Her Enemy Protector Bear by Cynthia Wilde

Chapter 8

Nick sat in his high-backed, leather chair, in his office on the faire site, feeling uneasy and worried. The search for Chell had led nowhere so far, and things were getting a little desperate. The disappearance of an important witch in the community was serious business. Rafe had everyone on the team, and others, searching the grounds and through the local towns during the week. Until they found her and ruled out any involvement with the Void, everyone was on edge.

Nick pounded the pavement along with everyone else, putting up signs in every business window and canvasing the nearby neighborhoods. The reward for information of her whereabouts and her safe return was now at ten thousand dollars, but still, no one could give him any insight into what happened to her. He called the animal shelter, and the vet there said that no black and white “cow cat” had been turned in so far.

Sighing in frustration, Nick hung up the phone and ran his hands through his dark hair. It had now been three weeks since she'd last been seen, and it wasn't looking good. It was a distinct possibility that Chell may be trapped somewhere, or worse yet, dead. He knew she had shifted, many times, into her cat form, and that, in a few instances, she left the grounds for a few days, but she always came back. Nick had a horrible feeling about the whole situation. The suspicion that the Void was involved grew every day, and with it the collective tension.

His phone rang shrilly, knocking him out of his grim thoughts. He didn't recognize the number, but he picked up anyway, in case it was someone who could give him a lead on Chell's whereabouts.

"Hello?" said Nick into his cell phone. There was silence, and then a rustling sound, like someone dragging something through dry leaves, came through. He could hear heavy breathing over the line, which made him feel uneasy, "Hello?" he asked again.

A low, raspy growl of a voice breathed into the other end. "I have what you are looking for," it said. Then the voice started to cackle.

The hairs on the back of Nick's neck stood on end.

"Where is she?" he asked, trying to keep his voice even. "Is she alive?"

The voice cackled again, like a harpy - shrill and triumphant. "Not for long," it shrieked.

"Please, don't hurt her. What do you want?" Nick waited; the voice paused its maniacal mirth.

"You will know, in time!" it rasped into the phone. Then the line went dead.

"Are you okay?" a voice asked.

Nick jumped a foot out of his chair, landing on his feet to face Zoe and Devon as they stood in the office doorway, staring at him. "I'm sorry. Did I scare you?" she asked.

Nick noticed the concerned expression that creased her smooth forehead as she looked at him. "You're as white as a ghost. Was it bad news?"

Nick shook himself to calm his nerves. He'd forgotten that Zoe was coming today to try to repair the costumes that lay heaped in a large bag in the corner of the room. He hadn't had the heart to open and inspect the things, nor the stomach for the stench that emanated from them. As important as it was, he had bigger fish to fry, so to speak.

He mustered a smile, which he knew Zoe wasn't buying for one minute. "I'm okay. Sorry," he said, gesturing to the bag in the corner. "Shall I carry these to the car for you?" Of course she couldn’t know anything about the greater threats facing the faire. He mentally composed himself to deal with the issue at hand.

Zoe nodded. "Did you get the materials for cleaning and the thread that I asked for?"

Nick nodded. "It's all in the car. You can follow me to my place. I have the room all set up for you."

"Okay, then," said Zoe. "Devon and I will wait for you outside."

Nick carried the heavy, smelly bag out the office door and dumped it into his trunk. He prayed that Zoe knew what she was doing, and he secretly hoped she would like the room he had set up for her. He Felt more confused than ever, but he hardly could afford to dwell on it with all that was going on. His bear craved her. Every time she walked into a room, he felt his arousal spring up, and the bear inside him threatening to take over. Get a grip, Nick. Luckily, Zoe seemed to delight in pushing his buttons. Every time he felt that attraction rise she tended to piss him off. That actually felt a bit safer. He liked to be in control, and something about her threatened to make him lose that control.

The trip to Nick's house took ten minutes. He didn't live far from the site. He liked his privacy, and with his means he afford a sprawling off site home. Some of the shifters liked the homes that were backstage at the faire. Others actually preferred the community feel of the campgrounds. But he liked being able to run around in his bear form without any on-lookers. His house was situated on five acres of wooded forest, so it suited his needs just fine.

* * *

When they parkedin his driveway, Zoe got out of her truck and pulled out her sewing machine. It was large, like a suitcase. Nick rushed over to take it for her. He could see she struggled with it a bit. She had told him his machines but certainly be a help but she was used to her own, so insisted on bringing it along.

"Thank you," she said. "I haven't had to carry it very often. It stays in the trailer in one spot most of the time. I'd forgotten how heavy it is." Devon jumped out of the back seat to help as well. Nick smiled at him and assured him he could manage.

