{"id":1284,"date":"2012-06-29T00:00:48","date_gmt":"2012-06-29T04:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1284"},"modified":"2012-06-28T18:35:46","modified_gmt":"2012-06-28T22:35:46","slug":"winter-chapter-15-05","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1284","title":{"rendered":"Winter – Chapter 15 – 05"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom met us partway.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDid you hear that?\u201d I asked as my hands closed around his forearms and he gripped my arms at the elbows.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Another howl echoed off the trees.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>A second howl answered it.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom looked back both of us, head tilting slightly toward the trees.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou mean that?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYes, that,\u201d I said, glancing between him and Phelan.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I caught my lower lip between my teeth, hands tightening. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Wolves\u2014or worse?\u00a0 <\/span>What kind of monster could be showing up now?<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCould be wolves, right?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I asked hopefully.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Please tell me a lie, Thom.\u00a0 <\/span>Please.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan shook his head.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou people don\u2019t get wolves here.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot this far south, no,\u201d Thom said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt could be coyotes, couldn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I almost shuddered in relief at the suggestion, relief that was promptly dashed.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cCoyotes don\u2019t sound like that,\u201d Phelan said firmly, then took both of us by the arm and dragged us back toward the remaining tent and cooking fire.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIf it\u2019s wolves, they\u2019re moving south fast.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But that\u2019s not what he thinks it is.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd if it\u2019s not wolves?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThen we\u2019re either okay or we\u2019re in deep shit.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>A shiver wracked him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cEnough to take my mind off worrying about anything else, if that gives you an idea.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He let go of us.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGet Kellin, get Jameson, and get Carolyn, Jacqueline, and Rory.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Do it now and meet me by the fire.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat are we dealing with?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom asked.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019re not about to tell us that we\u2019ve got werewolves on our hands or something crazy like that, are you?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMaybe,\u201d Phelan said evenly, his tone flat and gaze serious.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cJust get them and do it fast.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I squeezed Thom\u2019s arm and dashed off.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u2022<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u2022<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It didn\u2019t take much to gather folks around the fire\u2014the ones Phelan wanted and then some.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Everyone had started to hear the howls, even if they still few and far between, they sounded like they were getting closer.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I crossed my arms, half glaring at Phelan as I came back to the fire with Rory trailing in my wake.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He\u2019d been the farthest out, checking the foundations on the northernmost edge of the wall.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAll right, Phelan.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Do we get to know what\u2019s going on now?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat\u2019s howling out there?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Rory added as he squatted near the fire, shucking off his gloves and holding his hands out toward the flames.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBest case scenario is that it\u2019s just wolves that have migrated down here from across the border or something,\u201d Phelan said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He sat cross-legged in front of the fire, his staff across his knees.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His gaze was restless, flicking from face to face, though he didn\u2019t betray any trace of the nerves I knew he was feeling.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>You can\u2019t fool me, Phelan.\u00a0 <\/span>You don\u2019t think it\u2019s wolves.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Matt frowned.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s not that cold yet, unless they <\/span>really<\/span><\/em> know something we don\u2019t.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>What\u2019s the alternative?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe alternatives aren\u2019t good,\u201d Phelan said, finally focusing on him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>A muscle twitched slightly in his jaw.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat are they?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kellin asked, squatting to feed more sticks into the fire, trying to make eye contact with Phelan across the flames.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He avoided her gaze for a moment before he sighed and shook his head.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ve encountered about a dozen varieties of skinchangers in my life, and almost all the werewolf-types aren\u2019t the kind I\u2019d want running around anywhere in my neighborhood.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wait, what?<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTime out, Phelan.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Werewolves?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cRight now I\u2019m laying pretty strong odds on <\/span>hamrammr<\/span><\/em>\u2014Nordic types.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I could see them showing up here to avenge a certain blonde bitch\u2019s death.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fuck me, really?<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>We all just stared at him blankly, as if all of us were trying to process what he\u2019d just said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019d always known at some point Phelan would say something that would strike one of us\u2014or all of us\u2014as just past the point of credulity.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I got a queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach that he\u2019d just gone tap-dancing over the line.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I was proven right a few silent seconds later.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Rory started laughing at him.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s when Phelan snapped.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thom met us partway. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDid you hear that?\u201d I asked as my hands closed around his forearms and he gripped my arms at the elbows. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Another howl echoed off the trees.\u00a0 A second howl answered it. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,54,14,52,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-2","category-chapter-15","category-story","category-winter","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-kI","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1284"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1284\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1285,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1284\/revisions\/1285"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}