A Bite's Tale: A Furry Fable (2 page)

“Yeah, but everything’s normal outside Ile de la Paix. Regular people don’t know werewolves and vampires exist. So it’s not like it comes up much when we’re home.”

“Good point. I’ve heard of witches not telling their kids, since it’s not hereditary. You’re lucky she told you anything at all.” I readjusted the weighty backpack over my shoulder, but I didn’t turn to go.

“Yeah… about my mom briefing me on witches and stuff...” Her gaze strayed to the ground. “Uh… she kinda
had
to tell me.”

I tilted my head. “Why?”

“My dad was a werewolf.”

I stifled a snicker. “And you were judging the king’s advisor for being a vampire? Unlike witches, the werewolf gene is transferred down. You’re going to turn into a hairy wolf and howl at the moon, maybe even hunt down an innocent animal and eat it raw. But you don’t like vampires, because they drink blood? That’s hypocritical, don’t you think?”

I relished my conversations with her too much to get annoyed — despite her hypocrisy. She was unlike any other girl I’d met. She was hot, of course, but she was smart and funny, too. And I loved her quick smile.

“Gross. Don’t remind me.” Cindy grimaced. “I haven’t hit maturity yet and morphed. I’m still eating
cooked
meat.”

“That’ll change.” Knowing she was a werewolf made me feel more connected to her, like she belonged on the island with the rest of the freaky inhabitants. “Your brother’s younger than you, right? He’s got a ways before he hits maturity. Is he cool with the whole werewolf thing?” I asked.

“Oh, it’s just me. Gavin has a different father. My mom’s got crappy taste in guys, I guess. Aunt Mina, too, apparently. The men don’t seem to stick around.”

“C’mon. We’d better keep moving or we’ll be late getting home for dinner. I don’t want you getting caught.” Then sneaking out wouldn’t be so easy for her next time.

We hiked through the forest another mile, then stopped at the bottom of a small hill. I twisted to take her hand and help her up. My skin tingled at her touch. I had to kiss her. Soon.

“How do you know so much about witches?” she asked, breaking the mood of the moment.

“My dad’s a warlock.” My eye twitched as that tidbit slipped out. But she probably wouldn’t figure out my dad and the king were the same warlock. A lot of sorcerers inhabit the island.

Considering how fast Dunston could sniff me out and catch me when I snuck out, yes. That’s why I arranged my time with Cindy during Dunston’s morning meetings with the king. Any respectable vampire would be sleeping during the day, but not Dunston. He was too old to be affected by the sun anymore. Just one more thing to make my life harder than your average kid.

“No. I’d rather have a normal life.” I turned and led the way to the cabin.

Chapter Two

Remy

I waited for Cinderella again at our usual spot in the clearing by the log. We’d hung out almost every day for two months straight and I still hadn’t kissed her. Soon, she’d be gone again and I’d miss my chance if I didn’t do something. My chest tightened. It would be nearly ten months before she returned to me. I only had a few more days. I’d have to make every moment count.

She stepped into the clearing. “Hey.”

The scent of strawberries hit me as they always did when she was nearby. I wondered if I might get close enough today to see if the strawberries came from her shampoo or some kind of perfume.

“Hey.” I moved toward her, then froze.

She was unbelievably hot in a skimpy top and yet another pair of jeans that showed too much skin, too many curves. She had to be driving the guys in Florida crazy — like she was doing to me. The idea of other guys pursuing her didn’t sit well with me.

What if she came back next year and she had a boyfriend? Worse, what if she didn’t come at all next year and opted to stay with
him
? I couldn’t let that happen. I had to tell her how I felt.

But first, I had to kiss her.

Should I ask before I made a move? Did girls expect that? When I’d rehearsed it in my head, it never felt right. I always sounded like a total wuss. Maybe I could hint and see if she was receptive.

“So what’s the plan today?” she asked.

“I was thinking of something… different.” I replied, knowing that was still way too subtle. I’d have to hint a little harder. But what if she said no?

“Different? We’ve seen everything around here for miles. There’s nothing new.” She briefly surveyed the area. “Is there?”

“Not something to see. Something to
do
.” I took a step toward her. She didn’t shrink from me. Good sign. But if I went with the move I’d practiced in my head a million times, would she bolt? I’d never know unless I tried. My insides trembled, but it was do or die. I reached out to play with a lock of her shimmery red hair, which felt silky between my fingers, then I met her gaze.

“Something to
do
? Like… like what?” Cindy bit her bottom lip.

“Maybe you should stop
thinking
and start
doing
.” She leaned toward me and laid her hands on my arms before stretching on her tiptoes to meet my lips.

My chest pounded and blood roared in my ears as I bent toward her.

“You’re so beautiful.” The words escaped before I could stop them. I probably sounded like a lovesick puppy. Whatever. I was about to kiss the girl of my dreams — finally.

My mouth touched hers and electrons whizzed through my body. After a brief moment, I withdrew to catch my breath.

She opened her eyes and smiled. “That was nice.”

“You don’t know how many times I’ve wanted to do that,” I rasped, dying to dive in for more. But I had to be cool, so I wouldn’t scare her away by acting like a total perv.

“Probably not longer than I’ve been waiting,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper. “But that’s not how they do it in the movies.”

“In theater, they’d probably call that the teaser.”

Her big green eyes widened as I yanked her against me and fastened my mouth to hers. She opened for me, her tongue tangling with mine — which ignited a world of desire as fireworks hit my bloodstream and moved to places better left unmentioned.

