Page 65 of Wolf Trap

“He’s exactly the reason we are here. If we interfere now, and it pains me to say this, we risk ending up like him. We’ll be discovered. And there are probably more like him.”

It was difficult to hear this, my body slumped along with my heart. He pulled into his embrace. He was right, of course, and God only knew what lay before us. We turned and left the werewolf.

“Come, there may be others we can help.”

The adjacent room housed three angels crossed with demons? They looked dead. We all stopped, gaping in shock asthe creatures lay crumpled on the ground. Scratch marks and congealed blood on their bare skin, torn scarlet wings, and a cluster of white feathers splayed around the room. I could see two of their faces.

Not all demons, so I’d been told, looked like Hell’s demons. Some looked like Austin’s teacher, Lucius. And it was the same here. Chiselled features, like statues. High cheekbones, dimpled chins. But these poor souls, their eyes shut, their faces were crumpled, bruised, purple, still had an otherworldly look about them.

And crawling on the ceiling and the walls, the shadow creatures. I tensed my muscles to withhold a shiver.

Where the angel’s fingers should have been, instead they had curved claws. And two had the slightest signs of horns peeking from their head, as I scanned, I could see more blood, dried.

We stood there for a few moments, dumbfounded. Should we help, could we help? They looked lifeless, could Lycaon control them? The sound of the door handle clicking open made us jump as Anthony, it seemed had made the decision for us as he strode in, his mask pulled down. He shut the door behind him, then crouched down beside the hybrid demons-angels and carefully touched the man’s bare skin. He was whispering, I hoped for an incantation as Lycaon gasped, “What the hell is that imbecile doing?”

Tutting,Hakon shot Lycaon a glare. “Well, let’s see, shall we? Maybe they can be... well, let’s just see.”

I suddenly felt a cold grip around my wrist, as Hakon dragged me away from Lycaon who grunted at him.

Whispering urgently, Hakon put his mouth to my ear. “I fear for Anthony since you cast this vampire’s prayer, Elsa. I implore you, when you get a chance, to please undo the spell. It’s not safeto have a vampire with such emotions, it’s dangerous. Look at him now.Caring!That will get him killed.”

I struggled but his grip tightened and Lycaon, chest puffed up, stepped forward. “Let go of her before I tear your head from your shoulders!”

Hissing,Hakon continued, “You must undo it! Vampires don’t need mortal emotions. We carry too much guilt, you’ll get him killed!”

Hakon let go, shoving my arm forward, his lips pressed tightly together as he glared.

“Never touch my woman again, vampire, you understand?”

I turned wide-eyed to Lycaon who was staring at Hakon.

“Oh, come on wolfboy, your woman has rubbed me over in oil a dozen times. She’s very, very good with her hands. But she’s overstepped the mark casting that spell on Anthony. Look at him in there...he’s like some kind of angel of mercy!”

Now I shoved Hakon, who didn’t budge. An inch. “Try that again and I’ll make you mortal!”

“I’m sorry, Elsa. My nerves are shot.” His voice raised, alarmed, “I mean bloody hell!”

The hybridon the floor moved, squirmed as Anthony carefully placed his hands under the man’s arms and lifted him slowly. Wide-eyed the vampire studied the creature’s face, still speaking to him. The demon-angel's head rolled forward, like a puppet fighting to live. I’d had enough. Skirting past Lycaon, whose hand reached out, I crept in only to see Austin behind me.

As gently as I could, I asked, “Hey, can we help? I’m Elsa, this is Anthony and Austin. Let us help you.”

The other two seemed to hear and their breathing deepened. I hadn’t even seen them breathing at that point.

A burst of anger as the demon-angel lashed out, Anthony glanced at me and Austin. “Get out. I can handle this.”

“No, we’re good,” Austin jutted his chin towards the window which had Hakon and Lycaon join us.

Austin instructed Hakon and Lycaon, “Help the other two up. Be firm but kind.”

Shaking his head, Lycaon argued, “We should leave them, we shouldn’t interfere, this will blow our cover.”

Hissing, the creature before Anthony cried, “You’re one of them, Adara! What have you done to us! You’ve destroyed us!”

Its claws hooked into Anthony’s cloak, but the vampire raised his hand, placing it on the creature’s forehead, chanting.

“Oh my God, Anthony, they’re going to know we’re here! Stop casting magic!” Lycaon muttered.

But Anthony didn’t listen and within minutes the demon-angel calmed, swaying slightly in the vampire’s grip. The other two were moving more, starting to unfold from their curled position on the floor.

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