Chapter 17 Chapter 17
We stepped out of the portal on the lush lawn of the municipal building. Like most werewolf towns, the local government, law enforcement, and library were housed in it. I could smell several werewolves nearby. I couldn’t say if they were standing guard or just passing by. While I tried to figure out which it was, Tristan walked over to the town plaque.
“Howling Ridge? Really? They couldn’t come up with some less obvious name?” His back was to me, but, I could hear the eye roll.
I shot him a dirty look. “If you would read the whole thing, you would know the name was given to the area by humans. Who, interestingly enough, were always hearing howls from this area. Next town over is Wolves Hollow. Because, surprise surprise, of all the reports of wolves running around. Now, try not to piss anyone off by acting like a yuppie-know-it-all.” While we were talking a grey and black wolf came running out of the trees. When he had reached the lawn, he changed midstride to his human form. He shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with Connor and me before he turned to Tristan. I preformed the introductions. “Tristan Smith, Thomas Lobo.”
The werewolves shook hands and looked each other over. Even though they were cousins, they looked nothing alike. Tristan had his mother’s fair complexion while Thomas took after the Lobo’s with the dark hair and eyes.
“Grandfather said you would be coming by sometime. How can I help?” He looked like a recruitment poster, from his neatly trimmed crew cut and goatee to his shiny badge attached to a starched sheriff’s uniform. Our paths had never crossed professionally, so, I wasn’t sure if the offer was sincere or if we were going to end up in a pissing contest. Hoping for the best, we headed towards Cyrus’s place.
The municipal building was in the center of the town square at the heart of the town. Since there were no sidewalks, we walked along the side of the road. The few businesses in town were along the main strip. The school sat between the business section and the residential. We turned down a side street that ran beside the playground. Tristan stopped to stare at it. One side had the normal playground equipment swings, jungle gym, and slides. The other looked more like a dog agility course. Tunnels, hurdles, and a tennis ball machine.
A bell rang inside the school and twenty or so kids spilled out for morning recess. The majority of them wered into their wolf forms and ran to the tunnels and hurdles. Some lined up by the tennis ball machine a teacher was manning. She pushed a button and a tennis ball shot out across the yard. The wolf at the front of the line took off after it. The older kids were mostly in human form and congregating over by the jungle gym. The boys and girls were standing in groups stealing glances at each other. Probably trying to figure out if their crush liked them too.
“They are allowed to just change and run around like that?” Disbelief and shock was written all of the pup’s face. Given his upbringing, he might never have seen a werewolf in their wolf form. Made me feel a little bad for him. Me too. I had a bad feeling it was going to fall to me to explain werewolves to him. Why did I have to be his tutor? Just because his grandfather had dirt on me? What do I care? Then I remembered what he had on me…..no way was I going to risk him spilling his guts.
“Everyone here is either a werewolf or married to one. No uninformed humans. We did have a family of witches move in a few years back.” Thomas explained as he raised a hand to wave at the teacher trying to take a frisbee way from the two wolves fighting over it. She nodded at him before threatening to were herself. At her words, the youngins let go and looked contrite. “Best way to get all their energy out. Every two hours they get recess. Otherwise, the younger ones can’t sit still.”
We stood there a moment to watch the pups and kids play. I waited until we were clear of the school before I turned to Thomas. “You said a family of witches had moved in? Cyrus was killed with a spell a witch could have performed.”
Thomas shook his head before he answered. “No way they did it. They are low on the power scale. Besides, the whole family is vegan.”
“Vegan? As in no animal products vegan?” Tristan seemed truly shocked. Can’t say I blame him. I thought vegans were just something on TV.
“What is a vegan witch family doing living in a werewolf town?” Connor’s incredulousness was easy to read on his face.
“I asked the same thing when they petitioned the pack to move here. They said they wanted to commune with nature and practice their faith openly.” The boys and I looked at him waiting for the punch line. “Wicca. The vegan witches are Wiccan. They have crystals everywhere. Every time I go by their place all my hairs stand up.”
Vegan witch Wiccans. That was a new one. I shook my head and moved them to the bottom of the suspect list. On the outskirts of town we stopped in front of a two story house with blue siding and white picket fences. Thomas opened the gate and took the lead up the stone path to the front door. An attractive redhead opened the door before we could ring the doorbell. If I was remembering the family correctly, this was the eldest daughter.
She slipped out the door and closed it firmly behind her. “Thomas, mom’s resting. She’s answered all of your questions. Come back tomorrow.” She turned and started for the door when the wind shifted. From the way she whipped her head around to stare at us, I’d say she had gotten a good whiff of me and my band of merry men. Connor stepped forward to show her his badge.