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Wolves and Wilds Roses - Sonia Teddy and Pasha
Wolves and Wilds Roses - Sonia Teddy and Pasha
The fire crackled and spat embers against the wire screen, casting light across the parlor.
Seated in a red, plush chair, a woman stared pensively at the newspaper in front of her. She
wore a black gown, cut at her shoulders and her blonde hair was tied into a long braid. As she
scanned the periodical, she paid close attention to each article, looking for hints beyond the
headlines.
Here the woman paused, folding the paper back to focus on the article. Her attention
was only parted from the article by the clinking sound of a tea cup. She looked up to see her
She laid the paper aside for the moment and took the tea, blowing on it before taking a
"Possibly. I've found nothing of substance in the Tribune. Do we have the Herald?"
"Perhaps a lull in activity might be cause to refocus one's attention," the butler replied.
"What do you mean, Grant?"
"Young Richter. He won't say it, but he misses you. Perhaps this time could be better
"That is all, Grant." As if to seal the issue, she took another long drink from her cup
before setting it down on the table next to her. She raised the paper back up. She didn't need to
"Yes, Madam."
Before he could depart, a loud buzzing rang through the parlor, the woman looking up
with a sour face. "Who in the devil would come calling this late. Grant?"
"Right away."
She turned her attention back to the paper as the servant left the room. Her eyes
scanned back and forth before finding the story on the meatpacking death. It sounded very
familiar. She read through the details, trying to remember. Yes, she thought, the werewolf
incident. It was around three years earlier when she tracked down a werewolf that had
terrorized a town in Massachusetts, killing several workers at a meat packing factory. Both that
case and this one involved the initial deaths turning up inside the factories themselves.
Hopefully, she thought, they'll actually clean the equipment this time.
At the sound of her servant, she stood, setting the newspaper aside. She straightened
her gown and approached a waiting man. He was young, in his early twenties, with a tweed
jacket and brown vest underneath. He tipped his bowler hat to her and she returned the greeting
replied.
"Ah... close, ma'am. I come bearing a message from Mr. Roosevelt. He requests the
pleasure of your company tomorrow at noon," he said, fishing an envelope from inside his coat.
She took it, inspecting it for a moment before handing it off to Grant.
"I'm honored, but I don't think I'll be able to make it to Africa by tomorrow at noon," Sonia
"Oh! No, Mr. Roosevelt isn't actually in Africa, Ma'am. Well... not yet. But, er... we would
Sonia's lips quirked to one side, studying the awkward movements of the young man.
She turned to her servant who had already opened the envelope. "Where?"
"I shall find one befitting the occasion myself," she replied, turning back to her chair.
"Oh..." the agent chimed in. "Well... Very good. I'll let him know. We'll have a car sent for
you." Sonia dismissed the young man with a hand wave and returned to her newspaper. He
stood silent for several moments before stepping back from the room. "I... suppose I shall see
myself out."
As the young man left the manor, Grant returned to his mistress' side, collecting the
empty tea cup. "You never asked why Mr. Roosevelt wanted to see you."
"Please, Grant, that child knows nothing. There was no reason to waste both our time. If
a man like Theodore Roosevelt wants to see me, it's for one reason only: he means for me to
kill something."
***
Sonia stepped out of the car, the noon-day sun shining down on her black gown, her
eyes shielded by a wide brimmed, "Merry Widow" hat. Grant exited the car behind her,
surveying the scene. To either side, men in tweed jackets and hats, marched to the door of
Rinaldo's, opening it for her. She acknowledged them with a nod and entered, the host taking
her from there. Her dark gown and hat drew a few looks from some of the patrons, but Sonia
didn't bother to look their way. Her gaze was directly ahead of her, at the door to a private dining
area. As she approached, the men in jackets halted her servant. Grant reached into his jacket,
but Sonia placed a hand on his arm, halting him. He nodded and took a position outside the
Stepping inside, she was bathed in a soft light. The walls were adorned with landscape
paintings of Paris and London, with wall sconces illuminating the room. Near the back at a
solitary table sat a man with a strong frame and a spruce mustache. He looked up from his
meal, smiling at her approach. He dabbed a napkin against his lips and stood, donning his pince
nez.
"A pleasure to meet you, Madam!" he boomed with an exuberance usually saved for
younger men. She nodded and offered her hand, which he took.
"Please, have a seat. I trust you don't mind that I began without you. My men were quite
"I told your boy I was coming," she replied, taking her seat across from him. "Do BOI
The former president chuckled before taking a drink. "No, Madam, I daresay BOI agents
know nothing about you. However, these men aren't with the Bureau. Well... not that Bureau."
Sonia took a moment to survey the men around her. They dressed like federal agents,
but she failed to see what set them apart. A small glint from the collar of one man caught her
eye, drawing her to a pin. A white shield adorned the pin with a stylized purple flower, it's petals
"Is that...?"
"A good portion of which are made of former hunters, like you. Your family's name came
"Which begs the question, Mr. Roosevelt, what is it you want killed? Surely a man such
At his signal, a waiter approached. Sonia looked at the plate in front of Mr. Roosevelt;
fried chicken smothered in white gravy. Beside it, a large cup of black coffee.
The waiter nodded and stepped away, leaving the former president with a large smirk
under his thick mustache. "A killer of monsters, but still with the appetite befitting such a dainty
frame."
"Mr. Roosevelt, I'd be willing to wager that fewer meals of that caliber and you wouldn't
"Ha!" Roosevelt exclaimed, clapping the table. "Bully! I like this woman!" Seeing the
president's reaction, several of the agents around him allowed themselves a nervous smile.
"Very well. Let us get down to brass tacks. My men at the Bureau of Demonic Affairs have been
tracking an infestation recently. I believe it's linked to the outbreak of lycanthropy back in 1906."
"Indeed. But it seems the ramifications of that outbreak were far more wide reaching
than we expected. My men have put down no less than three dozen werewolves since then, all
"Of course they are! But now that I am free to join them in the field, I believe it's time to
"Permanent? Is death not a permanent enough solution for you, Mr. Roosevelt?"
"My dear lady, Americans are dying every day. Poor working conditions. Impure food.
Those were problems I could solve as President. Now unholy creatures from the bowels of Hell
seek to destroy those I have sworn to protect. I cannot put forth legislation to outlaw
lycanthropy, it is a disease that must be eradicated and it must be done before it can spread to
The waiter returned, setting down her salad and bowing before leaving. She nodded to
him before turning her attention back to the President. His look was intent. There was no doubt
"Madam, if I must travel this entire country and put down the cursed beasts one by one, I
shall. But my men told me that if there was anyone that could bring me a solution, a way to
eradicate this plague once and for all, that the Trevor family would know."
Sonia smirked as she brought her first bite to her lips, allowing the former president to
linger in silence as she finished. She looked at the men surrounding them. "Your men are not
mistaken, Mr. Roosevelt. If anyone in this country could do it, it would be me."
"I have no interest in this matter. This seems exactly what you formed your little... bureau
for."
Roosevelt laid his knife and fork down, furrowing his brow. "Madam, if this is about
"Please, Mr. Roosevelt, you don't have the money to bribe the Trevor family."
"I've served this country and several others by eradicating unholy abominations and,
Roosevelt pounded his fist on the table, several of the agents turning, hands moving to
their pistols. "Mrs. Trevor, I have been a staunch support of equal rights for women since I was
a lad! Do you know that I put women in key positions at the New York Police Department? Or
that I advocated for corporal punishment for wife beaters? Why my bureau has three executive
"I'm aware of all your pomp and circumstance, Mr. Roosevelt, but I also know that you
served two terms and didn't give us the vote," Sonia replied, taking another bite of her salad.
