Daughter of Evil?” He put air quotes around “Daughter of Evil” and said it in a snarky voice. “That somehow, some way, your birth has kick-started the end to our race as we know it? You know, it’s really too bad I wasn’t around when the hubbub started all those years ago. I’m telling you, English blokes are much more rooted in reality. We’re known for our infallible sensibilities, and I could’ve used my ridiculously charming wiles to explain to these American wolves the difference between true myth and reality.”
“That’s rich,” I said. “When our reality means werewolves, vamps, witches, and demons all exist.
Most of our myths and legends are all true anyway—you guys are why fairy tales exist, so why wouldn’t the Cain Myth be true?” Intrinsically I knew I wasn’t evil, but it didn’t matter. “That’s the rationale the wolves use, anyway. If supes exist, the Cain Myth can exist. It’s concrete enough and they revile me for it.”
“I couldn’t care less about the Myth,” Danny said. “It’s all a bunch of rubbish, and anyone with half a brain could bloody well figure that out.”
“Please clue me in. I’ll be sure to pass it on to all my haters,” I said. “I’m sure they will be giddy to learn their wrath has been misplaced for all these years.”
“Because look at you,” Danny sputtered. “You’re totally harmless. How could you be the true
Daughter of Evil when you’re not even scary? Surely the Daughter of Cain would generate some sort of massive power? Or give off some sort of otherworldliness? You emit no such thing, not even a tiny spark. You’re weak like a mortal, without means to survive. Like I said, totally harmless.”
“Um, okay? You’re right. I don’t possess any power like you guys do. But completely harmless?
I’m not so sure about that.” I grinned. “Lack of power is not enough to call off the dogs. They’ll think I’m just masking it or using my witch talents or some such thing.” Wolves, and supes in general, gave off a shitload of energy. Sometimes, depending on how powerful the being, it was thick and tangible.
For wolves, their power was the strongest when they shifted. They reeked of power in true form.
“If you were evil, you’d have warts,” Danny said matter-of-factly. “Or live eels for hair. Or at the very least, you’d have six fingers on your right hand, or something off-putting enough to signal your great malice. But you’re completely free of anything out of the ordinary. Just look at you.”
I glanced down my body in spite of myself. Other than a fair amount of gauze and Band-Aids covering my wounds, I had nothing unusual going on.
“You’re completely unmarred,” he continued. “In fact, you’re quite the opposite, really—you’re too beautiful to be evil, with all that rich, gorgeous dark hair and those sky blue eyes. Sorry, luv, it’s just not meant to be. They’ve got it all wrong.” He popped a forkful of pancakes into his mouth and smiled though a big bite. “Not. Evil.”
Tyler snorted.
“Danny.” I laughed. “You are honestly something else. You’re right. I don’t have warts or live eels for hair, but I do have boobs, and those seem to be more than enough for the wolves around here to believe I’m the same female from the Myth.”
“Well, it’s certainly enough proof for me.” He winked. “Not the evil part, of course, but the breasts equating you to female. I heartily agree. You’ve quite a nice rack. But without the power to go along with it, I’m sticking with my original conclusion. Not evil.”
My brother coughed, choking on his last mouthful of food. “Jesus, Danny. That’s my sister you’re talking about.”
I rose from the stool and pounded on Tyler’s back a few times just for fun. It felt like I hadn’t laughed in years. “Danny, you’re impossible,” I said, still chuckling. “But I’m happy you don’t think I’m evil. In light of everything that’s happened here lately, it’s nice to hear it.” Danny and I didn’t hang out much, and most wolves don’t verbalize things unless you poke or prod them to death. It’s not in their nature to share. “I’m going to find Nick.” I carried my empty bowl to the sink. “He may have some ideas to toss around for a new plan of escape.”
Tyler pushed back his stool, putting down his drink and wiping his mouth with a napkin. “I’m coming with you.”
“Don’t worry,” I said as I started for the door. “I’m not going far. Finish your breakfast, you still have fourteen pancakes to eat. The wolves would be crazy to attack me with the Alpha right here and extremely pissed off. I’m sure Nick is outside in the gazebo waiting for me.” The small log structure had a beautiful view of the lake and was our favorite place to meet. Nick would be anxious to hear what had happened. The gazebo sat in plain view of the Lodge and my father’s office. “It’s twenty paces from our front door. I’ll be fine.”
He sat down reluctantly. “Watch your back, Jess. The wolves are going to be uptight with the condition Mitch is in and how everything went down last night.”
“I know,” I said.
“You know, you could always just marry me,” Danny half joked. “I could help solve your problems in a jiff. A mated female is off-limits, even for the idiotic wolves who think Cain had something to do with your birthright.”
I paused at the doorway, smiling. “Thanks for the offer, Danny, but you’re just too good-looking for a girl like me. I usually go for the brooding types, but I appreciate the offer. I’m certain another lucky lady will snap you up and you two will be wildly happy together.”
Danny lifted an imaginary hat and bobbed his head. “My chiseled features have intimidated many a maiden, it’s true. It’s been my cross to bear for being gifted with unbelievable genes. Not everyone can claim such a burden of perfection. But I’m sure there’s a woman out there with similar issues, and I do plan on rescuing her in the near future.”
“She’ll be one lucky lady,” I said, meaning it. “I’ll see you both later.”
“Jess,” Tyler called to my retreating back. “Don’t get into any more trouble. I don’t want to bail your ass out of another fight this early in the morning.”
“Don’t worry. Brawling in this condition is the last thing on my list.”
Chapter Four
Hey there,” I said as I stepped onto the worn wooden floor. “Contemplating the universe?”
Nick jumped, turning to face me. He must’ve been deep in thought, because there was no way he couldn’t hear me. All supes had killer hearing. He stepped forward, but then stopped abruptly. “Jeez, you look like shit.”
“Thanks,” I said as I passed him, taking a seat in my favorite spot, an Adirondack chair perched at the very edge of the open rail. “I feel like crap too, but thanks to a mountain of painkillers, the hurt is at bay for now. They’re starting to wear off, however, and I’m not looking forward to what’s lurking for me underneath.”
Nick took a seat on the bench opposite the chair, perched forward, his face full of concern. His skin was a beautiful copper color, his shaggy dark hair curling around his face. His father had been an artic fox, a First Nation Canadian, his mother a Canadian, originally from France. “Why in the hell didn’t you tell me you were going to fight Mitch? At the very least, I could’ve come and been your backup. I heard he brought Josh. You could’ve had someone there to make sure it didn’t go too far.”
I sighed. “If I’d told you, you never would’ve let me go, and you know it. If it all went to hell, I didn’t want you to feel responsible. I know I took a huge risk fighting Mitch, but it was time to slow the madness down. Things were getting crazy, and there was no other way.” I grinned. “Plus, I knew I had a great chance of kicking his ass, or at least going punch for punch, thanks to you. Without all of our sparring and your hard work, my skills wouldn’t have been near the level they needed to be.” I steepled my fingers, cast and all, and bowed my neck. “Thank you, Sensei.”