Spirit Storm (17 page)

I thought about the bottles of Dr. Hoppenjumper’s Virility Tonic Emma was probably filling right now and smiled. The image in the mirror smiled back. A rictus grin leered out from beneath the hooded face.
Spooky.

I grinned wider, slung my backpack over one shoulder, and took the stairs two at a time. Lifting a huge umbrella from the stand beside the door I flung myself out into the rain to wait for Emma. There is something liberating about splashing around in puddles and Emma later found me doing my best frog impersonation jumping from puddle to puddle.

“Getting in touch with your inner child?” Emma asked, rolling down the driver side window.

“Heck yeah,” I answered. “Want to give it a try? We still have time before school.” I splashed a booted foot to tempt her out of the car.

“No thanks,” Emma said, looking down at her meticulous white dress and vintage cardigan. “White isn’t the best color for playing in the rain.”

“I’m sure Gordy would disagree,” I said, teasing. Wait. Gordy and Emma just broke up. “Oh no, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking. That just kind of slipped out.”

“It’s cool,” Emma said. “It’s been a crazy few days. You’re allowed a momentary lapse of reason.”

“Forgive me?” I asked.

“Forgiven,” Emma said. “We shall never speak of it again.”

“Are you okay though…about the break up thing?” I asked. Things were going so well with Cal that it was nearly impossible to put myself in Emma’s shoes, but I knew she must be hurting.

“I’m good,” Emma said. “No worries.”

“You sure?” I asked. “I realize things have been crazy, but you know I’m always here for you, right?”

“I’m fine,” Emma said, rolling her eyes. “Now will you get your drippy self in the car so we can get to school?”

“I guess so,” I said. I splashed in one more puddle, with both feet, collapsed my umbrella and scooted into the car. I turned a manic grin on Emma as she backed out of the driveway. “You really should try it. I’ll even let you borrow my boots.”

“No thanks,” Emma said, smiling. “But I know something else that will cheer us up. Take a look in the back seat.”

I turned around to see a six pack of Dr. Hoppenjumper’s Virility Tonic sitting there innocently; the Holy Grail of payback. I bounced in my seat, for once impatient to get to school. I couldn’t wait for gym class.
Was that a winged pig flying in the sky?

*****

Cal wasn’t in school, but that wasn’t a surprise. Emma had suggested he stay home and take it easy for a day or two. We both knew that would mean he’d be working obsessively on his project to organize a pack database, but at least he would be away from humans while he continued to recover. The full moon was fast approaching and the combined force of the moon’s pull and Cal’s weakened physical state could force him to transform against his will. He still had a head injury to heal from, and a nasty headache to go with it, and I was guessing that could greatly interfere with the intense focus he needed to retain control over his wolf spirit.
Better to be safe than sorry.

Simon would also be at his side which made me surprisingly confident that Cal was in good hands. I still felt odd relying on Simon, but he had proven himself to be reliable, especially where Cal and the pack were concerned. Cal had even confided in me last night that he planned to ask Simon to be his second in command. Vice alpha? Whatever the official title Cal planned to present Simon with the offer today and make a later formal announcement to the pack. That was one ceremony I’d like to see.

I also had business with Simon and needed to talk to him after school. We were now only three days away from Samhain and I didn’t have the replacement amulet yet. Simon had offered to secure a replica from one of his underground contacts and pay the hefty fee, something I planned to pay him back over time, but we didn’t have much time left. I was hoping that I hadn’t placed my chances of surviving Samhain in the wrong hands. Simon may have proven himself reliable, but his underground jeweler was another story. I prayed this wasn’t the king of bad ideas.

Our plan to swap out a replica for the original fairy crafted amulet, what the occult shop was calling the Gallows Amulet, had made so much sense at the time. Now that Samhain was only a few days away I was losing my faith in the plan. First things first, worry about acquiring the fake amulet. Worry about the logistics of breaking into a shop owned by practicing witches later.
Preferably way later…like never.

