Ambrose the Lich (special preview)

There are so many legends and myths to go along with a full moon, you would almost believe it was something truly magic. And while I do love a moonlight night, a run through a valley so ethereal it could make you cry; it’s not what holds the power most of the time. It’s when the moon is new that you have to watch out for truly otherworldly things. When the world is blanketed in no light, swallowed up by darkness, that is when the world really comes alive.

As a child I dreaded the new moon, I hated the darkness. It was always a time I was least myself as it was harder to hold the transformation at bay. When you think ‘werewolf’ you instantly go to the full moon. Well, actually, the full moon isn’t the problem. The new moon is what causes involuntary shifting in most weres. I’m not sure exactly why, but I've heard a few stories in my life explaining it. Myths say werewolves were a blight, caused by the great evil of a father and son. Perhaps that’s why the new moon has the greatest hold.

The less moonlight, the more comfortable the hidden things of the world felt as well. So, combining the need to shift along with everything crawling around out there, it made for a stressful evening. I always get a bit antsy when the day comes around. Even as I’ve gotten older and gained a bit of control over my shifting, the new moon is always hard.

“It gets so dark so early now. I absolutely hate driving around at night.” The woman whose coffee I’m making is blathering on. I’m not sure if she’s on her phone or talking to me. I think she must have one of those bluetooth headphone things.

“It’s creepy around here. Once I can get out of here I’ll head home.” Now I know she’s talking to someone else, because she said that very pointedly at me.

I suppose she thinks it’s creepy around here because it’s close to Halloween, so the area is decorated and the library has set up a huge display outside. I don’t know sometimes, people take offense so easily these days.

“Iced caramel macchiato,” I called out once the order was done.

The lady took her drink, but didn’t walk away from the counter. I couldn’t close down until she left, and already the library was turning off the lights. I squirmed on the inside, hoping my manager would come back from the office. I started cleaning while the woman stood there on her phone.

I noticed patches of fur on the back of my hand as I wiped down the equipment. I tugged down my sleeve, willing the woman to get out. I felt a twitch with my teeth, so I turned back and put on my brightest smile.

“Ma’am, are you staying? We’re closing down, but if you need to wait for someone I don’t mind letting you wait in here since it’s so dark out.” It's not hard to be chipper, generally I am, but I am also anxious to get out of here.

The woman holds up a finger to me and I have to bite my cheek to keep myself in check for that split second. I had the itch to run, to shift and lose myself in the forest. If she didn’t leave soon, she’d probably see something that would really scare her.

My manager, Marie, came from the back with a sour look on her face. She saw me cleaning then turned to the woman standing in the middle of the cafe on her phone with her iced macchiato thathad ten pumps of vanilla syrup, actual heavy whipping cream I had to whip myself, cold cream, extra whip, extra drizzle, and no ice.

Marie gave me a look, scoffing as she stepped out. “Excuse me, we’re closed. We have to clean up and we can’t-” She stopped when the woman gave her that ‘wait a second’ finger as well. That wasn’t a smart move. I just continued to clean up, doing my job so Marie didn’t turn around and snap my neck.

“No, no,” Marie laughed. “You can talk outside as easily as in here.” She approached the woman, coming up behind her. “I’m the manager, so you have no one to complain to if you don’t like it.”

The woman turned, but the look on her face said it all as she ran out the door. Marie turned, shutting her mouth so the wide corners that cut back to her ears sealed back, and her sharp teeth sank back into their hidden pockets.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” I sighed.

“I’m the manager, Blair. I have the power!” Marie held out her hands and gestured up. She then glanced down and her dark red eyes scanned over my hand. “I’ll finish here. You go on.”

“You sure?” I said, full of hope.