ENCHANTED WORLD SERIES BOOK 4: MOON CHILD'S WAR

The Eclipse club was packed. It was the final night of the full moon so the celebrations were intense. As any normal club, the walls were black but luminous. Brightly colored lights flashed from the corners of the ceiling disorienting Ruvin for a second. The music was loud and the base of it forced his heart to beat to its rhythm.

Ruvin pushed through the mass of people crowded near the entrance. They were sharing drinks, kissing, dancing, and rubbing against each other and it made it difficult to pass without brushing against them. Edon and Zach were right behind him. Zach accepted joining him on this venture after Ruvin apologized for abusing his power and letting him lose precious energy for fun. Truth be told, not even he knew he was going through the ultibreed transformation. It was not like it came with a label or warning sign!

He frowned slightly as one of the Nosferatu escorted an unsuspecting human to the back rooms.

The Nosferatu used blood donors most of the time. These were people with very strong bloodlines despite the species. Ruvin didn't see that arrangement work out well with humans because the humans were too far down the food chain to even be considered a midnight snack. This meant the Nosferatu had to feed quite often for sustenance....or they had to feed on the available and willing enchanted beings in Ashwick.

“Hello, handsome....” A pretty blonde appeared in front of them but suddenly frowned when she took a whiff of what they were packing. She quickly retreated into the sea of people with fear skittering on her face. All the Nosferatu seemed to know that they had some uninvited guests in their club and though they were not hostile when it came to female Lycans, it was a different story for male Lycans. The enchanted beings were not allowed to show any hostility especially in front of the humans but they made sure Ruvin and his buddies felt it.

Their minds were attacked from every angle and they were bombarded by feelings of fear, hatred, and blood. The team quickly mitigated the situation by erecting mind blocks. Zach went on to bounce the mind-attacks back to their owners.

“I knew you would come in handy.” Ruvin teased.

Zach glowered as they made it to the bar and settled down. All the Nosferatu that were sitting around the bar got up and left. The bartender came to them and frowned.

“I know you are not here for a drink so state your business quickly and get the hell out of here.” He said.

“Hi...” he frowned at the gold badge on his black uniform. “Tracee?” Ruvin smiled cheekily.

The beefy bartender rolled his eyes and sighed. It seemed it was a normal joke for his name. “It’s pronounced Trace. The other 'e' is silent.”

“Sure, Tracie--” Zach burst out laughing offending the bartender further.

Ruvin cleared his throat and tried to look serious but Zach made it difficult. Tracee was already fuming like a volcano about to blow its cap! “We were sent here by Sheyster from The Treasure House.”

Tracee seemed to recognize Sheyster’s name because he started paying more attention to what was being said. “Who did she send you to see?”

“Aro.” Ruvin answered.

Tracee looked reluctant for a moment then turned to his fellow bartender before whispering something to him. The other male nodded and Tracee turned to them before gesturing for them to follow him around the bar. When they got to the other side, Tracee opened a hidden door and led them through a long and dark corridor. The music was muted when the door closed behind them. At the end of the corridor, there was a spiral staircase that led to the first floor.

“Aro is the manager of the club?” Ruvin finally asked.

Tracee scoffed. “Don’t tell her that. She’ll kill you for it.” When they got to the first floor, they stopped at the only door there and Tracee knocked once.

“Yes?” Someone answered.

“Sheyster has sent some clowns over for you,” Tracee said.

There was a short pause before the door swung open.

“We’ll see who is the clown when you tell your future girlfriend your first name, Tracie.” Zach smirked.

Tracee peeled his lips back and his incisors elongated right in front of their eyes.

“That’s enough, Tracee, get back to your position.” Aro got up from her seat and approached them. The light caught her tight brown locks and Ruvin’s eyes widened when he realized who she was.

“Kesley Miller? The intern at the hospital that fainted at the first sight of Conrad Amsters’ body? You are Aro?”

“You two know each other?” Edon asked as he looked from Aro to Ruvin.

Gone, were the geeky glasses, and that awkward female was replaced by a cunning-looking Nosferatu dressed in a scarlet, body-hugging dress that flowed all the way to the floor but had a long slit on one side revealing a pale creamy leg.

“How come I didn’t know you were a Nosferatu?” Ruvin asked.

