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Wicked walked hand in hand with Thorne toward a hardware store. Bruce, along with Kira, Mira, Steve, and Ronan followed. She had used her magic to change while on the back of the bike. She had hoped no one saw her as her spell worked, but then again, she would have thought the strangest thing would have been seeing Bruce straddling the handlebars as they rode down the street.
“Why are we going to a hardware store?” Wicked frowned, glancing up at Thorne.
“This isn’t your normal hardware store, Wicked.” Bruce pranced his way up to the door, then waited for Thorne to open it. He hurried inside, his furry butt racing toward the back.
“Obviously.” She looked around as they walked through the dark storefront before stopping at a rusted door. Thorne pushed it open, and Wicked gasped. Inside was a bustle of activity. Music blared as people danced, and a huge bar was set in the back of the room. “What in the hell?”
“Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” Thorne grinned down at her.
Suddenly everything stopped, even the music died on a dime. The silence was deafening as everyone stared first at her, then behind her at the two vampires. Wicked took a step back, but Thorne stopped her as he stood tall and strong. Hearing shuffling, she saw Mac coming from the side with a beautiful woman with curly auburn hair and the greenest eyes she had ever seen. She figured the woman was Zelda, the Shifter Whisper, at his side.
Mac stopped in front of Thorne, his eyes on Steve and Ronan before he turned around to face the crowd. “They are our guests and will be welcomed,” Mac said loudly, his tone daring anyone to argue.
A few whispers went around the room, but then the music started again, and everyone went on with their activities. Mac turned back around to face them then tilted his head. “Let’s go over here.”
They followed Mac and Zelda into a room, Mac shutting the door behind them. His eyes went directly to Steve and Ronan. “I’ve heard a lot about the VC Warriors,” Mac finally said. “I apologize for the reception you received, but their experience with vampires has not been pleasant.”
“Understandable,” Steve replied, his arm around Mira. “I’ve met a few myself who haven’t been pleasant.”
“If I didn’t think you were safe with the people in Assjacket—”
“Excuse me, did you just say, Assjacket?” Steve interrupted Zelda with a shake of his head.
Zelda gave him a beautiful smile. “I did.”
“Okay, let me get this straight—” Steve started, but Ronan slammed him with a glare.
“Steve, don’t even start,” Ronan said with a sigh.
“Yeah, but first a talking cat, I get attacked by a Shifter, who is a scary-ass panther, and then I find out the town is called... Assjacket.” Steve looked like he couldn’t contain himself. “How in the hell do you expect me to keep my damn mouth shut?”
Zelda laughed with a nod. “I like you.” She smiled, but then it faded real quick. “And as I was saying, if I didn’t think you were safe for the people here, you would not be here.”
“Well I appreciate you seeing us,” Thorne replied. “This is Wicked.”
Wicked smiled at the woman she had heard so much about. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Mac has told me about you, Wicked.” Zelda looked at her closely.
Wicked felt uncomfortable, knowing she should have introduced herself long before now. “I’m sorry I haven’t—”
“Nothing to be sorry for,” Zelda replied with a wave of her hand. “Just know that you are welcome in Assjacket. I understand what it means to be alone.”
Something passed between herself and Zelda, which not only surprised her but comforted her. In that instant, she realized she had found a friend, a true friend. “Thank you.”
Zelda gave her a nod. “Now, about your problem.” She looked toward Mira and Kira. “From what Thorne has said, you have a big problem. I personally have never heard of this warlock, Orjyll, but he sounds like a real asshole. And your cousin’s curse cannot be undone except by her, so...” She looked at Steve, who still had his arm around Mira. “You’re pretty much screwed.”
Wicked watched the tears fill Mira’s eyes and felt terrible for her. She also noticed that Kira quickly glanced toward Ronan in disappointment. Interesting.
“Do you think Baba Yaga could help them?” Bruce, who was unusually quiet, spoke up.
Zelda actually rolled her eyes. “Maybe, but Baba “Pain in my Ass” Yaga is not available at the moment. She’s somewhere with my dad doing Goddess only knows what, so I’ll have to get back with you on that.”
