{"id":1287,"date":"2012-07-02T00:00:11","date_gmt":"2012-07-02T04:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1287"},"modified":"2012-07-01T18:38:37","modified_gmt":"2012-07-01T22:38:37","slug":"winter-chapter-15-06","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1287","title":{"rendered":"Winter – Chapter 15 – 06"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He came to his feet with eyes blazing and was on Rory in a heartbeat.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>One hand fisted in the front of Rory\u2019s shirt, bunching the collar tight enough to make breathing difficult.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan\u2019s other hand grasped his staff so tightly his knuckles were white against the wood, the tip of the stout shaft hovering dangerously close to Rory\u2019s head.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I took half a step forward before Thom jerked me back and shook his head almost imperceptibly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Wait.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>His eyes told me.<\/span>\u00a0 Watch.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDo you think this is a joke?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan asked, vice a low rumble, like thunder from a distant storm.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDo you think I\u2019d joke about this?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Davon cleared his throat nervously as he came to Rory\u2019s defense.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou have to admit\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI would not joke about something as serious as this,\u201d Phelan said through clenched teeth.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThis is our lives, our safety\u2014your lives and your safety.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You are blood of my blood, bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You would <\/span>know<\/span><\/em> if I was joking.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Another howl echoed in the sudden silence.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>A muscle in Phelan\u2019s jaw twitched.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI am not joking about this,\u201d he whispered harshly, then threw Rory to the ground in a gesture that was both dismissive and surprising because Phelan didn\u2019t look nearly strong enough to do that to anyone.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He stalked back to his spot by the fire and stood with legs akimo, the butt of his staff planted firmly in the parked dirt.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cVammatar and her sisters have called the <\/span>hamrammr<\/span><\/em> before,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His voice sounded strange, slightly unfamiliar.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>My hand found Thom\u2019s and he squeezed it, leaning toward me.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cLet him talk,\u201d Thom murmured in my ear.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cKira told me about this\u2014she saw it happen once, except Teague was on the receiving end of that.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019ll pass, just let him get it all out in the open.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut he sounds different,\u201d I hissed in a whisper.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I don\u2019t like that.\u00a0 <\/span>Makes me start to worry\u2014a lot.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat doesn\u2019t concern you?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom squeezed my hand again.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The fact that you\u2019re not that worried is <\/em><\/span>slightly<\/span> encouraging, Thom, I just wish that this didn\u2019t feel so damned wrong.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAfter the nose-bloodying we gave her a few weeks ago, it wouldn\u2019t surprise me in the slightest if her kin wouldn\u2019t have called them again to exact some revenge\u2014maybe even claim this as her territory.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat the hell is it with all of you people and power plays and territory grabs?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>J.T. muttered, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other, bright eyes hooded under bushy dark brows.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat does it matter?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt doesn\u2019t to me,\u201d Phelan said, his voice softening slightly, losing some of the strange, hard edge that had entered it moments before.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe only thing that matters to me are you guys.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd right now, we hold the high ground and that\u2019s a defensive advantage we shouldn\u2019t give up if we can avoid it,\u201d Thom added.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan made eye contract with him and nodded firmly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom never flinched.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>That shot shivers down my spine.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Leadership qualities are rearing their fair\u2014or ugly\u2014head.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>And why shouldn\u2019t they?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He was as much responsible for everyone and everything here as anyone else\u2014and he was more qualified to lead than the rest of us.<\/span>\u00a0 At least that\u2019s what I keep thinking\u2014and I\u2019m sure he\u2019s thinking it, too.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>A quick glance at the rest told me that their thoughts were starting to parallel mine\u2014at least where Thom was concerned, anyway.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHow many?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I didn\u2019t realize I\u2019d spoken until everyone looked at me.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan glanced toward Matt and Thom, a brow arching almost delicately over one eye that blazed with blue-green fire.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Matt shook his head slowly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThree of them sounded distinct.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Can\u2019t be sure there\u2019s not more than that, though.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He looked at Thom for confirmation and got it when Thom nodded.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI only heard three,\u201d Thom said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut you\u2019re right, there could be more.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut werewolves?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Jacqueline chaffed her hands over her sweatshirt-clad arms.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019ve seen something pretty damn close to a demon, haven\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn said, glancing sidelong at her.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhy should werewolves be that much more of a stretch?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Jacqueline grimaced, but she shrugged.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI guess you\u2019re right.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>How dangerous are they?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do we really want to know the answer to that question?<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDangerous enough,\u201d Phelan said, voice grim again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ve only known three men to go up against them and live.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>And one woman.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He straightened slightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ve never gone toe-to-toe.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Conventional wisdom is to hit them hard from the sides and the rear and pray.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Pray hard.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The next howl we heard was practically on top of us.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Hairs on my arms and legs stood on end and I shuddered.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnd if that\u2019s not an option?\u201d I asked.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGet the guns, get the swords, cluster tight and start praying that we make it out of this alive.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He came to his feet with eyes blazing and was on Rory in a heartbeat.\u00a0 One hand fisted in the front of Rory\u2019s shirt, bunching the collar tight enough to make breathing difficult.\u00a0 Phelan\u2019s other hand grasped his staff … 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-1287","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-kL","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1287","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=1287"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1287\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1288,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1287\/revisions\/1288"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1287"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1287"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1287"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}