She turned back to her office and the door swung closed behind them. “When you are as old as I am, things like body scent, discoloration, and bloodlust can be controlled effortlessly.” She turned to them and the smile that settled on her lips gave Ruvin the shivers. “Sit down, gentlemen.”

“What were you doing at that morgue that evening?” Ruvin asked as he set down.

“Just like you, I was curious.” She said then asked. “Would you like anything to drink?”

“Nothing thanks--”

“In a hurry, aren’t we?” She quirked her eyebrow at him then turned to Edon and Zach. “Let your friends wait outside then.”

Ruvin turned to Edon and Zach who looked reluctant to leave him in there with Aro. Ruvin didn’t see the problem. He did a little scanning of the area and they were not in any immediate danger. He could deal with one granny Nosferatu. He was the utlibreed for goodness sake!

They got up and went out while Ruvin turned to Aro.

“So, you are the clan leader?” Ruvin settled back on his chair.

She chuckled softly. “I wish. Like you, I am given orders and I follow them--how is Sheyster? I haven’t seen her in a while.”

Ruvin wasn’t there to exchange pleasantries. He was there to see if the Nosferatu knew anything about the murders. “She is doing fine, and I think I know why you were at the morgue that night. You wanted to make sure it was not a Nosferatu kill. You know the consequences of what will happen if a Nosferatu killed a weakblood.”

A small threatening smile curled on Aro’s lips. “See, threats like that are best reserved for the young-bloods--not those like me. Yes, I was there to make sure it was not a Nosferatu kill not because I fear the consequences but because it gets cumbersome to get rid of the evidence.” She rolled her eyes in boredom. “My superiors hate it when the young-bloods mess up during the full moon hype and we usually have severe punishments for any Nosferatu that kills during feeding.”

“Oh yeah? What severe punishment?” Ruvin challenged.

“Death by silver.” Aro quirked her eyebrow at him again.

Ruvin couldn’t help but wince.

“So, what were your conclusions? I mean the body did not have any blood in it--”

“But neither did it have any punch marks. My conclusion, like the previous two I was told to check, was that it was not a Nosferatu that killed them.” She picked up her pen and jogged something quickly on the paper in front of her before looking up at him inquisitively. “Anything else?”

Ruvin couldn’t believe the transformation. This was not the same female who had walked into him at the morgue. It was an entirely different person with a different personality to match. “I know someone who believes the killer is a Nosferatu.”

“Do they have proof?” She asked softly.

“Not yet but she told me, whoever kills the weakbloods rises every last day of the full moon to feed,” Ruvin stated flaring his senses to catch any betraying feeling that Aro would suddenly have on the revelation.

Aro frowned softly as if trying to figure out what Ruvin was trying to say. “Do you think whoever rises at the last day of the full moon is a Nosferatu? Where were you when history was being written--oh, I forgot, you weren’t even born back then, huh?” She mocked. “It is a simple translation. The rising was used to every species that was affected by the luna energies including lycans. These species were said to ‘rise to the moon’ because they are the ‘moon children’. You don’t have any evidence to prove that whoever is doing the killings is a Nosferatu--”

“But a certain black-haired, leather-clad female knows--”

Asari.

Aro’s eyes suddenly widened and that thought escaped her mind before she could slam down a mind block. Ruvin was able to get the slight scent of her. It always happened when someone panicked and at that moment, Aro panicked.

“I don’t know any female knowing who is doing the killings. We would have stopped them if we knew. Like you, this is my town and I have every obligation to keep it safe. Now, if you don’t have any other question, please feel free to leave my office.” She took her pen again and scribbled something on the paper.

“Is there a chance that I could talk to your superiors?” Ruvin asked.

“My superiors have no time to waste on a lycan.” The door suddenly swung open.

Aro, indeed was a strong and ancient Nosferatu but she was clumsy. Ruvin got up and gave her a small smile before he walked out.

Zach and Edon were waiting outside for him.

“Well, what did you get from that cold menace in there?” Zach asked.

“Just a name.” Ruvin started walking back towards the staircase. “Asari.”

“And this Asari is supposed to help in some way?” Zach frowned not being able to connect the dots.

Ruvin sighed and turned to Edon. “She’s the one who was out hunting that night you thought it was Corleen.”

