“Did you see anything else? Anything at all?” he asked.
“Destruction and water, but it could be anywhere in New Orleans. I’m sorry,” she said. “If I get anything else, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks for trying.” Tristan rose. “I need you to do one more thing for me.” He grabbed the sheath that held Selene and tucked the lodestone in the side of it.
Everly’s eyes widened when she saw the sword, and she jumped off the beanbag. “I won’t tell anyone, I swear,” she said. “Please don’t kill me.”
Tristan glanced at the sword in his hand and frowned. “What are you talking about?”
She stopped inching toward the front door. “You’re not going to kill me because I know too much?”
He grimaced. “No,” Tristan said. “I was going to ask you to hold this until I shift into my other form. Once I do, I need you to tie it around my neck.”
“Oh.” She sounded oddly disappointed.
Tristan shook his head. Everly was a strange woman.
“Don’t you think you’ll attract too much attention in your other form?” she asked. “I know this is New Orleans, but even here a wolf running through town with a sword around his neck is bound to raise a few eyebrows.”
“No doubt,” he said, “but I have no choice. I need my other senses to find the Darkling. If by chance Isabel phones you, please call this number.” Tristan pulled a business card out of his wallet and handed it to her.
Everly’s eyes widened when she saw the name on the card.
“I take it you know Pierre La Fontaine,” he said.
“Know him personally?” She shook her head. “No. But I do know of him.”
“He’ll know how to find me,” Tristan said. “What you’re about to see isn’t something the Moonlight Kin share with humans. I’d appreciate it if you’d keep it to yourself.”
Everly nodded and took a step back.
Fur rippled over Tristan’s arms, and claws extended from his fingertips. He dropped to his knees, and his vision faded before quickly snapping back into the place.
In his beast form, the scents in Everly’s house were even stronger, especially the scent of death. He glanced over his shoulder at the Moonlight Kin skull on the bookshelf.
Everly followed his gaze and hurried over to cover it with a cloth. “Don’t move,” she said. Her fingers shook as she slipped the sheath over his head then put the sword inside it. “Do you need me to open the door?”
Tristan barked.
She flinched but hurried to the door and opened it.
He was about to step through when she blocked his exit. Tristan growled.
Everly thumped him on the head. “Knock it off,” she said.
Shocked by her actions, Tristan didn’t do anything for a moment. Then his gaze rose, though not very far since they were close to eye level in this form.
“Save my friend,” Everly said. “I know you love her, even if you don’t know you love her.”
Fortunately, Tristan couldn’t speak in this form. He had vocal capabilities if he performed a partial shift, but not a full one. For once he was grateful for that fact, since he wasn’t sure what he’d say.
He barked at her again.
This time Everly stepped aside and let him leave. Tristan raced out the back door, hitting the screen with his shoulder. The world around him came alive, but the one scent he wanted to smell more than any other remained elusive.
Tristan weaved his way through the side streets, avoiding the more touristy areas, but it would take a while to make his way out of town.
Every mile or so Tristan would glance down to see if the lodestone glowed. At one point the lodestone did, but the magic stopped abruptly. The water from the lakes and rivers dampened the signal just like it had Everly’s gift.
Tristan tried to ignore the sun’s rapid descent. He raised his head and sniffed the air. Where are you? He couldn’t lose Isabel. He didn’t think he’d survive another loss of that magnitude.
* * * * *
Chapter Sixteen
Stone came for Izzy as the sun dipped below the trees. It wasn’t dark yet, but it would be soon. He pulled out a knife and cut through the extension cord binding her hands.
“Time to go,” he said.
Izzy clenched her hands to get feeling back into her fingers. She’d need to be able to use her limbs if she stood any chance of escaping. She rolled off the bed.
“Grab your things and anything else you might want from this realm,” he said. “We don’t have the same things in our world.”
“What do you have there?” she asked.
“You’ll see.” Stone grinned.
