Chapter 7
Day 3
Adam walked out of Michael's tattoo parlor and into the mall. Ahh...One more tattoo. He wandered down to the food court and looked around. Well stomach, what do you want to eat? Just then, another feeling entered his mind, a tingling, which began in his chest and surged throughout his body. No, not here! He looked around quickly, for some sort of cover. Not now... He thought quickly for a place to hide, and Mike's tattoo parlor came to mind. It'll have to work.
“Mike, it's happening again!” Adam practically screamed as he burst into Mike's tattoo parlor, “He's coming!” The blonde teen's mouth was starting to warp and disfigure, jutting out towards those he was addressing, “Please, help me!”
“Are you sure?” Mike looked at Adam, who now had gold fur growing on the back of his hands, “Stupid question.” Mike turned to Az and the Lt. “You two need to get out! Torres, I'll need your handcuffs and the keys for him.” He stuck a thumb out to indicate Adam, who now was growing a tail and starting to lose his clothing as his expanding frame shredded them.
“Please, hurry!” Claws and fangs exploded from their appropriate places and his shirt ripped into pieces in an instant, “I can't slow it down!”
Az, Mike, and Torres took a step back to avoid the rapidly growing Adam, “What's wrong? Mike, what in Quetz's name is happening to him?!” Mike glanced back to Ciela, but a gigantic wolf paw raked across his face as he turned, sending him flying into one of the decorated walls.
“You just did not!” Az yelled as she now gazed upon the golden furred, red eyed beast. “He's a...Werewolf?!” She looked back to Torres, “Torres, cuffs, now!” The police Lieutenant quickly went into her pocket, removed the handcuffs, and threw them to Ciela, who not only caught the cuffs, but also a claw-filled right hook to the left side of her face.
She staggered back a step, armored up, and then turned back to Adam, “No! Bad doggie!” She turned on her left foot and connected a right heel kick to the side of Adam's muzzle, knocking him head over heels and into a counter, with a definite thud as his head connected with the counter top.
“Give me the handcuffs Ciela, I'll cuff him.” Torres grabbed the handcuffs from Azangel, “Why don't you go check on Mr. Hero back there?” Torres grabbed Adam's hairy arms and rolled him onto his stomach, “Behind the back and....closed.” She said as she linked his hands behind him. “Thank God for his pants being intact, else I would have to arrest him for indecent exposure...”
Az and Mike began to pick Adam up when the fur started to recede and disappear, “There he goes, and here comes the tattoo covered customer I like...” Mike smiled, “I can't really complain, he obviously keeps me in good business, and I know he'll pay for the damage.”
“Mike, is there something I should know here? Like...does he do that often?” Ciela glared as the aforementioned person gave a pain-filled moan...
“Can anyone please tell me why my jaw and head hurt so bad?”
After hearing the explanation provided by all present, Adam nodded, “I’m sorry Mike, Az, Lt. Torres...I'll make up for anything broken or...” He stopped when he looked at Ciela, “You...You look very familiar...” He came up and placed a hand on her left shoulder. “I think you can help me.”
Ciela stared at him blankly, and started to back away.
“You can help me tame the beast!” He put his other hand on her right shoulder and gave a shake. Az reacted with a little extra armor and a glare that could have stopped time.
“What in the hell are you talking about?!”
“You appeared in my dream...You called out to the beast, and it came. You ordered, if followed. Don't you understand?!” A still angry stare and a balled up fist was her only answer. “You can help me out, I know it!”
Mike leaned forward, “Adam, are you okay? Did she kick you that hard?”
“Mike, I'm all right, it's just...” Adam looked at Ciela with a grateful glint in his eye, “You can help, I don't know how or why, but I know you can.”
Ciela turned and looked Michael in the eyes, “Well...I...err...umm...Mike, can we step out and talk, now?”
* * * * *
“So, let me get this straight. Adam is a werewolf. And?”
“Let’s see…he’s from Germany, his parents are also werewolves, and are part of an old, high-ranking family.” Mike crossed his arms and closed his eyes, “The great-grandfather was military, like his fathers before him, and served in World War Two. They eventually pulled out of the war in the early part of 1943 and went into hiding in Switzerland. Adam's family prospered and returned to Germany in the late 1950's.”
“So, Adam's family was military, and very respected. Why is he here?”
“He came to J Street by accident, but he doesn't remember how.”