A stupid grin appeared on Edon’s face. “Lots and Lots of leather.”

Zach smacked the pup’s head. “Concentrate.”

They all made their way out towards the Ruvin's Range.

“So, where are we heading now?” Edon asked.

“Into the forest to look for her and whoever is rising tonight to feed.” Ruvin assured them then turned to Edon. “Call the others and tell them to be on the lookout. I have a feeling tonight will be a little more hectic.”

Blake.....

“I don’t want you here. I don’t know why you are still hanging around this house.” Louise came out and frowned at Blake who was standing at the patio. Blake casually leaned on the balustrade while watching the night scene ahead of him.

“I told you, I am not leaving until this night is over.” He said calmly.

The air had suddenly changed and Blake knew something evil was stalking the woods that night. He made a fuss when Louise planned to take Donny for yet another run that evening. Louise was not amused and he didn’t take it too well.

Blake didn’t care. All he thought about was to keep his mate safe.

After the heated confrontation at The Treasure House, Blake allowed Louise to take Donny from his hands though Ryle protested to the point that he gave Blake a headache. Ryle didn’t deal well with seeing other males touch what was his. The beast would have emerged if it was Titus who offered to carry Donny. Blake managed to comb through Danny’s memories and had felt her long term crush on the male.

However, none of that mattered anymore because the bond was already established and her wolf was doing everything in her power to pounce on him.

‘And where do you think you are going?’ Louise had asked him when they all started making their way out and Blake followed.

Blake frowned at the male. ‘I don’t think I had made myself clear, I am Donny’s mate and wherever she goes, I go.’

‘You are an enchanted beast, aren’t you?’ Titus scrutinized him from head to toe.

Blake flashed his teeth at him with a clear warning to stay away written in his eyes. ‘Blake will do just fine.’

At the realization, Louise expression hardened. 'I will not allow my sister to be claimed by an enchanted beast!′

‘Too late. The bond has already been made. It’s not your call.’ Blake assured him tersely. He didn’t understand how such an inferior species of weaklings could have such big egos. Being true mates was nothing like the claiming that they usually did. With the human realm claiming, if one was tired of the person who claimed them or vice versa,they could call it quits. With the bond, even if the mates hated each other--which hardly happened--there were no second takes.

Even in the afterlife, the souls managed to find each other and spend eternity together. It was an unbreakable bond.

‘Louise, get a hold of yourself. Let’s go and talk about this somewhere more private.’ Titus touched Louise’s shoulder. They were catching too much attention and Sheyster wasn’t happy about it.

A low growl escaped from Louise but Donny quickly lifted her hands and hugged her brother tighter. ‘Please stop it, Louise. Let’s just go.’

I could tear him down, Keeper. Ryle offered.

Keep your claws sheathed, demon. Blake warned the beast.

Ryle smirked but kept quiet as they went out of The Treasure House.

Now, as he stood outside the patio, he turned to the angry male beside him. Blake unofficially met Donny’s mother, Levina, who was apprehensive the moment he entered the house. Her Aunt Alyse, however, was more on the friendly side.

Donny was taken up to her room before he could even blink and he found himself surrounded by the several males who, according to their scents, were close family relatives. Blake was not intimidated in the least because he knew his beast would thrive whether they were two or two hundred weakbloods against him.

‘I will have none of that in this house!’ Levina walked up to them and stood in the middle with Blake. Though he could tell she wasn’t ecstatic to learn that he was her daughter’s true mate, neither did she want trouble in her house.

The males fell away but the hostility was still there.

‘I have to go back to the Fortress. We still need to find Alli and Corleen.’ Blake heard Titus say tiredly as he met with Louise and another male outside. ‘Lord Faelen has not had a wink of sleep since all this happened and I need to call in Diedre, Zacharius, Jerkins and Monroe before the night is over. The House of Lords need to start mobilising their armies if this gets out of hand.’

Truth be told, it already had. Blake didn’t understand why it took them such a long time to realise that there was a new evil in town? All this started happening a few months when Blake arrived into the town looking for traces on his brother, Levi, and stumbled across this strange and silent war. He wanted to move on to the next place but something told him he was needed there. It was like a silent plea and at times Blake wondered if the plea somehow came from Levi.