Izzy didn’t want anything from this house. The place held nothing but death. She grabbed her tote and threw it over her shoulder.
Stone stood in the doorway and waited for her to exit. They reached the front door. There was a gas can sitting on the side table next to the couch. He grabbed it and began to slosh the contents all over the house.
Izzy grabbed his arm. “What are you doing?”
“Getting rid of the evidence, unless you want your fingerprints found at a crime scene,” he said.
“What if they had family?” Izzy asked. “This might be all the family has left to hold onto.”
Stone shrugged. “I’m sure you’re trying to make a point of some kind, but it doesn’t change what I need to do.” He went back to pouring the gas around the house.
The sick feeling returned. Izzy clutched her stomach. Somewhere a family missed their daughter and granddaughter. After today, a father would never see his daughter again.
She turned and rushed out the door. Stone was on her before she’d made it across the lawn.
“Where are you going, Isabel?” he asked, blocking her escape.
“Anywhere!” she snapped. “As long as it’s away from you.” Izzy caught the odor of smoke a second before she saw the flames rise.
“Get in the car,” Stone said. “We don’t want to be here when the fire department arrives.”
Stone drove her in the same direction as the cabin she’d stayed at with Tristan. Izzy saw the exit for Jean Lafitte Park and was surprised when Stone took it.
If Tristan was alive, would he still be in the area? Izzy’s mind raced with ways she could contact him.
Frosty, where are you?? she thought. I need you.
Stone didn’t take the road toward the cabin. Instead, he continued on until they arrived at a swamp tour boat dock. He pulled his car to the end of the road and parked.
“We’ll have to walk from here,” he said.
The trees leading into the swamp were thick with undergrowth. All kinds of things could be hiding in those weeds. Was it too much to hope that an alligator got Stone?
Izzy glanced at him. He’d probably kill it and eat it. As she lifted her tote, it hit the cellphone in her pocket. She needed to call Everly. Heck, she needed to phone Mindy and say goodbye.
“This way,” Stone said, walking toward a fallen tree that concealed a rugged path.
She followed, but Izzy continued to search for a way to escape. She wondered if werewolves were afraid of the water like cats. If so, she would take her chances with the gators.
Even as the thought slipped through her mind, Izzy heard something large splash in the water. She stared at the murky inlet that ran along the path.
“Don’t worry,” Stone said. “I won’t let it get you.”
“Being gator bait is preferable to what you have in mind for me,” she said.
He laughed. “I won’t be one of the ones vying for you,” Stone said.
“Good!” she said.
Stone smiled. “You might wish that I was by the time the breeding challenge is over.”
Izzy stumbled on a root. “Breeding challenge?”
“Yeah.” Stone ran a hand through his short black hair. “When an eligible female arrives in our world, males come from all around to see who can breed her. They each get a shot at the
woman until one of them succeeds in impregnating her. The last woman had to endure forty warriors before she was with child.” He shrugged. “Nearly killed her. With any luck, it’ll take you a hundred.”
Izzy’s stomach gurgled. She had just enough time to step off the path before she vomited onto the leaves of a plant.
“Not this again,” he said as if the whole thing bored him. “You’re only delaying the inevitable.”
She threw up again then rubbed her mouth with the back of her sleeve.
Stone grabbed a water bottle out of his small tote and handed it to her. “Rinse your mouth. I don’t want to have to smell that, too. You already smell funny.”
She swished water in her mouth then dug into her tote for a mint. She popped it onto her tongue. With any luck, she’d choke on it.
Izzy knew she needed a shower. He didn’t have to point it out. “I don’t stink,” she said affronted.
“Yes, you do,” he said. “You smell like that wolf.”
She couldn’t smell anything, but it made Izzy unduly pleased that Stone thought she smelled like Tristan.
They continued down the trail until they reached a small clearing. At first, Izzy thought the clearing was natural. Once they got closer it was obvious that someone had cleared the area. What wasn’t so obvious was how, since none of the trees were cut.
