Wolf Creek Enforcer (12 page)

Growling, Ian said, “Can it bro.  There will be no taking off of shirts.”

“What he said.  She’s still my little sister you know.  I will not be a part of this conversation,” David stated adamantly, striding over to sit in one of the recliners.  “Since I am now deaf to any and all dialogue from said earlier discussions, it’s time to change the subject.”

Glancing at Devlin, David continued, “I’ve been called up.  Feel like making a little trip?  Somewhere around the eighteenth century I’m thinking.”

“Hot damn! Let’s go, I’m ready to battle and save some damsels,” Devlin told him. 

David rolled his eyes, “It’s not always women, you know.  Men get lost in time too.”

Sighing, Devlin went towards the kitchen for a beer.  “I guess I’ll rescue whoever needs it.  Superhero’s don’t get to choose.”

Melanie sat anxiously
while listening to David.  She knew she would be going also since she’d felt the same summoning in her chest.  She’d put off mentioning it, not wanting to burst the bubble of contentment from the night before.  Well, duty called.

Looking over to Ian where he leaned against the mantle, she
nervously gnawed on her lips. 

I
an could feel Melanie’s anxiety.  He wondered how long it would be before they could speak telepathically.  Once mated, shifters could communicate with their mates.  He decided there was no time like the present. 

What’s bothering you, my mate?

Melanie’s eyes rounded in shock as she stared at Ian.  She’d heard him in her head, as clear as if he were standing in front of her.  She saw his lips turn up in a small grin.

Melanie shouted the words in her mind,
How’d you do that?
 

Ian squinted,
rubbing his forehead.
  Don’t shout.  It’s part of the mating bond.  We can talk to each other telepathically.

“Really?  Wow, that is so cool.  I hadn’t heard about that before,” Melanie said.

David’s eyebrows rose, “Hadn’t heard about what before?” he asked.

“Aw
, they’re talking telepathically.  That’s so cute,” Devlin smirked.

“Shut up Devlin,” Ian said.  “Once mated, we can speak to our mates telepathically.  It’s not well known outside of shifters and we’d prefer to keep it that way.”

“No problem, I’m good at keeping confidences,” David told them. 

Ian once more looked to Melanie.  “What’s bothering you, or does this need to be done in private?” he asked.

“No, here’s fine.  They’re part of this too.”  Melanie decided it was best if she spoke to her brother, rather than seeing Ian’s reaction to her announcement.  She angled her body to face David, keeping Ian in her peripheral vision.

“I felt it too, the summons.  Looks like Ia
n and I will be traveling with you.  Since we’re both feeling it, there must be some pretty powerful magic involved,” Melanie smiled weakly.

She always enjoyed traveling to a different time and place, it was just that she had wanted to spend more time with Ian before starting this journey in their lives together.  She heard a small growl from Ian and glanced over to him. 

Ian felt his wolf shift inside.  He did not want her going anywhere where she could be hurt.  He had hoped for more time before she got the call. 

He calmed himself, knowing she needed his support.  “It’s alright babe.  Just tell us what happens next.”

“Well, Rin Tin Tin, we get our backpacks together and go,” she told him.

“I don’t know exactly how much my sister has told you, but we do take a few items with us.  I have some burlap knapsacks
we pack with items we may need.  I’ve made some leather canteens for water since we can’t take plastic bottles.  Bandages, medicines, and of course, our swords,” David said.

Devlin scratched his head, “Can’t you just use magic to conjure up the things you need?”

David was already shaking his head.  “No, not everything.  Our magic is rather miniscule compared to witches or wizards.  We can pull some things together if they’re already available in that time period, but we don’t rely on magic when traveling.  It’s more a case of using our wits and talents we already have.”

“What exactly are your magical abilities?” asked Ian.

David glanced at Melanie, shrugging his shoulders.

“Well, we don’t have some magical power to blast anyone if that’s what you’re asking.  Our power lies in being able to move through time.  It takes a tremendous amount of energy to move through time and space.  Different druids have different gifts.  The small things we’re able to do besides traveling would seem like parlor tricks to witches,” David explained. 

Melanie rose and asked David to get his knapsacks.  “While David gathers his supplies, I thought I could gather the other stuff we’ll need.  That is, if you don’t mind me going through your bathroom cabinets to use your things.”

Ian asked Devlin to show Melanie where the supplies were while he went to
speak to his enforcers.  He then called Rafe to let him know they were all leaving.  Seeing David come back inside, Ian took one of the sacks to pack his things.

“Don’t carry anything you don’t need, we may be hiking
for some distance.  Hiking boots would be preferable too.  If anyone notices them, it’s not a big deal, just say you got them in the Orient.  Wear a jacket just in case it’s cold, although we can fit a light blanket in the pack or wear it like a kilt.  Pass that on to Devlin, if Melanie hasn’t already.  I’ll go fill the canteens and once everyone’s ready, we’ll go,” David said.

Gathering in the great room, they all
added the necessary items Melanie and Devlin had gathered into their sacks.  David handed out the canteens filled with water along with energy bars wrapped in cloth.

Wearing blue jeans and button up shirts, they strapped their swords to their backs. 

“If we’re lucky, we won’t have to worry about changing our clothes to match the time period.  Depending on how quickly we find our target, or if we run into the locals, that may not be necessary.  At least for you guys.  Men will freak if they see me in trousers,” Melanie grimaced. 

“We’ll need to go outside, where no one else is around.  I know you trust your pack, but
we need to go where they won’t see us disappear.  I’m sure Melanie has explained, we don’t tell others outside the family what it is we do,” David said.

They left the house and followed Ian to a clearing.  After being assured no one was in the area, David explained what would happen. 