He started doing his own investigations trying to figure out what was really happening and once or twice he found himself at The Treasure house. More questions were piling in but they were questions without answers. Sheyster started getting curious and suspicious about him.

From the moment he met her, he knew straight away that she was like him. He knew that she crossed the gateway to come to the human realm. It was somehow easier for him to talk to her and try to figure out what was happening. She helped where she could but like him, she was in the dark.

So far he was sure of one thing; the human hunters that were coming for the weakbloods were on contract but he wasn’t sure whether the person that sent them was a supernatural being or another fanatic human. Another thing he was positive of was the fact that illegal experiments were being conducted on them and that the unsual mountain wolf that was killed several days ago was a result of those experiments.

What he didn’t understand was what was the link between the experiments, the hunters and the drained bodies. He also didn’t know whether the new evil had anything to do with what was happening in Ashwick.

“Are you even listening to me?” Louise asked with his voice hinting his annoyance.

“I’m not going anywhere, Louise. I am not going to allow you to take Donny out tonight--”

“Listen here, buddy.” Louise took a threatening step closer to Blake and jabbed him on his chest making Ryle snarl in his head. “I don’t care where the hell you came from but you can’t suddenly show up and dish out threats like some king, okay? We live by rules and regulations and one of the rules is that you can’t claim a newly turned wolf until she has been acknowledged by the wolf community and the clan leader at the debut party so your claim on her is still void. Now, do us all a favor and disappear until you are man enough to make your claim in public at the debut party.”

Such a dreadful weakling....Ryle hissed.

Keep yourself calm. The last thing we need is piss off the brother and not enjoy Friday nights with him and the guys. Blake teased the beast.

Fuck Friday nights....Donny is ours. Ryle barked.

“My beast doesn’t play nice with weaklings so I suggest you take a step or two back. Fine....if you want me to claim your sister in public, I will but know this....if anyone objects to my claim, whatever happens to that weakling--their blood is on your hands.” Blake assured him.

A bitter and angry bark of laughter escaped Louise’s lips. “You shouldn’t make threats you can’t keep. You might be an enchanted beast but in this world, we are all the same.”

And that was where he was wrong. They were never the same. Weakbloods were like pups back in the enchanted world and even the enchanted pups were stronger than them. “Don’t delude yourself with such fairytales, Louise. For your own safety, when you face an enchanted beast no matter how weak they might appear, take it like you are about to engage in a fight against a pureblood.”

Louise’s lips peeled back and he was about to say something foul when the voice by the door stopped him.

Both males turned to the slight body eyeing them cautiously. Blake wondered how long she had been standing there and how much she heard. Ryle became all fuzzy in his head when her scent filled his nostrils. Blake was about to go to her when Louise’s hand shot out.

“Don’t even think about it.” He gritted his teeth.

“Louise, just stop with the macho act already.” She groaned softly. “Mom says dinner is ready and--Blake is invited.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Louise exclaimed incredulously. “He threatened to kidnap you and suddenly he is a guest now?”

“Louise, I made that order, not Donny so stop yelling at her.” Levina appeared at the door with a wooden spoon in her hands. “I will not have you yelling at every chance you get. You are upset and confused, so is everyone else. It doesn’t mean you have to be the loudest!”

Louise raised his hands up with a bitter line on his mouth. “You know what, I am done and I am outta here. You want this nutcase here for dinner, go ahead and invite him over. I’m done with this.” he moved from the patio towards his car.

“Louise!” Levina called. “Louise, you come back this instant!”

But Louise was already packed in his car. The tires screeched as he reversed the car almost crushing into a tree and veered down the curved driveway out of the residence.

There was an awkward silence before Levina said in a quiet but reserved voice. “Dinner is getting cold.” She took Donny’s hand tightly into hers and went back inside.

Blake followed quietly but he couldn’t help feeling a little sorrowful at the hurt both women’s eyes reflected. Louise should have listened to his mother. Blake could never remember ever raising his voice to his mother. Of course they did have their differences but it had never gotten to a point where he felt he need to talk his mother down like the way Louise did.

“Come sit here next to me, beast.” Alyse patted the seat next to her.

The frown on Donny’s face made Blake’s heart burst in his ribs. “That is Lucas’ seat. Blake should sit here.” She pointed to the seat opposite her and Levina.