“Poor guy. I kinda know the feeling.”
“Don’t feel too sorry for him.” Mike idle fumbled his fingers, “You should see his girl.”
“He's a father?”
Mike put his hand on his forehead, “I said that wrong, didn't I?” he received another confused and bewildered look from Az with his last statement, “What I meant to say was, he has a girlfriend. You’ll have to meet her to understand.”
“Just tell me?” Ciela put her hands on her hips and grinned, “Come on, just tell me already. I mean, it can't be half as bad as the rest of J Street and the people walking around, right?”
“He's a werewolf; she's a weretiger.”
“That's uhh...interesting.”
“Well, cats and dogs, you know?” Ciela nodded and he continued. “It gets confusing. She's from Austria, part of yet another old family. They were practically royalty.” Mike put his hands behind his behind his head and stretched as he talked. “They moved to Switzerland around the same time as Adam’s family, and followed them to Germany in the 50’s as well.”
“Mike,” Ciela put her hands on her hips, “Great history lesson.” She teased. “What do you think we can do to help him, if anything?” She smiled up at him. “And just how do you know so much about Adam? Do I have competition?”
“Hell no.” Mike feigned a shocked expression. “He rambles and drones a lot during our tattoo sessions is all.”
“Okay, that’s fine with me.” She glanced into the shop to see Adam waving his arms at Torres, talking almost nonstop. “Is it safe to leave him here with all these people around?”
“Not really.”
“So can we drop him off at the nearest Zoo?” Az asked, with an almost-evil smirk.
“Ah, no.”
“So what do we do, take him to lunch with us, see if he changes again?”
“That’s a better idea. Well, sort of. Have you ever seen a werewolf eat?”
“No, but it can’t be as bad as watching Vid eat.”
“Yeah, that's what you think.” Mike sighed, and signaled for Adam and Torres to come over.
“Hey, do you two mind having Chinese for lunch?”
Adam was practically drooling on the floor. “I'll pay!” Adam said, pulling out his wallet and examining it, “I'm pretty sure I can cover the four of us, no sweat. It’s the least I can do for all the trouble I caused.”
Azangel smiled, “Great, it’s settled then.”
Adam smiled, “Yea, my stomach is going to be so happy! It’s just about time for the ‘all you can eat’ buffet!” As if on cue, his stomach let a tremendous growl, and he put his hand on the back of his head sheepishly. “Sorry, no breakfast.”
Everyone let out a moan at once, and Az turned around and began to head for the mall's exit, “Yeah, I can tell you already, I don't need to see him eat...He probably is as bad as Vid.”Chapter 8
Day 3
The group arrived at the restaurant a few minutes apart, Az rode with Mike on his motorcycle and Torres was polite enough to give Adam a lift in her cruiser. They walked inside and went to the counter, Adam motioned to the waiter. “Can I have a table for four please?"
"Yes sir." The group followed their waiter to a table and they all sat down.
Adam checked his wallet. "The four of us would like to have the 'all you can eat' lunch buffet."
The waiter took their drink orders, looked at Adam again and stopped scribbling on his pad. "Wait a minute; we're not allowed to serve you here anymore!" He pointed an accusing finger at Adam.
"But... I paid for the damages last time... I didn't mean to knock the pile of dishes over..."
The waiter looked back at the office, a man; Adam was guessing the owner, waved his hand as threw his arms up with a resigned air. "In that case... Sir," He said with a bow, "You are a customer, whose business we appreciate."
"That's better." He turned back around in his seat to his friends, who were silent and somewhat shocked.
* * * * *
Adam was hidden well hidden behind a pile of dishes, while the Az, Mike, Torres, and all of the other restaurant patrons were gawking. "Adam?" Torres said with a bit of concern in her voice, "Are you all right behind there?"
He stopped shoveling food for a second, and from behind a wide and tall pile of dishes, "Yeah." He let loose a burp and then, "Excuse me."
"At least he has some manners." Torres said, "Adam, did you really have to order that much food?"
"Hey, I'm literally eating for two." He said with a chunk of chicken lo mein still in his mouth. "It's not my fault. But I'm eating for myself, and for Raserei."
“Raserei?” Az looked confused.
“The werewolf.” Was all he said in explanation. He checked over his shoulder, "Waiter!"
"Yes sir?"
"Who is the owner of this fine establishment?"
"That would be Mister Lee."
