Wyrd Tales (updated Mar 6, '24)

She was still a little freaked out about the whole werewolf thing but, really, she was dealing with it. He didn't need to feel guilty about being who he was.

"I just don't want you to think we're monsters," Jake said sadly. "I don't want you to be afraid of us... of me."

"Really," Miranda smiled. "It's OK. I like you, Jake."
https://i.imgur.com/wXEcvHr.png

Woah, Miranda thought. That was unexpected!
https://i.imgur.com/BttVlL5.png

Yeah, really subtle Jake, Miranda thought. Not complaining though.
https://i.imgur.com/n2WYXXf.png

Yeah, really not complaining... except... maybe... Woah! Hands! Hands in new places!
https://i.imgur.com/XU9Lmpb.png

He really liked Miranda. She was beautiful and funny and there was something intoxicating about her scent that made it hard to think around her...
https://i.imgur.com/5OYuCZQ.png

... but what about Beth. She was one of his best friends but lately he'd felt strangely drawn to her... almost pulled, like the pull of the moon.
https://i.imgur.com/eUrNHkN.png

But she was Beth! She was Nick's sister... and he and Nick were buds! Maybe he should talk to Nick... but he couldn't talk to him about Beth! And he couldn't talk about Miranda because he was afraid if he did, he'd end up talking about Beth too. No, better not to say anything.
https://i.imgur.com/S61gdem.png

A lot better.
https://i.imgur.com/deJQafr.png

Miranda though Nick was funny and charming. When he suggested going down to the lake for a swim, she thought it would be fun.
https://i.imgur.com/DLGnPF3.png

... and it was. Laughing and splashing in the water.
https://i.imgur.com/6Yci7A7.png

Woah! Kissing! ... and Hands! Hands! That's my butt!
Maybe I need to find a swimsuit my size, the tiny rational part of Miranda's mind suggested, and stop swimming in my underwear.
https://i.imgur.com/ecaKfT1.png

Lily's response wasn't exactly what Miranda was expecting.
https://i.imgur.com/RLufbcj.png

"Oh, deary, I do like you," Lily laughed. "but I'm afraid you kids are going to have to work this one out on your own... but think about this (if you can) - what's really important?"

Still, hanging out with the gang down by the lake was fun...
https://i.imgur.com/wyeJTFW.png

... even if the boys were being weird around Miranda.
https://i.imgur.com/dECLU0o.png

It was nice to play in the cool water and just be together...
https://i.imgur.com/wF8C1G2.png

... and really nice to be near Jake. Lately, Beth felt better when she was close to him.
https://i.imgur.com/KqJmdkq.png

As the room rose over the trees, Beth watched the change overtake her brother...
https://i.imgur.com/jHoyEMY.png
https://i.imgur.com/hxEg3VJ.png

... her skin felt tight. Her body didn't seem to be the right shape anymore. Oh God, this was it! She was changing.
https://i.imgur.com/fBe4u9Y.png

She was a wolf!
https://i.imgur.com/UfEY9Vn.png

She ran and ran and ran, for the pure joy of running under the moon.
https://i.imgur.com/h9tekuU.png

A new scent caught her attention. "Miranda?" Beth turned. "What are you doing here?"
https://i.imgur.com/N7dwkGU.png

"I wanted to see if you were OK," Miranda said. "Nick said you were going up here last night and I thought you might come back when... when you were done. How... I mean... what is it like."

"It's terrifying... and thrilling," Beth said. "Wonderful and horrible and just amazing. I feel... like myself. Really myself, for the first time."
https://i.imgur.com/lU1QabF.png

"Thank you," Beth added. "For coming up to check on me."

"Hey, what are friends for?" Miranda smiled.
https://i.imgur.com/IRruANR.png

He and Elsa had been friends from childhood and only grown closer in high school.
https://i.imgur.com/8pOD6Ds.png

Finally, in college, that closeness burst in passion!
https://i.imgur.com/Lg4HjQU.png

He hadn't known then why she insisted on inviting Don. After all, the creep had left his sister at the alter, pregnant!
Still, Cassandra had said she was OK with him being there. It had been years go and Don was a part of Miranda's life.
https://i.imgur.com/ddgggjt.png

But why invite him at all?
They were just co-workers, after all.
Elsa barely knew him.
https://i.imgur.com/5srRZGt.png