“Melanie and I will open a vortex.  We’ll stand in a circle with our arms linked.  You may feel a bit dizzy since you haven’t done this before.  The best description I can think of is that you’ll feel like you’re being sucked up into a vacuum cleaner.”

“Great,” Devlin
said.  “And we thought having a faerie zap us from place to place sucked.”

Melanie giggled
.  “Pun intended, I assume.”

Chapter 8

Standing in the clearing, the
y linked their arms together as Melanie and David closed their eyes and started chanting.

Ian could feel his hair standing on end as electric currents raced over his body.  With Devlin’s arm through his on one side and Melanie’s on the other, he regretted that he couldn’t wrap both arms around her.  His feared losing her in the vortex but knew he couldn’t release his brother either. 

He kept his eyes open, staring at David on Devlin’s other side.  Seeing David’s forearm tense, he knew David was using his arms to grip Devlin on one side and Melanie on the other.  Devlin was watching brother and sister also and flexed his muscles in tandem.  With them all gripped so tightly together, they were making sure no one got left behind.

Devlin could feel his body being sucked up, just like a piece of lint, he imagined. 
His muscles were bulging in his forearms, determined to hold on to David and Ian.  He was glad to see his brother and David had Melanie gripped just as tightly with their arms. 

Suddenly it seemed as though they were flying through stars.  Devlin could see lights flying by so fast they looked like strobe lights.  He finally had to close his eyes against the sensation or lose his equilibrium. 

Ian had fought closing his eyes as long as possible.  Once the feeling of flight slowed, he opened his eyes when he felt solid ground beneath his feet.  He was slightly unsteady as he looked around.  He saw Melanie looking at him worriedly so he sent her a smile of reassurance.

“Everyone alright?” David asked quietly.

They all nodded, knowing to keep quiet until they were assured no one was around.

“Where are we?” Devlin asked softly.

“A forest,” David answered.

Devlin looked at all the tall trees surrounding them, “No shit, Sherlock.  Any clue what country? Or even what continent?”

“We won’t know unless one of us recognizes a landmark, or we see what kind of houses are built here.  Melanie and I have a lot of experience travelling, so hopefully we’ll know once we hike out of these woods,” David said.

“Okay then, which way do we go?” asked Ian.

Melanie and David both pointed north with David taking the lead.  Devlin followed, then Melanie with Ian bringing up the rear. 

“I’m assuming you two will smell or hear anyone stalking us?”  David asked. 

“Yup, just call us your very own hound dogs,” Devlin said. 

Ian shook his head and reached over Melanie to give Devlin a shove.  “Quit perpetuating the notion we’re dogs.”

Melanie quietly started singing.  “You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog, cryin’ all the time.  You ain’t never caught a rabbit, and you ain’t no friend of mine.”

“I’ve caught plenty of rabbits, just so you know,” Ian said.

Melanie giggled and started in with, “Who let the dogs out? Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof.”

After walking for a couple of hours, they
rested on a fallen log to eat an energy bar and drink some water.  They had all taken off their jackets since the air was cool, but not too cold. 

Watching the leaves float down from the trees, Melanie assumed it was the beginning of autumn.
Seeing willow, oak, pine and other trees, she figured they could be just about anywhere.  Until they came upon someone, or could see the landscape, they would not know where they were.  Not really knowledgeable on different animal species, seeing a deer or some other creature probably wouldn’t help either. 

Melanie drifted off, jerking her head up when both Ian and Devlin suddenly jumped up. 

“What is it?” she asked worriedly.

“Men are coming on horseback
, behind us.  I’m not sure how many, maybe a dozen or more by the sound of it,” Ian said.

He immediately grabbed Melanie and pulled her up.  “Come on, let’s go.”  He looked to David and Devlin.  “Follow us, I’m taking her away from this trail, further into the forest.  We’ll climb a tree and watch from that vantage point.”

“Go, Devlin and I will take point and watch for them to pass.  I assume Devlin can track you once they’re gone,” David said.

Ian didn’t linger.  He rushed Melanie through the woods as silently as possible.  Looking around at the tall trees, Ian found one with sturdy, wide branches that they could rest on high above the ground. 

Once settled, Ian couldn’t help but comment.  “I can’t believe you’ve been doing this on your own.  My blood runs cold just thinking about it.”

“I may not have heard them coming as soon as you did, but I would have heard them in plenty of time to hide.  I know what I’m doing, Ian.  You’re just going to have to learn to trust me.  We do not confront anyone if at all possible.  Another little secret
we druids use is shadows, light, and the surrounding landscape.  It’s amazing how people in any time period see what they expect to see and don’t look further,” she said. 

“It’s not a matter of trust, but fear for you,” Ian stated.

Sitting next to him on the branch, she reached over and squeezed his thigh.

Listening for any sounds, they were both tense as they waited.  Ian assumed David and De
vlin had taken to the trees somewhere closer to the trail.  He could hear the horses as they got closer, but no sounds came from the men on horseback. 

Ian stiffened, smelling something he hadn’t been expecting.  Shit, wolf shifters.  It wouldn’t be long before they were found, he knew.  Running would not help, that would just trigger their instincts to give chase.  He was deciding on the best course of
action when he heard Devlin whistle for them. 

Hopefully they were friendly wolves, if there was such a thing
in this time, he thought.  Once the shifters knew they were only passing through and not trying to move in on their territory, he hoped they would be obliging. 

“Let’s go, that was Devlin calling
for us.  I didn’t hear any warning so I’ll assume they’re not in trouble,” Ian said.

Ian climbed down first.  Watching as Melanie maneuvered from branch to branch, he stood ready to catch her if she fell.

Melanie grunted as she hit the forest floor, “I know you were staring at my ass,” she said as she walked off towards the trail.