Varcolac: A Hybrid Tale - Part Two
Varcolac: A Hybrid Tale - Part Two for the @cssns
From Romanian folklore, encompassing traits attributed to both the vampire and werewolf, and loosely translated to mean ‘werewolf demon’, a varcolac is a hybrid.
Summary: While heading home to prepare for the coming evening, Killian Jones happens upon a woman broken down on the side of the road. A woman who shifts the entire foundations of his being with just her scent. Killian Jones is a werewolf you see, and the unsuspecting lass has landed herself deep in werewolf country on the cusp of the first night of the full moon. Knowing he must get her on her way for her own safety, Killian offers to fix her vehicle, but things go awry in town when another wolf attempts to stake a claim on the stunning stranger. Now Killian must do all he can to protect the woman, Emma Swan, from a vengeful pack, all while keeping his true nature a secret from her. Turns out, Killian Jones is no ordinary werewolf.
Rated: M - for language, darker themes, and sexy times
A/N: A big thank you to @kmomof4 and the other @cssns mods for creating this event. Much love to @artistic-writer for being my kick ass beta, and another huge thank you to @flipperbrain for her stunning artwork!
Also available on ff.net, ao3, and my fic page. / Part One
“I don’t want to be afraid of you either.”
Killian stood speechless at her declaration. He’d been sure that he’d shattered her trust in him beyond repair. Never imagined she’d offer him a chance to explain, much less open the door. He forced himself to keep his hands at his sides despite the need that itched in his palms and ached in his arms to reach out and hold her. He could hear her pulse pounding in his ears and her anxiety was palpable. She may not want to fear him, but he knew they had a ways to go before that want became a reality again.
“Would you, uh, care to join me in the living room?” he asked tentatively. “I’ll answer any question. Tell you anything you want to know.”
Emma nodded wordlessly before he took several steps back to provide her a wide berth past him to the adjoining room. He waited until she chose to take a seat on the sofa closest to the fire, (and the heavy fireplace tools now located within arms reach from the hearth, not that he begrudged her that small comfort), before he took a seat in the club chair at the other end of the space.
Killian shifted uncomfortably in the silence that stretched on between them, determined to say nothing for fear it would fracture the fragile atmosphere surrounding them. He resigned to once again wait and let her take the lead.
“So, if you’re both,” she began softly, “A werewolf and a vampire. Do you… do you have both sets of abilities?”
Though she hadn’t so much as spared him a glance during her question, Killian could read her well enough to know what she was really asking.
What other threat might he pose to her?
“Not fully,” he answered. “I have all the traits you’d expect from a werewolf, as that is my born nature. The vampire side of me is… incomplete? I guess you’d say?”
“I don’t require a protective amulet in order to move about freely in the daylight, and though I do on occasion… crave blood. I do not require it for survival. My blood also has the power to heal the wounds of others, but with the standard side-effects if ingested.”
“Including turning someone?” she asked accusingly, her tone catching him off guard.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I’ve never tried.”
Her eyes flicked up and met his. He could see hurt and anger swirling in their green depths, but he got the sense that those emotions were not directed towards him.
Her stare bore into his, and Killian was almost afraid to answer. Swallowing thickly he replied, “Aye. Persuasion, too.”
“Have you ever tried to persuade me?”
The question seemed to catch in her throat, causing her gaze to drop to the floor. Fresh guilt washed over him as he nodded in shame. “At the diner. I used it on everyone, hoping it would keep things from escalating too far.” His brow furrowed as he remembered her response. “But it didn’t seem to work on you.”
She brought her hand up absentmindedly and grasped the swan pendant he’d noticed she wore. “Was that the only time?”
Killian sat forward and tried to get her to meet his eyes, but she refused. He swore at himself. Of course she wouldn’t want to look him in the eye when they were discussing his ability to control her mind, will, and emotions.
“I swear to you, Emma. I have not attempted to control you in any way other than the moment in the diner. Every choice you’ve made since we met has been entirely your own.”
After several agonizing moments, Emma lifted her head to look at him. Killian’s breath rushed from his lungs in relief when she offered him a quick nod, signifying her acceptance of his word.
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