Inheritance (The Dark Gifts) by Willow Cross Read Free Book Online

Shana smiled a phony, sickeningly sweet smile, before gently placing her hand on Jason’s arm.  “Of course, dear.  The keys are on the table.  You two have fun tonight.”  Then turning to Sarah, she said, “Don’t forget to lock yourself in, dear.”  Her eyes flashed to Jason as she continued, “Everyone will shift tonight and some are like your brother and have little control.”
    Sarah nodded.
    Shana gave Jason one last menacing look and headed out the door. 
    Exhaling loudly, Jason followed her to the door and locked it behind her.
    “What was that all about?  Oh, and by the way, in what universe did you consider that a quiet conversation?”
    Without answering, Jason began shutting and locking the windows.
    “Hello?  Speaking here.”
    “I know.  Sorry.  She gets under my skin easier than she should.  I don’t trust her,” he answered.
    “I don’t either, but we should give this thing a chance.”  Her eyes pleaded with him as she followed him from room to room. 
    Once he was certain the cabin was locked up tight, he sat at the large kitchen table.  Sarah rummaged through the cupboards and made some coffee as he silently contemplated the day.  Her mind drifted as well.  She missed Liz.  Until today, Liz was the only positive female influence in her life.  Sure she’d had foster mothers, but those that weren’t drunk all the time, were more like prison guards than mothers.  Except for Rose.  Her chest tightened as she thought of the mother that almost was.  They only had one month with Rose and Leo, before she was killed by a drunk driver.  Even after ten years passing, it brought tears to her eyes to remember the lovely plump woman's smiling face and comforting hugs.  After that, it was back to the same old story.
    Liz volunteered at the boys and girls club with Sarah.  Two weeks of working together was all it took for them to become fast friends.  She was a year or two older than Jason and for a while, Sarah had hoped to get the two together.  But Liz had no time for men.  Sarah sighed.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing,” she said as she sat a cup in front of him.
    “Whatever.  I know that sigh.  What?”
    “I wish Liz was here.  She’d know what to do.”
    Jason reached out and took her hand.  His eyes held compassion and worry.  “We can’t tell anyone.  Ever.  That life is gone now, and we must learn to live in this one.”   
    She squeezed his hand.  “I know.  It’s just--”
    “No, Sarah.  It wouldn’t be fair to her anyhow.  If she did believe you, and it’s not likely, why would you want to bring her into this mess?  What could she do anyhow?  What can anyone do?”
    Looking around the empty house, her eyes filled with tears that refused to spill over.  “Nothing I guess.  We are totally alone…again.”
    Jason smiled and tried to make his voice light and carefree.  “Alone?  We’re not alone.  We’ve never been alone.  Sheesh girl, you’re always trying to get rid of me.”
    ***
    Close to transformation time, Jason and Sarah retired to the basement.  Around 8:00pm the howling began.  Jason stood and paced the cell floor.  His breathing grew labored.  Each new howl filled him with longing as if the night and everything in it beckoned.  Grabbing the remote from the top of the television, he flipped through channels until he found MTV, and turned the volume up.
    It did not have the same affect on Sarah.  Each new howl had a melodious, mournful quality.  She couldn't help but think how beautiful it sounded.  Sarah was not afraid of the wolves.  When the music began to blare, she sighed, but said nothing.  A different kind of uneasiness ate at her.  What am I so afraid of?  They can't get it here.  It's not them anyhow.  Like a whisper in her mind, one word echoed, knowledge .  The secrets she knew were being kept filled her with foreboding. 
    Jason fought it like a trooper.  From the moment he heard the first howl,