Free Girls That Growl by Mari Mancusi Page B

seating myself daintily on a beach chair, care-ful to avoid as much sand as possible. "I think I know where the cheerleaders became infected."
    "Oh?" Jareth asks, plopping down on his towel, back to business as well. At least he's not so sunstroked that he can't concentrate on the task at hand. After all, he was once the guy who led a vampire army.
    "Where is that?"
    I tell him what Shantel told me, about the cheering com-petition in England, the small spooky village, and the bonfire in the woods they don't remember leaving.
    He nods thoughtfully, grabbing handfuls of sand and streaming them through his long fingers. He does have very elegant hands. Though they're tanned now, instead of their former beautiful, pasty white.
    "It makes sense," he says at last, "that there is some kind of pack over there. But why would they infect American cheerleaders?"
    "Well, why not?"
    "True Lycan packs are very much like vampires and live under the same kinds of rules. The packs have to remain small and unobtrusive. In fact, I believe usually the only way to become a Lycan is to be born one."
    "So then why . . . ?" That's so weird. Why would a pack of Lycans want to infect a squad of cheerleaders, only to send them on their merry way?

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    Jareth shrugs. "I don't know. But we need to find out. And fast."
    "Can we go to England? Check out the village and see what we can learn?" I remember how jealous I was when Sunny went to England last year to find the Holy Grail and turn herself back into a human. I can't help but be excited that now it's my turn.
    Jareth strokes his chin. "Yes, I think that's a good idea. We'll stay the first night in our sister coven.
    You'll get to meet some of the English vampires this way. And they should know where we can find the pack. I'll charter the coven plane for tomorrow night."
    "Tomorrow night?" I scrunch up my face. "But we have practice—" I stop, realizing how dumb I sound.
    I've only been a pseudocheerleader on assignment. Now that I've figured out the mystery, there's no reason to keep showing up in uniform.
    Still, that said, the girls are depending on me. Cait's de-pending on me. And Shantel. Until they can get someone else, I'm an essential part of the pyramid.
    "Jareth, let's go on Friday night instead," I propose. "I've got. . . things to do. And after all, we have until the next full moon to figure this out. There's plenty of time."
    Jareth shrugs and agrees, luckily not asking why. 'Cause how embarrassing would it be to tell him the truth?
    That I can't go on saving the world if it means neglecting my duties as a cheerleader.

    11
    The next day after school we have cheerleading practice. And let me tell you, it's more than a bit weird to chill with girls who you know have a habit of turning into wolves, devouring football players, and going house on your home-town each full moon. But since I know they can't remember all their extracurricular activities, I have to remind myself that in all actuality, I'm pretty darn safe.
    Poor Shantel's practically comatose over her lost BF and can barely concentrate on her moves. I really, really hope it doesn't turn out that she ate the guy. That's the kind of thing that could really mess up a girl.
    Cait looks even worse. She's shaking like a leaf and keep-ing her distance from the other girls. Not that I blame her. Seeing your teammates transform into a pack of dogs doesn't exactly help create a circle of trust. Still, doesn't she get that we have to play it cool? We don't want the cheerleaders suspicious. They keep asking her what's wrong and she can only stammer nonsensical answers in reply.
    "Okay, Cait," Mandy says, clapping her hands. "We're going to practice the Hitch pyramid. So come on over and we'll boost you up."
    Cait stares at her, eyes wide. I can tell that the last thing she wants is any of them to touch her. I wish I could pull her aside for a moment. Reassure her that