Page 55 of Marked By Moonlight
I sniff, mimicking her movements, not finding any of Emeric’s scent either. But I can’t believe that Ambrose would have left me here unprotected.
“You’re safe in this house. Ambrose would never leave you unprotected. It’s spelled by a powerful witch to keep others out.”
“It didn’t keep you out.”
“Because I’m not a threat.” She smiles genuinely.
“Tell me what’s going on.”
Her smile drops. “There was an attack. The vampires and witches, along with the Bloodmoon wolves…” She pauses as if she can’t speak the rest of it but then forces the words out. “They attacked. I’m not sure how many were hurt. I’m sure that’s where Ambrose and Emeric are right now, helping the injured. But...” she trails off again.
My heart sinks even though I have no idea what she’s going to say. “Spit it out!”
“Kael is gone. The last I saw him, he was being dragged off by a vampire.”
I gasp, my hands shooting to my mouth to cover my shock. Water fills my eyes at the thought that Kael is most likely dead. That everyone I ever loved or cared about is probably dead. My father, my pack, and now Kael.
“I don’t understand. I thought they just came here to see if I could shift and break the curse. They attacked after they came after me?”
“They came after you?”
I nod.
“Yes, they attacked the rest of the pack about an hour ago. I’m not sure why. These things happen from time to time about territory or revenge or threats. I would guess it would be a warning to Ambrose that if he doesn’t break the curse on the next full moon, they will attack again and destroy us.”
I frown. “I have to find Kael.”
Rowena nods, like she knew I would say that. “Come on, I’ll help you.”
She starts jogging out of the house, and I follow as quickly as I can, pushing any sense of dread down, knowing it won’t help me find Kael. The second we step onto the main dirt road that leads through the village, I gasp again. I don’t know what I expected to see, but it wasn’t this. Smoke billows out of several rooftops. Wails and cries echo through the woods, and blood—so much blood marks the grass and dirt, even where bodies aren’t lying in agony.
This is my fault. This happened because of me. Because I was distracting Ambrose. Because I can’t shift.
Moans and groans fill the air, and the overwhelming metallic scent infiltrates my nostrils. Ambrose’s house sits on top of a hill overlooking the rest of the pack’s homes. The number of people tending to half-broken human and shifter bodies seems like the entire pack was affected in one way or another. And Kael could be among them. I have to find him.
I know that wolf shifters can heal from remarkable injuries, but I don’t have enough experience with vampires to know what wounds can be healed and what can’t be. For a moment, I’m torn between staying and trying to help save the pack members that I can and finding Kael.
“Last time I saw Kael, he was being dragged this way,” Rowena says, heading into the forest at our right.
I hesitate for another moment, but ultimately, I know my limits and who I have the chance to save. “Let’s go.” I start running full out, but the second Rowena starts jogging, I know I won’t be able to keep up with her. And she’ll waste valuable time staying with me.
“Go ahead, I’ll catch up.”
“I can’t leave you unprotected.”
I frown. “Please.”
She shakes her head.
I sigh but don’t try to ask her to go on ahead again as we trudge through the forest, following the scent of blood. But I haven’t picked up on anything specific of Kael’s. I don’t know if that makes it better or worse.Does that mean he was dragged in this direction, or is he back with the pack healing his injuries?
A howl of agony rings through the forest.
“Kael,” I gasp, knowing that howl anywhere. I look at Rowena, knowing the howl is too far away. Whoever is threatening him, we won’t get there in time.
“Please, he’s all I have,” I whisper through my tears.
Rowena hesitates for just a second, looking in the direction of the howl and then back at me.
