

He walked over to me, placing his hand on my lower stomach. “Use him. That is what he is there for.”

“Okay. I’ll try.” I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. “Help me out here,” I whispered to the little guy. Suddenly, I felt a tingling in my arms and torso, and when I opened my eyes, I lifted the sword with ease.

I smiled, laughing a little. “I did it.”

Herb nodded. “
Gut
. Now, hold the sword like so.” He held his sword at what looked like a
forty
-
five
degree angle and I tried to mimic his movement.

“Like this?”

He shook his head, frowning. “No,” he said, dropping his weapon on the ground. Then he walked behind me, placing his arms around me to show how to hold the blade properly. “Like this.” He adjusted my grip, taking a breath. “You smell of lavender and cherry blossoms.”

“That’s a new one,” I muttered, hearing a low growl from behind us. Herb let go of me, as I rounded on Mike. “Don’t you dare growl at me, Wolf,” I scolded, and his snarling face softened. “If you’re going to stand there and act possessive, you can just go inside right now, mister! You either stay and shut up or get out of my sight! Do I make myself perfectly clear?”

His eyes widened as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Yes, Pat.”

“Good,” I hissed, turning my attention back to Herb. “Where were we?”

“Hold up your sword,” he commanded, and I did, exactly how he showed me. He circled me and nodded. “Very good. Just like that. Are you comfortable with it?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

He smiled at me again, but there was something dark about it now. “Then it is time to spar.”

“Wait a minute,” I said, my voice on the edge of panic. “You didn’t teach me anything. How am I supposed to not get killed?”

“You will learn from experience. Trust me.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Forgive me if I don’t take your word on this. A vampire’s word means less than nothing to me.”

He nodded. “I understand that, but I will not hurt you, Patricia, and if I do, Mr. Wolf may kill me. Deal?”

I grimaced, dreading what was to come. “All right.”

“
Gut
,” he said again as he picked up his sword. “Now…” he smirked at me. “
En Garde
!”

Herb was the first to swing his blade, and I blocked it as best I could. He swung again, but this time he whapped the back of my hand with the flat of his sword, making me drop mine.

“Ow,” I yelped, holding my right hand. I could actually feel the welt beginning to form. “You hit me!”

“Yes,” he admitted. “Now you will learn to be on your guard. Pick up your sword. We will go again.”

I narrowed my eyes at him again, picking the weapon up off the ground. “I don’t like this,” I muttered to myself.

“You are not supposed to,” Herb said. That’s when I remembered he could hear me, even if I was talking to myself. “
En Garde
!”

We fought again, this time a little longer than the last, until he knocked my left elbow with the blade. “Ow,” I screamed again, feeling my sword drop and my anger boil. “Son of a bitch!”

“Again,” Herb commanded, and I picked up the sword again, my fury ready to burst out of my skin at any moment. Then we began again, the clanging of the swords reverberating through my bones, until he sideswiped me and I landed on my butt.

“You do that again and I’ll kill you,” I growled, getting to my feet.

“I would love to see you try. Again!”

I picked up my blade, and before I could even swing, Herb knocked it out of my hand, slicing my right forearm in the process. Anger blinded me, and the next thing I knew, I was holding Herb by his neck, his feet dangling off the ground. I faintly heard Mike’s voice tell me to let go, and when he touched my arm, I turned my anger on him.

“Bébé,” he whispered, touching my shoulder gently. “Let him go.”

I looked up at Herb, and when I saw the fear in his eyes, I snapped out of it. I dropped him and he landed on his feet like a jungle cat. “I’m so sorry, Herb. I didn’t
mean
—”

“It is all right.” He told me, rubbing the front of his neck. “I pushed you and you pushed back. But now you can use the anger. Do you want to try again?”

I looked at Mike, who nodded his approval. “Hell yes,” I answered, a smile taking over my face. We picked up our weapons and I focused all of my energy on trying to disarm Herb.

He struck the first blow, but I was ready for him this time. The swords clanged together, making the sharpest sound I’d ever heard. It actually made my ears ring. Then something amazing happened: Herb tried to strike me and everything slowed down. I could see his moves before he made them. I could even hear the blade move through the air. In a matter of seconds he struck, but I was too quick for him. The next thing I knew, his weapon was on the ground and I was pointing my sword at his neck. I wasn’t even out of breath.

“How did I do that?” I asked myself.

“It is your new instincts,” Herb answered, my blade still aimed at his jugular. “And I have to say, they are good ones. May I have my throat back now?”

I jerked back to reality and grimaced as I lowered the sword. “Sorry.”

He smiled at me. “No need for apologies. Again?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

“Again.”

Hours later, I was sweating up a storm and it looked as if it was going to pour or snow at any moment.

“I think we are done for the day,” Herb said, as he placed the swords back in the large black bag. “Again tomorrow?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ll call you if it’s a yes. Is that all right?”

He nodded. “
Gut
. You know,” he whispered, walking closer to me, “you are quite beautiful. I now see why Samuel feels the way he does about you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Samuel doesn’t have feelings.”

“Do not say that,” he said, as he picked up the bag. “He cares for you.”

“Really? He has a funny way of showing it.”

“Maybe if you knew him like I do…”

“Don’t give me that. He is what he is…a monster.”

Herb sighed, placing the bag over his shoulder along with his coat. “Very well. I will not argue with you.”

I shook my head and turned around. Mike must have gone inside and gotten himself a chair, because he was sitting and snoring away.

I smiled, walked over to him, and leaned over to kiss his forehead to wake him. “Mike,” I said softly, and he slowly blinked at me. “Time to wake up, my wolf.”

He stretched, yawing. “Is it over?”

I stood up straight. “Yes, it’s over.”

He got up out of the chair, while Herb walked by us. “
Gute Nacht, meine Schönheit
,” he said with a wave.

I looked at my watch, lighting up my face. It was almost seven o’clock. We had been at it for almost ten hours, and I just realized that I was starving. “
Good
-
night
, Herb,” I said with a wave and a smile.

“Yeah,” Mike said as he stood up, picking the chair up in the process. “Night.” With that, Herb flashed out of sight.

“I’m so hungry,” I stated as Mike and I made our way to the front of the building. “Are you?”

“Starved,” he said, but there was something in his voice that wasn’t quite right. He didn’t look any different, but from the way he sounded, something was wrong.

“Are you okay?” I asked when we walked inside.

He nodded. “Yeah, just tired.”

After that, he was quiet, and when we went into our apartment, he turned and asked, “What did he call you?”