Streak of Black

"Aunt Lunette, what's going on?" I demand after about a minute of silence from the woman. Lovett shoots me a look that says 'Calm down!' but I can't. She flipped out on us after I told her about the Voice and the dreams, and now she won't talk—at least not to us. Louna and Kenley look worried about their mother, too. She's usually so calm and serene, at least as far as I remember. Our return may have been the worst thing to happen to our aunt. I suddenly feel sick at the thought that Lovett and I coming home may have driven her off of the edge.

"Your father!" She says it angrily, switching back to English. "He should have told you! He should have never married your mother," she rambles, shooting up again and resuming her incessant pacing.

I glare at my aunt, angry with her for the first time in my life. I stand up to match her for height. "Aunt Lunette, don't you dare bring our mother into this. I may have been young when she died, but I remember that she was a wonderful person. I won't sit here and allow her name to be tarnished."

She looks at me sadly and sighs, pulling herself out of this trance. I wonder for a second if Monique was controlling her. "Your mother was a wonderful, beautiful, sweet, genuine woman, and I cared for her dearly. It wasn't her fault. Your father was warned. He was young and foolish and fell for a human, a human that he put into danger daily. Not only are there hunters such as this Damien and his father and others like them, but there are also other werewolves who can't stand the thought of our races being together." She pauses and sits back down, taking a calming breath. The tense room stares at her.

"Only a few of you should know this, but I doubt that any of you do. There are laws in our World, laws designed to protect both werewolves and humans, laws that no werewolf should be taught until they are ready to leave home to start their own life. These laws are the reason that we don't generally mingle with humans—to avoid situations like Rudi's, Cannan's and yours, Louve, Lovett."

"Mama, you're making no sense," Louna says, obviously trying to calm her mother while staying serene herself. I on the other hand am wound up tight, and refuse to say another word, afraid that I'll start screaming and causing unnecessary chaos. Ryder squeezes my hand comfortingly. Lunette breathes again, and Louna massages her shoulders gently. Kenley leaves and returns moments later with a tall glass of iced water which his mother gulps gratefully.

She closes her eyes and turns to us, returning to the calm woman that I remember in the flash of an eye. "A young werewolf is told on their 18th birthday that there is a secret community of werewolves. All of us once lived there, but then the community grew and grew. We found out about the New World, just before the Mayflower's pilgrimage, via the wolves who ventured out every now and then just to find out what was going on in the world. Some of the higher-ups in the community were sent first to organize a new community, and they moved to the New World when the Mayflower took its maiden voyage. Others slowly followed, finding their ways onto major ships. There was a huge operation that went into it. Wolves were set at check-points—we inspired the later Underground Railroad—to guide others to the new site until almost everyone was accounted for. The only problem with the plan was that those who had been on the outside grew restless. Wolves that had never seen the outside world got excited and weren't thinking of the consequences. They wanted to be out in the world, see what it was like. It was a new world filled with opportunities for all men, and many of them wanted their piece. After several years, a group of 10 men and 7 women in a community of roughly 200 werewolves prepared to take off.

"Before they were allowed to leave, the Wise Woman of the time commanded that they meet with her. The Wise Woman is highly respected, and her word is final. She's like the president, and the Elders are a combination of the judicial and legislative branches of the United States. She told them that she'd had a vision, a statement not to be taken lightly. She explained that she had dreamed of a werewolf born half-human, half-wolf. That werewolf would be dangerous if not controlled but powerful if they were used properly. She said that this wolf would be different in many ways than others. The wolf would have the power to touch steel and transform whenever they wanted, the only time they were forced being during the full moon. She also said that the wolf would have premonitions and a guide telling them what to do and how to do it, if indirectly."

"But, Aunt Lunette, Lovett can touch steel, but I can't. I have the visions and the Voice, but neither of us can transform whenever we want." I struggle to make sense of all of this in my head. Lovett looks just as lost as I am.

She sighs. "Have either of you ever tried?" We shake our heads, and our aunt's face turns grave. She looks as exhausted as she did when she first opened the door. "Think carefully about the past few months. Have there been times that either of you felt abnormally out of control, that you thought that there was something wrong?" Her voice is almost a whisper. "Not just because of the powers, but also because there was something different. It wasn't an accident, loves. That's the way you two are. If you were to try right now, I'd bet one, if not both, of you could transform into werewolves right now in the broad daylight."

"That would have been so convenient to know before," I say quietly, not believing this.