Sure, they'd fight.
https://i.imgur.com/omyKNck.png

He knew Elsa would complain to Oliva...
https://i.imgur.com/uZIqLYN.png

... they were really close friends after all.
https://i.imgur.com/v4ntiQT.png

He would talk about his problems to his friends, too...
https://i.imgur.com/5iPzuDu.png

... Lilith was such a good listener.
https://i.imgur.com/XO87EEP.png

In the end they would always make up.
https://i.imgur.com/HG0fjTO.png

Xander had stayed home, trying to work on his latest App. He'd insisted she go and have fun.
https://i.imgur.com/IULsFOL.png

Well, she had fun...
https://i.imgur.com/g4i2jr7.png

... a little more much fun than Xander was OK with.
https://i.imgur.com/lWLHigP.png

They tried to talk it out...
https://i.imgur.com/VL0uZfe.png

... but this time, they just couldn't make it work.
https://i.imgur.com/kJNWQHJ.png

It was trivially easy, really.

Elsa, your mind is mine. Your will is mine. You will obey.
https://i.imgur.com/J8qoOn7.png

"There you are," he said softly. "She is yours now, Max. As I promised."
https://i.imgur.com/O3DKm5X.png

"Why are you bothering me?"
"Forgive me, my lord but he is asking for you. I think it's nearly time."
https://i.imgur.com/06NAnQR.png

"Vladislaus, my old friend," Jacques smiled. "Join me... not that I expect you want a hot dog."
https://i.imgur.com/xXBSwd2.png

"Should you really be eating those... things, my lad" Vlad asked.

"I'm an old man now, Vlad. One more hot dog isn't going to kill me," Jacques shrugged.
https://i.imgur.com/AisoIMU.png

"You know you only ever had to ask, my lad," Vlad said quietly.

"Immortality... fah," Jacques smiled.
https://i.imgur.com/31ZqcIX.png

"What do I want with immortality?" he continued. "I've lived, Vlad. Oh, let's not call it a good life... we can be honest tonight, you and I... I am a liar, a thief and a murderer. Still, the police can't touch me. The Families respect me. I have all the money I might want. I have a family... two sons to carry my name and a daughter who has surpassed them both! I have a grandchild. That... that is my immortality!"
https://i.imgur.com/6mKaJQM.png

"By the way, I know you've taken my young Max under your wing," Jacques added. "I would ask you to leave him alone, but I'm sure you've seen a use for him. So, I know you'd just lie and take him anyway."

"My dear lad..." Vlad started.

"Be honest, old man," Jacques laughed. "Just for tonight, be honest with me."
https://i.imgur.com/AisoIMU.png

"Now, I know you've started to move," Jacques said. "Max is rising in the Organization... under your guidance. Once I'm gone, only the Landgraabs will stand between you and control over the Families. I'm sure you have a plan for them already. You've killed Cassandra Goth and the Silveroak girl... best not let Mortimer learn about that."

"Mortimer doesn't worry me," Vlad said.

"Your people have even gotten rid of that meddlesome reporter, Kim-Lewis," Jacques nodded knowingly.
https://i.imgur.com/asQk49I.png

"You're almost ready... but remember, old man, people aren't just pieces on the chess board even for you. Something out there may surprise you yet"
https://i.imgur.com/1euxCRv.png

"Probably something you least expect."
https://i.imgur.com/7NJoFYC.png

"Good night, my lad," Vlad said sadly. "Rest... well."
https://i.imgur.com/vBFK5Lt.png

"Max, I... I can't! Please, don't ask me to do this," Elsa pleaded.
https://i.imgur.com/xQusOm0.png

"What?" Max snarled. "Do you think you can back out now? You're in this up to your pretty neck, sweetheart!"
https://i.imgur.com/fzNwPTp.png

"You don't have a choice. You'll do what I tell you to do, when I tell you to do it."
https://i.imgur.com/BSS8ILK.png

"Now, get over here!"
https://i.imgur.com/cvLCZfh.png

"You belong to me," he ranted. "You're mine. I own you. You don't have any choices left. Not one!"
https://i.imgur.com/dSIIlha.png

"We'll see about that, buddy," Elsa declared, defiant.
https://i.imgur.com/xVJ653y.png

Beth would wake early and make breakfast for everyone.
https://i.imgur.com/rpUP3Rd.png

Sometimes, they'd head over to the lake and swim.
https://i.imgur.com/lLQ0Ewb.png

Jake would show off the his guitar.
https://i.imgur.com/PIoIxL6.png

Nick would usually try to play. Sadly, since he never practiced, he still wasn't very good.
https://i.imgur.com/6RZFybz.png

