“Oh, he’s upset with me.”
Tyler’s curiosity is stoked.
“Really? Why’s that?” I can hear the astonishment in his voice, surprisingly intense. I just give him a gloomy smile, not meeting his eyes.
“Do you know who Jason Rees is?”
He nods.
“Let me guess…Donn doesn’t like him, right?”
“That’s an understatement. Jeff doesn’t want me to go see him either, Scott either. They think, as does Vuk, that Jason is a bad influence on me. That he’s
dangerous
.”
“That must be tough,” he mutters. “And what do you think?”
“That it’s all absurd. I imagine Scott told you about all the problems I had last month.”
“Stella,” Tyler grins. “Scott told me about how Vuk Wolf looks at you, and friendly is not the right word to describe it. The same goes for Donn. I was watching you the night of your party.” He examines the dates on the order sheet for the goods that have just been delivered, his eyes carefully avoiding mine.
“Right,” I stammer. “And?” Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. But I want to keep pouring out my heart to him.
“You know what the real problem is,” Tyler shakes his head. “Jealousy.”
“What?” I exclaim.
“He’s obviously jealous.”
“No, Donn’s not jealous. About Jason, maybe a little bit, but not about Vuk. I can’t tell you the ins and outs of things, but I can assure you there’s nothing going on between me and Vuk.”
Tyler looks skeptically at me. Maybe he was watching our behavior at the party, too.
“Donn knows how I feel,” I continue. “I told him everything, I don’t want to lead him on.”
“You and Vuk are real close, right?”
“He’s like family to me.” I smile warmly.
“If you want my advice, listen up. He’ll get over it.”
I try to shrug off any gloomy thoughts, I just want to get back to work now, not think about anything else.
“I hope so,” I reply.
Tyler senses that I don’t want to or can’t say anything else, so he changes the subject. He tells me some funny stories about when he and Scott went camping, times when my dad and I weren’t there. We chit chat about school, about the national parks he’s worked in as we get on with our work. His laid back, easy-going nature always puts me at my ease.
We hear the honk of a car horn from the street. When it honks again, it seems to be right outside the bar. The car engine is rumbling, backfiring noisily.
I’m not concerned; it doesn’t sound in the least like the suave hum of Donn’s Bentley. It must be the Siberian rangers come to pick Tyler up.
As I suspected, I see them through the window pile out of the car and walk toward the bar, laughing. Both Fergus’ and Locke’s hair are all messed up, dripping with salt water. They probably went for a swim in the ocean. Amelia and Dora try to keep their distance as Fergus shakes his head and sends the droplets flying.
But laughter and playfulness aside, there seems to be something different about them. I notice that Locke looks less pale than usual, which I assume is due to the cold dip helping his blood flow. He also looks more at ease in the family. Maybe I was wrong about Fergus, maybe he’s ok after all.
They come inside and spread out at their usual table. They spread maps out as if they were planning some kind of excursion or hunting mission. They have highlighted various paths and roads, looking like they have just stepped out of an adventure film or a National Geographic documentary. I crane my neck to get a better look at them.
“Ah, here they are,” smiles Tyler, making his way to greet them. I look at him doubtfully.
“Is your family planning to go trekking too, or are you going climbing or something?” I try to sound as casual as possible.
“Let’s change the subject.” He laughs off my question, his smile never leaving his face. It’s hard to believe that a human could be so damn handsome. I fear he might disappear in a puff of golden smoke and I’ll wake up to realize he was just a figment of my imagination. I look down, nibbling at my lip. I’m not going to let it drop.
“So what are you doing?” I try again. A pal doesn’t have to give up at the first hurdle, right? I hope my voice doesn’t give away just how much I really want to know.
“We’re going hunting in the Vermont forests, northwest of the White Rocks Cliffs,” he replies without hesitation.
Fergus glances at him, communicating something with his eyes. He’s obviously upset, but Tyler just looks back at him, obstinately.
“What are you going to hunt?” I continue, when the dirty look tennis match between the two of them is over. “Whatever you find in the woods?”