Wicked glanced at Steve to see him biting his lip. She actually laughed at his pained expression when he looked at her. She knew he was dying to ask about Baba Yaga’s name, but refrained because of Ronan giving him the death stare.
“Have you tried to reach your aunt with a letter?” Zelda asked. She too was grinning at Steve but was asking Kira the question.
“I have no idea where she.... Oh, you mean... no, I haven’t.” Kira’s eyes opened wide with hope.
“I wrote my aunt, sent it out to the universe with a little magic and she received it. She had died a while ago. So whether your cousin is alive or dead, it’s worth a shot,” Zelda said, then glanced at Steve and laughed. “No, Baba Yaga is not her real name.”
“Thank you!” Steve said, as if he’d been holding his breath.
“Listen, I really wish I could help you more, but that’s about all I can do,” Zelda told Mira and Kira. “If you can get a hold of your cousin, that can eliminate the curse issue. With the warlock, I’m afraid the only thing you can do is kill him before he kills you.”
“That’s the plan,” Ronan said, his voice full of anger and determination.
“If you hear anything on your end about him, we’d appreciate a heads-up to where he might be,” Steve added, more serious now.
“Absolutely,” Zelda agreed. “Now come and enjoy some music and food. These Shifters know how to cook.”
“Thank you.” Kira smiled at both Mac and Zelda. “And if there is ever anything we can do for you, please don’t hesitate. Wicked knows how to get a hold of us.”
“Sounds good,” Zelda replied, then looked toward Wicked. “Why did you move your business outside of Assjacket?”
“Well because I...” By the look that Zelda was giving her, Wicked knew she knew the full reason why she left. “I needed mortal business also.”
“But that is not the only reason,” Zelda said knowingly. “Well, I just want to thank you. Your concern for our people is truly appreciated.”
“What are you talking about?” Thorne frowned first at Zelda, then down at Wicked.
“She didn’t want to bring danger to Assjacket, Thorne,” Zelda answered for Wicked. “She knew by helping Kira and Mira she was putting herself in danger. Witches can pick up on magic. We each have a different... what I call beacon when we use our magic. So if this warlock has someone powerful helping him since his powers are bound, then they could have found Wicked and by doing so—”
“That was your fear?” Thorne said, his eyes searching hers.
“I couldn’t put innocent people in danger.” Wicked shrugged.
“I’m sorry we’ve brought this to your door.” Mira’s voice shook.
“We have a protection shield around Assjacket,” Zelda replied, without a hint of concern. “Even if she had used her magic to the fullest, while here, no other warlock or witch could have picked it up, no matter how powerful they were, because I’m more powerful than them.”
Wicked felt so much better hearing that, but she still was more comfortable being outside of the Shifter town because of the fear of bringing them trouble. It was her trouble to deal with, not theirs.
Wicked followed everyone out and wondered what it would feel like to really belong here with all these people. She really liked Zelda and Mac. So far, all the Shifters she had met were awesome, well, except for Porky.
The tempo of the music slowed down, and Bruce groaned as he passed her. “Would it kill people to listen to a little rock ‘n’ roll?”
“I fucking love that cat.” Steve chuckled, then glanced at Wicked. “If you ever want to sell him, call me. Mira needs a familiar.”
“Ah, no, Mira doesn’t.” Mira chuckled with a shake of her head.
“He’s free to a good home.” Wicked snorted under her breath, knowing full well she could never get rid of Bruce. Unfortunately, it was impossible since he was her familiar.
Before she knew what was happening, she was pulled into Thorne’s arms as they slow danced alongside other couples. She loved the feeling of being held against his warm body, but she was still unsure of where she stood with him. At that moment she didn’t care. She loved to dance, especially in his arms.
“You have nothing to fear,” he whispered to her, making her worry she’d spoken her uncertainty aloud. “Nothing will hurt you.”
Wicked prayed to the Goddess he was right, but she wasn’t thinking about warlocks hurting her; that was never her real fear. She was worried about Shifters, a panther Shifter to be exact.