Beth enjoyed strumming a few simple tunes.
https://i.imgur.com/ahZtBhH.png

Miranda had brought her violin and stuck to that.
https://i.imgur.com/0E4VoB9.png

Even in the few weeks she'd lived in Moonwood Mill, Beth had become her best friend...
https://i.imgur.com/Eyt7rrv.png

...and it was obvious Beth had feelings for Jake.
https://i.imgur.com/przv7pE.png

Miranda's out feelings were just confusing. She really liked Jake but she was also attracted to Nick, when he wasn't trying too hard... and she really enjoyed kissing either of them. It wasn't fair!
https://i.imgur.com/jwFQi8y.png

Miranda knew what she had to do.
https://i.imgur.com/kyVsQOA.png

"Jake, I... I think we should just be friends. I think... I really think you should be with Beth."
https://i.imgur.com/EmEvYSg.png

"Come on... you and Jake are prefect for each other. It's like... fate."
https://i.imgur.com/ZxxTIAU.png

... not everyone was thrilled, however.
https://i.imgur.com/UcPAJ04.png

"Dude!" Nick shouted. "What are you doing!?! That's my sister!"

"Right," Beth shook her head. "I'm outta here. You boys do your boy thing."
https://i.imgur.com/JvUTquX.png

As Nick ranted at him, Jake could smell a shift in the air. This wasn't just a fright between friends... this was a challenge between wolves. He could feel the fury rising in them both. The Wolf was calling him to change, to rip into his rival and force him to submit. Jake was leader of this pack!

His father had taught him what a leader should do.

He talked Nick down... talked them both down. He explained how he felt about Beth but also how much his friendship with Nick meant to him. He made it perfectly clear, he didn't want to lose either one them...
https://i.imgur.com/cR39Dpm.png

...but he couldn't deny his feelings for Beth. He would be good to her. Jake added that Nick would be free to kick his butt if he wasn't.
https://i.imgur.com/M2SH6ed.png

"Jeez, Nick. Really?" Miranda moaned.
https://i.imgur.com/3DsO9Cp.png

Dad said he was still "searching for Cassandra's spirit" but Xander insisted he needed to let it go. He wanted Dad to let of the whole macabre "medium" thing. It made great novels but this was real life, and in real life there were no ghosts, no magic, no dark powers. Dad didn't want to hear it, but somehow it made Xander feel better to have said it.
https://i.imgur.com/VhNdjr0.png

Miranda was still missing, which made it harder, but after the service and the fight with his dad Xander felt he had at least some closure.
https://i.imgur.com/dzYTbyw.png

He'd started on Talos a while ago.
https://i.imgur.com/svuBpdZ.png

It had been suggested that his obsession with the project had harmed his marriage...
https://i.imgur.com/JX0CvHT.png

... Xander simply didn't see it that way.
https://i.imgur.com/ZSHfW4b.png

At least Talos's social programming starting to improve.
https://i.imgur.com/MvVIT5q.png

She was so thrilling...
https://i.imgur.com/Uv82TGt.png

... even if she was into weird stuff sometimes. A guy can adapt.
https://i.imgur.com/llCjEWg.png

... and things were looking up.
https://i.imgur.com/cJCYPEp.png

As everyone took turns in the showers, Miranda embraced another aspect of civilization she missed - the internet. She felt like she'd been cut off from the outside world forever and it was high time she caught up on the latest news and gossip.
https://i.imgur.com/GuzUAvw.png

She didn't know why, but her eyes were drawn to the headline about the death of reporter Olivia Kim-Lewis. Miranda had a vague memory of a tall woman with rich brown skin - a friend on Uncle Xander - who she's met years ago at his wedding. More clearly, she remember mom and Gwen occasionally pointing out articles she'd written. It seemed to Miranda that the reporters name ought to be read as Oliva Kim-Lewis-You-Met-Her-At-Uncle-Xander's-Wedding.

Now she was dead? The article didn't say much. She'd been attacked in her apartment. Police were questioning several persons-of-interest. Speculation about her being killed because of a story. Rumors of a mysterious circumstances around cause of death. There was nothing. Nothing that explained the pure certainty that blossomed in Miranda's mind - Olivia Kim-Lewis-You-Met-Her-At-Uncle-Xander's-Wedding had been killed by vampires.
https://i.imgur.com/asQk49I.png

With that knowledge came another thought. It was time to stop hiding from everyone.

Worse, she was asking Kristopher for permission to address the pack.