“Not exactly.” The words are strangled in his throat, his eyes, still fixed on Fergus, cautious and impenetrable. Dora’s golden amber eyes are frowning at me, but the hint of a smile on her lips seems friendly enough. Amelia glowers at Tyler; only Locke seems amused by the conversation.
“We need to take every precaution possible,” he continues, his face growing dark. “We’re after big prey.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, wondering.
“Too many grizzlies,” he snaps, almost defensively. “The right balance needs to be maintained.” The apprehension in his eyes reveals how terrifying the truth behind those words is to him. Fergus opens his mouth to protest, as if he has just heard a casual reference to a dark secret, but holds back.
“Grizzlies?” I repeat, finding it hard to believe.
“Fergus adores grizzlies!” exclaims Tyler. “At the end of fall, as soon as the really cold season begins, they become real irritable.” He’s making it sound like this adds to the fun.
“I guess there’s nothing more entertaining than an irritable grizzly,” I quip. I look at Tyler. “I bet you get off on them too.”
“Actually, I prefer the black bear to the grizzly,” he replies, his jokey tone mimicking mine. “They’re wilier.”
I search the faces of his family, expecting them to burst out laughing, revealing the tale he’s spinning. But they betray no emotion.
“Do you and Fergus use the same hunting tactics?” I ask.
Tyler sees me watching them and stifles a laugh. I wonder why…but it does put me more at my ease and I feel less exposed somehow.
“People say that Fergus is like a bison when he charges and that I’m like a cougar.” The corners of his mouth betray a smile, his eyes have that nostalgic look of someone thinking back to the past. “If you’ve ever seen a documentary about how bison charge, you should be able to picture Fergus,” he sniggers.
A thousand images race through my head, none of them compatible with the other. I can’t stop a shiver running down my spine.
“Wow! He must be really good.” I don’t sound very convincing. I glance to the other side of the counter toward Fergus, relief washing over me when I realize he’s paying no attention to me. The sinewy muscles on his chest and arms seem ready for action.
“Obviously, we take into consideration the environmental impact and follow good hunting rules,” explains Tyler patiently. “We only go into areas that are overpopulated with predators, even if we have to travel miles.” The anxiety has crept back into his voice, sending mine skyrocketing again.
“So you don’t go hunting around here?”
“There are a lot of moose and deer around at the moment, but where’s the fun in that?” He smiles wickedly.
“So the rangers are in charge of hunting to control overpopulation…” I begin to say, but am interrupted by his amused laughter.
“Kind of…” he hints. “But only for the most dangerous predators around. We’ve been having a few problems with certain animals lately.” He winks at me, his shining eyes trying to convey the words he dares not speak.
Fergus pales to a few shades lighter than his normal ghostly white complexion. His face betrays nothing, though his eyes are flecked with rage.
I take a couple of steps back. I don’t want to admit it, but his reaction has scared me. Even Tyler takes a step back, although it seems to be out of solidarity. He crosses his arms challengingly.
“Yeah, right, the giant cougars, the ones as big as bears,” I agree, trying to keep my voice steady.
Tyler turns to me, an exasperated look on his face, as though I’m totally missing the point. My eyes are somehow drawn to Locke, who is staring right at me. All the others are warily watching Tyler.
“There are predators that you should fear more than cougars, Stella,” he whispers in my ear. “Don’t take offense, but you’re a walking disaster area, you attract trouble. So would you do something for me?” He touches his hand to his chest and unfurls that oblique smile of his.
I nod a helpless yes.
“It’s no problem if you stay in Medford or Boston, but don’t venture out of the towns without me or one of the other experts, ok?” His voice is almost pleading.
“Do you really think there’s something out there more dangerous than cougars?” I ask hesitantly.
“There is
something
,” he laughs, a hand reaching out to caress my cheek affectionately.
I nod slowly, lost in thought. Has he been referring to vampires this whole time?
“Don’t go into the woods, not alone.” His voice is stern, sending a chill down my spine.
“Yeah, sure.”
He doesn’t seem totally satisfied, but throws me a friendly smile and walks away.
I get up and stretch lazily, deciding to go and have a peek at the Bradford’s table to get a better look. None of them are looking my way, although Locke throws me the occasional glance. They are deep in conversation, their heads in close together. However, I’m too busy with bar duties to waste time wondering about what they might be saying. I go into the back corridor where the new deliveries are waiting to be sorted.
