Anathema (Causal Enchantment #1)(52)

“Big Brown’s gonna love that one!” Bishop hollered.

“Who’s Big Brown?” I croaked, allowing myself to release the breath I’d unknowingly held during the entire ordeal.

“He is,” Bishop said, jerking his chin toward someone behind me.

I turned, expecting to see another cat. Instead, a grizzly bear with fur the color of milk chocolate lumbered toward us, equivalent in size to a young elephant I’d once seen at the Portland Zoo. It was eyeing the prize at the end of my rod—or me; I wasn’t exactly sure which yet. My mouth opened to scream but no sound came out.

“It’s okay,” Caden whispered calmly, pulling me closer to him, his other arm slowly wrapping protectively around me. “No sudden movements and it’ll be okay.”

I couldn’t move if I wanted to. Caden’s arms were like a vise. “He’s big,” I managed to whisper. Big enough to slice me into six pieces with one swing of his paw. The ground shook as the bear neared us. I tasted bile in my throat. “I’m going to be sick,” I groaned, wanting to give Caden some warning. I turned my face, praying he was out of range. I’d rather be torn apart by this beast than puke on Caden.

Big Brown stooped to sniff the fish on my line and then, with one lightning–quick chomp, bit the thing right off the line and swallowed it whole—hook, leech, and all. He continued on to the pile of fish behind Amelie and devoured it in mere seconds. No one moved.

With that pile done, he ambled over to stand in front of Bishop, stooping so that their eyes were level. After a minute–long menacing stare–down, Big Brown simply turned and barreled away, disappearing within seconds.

“No signs of anyone coming,” Bishop said. “He can tell you’re not one of us,” he added, looking at me.

“So he’s like Scout. And Max,” I confirmed.

“Yes, only less predictable,” Caden answered, his arms dropping from their protective embrace around me.

I took that as my signal to slide away from him, to allow for the appropriate amount of space. I began inching away.

“You seem cold. If you’re warmer next to me, you should stay put.”

I bit my lower lip. Before catching the fish, I had been contemplating taking off my pink fleece hoody. Even in the shadows of the trees, the air was muggy. “I am a bit cold,” I lied, faking a shiver. Caden turned his attention back to the river, a knowing smirk on his face. Could he tell I’m lying? “So … that’s Big Brown,” I said, changing the topic.

Caden chuckled. “It’ll take some time before he lets you rub his belly.”

“And he eats fish? He’ll need a lot more than that pile.”

“That’s just it. He’s a bottomless pit. I think he’s devoured half the deer population around here in a few weeks; we’ll be fighting with him over food soon enough. Bishop didn’t know what he was getting himself into. He should have stuck with wolves; even a cougar would have been a wiser choice. This one’s a lot more work to feed and much more difficult to convert.”

“Really? Don’t you just have to bite them?”

Caden chuckled, shaking his head. “It’s the same process as converting a human—with venom—but grizzlies fight back and they’re vicious. More than likely, the animal will rip you to shreds before you can pump enough venom into him. You’ll heal, of course, but … It took Bishop three tries. You should have seen him.” Caden released another chuckle. “He was practically naked when he stumbled into the cave, his clothing bloody and shredded to pieces.”

My eyes went wide. “Well, why would he do it, then?”

Caden paused, choosing his words. “Cougars and wolves make fierce allies. They’re quick, fierce, and follow command like a programmed soldier. They usually travel in packs, making it easier to take down a vampire if they have to. Their teeth are strong enough to tear him or her apart and then carry the heart to us so we can burn it.” He stopped talking, a funny smirk on his face. “You’re looking at me like I have two heads,” he commented.

“I’m sorry … heart?”

He grinned. “Yes, we still do have hearts in here.” He thumped a fist against his chest. “All of our organs are still there. I guess they’re basically ornaments now, though. Useless. Except our heart.”

“Don’t forget to tell her about that other organ that still serves a useful purpose,” Bishop boomed. “You know, our—”

Fiona cut him off with a swift whack across the chest. “You’re a regular Casanova,” she muttered, shaking her head. Behind her, Amelie was giggling.

“So, your heart still works?” I blurted, getting flustered as I realized what Bishop was about to say.

Caden was shaking his head, eyes downcast, smiling to himself. I wasn’t sure if it was at my loss of composure or at Bishop’s brazenness. “Our heart,” he began again, glancing over at Bishop, who was grinning like the Cheshire cat, “still beats and pumps blood through our veins. As long as our heart remains within our bodies, we can regenerate. And it’s strong. Piercing it with a wooden stake or a sword won’t kill us, unless the weapon is on fire. That’s the only definite way to kill one of us—burn our heart, either with our body or on its own. If you can get it out of us, that is.”