Quiet

Lima left that afternoon, providing transport for Mid-Star and Orlando Gillespie. I presume the helicopters made their way back to Texas, but I never asked. Nor did I ask how much Lima Consulting cost, but I thought perhaps the pack actually made a profit, by the time all was said and done.

Not that the money was ever the issue.

Most of the vampires left in the evening, although I saw Kristian and Michaela talking first. She gave him a hug, and the elderly vampire looked quite stunned by the experience.

I never would have thought him to have a tender side.

Carissa remained with Deirdre and me.

It would be a mistake to call the following days“quiet”, but in comparison, they were. And Michaela was not one to let dust settle.

* * * *

“Anna.”

I opened my eyes. Lindsey was crouched down in front of me.

“I can’t believe you made it all the way into the room without waking me.”

“Michaela has had years to teach us how to move quietly,” she explained.“She has us getting everyone up.”

“Emergency?”

“No. We have to finish the Science Olympics.”

I laughed and sat up.“Seriously?”

“Breakfast will be on the deck in a half hour. You have time to shower.”

* * * *

She added events, and so there were two more full days of competition. That evening, the pack hosted a large celebration, and somehow Michaela had arranged for trophies. The kids were excited, and even the adults got into the spirit of things.

There seemed to be too many people about, including a number of adults I didn’t know. With a beer in hand, I sidled up to Elisabeth.“New faces.”

“Parents of some of the kids,” Elisabeth explained.

“It’s Thursday, isn’t it?”

“They took time off work.”

“The lodge will be crowded again.”

“No, it won’t,” she said.“The kids have set up tents, and the adults are in the bunk houses. Michaela keeps talking about building something for the visiting adults, but so far, we’ve been too busy.Anna.”

“I’m glad I was here, Elisabeth.”

“Yeah. Me, too.”

I gestured to the fox,deep in conversation with a few parents I didn’t know.“She’s amazing.”

“She never stops,” Elisabeth said.“Lara is the soul of the pack, but Michaela has become the spirit.”

That was when I noticed Parker standing ten feet away, watching Elisabeth and me. I nudged the head enforcer, who proceeded to nod to the girl. She approached and said,“Anna? When you’re done speaking with Elisabeth, could I introduce you to someone?”

“Sure,” I said.“Elisabeth?”

“We’ll talk later, I’m sure,” Elisabeth said.

And so I let Parker take my hand, which amused me. She pulled me across the field to a man and woman, talking to each other. I immediately figured out who they must be.“Mom,” Parker said.“Dad. This is Annabelle Delacroix. I told you about her.”

I accepted handclasps.“Mr. Paine,” I said.“Mrs. Paine. Call me Anna.”

“Oh,” Parker said.“They’re Mary Ellen and Conroy.”

“It seems we’ve heard all about the cat from New Orleans,” Conroy said.

“Anna was a hero,” Parker said.

“I’m happy none of my friends was seriously hurt,” I said.“You should be proud of your daughter. She has done very well this summer.”

“So we have heard,” said Mary Ellen. She reached over and squeezed Parker’s arm.

“I can’t believe how much I learned,” Parker replied.“And it was just one summer.”

“It’s quite intimidating, when you think of it that way,” I said.

“I love it.” She grinned.

I spoke with Parker and her parents for a while. Then I mingled for a while until the food began arriving.

I was starving.

* * * *

Michaela stood, moved into the center of the assembled people, and held up one hand. It took a little time, but here and there, I saw some of the kids begin to hold up hands, one in a clump here, two in a clump there, and as they did so, the conversations came to a stop.

“Thank you,” Michaela said.“I hope everyone got plenty to eat, but there’s more if you’re still feeling a little peckish. I was starving and ate an entire half chicken breast.”

There was laughter at that. I think I ate an entire chicken. The little fox ate half a breast.

“We had a little more excitement this summer than we wanted, but everyone here was cool and professional. I am deeply proud of the kids. But I’d like all of us to stand, turn to the nearest enforcer you can see, and offer your applause.” The fox led by example, turning to where Elisabeth and some of the others were sitting. She began the applause. I stood, as did everyone else assembled, and we each offered our applause. Michaela let it die naturally and then said,“Thank you. Sometimes we forget why we have them. I really wish we could do without the reminders, but I am deeply grateful to each one of you.”

At that, Elisabeth stood.

“No,” said Michaela.“Sit down.”

“Alpha Fox,” Elisabeth said.“I will have my say. You may listen now, or you may listen when I interrupt your awards ceremony.”

Michaela huffed but made a grand gesture to Elisabeth.

“The Fox was in the thick of it,” Elisabeth said.“While I regret the need, I was thankful I could count on her.” She began applause towards Michaela, who stood, saying nothing, but smiling. Once it died, Elisabeth said,“You will speak for the pack?”

“Yes, Sister.”

Elisabeth nodded and returned to her seat. Michaela turned a slow circle and then walked to Deirdre.“We would not have reached the bottom of this without this woman’s contribution. Thank you.” And she wrapped Deirdre in a hug while the rest of us applauded.

