Burkheart Witch Saga Book 1: Red Snow Read online

  Burkheart Witch Saga Book 1: Red Snow

  Christine Sutton

  DevilDog Press LLC

  Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Prologue

  1. Chapter 1

  2. Chapter 2

  3. Chapter 3

  4. Chapter 4

  Also by Christine Sutton

  Burkheart Witch Saga Book 1 Red Snow

  ©2014 Devil Dog Press LLC

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living, dead, or otherwise, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of the author or Devil Dog Press, LLC.

  Printed in the U.S.A.

  Created with Vellum

  I would like to thank a few great women that made this saga possible with their support, honest critique, and hounding to write more! Thank you Vix, Jaime, Leslie for all of your support and for helping me to be a better writer. Thank you to Vix and Kimberly for reading the first drafts and for giving me your honest feedback. Without that, I would be lost.

  Prologue

  Lou sat on his front porch, rocking slowly in his favorite chair, drinking a bottle of cold beer. He tapped the toe of his cowboy boot on the dusty floor as he watched the couple unpack the contents of their shiny SUV and haul it into the cabin across the lake.

  The thirty-something man was tall and thin with a fair bit of muscle, but nothing to write home about. He had that hair that was styled for hours and made to look like he just jumped out of bed. That hair pissed Lou off and made him want to rip it right off the yuppie’s head.

  The woman, though. She was a sweet ripe peach of a thing. Her long brown hair fell over her shoulders and landed lazily across her ample chest. She was nice and meaty, but fit. Her tight jeans hugged her curves in all the right places. His mouth was watering just watching her lift bags and boxes. She was definitely a nice plump mouthful and he was going to savor every last bite.

  When they had the last bag of marshmallows and chocolate bars loaded into the cabin, the two stopped outside on their front porch and embraced. Lou chuckled deep in his throat as the two nuzzled and kissed each other, his arms laced around her waist. She giggled and batted her eyes, behaving like a coy schoolgirl. It made him want her that much more. The evening would be theirs to enjoy. He would bide his time until the full moon. That’s when the real party would begin.

  “What are you looking at, Son?” His mother asked as she stepped out onto the porch to join him.

  “Tonight’s dinner,” he replied with a smile as he scratched at the scruff on his cheek.

  “You have new neighbors, huh?”

  “For a while I do,” he drained the bottle in his hand as he took the fresh one she had brought out for him.

  She took a long swallow of the vodka twist she had made herself and placed a hand on her son’s head, petting his dark hair.

  “That’s my good boy. I have to get back to the city tonight, so you’ll have to tell me all about it later.”

  “Do you have to go, Mama?”

  “Yes I do.”

  “Because of her?”

  “You know we have a plan in place. We have to see it through, and that means that I have to deal with her. Don’t be jealous. You know you are my favorite.”

  “I’m not jealous,” he lied.

  “Soon, my sweet boy. Soon it will all be done. Your father, may he rest in peace, would be so proud of you.”

  Lou smiled and took a long swig of his beer.

  Soon.

  * * *

  Jenny took the last bag into the kitchen of the cabin. She and Jack were planning on having a rustic dinner, roast some marshmallows, drink some wine and then make love all night long.

  They had been together for almost a year now, and she loved him more than she even thought was possible. She knew that she wanted to marry him, and she seriously hoped he wanted that, too. Jack was the one that suggested this weekend getaway, so that was a good sign in her book. A romantic trip to the woods, snuggling up in front of the fireplace seemed like the perfect opportunity to pop the question.

  ‘Fingers crossed,’ she thought to herself, smiling.

  “What is that big grin for?” Jack asked as he entered the kitchen and put his arms around her waist.

  “Oh, nothing much,” she purred. “Just thinking about the handsome guy I’ll be spending the weekend with.”

  “Wait, what?” He said as he pulled away slightly, looking around. “Who is it? I’ll knock him out.”

  Jenny laughed, throwing her head back.

  “You, silly. I can’t think of anyone else I would want to be with,” she said as she kissed the end of his nose.

  “Not even, um, Brad Pitt? Or Channing Tatum?”

  “Well, he was pretty hot in that Magic Mike movie.”

  “Oh, now the truth comes out! I know you have the hots for him!”

  “You are such a goofball,” she chuckled.

  He pulled away and started dancing like a male stripper, lacing his hands behind his head and crudely pumping his hips.

  “What does he have that I don’t?”

  “Well, off the top of my head, rhythm.”

  “Oh, ouch. That was cold,” Jack laughed as he grabbed her up and held her off the floor, kissing her neck.

  “Put me down, you loon,” she laughed, not really wanting him to put her down at all.

  Jack carried her to the couch and fell into the cushions with Jenny on top of him.

  “You know I love you, right?”

  “Yes I do, and I love you, too. Even if you can’t dance for shit,” she leaned down and kissed his lips.

  “You just hit me right in the feels, you know,” he smiled, placing a hand over his heart. “I am never gonna dance for you again.”

  Jenny sat up and caught a glimpse of movement outside the large front window.