Beth, at least, was being encouraging even though none of her friends had any idea what Miranda wanted to say to everyone.
https://i.imgur.com/DjYDLiu.png

Miranda faced the pack...
https://i.imgur.com/uuxetM2.png

"Umm... I'm Miranda. I... you've all met me. You welcomed me into your community... Kristopher, into your home... even though you didn't know me. I was just some runaway girl... umm... lost and needing a safe place to sleep. You gave me that and so much more... and... and I'm really grateful! You didn't have to do that... you didn't know me. You don't know me.
https://i.imgur.com/YDqhfjy.png

"My name is Miranda Silveroak-Goth. I'm a witch... and I didn't just run away from home. My family... my family was attacked. By vampires! They came to our home. They attacked my moms. I heard them and I knew... I just knew I had to get out. To get away. More than that, I knew I wasn't just running away... I was was running to somewhere. I was running here.
https://i.imgur.com/uLOe4nm.png

"I needed to come here... because I need your help. We need your help. Something is happening. The vampires didn't attack us at random. I think... I know they came for my moms that night because they wanted us out of the way... but they failed. I survived.. and I know my moms did too... and we need your help."
https://i.imgur.com/j2eMaNI.png

"What help do you want from us?" Kristopher asked. "You should know us well enough to know that the Moonwood Collective are not warriors. We value peace and community."

"No, I know that," Miranda said, "but the Moonwood Collective does provide a safe place. More than that, you're dedicated to a building a community were everyone, mortals, werewolves and witches... and maybe even some vampires too... can be together and understand each other. But these vampires don't value that. They want to tear down what you want to build. Do the things you value - peace and community - really only matter in Moonwood Mill? Or are they worth standing up for?"
https://i.imgur.com/MzJYkfA.png

"I'm not asking you to fight," Miranda finished, drained. "I'm asking you to help."

"OK, Miranda Silveroak-Goth," Kristopher extended his hand,"Friend of the Collective. We'll help you."
https://i.imgur.com/FPTICnl.png

"Don't worry, Miranda," Jake smiled. "I'm with you..."
https://i.imgur.com/ceUGqtC.png

"... I'm with you."
https://i.imgur.com/xYHdk0m.png

It was terrific to have a friend he could sit and watch TV with...
https://i.imgur.com/YmbhGDM.png

... someone to talk to after a hard days work.
https://i.imgur.com/vCcc2lG.png

They quickly grew closer.
https://i.imgur.com/wkbLs98.png

Really, as much as Xander might have wanted to believe otherwise, that night was inevitable.

"Oh hey, Lilith," Xander said, trying to cover his panic. "Lilith... this is... is my neighbor... Morgan."

"Yes, dear" Lilith purred.
https://i.imgur.com/tkuRBQB.png

"Morgan, I'm so pleased to finally met you," Lilith continued, her voice soft and smooth, like silk over razor sharp steel. "I know we have things in common... things that we should discuss."

"Yeah, I think you've got that right," Morgan replied.

"Xander, dear, why don't we all go inside," Lilith smiled.
https://i.imgur.com/CeG4vUW.png

"So...," Lilith said, "we should discuss this."

"Sure," said Morgan. "Let's start with - you're a vampire. I noticed the fangs."

Lilith laughed, "Oh, you are delightful! I've taken Xander's blood and he still doesn't acknowledge what I am."

"You're not the first one I've met," Morgan replied. "I know what you are and what you can do..."

"... and still so defiant," Lilith purred.

"Hey, you might be some hot-shot creature of the night," Morgan shot back, "but I ran with Max V and his Renegades for more than ten years... doing some things I still have nightmares about... and I got out! I've seen scarier things than you... and I've got a baseball bat by the door if they ever come calling."

"Oh Morgan, I do like you," Lilith smiled.
https://i.imgur.com/X35kw4x.png

"You're serious," Morgan was surprised by what Lilith was proposing.

"Why not," the vampire replied. "I'm in no position to make a claim on Xander's days... and like I said, I like you. What do you think?"

"Share a guy with a vampire," Morgan mused. "Yeah... still not the most messed up relationship I've had. I'm game to give it a try... on one condition - if it doesn't work out, you don't eat me."

Lilith laughed, "Agreed."

"You think he'll go for it," Morgan grinned.

"Dear, he'd be a fool not to."
https://i.imgur.com/GZTAcd0.png

"Umm... I... What?" Xander stammered.

