Tessa, Vampire/Werewolf Romance, (Standalone) (Shadow Creek Shifters Book 3) (17 page)

Maxwell turned where the old boarded-up store was that had been there decaying since before he was born. He went down the trail for a time until a large tree was blocking their path, then cut the engine. “Looks like we’ll have to go on foot from here.”

Melody glanced around. “Isn’t there a way around it?”

“Not that I can see. Let’s get moving before I change my mind about going to that cabin and confronting Jason.”

Melody, the headstrong one, climbed over the log first and Maxwell tried his best to get over it, too, but his leg held him back. He didn’t want to show weakness so he didn’t tell her to wait up. When he finally landed on the opposite side, Melody was nowhere to be found!

Tessa drove into Creeksboro. It was early afternoon and she spotted a floppy hat in the window of a store.
That’s exactly what I need!
She parallel-parked in front of the shop and with head down, she walked inside. A portly woman of sixty waved at her and met her carrying a bolt of fabric.

“Well, Tessa, I hadn’t expected you here until much later. Paige was supposed to pick up the clothing she ordered for you.”

Tessa cocked a brow. “What?”

“Oh, she must not have told you. It’s not every day we get clothing like that ordered.” She made a motion with her fingers over her lips. “Don’t worry, my lips are sealed.” She stared outside. “How were you able to come here today? It’s not all that cloudy anymore.”

“I’m not sure what you mean. Paige never told me about any clothing she’d ordered for me.”

“It’s your standard long-sleeved shirt, pants, and gloves. All in black, of course, Paige prefers white, you know, but I can already see the black works with your complexion and mood.” She laughed. “It’s hard to know these days with vampires; they all have their own style. Why don’t you go into the dressing room and try your new clothes on.”

Tessa was shocked enough when she had said all vampires have their own style. How many were there near the area? She was led into the dressing room and handed a hanger with all the clothing she had mentioned. When Tessa took it out, it didn’t feel like any fabric she had ever known before. It was stitched tightly and was soft on the inside, but much coarser on the outside. Once she thought about it, Paige did have clothing she wore, which looked very similar. She’d certainly have to ask Paige about it and would be stopping by after she had finished in town.

She admired herself in the mirror. The outfit was a good fit, but she didn’t have any problems with her other clothing and being out during the day. She’d certainly wear it all the same; there was no sense in taking unnecessary risks. For all she knew, her ability to be out in daylight might be short-lived.

“So, about other vampires. Are there more in Creeksboro other than Paige and me?”

The sales lady squared her shoulders. “You see, that’s the thing. My business thrives because of my privacy policy. I can’t say yes or no, and I’d rather not discuss this further.”

“Okay, I suppose I’ll just need my floppy hat and I’ll go. I need to finish my business in town right away.”

The black hat was handed to Tessa and she grimaced. It looked like what somebody from ‘Gone with the Wind’ might have worn. “This won’t do at all. How about a cowboy hat?”

The clerk laughed. “I was just kidding, but the look on your face was priceless.”

Tess just shook her head at the lady. “And what is your name, ma’am?”

“Joy, and my mother always told me it was my job to bring joy to the world. I hope you weren’t bothered by my little joke. I’d hate to offend a woman of your…stature.”

Tessa smiled. “Thanks, I needed something to smile about today. If only that could be the way of the day.”

Tessa carried out a large bag with the clothing, the ones she had worn into the store and the ordered outfits. Paige had gotten two sets. She wasn’t sure what Paige was about, but she’d certainly find out later.

She crossed the street, which was very quiet for early afternoon, but how would she really know how it was to go out during the day in Creeksboro? Even that one time with Katlyn it had been after dinner, not anywhere near day.

Dr. Evans was coming out the door of his office when Tessa raced over there. “Hello there, doctor. I was hoping to have a word with you.”

His eyes widened, then took in Tessa’s apparel.

“I’m heading over to the cafe if you’d care to join me for lunch.”