As I work, I see the door to Scott’s office open. He’s talking animatedly to Tyler. The hum of his deep voice rises suddenly, making me jump. I laugh at myself.
“Just sorting out the deliveries,” I call over to Tyler when he notices me.
“Good work. I would have given you a hand…”
“I’m sure, but no need, thanks,” I smile. “I guess I’d better get going.”
“Don’t go yet!” exclaims Tyler with a nervous laugh, as he sees Scott almost bursting with enthusiasm to get on with the lesson.
“Gee, I’d love to stay,” I reply with mock innocence, “but Jeff will be wondering if Scott has kidnapped me.”
“Really?” Myco’s eyes darken, his tone is sarcastic. “He’ll think
Scott
kidnapped you if you don’t get home?”
No need to read too far between the lines. I just shrug it off, as if I haven’t caught the gist.
“It was good talking to you, Myco, see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, and thanks for your help earlier.” Dora suddenly appears by his side, her short blonde hair ruffled, framing her pixie-like features. She is slender as a reed, and there’s grace in her even when she’s standing still. He greets her without taking his eyes from me.
“Dora, Stella. Stella, Dora.” He introduces us with a casual wave of his hand and a crooked smile on his lips.
“Hi Dora,” I murmur shyly.
“Nice to finally meet you, Stella,” she chirps. “I’ve heard
a lot
about you.”
Tyler throws her a stare as cutting as a hot knife through butter.
“Ready?” she asks her brother.
“Almost,” he replies distractedly. “I’ll meet you at the car.”
Dora skips off prettily. Tyler, instead of returning to the office where Scott is waiting for him, heads to the back door, his sister managing to get him out of his tiresome chore. I hear the Jeep’s engine fire up.
I turn to go back into the bar, but hear my name being called. It’s Tyler.
“Sweet dreams,” he whispers. His breathe tickles my cheek and makes my skin tingle. I remain glued to the spot as he walks off again.
“Thanks, you too!”
“You’ll always be protected by
icy eyes
,” he says, recalling the words he wrote on the gift from him and Scott, the Siberian blanket which has now found a home on my bed.
“Ah yes,” I sigh. “They help me sleep like a baby.” A half-truth is ok, right?
“That’s where you’re wrong.” His iridescent eyes bore into me. “They protect you. Always. Whether you’re awake or asleep.” He runs his warm fingers down my cheek before turning to join his family at the car, a contented smile on his face.
As I return to the bar, I think over the strange conversation I had with him in minute detail. Every word he speaks seems to be some kind of clue; a narrow path with crumbs on it, leading me to his secret.
I walk unenthusiastically out the door, not really keen on the idea of walking home. But I can’t ask Tyler for a ride, the Jeep is already full. I watch the taillights of the vehicle head around the corner and disappear.
But all of this hanging round with vampires, wolves, and werewolves has got me believing that anything is possible. This proves to be the case right now. I see my car parked up in the same spot that Vuk pulled into earlier and shake my head, incredulously. I throw open the driver’s door and find the keys in the dashboard. I instinctively search my jacket pocket and find nothing. They’re not in the pocket of my jeans, either. Vuk must have taken my set of keys when we were in the forest or in the pickup so that he could bring me my car, making sure I got home safe and sound. I suddenly realize how cold it’s become.
There’s a note folded up on the passenger seat. I get in, close the door, and open the note, flattening it carefully in my hands. It’s damp––muddy and crumpled from all the times it’s been opened and refolded. It smells minty, the same as his delicious warm breath.
I curl up into a ball, clutching my arms tight around my chest to avoid crumbling to pieces. It’s not just a couple of words, it seems to be a letter or a poem written in his messy, manly handwriting:
You’ll find me soon,
The stellar star and the wolf.
So soon that you won’t have time to
feel my warmth eclipsed,
The void far from my chest.
Look and you will see me:
The known and the unknown.
Cover up, in the meantime.
Take care of what is mine.
Eternal captivity, remember?
You are the immortal part of me.
You are the best part of me.
Be careful. For me.