Mr. Roosevelt took a breath and calmed himself, raising his hands to his men to ease
their concern. "Very well. If none of that will convince you, perhaps this might."
With another gesture, an agent approached, handing the former president a rectangular
object wrapped in cloth. Pushing aside his plate, Roosevelt laid down the object and unwrapped
it, revealing a worn, leather-bound book. Sonia hesitated, staring at the book for several
moments before setting down her fork. She reached for it, but an agent drew his pistol.
"Hold now," the former president said, calming the agent. "Let her examine it."
Sonia sneered at the agent as he holstered his gun, grabbing the book. She weighed it
in her hands and ran her fingers over the cover. Faint writing was etched across the front: The
Observations of RJ Thompson on the Magus Device. She parted the pages, flipping through the
book. Her stern disposition melted away as she read over random pages, each second forming
Sonia closed the book, hesitantly placing it back in the president's hand. He wrapped it
back up in the cloth and handed it off to one of his agents before turning back to her, his smile a
mile wide.
"You have my solemn word, Mrs. Trevor. There is nothing more pure I can offer than
that."
"And... why would you allow state secrets like that to fall into the hands of a hunter?" she
countered.
"The journal is of historical importance, but my men... and women... have been unable to
find anything useful from it. I thought perhaps you might have better luck. The Trevor family is
"Very well. I expect all my expenses to be paid and to be given full control of the
operation."
"You don't think I'm going to just watch, do you Mrs. Trevor?" he replied with a grin.
Sonia composed herself, glancing around at the agents in the room. "Very well. The full
"Bully!"
Sonia slid out from her chair, the former president standing in respect as she did. He
took her hand in farewell and the two parted. Stepping out, Grant resumed his place at her
travel to London."
"Of course, Madam. Will this be the red trunk or the black trunk?"
Sonia grinned as she slid into the car. "The black one."
Chapter 2
A motorcar led to a train, and that train led to a ship, and now that ship lay docked at harbor in
London. Sonia stepped off the vessel, a porter tugging her large, black trunk behind her. Grant,
sadly, had to stay back at the manor to look after young Richter. While that would prove an
annoyance, she was more than capable of navigating London on her own.
It wasn't long before she entered her hotel, black trunk still following behind. The decor
was certainly inviting, a lodging worthy of a Trevor, but her mind was set on other things; this
was far from a luxury holiday. As the bellhop moved her trunk up to her room, Sonia
"Pardon, my name is Sonia Trevor. Have there been any messages left for me?"
The well groomed clerk at the desk smiled and nodded. "Allow me to check, Madam."
After a moment of perusing, the man returned to the desk with a telegram in hand. "Here we
"Please read it," she said, peeling her long gloves off and sliding them into her bag.
"Let me see. 'Carriage sent. STOP. 11. STOP. Arrive prepared. STOP.' Not sure what to
make of that."
"It's not for you to understand, now is it. Please dispose of that message. And no
disturbances."
Sonia quickly retired to her room, leaving a tip with the bellboy before locking the door
and staring at her large steamer trunk. She sat on her bed, hands folded and pressed against
her lips. In her mind she was screaming. She didn't want to be here. She didn't want to do this.
At the same time, to hold the secrets of RJ Thompson, this was going to be the only way.
She unlatched the large lock on the trunk and flipped it open. She stared at the contents
for a moment, her mind still back at her own manor. She should've tried harder. Maybe her
library had something she could've used to gather the werewolves. No, she thought as she
reached in, taking hold of a large, wooden stake. I know every book in that library. Every book
in hunter's underground. There's only one person who can tell me what I need to know.
Setting aside the stake, she pulled out a set of dark clothing, followed by several knives,
bottles of various liquids, and a small box with a golden cross emblazoned on the top. Lastly,
she reached in to pull out a long chain attached to a whip handle. She weighed it in her hands,
letting the spiked tip dangle and swing. She was never supposed to come back here again. In
America she was free, she was in control. Here? Things only happened if he deemed it so.
Several hours later she stepped out of the hotel, her gown replaced by a long, black
cloak that hid her in the darkness of the night. A horse drawn carriage arrived, right on time. A
languid, pale driver with clothes several decades out of fashion stared down at her, the door to
the carriage opening on it's own. The half moon glinted off the steel daggers peeking out from
"I see Pasha hasn't seen fit to purchase a motorcar," she remarked. The driver
seemingly ignored her, giving the reins a whip and setting the carriage off into the night. "And
The trip concluded in silence, the hour passing with Sonia left only to check and recheck
the equipment held under her cloak. When the carriage finally came to a stop, they were in front
of a large manor, ancient in its decor and easily dwarfing the Trevor manor back in the States. A
chill went up Sonia's spine as she stepped out, the carriage moving away the moment her feet
She pulled back her hood and looked up the steps to the imposing structure. The manor
was several stories tall and spanned a majority of the grounds. Clenching her fists, she
ascended the stairway, passing statues of vile looking gargoyles, tortured men and women, and
monsters of every description. The giant doors stood before her, but she didn't bother to even
touch them. They opened before her on their own as they had many times before.
Stepping into the grand entrance hall, she looked upon the familiar sight of the ivory
pillars, spanning three stories. Tall windows with velvet curtains lined the hallway, with suits of
armor resting between each. An imposing staircase spilled down from the upper levels like a
waterfall of blood, a rich crimson carpet lining it. She took only a few steps in when the doors
shut behind her with a loud thud that echoed through the halls. The candles about her flickered
"Welcome, hunter," boomed a deep voice with the faintest trace of a Russian accent.
CLANG!
The hunter dodged backward as a large ax slammed into the floor in front of her, guided
by hands of an empty suit of armor. She roared in frustration and peeled a long chain from her
waist, spiraling it in front of her. As it swung again, she let out the chain, sending it wrapping
around the handle of the ax. With a leap, she was in the air, both feet colliding with the armor's
chest and sending it backward, the hunter flipping back to tug hard at the chain, liberating the
She looked around, seeing that the rest of the armors were now approaching, some with
axes, some with swords. Steeling herself, she rushed in to the nearest one, dodging it's blade
and wrapping her chain around it's legs. With a swift pull, the armor was on the ground and
Sonia was rushing past, making for the stairway. But every step through the manor seemed to
only pull the stairway further and further away. She screamed in frustration as they retreated,
She was surrounded now on all sides, but she acted without hesitation. In an instant she
vaulted herself, hands first, onto the shoulders of the nearest false knight, somersaulting over it
toward the walls of the manor. A display of throwing hatchets, blades crossed, rested atop the
manor's family shield and crest. Without delay, the hunter leapt into the air, grabbing and prying
them from their display. In one fluid motion, she cast the hatchets out, each one sinking into the
She quickly surveyed her surroundings. If the stairs wouldn't cooperate, she needed
another way up. Spotting several chandeliers that cast down the little light still in the grand hall,
Sonia rushed forward. She slid between two armors, dodging their attacks and leaping up onto
the shoulders of a third. Casting out her chain, she leapt into the air, snagging the nearest
chandelier. Her lithe form swung through the air, reaching apex near the center of the room.