"But how can it be that we've always had this power that we've never used?" Lovett asks, wishing desperately that none of this will turn out to be true.

"While I'm positive that you've always had the power, neither of you has ever learned how to properly use it before. I'd never know for sure, but I would have to guess that you'd have to figure out a way to channel your energy in order to change your physical form somehow."

I remember something that Monique said when I first learned of Charlette and Gabrielle: ...I simply mean that I would sit and absorb your essence. I meditated…

'Is all of this true? If we meditate, would we be able to change when we want?' I demand in my mind, closing my eyes and blocking my aunt out. I vaguely note that she stopped talking, probably to stare at me with concern. She just has to wait.

'Very annoyed,' Monique finally replies after a few moments of stubborn silence. 'Yes, what she is saying is true. Both you and Lovett can transform at any given moment, just as I can visit him whenever I want.'

'And yet you stick with my head. Thanks.'

'I'm more psychologically bound to you, and you amuse me more. Your brother is boring.'

'I feel the love. How long have you known about this?'

'Most of your life.'

'Then why didn't you tell me?'

'You never asked.'

'You do know how much I hate you, right?'

'Of course you do. That's why you always come to me to solve your problems.'

I open my eyes, roll them, and turn them to stare at my aunt. "It's true," I say simply. My family stares at me while my Pack casts wary looks my way. "She just confirmed it. Lovett and I are able to transform into werewolves whenever we want."

Lovett looks at me skeptically. "How?"

"We have to meditate."

"How do you know?"

I sigh irritably. "Look, I remembered that she said that that's how she takes control of me. She meditates and absorbs my essence. I asked her and she said that if we were to meditate, we could change. I don't know how it works myself—it's been about two and a half months and I'm still getting used to all of this myself."

Lunette and my cousins stare at me with concern. "She does what to you?" Louna asks gently, not wanting to offend me.

I sigh with exhaustion and lean back into Ryder. "She explained a while back that she learned that she can meditate in my head and absorb my essence from my blood in order to gain and/or maintain some control over my head. It's this weird relationship dynamic that we have, and it's become a daily battle practically to make sure that I stay me, and she stays out. I let her take over once, and I don't want to feel that again." Whoops, I hadn't meant to say that. No one knows about that. Busted—there goes one of my secrets. At least no one knows that Damien’s father had Ryder’s brother and mom.

'Has he released them yet, by the way?'

Ryder turns an accusatory eye on me. "You let her have control? When was this?"

I hear her sigh. 'Yes, he did. Now he's running around trying to find you guys. He's doing better, by the way. His wound is healing up nicely.'

I resist the urge to flinch as I sigh and hang my head. All eyes in the room turn on me. In a tiny voice, I murmur, "When you got shot."

I can tell that he's struggling not to get mad at me. His hands tremble, and his jaw clenches and unclenches. "Why?"

I bite my lip, refusing to look at anyone. "When I came into the room and saw that guy standing over you, I didn't know what to do. I wanted him to suffer, and I didn't know if I'd be able to do it myself. So, I let the Voice take over my head and take care of them for me. I just slipped up."

Before Ryder can reply, Aunt Lunette shocks us all. "This is good."

"What?" everyone in the room asks, practically in unison. I stare at my aunt like she's lost it. A Voice in my head taking over my head is definitely not good. And wasn't she saying only moments ago that this is all bad and unnatural.

"The Bond is strong between you two, is it not?"

"It is," I reply reluctantly, feeling self-conscious but obligated to answer my aunt. "It gets stronger every day, according to her."

"Is it just you or your brother too?"

"She says she could go to his head at any point, I assume his mind could take it as well, but she prefers my mind because of the psychological connection and the fact that I'm apparently more amusing."

"Interesting. Can she perhaps try to go into your mind, Lovett?"

My brother looks at my aunt like just the thought is blasphemous. "No! It's bad enough that this thing is torturing my sister for kicks, but I at least want to stay somewhat level-headed."

"Gee, thanks, Lovett," I say sarcastically.

"Look, I'm not saying I like that this thing is in your head, and I wish there was something we could do about it. But we can't. You've said it before: this thing makes you feel and act crazy. I just want to be there for you and in full control of my own head while I am."

Before I can respond, I feel a tug in my head. She's angry.

'I'll whip that son of a bitch's ass!'

'That's my brother. Leave it alone, you leech.'

'Never!'

I struggle to maintain control of my head. She's getting stronger. She's really putting up a battle. Talking in my head to her becomes too difficult.