"I would like to meet this Mister Lee..." Adam checked his watch, "But, I have no time to meet him today."
"Sir, your bill." He handed Adam the table's lunch order, "It comes to a total of..."
He went into his wallet, "I thank you."
* * * * *
The quartet walked slowly out of the Chinese food establishment, "Adam?" Az said with an astonished look on her face, "Why in Quetz's name do you carry so much money on you?"
"One, I pay Mike for his great service, plus gratuity, and two, I seem to get a new tattoo every time I go to the mall, which is quite often." Mike just nodded. "On top of that, I have a strong connection with my family, not to mention the family fortune, so it’s no big deal, really."
Torres, and Az were just flabbergasted. Torres received a call on her radio about something being up at the station, and nodded at Adam. “Glad you’re feeling better.” She looked to Mike and Ciela, standing beside her, "I have to go back to the station, bye Ciela, Mike."
"Later, call me if there are any problems."
“You know I will.” Torres hurried off to get back to the station.
Mike and Az walked back to Michael's motorcycle and waved goodbye to Adam as they pulled away, "Adam!" Az yelled as they were pulling out and away, "Stop by Jayna's shop at around four o'clock, We’ll see if she can help you figure out what you were rambling about!"
"Yeah, thanks Az..." He said as he began to take out his cell phone. "Dial Eve." The phone came to life and dialed the phone number. After a few rings, Adam heard a light soprano voice.
"Hello?"
"Hey baby, it's me."
"Oh, hello Adam. What's up?"
"Can you come pick me up?"
"Where are you, and what car should I take?"
"Bring the convertible to Lee's."
Eve paused for a moment, "Oh, you mean that place you're not allowed to eat at anymore?"
Adam gave a heavy sigh, "Yes Eve, that's the one."
"I'll be there in about five minutes dear."
"Bye, and... I love you."
* * * * *
Adam sat outside for a few minutes, until Eve pulled up. "Sorry... I took a wrong turn."
He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, "Oh, well, aren't we in a frisky mood?"
"No dearest, it's not that..." He thought for a moment, "All though, now that you mention it," Adam planted a kiss on her forehead, "I do think the other me could make an appearance..."
"Adam... You bad, bad dog."
"Wolf Yvette, wolf, not dog, wolf."
"Honestly," She put her right index finger on his lips, "I don't know why you get so frustrated about that."
"Would you like it if I called you a pussycat?"
She smiled and turned around in his arms, "But Adam..." She put her arms up and around his head, "I'm your little pussycat."* * * * *
Adam and Yvette arrived at their house around three o'clock, "Okay, so I have about an hour until I need to be at Jayna's shop." He went to the fridge and pulled out a variety of items. Chicken, steak, cheese, salsa... Carne y pollo con sada.
"Adam, are you raiding the fridge again?"
"No... Just... Cleaning it out."
"Adam... I can't have you 'cleaning out the refrigerator' again; you've eaten about $650 dollars worth of food this week!"
"All right... Just this little snack then..."
She just shook her head, "Fine then Adam... Go ahead."
"Yea!" He turned on the stove and waited a few minutes, then he dropped the chicken and steak into a saucepan, cooked them, and then placed it onto a plate. Adam then sprinkled sliced cheese and dumped a load of salsa on it. He stirred and then waited a moment.
"Adam... What is that horrible odor?"
"That would be, as the Mexicans call it, Carne y pollo con sada, or steak and chicken with salsa."
"I don't care, it smells horrendous." She pointed a finger at him, "And don't you dare even think of kissing me while or after you're done eating that junk." Adam made a soft whining noise and gave her his best ‘puppy dog’ eyes.
"Oh... Don't do that…" She grabbed his hand and they intertwined their fingers. Adam, noticing the time, let go, shoveled down the offending food, and quickly jetted out the door.
"Eve!" He shouted from the doorway, "You can come if you want, besides, they're nice!" There was a short pause, "Eve? Are you coming or not?"
She let out an aggravated breath, "Sure Adam. Besides, I'm sure that I'll regret not meeting your new friends."
Adam and Yvette crossed the busy road and walked the several blocks separating them from Jayna's shop, Alexander the Great's Antiquities Emporium. Adam extended an arm to knock on the door and gave a few raps. "I guess no one's home..." He looked at his watch, "But it’s four o'clock... Az said she'd..."
