“I’m nothing like—”
“Me? Ben, Cameron and Ethan? Everybody you’ve been taught to hate?” she interjects. “Honey, look around you. Are you that blind? We’re the same in every way. In case this is still hard for you to digest, let me break it down for you: you’re a werewolf, I’m a werewolf, your family and friends are werewolves, and the Conway’s are werewolves. So, yes, you are exactly the same as us.”
I shake my head. “You’re wrong. I actually have a heart. You and the Conway’s—except Ben—don’t have one. You lost yours long ago. The only thing you all care about is yourselves, forgetting about those closest to you in the process. You want Ben and will do whatever it takes to win him over. Guess what? He took care of that when he kissed me, and now we’re stuck together forever. But that’s still not good enough, because you’d rather force him to be with you than let him be with me.
As for the Conway’s, they only care about obtaining my power so they can bring back a couple of Ancients. Big fucking deal. All of this harm you guys are causing isn’t worth the risk.”
“Risk?” She chokes a bit on the word. “There’s no risk for those involved. We hate you and anyone who’s on your side. It’s not rocket science. The point is: you really need to get over yourself. Ben’s mine, and he always will be. His family will control your power before this is finished. So, guess what? You lose.”
“So . . . selfish.”
Ali steps off the stairs and strides toward me. She stops when we’re face to face. “From now on, what sliver of a heart you have left doesn’t belong to him; it belongs to me. I’ll have it as a trophy soon enough.”
The animal inside is begging to be unleashed. I struggle to contain it, to refrain from freeing myself and the beast within. A shadow passes over Ali’s face, like she knows my inner turmoil. She’s waiting for me to let go. For a moment, I want to surrender, but that moment subsides, leaving as promptly as it came.
“Even if you rip it from my chest—and I know that’s what you’re planning—it will always and forever be linked to Ben’s,” I tell her. “So, go ahead, take it. End this now. But just remember one thing: every time you look at your trophy, I want you to be reminded of the fact that it will never truly be yours, even when it’s separated from my body.”
Eyes wide, a bottomless growl rumbles from her throat. “I’ll make sure it’s locked away so no one has to waste precious moments of their life looking at it. But at least I’ll know where it came from, and I won’t have to worry about you anymore. None of us will.” She pauses, thoughtful almost. “Let’s work out an arrangement.”
“I don’t make deals with you.” I’m two seconds away from liberating the creature inside.
“Oh, but you haven’t heard my proposition yet. It’s a good one.” She doesn’t give me a chance to argue. Instead, she blurts, “You stay away from Ben, or I’ll kill him myself. How does that sound?”
At first, I’m taken aback. She’ll actually kill the person she loves because of raging jealously issues? What an idiot! Turns out she’s one of those psycho girlfriends the majority of men evade altogether.
My response: “Sounds stupid, actually. You know we’re marked, so there’s no way we can stop seeing each other. Even our minds are linked.”
“Fine, then.” She shrugs. “Have it your way. I guess I’ll just have to kill him.”
“You won’t touch him,” I say impassively.
“I already have, remember?” she reminds me, humored by my lame attempt to stop her—which isn’t really an attempt at all, just a lazy warning. “He’s out cold on the foyer so we won’t be bothered. You can’t help him unless you agree to my proposal. So, what’ll it be?”
Just when I thought things couldn’t possibly become worse, an ember of hope leads my eyes to wander . . . straight to the hidden passageway in the wall. I see it; from where I stand, light squeezes through the cracks and outlines the secret door.
I have a way out.
Great. Fantastic. But how can I save Ben from Ali? If I don’t do what she tells me, he’ll die. Or will he . . .?
“What about the Conway’s?” I ask, glad to have some leverage in this situation. “Aren’t you worried about what they’d do to you if you killed their son?”
Her perplexity to my question becomes obvious as she wipes her clammy hands on her jeans, and squirms.
“I’ll be long gone before they know, and I’ll set the whole thing up to look like you did it,” she answers.
