Dark of Night

by T. F. Walsh

  Pulsating blood in my ears drowned out any other sound. Radu, who rubbed his cheek, and Botolf remained in the distance.

  Suddenly, searing heat coated my body. My chest heaved, and I struggled for air.

  Lutia bared her teeth at Connell and her pupils gleamed with excitement. She flung off her white dress in one quick motion. Apparently, she wasn’t wearing underwear. “Do you like what you see?” Her voice smoky in a sultry tone, Lutia grabbed Connell’s face, forcing him to nod.

  She cackled. “What about now?” Her manifestation into wulfkin form accelerated. Bones stretched and flesh tore. Her body elongated. Lutia hunched over on all fours, and Connell’s body thrashed, moaning, his eyes terror-stricken.

  “Get away from him!” I hurled myself forward and grabbed Lutia by the arm, only to confront her wulfkin. The last bit of white fur sprouted over her body. She snapped in my direction, fangs exposed.

  I released her paw.

  Raised on her hind legs, she came for me.

  My jaw tightened. I recoiled, wanting to place distance between Connell and us.

  Lutia advanced. She put all her weight behind a rushed snap of her jaws. I hopped back, but her swift blow threw me closer to Connell. She lunged.

  I sprang to my feet and kicked my leg out. She crashed into the lawn face first. Without hesitation, I flung all my weight onto her hairy back and plowed my fists into the back of her neck, one after another. Sandulf or Matias didn’t jump in to help, so I guessed they enjoyed the show.

  Lutia bucked the way a wild bull would in a rodeo. I lost my balance, flying directly into Connell. The chair broke beneath us, and the collision freed his hands. I clambered to my feet, drawing Connell by the shirt up alongside me.

  He ripped away the fabric from his mouth. “Daci!”

  My gaze swept the area. Matias approached from my right, clasping his blood-coated arm. On my left, Lutia rose to her feet. Botolf and Radu stayed out of reach. Sandulf stood in front. With Connell behind me, I nudged him farther back from the pack house, hearing none of his mumblings.

  I said, “It doesn’t have to be this way. Let him go, and I’ll remain.”

  Sandulf’s nose creased. “It’s too late. He’s already seen what we are.”

  “That’s your fault.” I held zero admiration for the alpha male. My affection for him had long dissipated. My childhood seemed like another lifetime. The wulfkin in front of me was a mass murderer.

  “You were a great hunter once. It’s a shame,” Sandulf said.

  I swallowed a pocket of air infused with blood and wulfkin scents. When Sandulf started his transformation, a shiver seized my body.

  “Connell, run. Get out of here, now!”

  He covered his mouth and a dazed look covered his expression.

  “Go.” I shoved him. “Go!”

  He coiled abruptly before bolting toward the dense forest without a glance back.

  Sandulf snarled, pointing his finger at Botolf and Radu. “After him.”

  Botolf and Radu both hesitated, and then pursued Connell. I prayed they disobeyed the order.

  Someone snatched my hand and whipped me backward. I landed on my rump. Lutia skulked close. Matias approached, and I counted on him resisting a transformation while his hand bled profusely at the risk of ripping the gash to a state beyond repair. Sandulf as a wulfkin was the real problem. He howled.

  Three against one. Oh joy.

  A grumble vibrated from my chest. Still on my bum, I crawled backward over the grass closer to the house, away from Lutia’s grasp. I hit the wall and climbed to my feet.

  No holding back. Odds were against me, so I might as well go down fighting. I let my true nature rip. In a hasty change, my skin burst, muscles swelled and bones grew too fast. Excruciating spasms threatened to topple me off my feet. I dug deep inside and let the mounting fury dull the pain. I stretched my spine and prepared to fight. I had nothing to lose.

  Lutia attacked. Her razor-sharp teeth sliced skin and latched onto my leg. The pain shot up my body. My flesh split and blood poured free. I refused to whimper and instead whacked the side of my head into her snout. She released her hold and stumbled, blood gushing from her nose.

  Matias rushed forward in his usual style — charging. I ducked, pouncing out of the way. He was quick.

  Using pure muscle strength, I shoved my shoulder against his side, forcing him to trip into Lutia. They fell to the ground.

