Dark of Night

by T. F. Walsh

He clutched his chest. “Trying. So it’s still on the loose. Your methods aren’t working. That much is obvious.” His hand reached to his lower back and retrieved a handgun. “I should have done this the first time I saw the animal, instead of listening to you.”

  A sudden coldness hit me. “Planning to shoot me again?”

  “I didn’t shoot — ” His words trailed off. “That was you? But … how? My head hurts.” His hand dropped and the gun dangled from his fingers, pointing to the ground. He staggered toward the woods and slumped to his knees, murmuring something about a dream. Boundaries between sanity and madness were easily crossed, and I worried for him.

  I walked to where he crouched. “I wasn’t myself that night,” I said, in a calm voice, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

  He flinched.

  I knelt next to him. “I can only imagine how difficult this is for you. It’s tearing me apart to have you push me away. The fact of the matter is wulfkin — or werewolves as you call them — do exist. For your own good sense, you need to accept this or it will eat away your mind.”

  “Goddamn it, Daci!” He snapped to face me. “You think I’m crazy because I can’t accept you’re a bloody werewolf.” Hysterical laughter rolled past Connell’s lips, though his expression held no hilarity. “They don’t exist.” He tucked his head into his bent knees. “I must be going mad.”

  Aside from chirping birds, a quiet enveloped us. Berating myself for being a colossal fool and not trusting Connell earlier, I stretched my legs out and tried to devise an excuse for him to leave without pushing him farther away. I had lied to him, like his ex-wife, and now my jar of secrets lay smashed open. There was nothing for me to do until he decided to forgive me.

  “This is not an easy thing to admit to myself. I’ve been working on the force for years and there’s always been a rational explanation for every single incident. This, here,” he looked sideways at me, “is not rational.”

  “I know you’re confused, and I owe you a complete explanation of everything. And then it’s up to you whether you choose to accept the truth, or let it drive you insane. No more lies from me. But you need to leave this place. Now.”

  He frowned. “Why do I always fall for the liars?”

  Holding myself tight, I ignored the lump in my throat swelling. “I can’t say sorry enough times to show you how terrible I feel, and I’ll let you decide once you’ve heard my side. But I can’t do this right now. Please Connell, you have to leave.” I stood up.

  His brow creased. “No, tell me now. I can’t cope with not believing my own memories.”

  I paced across the yard. My hand rubbed a sore ache settling in my forehead. My initial instinct was to physically force Connell into his car, thought that might scare him into never coming back to me.

  “That creature you saw in the city is on her way here, and she’s not coming over for a cup of tea, if you get my drift.” I squatted next to him to appear less intimidating. “She’s on her way, and really pissed. That’s why you need to go.”

  Lines formed at the sides of Connell’s eyes as he squinted against the sun’s glare. “If you’re hunting this wolf, why is it coming to you?”

  “Because I have her mate.”

  “God, I’m so confused. Why is this animal so bent on attacking people, and you’re not?” His glance darted to the woods.

  “The animal that attacked us in the city is different. She has no human side, and is pure wolf, but ten times more territorial and vicious.”

  Connell climbed to his feet, and I clutched his arm. “You need to leave now.” My fingers squeezed. “I’d die if anything happened to you.”

  His mouth opened and closed several times before his words spilled. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll help you stop it.”

  I took his hand in mine. “You’d be safer at your place. I’ll come and see you afterward. Please.” The drumming of my pulse thudded in my ears.

  He drew his hand out of mine. “I wasn’t safe when I was abducted. How do you think I found you? I didn’t even know you lived out here.”

  Oh joy, he’s never going to forgive me or take me back, but rather than self-pity, anger flared awake. Furious words rushed toward my lips, but a great roar bellowed from the surrounding forest, and I froze. Hairs on the back of my neck spiked as if hell itself licked the length of my spine.

  Connell lifted the pistol to his chest. He stumbled closer to the house in quick, jerky steps, all the while scouring the perimeter.