"It's simple," Lilith grinned. "Morgan gets your days and the night belong to me."
https://i.imgur.com/xTR1f97.png

"Did... did this just happen?" Xander stammered.

"Go with it," Morgan grinned.
https://i.imgur.com/ZewJQa1.png

"Lilith... always so sentimental."
https://i.imgur.com/755WbwD.png

"Mom?" Miranda blinked. "Mom!"
https://i.imgur.com/9mvYTeq.png

"You're... you're here?!? I knew it! I knew you couldn't be dead! What happened? Where Gwen? Is she OK? What are you doing here?"
https://i.imgur.com/vBGFdzC.png

"Do you have any idea what I've been through?!?" Miranda ranted.

The whole story came pouring out of her... that terrible night, wandering lost and alone in the woods, Bluebell and the encounter with the old hermit, finding Moonwood Mill and the Volkovs...
https://i.imgur.com/BwY4I3V.png

"Werewolves! Vampires and werewolves and boys... and you just left me alone?!?"
https://i.imgur.com/FYGagH4.png

"Oh, darling," Cassie hugged her daughter fiercely. "I'm so sorry for all of this. You've been through so much... and I have so much to tell you... but I am so, so proud of you."
https://i.imgur.com/L87ZkuF.png

Jake, shocked by meeting one of his musical idols, was incoherent...
https://i.imgur.com/5mNkwze.png

... Kristopher was more composed.
https://i.imgur.com/BYXHApO.png

He and Cassandra spoke at some length, apart from the others. When they were finished, the witch and the master werewolf had come to an agreement.
https://i.imgur.com/rG7FxGm.png

Cassie and Miranda had a long talk too...
https://i.imgur.com/GldDYP2.png

... and Jake, at least, managed to get an autograph...
https://i.imgur.com/MAOYDes.png

... before Cassie left.
https://i.imgur.com/YmoB4tJ.png

"Well, to be fair... you guys didn't tell me you were werewolves," Miranda replied.

No, no, no... you've know were were werewolves for months," Jake said. "You still never told us your mom was Cassie. Like Cassie!... and I got her autograph and everything... she's amazing."

"... and hot," Nick added. "You said she was hot."

"Gross, Nick," Miranda groaned. "That's my mom!"
https://i.imgur.com/LjJG4c3.png

"OK, now guys, seriously," Miranda said. "Focus... I have like serious stuff to tell you."
https://i.imgur.com/2ZD82nN.png

"Like, why your mom left and you still here?" Beth asked. "I thought, since your mom found you, she'd be taking you home."

"Right," Miranda started...

"OK, first you know my mom is married to Gwen Silveroak. Gwen's a witch... I mean not like me or even my mom. Gwen's a witch like Kristopher is a werewolf. There's this house... Glimmerbrook Watch... that's been her family for generations. The witches of Glimmerbrook Watch are protectors of some kind of important magical artifact...
https://i.imgur.com/tXkuqBF.png

"Vladislaus Straud, the master vampire, wants to control of the artifact. To do that, my mom says he needs to break the spells protecting it and those spells were tied to the coven somehow. When Gwen was little, he killed her family and tried to break the spells... but Gwen survived.
https://i.imgur.com/PumkKEO.png
(With thanks to one Wooldrop who I believe designed the Glimmerbrook Watch house I found in the Gallery. - L)


"Mom says Vlad waited... because he's a vampire so he's got time... to see if the spells would fade but they didn't. I guess Gwen had kind of inherited them. When Gwen married my mom, and then I turned out to be a witch too, they guess Vlad decided Gwen was trying to rebuild the Glimmerbrook Watch coven. (To be fair, she probably was.) So, he tried to kill us all.

"He doesn't know, yet, that mom and Gwen survived... but he knows I did. Mom says I'm safest staying here, with you guys, because Vlad isn't going to risk provoking werewolves. So, she says I need to stay here where you all can protect me, while she and Gwen find a way to deal with Vlad.
https://i.imgur.com/fv62dNQ.png

"... but that's not all," Miranda continued. "Mom mentioned that a long time ago witches and werewolves fought the vampires."

"Yeah," said Jake. "My dad talks about it sometimes. He never says much but I guess it was kind of a secret war."

"I know and from some of the things I've read in your dad's library it sounds like there are secrets and artifacts, left over from that conflict that might be hidden here, in Moonwood Mill," Miranda said. "If we can find them, maybe I can do more than just hide here with you guys. Maybe we can help!"
https://i.imgur.com/9ZYgT3H.png