  From my right, Sandulf advanced on all fours.

  I rushed for Lutia who moved sluggishly and seized her shoulders with my talons. My fangs seized her neck. Her body tussled. I tasted the human she mauled in my bedroom. My eyes were on Sandulf, his creased snout, his trembling body. Lutia’s legs kicked back in attempt to break loose from my grip. My jaw clamped harder and her body melted in my hold, slumping in my arms.

  Sandulf attacked, and I thrust Lutia’s limp body at him. He lost his footing and struggled to free himself from beneath Lutia’s weight. I seized the opportunity and tore out of there.

  On all fours, I ran from the pack house. My paws hit the earth. I was already deep in the woods by the time Sandulf’s snarls reached me. His huffing breaths drew closer.

  My heart pounded. In front of me, trees appeared to move from my path as if I flew through the air, the wind slapping my face.

  Certain it wasn’t the case, I knew halting the transformation mid-way had caused more damage than I realized. Right then, I ran purely on adrenaline. Uncertain how much longer I could maintain the stamina, I continued my race.

  I sniffed the air and leaped over a decayed log. Connell’s scent led me right. I skated round an enormous trunk, tossing debris behind me. The mountain encouraged my sprint downhill. Sandulf thudded after me.

  Almost upon Connell, I stole a look over my shoulder. Sandulf was rushing down behind us. The sound of his paws sliding across dried foliage resonated in my ears.

  My entire body buzzed as my adrenaline decelerated. The world under my paws slanted and a blurry vision accompanied the dizziness, but I pushed on.

  Something solid, with the strength of a truck, smashed into the side of my head. I crumpled onto the ground, losing all strength. The world was sideways, and my eyelids grew heavy.

  My last vision was of an enormous black blur colliding into Connell.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Along with consciousness, the ache in my skull also returned. Every movement drove a shudder through me, and the clunk of my heart caused the veins to pulse beneath my skin. Even breathing hurt, though the gentle pine fragrance caressing my lungs eased the pain. The wind’s harmonica sounds accompanied by a swooshing of leaves played a rhythmic tune, and if it wasn’t for the crunch of dried leaves nearby, sleep might have claimed me once again.

  I opened my eyes to a forest cloaked in night, and I lay on the earth below a round-bellied moon glowing in shades of copper and sanguine. The red moon hung low, and already the Earth’s shadow slipped off the edges of its face, engulfing the globe in blackness.

  The Lunar Eutine had started, and shortly the moon would plunge into the umbra, the time of my transformation.

  My wolf roused, prodding me, eager for release, but I felt something else inside me — a rawness that chilled my bones.

  Someone’s breath chanted near, and I turned to find Botolf sitting cross-legged next to a pine, twice the width of him.

  “How are you feeling?”

  My throat croaked, and I held back a dry cough. “Where am I?”

  “Deep in the Carpathian woods.”

  I stifled a growl and tasted other wulfkin on the breeze along with Connell’s sweet perspiration.

  Sandulf ensured we hid far enough from the city to avoid escape or anyone finding us. Lunar Eutine ceremonies could be held anywhere, since the change would take
place in my head, not the physical realm. Other wulfkin were needed for mere muscle power to hold down the thrashing animal; in this case, me.

  So, there was no reason for Sandulf to haul us into the middle of the forest, unless he had other plans. And no reason whatsoever for Connell to be here except as a bargaining chip for Sandulf, to keep me under control, and for Sandulf to get what he wanted.

  “Where’s Connell?”

  Botolf’s chin nudged to the treeline in front of us. I cranked my head up and made out a black silhouette slouched against a trunk.

  “Matias crash-tackled him hard.” Botolf’s voice sounded worn, and empty of spirit. Who could blame him?

  A heavy sorrow lay in my chest, and I struggled to push myself upright, especially once I saw the shackle around my ankle with the chain wrapped around a tree. I blinked away the prickling panic smothering my skin. Control. I wouldn’t lose it. Not yet.

  “Your body’s still healing.” Botolf’s soft words rang in my ears. “Sandulf knocked you out with a tree branch.”