The area reminded Izzy of the crop circle photos she’d seen online. It wasn’t as elegant, but there were striking similarities. Did that mean that Darklings were showing up around the world? The people hoping for aliens were going to be very disappointed if that were the case.
Stone pulled out a weird sphere from his bag. He placed it in the center of the clearing and stepped back. “This will take a little while.”
“Take your time,” she said. “I’m not in a hurry.”
The shadows lengthened around them and her heart sank. Tristan wasn’t coming. No one was. She was on her own, and she had no one to blame but herself.
“Since we have time, can I call my sister and my friend to say goodbye?” she asked.
“Sure,” Stone said. “But if you say anything to warn them, I’ll come back to kill Mindy and your friend. Do you understand?”
Izzy frowned. “You know my sister?” The idea terrified her.
“How do you think I found you?” he asked. “I could’ve killed her anytime, and would have had I known she wasn’t a Sighted-One.”
She shuddered at how close Mindy had come to dying. Izzy had to do something to protect her. “I’ll come with you willingly if you swear to leave my sister alone.”
Stone’s brow arched in surprise. “Really?”
“Yes,” Izzy said. “I want your word.”
He laughed. “Sure.”
“No, I mean it,” Izzy said, advancing on him.
“I swear I won’t touch Mindy,” he said. Stone didn’t bother to mention that it would be difficult to get to her now that she’d mated with one of the wolves.
Izzy studied his face. “Okay.”
Stone chuckled at how gullible she was. Izzy pulled out the phone he’d given her and punched in a number. He heard voicemail pick up.
She deflated before his eyes. “Hey, Mindy, it’s me. I just wanted to tell you...” She sighed. “I just wanted to say that I love you very much, and I hope you have a long and happy life.” Izzy choked on a sob. “I’ve got to go. Take care of yourself.” She disconnected the call.
“I imagine that’s disappointing,” Stone said. “Your last chance to speak with your sister and she’s not home. She’s probably with that wolf of hers.”
Izzy turned on him. Her eyes narrowed, and her expression became a mask of pure hatred. “I hope so,” she snarled. “At least then she’ll be safe from the likes of you.”
“You’d better make your other phone call while I’m still feeling generous. The energy is building. Soon the portal will open, and this disgusting world will be gone.”
Her fingers trembled as she punched in the last number. It rang and rang, then a harried voice came on the line.
“Everly?” Izzy asked.
“Oh my God! Where are you?” Everly asked.
Izzy gave a pained laugh. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” she said.
“He’s there with you, isn’t he?” she asked.
Izzy’s face paled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Tristan came by earlier looking for you,” Everly said.
This time Izzy did sob aloud. “He’s alive?”
Her palpable relief pissed Stone off. He’d really thought Izzy was better than that. He should’ve known that wasn’t the case.
“Of course Tristan’s alive,” she said. “Why wouldn’t he be?”
“It’s a long story,” Izzy said. “All that matters is that he is.” Her eyes widened as Stone approached. “Listen, Everly, I just wanted to call to say goodbye. You take care and get out of town.”
Stone grabbed her hand before she hung up. “Don’t be like that,” he said. “Invite her to the party. The more the merrier, I always say.”
“No!” Izzy struggled in his grasp. “Run, Everly! Run!”
Stone struck her with the back of his hand, knocking her to the ground. The loud thwack carried over the line. Izzy’s grip on the phone gave way. He put the receiver up to his ear.
“You still there?” he asked.
Silence greeted him. He wanted to laugh.
“I can hear you breathing. You might as well answer me, especially if you want your friend to live,” he said.
“I’m here,” Everly said.
“Good,” Stone said. “We’re at the tour dock in Lafitte Park. Go past the fallen tree, and you’ll see the trail.” He glanced at Izzy, who staggered to her feet. “Oh, and come alone, or she’s dead.”
Izzy screamed for Everly to stay away, but Stone had already hung up.
