Ellie wanted nothing more than to tell her parents everything about Alex’s monstrous half. Only she couldn’t. There was no proof, and no one would believe her. She didn’t want anyone thinking she was crazy, least of all her parents.
I was attacked by my almost-boyfriend, who happens to be a shape-shifting monster. Even in her head, it sounded ridiculous. “It’s really a blur at this point. I think the concussion jumbled my memories.”
“Matt told me he fired at the predator. He didn’t get a good look, but he said it was big.” Her father’s eyes were red. “When I heard you were in the hospital…”
Ellie knew he was thinking of Patrick Doyle. “It’s all right, Dad. I’m fine.” She placed her hand over his.
“Just promise me you’re not going to put yourself in danger in the future.”
“I have no intention of going out after dark for about the next twenty years.”
Her parents laughed and hugged her. Guilty over lying to her parents, Ellie returned to her meal, and her thoughts turned again to Alex. The handsome, friendly boy she’d met was just a mask for something far darker, but he didn’t seem to consider himself evil. Although he hadn’t killed her when he might have, it didn’t erase the terrible things he’d done to her and others.
Ellie’s father offered to retrieve her van, which suited Ellie just fine. She didn’t feel up to driving at the moment. She was emotionally drained and just wanted to rest. When they finished their meal, they made their way to the hospital entrance, where Matt waited with another cup of coffee. He looked like he’d hardly slept.
“You saved my life. Thank you.” Overwhelmed, Ellie hugged him.
Obviously caught off guard, Matt hesitated and patted her on the shoulder. “I’m just glad I made it there in time. I thought it was too late when I heard you scream.”
“Did you find any sign of the predator?” Ellie’s father asked.
“No.” Matt’s disappointment was plain. “I shot twice with a shotgun, but there was no sign of it anywhere in the woods. Can you believe that? Ellie, if it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to talk to you about what happened last night.”
Ellie nodded. It was the least she could do, though she would have to choose her words carefully. Based on what her father said, Matt didn’t get a good look at the creature. He’d been standing at a distance, and it was dark, but the werewolf didn’t look like any animal she knew.
“We can put off picking up Ellie’s van until after you’re finished,” Ellie’s father offered.
“There’s no need for that. It’s going to take me some time to cover everything. Why not go ahead and get her vehicle? I’ll give Ellie a ride home.”
Ellie sighed. “That sounds good to me.” She would have more time to rehearse her story for them that way.
Her parents seemed resistant to letting her out of their sight, but Ellie managed to convince them to let her remain with Matt for the time being.
“Do you care if we talk outside? I could use some sunlight.”
Matt shrugged. “Fine by me.”
Ellie welcomed the warmth that greeted her when the mechanical doors closed behind them. “I heard you didn’t find Sarah or Winston.”
“They were there all right. We just didn’t get there in time. We found Sarah’s cell phone in a room upstairs. It had fingerprints on it that did not belong to your friend. Whoever used it sent that text message telling you to come.” He glanced over at her. “What were you thinking? I told you to wait for me before going inside. You’re lucky you weren’t seriously hurt.”
“I wasn’t thinking. Sarah needed me.”
“There’s a fine line between being brave and reckless. Here’s what I need you to help me figure out. Someone lured you to an abandoned house to search for your friends, where you were almost killed by a predator. I’ve been turning it over in my head again and again, and it doesn’t make sense. Animals don’t send text messages. People do.” Matt watched her carefully for a reaction.
“You saw that thing. You know I’m not making it up.”
“That doesn’t answer my question. Why would someone want you at that house? I asked around. No one has a reason to harm you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I think you do. You’re smart, Ellie. I can tell. Patrick Doyle is dead, and I’m starting to suspect there’s a predator and a murderer on the loose in Hazard.”
Ellie decided to try the truth for a change, or as much of it as she dared. “Did you see my date to the hayride the other night?”
“Ellie, I don’t see—”
She cut him off. “He told me his name was Alexander Thorne. Yesterday, I discovered it was really Alex Hawthorne. He was there at that house last night.” She left out how Alex had transformed into a beast under the full moon.
Matt appeared to take her hesitation for fear. “Ellie, I’m on your side. Let me help you. I want to find your friends as much as you do.”
“Alex is obsessed with me and my mom. He kidnapped Sarah and Winston to lure me to that house. When I arrived, he threatened me. I ran to get help and heard the creature behind me.”
“Thank you, Ellie. I’ll put out a search for this Alex Hawthorne. With any luck, we’ll find him and your friends. I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with this. You’re very brave.” Matt walked her to his cruiser. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”
Once on the road, Ellie stared out the cruiser’s window to avoid catching Matt’s eye. Did he know she hadn’t told him everything? As they drove, she provided him with Alex’s physical description.
When they neared her home, she finally relaxed. Familiar buildings and farms soothed her. The cruiser turned onto the gravel road, and a few minutes later Matt stopped in front of her house.
“It looks like your parents haven’t arrived yet. Let me walk you to the door."
It was a comforting gesture, and Ellie didn't bother protesting. The two approached her house in silence. Her hand wavered over the door handle. She had to tell someone. If something happened to her, no one would ever know the truth. “A werewolf.” The word was barely more than a whisper.
