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Scene #15
Prologue
October 2008
Trees passed by in a blur as my bare feet pounded against the forest floor and still I wasn't moving fast enough. Blood dripped from my neck, soaking into my white cotton shirt. The night breeze carried many scents—the strongest being mine. They'd find me soon. Wolves could always track blood. Being pack animals, they usually hunted as such, but this was no ordinary wolf. He was different. When I'd first spotted him, he'd been a man, standing alone at the forest edge, now he was in the guise of a wolf and in full hunt mode. I ran and as I did, it occurred to me that more of them could be lying in wait to ambush me. It was entirely possible that I was playing right into the wolves' hand, which meant this could go from bad to worse in a matter of seconds.
Despite the cool October night air, the shirt clung to my sweat drenched skin. With every bit of blood lost, my strength faded. Focus was a commodity I couldn't afford to lose.
Why couldn't I go faster?
The gun provided little comfort. It wouldn't stop what was coming. My options were limited and becoming more so by the minute. God and Goddess, please grant me a miracle. A break in the trees allowed a glimpse of small clearing. I ran out into the open area, barely big enough for what I'd planned. Distant rustling of underbrush told me that time ran short and I had to act quickly. Words left my mouth in a whisper as I invoked the circle, sealing it at the four points with my own blood. Magic flared like electricity around me, so thick breathing became difficult.
The world swam in earth tones and I gasped for air. Power from the circle pulsed over my skin and quieted. It resembled standing in the eye of a storm. The same eerie silence surrounded me, and I knew any moment all hell could break loose. A crow emitted a deep, resonating call from its nearby perch that cut through the stillness. I searched the darkness, took in the air and caught it. The musky scent, laced with underlying notes of blood and pine just off to my left, alerted me to the beast's approach. The spell wouldn't hold. Protection spells were never my strong suit. Hopefully, Reese would make an appearance before time ran out.
"Oh Kiara," the deep voice carried through the night. "Come out and play with me."
He'd approached me while I'd been on my way to the car, hands laden with shopping bags. It caught me off guard and I'd failed to sense the threads of tightly controlled power that made him what he was until it was too late. Thankfully, his cockiness gave me the few seconds I needed to run. Power built in the air, pressing against the barriers of my circle. White light flashed in the thick of the forest with a crack like lightening. No longer in wolf form, the man stepped into view.
"Your blood is intoxicating—so full of power, even for a Fae." He made a production of licking the red liquid from his partially clawed hand. The ability to control the change so distinctly was a testament to the power he held. "The blood of the Morgan women always has been, but yours is truly a delicacy. I wonder if my brother was able to indulge in its taste before you killed him."
He reached out, as if to test the boundary of the circle, but withdrew. Apparently not so brave after all. A ghostly chuckle emanated from him, sending chills up my spine. "Smart little one aren't you? Using your own blood to cast the circle is more than I gave you credit for. You weren't so quick thinking a year ago when my brother scarred that pretty body of yours and Selene—well she just didn't have the time before I caught her. I will not underestimate you like my brother did, Kiara. If you escape this night, it will only be by my death. Know that there are others who will find you and send you to join your mother. The prophecy will be fulfilled, you can't stop it."
His eyes widened as a silver dagger flew past my head and embedded itself into the front of his chest. He dropped to the ground outside the circle. Reese walked over and knelt down beside him to retrieve the blade from his body. Sheathing the weapon, she stood and slowly looked me over.
"Lost your shoes I see."
"If I'd known I'd be running through the woods I wouldn't have worn the Jimmy Choo's."
"You lost the Jimmy's?" She grimaced and then glanced down at the lifeless body, nudging it with the toe of her boot. "What a waste of life. Wonder what he meant?"
"Not sure. I've never heard of any prophecy." Following her gaze, I looked at the fallen man. "And he's not going to answer any of our questions."
"Not bloody likely in his current state." Reese smiled. The man who'd taken my mother's life no longer walked among us. A little piece of knowledge that should have brought me a modicum of peace, but things were rarely ever so easy. His parting words troubled me and though the wolf's lifeless body lay at my feet, I had the sneaking suspicion it was far from over.
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