  “Someone is outside.”

  “I’m not gonna dance for them either.”

  “No, seriously Jack. Someone is watching us,” she said as she rose from the couch.

  “Probably just a deer or a Deliverance cast member. Nothing to worry about.”

  “Can you please just check it out?”

  “Of course I will protect you, fair maiden. Do not fear, your handsome prince is here.”

  “Hey Prince Charming, your fly is open.”

  “Oops,” he smiled as he zipped his jeans and headed out the front door with Jenny right behind him.

  As they stepped out onto the front porch, a man stepped forward from behind a pile of brush.

  “Howdy neighbors,” the man smiled, displaying a mouth full of bright white teeth that barely fit in his mouth.

  He seemed out of place in the lush woods. His faded blue jeans with rips in the knees fell over a pair of dusty, worn cowboy boots. The button down shirt with the sleeves ripped off lay open across his hairy chest, and it looked like he had a scruff on his cheeks that was well manicured to give just the right air of roughness. He would have fit in at a rodeo or a hardcore cowboy bar, not a lakeside cabin.

  “Hey there,” Jack waved at the stranger.

  Jenny smiled warily from behind him and waved slightly.

  “I’m your neighbor just across this inlet here. Not too far but not too close, ya know what I mean?” He laughed heartily, his teeth gleaming. �
��Name is Lou.”

  “I’m Jack and this is my girlfriend, Jenny. Good to meet you,” he stepped down, extending his hand.

  Lou looked at Jack for a moment before taking his hand in a firm hold.

  “Soft hands, you must be from the city,” Lou smirked. “Just the two of you out here?”

  “Yep, a romantic weekend, you know.” Jack smiled.

  “Yeah, I getcha,” Lou winked. “Getting yourself a nice plump mouthful, huh?”

  “Um, yeah, I guess so,” Jack looked back at Jenny and rolled his eyes comically.

  “Well, no disrespect meant, but she is quite a peach.”

  “Yep, she sure is a peach,” Jack floundered. “Well, hey listen, Lou, we were just about to start dinner, so…”

  “Oh yeah, of course. Don’t let me hold ya back. I just wanted to say hi and make sure y’all weren’t looters from the city or something worse,” he smiled again, wider than before.

  “We appreciate it, right hon?”

  “Yes, thank you,” Jenny replied sheepishly.

  “Well, I’ll be on my way then. Y’all have a goodnight,” Lou turned and waved behind him as he headed off around the lake to his own cabin.

  “Goodnight.”

  Jack turned and walked back into the cabin with Jenny right behind him.

  “Wow,” Jenny said as she shut the door behind her.

  “I know, right? He was a strange ranger for sure.”

  “I don’t think anyone has ever called me a peach before. Or a plump mouthful,” she nervously chuckled.

  “Well, I don’t know about the plump part, but I am definitely planning on eating you up tonight,” Jack grabbed her again and kissed her lips.

  “My, what big teeth you have,” she laughed and kissed him back.

  Dinner was obviously going to have to wait.

  * * *

  Lou made his way back to his cabin in the dusky twilight. He looked up at the moon, for now just a silhouette in the dying sunlight, and allowed a low growl to escape his throat.

  He was getting hungry. It was the type of hunger that only the sweet flesh of a little long pig could satisfy. He would definitely satisfy that hunger, but he would have to wait until he was at full power. He could change at will, but his real power came with the full moon. It gave him an extra charge that made him virtually invincible. He was getting excited thinking about ripping the muscle from the bones of those two pigs. He would take out the man first, and then he would take his sweet time with the girl. She would beg him to finish her, but her screams would only fuel his hunger.

  It was time to go and say goodnight to his Mama. She would be able to calm him down, as she always did. They had a bigger purpose and this little snack was just practice. Soon it would be time to visit that woman, the goody two shoes witch that had caused his Mama so much heartache and grief. He would take special pleasure in ripping her to pieces and he would definitely take his time. Meat always tasted better when it was really afraid.

  “The deeper the fear, the sweeter the meat,” he whispered to himself as he walked up the steps of his own cabin.

  “Oh good, you’re back,” his mother said with a sweet smile. “I was just about to take my last bag to the car.”

  Lou reached over and picked up the bag, heading out toward the car. After he placed it in the open trunk, he turned to face her as she waited by his side.

  “Are you sure you have to go, Mama? Can’t you just stay tonight?” Lou pleaded with her.

  “Now listen here,” she said as she placed her hands on his broad shoulders. “I need you to be strong for Mama, son. You are my good, sweet boy. I trust that you are going to do a great job tonight, and I know that you’ll be ready when it comes time to take on that little bitch.”

  “Yes Mama, I’ll do you proud. I promise I won’t fail.”

  “No, you will not,” she took him by the chin and raised his lowered eyes to hers. “You know Mama loves you, right?”

  “Yes, Ma’am,” he smiled at her.

  She leaned in and pressed her lips to his, placing her hands on either side of his face. Her kiss lingered and she let her hands fall to his chest.