  My stomach plunged to my feet. “Too late. She’s here.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Connell stepped in front of me, pushing me behind him. His touch quivered with the thrashing of his heartbeat. “Go inside the house, Daci.” He drew a fast breath and scanned the forest, clutching his pistol tight.

  I paid no attention.

  On the wind, the sound of branches cracking and the beat of paws pounding the earth accelerated. A loud cacophony of birds squawked as they burst free from the crown of trees nearby, and there in the distance the dracwulf emerged, plunging through the woodland, her strength crushing shrubbery and undergrowth like a military tank ramming opponents.

  “Shoot her,” I cried.

  Gunfire exploded, and I cringed from the bang. The bullet tore half the dracwulf’s ear off, though she continued her rampage without a flinch.

  “It’s moving too fast,” Connell’s voice quivered.

  When a second bullet fired and caught her on the shoulder, she skidded to a halt across the driveway and roared. Her head bowed forward, and her lips curled over pointy incisors.

  I contemplated my chances of transforming to take her on my own, but knew Connell would intervene and probably get himself killed. I dropped the idea.

  Taking a few quick steps toward the house, I dragged Connell alongside me. “We’ll need more than a few bullets to stop her.”

  We spun about, dashed past the front door, and slammed it shut behind us. I hurried to lock the second, metal door. At the same time that the deadbolts clicked into place, a thunderous blow smashed against the wall. The whole place shook, hinges creaked and wood splintered.

  Connell started to pace. “This is really bad.”

  I switched on the lights and watched him slide loose hair strands behind his ears. A low, droning growl echoed from outside.

  “Why the hell does it smell like a barnyard in here?” Connell inspected the empty space.

  Botolf tore into the room with rushed breaths. “Bloody Sandulf and his dracwulf.” He spotted Connell, whose perspiration tickled my nose. “Probably not a good idea for him to be here right now.”

  “Too late.”

  “I’m standing right here. You can talk to me,” Connell said to Botolf.

  I eyeballed him. “This is Botolf, the eldest of our pack. He released you the other night in the woods.”

  For a few moments, he said nothing. “I remember you cutting me and collecting my blood in a vial or something. Glad I could provide you with a snack.”

  “It’s not what you think. He did it for me,” I said.

  Connell scratched his head and then offered his hand to the older wulfkin. “I’m Connell, Daci’s friend.”

  Friend? Had he just called me a friend? My mind froze, unable to process anything. Tapping my fingers to my lips, I stared at Connell who gave a slight shrug.

  I turned to Botolf. “Well … seeing you’ve met my friend, why don’t you take him to the bedroom, so everyone is in one place.” I narrowed my eyes at Connell. “I’m going to do a quick check for the dracwulf, since she’s fallen too quiet for my liking.”

  “Daci — ”

  I lifted my palm at Connell and stopped his words. He looked as uneasy as I felt. Maybe I should pat his arm and thank him for making the decision to break-up an easy one for us,
or kiss and beg him to tell me he wants me back. I didn’t know what to do. Was he still my boyfriend? I strode into the kitchen like nothing bothered me, when I yearned to run away crying.

  Slumped beside the countertop, I contemplated the possibility that Connell might have just broken up with me, officially. Was I really surprised? I kneaded my chest, easing my breath. Why call me a friend? Why not partner, girlfriend or lover? And the way he shrugged, that small gesture, jabbed my heart a million times. The cold awareness started to cut into my stomach like razor blades, shredding deeper. I leaned forward and hugged my gut. Every part of me shivered and constricted.

  A long exhale escaped my lips. It was the wrong time for me lose my cool, or let my personal issues distract me. I had a dracwulf to eliminate.

  I lifted my chin and reentered the rest of the house, listening for the beast’s whereabouts, leaving the bedroom for last, but all I could hear was my pulse hammering inside my head. There were no sounds outside, so I joined the others, greeted by a wave of fear, electricity, and a heavy stillness in the room.

