Chapter 10

The trio couldn't get away fast enough from Eureka Springs. "Scientists believe they've found a new species of hawk. The discovery has alarmed local environmental groups who claim the disfigured avian is the product of toxic waste."

Sara stared at the radio and rubbed her temples. "We should've buried the bird," She slowed the vehicle long enough to push in the old cigarette lighter. "We have to work neater."

Dawn chuckled, "Anyone who takes the discovery seriously will eventually hit a dead end. Nobody is looking for an elder god." She leaned back and started to braid the stringy hair."

"Do you think they have footage of Liam?" Sara asked. Her hand reached down and grabbed the lighter. "I think the existence of werewolves might raise an eyebrow or two..."

"They'll probably call it a hoax and will be the subject of debate between leading scientists. I wouldn't worry about it too much." Dawn clutched her staff and ran her thumbs over a gem. "What happened to your mother?"

Sara shook her head, "My dad said she left us after I turned one. He never talked about her. He got rid of everything she ever owned." She rolled down the window. "I thought about her from time to time, but I never got the urge to find her."

"Your father fancied himself an archaeologist?"

"He started financing digs shortly after mom left. At one time, we had wealth and influence. He pissed it away, chasing the past." The bitterness in her voice caught Sara off guard.

"Isn't the pursuit of divine truth noble?" Dawn asked.

"Sure, but it blinded him to me. He showed me the bare minimum of love and affection. He'd pay outrageous sums of money for false leads on his insane quest."

Dawn ran her thumb over the staff, "It sounds like something had a hold of him." She rolled down her window. "It sounds like he heard Xorag speak."

"Xorag can do that with a person?"

"There are places on earth where you can hear the old ones speak. Once the old ones call, it's impossible to ignore. Your father probably found himself in Xorags thrall." Dawn rolled the staff in her palms. "Xorag probably saw him as a tool to break the seal."

"It doesn't make me feel any better." Sarah shivered as the wind started to cool. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon.

"It's not supposed to." Dawn clapped her hands together. "We'll stop before we head into Green Bank. I want to know where the creature is. The Silent fangs are notoriously territorial and probably won't hesitate to kill us."

"Does that include Liam?"

"After what Ishtrath said, I'm afraid so. They'll be more inclined to kill him than us. They'll see him as a weakness. The Silent Fangs will purge him to make the pack strong again."

"Harsh."

"The Silent Fangs are respected and feared for a reason."

"Will we know when a Silent Fang is stalking us?"

Dawn's eyes opened wide, "You can use the eldritch eye, remember?"

Sara scowled, "Yeah, because an eye on the palm of my hand won't freak people out?" She clicked the blinker on and prepared to pass an old Winnebago. The car roared as she pressed her foot to the floor. "Do we know what we're looking for?"

"It's a rabbit creature of sorts. Some cultures call it the Al' Miraj. It's the size of a small rabbit, yet it can take down the largest of predators. The horn secrets a lethal poison. It's fatal to all creatures except the Eldritch."

"Why do the Silent Fangs keep it?"

"Ever wonder how the Silent fangs came to possess their abilities?"

Sara wondered how the Al Miraj would allow a werewolf to gain abilities. "I do now."

"Eldritch blood can cause mutations in creatures. The Al Miraj is odorless and makes no noise in movement. The silent fangs drank of its blood over time." Dawn sighed, "They stumbled on it by accident."

Sara wasn't sure what to say. She wondered how the rationale to drink the beast's blood came about. Was it born of desperation? How dire was their situation? Dawn fell silent and didn't say a word until they reached Kentucky.

***

The people in Kentucky were unfriendly, or at least the area they traveled in seemed to be. Something about Dawn made them perpetually judgemental.

"Level with me. Is the blind one a witch? I don't care what freaky stuff you do in private. My pastor is a busy man. I have to book him in advance."

Liam clapped a hand over his bestubbled chin and exited the office. She stifled a giggle herself. "I promise you will not need to call a pastor."

"You better not be lying, or it'll cost you extra..."

"Aren't you being a little judgemental?" Dawn shook her head and left the office with a displeased look. "I plan on leaving a bad yelp review."

***

Liam peeked through the curtain, "What is up with that guy?" Why is he concerned about witches?"

"It's the reason why we came here. There is a coven here who worships another ancient one. The coven never speaks the name of their deity," Dawn said. "Stop looking out the window, or that man will cause trouble."

Sara pulled Liam away from the window. She plopped him down in a chair, "How are you feeling? Was it weird when Istrath was in control..."

Liam's eyes filled with anger. He moved further away from Sara. "He lusts after you. The more he talks, the more excited he gets. The things he whispers about you..."

"You shouldn't let him rattle you like that," Sara said? Her eyes caught Dawn at the door. "Are you calling it a night?"

Dawn shot a sly grin in their direction. Her finger pointed at them, "I suspect you two have some things to work out." She pushed the door open with her staff. "I'll feel like I'm in the way."

Liam waited for Dawn to leave, "When I met you. I knew you were the one." his voice softened to a pleasant pitch. "I spent weeks trying to find the courage to ask you out." He twisted the cap off a beer and tossed it to the floor.

Sara leaned against the wall. "I was afraid to be near anyone." She appreciated all his attempts to speak with her. In those moments of shy embarrassment, she forgot her problems. "Our little conversations made life worth living."

Liam grimaced, and his eyes took on a sinister glow, "Something is wrong. Dawn is getting further away from me."

"Yes, she's headed to her room." Dawn snapped. Her blood boiled with rage. She had to fix things with Liam, and Istrath came barreling in to ruin the moment. "Now, bring Liam back."

Ishtrath shook his head, "Dawn is going down the road we came here on." He raised his head skyward, "Liam says we should investigate."

Sara stomped her foot in frustration, "How do I know your not just saying that?"

"Liam cares about what happens to Dawn." He tossed the keys to Sara, "The attack is born of the supernatural," The demon said. I have no idea where it's taking her."

"Give Liam control again."

"The phenomenon is eldritch in origin." Ishtrath crossed his arms. "Liam is ill-equipped to handle the situation."

"He can handle it until your needed."

Ishrtath shook his head, "It's faster if I stay on the surface. Liam agrees with me."

Sara tapped her foot in hopes Ishtrath would change his mind. Seconds stretched into minutes. Each minute that passed was one less Dawn had. She strode by Ishtrath with her head held high, "You better not mess around, or I will find a way to end you."