Griff
As the truck sailed along the highway, there was silence until ’s rescuer struck up some friendly conversation. “Didn’t mean to be rude earlier and not ask, but I think we got carried away in conversation. What is it you’re studying, ?”
“I’m a theater major right now, but that could all change ‘cause I’m a freshman.”
“You know what? That makes sense. I can see you being a little dramatic.” Haven made eye contact with —a warm smile on his face—before turning his attention back to the road. “I also have to say—and I hope this doesn’t come across as weird—you have some kind of amazing cologne on. What is it?”
Haven sniffed the air, leaning over to as he did so. In his head, likened the action to something you might see a dog do more than a human. Actually, kind of reminds me of Pruitt . But wait a second…
“Oh, uh, me?” asked, his mind racing. “Uh, Burberry, maybe?”
“Ah,” Haven sat back in his seat. It felt as though he realized his actions were making uncomfortable and he was now back in play-it-cool mode. “Sorry. I don’t think I’ve ever smelled something like it before, but it—well, it smells fantastic. ”
Haven’s reaction reminded him of Pruitt and Uriah describing how intoxicating the scent of a witch was to certain supernatural creatures, themselves included. At least he isn’t eating me, or using magic on me, I guess? he thought to himself. If anything, I imagine I smell like tree sap and sweat.
“Thanks,” pretended to act flattered.
“Ha, sorry,” Haven quickly replied. “Didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable or anything.”
Now would be an awesome time for some of that truth serum Old Mother Madge lended me, thought . It was tucked away in his suitcase back at the cabin. However, he recalled his magical mentor’s advice to simply will things to be when in emergencies—and that sometimes it just might work. He concentrated as hard as he could at doing just that. I wish Haven would just say what’s on his mind at this very moment.
“Oh, don’t worry, you didn’t,” said .
Haven fell silent.
Okay, maybe that didn’t work. What do I got to do here? Um, uh, make a rhyme maybe? I can do that, right? Um, guide my senses to show me that which I cannot see; make clear all that isn’t and let Haven reveal his truth to me.
“You know,” Haven let out a nervous laugh before launching into a quick-paced rant. “I kind of feel like I shouldn’t even say this—and not even sure why I am—but I didn’t want to come off as though I was trying to hit on you at all or anything. As a matter of fact, I am actually bisexual, but I’ve never really told anyone that. And something about you seems to be bringing that out right now. And sure, you’re a little short, and I’m suspicious of why you were in the woods, and I can’t help but think you already have a boyfriend, but I think you are cute.”
Whoa! Talk about spilling the tea , thought to himself as his jaw dropped.
“And I wonder how Pruitt Mondamin ties into this, and it’s not just because my team hopes to destroy him at our game against Mystic Hollow this Sunday. Anyway, you see, I’ve only ever had relationships with women. I tried to ask a guy on a date once, and he said yes, but what was supposed to be our first date actually ended up being a full moon. See, we kind of have this tradition at Moonhaven where —and I’m gonna stop myself .”
“A lot to digest there, Haven,” said with a polite but unsure smile. Um, okay, so he’s not evil and I’m ruining his life. How about an on-the-fly cancelation spell? Easy, right? Uh, okay. Undo the spell that I’ve cast, make it so it doesn’t last, he chanted to himself. Cheap rhyme scheme be damned.
“Gosh,” Haven’s cheeks were flushed, his knuckles white as his hands clutched the steering wheel. “I’m s-sorry about that. I d-don’t know what just came over me.”
“Me neither,” said . “But it’s okay. I will also say that while I’m flattered, I am currently—uh, dating. B-but it’s a little more complicated than that. See, I’m poly, so… ”
“Ah, wow. Interesting,” replied Haven. The park ranger appeared shell-shocked by ’s response. “And I think this is the cabin you were talking about up here on my left.”
Wow. Do I feel bad? Was there some good intel in there? Should I ask him some more? Tell him some more?
Before could decide what to do next, Haven’s truck was parked behind Pruitt’s car in a familiar-looking driveway. A dim light came from the cabin’s living room, giving hope his lovers were home safe. He turned to Haven, who had an uneasy look on his face that could be described as somewhere between nervous and embarrassed.
