Industrial Magic
Page 129
The Leader of the Pack
WHEN ELENA CALLED, JEREMY TOLD THEM TO SKIP THE food run on the way back. Savannah was getting restless, so he was taking her out to hunt down breakfast. Theyd been gone about ten minutes when Jaime arrived.
God, its quiet in here, she said as I ushered her into the room. I thought werewolves were supposed to be rowdy She saw Lucas asleep on the sofa. Shit, Im sorry.
I waved her out onto the balcony, then slid the patio door closed so we could talk. Of course, the first thing she wanted to know was what had happened to us. On the way to the hotel, Lucas and I had decided wed tell the others the basics of our adventure, but keep the specifics secret. Ghosts are forbidden to reveal details of their world, so we assumed we were expected to do the same. Better to claim we didnt remember what had happened, as we had with Benicio.
And then, here we were, back on this side. Spit out by the ghost world.
Nan used to tell stories about things like that, portals opening and the living going throughor the ghosts coming out. Ill keep my mouth shut about this one, though. If people knew you guys had passed over and come back She leaned over the second-story railing. Hey, is that your ward? Savannah?
I glanced down and nodded.
Then those must be the werewolves, Jaime said.
She leaned out farther for a better look. Elena and Clay had either met Jeremy and Savannah in the parking lot or picked them up on the street, because all four were now crossing the parking lot together. Jaime stared down at them, lips curved in the tiny smile of a woman who sees something she really likesalmost always something of the opposite sex.
Thatd be Clayton, I said.
Ah, she said, tearing her gaze away after one last regret-filled look. The one Cassandra tried to jump. Damn, cant even be original, can I? She peered down at the quartet. Huh. Now Id have guessed the blonde would have been her choice. He looks a bit like Aaron, and I get the impression thats one ex Cass isnt completely over.
I looked at Clay. I didnt notice it before, but I guess there is a slight resemblance. In the coloring at least, maybe the build. But that is Clayton. So who were you I followed her gaze. You meant Jeremy?
I should point out that there was nothing wrong with Jeremy Danvers. He wasnt what youd call conventionally good-looking, but he was attractive enough, more striking than handsome, just over six feet tall, and lean, with black hair, high cheekbones, and a slight slant to his black eyes, which suggested Asian blood somewhere in his family tree. If I was surprised, it was because Jaimes choice was original. Put Jeremy next to blond-haired,blue-eyed Clayton, and it would be a rare woman whod notice Clayton wasnt alone. To be honest, I wouldnt have guessed Jaime would be that woman.
Jeremy Danvers? Jaime said. Isnt he the, uh, leaderoh, God, whats the word?
Alpha. The lead wolf in a pack is the Alpha. Werewolves use the same terminology.
So that guythe dark-haired oneWe are talking about the dark-haired one, right?
The dark-haired one is Jeremy. Hes the Alpha. The blonde is Clayton. He was Jeremys adopted son; now hes the Pack muscle and Jeremys self-appointed bodyguard. Elena is the woman, of course. Shes Clays partner and acts as Jeremys representative outside the Pack. Clay and Elena are the beta wolves, though I dont think they use that terminology.
Uh, right, Jaime said, gaze once again glued to Jeremy. I suspected shed be asking me ten minutes from now to explain the relationships again, having not heard a word Id said about Clayton or Elena. So hes the leader? I thought the Alpha would be some old guy. He cant be much older than me. She squinted for a better look. Shit, no, he could be younger than me. He isnt, is he?
She turned from the view and rubbed her hands over her face. Ack! Is it just me or was I suddenly channeling the ghost of a love-struck fifteen-year-old girl? Dont ask me where that came from. She inhaled and exhaled. There, all better. So, uh, how old is he, anyway?
I grinned. Too old for someone who doesnt date men more than a decade her senior.
Bullshit. I mean, that hes that old, not that I wontits not a hard-and-fast rule, so if he was that oldBut hes not. Cant be.
Werewolves get prolonged youth. Hes fifty-three, I think. Maybe fifty-four.
No way. She sighed. Damn, everyone else gets cool powers, and I get hauntings. Doesnt seem fair. What the hell does a werewolf need a fountain of youth for, anyway?
Same reason vamps have regeneration, I said, holding open the patio door and waving her back inside. With the hunters, its all about survival. Prolonged youth means prolonged strength, which means youll be able to defend yourself longer.
And look really good doing it.
The door slammed open and we both jumped. Savannah rushed in ahead of Jeremy, with Elena and Clay bringing up the rear.
Seeing Jaime, Savannah skidded to a stop. Oh, my god! Itsits you. She shot a glare my way. You didnt say it was her!
