The Wolves of Glacier Falls

Three: Ellery Corbin

Three

Ellery Corbin

Ellery’s old, brown Chevy truck rumbled up the long drive of the ranch. When she got to the house, the lights were on, and Deacon was outside pacing back and forth. Deacon Foy was tall, with short, blond hair, and hazel eyes. She’d known him since they were kids despite their age difference. His parents owned the ranch next door, but they’d had a falling out recently, so he’d been working for Ellery’s mom.

 “Deacon!” Ellery called as she got out of the truck, slamming the door shut behind her. “Where is she?”

“She’s inside,” Deacon said, “I called Doc Smyth.”

“The veterinarian?” Ellery said.

“Well, I tried calling the human doctor, but Doc Williams was off delivering a baby. I thought that seemed more important.”

Ellery nodded. “Right. Of course.” The joys of living in a small town in the middle of nowhere. Ellery went into the house, and Deacon followed her. Inside, Julia Corbin was laying down on the couch, a wild look in her brown eyes.

“Ellery!” her mom said, sitting up from the couch. Next to her was Doc Symth, a tall man with brown hair and brown eyes.

“Easy, Julia,” the Doc said, “remember, you fainted. And you hit your head pretty hard.”

“Don’t tell me to take it easy, Doc. I’m not a horse.” Julia Corbin rushed to her daughter and gripped her arm tightly. “Ellery, you’re home. Where were you? Are you okay?”

Elle sighed and led her mom back to the couch. “Mom, relax. I’m not the one that got injured. You are. I went to go visit Dad's grave, remember?”

Julia’s eyes widened. “Oh, that’s right. You did say you were going to do that today. I’m sorry…”

“Mom don’t apologize. What happened?”

“We were looking for the calves that got lost up in the high meadows. I saw a wolf, and I fainted.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t your imagination?”

“Positive,” said Julia with a nod. “I heard it growl. It was coming right at me and then…”

“Then what?”

“It disappeared.”

Elle glanced over at Deacon for confirmation, and Deacon only shrugged. “I didn’t see it,” Deacon said, “but I was busy trying to get the calves to follow us. She might have.”

“Oh mom,” said Elle, “I think that you were upset because of what day it is.”

Julia’s face fell. “You’re probably right. I should have gone with you instead, but I thought it would be too hard.”

“It’s okay.” Elle reached out to squeeze her mom’s arm. She turned to Doc Smyth. “What does she need to do to get better?”

“Rest,” said Doc Smyth, “I told Deacon he can handle the chores for the next two weeks. She can do light activity, but she really shouldn’t be riding. Not until her head heals.”

“Does she have a concussion?” Elle asked.

“Maybe a little one. Her memory was a little foggy at first. And take her to see Doc Williams as soon as she’s available. I did what I could, but you know me. My patients are usually furry. I would have had better luck trying to figure out what was wrong with the wolf.”

Elle smiled. “Thanks, Doc.”

“Anytime. I’ll see myself out.”

He left, and Elle turned to her mom. “Do you need anything?” Elle asked. “Water, or food?”

“I’m fine, sweetie. Although I do think I’ll sleep. I didn’t get much last night. Maybe that’s why…”

“Mom?” her mom had trailed off, and locked eyes with the necklace around her neck.

“Where’d you get that?” mom asked, reaching out to touch the golden arrow charm that was around her neck.

“Oh this?” said Ellery, picking up the charm. “When I went to the graveyard, Landry Thayer was there. He found it and thought that it was mine. He told me I should keep it.”

Julia shook her head. “That’s your grandmother's necklace.”

Elle raised an eyebrow. “Grandma Sophie?”

Julia nodded. “It was given to her by your grandfather when they were engaged. She thought she lost it after he died. How strange that it should find you…but you said Landry Thayer gave it to you?”

“Yes,” Elle said, “strange he’s home. The Thayer’s are usually gone to warmer climates this time of year. They come out more in the summer.”

“Then it’s almost time.”

“Time?” said Elle. “For what?”

Julia looked up to Deacon. “Do you mind giving us a moment, Deacon?”

Deacon nodded. “I’ll go feed the horses.”

“Thanks.”

Deacon left, and Julia looked back at her. Julia got up from the couch, and Elle held onto her by the arm. “Are you okay to walk?” Elle asked.

Julia pulled her arm away. “I’m okay. But you need to come with me.”

The two of them made their way through the kitchen, not stopping until they reached the basement door. Julia opened it, turned on the light, and gestured for Ellery to follow her down the narrow staircase. When they reached the basement, Julia went into a small alcove that Ellery had never noticed before. 

There, she turned on a light.

Ellery’s eyes adjusted and she took everything in. Weapons. She was standing in a weapons room. Crossbows, bow and arrow sets, guns, bullets. It wasn’t so unusual for people to keep these things in Montana. Hunting was a normal pastime. What was unusual, however, was the silver statue of the goddess Artemis looking directly at them, poised to kill, her bow and arrow drawn.

“Mom,” Elle said, “what the hell is this?”

Julia reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. “This is your legacy, Ellery. Should you choose to accept it.”

“Legacy?” Elle shook her head. “What kind of legacy involves Buffy’s armory?”

“The monster hunting kind,” Julia said, “the one that can trace its origins back to France, and involves a prophecy, one that you must either accept or reject to keep magic here in Glacier Falls or rid us of it.”