Page 66 of Full Moon
They would have known the moment we opened the wine. Known we were drugged and helpless. Known exactly when to strike.
Instead, we know they're coming."Let the countdown begin."
Sometime around midnight, the first creaks of floorboards echo in the silent house. The howling wind outside adds to the suspense as we wait for our uninvited guests. Feray is hiding in the broom closet in the kitchen, her breathing controlled and quiet. She can see the last of them pass her, their footsteps heavy and careless. Torben is in the living room, pretending to be asleep in plain sight. Behind the recliner, Khal is hidden, ready to turn whoever attacks to stone.
Meanwhile, Easton and I sit in the bedroom where Feray rolled around earlier, spreading her scent thick. We are poised on either side of the door, muscles tense, waiting for them to enter and spring our trap. The darkness feels thick. Almost alive with the promise of violence.
There are six. They are searching the lower level.Feray's voice slides through the bond.
I can feel her excitement growing, the anticipation making her tremble with adrenaline.
Few more minutes, my eternal.
We hear them throwing doors open, not concerned about the noise they make.
They think we're drugged. Helpless. Easy prey.
They're wrong.
Suddenly—a scream. A gurgle. A crash to the floor.
The pulse of excitement through the bond tells me they found Feray.
And she's on a rampage. The door to our bedroom is kicked open, and before they can completely enter, Easton and I dispatch them silently. Swift and deadly.
Three of the six are down.
There's another scream—a horrific wet sound—then a loud thud. Easton and I take off running through the house. We find Feray covered in blood, her eyes wild with the thrill of the fight.
Torben stands nearby, his clawed hand punched straight through another man's chest. In his hand is the man's heart, still quivering before he drops it to the floor, letting the body fall with a sickening thud.
The house falls silent once more. The only sound is the howling wind outside—a stark contrast to the chaos that erupted moments ago.
Our trap worked.
Six came to kill us in our sleep.
Six failed.
"Whatever was in the wine should have knocked us out and stolen our shift," I say, staring at the bodies littering the floor.
"I'm getting real tired of being attacked at every turn." Feray's tone betrays just how exhausting everything has been for her. The weariness in her voice matches the sorrow in her eyes. "I dreamed as a little girl to fall in love, settle down, and start a family." Her eyes sadden as she turns to look at me. "Is that too much to ask for?"
Shaking my head, I move closer to her, pulling her against my chest. I kiss her temple, feeling the slight tremor in her body. "Not at all. It would be nice to know domestic bliss." For a moment, I let myself imagine it. Feray in a garden. Children with her eyes and my stubbornness. A home that isn't a battlefield. But that future feels impossibly far away tonight.
"I'm going to stay awake and watch over everyone tonight," Khal offers. He walks over and kisses Feray's forehead. "Stay with Diaval tonight. Torben, Easton, and I will shift and watch over the house."
"I'll be just outside the door, little wolf," Torben kisses her temple before leaving.
Easton glances at the foot of the bed. "I'm staying. I'll be the last line of defense." He kisses Feray, then shifts to his phoenix form without the fire, resting on the rail across the foot of the bed. A silent sentinel.
"Come on. You need rest. We have a castle to storm tomorrow," I say, trying to lighten the mood despite the heaviness that hangs in the air.
Reluctantly, Feray changes into one of Torben's oversized T-shirts. "Fine. I swear, if someone lifts a claw to any of you, I'mdestroying everything in my path. Consequences be damned." A yawn escapes her lips.
"Of course, my little warrior queen. Drink your water, then lay down. I get to hold you tonight," I whisper next to her ear, and I hear her heart rate spike. Leaving on my undershirt and boxers, I climb into the bed and fold down her side of the blanket. She flitters around the room, checking on her other mates, stepping over Khal's coils. He finally gets the brilliant idea to use his tail to help her maneuver around to kiss everyone goodnight.
Watching her and Easton is particularly interesting. He rises up, spreads his wings, and wraps them around her shoulders. The tips of his feathers ignite, and I hear the pleased, relieved sigh that escapes her lips. Her eyes are ice blue when she releases him, before fading back to their natural gray-blue.