Turning, she returned back to the armors, smashing into them with both feet and sending three
She smirked as the armor crashed and fell lifeless, but several more were still
approaching. Building back up her momentum, she swung from the chandelier, faster and faster
until she was peaking over the edge of the third floor balcony. Catching the railing with her foot,
she pulled herself up and released her chain with a twist. Twirling the chain one more time, she
She rushed into the adjoining room, a long hall with a grand piano at the center, shelves
of books all around. In a flash the lights were extinguished, but Sonia was unfazed. Reaching to
her belt, she unclasped a glass bottle with a glowing red liquid. She cast it at the shelves where
she knew the books must be and it exploded in a blaze of fire and light. Flames erupted from
the book shelves, spreading around the room and illuminating it. The light was restored none
too soon as a swarm of grotesque heads, kept aloft via bat wings, swooped down at her. Each
head screamed and contorted, the hair on it writhing like a nest of snakes. Sonia rolled and
dodged, avoiding their attacks. She raced toward the bookshelf, twisting in air to send a volley
of throwing knives behind her. Three hit their mark, dropping the creatures with earsplitting
The hunter leapt against the flaming bookshelf, pushing off as fire licked her heels,
vaulting up and over the incoming creatures. As she landed, she loosed her chain once more,
spinning it through the air. The creatures swooped around, barely missing the bookshelf, but
they did not miss her chain. In an instant the spiked end of her chain was launched through the
air, lodging itself into the leftmost creature's face, crashing it into the flaming shelves. The other
two continued forward past their fallen comrade, but a quick jerk from Sonia freed the barbed
end and sent it hurling into the back of the closest creature, her further pulling crashing it into
Sonia's boot came down on them, crushing each one and splattering her in their blood. Panting,
the hunter turned to the exit of the hallway. "What further hell do you have for me, Pasha?" she
cried out. There was only the sound of the burning books to answer her. Gritting her teeth, she
pressed forward.
The hallways of the manor seemed to stretch and rearrange at will. She would look
down one corridor only to find the one she had come from had disappeared. Stairs appeared at
random, leading to nowhere. The very floor beneath her fell away at the slightest touch. Doors
ignited into blazes before she could pass through them. Still, the hunter pressed forward.
Her breath fogged in the air as she approached a large, wooden door. She stared at it
for several moments before approaching, producing her chain and kicking the barbed end at it.
It struck the door with a satisfying thud; this, at least, was no illusion. This also meant this was
where Pasha wanted her to go. With a roar she kicked open the door, revealing a large
ballroom. Candles and torches lit the room, with various colored glass panes transforming it into
a kaleidoscope of light and shadow. In the center of the hall, with the light dancing about him,
stood a tall man with fiery red hair and a regal, blue coat with gold trim, lined with fur. He smiled
at the hunter as she approached. "It has been a while since we shared a dance, Sonia. Shall
we?"
SMASH! The colored panes of glass crashed down as demonic, winged creatures, each
the size of a large man fell from the rafters, landing around the hunter. They roared at her with
twisted faces and broken horns jutting from their skulls. The hunter screamed in frustration as
they lunged at her, weaving and dodging their blows. Loosing blades from her belt once more,
she stabbed two of the creatures, but left herself open to the attacks of the rest. Her blood
spilled across the ballroom as their strikes sent the hunter tumbling. Reaching to her belt once
more, she produced a vial of holy water, hurling it at the creatures. It crashed against them, its
contents burning the demons. They writhed and shrieked in agony as she quickly righted
herself, stabbing her dagger into their hearts and heads, ending them. She turned in time to see
the red haired man, Pasha, appear before her. With a sweep of his arm she sailed across the
room.
Instantly the man was behind her as she struggled to her feet, seizing her by her long
braid. With a sweeping motion, she buried her dagger in his heart and kicked off from his chest,
pulling herself loose. The man stumbled only a step or two, smiling. His grin revealed two long,
With a wave of his hand, the floor around her cracked and broke, skeletons clawing their
way up from the open chasms. Sonia skirted backward, turning to rush for the door, but flames
encircled the entire perimeter of the ballroom. She turned in time to dodge the first creature's
attack, but the next ripped its bony hand across her raised arm, spilling her blood once more.
Biting and scratching at her, they swarmed the hunter, but she managed to throw their light
frames back with a few well placed kicks. As the creatures closed back in, she seized a nearby
standing candelabrum, spinning it like a staff and using the heavy base to crush the skull of one
of her advancing adversaries. Spinning the makeshift weapon around, she stabbed the prongs
into the next skeleton's rib cage, twisting and locking it in. Lifting the creature, she used it's body
She moved to finish the last standing creature when a disembodied arm seized her leg,
causing her to stumble. She kicked it off in time for the advancing skeleton to push past her
weapon and tackle her to the ground. It pummeled its fists into her chest and face repeatedly,
the hunter shielding herself as best she could. Screaming, she caught the monster's arms and
pulled her feet up, pressing against its chest. With a sick pop the arms pulled free and the
skeleton reeled back across the floor. She kipped up to her feet, using one dismembered arm to
knock the skeleton's skull loose, then turned to hurl the other at the vampire Pasha.
He laughed as the arm evaporated before him. Folding his arms he rose into the air, his
smile still piercing the darkness. Sonia screamed as she rushed toward him, but a wall of flames
erupted before her. She turned back, but more flames spread behind her, trapping her in place.
The vampire roared with laughter as the ground beneath her glowed bright red. Feeling the heat
well beneath her, she plucked another bottle of holy water from her belt and smashed it into the
ground. The glowing subsided, but she could see the water begin to boil away. She cursed
herself for having left her cloak in the grand hall as she looked for her exit. The chandelier? Too
high for her chain. The curtains? Too far away. She felt over her belt for more holy water, but
she was out. Looking about she saw through the flames the writhing form of one of the
skeletons, the candelabrum still buried in it's chest. Unraveling her chain, she shot it out,
snaring the candelabrum and pulling it back to her. As the last bit of holy water beneath her
boiled away, she jammed the makeshift pole into the floor and vaulted over the edge of the
flames. Fire burst from the floor as she flew into the air, engulfing her for only a moment before
she rolled clear. She screamed as she rolled and patted the flames out on her clothing, but her
hair was too much to stop. With a flash of her dagger her long, beautiful braid fell to the ground,
burning.
Sonia roared, pulling loose her chain once more, twirling it through the air as she raced
toward the creature. Pasha merely held his hand forward and the cracked chunks of the floor
rose and flew at her. She slid under one, dodged to the side of the next, and leapt into the air,
vaulting off the last and sending her barbed chain sailing through the creature before it
In a flash he was in front of her. Then gone. Then to her right. Vanished. Behind her.
Disappeared. Over and over the vampire flashed in and out of her sight, dancing around her.
She let loose her chain, striking at each glimpse of Pasha, looping the chain back to swing
through the next, but it never met it's mark. After several tries and the long, odious laugh of the
vampire taunting her, she pulled free her last vial of the red liquid, casting it straight into the air.
The sound of glass shattering confirmed her suspicions and she looked up to see the red haired
He flailed and cursed, crashing into a large balcony that hung over the far end of the
ballroom, trying to rid himself of the flames. Sonia knew she would not have this opportunity
again and raced toward him, climbing a nearby curtain to gain the elevation she needed. As
Pasha tumbled into the balcony seating, she cast out her chain once more, lashing it around the
guard rail that surrounded it. With a swing and a tug, she pulled herself up to the vampire's
level. He rid himself of the distracting flames just as she stood up.