If I’d known it could be like this and that she’d wanted it too, I would’ve kissed her ages ago. I mentally kicked myself for wasting all those weeks when we could’ve been doing
this
the entire time.

Her hand crept up under my shirt and her fingers trailed along my back. Goosebumps danced on my skin. She pressed closer against me and I took the kiss deeper, letting loose my weeks of pent up craving for her.

I didn’t think life could get any more perfect than being with Cindy. And I no longer yearned for a normal life. I wanted things to stay exactly as they were at that moment. With my Cinderella.

Forever.

A soft moan erupted from my throat when she angled her face to take the kiss still deeper. I slid my arms around her waist and the tips of my fingers inched up underneath her tank top.

She shivered.

But it wasn’t a usual shiver. Her whole body began to tremble and I nearly lost my hold on her. I pulled back. Cindy’s eyes grew huge and her pupils dilated.

She threw her head back, her limbs vibrating as she growled. No, not a growl. It was more like a dull roar, full of pain and anguish. Was she… was my Cindy about to turn into a werewolf? Or was it something else? Maybe if I held her again, whatever was happening to her might stop. I lunged for her.

“Get away from me!” Sobbing, she shoved me back, but in the process, one of her claws raked across my chest.

I flinched, as blood beaded on my skin. A little scratch wasn’t going to stop me though. Not when Cindy needed my help. I stepped forward again.

Her lips curled up, exposing long, growing teeth and she shrieked. Yeah, she’d hit werewolf maturity all right. But she hadn’t completely morphed. Just her teeth and nails. Maybe if I calmed her, she could prevent it from progressing. I wrapped my arms around her waist, as I’d done just moments ago, and pulled her close.

She shrieked again, then searing pain shot through my arm.

Werewolf bite. Oh, crap. My dad was going to kill me… unless the werewolf virus beat him to it.

The forest spun around me and I couldn’t keep my eyelids up. My muscles went lax and when the ground rose to slam against me, I didn’t feel a thing.

Chapter Three

Cydney

Three years later…

“Cinderella! Aren’t you ready yet?”

My little brother Gavin had long since learned to pronounce my name correctly, but since the car crash two weeks ago, his old habit had returned. I didn’t mind. Right now, I needed the familiarity of the nickname. Apparently, Gavin did too.

“Cydney Ella Marsten! You’ll make your cousins late if you don’t hurry,” Aunt Mina called from upstairs.

“I’ll be right up.” My eyes swept across my new room one last time. I’d trashed the place during the night. My blankets were half on the bed, half off. I’d knocked the chair over and the clothes I’d piled on it the day before were now littered across the wood floor. Several stacked boxes I’d never unpacked were toppled over. My desk was pressed closer to the wall and the little white lamp knocked on its side. Oh, well. I’d straighten up when I got home. Just like I always did.

I tied my hoodie around my waist, and grabbed my cell phone and backpack. I left the safety of my basement room and bolted up the stairs to the first floor.

“Shot gun!” Beatrice shouted. My cousin thought she was more mature than me just because she’d been born two months earlier. But she was still a senior, just like me.

I followed Bea and my younger cousin, Winnie, out the front door, then we all piled into my aunt’s silver Audi. I sat in the back with Winnie — my brother between us, as usual.

Winnie was a grade behind Beatrice and me. Up until the last year or so, she’d been painfully shy and, even now, acted like she still lived in Bea’s shadow. That’s probably why we’d always gravitated toward each other. We both felt like outcasts.

I glanced at Gavin who clutched the backpack wedged between his knees and the front seats. I’d been so self-absorbed these past few weeks, I’d barely thought to ask how he was doing. Our mother’s death had to have been rougher on him. Gavin’s dad was still alive, but he’d made it quite clear he didn’t want custody of Gavin.

I understood that a little too well. I leaned into him and kissed him on his cheek. Under normal circumstances, he’d never let me do that. Thirteen was way too old for kisses and hugs from big sis. But it was just the two of us now.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Cydney?” my aunt asked me. “Maybe you should take a few more days.”

I met her eyes in the rearview mirror and rolled my own. “You’re the one who pushed me to go back to school today.”

“Did I push?” She glanced over her shoulder with an innocent look, then returned her attention to the road. “I just thought… well… it’s healthy to return to a routine and interact with other people.”

Or did she just want me out of her way for a change? With me at school, she had the house to herself.

These days, I could never figure out Aunt Mina. I had no clue where I stood. It was easier before, when my mom and I would visit — she’d get time with her sister, while Gavin and I hung out with my cousins. That is, when I wasn’t sneaking off to meet Jack. Back then, we all knew what to expect. We’d enjoy a few days together, then we’d go our separate ways.

But now, with both my parents gone, Aunt Mina was my guardian. At least for the next few months, until I turned eighteen.

“It’s okay.” I took a deep breath. “School will take my mind off things and I want to graduate on time. Can’t do that if I’m not in class.”

Aunt Mina pulled the car to the curb in front of the school and swiveled in her seat, her short, dark brown hair whipping around her cheek. “You sure?”

I nodded and found the door handle.

“If anything changes or if it gets to be too much for you, call me.”

“Thank you. I will.” I gave her a weak smile and turned to Gavin, wishing he were a little older, so we didn’t have to go to different schools. Several weeks ago, I’d been wishing he lived on another planet. I’d been absolutely positive he was the most annoying person ever. When our mom died, everything changed.

Beatrice stood by the front steps with several girls in designer outfits. Her blond hair bounced off her shoulders as she tossed her head and laughed. A pang of envy sliced through me. I wanted what she had. Normalcy.