'Don't do it! I'm begging you!'

I don't care what you want, Louve! Give me control. We both know I'll get it. I'd prefer if it was voluntarily.'

'Never!'

My hold on my mind is getting weaker, but I refuse to give in. Everyone stares as I visibly begin to sweat. This battle is wearing me down. I growl and bow my head, rubbing violently at my temples as I try to keep control. She's so strong. I close my eyes to focus, but I'm getting further and further away.

My eyes open. "I'm not a thing, mongrel." My head turns to look at Lovett. I have an annoyed face on. Everyone gapes, figuring out that it's no longer me in control. Ryder's arm slips from my shoulder.

"Hey, you," she says seductively, turning to look at him. "I've missed you. Have you missed me?"

"Not in the least, you bitch. Leave her alone!" Anger flashes in Ryder's eyes. He turns to my aunt as my eyes wander to meet Cannan's. He's staring at me oddly. "You see what happens when that thing gets control of her. Do something!"

My aunt does nothing, but Monique doesn't answer. She stands and walks over to Cannan. I'm struggling to take back control, but she's so strong. How did I never notice it? It isn't like last time where I could feel her beginning to weaken. I tug even harder this time, struggling even more.

"Hey, Cannan," she says kindly to him despite the wicked grin she pastes on my face. "Nice to see you again." She looks around at everyone, met with confused faces from them and confused thoughts from me. "We had a conversation before. And we forged a deal." She looks back at Cannan. "I've come to collect."

"Deal's off. I was wrong—you lied."

"I lied about nothing, Cannan. And if you don't do what I tell you, you will be stuck here. Or worse." She begins to pace casually before him. "It's really up to you. Stay with this Pack, a Pack of fools who let your precious Susanne die, or do what I tell you and rise above them all."

Conflict plays out on Cannan's face. I continue struggling, and briefly push her to the back of my head. "Cannan, don't listen to her!"

"Louve?" Ryder asks, voicing everyone's ignorance of what the hell is going on.

I ignore him for now, struggling to push Monique away as I speak rapidly. "She's playing you, Cannan. She's only doing what will help her stay in power, help her stay on top. Don't let her win!"

She pulls me back again and is back in control. I claw at her. "Quit that, Louve. Let me talk to him. You so rarely let me have any fun."

"Stop that!" Cannan commands. She gives him an innocent face, all the while fighting me.

Rudi sighs with exasperation. "Who are you, Jekyll and Hyde?"

Monique turns and grins wickedly at her. "Not even close, honey. I’m much worse." She snaps her attention back to Cannan, growing impatient. "Make up your mind, Cannan. You either pick power or weakness—life or death. It's up to you." She caresses his face gently but seductively. I know without even seeing him that Ryder is furious, but he refuses to allow himself to hurt me. I wish he would.

I would.

Cannan bites his lip. "What would you make me do?" he finally asks, eyes disbelieving that he actually asked that. Susanne's betrayal really hurt him.

She smiles and leads me upstairs to Louna's room. Everyone pauses and follows with Cannan in the lead. The group is silent. Under Louna's bed is a steel dagger.

"Hold out your hand, Louna." Scared, she obliges, showing us her left hand. We're confused. "The other one," my voice commands, my eyebrow raising knowingly. There, on the tips of Louna's pointer and thumb are two burn marks like the slash marks on my hand and cheek.

"It was a nightmare! It didn't happen!" Louna yells desperately, trying to convince herself as much as us.

"It was no nightmare. That's just what I wanted you to think. It really happened. You really went out the other night, walked to the store, bought this knife, came home, and hid it under your bed."

"But I thought you were only in Louve's head!" Lunette wraps her arms comfortingly around her daughter.

"I am where I want to be. I can control anyone in this room right now simply by leaving Louve and entering your head. I can alter your thoughts, your memories. I can make any of you forget your entire lives. You're all so weak." She begins to cackle at the knowledge that she can so easily destroy them. "It's almost boring to mess with you all. Almost. But I still find ways to make you werewolves and all of those stupid humans in the world amuse me. But it's never a challenge, not like with little Louve in here. She's really fighting me. I wish she'd stop—it's really not worth it. Hear that, honey? You may want to quit tugging on me."

"Okay, you're powerful. What does it have to do with the knife? What does it have to do with Cannan?" Ryder's face and voice are desperate. He wants to end this so badly and stop her blatant torture of me.

"He needs to stab Louve. She must die."