The pair stared at one another in silence for several seconds, Sonia panting and Pasha
snarling. With a growl the vampire lunged at her, but she avoided the attack flipping over him as
she opened a loop in her chain. She pulled it tight around his throat, but Pasha turned quickly.
His powerful claws slashed at her, but she spun to the left, looping another section of chain
around his neck. He pulled at the chain, but she took the opportunity to plant both feet into his
chest and tighten the loop around his neck. He batted at her, but she spun to the right, once
Gripping both ends of the chain tightly, she leapt over the edge of the balcony, pulling
Pasha against the guardrail. Hands at his throat, and back curved over the edge, the vampire
held his ground. Dangling from the chain, Sonia simply exhaled and released the barbed end of
her chain. Though it took only a second or two, it felt like forever, as if Sonia were floating down
from a cloud. The floor rushed to meet her as her chain dug into Pasha's neck, spinning and
slicing through the flesh, topped off by the spiked barb at the end.
Sonia hit the floor and rolled to disperse her momentum, but it was still a hard landing.
She gripped her right leg as she collapsed to the floor, her eyes drifting over to the severed
head of the vampire. She collapsed back, wincing in pain as her injuries began to catch up with
her. Had she actually done it? She groaned as she shifted herself, trying to get a closer look at
the head. Had she actually managed to kill Pasha? The part of her that had traveled so far for
answers was frustrated and sad, but there was another part, a significant part, that was
She smiled. Her smile turned to laughter, laughter that echoed through the ballroom,
laughter that only ceased when a drop hit the hunter's forehead. Sonia froze, eyes opening
slowly. She didn't need to touch the drop to know what it was, for as she stared up, the entire
ceiling had become a rippling pool of blood. Her legs trembled as she followed the blood back to
the wall and down to the balcony. Pasha's body twisted and convulsed as streams of blood
stretched out from it, reaching out to coat the walls. Sonia fought up to her feet and scrambled
to the door, but the wall of blood crashed down in front of her. She turned to run, but the flood
came from all directions. In seconds she was swept up in a river of crimson, struggling just to
breathe. It surrounded her, gripped her, smothered her. She lashed out, but her attacks were
futile. There was nothing left but surrender. She took one last breath before the room was
completely filled and she began to sink to the bottom. Before darkness took her, a lone, deep
When Sonia awoke again, she was in an enormous bed, a red canopy hanging above her and
satin sheets covering her. She sat up with a jolt, looking for any signs of her foe. Only the pale,
carriage driver was present, standing at the door to the bedroom. She lifted her sheets slightly
to see she was at least modestly dressed in a silk nightgown before throwing back the sheets.
"Where is he?" she asked. The servant gestured at the window. She turned to see the
sun hanging low in the sky. She must have been out the entire day. That meant Pasha would be
The servant pointed his bony finger to the closet where a long, red gown hung in waiting
for her. "Of course," she grumbled, "dinner." She stared out the window once more. There was
still enough time, she could escape now. She could commandeer one of Pasha's horses and
return to London and never set foot in this manor again. To Hell with Pasha. To Hell with
Roosevelt and to Hell with werewolves. "The Magus Device," she muttered as she sat back
down on the bed. Eyes clenched shut, she nodded. "I'll be down directly."
The servant nodded and stepped out, closing the door with a loud thud.
***
Sonia stepped down the cascading stairs into the dining room, a lavish table awaiting
her with Pasha sitting at the head. He stood and bowed. Sonia paused and watched him, her
hands drifting to the bandages her borrowed gown covered. Continuing closer, she was met by
her host who wore an identical, unmarred blue suit and a bright smile. Forcing herself to act
within the rules of proper decorum, she presented her gloved hand, which he took and kissed.
She shivered.
"You look lovely tonight," Pasha commented as she took her seat.
"Well, I suppose a bit of rouge can hide the bruising," she replied. At that moment the
gaunt servant approached, setting down a bowl with red liquid inside. She stared at it for several
presented herself as a woman of class, resisting both the urge to slurp the soup down in one go
as well as the urge to hurl obscenities at the man across from her.
"I was quite impressed by your performance," Pasha continued, his servant setting a
similar bowl before him. "I see life in America has not dulled your talents; you almost had me."
"If I was truly attempting to kill you, I would've done it during the day," she remarked.
"A wise decision. So, what information was so important as to make you come all the
way to London?"
"My student is having difficulties killing wolves?" he replied with a furrowed brow. "I feel
insulted."
"I'm not being contracted to kill a handful of wolves, Pasha. I've been contracted to kill
them all."
The vampire's scowl was quickly replaced with a slight smile. "All of them?"
"Yes," she replied between spoonfuls of soup. "It seems the United States is suffering
from... an infestation."
"You jest, Sonia, but I have seen monsters that would make Hell itself quake.
"In time. I can assume that you have no issue killing the foul beasts, yes? It is finding
kill one a month, perhaps a pair. It won't even keep up with the rate at which new ones are
spawned."
"Then you have no choice but to gather the infected souls together and purge them all at
"Good. Then let's not waste time, the trip back to America is long."
"Unfortunately, I believe the book I require was burned in an unfortunate accident last
night." Sonia's eyes narrowed and her fists clenched. "But... if you give me a few days, I can
"A few days?" she exclaimed. "The full moon is less than a week away and I have a very
"Then it would be in your best interest to help me relax so that I might recall the formula
more quickly."
***
Sonia spent the next day forcing smiles as she indulged the vampire, spending the
evening dancing with him, listening to music, and, of course, listening to his tales of adventure
from across the centuries. She had heard these stories many times, but Pasha seemed to have
few people these days to share them with. In fact, when he was with her, whether it be dancing
or conversing, he seemed to light up in a way she hadn't seen since she was a young girl.
"You were such a tiny thing back then," he mused as the pair walked beneath the light of
the waxing moon. "I had no faith that you would ever amount to a hunter."
"Such confidence. I can't imagine why I had trouble," she replied, her black gown trailing
centuries and you have proved to be one of the most intriguing students I've ever had."
The hunter shifted uncomfortably, turning her gaze away. "Why do you insist on
"Because I have lived long enough to ask for what I want rather than want in silence," he
replied, pausing their pace. He stepped closer to Sonia, trailing his fingers along her cheek. She
"Do I? Surely you must be lonely since your husband passed. Wouldn't it be better to
"My days are quite fulfilling as they are. When I'm not engaged in the destruction of foul
"Richter is as welcome here as you are, Sonia. Surely he would benefit from a father
figure."
Sonia tensed up, turning away to hide her sneer. "My husband and my family are none
of your concern."
"I meant no disrespect," he said looking toward his flowers. "Come, let us speak of other
things."
"Like the formula?" she replied, stepping further into the garden.
"I'm quite sure," Sonia said, moving from planter to planter. Even in the moonlight, the
garden was beautiful. She approached a stone fountain, topped with a sad angel. Here she
"Your employers. For you to return to me after all this time, they must be offering
"Would life with me be so miserable, my dear?" Pasha asked, placing a cold hand on her
bare shoulder.
"It would not be a life, Pasha. I will never allow myself to become..."
"Like me?"
Sonia turned to face him. "Yes," she answered firmly. "What you want from me I will
not... cannot give." With these words she turned from the vampire and moved back toward the
verdant plants that surrounded the fountain. Before her was a planter filled with camomile. Even
in the moonlight, she could see the beautiful colors of these and all the other blooms, all
carefully chosen and cultivated so that their owner might appreciate them even at night when
As she looked closer, she took notice of something out of order. Beneath the camomile
where more flowers, a pale pink. She leaned closer. "Are these roses?" she asked.