  Connell leaned into the far corner, and I refused to meet his gaze. Radu slumped in an old armchair that once belonged in his underground post. His forehead gleamed with sweat and every so often, his breath rasped. Lutia sat against the wall, her legs stretched out and arms behind her head. She studied me, yet fell short of any crafty remarks.

  I touched Botolf’s shoulder. “How’s Enre holding up?”

  “Still asleep.”

  Enre’s fragile body, lying on the fur blankets, reminded me of how I found him in the cave, clinging onto life. A coral complexion bathed his cheeks, and I suspected his stubbornness kept him alive.

  “What’s happening out there?” Botolf asked.

  “Zilch. Not a thing. She’s possibly checking the house for the best point of entry. That’s what I would do.” In truth, the silence terrified me because she could break inside at any moment, and I was still short a plan.

  Botolf cleared his throat. “What are we going to do?”

  Lutia’s loud cackle broke the silence. “She’s not going to hurt anyone if we give her Enre.”

  “Are you mad?” I said.

  Connell pushed himself from the corner. “Why is she here? It’s obvious she doesn’t care about the rest of you. Even I can see it, and I’ve been here two seconds.”

  “Idiot human. Shut your mouth.” Lutia’s face twisted into a feral expression.

  “Lutia.” A rumble echoed my voice.

  Connell marched toward her with determination and swung the gun into her face. “Don’t think I forgot you trying to eat me.”

  She waved a hand in dismissal and forced a strained smile. “I wanted to scare you, not taste you, though I bet you’re sweet.” She shot a glance my way and winked.

  Connell’s eyes rolled, his nostrils flared. “You don’t fool me. I vote on throwing her to the wolf thing while we get away.” The sarcasm in his voice was lost because he wasn’t kidding around.

  For a long moment, I considered his proposal for no reason other than to torment Lutia.

  She gripped her knees. “You’re not going to listen to him?” Her eyes met mine.

  I ran a hand through my hair. “It’s tempting.”

  She squinted, her lips thinned, and her words quivered. “You wouldn’t.”

  I touched Connell’s arm. “Put down the gun. We’re all here for the same reason. Keep focused on the enemy who’s outside.” To my surprise, I managed to keep my voice composed.

  He withdrew and tramped over to the far wall, holding Lutia in his sight. “I don’t trust her.”

  “Good, that makes two of us.”

  “I have a shotgun in my trunk. Maybe it will buy us time,” Connell said.

  I nodded and stretched out an open palm. “Give me your keys.”

  He shook his head. “I’m coming.”

  “No, you’re staying in here until I return.” Unintentionally, a snarl hung off my last word, and despite his racing heartbeat, he didn’t flinch.

  He retrieved the keys from his jean pocket and threw them at me. I caught them in one hand and stepped backward, refusing to give any thought to his rigid posture or parted lips.

  “Lutia, you’ll keep guard over Enre and Radu. Botolf, you’re with me.” Connell would keep an eye on Lutia, and I counted on him using the gun if needed.

  I headed into the hallway. “Let’s go.”

  Once in the main room, Botolf said, “Maybe we should wait for the dracwulf to tire herself out.”

  “She won’t give us that chance, you know that.” Even as I spoke, I sensed the animal outside. “I’m going to distract her and give you enough time to grab the gun and dash back inside.” I dangled the keys for him to take.

  He clutched them, turning his knuckles white. “What’s your plan?”

  “When I yell, just do your part, don’t worry about me.”

  “But, you won’t — ”

  “Leave it to me. You focus on keeping safe.”

  Instead of resisting me, his shoulders straightened and he stood ready to fight. After a quick hug, I hurried into the kitchen and unlocked the padlocks with unsteady hands.

  The backyard was deserted. Stillness clung to everything. Not even the tree branches swayed. The breeze froze with baited breath, and I released a loud whistle, carving the peace.

  The dracwulf hollered and materialized at the corner of the house, growling and slobbering on herself.

  “Botolf, go!” I slammed the door shut and sprinted into the thick underbrush, toward the forest.