"Do you think you could open the door for us?" asked Nick, handing Devon the house key. Nick could have done it himself, but he wanted the boy to feel useful. It was clear that he wanted to help in some way.

Once inside, Nick directed them toward the back of the house and into a large workshop where he set the sewing machine onto and otherwise empty table in the center of the room. He then headed back to his car to get the large, rank bag of clothing. As he popped the trunk, he noticed something small streak by him, but there was nothing there when he turned around. Nick sniffed the air and detected the faint scent of feline. It must be my imagination, I’m holding a damn bag of cat pee soaked clothes, he thought as he hefted up the bag and headed to the house. Nick didn't have any cats living near his home, as far as he knew, and if there were? He decided to investigate once he'd deposited the fabric in Zoe's capable hands.

When he entered the sewing room, Zoe was already setting up her machine and was going through the items he'd bought for her at the local pet and grocery stores.

"This should be enough baking soda and vinegar," she said, inspecting the several boxes and massive jugs. "Did you leave any for anyone else in the town?" she joked. "I think we have enough for at least ten loads or more. I hope your washing machine can handle it."

"I hope so, too," he said, holding his hands out in supplication. "My livelihood is in your hands, my lady."

Seeing her in her element had an unexpected effect on him. An arousing effect, as if his bear needed any more encouragement. Damn she’s cute! He just couldn’t stop his smile.

Zoe looked at him, speculatively, with her hands on her hips. "I have a lot of work to do, Nick, m’lord. So, if you don't mind, show me to the laundry room, and I'll get started right away. And is somewhere Devon can play maybe? He's already done with his schoolwork, and somehow I doubt he wants to sit here watching me sew."

"Do you think you'd like to come with me for a bit?" Nick asked without thinking. "I need someone to help me put up signs and check the humane traps for my cat friend, if it's okay with you, Zoe?"

She looked at him for a moment. Devon's smile was huge, and he was nodding to his mom as he bounced from one foot to the other.

"Please, Mom," said Devon. "I'd really like to help Mr. Barrett. I promise to be good."

“Ok honey, but you listen to what he says and be good.” She paused for a moment. “And ya know I am sorry I forgot to tell you before, but, well I guess our initial introduction had been a bit, um, awkward so I didn’t get the chance, but later I realized I may have seen that cat. It was near my booth in the faire.”

“Oh really?” Nick instantly perked up.

“Yes, but it was weeks ago at this point…I don’t even remember what day, I mean it may have even been before she went missing. I mean I think it was before you had stopped in. I’m sorry I didn’t recall at the time.”

Nick considered for a moment. “Well yes that was a long time ago now. And, well, I get it. We didn’t exactly get off on the right foot. If you see her again please tell me right away.”

“Of course!” she quickly chimed in.

“Okay, well Devon I could use a couple of extra hands, if you don't mind. There are a few other things too that he could help me with on-site."

Devon looked pleadingly at his mom. Nick could only imagine what his day would look like, wringing out cat piss and scrubbing fabric if he stayed. He hoped he could give the kid a little bit of fun. And he really did need the help. Nick heard Zoe sigh, audibly. “Okay, but only for an hour or two. I might need his help later with hanging everything on the clothesline outside.”

“So, first, Devon and I will set up the clothesline,” he said. “Once it’s hung to your satisfaction, we will go. Does that work for you? We’ll be back in plenty of time to hang the wet stuff.”

“Okay,” she said. “Sounds like a plan. I guess I don’t need you two hanging around me when I’m working, anyway. But don’t be gone too long.”

“You got it!” said Devon. “Thanks, Mom!”

Nick and Devon hung the line between two large trees in the back yard, making sure it was secure; then the two of them piled into his car and drove over to the faire site. When Nick parked, he saw Alec and three of Rafe's oldest kids over by the jousting field. He almost didn't recognize them. They'd gotten taller since the last time he'd seen them. Nick decided to take the opportunity to introduce Devon to some kids his own age.

"Hey, Alec," Nick called out to his friend. "How's it going?" Alec and the children looked up from what they were doing. They all smiled as Nick and Devon approached.

"Glad to see you," said Alec. "I was about to send the kids out to check the humane traps."

"Good idea," said Nick. "I've brought someone to help." Nick turned to Devon.

"I would like you all to meet my new friend, Devon Miller. He works here at the new clothing booth in Merchant's Circle with his mom," Nick indicated to the three children. "Devon, this is Lewellyn, Ophelia, and Phelan Parker. Their dad is the owner and operator of the festival."

"Very nice to meet you," said Devon, looking a little nervous. He glanced over at Nick, who gave him a reassuring smile.

"I was thinking you three could take Devon along as you check the traps," said Nick. "I know Devon, here, is very good with animals in case we caught any. Just be back in an hour.”