"Wild roses," Pasha answered, moving to her side. "They showed up in my garden one
day." The vampire smiled as he knelt beside the plant, reaching his hand out, halting just inches
from the roses. "I cannot touch wild roses. I cannot disturb them at all."
Sonia stood, taking a deep breath. She looked up into the waxing moon. "You won't give
obligations and you seem to be the only solution I currently have. Let me have this contract and
Pasha leaned closer, looking for deceit in her eyes. "When you have finished your
contract-"
***
Sonia stared at the parchment in her hands. Pasha's handwriting was so elegant, so
formal. Everything about him was, really, and yet, it was all just a facade, wasn't it? She looked
up from the list of ingredients for the Wolf's Bait, watching as Pasha stood before his coffin in
silence. He has been standing there for several minutes, leaving the huntress uncertain of what
to say. Taking a last look at the formula, she folded the parchment and tucked it away.
"When the full moon is passed, your mission will be over. I will come for you then."
blur and fade, melting into a hazy mist. Sonia took a step back as the mist swirled and floated
around her, finally moving into the coffin and taking the form of a sleeping Pasha as the lid
closed. Sonia looked to the window, watching the first beams of light creeping over the horizon.
It was only a few minutes later when she coming down the steps to meet Pasha's
servant at his carriage. He looked impatiently at her as the door swung open.
"In just a moment," she said, approaching the front of the carriage. "I have one last thing
to take care of. Please, wait here. I won't be long." The servant groaned and turned his gaze
back to the horses. Sonia nodded in appreciation and made her way toward the garden. The
servant watched her from the corner of his eyes, but couldn't see what she was doing as she
Once again, she stood before Pasha's coffin, running a hand along the grain. "Pasha,"
she said aloud, lifting three wild roses, "you are welcome to claim me when next you rise." Her
face still and emotionless, she placed the roses atop the coffin. She stared at the flowers for
several moments, thoughts dwelling on her past with Pasha, before producing a small can.
Opening it, she poured a viscous liquid over the stems of the roses, sealing them to the coffin.
"Goodbye."
Chapter 4
The carriage stopped at the docks, the morning sun burning away the light layer of fog that lay
over the city. Inside, Sonia stared at the list of ingredients to the Wolf's Bait. Some of them were
expected, but others seemed quite far fetched. She wondered if hornet's honey was something
she could even get in America. That was hardly her greatest concern at the moment, however.
She had tied up nearly all the loose ends in her trip, but what could be the most important still
remained.
Outside, the coach driver groaned gestured toward the door. Unaided, it swung open.
He sat still at the head for several moments, waiting, before he turned back to the open door.
"I'm dreadfully sorry, but I need your assistance," came Sonia's voice. The gaunt servant
dropped from the driver's seat with an audible thud, the carriage bouncing slightly as he
"In here," she urged, motioning for the servant to enter. With a low sigh, the driver
stepped inside the carriage. It first sized up Sonia, then examined the coach interior. Upon
"Do you not see it?" she asked. The driver only stared at her. "I simply can't leave until...
oh my, what happened to your face?" The servant carefully ran a hand along his face. "No,
around the mouth," she said. The servant touched his fingers to his parted lips, head cocked
curiously.
"No, no... Come here, I'll get it," Sonia instructed, the driver leaning forward. With a quick
motion, the hunter's gloved hand darted in and out of the servants mouth. His eyes slowly
closed and he fell back against the opposite seat of the carriage, stiff as a board. Sonia grinned
and stepped out, hoisting her considerably lighter trunk from the roof.
"Don't worry, dear," she said before closing the door. "I'm sure he'll find you when he
eventually escapes. Or perhaps he'll just make another." With a shrug and a smile she
As she ascended the gang plank she tossed aside a small, withered scroll wrapped in
***
Sonia rolled her eyes as she dropped a folded piece of paper on the table before him.
With a sigh she took her seat at the cafe table, Mr. Roosevelt opening and scanning through the
list. A waiter approached, setting a cup of tea before her, which she accepted with a nod. "Mr.
Roosevelt, if you only knew what I went through to end up with this look," Sonia replied as she
"My source is trying at times, but reliable. If your people can get everything, we should
"Bully!" Roosevelt exclaimed as he looked over the list. "Incredible work, my dear. You
are sure this will do the trick? I've not heard of some of these... items."
"My source told me that every werewolf within a hundred miles would be able to smell it.
We should have it brewed and set up at least a day before the full moon," she continued.
"Indeed. They won't know why they're attracted, but it will lure them just same."
"Good work, Mrs. Trevor. I will have my men begin copying the book right away. Expect
Sonia set her cup down, trying not to let her mind dwell on the hell of the last few days.
There was fresh hell waiting for her that required her attention. "Have you set a location?"
"By all rights, we should wait another month and try to lure the beasts out west,"
Roosevelt said, handing the list to a waiting agent, "but I fret to think what damage will occur if
we delay the operation further. I've selected a relatively isolated forest near the border. It should
"Is that wise?" Sonia asked. "These creatures will have an advantage in a forested
area."
"Mrs. Trevor, I led my men through hellfire at San Juan. I have no fear of untrained
beasts."
"I hope that confidence is warranted," she replied, standing. "Please send me the exact
****
Young Richter tossed and turned in his bed. The silence of the night always seemed to
disturb him, as though it were disingenuous, concealing some great threat. He remembered that
when his father was alive, there was always the calming sound of life within the manor after
Richter retired to bed. Music from his father's phonograph or Grant playing the piano would
softly lull him to sleep. But these days there was only silence and the terror that he knew hid
therein.
Finally slipping from bed, Richter walked to his window. The pale light of a nearly full
moon shined down over the grounds, illuminating a car at the front of the manor. The young boy
pulled his long hair from in front of his eyes, leaning closer to the glass to see Grant loading a
black trunk into the vehicle. A coldness seized Richter, forcing him to stumble back. He looked
toward the door. In an instant he was through it, racing down the stairs, his pale blue nightgown
The young boy froze in front of his mother. She stood, silhouetted in the moonlight, her
usual dress replaced with a tight fitting black suit. He saw the shapes of pistols hugging her
"My apologies, Madam," Grant called from the door, rushing to the young boy's side. "I
should have ensured Master Richter was asleep before I began loading the car.."
"Come, Master Richter," Grant said, taking the young boy's hand.
"Mother! Are you leaving?" Richter asked, tears forming in the corner of his eyes.
"Master Richter, your mother has important business," Grant assured him.
Sonia closed her eyes, sighing. Holding up a hand, she paused her servant and stepped
closer to her son, kneeling. "I have important work to do, Richter, but I promise I will be back
soon."
"Don't worry, my sweet child. I won't be gone long." She forced a smile and ran a gloved
finger along his cheek, wiping away a tear. "Would you like Mother to bring you back a toy?"
"My dear Richter, I will be back before you know it. I promise."
"You promise? You promise you'll come back?"
"Yes, my dear," Sonia said softly. "And when I get back, I promise I won't go anywhere
for a long time." Richter shifted, uneasy. His mother caressed his red cheek, smiling as sweetly
Richter sniffled and nodded, allowing Grant to lead him back up the stairs. Sonia turned
moving toward the door, pausing only as a small voice called out to her once more.
Sonia hesitated, standing in the open doorway. Without turning, she simply replied, "And
I, you."
