Chapter 52

Anissa called two days later; she was ready to try and free Fluffy. I was scared, nervous and happy all at once. I'd miss my dog, but hopefully the werewolf that he really was could also be my friend. And it would be nice because he could actually talk back to me. God, I hoped he wasn't an opinionated asshole.

Anissa wanted us to meet at the building known as the Alutiiq Centre, a large place where the various native groups could meet and run their own interests. The largest native group in Portlock was Sugpiak or as most Alaskans referred to them, Alutiiq. There were several other tribes represented as well. As a foreigner, I'd never been invited.

When I arrived, I was directed to a large open room where Anissa and her elders were waiting. The seven elders sat in a circle on plastic chairs; they were all dressed in traditional garb, and each wore a mask and had a drum resting on their laps. The white plastic chairs seemed incongruous when everything else was steeped in tradition.

Anissa waved us in and took Fluffy to the centre of the circle. She gestured for Connor and me to sit out of the way at the side of the room. I was relieved that we could stay and witness the magic; I wanted to be sure that Fluffy was okay.

She appeared to be the focus for the curse-breaking spell, but she looked calm and confident and her manner reassured me. She had the spell, she'd done her research: she could do this.

At some unseen signal, the elders started to drum and chant rhythmically, the men chanting one thing, the women another. The multi-choral sound swept around us as Anissa danced around Fluffy, manipulating the mask in her hands, raising it, moving it about, looking at it, all the while chanting the spell between words in her own language.

I could feel the magic starting to build. It wasn't witch magic, so there was no itching, but the pressure bowed my shoulders and pushed me back in my chair. The air became tense, full of something.

I kept my eyes focused on Fluffy; he didn't seem distressed even though the magic must be buffeting him more than it was me. The spell built and the chanting and drumming grew almost painfully loud. A misty cloud surrounded my dog, swirling around him until I couldn't see him.

As one, the drums stopped. The elders and Anissa broke their masks and the mist surrounding Fluffy parted instantly. Only it was no longer my Fluffy.

Standing in the centre of the circle was a man, broad shouldered and tall. He was young – no more than eighteen or nineteen – and dressed all in black: black leather boots, black jeans, and a black leather jacket covered with colourful patches. His clothes must have been retained in the change because he'd been cursed into dog form, rather than him willingly shifting. His shoulder-length dark hair was shaggy and he had a strong, square jaw, but his bare chin seemed to emphasise his youth.

He swayed and I ran over to him. ‘Fluffy?' I said, not meaning for it to sound like a question.

He looked around and seemed to find his balance, then he grinned. ‘Hey, Bunny. My real name is Reginald Watson – Reggie – at your service.' He sketched me an off-balance bow. I grabbed his arm when he wavered. ‘I ain't stood on two legs for a bit,' he joked in a Cockney accent.

Tears pricked behind my eyelids as I threw my arms around him. ‘I'm so pleased to see you Fluffy – I mean Reggie. I am so sorry my mum cursed you.'

He hugged me back tightly. ‘Wasn't your fault, mate. It's actually been pretty cool. I'd never been outta London before and now I'm in America!' His smile faded. ‘You won't send me back, right? I've kinda grown to love Portlock.'

‘Of course you can stay!' I said. I turned to Connor, ‘He can stay, right?'

Connor nodded. ‘We'll do some paperwork.'

‘Actually…' Reggie started. ‘It's probably best if we don't leave too much of a paper trail, guv. I was part of a werewolf biker gang, joined it when I got bit at sixteen. But they're not too good at letting people go, if you know what I mean.'

‘We can fudge it,' Connor assured him. ‘Reginald Watson might have to die, but Reggie Fluffsen can be reborn.'

Reggie grinned. ‘I can roll with that.'

Anissa came over looking worn. ‘Well, I've got some bad news. We didn't break the curse exactly.'

I got a chill. ‘What do you mean?'

‘The shamanic magic transformed the curse but didn't break it.' She looked at Reggie, ‘The good news is you can now shift into your dog form at will. The bad news is we're not sure if you can change into your werewolf form.'

‘Ever?' Fluffy – Reggie – looked disappointed.

‘Honestly? We're not sure. Time might wear down the curse until it dissipates, but then you might lose your dog form. I'll keep looking into it – but you can be dog or human now.'

He nodded gratefully. ‘I have options. Ta, Anissa.'

‘You're welcome. We need to clear up here,' she added, in a not-so-subtle attempt to make us leave.

‘Sure thing,' Reggie said instantly. ‘We'll get out from under your feet.'

I still had my arm around him and I gave him a squeeze. ‘Come on, let's go home.'

He grinned. ‘Shadow is going to lose his little head when he sees me on two.'