Animal Heart(68)

“Straight away, then picking up supplies on the way back.”

“Why couldn't Maddy go?”

“She's having a quiet morning. I insisted. She's got a tough time coming up. I don't want to raise her hopes.”



They arrived and parked outside the rectory. All three trailed up the yard path towards the front door of The Black Crow's Nest. Aden smiled at the large cross shaped topiary on display as they passed by it. He knocked at the brightly polished brass bird knocker firmly.

The door swung open and there stood Pastor Saunderfoot, in full black church attire, looking very holy indeed.

“Ah, Mr Carr. I've been expecting you,” she said calmly, her brown eyes welcoming and warm.

“You have? Is it convenient to speak with you now? Are you about to go out?”

“No, I have just returned from conducting an early morning remembrance service at Heart. Poor Reverend Porter, you know... the innocent victim of one of your pack,” she announced, again so calmly. Aden's head spun for a moment.

How the hell did she know?

“Pastor... It wasn't our fault. Can we come in and explain?”

“Goodness, where are my manners, leaving you standing on the doorstep... Of course, do come in. Let me put the kettle on, I'm dying for some raspberry leaf tea. Can I get you anything, my dears?”

“I'll have the same,” Shane replied. And he and Lucas asked for a coffee, if it wasn't too much trouble. Aden was very confused by her sweet and kind attitude. She seemed to be very aware of who they are and what they did to the Reverend, and yet at the same time she was unruffled and unemotional about it. It didn't make sense. Why she wasn't crossing herself and drowning them with holy water was a mystery. The three of them followed her inside, warily, looking at each other as she ushered them into her living room with a smile.

“Make yourselves comfy. I'll be a few minutes, it has to steep... the tea, I mean.” She left the room and they stood and looked around.

It was the strangest room Aden had ever been in.

“I'd say we've been rumbled,” Lucas sniggered nervously as he surveyed the contents of the table in front of him. They all got up and started to examine the ornaments and piles of books. Aden flicked through one of the books with interest; The Lycanthrope, A Full Color Pictoral, and then another, The Clawed Demon Within, and finally, Wolves and Vampires. These very unholy books and many others sat side by side with the New Testament, Holy Scriptures, and hymn books. Aden picked up and examined the figurines of wolves and were-beasts, and other creatures considered to be mythological and legend. He spotted a Minotaur, a centaur, and a unicorn and others he didn't have any idea about. But most prevalent were the werewolves. There were dozens of the creatures on every shelf and window ledge. A massive one stood on its hind legs on the hearth, blood smearing its fearsome fanged jaws. This didn't feel like a very holy room to him.

Why on earth was she so obsessed with them?

The door opened and the small white haired lady pastor reappeared with a flower patterned tray balanced on one hand. She smiled at them as she put the tray down on the coffee table.

“Help yourselves to milk and sugar, won't you,” she offered graciously.

She picked up her bone china pink spotted cup and saucer and sat on an upright winged chair by the fireplace, sipping at her tea daintily, and regarding them openly. “So, ask away... We all know the score,” she began.

“What score do you know exactly?”

“Mr Carr... Aden... I am one of your kind.”

“No!... I can usually see it, but I can't with you.”

“That is because I'm a shifter. We are a little different, more subtle in appearance. And perhaps your mind refuses to believe one of the clergy could be such a monster?”

He looked at the other two in shocked amazement. Their faces were similarly surprised.

“I don't believe it!” Lucas announced. “What the fuck?”

“Language my son... We may be savage beasts at heart, but there is no need to speak like one,” the pastor admonished calmly.

“I'm real sorry your holiness... err, holy mother...” Lucas apologised, shamefaced at his uncouth outburst.

“Oh do drop the holy mother title please! Call me Vicky. And what's your name young man?” She sipped at her tea slowly, watching Lucas with an unwavering gaze.

“It's Lucas.”

“And I'm Shane.”

“Beautiful names and so fitting for such beautiful men.” She grinned at them all in open admiration. “So tell me, how's things at the ranch?”

“Not so great,” Aden revealed.

“I thought as much. How is your holy pool coming along?” she laughed.

“We don't have one yet.”