  No surprise there. I rubbed the bump on my head, which stung. “Why the hell am I tied?” The dimness of the forest did nothing to conceal the dismay carved on Botolf’s face, or the heaviness beneath his eyes. He shrugged.

  “What happened after I fell?”

  For a moment, he said nothing. “Radu and I wouldn’t chase your police friend. We couldn’t, and that enraged Sandulf.” He inhaled a deep breath. “Once Sandulf hauled you back to the house, he beat Radu, who took each blow and scratch without a whimper. He’s tied up in the house basement in worse condition than you.”

  I said nothing. Had Sandulf gone mad? As a pack leader, he was entitled to serve punishment on disloyal wulfkin, yet he never before dished out such cruel behavior. The news of Radu’s punishment struck me hard, and dreadful images of him tortured and dying ricocheted through my thoughts until bile rose up my throat and threatened to spew out.

  And then it hit me. I didn’t have the elixir. No salt or wolfsbane. Even if I did, how could I get near Connell for human blood? Heaviness crushed my spirits, knowing I’d lost my chance at humanity, and at spending a lifetime with Connell. My destiny lay in Sandulf’s hands, just as he wanted. A dark loathing coated my thoughts.

  “I’ve seen a few Lunar Eutine transformations in my time,” Botolf said. “I can guide you.”

  In truth, the ritual terrified me. Either way, I was about to lose everything, and couldn’t change a thing. “I’d like that.” Anything to stop the drowning feeling.

  “Eutine comes from the ancient wulfkin language and translates to “true heart.” It draws on the connection you have with your wolf, and when the moon is completely shrouded in black, a new you will be delivered. Don’t be afraid of it. It’s a wondrous gift, and the ceremony is different for everyone. In mine, I was a pup again, huddled in fur blanket. Radu found himself trekking through unknown mountains, and Enre hunted a dark shadow, but every vision ends the same way: you wake up a wulfkin.” Botolf’s cheeks lifted. “Don’t fight the allure, welcome it.”

  He inched closer and whispered, “The Lunar Eutine is not your problem. Saving your human friend might be, especially since — ” He pulled his hand out of his pocket and revealed a bottle with a small amount of red liquid sloshing about, and just as quick he stuffed it away. “Look at what surrounds us.”

  I covered my mouth as I gazed upon the field of miniature white flowers everywhere. The wild petunia.

  “Radu told me everything. We both had a vial as a back-up plan. Lucky for you, I took turns guiding Connell out here, and I had to cut him for blood. I felt terrible for it.”

  The fire in my chest rekindled. Maybe my dream was possible. Botolf returned to sitting cross-legged, his head bowed.

  “I’m sorry you had to find out that way,” I said.

  “Don’t be. You need to do what’s right for you. We’ll always love you.”

  I nodded. We were in the woods for the sole purpose of the alpha finishing Connell. I knew that, and if I woke up as a human, he’d finish me off, too. I needed a plan and fast.

  Botolf and I kept silent for a long while, and I racked my mind for possible escapes involving Connell. Sure, I could take on Lutia and Sandulf. It had been done before. But there were no guarantees, especially when Matias was thrown into the mix.

  Nearby, something snorted and rustled. A wild boar with spiky tusks approached, its snout deep in foliage, making all kinds of grunting sounds. It nudged something that clanked. The animal raised its nose and sniffed us, then squealed and scrambled away.

  I crawled close enough to see my keys to Radu’s bunker in the grass, but no matter how far I stretched my arm, I couldn’t grab them. Someone had patted me down. I met Botolf’s stare. “Whatever happens, know that I love the pack. Well, maybe not all of them.”

  “I know.” He clutched his chest and that simple gesture broke my heart. I wanted to take him and Radu with me, so they’d never fear Sandulf again. The guilt of leaving them alone with an irate alpha, and Enre still lost, sickened me. I glanced up at the eclipse, which had now swallowed half of the moon.

  Lutia’s voice broke the peace. “How adorable, sharing your feelings. So human.”

  Sandulf, Lutia with a bandaged neck, and Matias, sauntered in our direction. The wulfkins’ scents swirled on the wind, and memories of my life under Sandulf’s rule surfaced — a time when the pack house provided a haven for wulfkin, protection, and the collective nurturing we craved. He destroyed it for his own self-interest, and I wondered again how far Alina’s death had broken him.