Chapter 5
The sun hung low in the sky as Sonia stepped through the makeshift base camp. Trees
surrounded her and the dozens of men that were moving about, setting up guns and reinforcing
barricades. A few of the men watched her curiously, but her confident stride convinced most
As she approached the large tent at the center of the camp, a younger man with light
hair approached, a rifle laid over his shoulder. She hesitated as he stepped in her path, raising a
curious eyebrow. He seemed unfazed and offered his hand. "Hello there, Ma'am. Jesse
Langdon."
"Charmed," she replied, taking his hand. "And who are you in all this?"
"Oh, I'm Mr. Roosevelt's right-hand man. I've been with him since Kettle Hill," he
remarked.
"Really? You seem quite young to be an agent," she replied, looking him over.
"And you were at Kettle Hill? Which would have made you -"
"I was twenty-eight then, too," he replied with a smile. This forced a smirk over the
"Arrived at that all by yourself, did you?" she said, joining him as they moved toward the
tent.
"Mr. Roosevelt said to keep an eye out for you. He's working out the last of the details
"With all respect, I watched that man get his glasses shot off in Cuba. He pulled another
"Bravery should not be confused for competence," she remarked as they entered the
tent.
"Quite so!" boomed the voice of the former president. "But the fact that I'm still alive
should prove that I'm more than up to this task, Mrs. Trevor."
Sonia offered her hand, which Roosevelt took with a nod. She and Jesse followed him
back to a table in the middle of the large tent which had a map spread out over it. Roosevelt
gestured to several circles across it which marked the location of vats of Wolf Bait.
"Jesse has been instrumental in setting the bait over the last few days. We left a trail that
leads to this very base, where we will eliminate the poor creatures," he explained.
"It's hard to tell," Roosevelt answered, running his thumb and forefinger over his spruce
mustache pensively. "We don't have exact numbers on the infected from the area, but we're
"Not bad," Jesse commented. "Shot a lot more Spaniards than that in San Juan."
"Charming," Sonia quipped, turning back to the map. "Do you have enough silver
"We're a bit light on the silver, but it's been my experience that lead will suffice in large
"Is this really the time to be skimping on supplies? But, then again, I suppose you did
The president roared with laughter, his smile broad and imposing. "You see, Jesse? I
"I want to inspect your weapons before the moon rises," she continued. "Perhaps I can
"Of course," Roosevelt replied, leading the pair out of the tent. A few paces away was a
large barrel, sealed. He explained that this held more of the Wolf Bait and would be opened at
moonrise to help lure the beasts to them. Sonia inspected the container, unsettled by the dents
and chips across it. From there they were led to a large series of boxes which Jesse opened.
Inside were a mixture of several supplies, including ammunition, pistols and a few bottles, which
"While I do not partake," Roosevelt explained, "it's simply good planning to have
something for the men when this operation succeeds." With a quirked eyebrow, she let the
From there the trio inspected a few nests where Roosevelt and Jesse had set up tripod
mounted machine guns. Sonia pursed her lips to one side as she looked them over, turning
"I considered Gatlings, but mobility is an issue here," Roosevelt added. "Trust me,
Sonia rubbed the bridge of her nose as she marched away from the line of guns. "This
entire operation is a insane," she said as she retreated toward the tent.
"I understand it lacks subtlety," Roosevelt remarked as she moved off, "but time is not in
our favor. I'm sure we'll have things ironed out for the next run."
"Of course. And there will be proper compensation for your time."
Sonia didn't answer, instead turning to enter the tent and make her final preparations for
the night.
****
With the full moon rising into the darkened sky, the forest sat silent. Men held their
breath as they gripped their weapons tightly. Sonia, with silver daggers and her whip wrapped
around her waist, nodded to Jesse. With a loud pop, he wrenched the top of the large barrel
near the tent off, the thick smell of Wolf's Bait now wafting through the entire camp. Sonia
steeled her nerves. Clearly Roosevelt hadn't properly planned out their position, as they were
open from all directions. There was little Sonia could do to move an entire camp in one night
and Roosevelt would not hear of delaying the operation, so here she stood, hands moving to
It started easily enough. Rustling in the trees drew the men's attention. There were a few
calls of "wolf!" which drew Sonia over. Before she could offer any order, Roosevelt commanded
them to open fire. Rifles rang out into the dark night as the creature in the forest began
retreating.
Before their argument could escalate, gunfire rang out once more. The pair turned to see
a creature, something like a man but with fur covering its entire body, rushing toward the camp.
His words were easier heard than acted upon as the creature seemed to recover quickly,
leaping back toward the forest. Roosevelt marched toward the line to look for signs of the
creature, but at that moment shots were fired on the opposite side of the camp. The pair turned
and rushed over, watching as the men shot wildly into the darkness.
"Two of them!" a soldier cried. "They're diving in and out of the shadows."
"They're testing the defenses," Sonia said. "I've never dealt with a dozen at once, but I'd
be willing to wager they'll swarm once they find the weakest spot."
"Then it is good that Rough Riders don't have weak spots," Roosevelt remarked, lifting
his rifle. "Use the lights! Look for the shine in their eyes!" Lights flashed across the foliage,
Roosevelt following them through the sight of his rifle. The golden flicker of wolf eyes glinted in
the darkness. BANG! A terrible roar echoed in the forest as a creature stumbled forward,
Sonia watched in a mixture of awe and incredulity as the agents turned soldiers fired on
the beast, bringing it to the ground. Before the could celebrate, a second rushed from the
darkness, charging the line. Guns fired and the beast staggered, but not before reaching one of
the gunners, knocking aside his machine gun and ripping at him. Several men moved in,
unloading shot after shot at the creature and forcing him off their now bloodied comrade.
Cries rang out from the first side again; the wolf was there now. More cries from the west
side. Now from the north. Sonia looked around, watching as the lanterns illuminated the forest
and shots rang out. She drew her pistols as she watched the targets grow in number. Seven.
More gunshots. Ten. More cries. Thirteen. Roosevelt moved furiously through the camp,
commanding his men, Jesse rushing to fill the gaps he left behind. The creatures were
beginning to swarm.
Drawing a long breath, Sonia spun on her heels, leveling her pistol at an approaching
creature. It had barreled through three men and was soaring through the air as she pulled the
trigger and stepped aside. With a mad howl, the creature crashed into the ground, clutching its
chest. She watched the pathetic thing writhe for several seconds before going limp. She ignored
a chill that ran through her as she looked at it. It still wore clothing. It was a man, or was once,
and now was this... thing. What atrocities had it committed without even being aware. This man,
whoever he was, woke up that morning and put on a jacket, but now, as this beast, he would
Before she could contemplate the matter further, a second creature was charging the
line. It whined and cried as machine gun fire severed it's leg and sent it sprawling through the
camp. Sonia added one silver bullet to end its misery before marching to the opposite side.
Waiting for her were several men, all engaged in stabbing and shooting a wolf among their
ranks. The hunter leveled her pistol to end the creature but another firearm rang out first. As the
wolf tumbled to the ground, howling, Sonia traced the shot back to Roosevelt, his rifle smoking
as he drew a saber. He pushed through his men and hacked at the poor creature several times
before beheading it. She narrowed her eyes in disgust at his actions, but when he turned, his
face was not the boisterous, loud visage it had been earlier. He seemed to genuinely pity the
creature, taking no movement to celebrate his victory or belittle the creature further. Instead, he
moved on to the next target, directing his men to shore up the line. Her judgment eased, she
After several minutes of fighting, the gunshots became less frequent. Then men were
flashing their lanterns through the darkness, but seemed unable to find any more targets.