Drat. She really needed to speak to him privately, but decided she’d not turn down any opportunity to talk with the doctor. “Sounds great to me.”

Dr. Evans took Tessa’s arm and they strode across the street. Dust struck Tessa’s arms and she winced for a minute.

“I think we might just get a thunderstorm soon,” Dr. Evans said. “The wind has picked up since this morning and look at those dark clouds on the horizon.”

Tessa looked over at the dark clouds and a tremor hit her. That was the last thing she needed today.

When they walked into the diner, they took a seat near the far wall, a table, which would accommodate four people. It was well away from the others, which eased Tessa’s mind since she would be asking the good doctor questions he might not want to answer. If she had to, she’d threaten to reveal who he really was. It was important to find out what full-bloods were capable of and how it might impact them in Creeksboro.

A waitress skipped over, a girl about eighteen. There was something about the curve of her face, which Tessa recognized.

“This is Ariel, Carrie’s eldest daughter.”

“Hello, Tessa. It’s really weird seeing you here during the day. I thought you were a real night owl from the dark drapes you had in your cabin. I’m staying there now since my mother went missing and is now recovering.”

“How is she?”

“I’ve really had it with her. I’ve paid her a few visits, one of them after she regained consciousness, but I’m not really buying her changed act. She’ll be back with Jason once she’s healed. Her story about a werewolf that stands on two feet is really a tall tale.”

“You don’t believe her?”

“She’s good at covering up the truth. I’m not sure the hold Jason has over her, but it’s strong enough for her to give up custody of Melody. He’ll be back for sure and beat her up again. It’s a cycle with them.”

“Things will be different. There’s no way Jason will be coming back again,” Tessa commented. When they stared at her, she quickly added, “Because word is he left town with Earl.”

Ariel rolled her eyes. “We’ll see.”

She took their drink orders and came back with them a couple minutes later.

“I’ll have the medium rare hamburger steak,” Tessa said.

“That’s not safe to eat that way, and no way will my boss let us undercook hamburger. You don’t want to get food poisoning, do you?”

Tessa interlaced her fingers. “Not terribly, but I don’t like my food cooked all the way, and since you don’t have steak on the menu, that will have to suffice.”

“Do what you can,” Dr. Evans said. “I’ll have the grilled chicken on rye.”

When Ariel left, Dr. Evans joked, “At least you’re not eating sheep today.”

“I’ve never had it really. Rabbits only, but I’m sure you already know that. For all I know,
you
were responsible for the killing of those sheep.”

He pulled up the sleeve of his shirt. “I was chained up that night, remember?”

“For how long, though? We both know you’re holding back. You know more than that story you fed to Raphael about full-bloods mating with the half-blooded. You’d have us believe that would be the only possible way a full-blood could shift without the aid of the full moon.”

Dr. Evans leaned back on his chair. “So, you’re calling me a liar?”

“You said it.”

“If I was out and about in my shift, I’d have killed more than just sheep.”

Tessa swallowed back the lump in her throat. “Jason and Earl perhaps?”

Dr. Evans slammed a fist on the table, rattling the salt and pepper shakers. “Are you crazy? Why would I do that? I don’t get involved with what happens in the shifters’ world.”

“Then why do you treat shifters?”

“Because somebody needs to, and I’m the only doctor in town who will. I’ve had specialized training in regards to their respiratory, circulatory, and reproductive systems. It’s not exactly like a human’s body. Even a human carrying the baby of a shifter can be problematic.”

“Thanks for the rundown, but what I’d most like to know is how can a full-blood shift without the aid of the full moon? And don’t give me the same story you already have been detailing. You made it sound so scientific,” Tessa practically spat. “Give it to me straight.”

Dr. Evans smiled up at Ariel as she set their food down. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather eat. I have patients to see in an hour.”

Tessa nodded, eating her nearly raw burger just how she liked it. It was strange how easily she adapted to that part of her life when she couldn’t even stand to be across the table when someone had a rare steak.

