Page 44 of Marked By Moonlight
I should go inside.
I should lock the door.
I should keep trying to reach Ambrose or anyone else who can help Emeric.
“Ambrose?”I try one more time, pleading with everything I can in my mind.
Nothing.
Fangs dip into Emeric’s fur at his neck, and he’s tossed hard against the brick wall. A high-pitched yelp whirls through the air, as a mass of blood pours out a gash at Emeric’s neck.
I don’t know how to help him, but I can’t leave him. I can’t leave him to die. I’m not strong. I can’t shift. I don’t even feel a tingling. And even if I could, I wouldn’t be skilled enough to take on three vampires alone. Emeric isn’t even able to. I do the only thing I can think of, and I’m not even sure it’s going to do a damn thing to stop them from draining every drop of Emeric’s blood.
“Stop. I’m Lumi—Ambrose’s mate. And if you let Emeric live, you can have me.”
Chapter 17
Lumi
The world freezes at my words.
All movement ceases, and the creatures in front of me go still as a statue. I count them: two males and one female.
With a flash, two witches appear out of thin air.
I blink as if I’m imagining them. But I know the two female witches that appeared are as real as the three vampires. I’ve always known of their existence, but it’s still hard for me to get used to the idea of them actually existing.
The vampire sinking his teeth into Emeric releases him, spitting out a wad of fur as blood oozes down Emeric’s sandy hue.
“Stay wolf,” the vampire snaps at him, and I realize he tasted some of Emeric’s blood, which means he has the ability to control Emeric.
“Leave him alone!” I shout, terrified they’ll kill him.
Emeric stops moving, but he’s still breathing. Even I can see that from here, as my eyesight sharpens in the night.
“And why would you offer yourself up?” the blonde-haired vampire with a charming grin to rival Emeric’s asks.
I frown. “He’s my friend, and he doesn’t deserve to die. Let him go, and you can have me.” I don’t know what possesses me to say the words that leave my mouth. They could move on me in less than a second. Their fangs, speed, and magic would defeat me before I even had a chance to turn toward the door.
“Does it matter why she wants to trade, Draven? Make the trade, and let’s go,” the shorter, bulkier one says with jet-black hair.
“Silence, Nikolai,” Draven says, appearing to act as their leader.
Nikolai rolls his eyes, seemingly unfazed by Draven’s tone.
The female vampire scoffs.
“You can’t agree with him, Vespera,” Nikolai says.
“Patience,” Vespera says, watching me closely.
All of their blood-red eyes are watching me without blinking. They are waiting for something.But what?
For Ambrose to come to rescue me?
If he hasn’t already come to my rescue, I fear he won’t make it in time.
“Hmmm,” Vespera says, turning toward Draven.