“You bastard!” She rushed him. Her fists pummeled his chest and grazed his face.
Stone dropped the phone onto the ground and stomped on it.
“No!” Izzy renewed her efforts, but it didn’t do her any good.
He countered every blow, waiting for her to wear herself out. It took longer than he expected, but eventually she dropped to the ground.
“I’m going to kill you,” she said softly.
“I have no doubt you’d like to,” he said. “But we both know you’re no match for me. Even your boyfriend wasn’t strong enough to take me.”
Their gazes met. “He would’ve been had you not sucker hit him with a pan.”
“Believe that if you must, but my people are stronger than the Moonlight Kin. It’s why they fear us so,” he said. “I really should’ve killed him when I had the chance.”
She hoped that Everly was smart enough to stay home, but even as the thought flitted through Izzy’s mind, she knew her friend would come. It wasn’t in Everly’s nature to run.
Izzy thought of Tristan. He’d been to Everly’s house. He was looking for her, but it was unlikely that he’d find her in time. She was just grateful he was alive. It would give Izzy something to hold on to, something to dream about while she walked through hell in the Darkling world.
The air around them thickened.
The leaves swirled vertically, defying basic physics. “What’s happening?” Izzy asked.
“The doorway is opening,” Stone said.
“Then let’s go,” she said. “We don’t need to wait for Everly. She’ll delay us needlessly.”
Stone chuckled. “Two Sighted-Ones are far better than one. Don’t you think?”
He knew. “How?”
“I’ve been following your trail for a while,” he said. “One night I thought I had you, but when I got nearer I realized it wasn’t your power I’d been picking up. It was another’s. She’s a lot more powerful than you. Probably why I hadn’t been able to detect her before.” He swirled his hands, making odd patterns in the air. “I only caught a glimpse of her, but it was
enough to know that I was dealing with two Sighted-Ones. When I return to my world, I will be honored as a hero.”
“You’re going to be a hero for kidnapping two women?” Izzy asked. “Your world must have pretty low standards, if that’s the title you get for such a despicable act.”
“For finding two Sighted-Ones,” he corrected. “No one in my world has done such a thing. I will be rewarded for my bravery.”
Izzy snorted. “Bravery? You’re a coward,” she said. “You hide in the shadows. You attack the innocent. You don’t fight fair because you know you’ll lose.”
He hit her again.
This time Izzy didn’t fall. “Truth hurts, doesn’t it?”
Stone shook his head. “You really aren’t bright. If you were, you wouldn’t test me this way.”
Dark fur rippled over his skin, and his jaw cracked. The bone extended until his human mouth disappeared and a muzzle replaced it. His clothes ripped and fell to the ground. He kept growing and mutating, until a monster stood before her.
Izzy had seen Moonlight Kin in their beast forms. They’d been larger than real wolves, but had maintained the general shape of the animals. Stone didn’t. He looked like something out of a bear-themed horror movie.
She scrambled away. “Stay back.” Izzy grabbed a stick and swung it at him.
His claws extended, and he sliced the wood in half as if it were a ripe peach. With lightning speed, he struck her, scratching Izzy down her arm. Blood welled on her skin. The wound burned like fire, but she wouldn’t give Stone the satisfaction of knowing he’d hurt her.
He slowly shifted back to human form. Sweat covered Stone’s naked body, and he was panting from the exertion. He glanced at her arm and grinned, flashing teeth too long for his mouth.
“Now you have to come with me,” he said in a garbled voice. “If you stay, that scratch will lead to madness and death. That’s what happened to your sister’s friend, Celina Gibson.”
“Her boyfriend killed her,” she said.
“I know,” Stone said. “I didn’t want to do it, but she got too clingy, and since she wasn’t a Sighted-One, I didn’t have a lot of use for her.” He snorted. “Other than the obvious. Celina was so needy that she let me do whatever I wanted to her.”
Moonlight Kin 4: Tristan Page 17