  Sandulf hadn’t attempted to kill me yet, and that small, unnerving detail gave me hope that a part of the old him remained somewhere inside.

  “I sense you’re troubled.” Sandulf’s voice grew dry and hoarse.

  Matias paced back and forth like a caged animal alongside the alpha.

  I pushed myself to my feet.

  Anger flared across Sandulf’s face, twisting his features. Just as quick, it dissipated back to a calm mien. “We’re family. So either do what I say, or I’ll show you no mercy.”

  Did he realize his comment was one huge contradiction? “I’m here, aren’t I?” I offered.

  Darkness slithered behind his gaze, like a surging tsunami, relentlessly pushing forward, engulfing everything in its path. His wolf roused inside him, eager to erupt and eliminate the defiant opponent: me.

  “Tonight’s Lunar Eutine is partial to a matriarch, coming along once every three hundred years or so.”

  “And?”

  “You’re a fool, Daciana.” Lutia interrupted.

  Sandulf stepped forward. “Any female moonwulf changing on this night who is stupid enough to take a certain elixir is asking for trouble.” His gaze swept to the keys in the grass.

  My throat closed up, and I couldn’t take another breath. Dear God, he did know about Radu helping me find the elixir.

  “If you go poking around in someone’s items, they’ll know. And Radu will be lucky to survive the punishment coming his way. He’ll never betray me again.” He inspected his hand and fingernails. “Then there’s you. What to do with you.”

  “You’ve got what you want. I’ve lost everything. Do what you want.” I glanced at the white flowers around me, guessing Sandulf didn’t know about Botolf’s secret.

  Matias’s back arched. His muscles twitched beneath his skin. Sandulf placed a hand on his shoulder. “Not yet.”

  “Let’s get one thing straight, Sandulf. You got what you wanted in the end. You won, okay. Let the human go, and I’ll be your willing mate.” I struggled to keep my voice calm and my wolf under control.

  “I’ll hold onto my insurance, and take you as a mate anyway.”

  Lutia should never play poker, because the fury of Sandulf’s words reddened her cheeks and thinn
ed her lips. “I’ll take the human and finish him off myself,” she said, her eyes fixed on me.

  I clenched my fists and imagined daggers streaking toward her, and for the second time, I wished another wulfkin dead. Wiped from existence. And I’d feel no grief, only joy.

  Botolf cried out, “Sandulf, stop this! You’ve broken the law by allowing a dracwulf to be born, letting humans die, and now bringing one to our ceremony.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “The Varlac will kill us. Don’t you care? What’s happened to you?”

  Matias roared like a bear toward Botolf. Lutia giggled.

  Sandulf’s eyelids closed in slow motion, all the while his head bobbing back and forth. “The Varlac are no threat. My contact has assured me of this, and perhaps you should control your tongue.”

  “And you gamble the pack’s lives on this contact?” I asked.

  “Would I risk the pack when I’m trying to protect them?” Sandulf’s voice was shaky, his nostrils flared, and his bunched hands trembled.

  He made no sense. Maybe that was part of the problem. Perhaps he had been losing his mind for years, leading the pack astray, but why hadn’t I seen it before? Maybe I didn’t want to.

  “Let the human go. Release Daciana. Let’s be a pack again, not enemies.” Botolf’s nervousness scraped the length of my arms, feasting on my own nerves.

  “Pfft.”

  Matias dropped on all fours, his body a spasm of convulsions. He was going to change any moment if he didn’t control his rage.

  Swallowing hard, I tussled to restrain my own wolf as each limb ached to transform. My body twitched, and my legs gave out. I hit the ground hard.

  A movement at the corner of my vision revealed Connell attempting to stand, despite being secured to the tree. His words muffled into the gag around his mouth.

  Lutia spun toward him. “Daciana — or should I say Daci — is tied up right now.” She moseyed closer to Connell, while Matias crawled toward Botolf, and the whole time Connell’s eyes stared at me.

  My lips opened in a silent snarl, and I dove forward on all fours toward Lutia, but was caught on my chain. “Do not touch him!” I voiced each word loud and precise.