Lewellyn smiled at Devon warmly. "I think that is a splendid idea," she said, suddenly taking Devon's hand. "Let's go!" The four of them took off running into the little village. Nick watched Devon, smiling with joy, as he ran with them, trailing behind the precocious Lewellyn.

"That boy doesn’t know what he’s in for," said Alec from behind Nick. "I can already tell that Lewellyn has pegged him as her new project."

"Maybe it will be good for him," said Nick. "As far as I can tell, he's gone through a lot and has been cooped up with his mom in her clothing booth. I don't know the whole situation, but seems they needed a new show in a hurry."

"Is she married?" asked Alec, looking curiously at Nick. "I mean, where's the kid's dad?"

"No idea. I'm not sure it's any of my business," said Nick, running his hands through his hair. "We got off on the wrong foot; her booth is right next to mine. At the moment I am just trying to make nice."

"Wait a minute," said Alec, putting two and two together. "Do you mean, Devon's mom is the lady in the cursed booth? The one that is also selling clothing?"

"They are one and the same," said Nick. "She is special case all right. But she’s got spunk. That’s for sure. Anyhow, I needed a huge favor, whichi will tell you about later. But she's the only one who could help me. So, I took Devon so she could get some work done."

"That's awfully generous of you," said Alec, not commenting further. However, Nick noticed the mischievous tone in his voice and the quizzical look on his face.

"It’s not like that!" he almost yelled. "She's just helping me, that's all. Besides, that's not why I'm here. We need to talk."

Alec's expression changed. "Is it about Chell?" he asked. "Have you come across any leads?"

"I don't know for sure," said Nick. "But I got a rather strange phone call this morning. I mean, what kind of monster uses the phone?" Nick described the voice from the call and what it said in great detail. “I think it took pleasure in my distress. It was strange to say the least. What do you think?”

Alec's face looked grim. "Someone has her, and it doesn't bode well for us. She's a powerful witch. If she's been captured, then we are dealing with something strong. And based on some of our past dealings, if we assume some evil from the Void is behind this, there is the very real possibility it could possess Chell or somehow get her to fight against us."

"There's something else," said Nick. "I have no idea how it could be related, but I have a strange sense about the cats. I found my inventory ruined with cat piss…and Chell changes into a cat. Maybe it’s nothing, but maybe it’s related.”

Alec nodded his head. "I don't know, but I think you are on to something. We should report all of this to Aurora. Most likely, she will want us to take it to Rafe as well. We need to find Chell, and fast."

"Agreed," said Nick. "I'll run over to the fairy glen, now, and see if Aurora is there."

"She should be," said Alec. "She's been spending most of her time either there or walking out closer to the Void, trying to ‘read’ what is happening out there."

"Got it," said Nick as he thanked Alec and then headed into the village. He needed to check on his booth, anyway. He spied the kids circling around a large, fluffy orange cat before he reached his shop. Nick stopped walking. He could have sworn he'd seen that cat before. Devon scooped it into his arms and ran toward Nick as he smiled up at him.

"Nick!" he said. "This is my cat, Furdinand! Isn't he cute?"

Nick and the cat eyed each other. Hey kitty, thought Nick as Devon thrust the cat at him to pet. But there was something odd about it, or was there? He brushed the feeling away. I’ve got to get over this, All this stress is getting to me. Reluctantly, he reached his hand out to pat the cat on the head. The cat suddenly hissed and swiped at Nick's hand, who barely had time to move out of the way of its claws.

"He's never done that to people before, he’s been in kind of a bad mood since we got here," said Devon, setting the cat down. It didn't run. Instead, it just growled in its throat as it slinked around Devon's legs, glaring at Nick. "The last time he growled like that was at a friendly stray I saw when we first got here a few weeks ago."

Nick froze. His instincts were all on fire. "Devon," he said. "Is that the cat your mom saw? What did it look like, that cat that Furdi didn’t like?"

"Yeah, Furdi really hated it. It was big and black and white, like a cow," said Devon. "It was super friendly. It let Mom and me pet her, but Furdi didn't like it. He growled and hissed until we picked him up and went home."

"Where did you see that cat? At your booth" asked Nick, getting down on Devon's level.

"Over there," pointed Devon, "in front of our booth. It was the first day we were here, we were cleaning the booth, and the cow cat just showed up."

"I should have put that together when your mom mentioned it," he said. "

"But it’s all right," Nick said, patting Devon on the shoulder. "Listen, I have to go talk to someone, but if you or the others see any more cats, especially that cow cat, please let me know, okay?"

"Okay," said Devon.

Nick couldn’t put his finger on it, but he felt he was getting closer to the truth. Call it shifter intuition, or common sense, but somehow he felt someone on-site had to know something, and he was going to get to the bottom of it.