“Such a spoilsport.” Alyse muttered as the other males came to the table as well. Blake couldn’t remember the last he sat down for such a meal. He had always been alone eating in diners or picking up fast foods in restaurants but a home-made meal felt like a lifetime away.

His mother loved cooking for them and whenever she did, she made sure she made each one’s favorite dish.

After a word of prayer, plates of food started moving around and murmuring of the day’s events floated about although the males were still a little guarded around him.

“Here, take some.” Donny held out a plate of barbequed drumsticks.

Blake gave her a polite smile. Not scared of me anymore?

Her brown eyes widened a little and she cleared her throat before placing the platter down. I was never scared of you. I was just a little....confused.

That’s good to know. Your brother hates my guts. I think your mother does too but she is better at hiding it. Blake whispered not being able keep himself from caressing her mind.

A tremor went down her body.

You have to stop that. My wolf can’t handle your raw advances and she’s giving me a headache. My brother is just surprised...so is my mom. My mother can’t hate anyone even if she wanted to. It’s just that, we have heard terrible versions of the enchanted beings stories, we don’t know if they are true or not. Donny assured him.

Then, perhaps I should highlight it to everyone that we are not savages. Blake said then cleared his throat. “The food is really good, Levina.”

Levina gave a little nod but her expression was guarded.

“Donny tells me there are crazy stories going around about us, the enchanted beings--if anyone has anything i need to clarify, ask away.”

“Is it true you still wear loin-cloths back home and live in caves?” Alyse quickly asked.

Someone shoot that female before she procreates...Ryle groaned.

“Alyse!” Levina chided.

“What?” She shrugged. “He said to ask away and that is what I did.”

“We dress up in the latest fashions just like here--and I think ours are even better. The only beings that live in caves are Ghouls and rogues.”

That seemed to have opened the dam of questions because suddenly everyone was asking questions. some of them so crazy they had Blake laughing in disbelief. Somehow, the question-answer interplay had Levina relax a bit but she didn’t say a word and Blake knew she was worried about Louise.

The night was awfully quiet when everyone else left and Alli was alone with Tessa and Quentin watching some reruns of The Listener.

Even Izzy was out for the night. She had been very excited when Lukas reminded her that they were going hunting together but Alli wasn’t enthusiastic about it. She remembered the warning she got from the woman about whatever it was that was feeding that evening. She would have loved it very much if they all stayed for the night but maybe them being enchanted beings meant they were a lot safer than anyone else.

She sent a quick message to Donny telling her not to go out that night and hoped that Louise would listen to Donny.

I can’t even if I wanted to. I have a situation that I can’t run away from right here at home. Will tell you the details when you return. Whatsup? Donny had replied.

“I’m getting more snacks from the kitchen. Anyone need anything?” Tessa asked as she took the empty bowl of popcorn from the table.

Alli shook her head lightly as she replied Donny’s message; Watching some TV and bored out of my mind. Miss going out to fullmoon parties with you :(

“Grab me another beer.” Quentin held up his empty can.

For a man with two grown children he was fit for his age. She saw it in the way he moved, his quick responses when he was told to do something. Today, he was the one keeping watch over her and Tessa while everyone went out hunting.

She saw the way he cross-checked the security, how he went about to make sure all his guns were loaded and were hidden in strategic places in the house and now, although he was watching TV and downing alcohol, Alli could see from stiffness of his shoulders that he was alert--

The crushing of glass on the kitchen floor brought the man up quicker than Alli could even blink. He was already removing his gun from the small of his back.

“Stay here.” He told Alli who cuddled deeper into the seat. Her senses had flared suddenly and the TV was like white-noise in the background. She wondered if Tessa was alright and was hoping that it was just a small accident.

The hairs on her arms began to rise as a cold feeling rippled against her skin. She felt short of breath as she heard the soft padding of feet outside by the TV room window. Something was out there, she was positive.

The feeling was stifling to the point that Alli couldn’t quite catch her breath. Dampness dotted her forehead as she struggled to get up to look for Quentin but a rush of fear crippled her, causing her to land on the floor with whimpers escaping her lips. A familiar balmy and wholly evil feeling pasted itself on her skin, causing her eyes to roll back in her head, the same reaction she got when they came across the Varga.

