Page 64 of Storm's Deliverance

So lost in her scent, the feel of her pressed against me, in our own bubble as we sway to the music, so lost in each other, we don’t realise that the chatter has stopped. We don’t realise that everyone is on their feet.

“What the…?” I hear Dad murmur. Breaking the moment, I lift my head and look, my body tensing immediately. I shift, putting Storm behind me before pulling my blade free and aiming it at the shadowy figure slowly shuffling towards us. The dark night sky cloaks them in darkness as the prospect staggers into the firelight. We all rush forward, lowering our weapons. Ghost reaches for him before he hits the ground, blood bubbling from his mouth, his body shaking. Ghost grips him tight, his hand pressing down on the huge wound on his stomach.

“H-he made me memorise it...” the prospect chokes, his blood splattering from his mouth. “He said…” He draws in a gargled breath, his lungs filling with blood. “Tell Ghost the hunt is over. It’s his turn to run.” The last word is a haunting breath as the life fades from his eyes, his body going limp in his arms. Ghost slowly lowers him to the ground before getting to his feet.

No panic, no shouting as we await our orders.

“Lock the gates,” Ghost orders, a deathly calm to his voice.

Every single one of us, brothers and ol’ ladies, all know what that means.

The party is over. The war has begun.