The roaring of a motorcycle quickly cut them off. It turned a corner at a high speed, fish-tailed, and popped a wheelie as it pulled up to Jayna's shop. "Hi Adam, sorry we're late." Ciela said with a slight giggle as she stepped off and away from the motorcycle.
"I had to stop by the shop for an appointment that I almost forgot." Mike said with a sideways glance, "I err... Forgot something."
"You didn't give me a call?" Adam said with a hurtful tone, "I said I’d pay for any damages."
“It wasn’t that, Adam.” Mike fidgeted with his helmet a moment before putting it down. “Really, you didn’t break anything.”
Eve looked at Adam with worry, "Adam, what happened?"
"I umm... Had an accident at the mall."
"Translation: He transformed into a big golden werewolf at the mall." Ciela said as she ran her fingers through her short hair, "But, I’d rather finish talking about this inside."
* * * * *
"Jayna," Mike said with a look in his eyes, "I've brought someone over here to get your help, and maybe even vise-versa."
Jayna was skeptical, "Mike, you know that I prefer to know people before I help them." She closed her eyes and then stopped for a moment. "What did you say his name was again?"
Michael gave a hint of a smile, "Reilwulf, his name is Adam Reilwulf."
"Reilwulf..." Jayna said to herself, "Reilwulf... Why does that sound so familiar?"
"His family has roots thirteen generations deep within Germany." Mike sat down at the kitchen table, resting his head on his arms. "They're a family of..."
"Werewolves!" Jayna said with a bit of excitement as Mike picked his head up from the table, "They're werewolves, and that's where I've heard the name before..."
"Yeah." Mike said and smiled, "I was thinking, with him being a werewolf, he might be able to help you find Zan.” Mike paused for a moment. "You know they can detect scents almost a month old, provided they have a good, strong scent to work with."
“Yeah.” Jayna glanced at him skeptically. “So what does he need from me in exchange?”
“Well, his problem is that he has little to no control over his werewolf side right now, and we were hoping you might be able to help him.”
"So..."Jayna said as she went for her basement door, "If I help Adam with his werewolf half, I get help with finding Zan."
"Yeah, basically. I think he’d go for it."
* * * * *
Adam and Yvette were breathless as they walked through Jayna's store. It was simply amazing. Centuries upon millennia were all contained within these walls. As they gazed, their eyes fell upon countless swords, books, shields, and other assorted artifacts from all points in history.
"So this is the werewolf that Michael told me of." A female voice said from the top of the staircase.
"I presume that you’re Jayna," Adam said, with a hand on his hip and one extended out, "The owner of this amazing and eye-catching establishment?"
"Yes, that would be correct." Jayna said as she sauntered down the staircase, "From what I understand, you need some help with your... unusual talent."
Adam put his hand on the back of his head, "Yeah... well, Jayna, do you think that you can help me?"
She smiled, "Kid, what if I told you that I have an item that will not only keep you from going berserk, but..." She pulled something out of her jacket pocket and began to swing it side to side like a hypnotist’s watch, "Will also allow you gain control of that big, ugly beast?"
Adam's eyes were wide and full of bliss, "Really? Do you mean it?!"
Jayna gave a huge grin, "I suppose I could let it go..."
"I'll pay anything you want! I... I need that pendant!" Adam said with a fiery look in his eyes, "I don't care about the price, I need that pendant! Not just for me, but for the safety of those around me." He stopped, thought about what he said for a moment, and then sighed.
"I'll give it to you. But, I don’t need money. I'll need your services in return."
Adam then paused, "What kind of... services?"Chapter 9
Day 3
Adam grabbed the necklace from Jayna's hands and gave it a long examining glance. It was a bronze pendant dangling from a black cord. Two bronze dragons surrounded a silver blade with a gold hilt. The hilt had a gem which sparkled like the night sky and shone like a rainbow. Adam slipped the necklace over his head, and it came to rest on his chest.
"It's cold..." Adam said, "It's... very... ugh..." Adam then fell to his knees and collapsed.
"What's..." His body began to shake violently, "What's going on!!!"
Eve bent over Adam, "Jayna! What's happening?!" She glared at Adam, "What's happening to my Adam?!"
"His body is fighting a war." Jayna said with a stern look on her face, "It's fighting between the Adam we now see, and the one he calls Raserei."