"Bully!" Roosevelt cried, surveying the scene. "I think we've got the bulk now."
"I've never faced this many at once. My information may be... unreliable in that regard."
Roosevelt pulled his rifle over his shoulder, staring into the darkness. "Then I'll make
"WOLF!"
The pair turned toward the cry from the eastern front. Gunfire rang out as two wolves
rushed in. As the men concentrated their fire, Sonia noted movement in the darkness.
Sonia's suspicions were confirmed as she turned, six wolves coming in from the side,
hitting the men from behind. Sonia moved in quickly, unloading her weapons, and dropping the
wolves, one by one, but as they fell, more and more flooded in to replace them.
Through the camp, at least fifteen werewolves had pierced the line and were fighting
hand to hand with the men. Sonia's silver ammunition was drained by a final creature that was
tearing into one of the men, sending blood and viscera splattering across the ground. She had
no time to reload her weapon as another wolf was rushing for her. Dropping the pistols, she
unsheathed her silver blades, deflecting the claws of the creature as it attacked. She stumbled
back, avoiding the lightning quick swipes as the creature pressed in on her. Timing her
counterattack, she landed a solid kick into the creature's midsection, stopping it's assault long
enough for her blade to slice through its throat. The creature whined and gurgled, clutching its
neck, leaving itself open for the hunter force one blade through its heart.
Sonia had no time to recover as two more creatures were now attacking a gunner,
ripping the firearm from its tripod and slashing through the man's chest. In an instant, Sonia's
chain was out and it's silver tipped spikes were ripping through the creature's face. As it reared
back, Sonia rushed in, throwing her entire body weight behind a kick to the second wolf. She
turned quickly to assess the gunner, but it was too late. The blood and open wounds told her he
would last more than a few minutes. She cursed silently as she turned to face the retaliating
creatures, her chain slicing through the air in a spiral before her boot sent it shooting out again,
piercing the first wolf's chest. The second leapt at her, slashing and biting, but the hunter
dodged and weaved, pulling free her chain and sending it wrapping around her attacker's legs.
The wolf crashed to the ground and before it could right itself, Sonia buried her knife into its
back.
Several yards away, Roosevelt bashed another werewolf in the face with the butt of his
empty rifle, sending it tumbling back. The former president roared as drew his saber once more
and plunged it into the creature's chest. The wolf howled, but refused to fall, pushing forward to
tackle Roosevelt to the ground. With it's gaping maw snapping at him, Roosevelt threw a short
haymaker, connecting with the wolf's snout and knocking it back. Turning the table, he leapt on
the creature's chest and began pummeling it over and over before seizing the embedded saber.
Jerking and tugging at the sword, he widened the wound in the creature's chest, ripping and
tearing at it's flesh as it howled in pain. Lifting the blade up and out, he sank it once more into
the creature's heart. With blood dripping down his face, Roosevelt watched as the life drained
from the creature. Standing, he pulled loose his blade and grabbed a fallen man's gun.
"Come foul beasts and taste the horns of this bull moose!"
Whether from the roar of Roosevelt's words or simply as a tactical move, the few wolves
in left in the camp retreated into the forest. Panting, he marched toward a bloodied but
undamaged Sonia. She picked up her discarded pistols and began the process of reloading.
"I said 'over'" he replied. "Jesse!" The young man from earlier limped into view, his
clothes torn and bloodied, but otherwise seeming okay. "Get the wounded to inside the tents."
Sonia surveyed the forest as the wounded were slowly brought into the tents. She
couldn't be sure how many more were left, but it was certainly more than the remaining men
could handle. What would Pasha think to see her having trouble with such loathsome
creatures?
"H-help..."
Sonia turned to see a young man on the ground, writhing in pain. She called for a lantern
as she knelt beside him. Blood was pooling around him, far more a man should survive. He
clutched his chest and neck tightly and Sonia could see this was the source of the blood loss.
The young man shivered and convulsed, grimacing in pain. Taking the lantern, Sonia pulled his
She handed off the lantern and stood, unholstering her pistol. She took a deep breath,
shaking her head as took aim, but a strong, rough hand fell over hers.
"I'm aware." Sonia released her grip, allowing Roosevelt to take the pistol. Stepping
"South.... D-Dakota."
"A good place," Roosevelt replied, gripping the young man's hand. "They breed strong
men there."
"We all have to face death," Roosevelt replied, "what defines us is who we are when we
"I don't make a habit of selecting cowards to ride with me. Are you with me, Murdock?
Are you one of my Rough Riders?" The young man, shaking and crying, clutched Roosevelt's
Sonia raised a curious eyebrow as she watched. Roosevelt leaned closer to the young
"I only select the bravest to ride with me, and I selected you," he continued. "Now... are
you ready?" The young man's eyes streamed with blood and tears, but he nodded. Roosevelt
brought one hand to his forehead, saluting the young man. Murdock returned the gesture,
holding his hand in salute. As fangs began to push past the man's lips, Roosevelt pressed the
barrel of the pistol to his temple and pulled the trigger. Sonia flinched, turning away. A moment
At that moment, Jesse ran up, still clutching his injuries. "Sir, it's not looking good."
Roosevelt looked toward the front line where the bodies a three werewolves lie beside a
suspect there are still a number of them waiting out there and I doubt we have the manpower to
"Hardly," she replied, loosing her chain once more. "Only informing you that I'm likely to
Roosevelt grinned and shook his head. "Your faith in us is staggering, madam, but I will
Sonia cocked an eyebrow as she watched the older man pull his long coat off. Producing
his saber, he cut into it, tearing it in half and ripping loose a long strip. He approached one the
fallen machine gun and, without a word, tied the strip near the barrel and looped it around,
"Too many of my men have died tonight," he said moving toward the open barrel of
Wolf's Bait. Without any explanation, he removed his glasses and dunked his head into the
"Not yet!" Roosevelt bellowed with a growing grin. Throwing open the box of rifles and
ammunition from earlier, he pulled free a bottle of whiskey. Calling for Jesse, the Rough Rider
procured the young man's lighter and shoved another strip of his coat into the neck of the bottle.
"What the hell is that?" Sonia asked as he pushed past her and walked into the
darkness.
"A little trick I discovered in Cuba," he announced, lighting cloth and hurling the bottle
into the canopy. It collided with a tall tree and flames exploded into the foliage, lighting up the
forest. "Jesse! I've changed my mind. Get the men to the trucks. I'll hold them off."
"My contract was through this mission," she argued, watching as the flames spread from
tree to tree. "Though you be a doddering fool of a man, I'll see you through this."
"Bully!" Roosevelt cried out, lifting up the machine gun. "Now, where will I mount their
heads?"
With only a few men following behind, the pair stepped into the ever brightening forest,
weapons at the ready. Sonia swung out her chain, pulling it back into a loop, eyes scanning the
In just moments the sounds of rustling foliage and pattering feet echoed around them.
From the flames leapt creature after creature, fangs bared and claws at the ready. Sonia
launched the ball of her chain out, striking one in the face and tugging quickly to sink the barbs
in before tearing it loose. In one fluid motion the hunter swung the chain wide, striking another
attacking from the rear, the silver piercing it's heart as it ripped through.