Cal’s empty chair in physics class seemed less ominous today. I managed to walk past it, all the way to my own desk in the back corner, without getting weak in the knees. The past few days had been a waking nightmare, but Cal was awake and recovering. All was right with the world, right up until my teacher walked in and started handing out a surprise quiz. Note to self, next time a scary killer is out hunting werewolves and your boyfriend ends up in a coma, don’t slack on your homework. If nothing else, make sure to do the reading. No teacher is going to accept a supernatural excuse.
A werewolf ate my homework?

Now why couldn’t I date a paranormal guy with mind control powers? I bet vampires could talk their way out of homework and pop quizzes. I tried to picture Cal with pale skin, fangs, a cape, slicked back hair, and glowing red eyes.
No way, totally lame.
I laughed and snorted out my nose, causing a few giggles and an angry frown from my teacher.
Oh and self?
Try not to conjure up silly images of Cal during class. The last thing I need is detention.

*****

I tried to put my gloomy game face on as I headed into gym class. It was hard not to smile while picturing Jay and Jared chugging their just desserts, but if I walked in looking happy they would know something was up. I sat on the bench and set the six pack of Dr. Hoppenjumper’s Virility Tonic beside my backpack at my feet. Emma walked in and winked.

Gym class hadn’t officially started yet and everyone was used to Emma and me hanging out by the bench. It was where I spent most of my class time. Jay and Jared were horsing around, making fun of our fellow classmates, as usual. When they came closer Emma started talking loud enough for them to hear.

“So, you get your hands on that special tonic?” Emma asked. “I heard it makes girls go crazy.”

“Yeah, I can’t believe how expensive it was, but if it makes Cal a total stud then it was worth every cent,” I said. It was all I could do not to laugh, or roll my eyes, but I kept a straight face.

“It’s supposed to make a guy totally irresistible to women, right?” Emma asked.

“That’s what they say and it has a money back guarantee,” I said. I glanced around pretending to look nervous, and acting like I didn’t see Jay and Jared nearly salivating for the tonic. “It was really expensive though, so I need to get it to my locker right after class.”

Right then Coach blew his whistle as if on cue. “Today we’re running laps inside,” he said. “Everyone up.”

I hesitated at the bench, trying to look as though I couldn’t decide if I should leave my precious tonic unattended.

“Stennings!” Coach yelled. “You’ve already sat out your quota of classes. If you want to pass this class, which I remind you is a graduation requirement, then I suggest you hit the track.”

I groaned, rolling my eyes at Emma who waved in sympathy, and started running. After the first lap Jay and Jared hung back enough to end up behind me, which was totally against jock behavior. I had always been one of the slowest runners in our class. By the second lap I could hear gagging noises and watched as the J-team fled through the locker room doors. I laughed all the way to the finish line.
Who knew gym class could be so much fun?

*****

“I kind of threw up a little,” I said. Emma looked back at me with eyebrow raised. “Just a little, but it was totally worth it. They were gagging so loud it was echoing out from the boy’s locker room.”

Emma raised her fist and we bumped knuckles. “Gagging,” she said, “with a side of humiliation. Now that is what I call success.”

“Or one really funky meal,” I said. “Speaking of which, any scoop on today’s lunch menu?”

“Unless you want meat with a side of meat covered in meat sauce I recommend purchasing a juice from the vending machine,” Emma said.

“Just when I thought the day was starting to go my way,” I said, and sighed.

I clomped off to the juice machine without enthusiasm. Metallic tasting apple juice, in a can sized for a Barbie doll, was not my idea of lunch. My coins rolled down into the juice beast’s belly with a clang, I hit the button for apple, and voila! Lunch was served. I stomped back to our table ready to vent about the injustice of school cafeterias when I saw a fabulous soy pudding sitting next to my bag.

“For me?” I asked, breaking out my manic smile.

Emma rolled her eyes. “Of course for you, but only because you light up like a Christmas tree,” she said.

“Well yeah, it’s c-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e,” I said.

“It’s f-o-o-d,” Emma said, smiling. “You get excited about anything you can eat, though I do think chocolate tops your list.”

I pictured Cal’s warm moist lips and for a moment forgot how to speak.
Well maybe chocolate wasn’t at the very top of the list.

I spooned in creamy chocolate pudding enjoying every bite.

“You’re the best,” I said.

“All good?” Emma asked.