WHEN ELENA CALLED, JEREMY TOLD THEM TO SKIP THE food run on the way back. Savannah was getting restless, so he was taking her out to hunt down breakfast. Theyd been gone about ten minutes when Jaime arrived.
God, its quiet in here, she said as I ushered her into the room. I thought werewolves were supposed to be rowdy She saw Lucas asleep on the sofa. Shit, Im sorry.
I waved her out onto the balcony, then slid the patio door closed so we could talk. Of course, the first thing she wanted to know was what had happened to us. On the way to the hotel, Lucas and I had decided wed tell the others the basics of our adventure, but keep the specifics secret. Ghosts are forbidden to reveal details of their world, so we assumed we were expected to do the same. Better to claim we didnt remember what had happened, as we had with Benicio.
And then, here we were, back on this side. Spit out by the ghost world.
Nan used to tell stories about things like that, portals opening and the living going throughor the ghosts coming out. Ill keep my mouth shut about this one, though. If people knew you guys had passed over and come back She leaned over the second-story railing. Hey, is that your ward? Savannah?
I glanced down and nodded.
Then those must be the werewolves, Jaime said.
She leaned out farther for a better look. Elena and Clay had either met Jeremy and Savannah in the parking lot or picked them up on the street, because all four were now crossing the parking lot together. Jaime stared down at them, lips curved in the tiny smile of a woman who sees something she really likesalmost always something of the opposite sex.
Thatd be Clayton, I said.
Ah, she said, tearing her gaze away after one last regret-filled look. The one Cassandra tried to jump. Damn, cant even be original, can I? She peered down at the quartet. Huh. Now Id have guessed the blonde would have been her choice. He looks a bit like Aaron, and I get the impression thats one ex Cass isnt completely over.
I looked at Clay. I didnt notice it before, but I guess there is a slight resemblance. In the coloring at least, maybe the build. But that is Clayton. So who were you I followed her gaze. You meant Jeremy?
I should point out that there was nothing wrong with Jeremy Danvers. He wasnt what youd call conventionally good-looking, but he was attractive enough, more striking than handsome, just over six feet tall, and lean, with black hair, high cheekbones, and a slight slant to his black eyes, which suggested Asian blood somewhere in his family tree. If I was surprised, it was because Jaimes choice was original. Put Jeremy next to blond-haired,blue-eyed Clayton, and it would be a rare woman whod notice Clayton wasnt alone. To be honest, I wouldnt have guessed Jaime would be that woman.
Jeremy Danvers? Jaime said. Isnt he the, uh, leaderoh, God, whats the word?
Alpha. The lead wolf in a pack is the Alpha. Werewolves use the same terminology.
So that guythe dark-haired oneWe are talking about the dark-haired one, right?
The dark-haired one is Jeremy. Hes the Alpha. The blonde is Clayton. He was Jeremys adopted son; now hes the Pack muscle and Jeremys self-appointed bodyguard. Elena is the woman, of course. Shes Clays partner and acts as Jeremys representative outside the Pack. Clay and Elena are the beta wolves, though I dont think they use that terminology.
Uh, right, Jaime said, gaze once again glued to Jeremy. I suspected shed be asking me ten minutes from now to explain the relationships again, having not heard a word Id said about Clayton or Elena. So hes the leader? I thought the Alpha would be some old guy. He cant be much older than me. She squinted for a better look. Shit, no, he could be younger than me. He isnt, is he?
She turned from the view and rubbed her hands over her face. Ack! Is it just me or was I suddenly channeling the ghost of a love-struck fifteen-year-old girl? Dont ask me where that came from. She inhaled and exhaled. There, all better. So, uh, how old is he, anyway?
I grinned. Too old for someone who doesnt date men more than a decade her senior.
Bullshit. I mean, that hes that old, not that I wontits not a hard-and-fast rule, so if he was that oldBut hes not. Cant be.
Werewolves get prolonged youth. Hes fifty-three, I think. Maybe fifty-four.
No way. She sighed. Damn, everyone else gets cool powers, and I get hauntings. Doesnt seem fair. What the hell does a werewolf need a fountain of youth for, anyway?
Same reason vamps have regeneration, I said, holding open the patio door and waving her back inside. With the hunters, its all about survival. Prolonged youth means prolonged strength, which means youll be able to defend yourself longer.
And look really good doing it.
The door slammed open and we both jumped. Savannah rushed in ahead of Jeremy, with Elena and Clay bringing up the rear.
Seeing Jaime, Savannah skidded to a stop. Oh, my god! Itsits you. She shot a glare my way. You didnt say it was her!
