To Catch a Wolf by Susan Krinard Read Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Susan Krinard
he thought. But he remained where he was, turning his face to the
north where men held sway. He had not gone into town since the troupe's arrival three
days ago; he never slept in the cheap hotel rooms shared by the troupe's top
performers when they could find such accommodations.
But it was not Colorado Springs that drew his attention northward instead of west into
the mountains. Instinct, the only part of himself he dared trust, whispered in a lost and
unlamented tongue.
You are not alone, it said.
He shivered violently, as if the words were raindrops to be shaken from his coat. He had
been alone since he'd left home at fourteen. In all his years of searching for Aaron Holt,
there had never been another like him or his mother or sister.
You cannot hide forever.
He snarled and turned south, toward the big top. For once safety lay in the crowd,
where the voices of his past did not reach. He strode past loitering townies along the
midway and entered the pad room where the troupers dressed and prepared for their
entrance. The smell of human bodies assaulted him once more. The crowd roared
approval as the clowns completed their performance.
"Is it tonight, then?”
Morgan looked down at Ulysses, who still wore his scholar's robes and mortarboard.
The "Little Professor" was, according to the sideshow talker, both the smallest and most
To Catch a Wolf – 19th Century Werewolf 04
Page 45 of 410
brilliant man on earth. He could answer any question, and sometimes made remarkably
accurate judgments of character. Morgan knew that only too well.
Morgan showed his teeth in a half-smile. "Reading my mind, Professor?”
"Not at all. Simple logic and observation." He flipped back the sleeves of his robes. "Our
finances appear to be in good order. You have achieved what you set out to do. Your
debt to us is paid, is it not?”
Us. It was always us, the troupers against the world, and Morgan just outside the circle.
He wanted it that way.
"Harry would be most disappointed if you failed to bid him farewell." Ulysses removed
the oversized cap with its gold tassel and held it between his manicured hands. "Caitlin,
as well.”
By unspoken consent, they both moved to the back door, the trouper's entrance, to get
a better view of the big top's interior. Caitlin was just beginning her act, balanced
gracefully atop the bare back of one of her well-trained gray geldings as it cantered
around the ring. With each circling, Caitlin somersaulted over banners held by her
assistants, landing perfectly each time. Her bare feet, blessed with remarkably flexible
toes, never lost their grip. Red hair bounced above a laughing face.
"Caitlin cannot understand your desire for solitude," Ulysses said. "She, more than any
of us, has kept the troupe together. But you have no ties to bind you here. You do not
seek a home among others like yourself.”
"There are no others like me.”
To Catch a Wolf – 19th Century Werewolf 04
Page 46 of 410
Ulysses raised his brows. "While it is true that I have never observed a second member
of your species, I theorize that you do have kin somewhere—family—who share your
gifts.”
It was not the first time that Ulysses had tried to pry into Morgan's past. If anyone had
the right to ask, he did. The two of them shared living quarters, and Ulysses's
dispassionate nature suited Morgan's desire for privacy.
Morgan grudgingly admired the little man's detachment from the scourge of emotion.
But Ulysses had one besetting flaw, and that was his curiosity. On more than one
occasion, that persistent quest for knowledge had pierced Morgan's careful guard.
"I have no family," he said. "Do not feel sorry for me, Professor. I don't need what you
and the others want.”
"But you have changed," Ulysses said. "Whether or not you wish to admit it, you are
different from the man who came to us months ago. Harry and Caitlin saw it in you from
the beginning.”
"Saw
north where men held sway. He had not gone into town since the troupe's arrival three
days ago; he never slept in the cheap hotel rooms shared by the troupe's top
performers when they could find such accommodations.
But it was not Colorado Springs that drew his attention northward instead of west into
the mountains. Instinct, the only part of himself he dared trust, whispered in a lost and
unlamented tongue.
You are not alone, it said.
He shivered violently, as if the words were raindrops to be shaken from his coat. He had
been alone since he'd left home at fourteen. In all his years of searching for Aaron Holt,
there had never been another like him or his mother or sister.
You cannot hide forever.
He snarled and turned south, toward the big top. For once safety lay in the crowd,
where the voices of his past did not reach. He strode past loitering townies along the
midway and entered the pad room where the troupers dressed and prepared for their
entrance. The smell of human bodies assaulted him once more. The crowd roared
approval as the clowns completed their performance.
"Is it tonight, then?”
Morgan looked down at Ulysses, who still wore his scholar's robes and mortarboard.
The "Little Professor" was, according to the sideshow talker, both the smallest and most
To Catch a Wolf – 19th Century Werewolf 04
Page 45 of 410
brilliant man on earth. He could answer any question, and sometimes made remarkably
accurate judgments of character. Morgan knew that only too well.
Morgan showed his teeth in a half-smile. "Reading my mind, Professor?”
"Not at all. Simple logic and observation." He flipped back the sleeves of his robes. "Our
finances appear to be in good order. You have achieved what you set out to do. Your
debt to us is paid, is it not?”
Us. It was always us, the troupers against the world, and Morgan just outside the circle.
He wanted it that way.
"Harry would be most disappointed if you failed to bid him farewell." Ulysses removed
the oversized cap with its gold tassel and held it between his manicured hands. "Caitlin,
as well.”
By unspoken consent, they both moved to the back door, the trouper's entrance, to get
a better view of the big top's interior. Caitlin was just beginning her act, balanced
gracefully atop the bare back of one of her well-trained gray geldings as it cantered
around the ring. With each circling, Caitlin somersaulted over banners held by her
assistants, landing perfectly each time. Her bare feet, blessed with remarkably flexible
toes, never lost their grip. Red hair bounced above a laughing face.
"Caitlin cannot understand your desire for solitude," Ulysses said. "She, more than any
of us, has kept the troupe together. But you have no ties to bind you here. You do not
seek a home among others like yourself.”
"There are no others like me.”
To Catch a Wolf – 19th Century Werewolf 04
Page 46 of 410
Ulysses raised his brows. "While it is true that I have never observed a second member
of your species, I theorize that you do have kin somewhere—family—who share your
gifts.”
It was not the first time that Ulysses had tried to pry into Morgan's past. If anyone had
the right to ask, he did. The two of them shared living quarters, and Ulysses's
dispassionate nature suited Morgan's desire for privacy.
Morgan grudgingly admired the little man's detachment from the scourge of emotion.
But Ulysses had one besetting flaw, and that was his curiosity. On more than one
occasion, that persistent quest for knowledge had pierced Morgan's careful guard.
"I have no family," he said. "Do not feel sorry for me, Professor. I don't need what you
and the others want.”
"But you have changed," Ulysses said. "Whether or not you wish to admit it, you are
different from the man who came to us months ago. Harry and Caitlin saw it in you from
the beginning.”
"Saw
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