Fangs and Fur- Beta Read Along
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2025 by LA Magill. All distribution rights reserved for the exclusive use of Wicked Women LLC.
The day passed in a blur of patients seeking remedies for spring allergies, minor injuries, and a case of poison ivy that had spread to unfortunate places. By the end of clinic hours, both Vanessa and Dili were weary, but Dili observed Vanessa wincing every time she put weight on her left leg. It was bad enough that the jerky steps made her thick, dark curls bounce.
Without a word, Dili reached into her magical pockets and pulled out a flat container that fit in her palm. She handed it to Vanessa, who took it with a groan.
“You know, you don’t need to baby me,” Vanessa said.
“So we’re just going to pretend I don’t see you limping about?” Dili asked.
“It’s just because of the big storm front that’s going to blow through.”
Vanessa claimed it was the storm, but Dili knew better. The human was not old enough to feel the weather in her joints, but sports injuries from her childhood had left her with achy joints and early onset arthritis.
Dili stared at her closest friend with raised brows. Vanessa chuckled.
The human plopped onto a chair and slipped off her left shoe. She began rubbing the salve into her foot, up her calf, and around her knee. Dili crossed her arms over her chest, a small satisfied smile on her face as she watched her friend.
Vanessa Rufino had the prettiest smile. In fact, in Dili’s eyes, Vanessa had the prettiest everything. Black hair that was far silkier than her own. Mesmerizing dark eyes that could sparkle with charm just as easily as they could burn with despise. Even the natural scent of her body smelled sweet compared to the average person, but Vanessa had never been, or would likely ever be, average.
The nurse practitioner had come from a coastal metropolis, where she’d earned her degree but not her perseverance. Her parents had been wealthy, and as such, the black-haired beauty had only ever struggled with problems money alone could not solve. Her first love had challenged her privilege and opened her eyes to a reality she didn’t recognize. Once she saw what life could be like away from posh poolsides, the love she felt for the man faded as her passion to explore the real world consumed her. Vanessa had abandoned her life of cushy comfort and never looked back, no matter how her parents begged or tried to bribe her.
Vanessa’s cell phone chimed.
“Can you check that?” Vanessa asked.
Dili picked the phone up with the disgust she always felt handling digital devices. As a witch, she held strong bias against anything that did not come directly from the ground, but she’d learned to keep up as innovation changed the world around her. She could not afford to fall behind, especially in her medical knowledge and skills—and in truth, she did not want to be left behind, either.
A community alert had come from the local sheriff, who was forwarding a message from the paranormal PD stationed in the city, a three-hour drive away. Dili scanned the notice quickly.
“Lone vampire spotted outside the city,” Dili said.
Vanessa’s fingers stilled, and she looked up at the witch.
“Seems he didn’t check in at any of the blood buffets,” Dili continued. “Nor is he a member of the national registry.”
“Any signs of blood rage?” Vanessa asked in a flat voice.
“None reported,” Dili answered.
“Have they mentioned any missing persons? Unusual attacks?”
Dili shook her head.
Silence hung between the women, heavy with the implications neither of them would voice out of respect for Vanessa. Lone vampires were often unstable—either too young to master their blood magic or too dangerous for consensual donors to trust.
Dili reached back into her pocket and fished around until she found the leather pouch she was searching for. She pulled it out and set it on the counter next to Vanessa’s phone.
“Thanks,” the human said.
“I hope you don’t need it,” Dili said.
“That makes two of us. Do you have more back at your house?” Vanessa failed to keep the edge of worry from her tone.
“No. That’s the last of my powdered stores, but I have all the ingredients on hand to brew up a fresh batch tonight.”
Vanessa hummed her apprehension.
“Don’t you worry about me,” Dili said. “He won’t make it all the way up here in just a few hours, especially with the weather about to turn.”
“I know you can take care of yourself, I just…” Vanessa paused. “Let’s split the rest of this powder. If—”
“No, Vanessa.”
“I’m scared, okay?” The human spread her sticky hands wide, helplessly.
Dili’s eyes softened. “Would you like Toad and me to spend the night?”
Vanessa bit her bottom lip. “Jacob and I were supposed to have a date night.”
Dili put on a grin. “And you still will. Instead, I’ll swing by your house on my way home and double-check the wards.”
Vanessa hesitated, then finally nodded. “Thanks, Dili, I just… I get so stuck in my memories, you know? Sometimes it’s hard to remember that I’m here and not… there.”
Dili approached her friend and gave her a hug, uncaring of the mess that got on her dress from Vanessa’s sticky fingers. The witch held on tightly, wishing she could squeeze away the trauma that scarred the young woman.
When she pulled back, Vanessa’s breathing had slowed. Fear didn’t pinch her expression.
“Perhaps Jacob could meet you here before your date?” Dili suggested.
“Probably a good idea,” Vanessa said.
All aches and pains forgotten for the moment, Vanessa began to wash her hands while Dili pulled out another two vials from her pocket and set them next to the leather pouch. She pointed to the taller of the two, full of a golden liquid.
“This one will ease your anxiety without making you sleepy or dulling your emotions.” Then she pointed at the smaller vial containing a viscous, dark sludge. “This one will turn your skin as hard as iron, but it only lasts for an hour, and it tastes absolutely awful. There’s enough in there for both you and Jacob.”
A tear leaked out of the corner of Vanessa’s eye. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, but I would bet my most precious bezoar that you won’t need it. So if I don’t get it back tomorrow morning, I’ll charge you in full,” Dili warned.
Vanessa snorted with wry amusement. “Promise you’ll call for help if you need it, okay?”
“I promise,” Dili said. She kept to herself the part about how if she did in fact need help, there was not a human alive who could.
Next chapter coming Friday, August 1.