Everyone was crouched over Adam and his now shaking, spasming body. He was on his left side, had grown a feathering of light silver fur, and his frame had gained more muscle tissue. His lower back had spouted a tail and his frame had shifted, making his upper body heavier. Adam had tears slowly streaming down his face, and Eve was clutching his right hand to her chest, "Adam... If you can hear me, I'm right here..."
Adam let out a soft moan and then his body shook violently. His face jutted out and then formed a muzzle. Ears popped out from the top of his head, his fingertips warped into claws, and his teeth elongated and became sharp. Adam pointed his finger, "Eve... you... you're changing also..."
It was the truth; Eve had a long, white and black striped tail protruding from her lower back.
"Oh god... Jayna, where's your bathroom?!" Eve said with a bit of worry in her voice.
"There's one up the stairs, down the hall and to your left."
*****
"Oh, not good, not good!!!" Yvette practically screamed when she ran into the bathroom, "Why is it happening now, of all times?" She looked at herself in the mirror, "Oh no... My face..." She wailed, clutching her hands to her face, which she noticed to her horror had sharpened claws on the tips.
There was a knock on the door, "Eve? Are you all right in there?" It was the one everyone called Ciela. "I heard a scream, are you okay?"
"I'm fine you stupid albino bitch!"
There was a short pause "I'm sorry... maybe I shouldn't have told him about Jayna being able to help..."
Yvette stopped, snarled and then snorted, "So it's your fault this is happening to us... Why did he even have to meet you in the first place?"
"If it's anything, I apologize... I..."
Eve didn't know it, but her ears had shifted to the top of her head, like a cat's, and snow white fur with black stripes now covered her body, "I have never had this much trouble with my tiger form before, and it's never been this bad... I've had a claw pop out here and there, or my teeth begin to sharpen, but never anything like this..."
"Hey... Do me a favor? Why don't you open the door and step out?" Ciela said with a hint of encouragement in her voice.
"I... I..." Yvette stopped, "Why are you so curious?!"
"I've never seen a weretiger before..." Ciela said carefully, trying to calm the overexcited Yvette down. There was a quick thump, and movement from behind the door. Ciela heard Yvette's breathing stop as she opened the door.
"Well..." She brought her arms up from her waist, "What do you think?"
Ciela stared at Eve and then gasped, "I think that I just heard Adam!" Eve and Ciela both moved to the staircase at once. Ciela stepped back, "You first."
*****
As Yvette and Az began to descend the stairs, they saw Adam being helped up by Mike and Jayna. Three sets of eyes turned and looked at Eve and Ciela as they walked down the last of the stairs, "Eve... You're..." Adam gave a hint of what could be considered a smile, showing his fangs, "You look absolutely fabulous."
She flicked her tail, "I... I... Thank you." She smiled, "Adam..." She walked over to him, "You smell." She smiled, "You smell like a wolf."
Adam looked at himself, "I like the way I look and smell, thank you very much!"
She looked upon the now new and 'improved' Adam. He was covered in a thick, short silver coat of fur, along with three inch fangs. He wore a pair of black cargo shorts, ripped from the new, bulkier muscle tissue, and his shirt sleeves had ripped apart, leaving him in a dark blue muscle shirt. His necklace shown just below his neck, with the cord now doubled over. Adam was now a little taller then Mike, and was probably as heavy as Jayna.
"Adam... You look... rugged." She sniffed the air around him, "You really don't smell that bad anyway... I guess it's the smell of this building." She looked to the shop's owner, "Sorry Jayna."
"Yvette, why do you compliment him on something like that?" Az said with a little grin, "I don't compliment Mike on the way he smells. Is there something different about Adam?" Mike shot Az an angry look, "Well I don't..." She whispered.
"Well Eve." Jayna said with a smug look, "maybe the two of you would like some time alone, to get used to your new selves.”
Eve looked to Jayna, slightly aghast. “What do you mean?”
“Well, apparently, since the two of you spend so much time together, the necklace is affecting you as well as Adam. You should be able to control it with practice, but until then, every time Adam changes, there’s the risk that you will, too.”
Yvette narrowed her eyes and turned to glare at Adam. “You. Me. Home. Now!”
Adam turned, sheepishly, and looked at Jayna and Az. “I’ll come back by later, ok?” He yelped as well-manicured talons sunk into his upper arm. “Maybe when she calms down.”
“Later, you two.” Az retreated from the room, Mike in tow, as Yvette glared daggers at her.