WILLOW
Weâre gathered around a fire, a bunch of us from the pack. The jug of honey and clover mead is making its rounds. The night has settled in, the packâs children are safely tucked away, and some of the single wolves have joined us to discuss the training and the Royal Pack.
Iâm comfortably lounging in my camp chair, my gaze fixed on the stars above. I let my mind drift, allowing Genisis to mentally patrol the pack. Sheâs scanning the borders, alert for any signs of danger.
Sheâs on edge, but she hasnât signaled any immediate threat. Weâve been with the Rolling River pack for a little over a week now. The training has been intense. Theyâre not used to it, being more farmers and hunters than warriors.
They only fight when a rogue or two trespass on their lands. Even their alpha, despite his powerful wolf form, lacks skills in his human form. Thorn, the beta, is the only one with any real skill, and thatâs because heâs from another pack.
He stayed here after his mate, a native of this pack, died during childbirth. The alpha isnât with us tonight. Heâs spending the evening with his mate and child.
But Thorn, the beta, is here. Heâs laughing at something Rueben just said. I open my eyes and focus on a cluster of trees. Genisis senses something there, watching us.
I canât see anyone, but that doesnât mean theyâre not there. I sit up in my chair and mind-link with Rueben.
~âThereâs a bogey at your nine oâclock. I canât see who it is because of the trees. Iâm going to pretend to go to the bathroom and circle around. Be alert. Whisper to Thorn so he can alert the alpha and the pack.â~
Rueben nods as I stand. âExcuse me, guys. Nature calls,â I announce casually as I walk away.
I hear the rustle of their chairs as I move behind our tents and head toward a stand of trees. I quietly pull two knives from the sheath under my leather top and move through the trees, guided by Genisis.
I spot four vampires hidden in the bushes, quietly observing the group at the fire. I can see and hear the group too. Alpha Silas and two others have joined them at the fire, pretending to be late arrivals.
One of the vampires rises slightly, tapping his companion. âWhere did that girl go? You think she slipped off to bed?â
The other shrugs. âDoesnât matter. We were told to just watch and listen. No attacking. Not tonight.â
He whispers, âThe rest wonât be here until tomorrow night. Gustav wants it clean and final. We all go in at once. This should be easy. Not many here but they sure do smell delicious!â He groans.
I move closer, and when Iâm right behind them, I clear my throat. âEvening, gentlemen.â
They whirl around in panic, growling, their red eyes glowing.
âWell, seems dinner was on delivery tonight, boys,â the first one says, stepping forward while the others hang back.
âAre you the peons who get sacrificed?â I ask them. âSending in only four scrawny vamps. Not very smart.â
I smirk. âToo easy!â I laugh as the first one lunges at me. I turn into smoke, and he misses me.
Iâve already embedded my knives into the hearts of two vampires on the other side. Their stunned faces are the last thing I see before they turn to dust. The fourth vampire lunges at me, grabbing my arm.
I twist and flip him over my hip, slamming him to the ground. I press my boot into his face as the first one regroups and charges at me. I shove my hand into his face, knocking him back.
The one under my boot wriggles free and jumps back to his feet, charging at me again. He swipes at my cheek, his razor-sharp nails grazing me as I duck. That hurt!
I spin around, locking eyes with him. I reach out with my hand and scream, âI want your heart!â And just like that, his heart is in my hand.
Iâm standing a couple of feet away from him, and I havenât even touched him, yetâ¦his heart is in my hand, and heâs turning to dust. Iâm in shock.
The first vampire has risen and is sneaking up on me. I spin around and call for his heart too, watching as it appears in my hand. He turns to dust as well.
Iâm standing there, my hand covered in dust but no blood. The forest is quiet again, and I can hear the group at the fire murmuring. The night is filled with the sound of a cricket calling for a mate.
I look around at the mounds of dust, already disappearing in the breeze. I take a deep breath. âWell, Genisis. I guess we know now what our new gift is. This just evened the playing field,â I say, grinning.
I dust off my hands on my pants and head back to the group. The alpha greets me as I sit back down in my chair.
âIntruders dealt with. We will have visitors tomorrow night. Make sure all women and children are in safe rooms and warriors are ready. A vampire named Gustav will be bringing a horde our way,â I inform him.
His eyes move toward the stand of trees I had just come from.
âHow many?â he asks quietly.
âFour.â His eyebrows shoot up into his hairline. He nods at me, then moves away to talk with Thorn.