Page 89 of Howling
Huh?
Twisting, I peer out the window and snicker when a stampede of nearly thirty cows barrels down Main Street, mooing and bellowing in distress. Between the hooves, I spot a coyote and a sleek leopard weaving between the large beasts, nipping at their heels to keep them moving. They’re so quick that they’re almost impossible to spot. If I didn’t know what was happening, I would’ve missed them completely.
Across the way, an alarm warbles in distress. Water gushes from dozens of windows…even from the fifth floor. How were they able to flood a whole building? It’s only when the structure shivers, then sways alarmingly, that I realize only one shifter is strong enough to tear down a whole fucking building.
Bellamy.
I unconsciously step forward, my breath catching at the thought of seeing his dragon form. The yearning in my chest is almost painful, despite knowing that if he shifted, we’re screwed.
Very few dragons still exist.
The instant the sighting is reported, the council will know Bellamy is alive and no longer theirs to manipulate. It won’t be long before they discover how it happened.
It will put a target on both of us, and a real hunt will commence.
Any shot of freedom will vanish.
Right now, they’re only suspicious of me. They want me back so I can be studied. If I’m not deemed valuable, I’ll either besent to the breeding sheds or killed as an example to anyone who thinks to escape their rule.
That might be a moot point if we don’t eradicate Geoffrey first. There is no way to guess what he’s already told the council, but that’s something we’ll have to deal with later.
Water continues to gush from every window of the building, diverting the reservoir so much that the town is unable to combat the fires.
It’s pure chaos outside, men running in different directions, unsure what to fix first, and pride fills my chest at their deviousness. I glance at the back door, then nod. “Go fast. Be quiet. Head toward the trees and don’t look back.”
Most of the supernatural beings nod in acknowledgment. Though the three snooty people snarl in annoyance that I would dare give them an order, that doesn’t stop them from being the first out the door.
They’re nearly halfway across the clearing before they’re spotted. A few people shout an alarm. I take a step in that direction, ready to intervene, when the witch grabs my arm and shakes her head. “The best way we can help them is to cut off the head of the threat.”
I pause, fighting my instincts to shrug her off. The only thing that stops me is knowing she’s right. Just as I turn away, I see the witch bitch shove one of the injured shifters, sacrificing him to make her own escape. The poor man falls to the ground in a heap and struggles to rise to his feet.
The young witch who reassured me earlier pauses at the commotion, then turns and coldcocks the bitch, knocking her ass out. She heads toward the shifter, helps him to his feet, and they limp away, leaving the bitch to her fate. The fae couple don’t even pause to rescue their companion, pretending they didn’t see her as they sprint toward the tree line.
My chest burns in appreciation for the young witch’s actions, and I glance at the woman at my side. “You would be smart to find her later and add her to your coven. She would be a great asset.”
“Her name is Tera, and I had that very same thought,” she murmurs contemplatively, and we both continue to watch the others flee. No one lifts a hand as the guards swarm over the fallen bitch, watching as they drag her back toward the center of town.
Most of the shifters have reached the tree line, and the tension eases from my spine. Inhaling deeply, I face the front of the shop, ready to do my part. The only way to keep them from being dragged back is to give Geoffrey a bigger target—us.
I glance at the witch at my side, a smirk of excitement kicking up the corners of my lips. “Ready to fuck some shit up?”
A slow, vindictive smile crosses her face, her eyes darkening with vengeance, and she nods. “My name is Isobel. If we get out of this alive, know that you and your men have a safe haven with me and my coven.”
I’m shocked speechless at her offer. It’s a great honor for a shifter to be given protection by a witch, much less a whole coven. I swallow the lump in my throat and offer her a formal vow. “It’s an honor to fight alongside you. My name is Francesca, but you can call me Frankie. If you ever need me, you can reach me through this message board.”
I pass over one of the cards that Connor insisted I carry.
The witch traces her fingers along the card, her eyes scanning the information, then she sets it on fire. A genuine smile crosses her face. “You and your pack are now friends of the Rosewood Coven. Thank you for all you have done for us this day.”
With a nod, I head toward the door with Garth shadowing my steps, and Isobel trails behind us. When I reach for the knob, she holds out her hand, her expression conflicted. “Your power…youcan’t let anyone know what you can do. If they find out that you can destroy magic, they will kill you.”
There it is—my greatest secret spoken out loud for the first time.
I purposely don’t look at Garth, unsure how much he understands.
It’s a problem for future me to worry about.
I don’t know why she didn’t tell the others or kill me outright. I suspect the only reason I’m alive is because she needs my help.
