Dire(22)
Marni stripped down and slung a sling type bag over her shoulder. I averted my eyes as best I could, but I was starting to get used to the nudity. Marni certainly didn’t seem to care. She’d packed clothes for us and lighter fluid. I was going to have to remember that bag trick for the future.
We quickly shifted and took off toward the woods. I was glad for Marni as she led the way through the snow. I’d let the detail of location slip. I hadn’t exactly been in the frame of mind to watch where I was going when I’d left with Hunter.
I stayed close beside Marni as she slowed down.
When the house and barn came into view, we shifted back.
“Are you sure you're ready for this?” Marni hissed as she slipped into clothes.
“Would you quit asking me that?”
“I’m just making sure.”
“We’ve come this far. I can’t let them get away with this.”
“I know.”
“I need to check out the barn first. I don't know if Granola is still there, but I can't risk leaving him or anyone else in there. If we don't get all the witches who the hell knows what they'll do to the guys?”
“Granola?” She asked.
“They called me Sprinkles.” Even thinking about the name made me nearly boil over in anger.
“Because of those little freckles?” She touched my chest.
I grabbed her wrist. “Don’t.”
She laughed lightly. “Ok. Point taken.”
“Good.”
“Now let go of my hand and go check on Granola.”
“Stay close, but if trouble comes, run. This isn’t your fight.”
“How isn’t it my fight? We’ve been helping these witches.”
“True, but Hunter is Alpha. It’s his fault.”
“Don’t excuse my role in this. I’m helping.”
“Fine. Just stay close.”
She nodded. “Be careful.”
“Nothing we’re doing tonight is careful.”
“That’s true.”
“See you soon.” I walked over to the barn and quickly snapped the lock on the door.
It was dark inside, but I could see well enough. The night vision that came from being a Dire was helpful.
I needed to stay naked in case I had to shift fast, so hopefully anyone inside wouldn’t mind seeing my naked ass.
I walked over to the main stall where I’d been held. It felt like ages ago, but really barely any time had passed. I was lucky to even be alive. When I finally got to see Mary Anne, I’d have to make sure she knew how much I appreciated what she’d done. From what Marni said, she’d been beating herself up about it.
I heard no movement, so I peered into the stall. I didn’t see anything at first, but then I noticed something in the hay. I shook the door, but it was locked. I tugged on the door, desperate to get inside to see if my eyes were deceiving me. The door came off the hinges, and I rushed in.
My heart nearly beat out of my chest. There in the hay, were two bodies. I was ready to vomit as I stared into the dead eyes of Granola and Tootsie. I swallowed down bile as I touched them. Their lifeless bodies were nearly frozen. “Those fucking witches.”
I turned away from the bodies. I’d have to find a way to give those guys a proper burial, but first I needed to burn the witches responsible.
“Gage?” Marni eyed me warily when I walked out. “You okay?”
“They killed them. They killed them both.”
Marni’s hands twisted into fists. “You ready?”
“Yes.” I headed over to the house.
I’d never participated in anything resembling arson before, so I had no clue what I was doing. I figured dousing the entire perimeter of the house with lighter fluid was a good place to start. I made sure to get some on the door as well. I knew they’d probably find a way to get out, but there was no reason to make it easy on them. And when they did come out, we’d be ready for them.
“I swear I heard something out there,” a female voice called from inside.
Marni and I crouched behind a car as the blonde witch stepped outside and looked around.
“It was probably an animal,” another girl called. “Come back inside, you’re getting us cold.”
“We need to find new pets, I’m bored,” Vanessa complained. I knew her voice. I’d never forget the way she’d laughed when she left Mary Anne. “If Hunter doesn’t deliver soon I’m going into town.”
“You make that sound difficult.” I heard Jerry, the older of the witches. “Relying on shifters is sheer lunacy.”
Jerry was there, and she was the one masterminding everything. It was time to act. I tossed a lit match and watched as the fire slowly spread around the small cottage. The small flames grew until the entire cottage was enflamed.