Some....one--he--help--ME! she sent the mental distress broadcasting it as far as she could! Her surroundings turned cloudy as everything around her moved in slow motion. Her heart beat so loud that everything around her thrummed at its rhythm.

It was as if she was no longer in her body but in a different world as she watched Corleen rush into the room and aim straight at her, her eyes full on determination. Alli quickly raised her hands up to try and stop Corleen from shooting but it was too late and Corleen shot several rounds right through her.

Alli crinched waiting to feel pain but when nothing came she opened her eyes. Corleen was still aiming at her and shooting but the bullets were going straight through her to the window behind her. Alli whipped her head around and came into contact with cold and hard red eyes.

Found you....the hiss came out and it travelled down her spine quaking her body like nothing before.

A scream tore through her lips.

“Alli! Goddamit, Alli! Wake up!” She felt the rough shoving of her body and her eyes snapped open. “Fuck! Alli....what is this?”

Alli’s eyes were hazy and as the fog began to clear, Corleen’s deathly white face came into view. She was still holding a gun in her hands and Quentin was standing at the shuttered window looking through it but that....thing was already gone.

“Alli...your eyes.” Corleen stated in confusion as she rubbed a tear away from her eye angrily.

“What....happened?” Alli asked, her voice croggy thanks to the screaming that must have damaged her vocal-chords.

“I heard you.” Corleen’s hold tightened around Alli. “I heard your plea for help and I came as soon as I could. How--how did you do that? You haven’t transformed yet. And your eyes were completely white.”

“Corleen, you were shooting right at me.” Alli looked up at her sister, tears still spilling down her eyes.

Corleen shook her head. “You were lying on the floor convulsing and I was shooting at the Varga outside the window. I saw his red eyes and I started shooting.”

“But I was standing right in front of you, Corleen.” Alli tried to sit up but every bone in her body ached.

“Alli, you were not!” Corleen cried. “Why would I shoot at you? You were lying on the floor like you are now--” Corleen suddenly slumped down as the whole event began to weigh on her.

“It could come back. I have to call in for extra backup.” Quentin took his phone and dialed a number.

“I saw it in the kitchen as I was getting the snacks.” Tessa said quietly at the archway leading to the TV room.

“I have to do some scouting to make sure the place is secure.” Corleen was suddenly the HOS even in someone else's home.

Alli saw the tremor that went down her body as she got up and knew her sister had not recovered entirely. A light sheen of sweat glistened on her skin and her color had gone pale. The thing red lines of where the silver thread had passed were still visible but that was nothing that would keep Corleen from her duty.

“Look out for her.” She told Tessa and went on her way.

“Are you alright?” Tessa asked as she moved from the archway and came to help Alli back on the sofa.

“I’ll be fine.” But Alli knew it was far from over. Whatever that thing was out there it was going to return because of the way it hissed those dreadful words.

Found you....

Why was it looking for her? What was that all about?

“Ruvin is on his way back.” Quentin came back into the room and frowned. “He said he heard your plea and knew you were in trouble--are you sure you haven’t transformed yet? How is it possible to connect with people like this without your wolf?”

“Alli, you don’t have to answer anything. Get your stuff--we need to go.” Corleen suddenly returned.

“You can’t leave at this time of the night!” Quentin protested. “Besides, that Varga might still be out there. You could get your sister killed instead of protecting her.”

“I can’t protect her here.” Corleen gritted her teeth. “If he returns--” she stopped and looked down at Alli, her eyes apologetic. “I’m sorry, Alli.”

“What? What are you sorry about Corleen?” Alli was suddenly caught between sheer panic and utter confusion as she looked at her sister. “What’s happening?”

“Corleen, be sensible. This is the safest place you two have at the moment. You are not yet fully recovered, if you take Alli out there, she can’t protect herself and you can’t protect her either. Ruvin is on his way back as we speak with Edon and Zach. They will have this place secured before you could even blink.” Quentin tried to reason with her.

Finally it seemed like the words were sinking into Corleen’s ears because she suddenly dropped her hands to her sides and sighed softly.

“I’m so tired.” She muttered softly.

Alli quickly went to her sister and helped her down the sofa. She didn’t ask anymore about what Corleen was blubbering about. She had plenty of time to ask about it later. Right at that moment, her sister needed her and she was going to be just that.