I almost laugh. Almost. “They already know Ben and I are marked, so, unless Hell freezes over, there’s no way I’d kill him.” I walk circles around her, unhurried and intentional. “Please tell me you had a better plan, that this wasn’t the only idea you pulled out of your ass last minute.”
She’s like a frightened child, backed into a corner with nowhere to run. But just as I think that, her look rapidly changes, loosening, ready to strike and defend. She’s going to pounce.
Bitter and shrewd as ever, Ali says, “You better run, because if I get a hold of you . . .”
“You won’t do shit. Didn’t you hear what I said?”
“I heard everything!” she shouts. “And I don’t believe a word. You’re just doing this so I’ll spare you, but we both know that’s not going to happen.”
“You’d actually defy everything this family has worked for—has waited for—just to see me dead? Don’t you know they’ll slaughter me anyway?” I tsk her. “Someone needs to learn the art of patience.”
Her entire body vibrates, shuddering dramatically. Bones and muscles limber in preparation of turning, and her eyes alter to a shade of murky yellow. She recovers, though, without transforming. I steel myself for what might happen next; it’s apparent that she’s pissed and wants my head severed from my corpse.
As swift as lightning, she moves to strike two fingers against my neck, but I dodge them, jerking my torso out of their path. Though she was able to stop herself from changing, I can’t. A long-lasting tremor spreads up and down my body, commanding my darker presence to take form. This version of me can see the heat surrounding Ali’s figure, hear her heart thumping wildly inside her chest, the smell of irritation and trouble roaring from within. She wants my blood on her hands as much as I want hers on my tongue.
Since there’s no third option, one that would bring a truce between her and me, this leaves the stakes wide open. Everything the Conway’s have worked for might fall apart within the next ten minutes, and, once again, they’ll blame me.
However, I can’t let Ali harm Ben. Explaining this force contained by my physical structure is impossible; it’s like a barrier that can’t be razed. All I know is that I have to keep Ben safe, even if that means taking her down.
“C’mon, Candra,” she jeers, “just let me tap you, and this will all be over. You won’t have to worry about your silly feud anymore.”
Not today, I think.
Bounding toward her, I sideswipe as a last-ditch effort, which flawlessly works to my advantage. She pivots, her feet intertwine, and she trips. The one and only chance I may have, I take. While she’s dazed for milliseconds on the floor, I propel myself forward in two massive leaps. My teeth sink into one arm, as my right paw restrains her other from reaching up and touching me. With a swift flick of my jaw, I rip her right limb clean off. Screaming from pain, she makes a sorry attempt at moving from underneath me, to no gain.
The other arm tears without difficulty. Ali’s tears are a fuel to my urge, for all those things she said about Ben and me, and my family and friends, and how, in the end, it’d either be her or me. Eventually, I would’ve had to pick whether I wanted to live or die. But this way, I’m choosing my fate in advance.
“Please stoppp!” she howls through a mess of tears. “I’ll do anything. Whatever you want. Don’t do this, Candra. Please!” Her nose and cheeks are inflamed from crying, matching the color of the blood pooling at her sides. If I don’t end this, she’ll continue to come back. Next time, it ma
y not be me; it may be a family member, or Jana and Blake. I don’t know where she’ll draw the line.
An overwhelming hunger swells from within, coaxing me to finish what I started.
So, I do.
With one final plea for life, I deny her. My paw plunges through her chest, stomping the very organ that grants her existence. Ali coughs and sputters, blood spilling from her mouth and dripping into a puddle beneath her head. The heat radiating from her body—which was bright oranges and yellows just a few minutes ago—has now darkened to shades of blues and purples.
She’s gone . . . forever.
And I killed her.
Chapter Nine
I stare for a long time at the mess I’ve made. This could’ve been avoided if she listened to me. Too stubborn and selfish, Ali brought on her demise, and I was just the messenger.
Okay, focus. You have GOT to get out of here before they find her. Or Ben.
Attempting to peek around the openings of the hidden door are pointless; I can’t see anything. There are several people wandering outside, voices transmitting straight to my ears. If I have any opportunity to bust this exit down and flee, I better do it fast—before they, or anyone else, catches me. That leaves me with a short window, one that I need to use to my benefit.