Then she crossed to me, and I stood as she drew close.“Annabelle Delacroix. I don’t know what to say about your contribution. We relied on you heavily, and all I am able to offer is my thanks.” She wrapped around me, and I held her delicately as the wolves applauded.

Then I sat as she crossed back to Carissa.“When this pack needed help, you were here. Thank you.” That was another hug and applause, although not as loudly as for some of the others.

But then Lara stood and said firmly.“This pack welcomes a close friendship with Carissa, Queen of New Orleans.Carissa, you are forever welcome.”

Michaela stepped away.“Everyone helped. We met a challenge, and we stood firm. It is good to be pack!”

And that resulted in howls. I stayed silent, deciding my roar wasn’t appropriate. But Michaela turned to me and offered a little bow, which I returned.

Then she held up her hand, and they quieted.“All right. Kids, did you have a good summer?”

“Yes, Michaela!” they yelled together.

“Did you learn anything?”

“Yes, Michaela!”

“Are you coming back next summer?”

“Yes, Michaela!”

She turned a slow circle, her eyes settling on Lindsey for a moment, and then Iris.“And the two of you?”

“Yes, Michaela!” they yelled together.

“Good.” She spent a minute thanking the adults. Then she used perhaps five minutes explaining how the kids had spent thesummer. She talked about the activities we had done, and the things the kids had learned. She told a few short stories. And then she said,“I am proud of each and every single one of you.”

“You’re a great teacher, Michaela!” Ember yelled.

“Thank you, Ember.” Then she gestured to the table of trophies.“Where are my assistants? Lindsey. Iris.”

The two girls sprang to their feet and hurried forward.

“Excellent,” Michaela said.“Shall we get started?”

* * * *

Michaela didn’t give participation trophies. Each one was well earned, and the kids seemed pleased to receive them.

Soon all the trophies were passed out, and I saw Parker was especially beaming to be holding not one, but two.

“We have games tonight,” Michaela said.“But someone else is organizing them. I don’t know whom, but they need to be fox, human, and vampire friendly.”

There were laughs at that. Then Deirdre stepped forward and said,“And fae.”

There was a gasp, and then I heard from here and there,“Fae?”

And before us, she did something I had never seen before, although I long suspected her human form wasn’t her natural appearance. She took on her fae form, which wasn’t at all human in nature. Then she turned slowly, finally coming to a stop facing Michaela.

The fox stepped forward and hugged her friend, delivering a kiss on her cheek as they parted.

“You perhaps understand why we didn’t advertise this,” Michaela said.“But Deirdre didn’t want to return to New Orleans with this secret betweenus. And so this is now a pack secret, one we will share with no one not here tonight.”

I’d never seen Deirdre like this, and I found myself moving closer. She turned to face me. I came to a stop, looking at her.“Youare beautiful, Deirdre,” I said finally.“Thank you for sharing this with me.”

She reached out with one spindly arm, touching my cheek. And then she shimmered, and the more familiar Deirdre stood before me. She turned and ran to Carissa, who opened her arms.

Michaela stepped into the space in front of me, and in doing so, pulled the attention.“The games will be fox, pup, human, vampire, cat, wolf, and fae friendly.” She counted on her fingers as she said the words, excepting for pup. Then she held up her hands.“We have six species here tonight. Six species bound in friendship. It is good to be pack!”

This time, I roared as the wolves howled, and if I were louder than an individual wolf, I wasn’t louder than the whole.

Michaela waited, and then she said,“We haveone more order of business, and then I cede the floor, my duties done until tomorrow.”

“Two more orders of business,” Lara called out.“What is the plan tomorrow?”

Michaela laughed, but it was Angel who answered.“Kayaking! What else?”

“Perhaps some fishing?” Rory added.

“Kayak racing!” some of the kids yelled.

“Well, there you have it,” Michaela said.“Now, as I was saying, my last order of business tonight. Parker Paine, please step forward.”

Slowly, with a puzzled expression, Parker stood and approached the fox.

“Alexia Waters, front and center, please.”

With a look to mirror Parker’s, Alexia stood and came to a stop beside the other teenager.

“The two of you arrived for the summer program,” Michaela said.“Did you have a good time?”

“Yes, Michaela,” they both said.“It was the coolest summer ever,” Alexia added.

“I’m glad you think so, Alexia,” Michaela said.“I wonder what my full time program would be like. What do you think?”

Her eyes grew wide, and then she said,“Ms. Redfur?”

“I have already talked to both your parents,” Michaela said.“I would like to invite you both to remain in my program. You would go home with your parents, but you would be back with us, living on the compound, two days before the start of classes. What do you both say?”

What did they say? They both began jumping up and down. And then Alexia lifted her nose and began to howl, Parker only an instant behind her. The pack let them howl for perhaps five seconds before the remaining students joined them.

“I’ll consider that a‘yes’,” Michaela said when finally they quieted.“Congratulations, girls. I hope you appreciate how hard I’m going to make you work.”