  “I love you, Mama,” he said when they finally separated.

  “I love you, too my sweet baby boy. I’ll be back tomorrow night after I get the spell set up and see that she’ll be on the road before the next full moon.”

  “I’ll do you proud, Mama,” Lou repeated as she got into her car and drove away.

  He turned and went into the house to prepare for his late meal.

  * * *

  “Wow,” Jenny said as she sat up. “That was amazing.”

  “Not too bad,” Jack replied breathlessly.

  “Average, at least?” She kidded as she got up from the floor, slipping his shirt over her head.

  “Maybe a little above,” he smiled.

  “Oh good, then I’m improving.”

  “We’ll have to practice more,” he smiled as he slipped on his jeans and joined her in the kitchen.

  They picked out of the salad bowl that she had prepared before they left, munching on pieces of radicchio and raw mushroom. Jack took two glasses from the cabinet and opened the bottle of wine they had brought from home. He poured both glasses to the halfway mark and handed one to Jenny.

  “So much for our ‘rustic dinner’.”

  “I think this is plenty rustic,” Jack smiled, taking a bite of lettuce and a sip of chardonnay.

  Jenny’s laugh was interrupted by a sharp scraping sound coming from outside the cabin.

  “What was that?” She asked, stepping toward the window and pulling the curtain open slightly.

  Jack joined her, surveying the dark landscape. A silvery glow from the full moon had replaced the daylight, creating shadows and glares that made it impossible to see anything of value.

  “Must be an animal.”

  “What kind of animal makes that noise?”

  Before Jack could answer, a loud howl filled the night air. He continued looking outside, trying to see anything at all. When he was finally able to focus, he thought what he saw was a trick of light. Just past the Jeep that they had driven up in, the shadow of a man was silhouetted by the stark moonlight.

  “Do you see that, guy?” He turned to Jenny.

  “Wait, is he…naked?”

  Before Jack could refocus, the man dropped to his knees and arched his back, the moonlight gleaming off his bright white elongated teeth.

  “Holy shit, that’s the weird dude from across the lake. What the hell is he doing?”

  The convulsing man outside arched his back again and howled a deep, guttural cry that made Jenny jump. Rain began to lightly fall outside as the couple watched the man reach out with a hand now tipped with long dark claws and slash the back tire of the jeep.

  “What the hell?” Jack asked.

  He watched as Lou moved and writhed on the now wet ground, crying out like an animal in pain. His back broadened and it looked like a carpet of hair was suddenly covering his entire body. His face twisted in the brightening moonlight that allowed the two watchers to see everything more clearly. Lou’s jaw snapped and pulled away from his morphing skull as a long snout replaced his mouth and nose. His back legs cracked as his knee joints suddenly bent and his haunches grew. A tail sprouted from his bare backside and grew to no less than two feet long. His yellow eyes focused on the couple as he gave out another blood curdling howl.

  “Jack, what the hell is that? What the hell is it?” Jenny cried out, panicking.

  “Honey, calm down,” he said as he ran to lock the front door. “Get the phone, Jenny.”

  Jenny stepped across the living room, grabbing her jeans on the way to the phone. She suddenly felt very vulnerable. She picked up the handset on the wall as she stepped into her pants.

  “It’s dead,” she cried out to Jack.

  “Get your cell phone then.”

  “We didn’t bring them. Remember, no interruptions for our romantic fr
iggin’ weekend.”

  “Shit, shit, shit,” Jack chanted as he paced back and forth across the floor. “Was that what I really saw? I mean, was that a damn werewolf?”

  He felt like he was going crazy. There was no way in hell that thing outside could be a werewolf. It wasn’t even possible. Jenny broke his internal monologue.

  “What the hell else could it be? You saw him change.”

  Jack covered his eyes and leaned his back against the wall next to the door.

  “Jenny, I…”

  Before he could finish his sentence, his eyes widened and his hands moved to his stomach as if he felt nauseous.

  “What’s wrong, Babe?” Jenny asked in a tone just below a scream.

  Jack opened his mouth and instead of an answer, what came out was a stream of blood that dripped down his chin and covered his bare chest. Jenny screamed as she watched something in his stomach moving just under the skin. Within seconds, the taught skin split and a fur covered paw burst through her boyfriend with bits of internal organs dripping from its claws.

  “Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod!” Jenny screamed as she watched Jack die in front of her.

  Before his final breath, Jack looked into her eyes and mouthed one word.

  “RUN!”

  She wasted no time, and took off running for the bedroom. She shut and locked the door behind her. She started to lean against the frame and suddenly thought better of it. Jenny moved to the end of the large dresser and strained to push it against the door. It scooted with a loud scrape. She cursed as she continued to strain against the dresser. A sharp knock on the bedroom door made her cry out.

  “Little pig? You better come out of there,” Lou said from the other side. “Don’t make me come get you.”

  “What the hell are you?”

  “I’m the one that’s gonna huff and puff and blow your little house in, bitch.”

  “I have a knife,” she lied. “I’ll use it, I swear.”