Backing up about five feet, I prepare to charge the passage.
“Stop her!” cries Mrs. Conway from the top of the stairs.
Oh no.
Glancing over my shoulder, I notice they all freeze at the bottom—when they see Ali’s body. Cameron actually looks scared, for once, but then his face reverts to the same threatening scowl it always carries. Ethan covers his mouth and attempts to head back upstairs, but his mom grabs him by the shirt collar, turning him around.
“Let it be known that she’s a menace to our society. She’s killed one of our own,” says Mrs. Conway.
I release a fierce snarl. One of our own? Ali and I couldn’t have been more different if we tried. Just because she was a werewolf like me doesn’t mean we were friends, or even blood relatives. I guess the rule wouldn’t have applied to them had I stuck around and they stole my power, and then murdered me. Glad I’ll be missing that tragedy.
Without additional hesitation and before the Conway’s stop me, the stone outlet crumbles as I breach the wall. Above, there’s a tiny opening between the house and the yard, which light slips through, but it’s not large enough for me to fit. I run the length of a dirt tunnel ahead, which will lead me God-knows-where. At this point, anything is better than that dungeon.
Run faster! I say to myself. It doesn’t seem like I’m escaping quickly enough. I can’t wait to be purged of that stingy place and be home, finally. The soil underneath my paws reeks of a negated odor, which comes close to burning my sensitive nose, and the further I scurry into the burrow, the more claustrophobic I become. The walls are decreasing in size; the gap around me now is smaller than the opening. At this rate, I may not fit through what’s left.
Then, at last, air replaces the horrible smell in my nostrils with something new, something fresh. Grass. Oh so close, too. And pine trees; I catch their woodsy aroma.
Sunlight is ahead, glowing brighter and brighter the closer I am. Not far are wooden boards covering the way out. Bursting through the exit of the tunnel, I don’t think to look where I am; I continue to scamper. I’ll stop when I know there’s distance between myself and the Conway household. Their voices distantly rise in alarm behind me, but I’m covering a lot of ground, zigzagging through the trees so they won’t know where I am. Ultimately, I tire of this plan and head straight through the woods to the other side of town. Humans can’t see us when we’re in darting at a high rate of momentum, as we’re nothing more than a blur. The hard part is trying not to smack into something—cars, buildings, trees. We have to think with speed.
I haven’t been able to place my location just yet. More and more, though, familiar buildings pass by, until I learn where I am. Don’t stop, Candra, I think. Even though my muscles grow tired from traveling too rapidly, I must visualize the bigger picture here—arriving home, safe and sound. Which, lucky for me, isn’t too far ahead. I’ve passed the shopping area where Livia’s is, and now I’m in a park a few blocks from Randy and Beth’s.
Out of my peripheral sight, I detect one werewolf on either side of me, both about thirty yards out. My best guess is: they aren’t from our side of the forest. They’ll probably follow me home, causing more problems, maybe even a fight. I have to stop them, stall them—anything!
I veer toward the one on my right, whose coat is as tan as California girls. He spots me, changing direction to rush. As the saying goes: go big or go home. We meet in midair, fangs bared, claws swiping. Neither of us gains a strong hold on the other. He’s the first to sink his teeth in and not let go, so I pull the same trick Ethan did with me—I roll around until he loosens his grip, even if it’s just a little. Hurts like hell, but it works. As soon as he releases, his twin from my left side decides to join in. Two against one, huh? This ought to be fun.
Everything inside me is screaming to run, run for my life and don’t look back. But I can’t lead them directly to Randy and Beth’s doorstep when they’re looking for a fight. Who knows what they’ve been ordered to do. For this reason, I’ll stay here and do battle.
Unexpectedly, blurs flash by us. Two, at least. I’m dizzy just trying to make out their shapes. The two I’m prepared to duke it out with have stopped combating so they can watch, too. If anymore Followers gang up on me, I’m screwed. It’ll be back to the dungeon for me.