  A sudden wind wailed between the oversized trees, carrying the smell of dung and wet wolf fur. The thudding of paws behind me quickened. She was damn fast. Just a bit of time was all I needed. I hurried, ripping the underbrush getting caught on my jeans.

  Her grunts grew closer. Louder.

  My foot snagged on a tree root. I tumbled forward and rolled onto my back, jutting my arm upward.

  Enormous jaws latched on my forearm, and the pain belted through me. She shook her head, shaking me with her. A hot, putrid breath gushed from her nose and over my face. Her saliva seeped onto my chin, while tiny eyes with intelligence behind them studied me. I admitted my plan to remain in human form was flawed. Strength always won over agility.

  Desperately, I smashed my brow into her nose and regretted the decision as soon as the dancing lights distorted my vision. She jerked, releasing me with a growl. I dragged myself backward, but not for long. She leapt over the top of me. In reflex I threw my damaged arm to cover my face. Her teeth tore a chunk of my flesh. Nausea flashed through me, and I released the ululating cry burning my throat.

  She freed a triumphant howl.

  A banging sound resonated in the air, and the dracwulf stiffened. Her head jolted up, and she thrust herself off me, heading toward the house, growling.

  An itchy inferno spread through my insides. I embraced my unrestrained fury, rushing a full transformation while I climbed to my feet and scampered after her, knowing too well it might hamper my injured arm from fully healing.

  I bolted to the front yard to find Botolf splayed on the hood of Connell’s Audi, and the dracwulf standing over him. The shotgun lay strewn near the front wheel. I stopped dead in my tracks.

  The dracwulf twisted her head my way, and I swear she wore a grin.

  Botolf winced.

  I held the beast’s attention, giving Botolf enough time to slip away. He slid beneath the beast’s arm and crawled underneath the Audi.

  Quick to respond, she started to ram her side into the car. Each collision lifted the vehicle farther off the ground, and in no time it would expose Botolf.

  I leapt forward, throwing my entire weight into the dracwulf. She fell onto the front hood, smashing the windshield.
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  I landed on my rump and jumped to my feet.

  “My car!” Connell’s voice shrieked and shot two bullets into the animal’s hind legs, just missing me, followed by the click of an empty ammo chamber.

  Blood darkened her fur, marking the Audi. She slipped off the vehicle and onto the ground. Her long, viscous tongue drooped between sharp fangs.

  My gaze shifted to Connell whose rapid breathing called to my hunger, and my pulse sped. Not good. His eyes bulged as he watched me. A dazed guise captured his expression. His grip strangled the gun in his hands. He deserved major brownie points for not running away.

  The dracwulf, already on all fours, retreated behind the car.

  Jumping to the front of the vehicle, I yanked Botolf from beneath it.

  “I thought that was the end of me.” He grabbed my paw and struggled to his feet.

  Then I spotted Connell crouching near his Audi, collecting the shotgun.

  “Get out of there!” Botolf shrieked.

  The dracwulf reappeared from behind the vehicle, targeting Connell who was too busy fiddling with the weapon to notice the oncoming menace.

  I launched myself toward him.

  He was quick and hurled the butt of the shotgun toward the beast’s snout. She dodged it and bit into his thigh, tearing through material and flesh.

  Connell yelped; a horrific sound. The gun fell from his grasp.

  The dracwulf snatched it into her jaws, chomping it into several pieces.

  Connell fell backward against me.

  The dracwulf sneered, blood spilling from her wobbly legs.

  I stepped in front of Connell and pushed him toward the house.

  My sliced arm blazed in pain, but my thoughts centered on retribution. A cool breeze swished the hairs along my neck. I threw myself forward. The dracwulf slipped out of reach, stepping sideways. Catching myself, I mimicked her low posture. We both crept counterclockwise, holding each other’s glares. I attacked, and she swiped her large paw, slashing my cheek. Stooped lower, I lurched forward again, that time biting her front leg, crunching bone.

  I retreated slightly and circled the wounded animal.