“All good,” I answered. It
was
all good. The school day was nearly over, we pulled off our evil payback scheme, I’d soon be visiting with Cal, and Emma had proven her friendship again with chocolate. Things were very, very good.

Chapter 23

Emma dropped me off at the cabin after school with a promise to return after her shift at the veterinary clinic. She warned that she might run a bit late due to an emergency outpatient visit to a local zoo, but she was obviously excited at the possibility. Emma may have ethical arguments against zoos, but that didn’t mean she’d miss a chance to work with rare and exotic animals. Calm, cool Emma was nearly squealing with enthusiasm.

In my rush to see Cal, and get in from the rain, I ran headlong into a wall of leather and chains. Not good. Pulling back I looked up, and up and up, into the scarred face of a giant. I couldn’t tell if he was grinning or snarling. The ropes of shiny scar tissue pulled his face in myriad directions, forming Picassoesque geometric shapes, and his eyes were shadowed by the brim of a leather hat.

His leather pants and jacket were getting wet and I remembered how much a leather skirt chafed when it got a teensy bit damp from dancing in a hot club. I made that mistake, once, and vowed never to do it again. This guy was standing there with rivers of rain water running down leather clothing from head to toe. That could not be comfortable.

He was standing beside a shining Harley, one hand resting possessively on the handlebars. Who rides a motorcycle in the rain, in October, in Maine? Maybe he thought it made him look cool, but I couldn’t help but wince. There was not enough salve in the world to help the chafing he was going to have later. The thought made me laugh out loud, laughing into the face of a giant.

“You must be one of Simon’s friends,” he said, offering his hand to shake.

“Yeah,” I said. Way to be eloquent Yuki.

“He always did run with some wild ones,” he said, winking. He swung one tree trunk leg over his bike and nodded. “Catchya later.” He revved the engine and was gone.

Did that just happen?
Weird.
Simon was standing in the cabin doorway as I trudged inside. He was grinning and clapping his hands.

“Very impressive,” Simon said.

“What?” I asked. I wasn’t in the mood for his games. I was soaking wet, freezing cold, and just wanted a cup of tea and some time with Cal.

“You just laughed in the face of one of the scariest black market couriers I know,” Simon said. “Impressive for a wisp of a girl who’s only a hundred pounds…soaking wet. I believe you gained his respect.”

Cal walked over from the kitchen, steaming mug in hand, scanning my face in concern.

“Great,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I now have the scary guy’s respect. Just what I always wanted. Whatever shall I ask Santa to bring me for Christmas?”

“It’s not something to take lightly,” Simon said, looking more serious. “You and Cal are a pair and he is our alpha. There will be times when others will make a play for power within the pack and the ability to look someone meaner and larger in the face and laugh may well save you from a fight.”
Oh great, he was serious.
“Plus, the respect of someone three times your size is never something to shrug off.”

“Okay thanks I guess, for the advice, but did you say he was a black market courier?” I asked.

“Yes love, I was getting to that,” Simon said, grinning. He held up a small black velvet case with a flourish. “Your amulet has arrived.”

My amulet.

Cal came to stand beside me, leaning his weight against the wall. “Hey,” he said. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I said, feeling breathless. I had missed him so much today knowing he was here and awake, yet out of my reach.

“So you stared down some scary dude and laughed in his face?” Cal asked.

“Yeah,” I said, smiling.

“I don’t know if I should be worried or salute you,” Cal said, smiling.

“I’ll settle for a hug,” I said.

“That I can do,” Cal said, reaching for me and pulling me close.

“Ahem,” Simon said, letting out an exaggerated sigh. “Hello. Amulet. Simon saving the day here. Don’t I get a hug?”

“No!” Cal and I said in unison. We both started giggling and even Simon laughed low in his throat.

“Well, can we at least do something to celebrate?” Simon asked. “We’ve been cooped up here for days.”

“Sure, what were you guys thinking?” I asked.

“Steak!” Cal and Simon said. They high fived and whooped.
Ugh, boys.

“Okay, I guess we can go out for steak,” I said. “Emma’s working a long shift at the veterinary hospital so you both lucked out. There’s no way she’d go along with a trip to the steakhouse.” I looked back and forth from Cal, who was barely standing on his feet, to Simon. “So who’s driving?”