Everyone's eyes widen. "If you want her to die so badly, why don't you do it?" Cannan asks, clearly not wanting to kill me. I was the only one who at least tried to be there for him after everything went down after Damien's house.

"Because, I can't do it while in her head. If I stabbed her myself while in control of her mind, I'd die with her. But that's beside the point. I wanted to see if any of you really had the guts to kill her, to get rid of your precious Pack member. It all goes back to my personal amusement, like I told you. And so, I've been picking off the weakest links one by one. It started with Susanne, and then it will be Cannan. That's already been decided. I'm simply waiting to see who'll be next."

"What are you talking about? What did you do to Susanne?" Cannan demands furiously. The veins in his forehead bulge and spit flies out of his mouth.

"Oh, she didn't willingly do any of that stuff, or at least not most of it. Most of that was me. But that's a story for another time. For now, Cannan, you have a job to do."

"No." He backs away, his voice becoming thick with horror. "How…how could you?"

"I did what I had to. Now, I expect for you to do the same."

"I won't kill Louve, or anyone in my Pack for that matter. It's not worth it, you're not worth it. I loved Susanne, and I thought that she betrayed us all. I will never forget her for who she was before that, and I can now forgive her because I know that it wasn't her—that was you're sick and twisted influence. I'm done with you and your games. And I am not the weakest link. So get away from Louve. Now."

My eyes flash as she glares at Cannan. "Her betrayal wasn't the only thing that I had a hand in. You really think she'd love you? She was too sweet to ever love someone so cruel as you!"

Cannan snarls, and I begin to desperately tug on her, much harder than before. Cannan looks like he's about to pounce on me and attack.

Finally, I feel my body fall as I yank her back from the forefront of my mind, but I don't take back control. We're back in the cavern that she uses to visit me during my dreams. She looks at me smugly, her black hair hanging loose around her shoulders.

"I'm sick of your games, Monique. I'm ending your reign of terror right now!" I charge her, teeth and nails bared. Before I can get to her, she flicks her wrist and throws me against the walls of the cavern.

"I agree with you—it is time to end this. You just won't come out on top."

I snarl and go in to attack again. But again, the wrist flicks, and I'm again thrown against the cavern walls. "What the hell?" I demand.

"You can't defeat me in here."

"What are you talking about? It's my head."

"While that may be true, this is where I am the most powerful. We won't be waging a physical battle. This will be all psychological. You can't win."

"We'll see about that." I close my eyes and will her to be thrown against the wall as I was. I hear a bang and a grunt, and my eyes open triumphantly. She's laying on the floor of the cavern in a heap.

"Lucky shot," she concedes, before reaching out her hand. I'm dragged across the cavern by the air and into her clutches. I gulp and gasp for air as she swivels around and presses my back against the wall.

"You...can't...kill me!" I gasp.

She snarls and throws me against the opposite wall. "While that may be true," she says, regaining her composure, "I can most certainly injure you as severely as I want. After all, you’ll just bounce right back. Thank that werewolf heritage that you don't appreciate for that one."

I scrunch up my face and concentrate. I throw her against the wall banging her body again and again like a rag doll. I then pull her to me like she did moments ago. "You will never win," I whisper, voice raspy from having been strangled and the pain that radiates through my body. "This is my head, and I will always come out on top."

"We'll see about that," she mutters back before passing out. I close my eyes and return to my body. My eyes open again to gaze up at Ryder who holds me in his arms, stroking my hair gently. Lovett kneels beside him, concern written all over his face. I ignore them both, and struggle to stand, a burning pain in my hand and a throbbing one in my head. I'm still clutching the knife tightly, but I don't let go yet.

Cannan stands behind everyone, guilt and fear written all over his face. I limp and stumble over to him, my head held high. Without touching him with it, I place the knife dangerously and threateningly over his heart. "If you ever betray me or anyone in this Pack again, I will personally put this knife through your heart with my bare hands. Understood?"

He nods.

"Now get out of my face."

Cannan nods again, sidestepping the knife and walking downstairs. He leaves to go for a walk, and I don't even care. I'll deal with him later. I stumble again, dropping the knife and ending the burning sensation in my hand—it was sizzling badly. I lean against the wall for support, and Ryder walks over to me, lifting me up. I curl up into his chest, and breathe him in, glad to be me again.

Lunette approaches, and I briefly see her as the room begins to blur and spin. "Come," she commands gently. "She can rest in my room. Lovett, please get rid of that thing."

The last thing I hear is Lovett muttering, "Yes ma'am." And then I black out.