About twenty minutes later they heard the roaring of a car engine. Alli knew almost immediately that Ruvin was back and wasn’t prepared for the relief that went through her. Quentin quickly rushed to the door to disarm the alarm and let them in.

“Where is she?” That was the first question Ruvin asked when he entered.

“In the TV room.” Alli heard Quentin mutter.

The closer the boots echoed the faster her heart raced in her ribs. When he appeared in the archway, Alli had to control herself before she bolted into his arms. Corleen was there and she was sitting up in alert watching the three men who had suddenly intruded their silent world with caution.

“What happened to the window?” Ruvin turned to Quentin.

“The Varga was just outside--”

Ruvin didn’t wait to be told anything else and went to the window to assess the damage. Alli could see the subtle rippling of his muscles to show he was not as composed as he appeared to be. He turned to her as Edon went to scout the house and Zach went to the window. Everyone else’s eyes were glued to Zach as he managed to replace the shattered pieces of glass back onto the main window pane and they cohesed together until the window was as good as new.

But Alli’s attention wasn’t there.

Come with me. The command entered her head.

I can’t leave Corleen like this. She was very spooked tonight because of me. I need to stay with her for a little longer.

Those were not the words Ruvin wanted to hear because he suddenly growled. Are you alright? I heard you from miles away. I felt your fear like it was my own. I felt everything, Alli. Do you know just how frightening that was?

A soft sigh escaped Alli’s lips as she turned to Corleen. Touching her cheek lightly she whispered. “I’ll be right back.”

Her eyes suddenly snapped open. “You are not going anywhere.”

Zach moved from the window and approached them with a calculating smile on his face. “Why don’t I look at your wounds, Corleen.” Before she could protest, Zach was already passing energy into Corleen’s body.

“What is he doing?” Alli jumped out of the way and was about to attack Zach when Ruvin held her back.

“He is trying to heal her. His energy also acts as a sedative. It will calm Corleen enough for her wounds to heal faster.”

In no time at all Corleen’s eyes closed and her sudden steady breathing told everyone that she was asleep.

Ruvin took that moment as an opportunity and took Alli away. Once they reached his room, he closed his door behind them and turned to her.

“Come here.” Ruvin said and he wasn’t teasing. He was serious. Alli fought the urge to run to him with all her might but he spoke again. “I know how terrified you are and all I want to do is comfort you, Alli. Come....please.”

Alli felt tears about to spill out of her eyes when she dashed into Ruvin’s arms and let the bouts of tears wreck through her body. She should have been stronger than this. She always was. Never once was she ever afraid of the boogey man underneath her bed...but this...this mortified her. She had never felt so helpless in her life and that took the cake.

Ruvin lifted her up with such ease and went to sit with her on the edge of his bed. He thread his fingers into her hair and caressed the locks softly, sending shivers cascading down her spine. He didn’t say anything, he just held her and listened to her cry softly on his shoulder.

Alli was stronger than most people because she had seen a lot in her short life and lived to tell about it. Of course she also feared but most of the times she always conquered her fears and moved forward. This was the first time she felt so defeated by it because she had no idea what it was. Every time it appeared, she was literally paralyzed with fear. She felt so vulnerable and hopeless and that oppressing feeling had her terrified beyond words.

When the tears tamped down, Alli rubbed her puffy eyes and looked up at Ruvin. The neck of her sweater slid off her shoulder revealing her tattoo to him. She felt him trace his thumb across the words;

She took the leap and built her wings on her way down.

That moment felt as if time had stopped ticking because Ruvin pushed her hair from her face and moved forward, planting his lips against hers in a kiss.

Maybe Alli was just too tired to fight him off or maybe this was exactly what she needed from him but she didn’t push him away. Her eyes fluttered closed as Ruvin deepened the kiss, coaxing her to open to him. With shaky hands, Alli tangled her fingers together behind Ruvin’s neck and let him explore the cave of her mouth.

Butterflies took flight in her stomach and heat began to engulf every part of her as Ruvin kissed her into oblivion. He took her worries away. He took her confusion and terror to the side. He reminded her of how it was when life wasn’t so complicated and for once, Alli didn’t mind at all.