After they had finished, Tessa asked, “Are you ready to tell me now?”

“Not here. Let’s go across the street to my office. I’ll answer all your questions there.”

“Okay,” Tessa agreed.

She waited until Dr. Evans paid their bill and as they made their way back across the street, all the hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention. The doctor held the door open and Tessa entered first, dodging to the side as Dr. Evans gave her a shove. She faced him. “What are you doing?”

“You really are much too snoopy.”

“I want the truth.”

“No, you don’t. Trust me, this is far from your understanding. The full-bloods have been forced to leave Wyoming where they once lived, and why? Because the half-blood shifters moved into the area.”

“Wasn’t there a fight between the full-bloods and half-bloods?”

“Yes, and I don’t blame them for coming back here.”

“And what about Maxwell? Do you also condone them coming for him?”

Dr. Evans blinked his eyes. “What?”

“A Mira came to Silver Creek acting like she needed help, and Maxwell being the boy he is was helping her. She told me you weren’t telling the truth about the shift and that’s what brings me here.”

“Where is Maxwell now?”

“We don’t know. We already know a full-blood attacked Carrie. It’s all been a plot to get at Maxwell.”

“Mira is confused.”

“Oh? She claimed the full-bloods are coming to Creeksboro to take over, even plan to kill the humans of the town.”

“She’s part of an extremist group. The only full-bloods I know just want to come home to Wyoming.”

“Then why did you push me? Tell me the truth.”

“I-I don’t know. I just can’t have you getting in the way. Not all full-bloods are bad, just a select group.”

“Why was Raphael really allowed to stay among them in Montana?” Tessa questioned the doctor.

“He was taken in by their leader, Malcolm. He’s the eldest of the pack and has always wanted to come back to Wyoming to live in peace, but he was found dead a few weeks ago. Whoever is in charge now is leading the others astray.”

“And where do you fit in, Doctor?”

“I’m a supporter, but I have no plans to take part in an invasion of Creeksboro. You can’t kill all the humans without Washington sending troops here.”

“And what about the rest of the shifters here?”

“I never thought the full-bloods would actually try to wipe out the shifters of the area.”

“So, you support them when you don’t even know what they’re planning?”

“It would seem, but if they’re after Maxwell we have to stop them. He’ll be a very important leader when he grows up, but some of the full-bloods believe he’ll be able to eradicate them.”

“I don’t understand why any one side wants to kill all of the other side, but this has gone bad fast. Maxwell and Melody left Silver Creek in search of Jason, but I think they’re heading straight for the full-bloods. I’m not really sure why Mira played it like she did, but I think she shared the information that the children left so Raphael would leave in search of them.”

“Her whole purpose had to be for those children to leave so the full-bloods could get their hands on them. When they do, he’ll be used to bring down all of the shifters of Creeksboro. Even if they do what the full-bloods say, Maxwell will be killed. We have to find them now, before it’s too late.”

Tessa hands slipped to her hips, her eyes narrowing. “How dare you stand here and say you’re worried about Maxwell or Melody when you won’t tell me the truth. How can the full-bloods actually shift without the full moon?”

Dr. Evans plopped down in a chair. “It’s a myth. They most certainly can now since they’ve been mating with half-bloods for over twenty years. This new brand of full-bloods are quite deadly and both stronger and younger.”

Tessa began to pant heavily. So what the doctor had said before was true. “What?”

“They were supposed to work out a peace agreement with the shifters here.”

“It’s hard to know what side you’re really on, doctor.”

“Please, call me Jerome. We need to question Mira. She might tell us where the full-bloods plan to take Maxwell when they find him.”

Tessa stared at the doctor. “That’s not possible. She’s quite dead in my cabin presently.”

“That’s not possible. You can’t kill a full-blood unless you remove his head.”

“So, you’re saying she might still be alive?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“We need to warn the humans that the full-bloods are coming,” Tessa said.

“That won’t be well received.”

“We have to do something.”

“You might want to clear that with Paige before you do something that drastic.”