More and more wolves bore down on her, but Sonia was unshakeable. Her chain
wrapped around one creature's throat, pulling it from mid-air and crashing it into two other
wolves. Before the group could right themselves, her pistols were brandished and ringing out in
Claws swiped from behind, but the hunter ducked and rolled, firing another shot into the
attack. Before she could turn again, yet another creature was on her, slashing across her back.
Blood stained the forest floor as Sonia stumbled forward from the blow, turning to fire into the
darkness. She looked, but her foe was already retreating into the flames, leaving her open and
confused. Before she could find her target, two new wolves came from either side, fangs and
claws aimed for her supple flesh. Ducking to one side, she threw an arm around one of the
charging beasts and swung behind it, pressing her gun directly to the base of it's skull and firing,
sending it tumbling into the second wolf. Another shot rang out from her other pistol and the
Again, claws from the darkness slashed into her, this time across the backs of her
thighs, dropping the hunter to her knees. She twisted and fell to her back, guns up, but there
was still no target. Panting and stifling the screams of pain that were building inside her, she
scanned the flaming trees surrounding her for her adversary. Three more presented
themselves. Squeezing off three rounds, Sonia attempted to beat them back, but her shots went
astray as the wolves dodged and encircled her. As one, they bore down on the prone hunter,
but steeled nerved and hardened reflexes, the Sonia quickly emptied the last of her ammunition
Pinned under the weight of three wolves and with her pistol now useless, Sonia strained
to dislodge herself. Nearly free, a low, bestial growl halted her. She looked up to see a tall, lithe,
werewolf, it's claws stained in her blood. Any shred of humanity this creature might have once
possessed had long disappeared. With a roar the creature leapt, pinning her anew and driving
it's wicked claws into her shoulders. It's fangs bared, it made for her neck and face, but halted at
a metallic ring.
Sonia, grunting, cursing, had buried her pistol in the creature's jaws, and was doing
everything in her power to hold back those deadly teeth. Inch by inch, the creature pushed
closer, its hot, stinking breath burning her eyes. She couldn't hold back against the creature's
strength. She couldn't keep it at bay forever. And so, with a roar of her own, Sonia slammed her
With a whine and cry of surprise, the creature pulled back, grabbing it's injured face and
casting aside the pistol within its maw. With a howl it turned back and dove once more at Sonia,
jaws wide. A moment later, the creature fell limp to one side of the hunter, her silver blade
wildly into the night, with two piles, one of bullet casings and one of wolves, growing at his feet.
He roared as he turned, his blade intercepting the jaws of an oncoming beast, allowing him to
jam the muzzle of his weapon into the wolf's chest. Shots rang out until the creature fell still at
his feet, Roosevelt taking not a moment of rest before engaging the next monster.
Fangs from the right. Teeth from the left. The bullets kept flying and blood continued
splattering across his clothing. When one body fell, his sights immediately moved to the next.
Moving forward, walking through the flames, he drew the beasts’ attention, luring them further
and further from the camp. For each one that passed him up, he turned his full attention and
sights, not only felling the creatures, but following up with his blade for good measure.
After several minutes, the telltale clicking of his weapon told the former president that he
had spent his supply of ammunition. Pulling loose the strap from his neck and shoulder, he
began swinging the gun like club, bashing it into oncoming creatures as he dared them
approach. Claws pierced his chest. Blood spilled from his back and arms. Still, Roosevelt
refused to fall. His blade slashed through the flames, spilling wolf blood, but they seemed to
Forced to his knees, Roosevelt held back the oncoming fangs with the flat of his blade,
both arms buckling under the pressure. One swing of the claws and his weapon flew into the
night. The beast roared. Roosevelt bared his own teeth. "Take me then, foul beast! Take me if
you can!"
The grim fangs lunged forward, only to halt inches from the roaring Roosevelt. He looked
down to its neck to see the glint of metal chain. The creature stumbled back, the chain now
sliding and sawing its flesh, the silver barb cutting a clean line as Sonia wrenched the beast's
Sonia lashed out her chain once more, the coils wrapping around the arm of a werewolf
behind Roosevelt. It tugged instinctively and Sonia leapt into the air with it, letting its strength
guide her kick, dropping the beast as she hit square in its chest. In an instant her blade was out
Roosevelt turned slowly to look at the bloodied and bruised hunter as she rose to her
feet. He forced himself up, weakly, and tried to speak. Before he could utter a word, her blade
was loosed again and flying through the air. Nearly grazing Roosevelt's cheek, he followed the
path of the blade as it sunk deep into the chest of one final wolf.
Roosevelt watched as the creature whimpered and expired, then looked around. The
few men that had followed them were still standing, a few wolves at their feet. He scanned the
forest. Nothing. He turned back to the camp. Clear. Smiling, the former president began to roar
with laughter.
"Not the reaction I expected," Sonia remarked as she limped over to recover her blade.
She winced in pain, straightening up. Nodding, she turned. "Okay. That seems more like
it."
A cautious, but growing roar went up from the men as Sonia and Roosevelt limped back
toward the camp. Trucks were pulled up to the tents and several injured were already loaded. A
bloody but joyous Jesse rushed to meet the pair. "I think that's all of them, sir!"
"It better well be!" Sonia spat, holding her side in pain.
"Oh yes. So many of the vile creatures gone in just one night. This is fantastic! Jesse,
put in orders for more of that Wolfs Bait. We'll need hundreds of drums."
can rid the nation of these beasts with no more than a dozen, no... a score of these missions. I
As the fired blazed around them and men groaned in pain, Sonia shook her head.
Letting her head fall back for a moment, she turned and walked toward the nearest truck.
"I'm done here, Mr. Roosevelt. I have things worth living for."
Chapter 6
Bloody wraps fell into the steel wash bowl, crimson clouds billowing into the water as they
settled. Sonia winced as her servant, Grant, laid fresh gauze across her back and began the
slow, tender process of re-wrapping her wound. "I trust it was worth it, Madam?" he asked with
slight grin.
"If you ask that again, Grant, I will show you exactly what I did to those foul creatures."
Grant nodded and smiled, finishing up before handing his mistress a dark blouse. She
stood gingerly, taking her time to pull the garment over her scarred and bruised body. As she
dressed, Grant moved to the doorway. "I believe Master Richter should be done with his supper
Sonia smiled as she caressed her child's cheek and moved a long strand of hair over his
ear. "Yes, my child," she replied, seated at his bedside. "I don't think your mother will be going
anywhere for sometime." She paused to shift her posture, the pain of her wounds stinging.
"I'm glad, Mother," he replied, laying back into his pillow, eyes closing. "It's been so
The boy paused, unable to finish his thought. Sonia shook her head and leaned in,
bearing the pain to place a gentle kiss on his forehead. "You have nothing to fear, my little
Richter. No monster can ever touch you while your Mother is here."
"Is that true? What about the really scary ones?" he asked.
Sonia merely smiled. "Richter, I am far scarier than any of them. Now, sleep well."
Sonia limped down the stairs and into her study, making her way to her plush, red chair.
She settled in with a sigh as her servant approached. In his hands he held a small package,
"Thank you, Grant," she replied, taking the package and opening it. As she expected,
inside was a leather book, though to her surprise, it seemed to be old and worn. She ran her
thumb over the pages and the smell of age wafted into the air. She grinned as she turned the
book over to the cover. In faint ink, smudged by time, were written the words " The Observations
of RJ Thompson on the Magus Device." She leaned back in the chair and opened it, scanning
over the first page. Intriguing as it was, something wasn't right. She paused.
"Grant?"
"Yes, Madam?"