One of those hazy figures whizzing by circles around and rams the haunch of the Follower on the left, toppling him and his friend like they’re dominoes. Had I been one foot closer, I would’ve been hit. When the Followers stand up, the next figure makes a beeline for them from the right, triggering them to tumble again. I’d laugh if I were human right now.
Apparently, the Followers don’t like to be mocked, because they run off with their tails tucked between their legs. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when the Conway’s hear about this.
The shadowed forms crisscross the park once more, and then come to an abrupt stop not two feet from me. Whoever these two are, they’re a team . . . and they just saved my life. Both have mixed coats. The male’s is golden in some places, brown in others. The female’s is black, white and grey.
Candra, is it you?
I lied. I KNOW THEM!
Jana? Blake? My eyes dart back and forth between the two. I don’t wait for confirmation before leaping on top of Jana and tackling her to the ground. If I had the capability of hugging her right now, I’d do it.
It’s us! Jana cries out, as happy as I feel. Oh, Candra, we were so worried about you. We’ve been working on a plan to get you out, even surveying the area near the Conway residence, but they have scouts everywhere.
It’s okay, I tell her. How’re Mom and Dad? Randy and Beth? Your parents?
Blake snarls, and Jana and I stare at him blankly. Just clearing my throat, he says.
Jana rolls her eyes along with me. Everyone’s been concerned about you, she responds. They’ll be so excited to see you again.
I heard you guys got banged up during that brawl on my birthday. I was nervous the fight was worse than the Conway’s let on.
We heal quickly, remember? We’re fine. Really.
I nod my head, acknowledging I understand. Oh, and that reminds me, I add. Thanks. Both of you. Yet again, you saved my life. I owe you BIG.
Yeah, you kinda do, says Blake. His lips pull back, revealing sharp incisors. I guess it’s his way of smiling.
We have strict orders to get you home, Jana says in a rush, and I’m not about to disobey.
The three of us embark on the journey to Randy and Beth’s. Feels good to be free at last, able to roam the wild and breathe clean air. I can’t wait to not only see my family, but also eat, sleep on something that’s not hard and cold, and take a hot shower. Teeming with glee,
I force my muscles to move until they burn, even though they’re crying out for me to slow down.
Wanna race? asks Blake.
Sure, why not? I duck my head against the wind and push my body to the max. Blake’s side by side with me, so this competition will be a close one. Rounding the corner of the subdivision, we’re only a block away. Such a long distance for someone who’s never wanted home more in her life.
Ohhhhh, Blake draws out, challengingly, upping the anticipation.
He beats me by a millisecond, though. Thankfully, we didn’t wager a bet.
Nice job, Cee, but you still have some work to do, he says, joking, of course.
Jana catches up to us, frustrated that we sped off and left her behind. Normally, we don’t have to worry about the Conway’s and their Followers near our property; there’s a mutual understanding that we don’t trespass on their land, or they ours. In light of recent dealings, however, the rules have changed.
Blake and I apologize for our egotism, explaining we wanted to have a little fun.
I wanted to get her mind off where she just came from, that’s all, Blake tells Jana.
It’s just . . . things aren’t like they used to be, Jana says. We need to be careful. If we’re out together, they could ambush us. What if we were outnumbered? What then?
Sorry, I say. Won’t happen again.
Looking at them now, I wonder why I never noticed what they looked like as werewolves. After all, they did rescue me from Ethan in the woods. The pain I experienced could’ve factored into me not knowing up from down, left from right, therefore unable to discern their coats, or it could’ve been because the encounter was at night.
The front door opens as we near the house. Mom, Dad, Randy and Beth, and even Mr. and Mrs. Rendall, stand aside to let us in. Their ecstatic expressions and teary eyes comfort me. They shut the door behind us, and we all unite in the living room, where space is available.
First order of business: transforming back into my human self. The process is turning out to be easier and easier, although the strange numbness left in the aftermath is something I’ll have to get use to. Since Randy can make things materialize using his power, we don’t ever have to worry about seeing each other unclothed after a shift.
Black Moon (Silver Moon, #2) Page 8