“Thank you so much, Haven.” put his hand on the man’s shoulder. He could feel him take a deep breath. “I just want to say that there’s no shame in anything you just told me. Um, coming out was a lot for me, too. I’m gay, and I know it’s different from coming out as bi, and that bi and gay men face different stigmas. I didn’t mean to put you in any kind of scenario that took away your autonomy to decide when is right for you to share your truth, and for that I apologize.”
“Apologize?” Haven asked, obviously leaning into his play-it-cool mode again. “Don’t be silly.”
“I’m not being silly,” continued . “You seem like a great guy, and I’m willing to bet that all of those close to you will love you no matter what. I know we just met, and the circumstances of our meeting were definitely weird, but I’m here to talk if you need it.”
Haven’s shoulder relaxed under the pressure of ’s hand. “Hey, wait a second,” began Haven as he looked at ’s hand. “Looks like you got a bit of a wicked scratch here.”
Haven carefully took ’s hand in both of his own, facing it palm up. Dried blood coated most of it, a cut running from the center of his hand to the tops of his index and pointer fingers.
“Ouch, I didn’t even realize I had that,” said. Haven examined the wound, pressing his fingers against it carefully. An involuntary shiver ran up ’s spine as his hand throbbed in pain.
“Doesn’t look like a bite, though,” replied Haven.
“Tree burn, I guess,” said shyly, pulling his hand out of Haven’s.
“Should heal up by morning,” he said with a smile. The same sparkle that had noticed in his eyes earlier was back. “Anyway, this was not how I expected the night to go… I appreciate your offer, and I think it might be cool to talk to someone who has been down this path before.”
nodded.
“Um, I guess I don’t want to be weird, but do you think I could maybe ask for your phone number? You know, in a super platonic way, of course.” Haven asked coyly.
smiled. “Of course.”
Haven fumbled through his pocket and pulled out his phone, unlocking it before handing it over to .
“And saved,” said aloud as he finished inputting his contact information. “Well, all my best to the Moonhaven Wolf Pack at our big rivalry game this weekend.”
Haven tossed his phone onto the center console and let out a chuckle. “Oh, yeah. Tell your friend, or boyfriend, or, uh, whoever not to cream us too bad .”
The two exchanged a shared smile before grabbed the picnic basket and his satchel and exited the vehicle. He gave a quick wave before heading to the front door.
Well, I certainly feel like I just got dropped off from some weird, pre-first date supernatural interaction, he thought to himself as he reached for the cabin door handle. The door was pulled open from the inside before he could even touch it.
In the same leather jacket and t-shirt he wore earlier, a frazzled Uriah stood before him. “Little witch, I’m afraid we might have a big problem.”
“Don’t be so dramatic,” a shirtless Pruitt huffed, his arms crossed as he adjusted himself on the living room couch. leaned over him, carefully examining the tooth-sized puncture marks near his shoulder blade. “Uriah joins one theater class to do recon on you, and now he’s exaggerating everything.”
“Thespian vampire does sound pretty hot,” interjected Uriah, appearing from the kitchen with a serving tray containing bandages, liquor, glasses, and a blood bag.
“ Boys ,” raised his voice. “I want to get a few photos of this bite to send to Old Mother Madge so she can help me do a bit of research—and no bickering on our weekend getaway.”
“As if me failing to protect you didn’t ruin it already,” Pruitt said with a sigh.
“Oh, now who’s the one being dramatic?” Uriah feigned upset as he pulled off his jacket and shirt, tossing them on a nearby recliner.
tapped the camera button on his smartphone. “The answer is both of you, like usual.”
“ Hmph ,” Uriah and Pruitt simultaneously grunted.
“Do you feel any effects from the bite, Pruitt?” continued.
“It feels tender,” the werewolf replied, poking at his wound. “Other than that, I-I don’t think so. I was a little woozy, but I think that’s from the tranq dart I got hit with.”
“Speaking of, the smell of the guy who shot you seems to be all over our boyfriend.” Uriah walked up behind , running his face through his boyfriend’s shaggy hair.
“It does,” Pruitt nodded. “It’s all intermingled with the smell of those wolves.”
“So, were all of them werewolves?” asked, tucking his phone in his pocket as Uriah wrapped his arms around him, picked him up, and pulled him into his lap before sitting on the opposite end of the couch as Pruitt.
“Yep,” Pruitt quickly replied.
“ All of them ,” Uriah added with the same speed.
“What’s that then, an ambush?” asked.
“Bad luck?” pondered Pruitt.
“Or maybe we stumbled upon a werewolf convention,” teased Uriah. “Either way, I’m glad you both are safe.”
“Me, too,” Pruitt and said simultaneously.
“Although I guess safe has an asterisk next to it in your case,” continued , his eyes wandering back to Pruitt’s bite.
In that moment, Uriah’s nostrils flared and he grabbed up ’s bloodied hand. “I guess yours, too,” he said, examining the dry blood on his hand. “Or —well, that’s weird. That’s your blood, but there’s no cut.”
“I-I think I just got a little scratch on the tree. It’s nothing,” said . His mind flashed back to Haven examining his cut in the driveway, to the shooting pain running through his hand just minutes ago. Weird…
The vampire shrugged. “Well, then I guess all we have to worry about is jock boy’s bite.”
“You know, I think they say you’re supposed to keep an animal bite open and uncovered while it heals to avoid any infection,” replied Pruitt.
“What do they say about using magic?” asked Uriah.
’s eyes lit up, his hands suddenly searching his pockets. “You know, Uriah picked me a bunch of plants and herbs before the wolf pack crashed our picnic.”
Uriah pulled the coffee table closer so that could empty his pockets onto it. “Think I got some good ones, too,” said the vampire. “That, or you’ll probably end up with a rash in the morning.”
“Let’s see,” the witch said as he displayed a wadded stack of plants. He carefully sorted through them. “I’m not great with identifying all of these yet, but if you guys know any of them?—”
“Deadly nightshade,” Pruitt interrupted, holding a small, thin branch boasting oval-shaped leaves and a bell-shaped flower with purple and green accents.
“Maybe that’s what helped me tonight. The old witches’ tales say it’s a flying ointment. I guess I channeled its power to break my fall,” began . “I mean, I know I did some of that in our battle against Odessa, but now I think I’ve got it down to a science.”
“Funny word choice for magic,” teased Pruitt.
“Huh,” scoffed Uriah. “Would’ve come in handy for me when you knocked me out of the tree earlier tonight, pipsqueak.”
“Oops,” said .
Pruitt arched a brow. “Feels weird that I’ve never asked this before, but do vampires fly, Riah?”
“ Really? ” the vampire groaned. “Tell me we aren’t doing the whole bat thing again.”
“It’s a fair question,” defended as he separated the various clippings.
“No, no, no. I’m not the one who shape-shifts into animals. That would be my big sexy Wolf Man over there.” Uriah gave Pruitt a wink.
“So you’ve never heard of that happening?” asked with genuine interest. “Flying is just a made-up thing for, like, Dracula?”
“You two watch the absolute worst vampire media.” Annoyed by the line of questioning, Uriah crossed his arms. “That being said—well, with all these memories coming back to me after Odessa’s little spell broke, it’s hard to say.”
“In his defense, it’s more than just our past lives as humans that Odessa took from us—more than our past romance, the turning, everything,” Pruitt added. “From when you came to town, G, it feels like I only remember the past—what? Few months before that? I remember hating Uriah, that’s for sure. Oh, and brief flashes of him and I exchanging blows somewhere in Western Europe.”
“Europe, huh?” asked.
“Long story, little witch,” Uriah replied, the look on his face one of deep concentration. “You know what? On the subject of flying, come to think of it, I think I turned a bloke or two who claimed they could. Said I could, too, if I just focused on it.”
looked to Pruitt—both of their faces suggesting great intrigue. Uriah, however, seemed lost in thought.
“That’s new information,” Pruitt nudged Uriah. “So, you’re telling us that in three centuries you’ve never even tried?”
The vampire seemed to be searching the depths of his memory for an answer before finally responding. “Well, uh…”