Matt raised an eyebrow. “What?”
The confession came pouring out. “The predator is a werewolf. Alex Hawthorne transformed under the full moon and attacked me. The killer and the predator you’re looking for are the same man. That’s the monster you saw.”
Just as she suspected, Matt looked at her as if she was crazy. “Ellie, you suffered a concussion. You were in and out of consciousness. I’m no doctor, but it’s not uncommon for someone in your situation to imagine things, especially when you endured such a traumatic experience.”
“You’re not listening to me!” Ellie could tell he didn’t believe her. “I know it doesn’t make sense. Look at the facts and the evidence. It all fits.”
Matt mustered a smile and gave her hand a friendly squeeze. “I’ll be back to check on you when you’ve had more rest. Don’t worry. I’ll find your friends and make sure this Alex doesn’t bother you again. Call if you need anything. I mean it.” He waited until she was safe inside the house before driving away.
Ellie groaned. I tried my best. Matt had seen the prints and caught a glimpse of the monster. If he didn’t believe her, no one would. Still, at least she was home. The simple joy of being alive was enough for now.
Claws scratched against the door. Ellie’s eyes widened, and she froze in place. Matt was already gone. She was alone. Ellie tiptoed toward the door. A low whine came from the other side.
“Boomer?” When Ellie pried open the door, Boomer came bounding inside. He licked her hand and wagged his tail. Ellie sharply exhaled and patted his head. It seemed as if Alex had released his hold over Boomer. Or had he? Was Alex in there somewhere, watching her through Boomer’s eyes even now? “You must be hungry. Come on—let’s find you some food.”
Boomer stiffened suddenly and ran barking toward the clinic. Something in the barn frightened him. “Get back here, Boo
mer!” Instead, he slipped past the barn door and vanished inside. Half expecting another monster waiting for her, Ellie hurried after him.
There was nothing there. Other than the normal animal sounds, the barn was completely silent. Get a grip on yourself, Ellie.
She started to leave when someone grabbed her from behind.
“I told you we would meet again.”
Aristae. As Ellie fumbled for the pocketknife, the intruder released her and sent her hurtling onto the floor.
Ellie brandished the pocketknife. “Stay back!”
Aristae laughed. “It would take far more than that to fell me, child.”
“Where are my friends?”
Aristae positioned herself between Ellie and the way out. “Do not make demands of me, girl. I am much older and stronger than Alexander.”
“What do you want with me?”
“It’s Alexander I want, foolish girl.”
Ellie couldn’t believe it. Aristae was even more insane than Alexander. Her possessiveness and jealousy bordered on pathological obsession. “You can have him. You two deserve each other.”
Aristae closed the distance between them in a flash and pinned Ellie against the wall. The pocketknife fell away at a twist of her wrist.
“You should be more careful about what you say. You have no understanding of who you are dealing with.”
Ellie gave up struggling. It was no use. Aristae was too strong. “Where are my friends?”
“You’ll see them soon enough—if you play along.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I could snap your neck here and now if I wanted, but I have something special planned for you.”
Ellie shook with fright. Outside, a vehicle pulled up in the driveway. She tried to shout out, but Aristae clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Ellie?” her father called. “Are you home?”
The front door, Ellie realized. I left it open. She heard footsteps coming in their direction.
“It begins tonight.” Aristae released her grip and vanished into the shadows. Ellie slumped to the floor and tried her best to regain her composure. What plans?
Abby Preston tried her best to will her daughter home.
It’s my fault. I should have been a better mother. Abby loved her daughter, but Sarah’s adolescence had proved difficult to cope with, and they fought far more often than she would have preferred. Her tension-fraught relationship with Sarah’s father didn’t make things any easier.
From the living room, she heard the front door creak open. Abby’s brow furrowed. She wasn’t expecting company. “Hello? Is someone there?”
There was no response.
“Sarah, is that you?” Again, nothing. Then Abby saw her daughter standing in the doorway, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Mom, I’m here.”
“Sarah!” Abby ran to her daughter and embraced her. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick about you.” A hundred questions ran through her head at once. “The sheriff told me you were abducted.” Sarah grimaced, and Abby let her go. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. I just feel a little weak, that’s all.” Sarah was pale.
“What happened to you?”
“I can’t remember.” The dull and robotic tone was unlike Sarah’s. “It’s like my head is in a fog.”
“I’m just happy you’re home.” There would be time for answers later.
Sarah shielded her face from the sunlight streaming through the window. “The light hurts.”
Abby closed the blinds. “Everything’s going to be all right. You’re safe now.”
There was a small patch of red on Sarah’s shirt, torn at the neck to expose a puncture wound.
She’d been bitten.
Chapter Sixteen
“Looking for something?”
Ellie averted her gaze from the window and turned back to her father. “No.”
She waited anxiously for sunset. When night fell, the full moon would rise again. Aristae’s threat hung in the air, unspoken. Then there was Alex. He had offered to protect her, but she wasn’t sure she could trust him. Besides, she didn’t know how to find him even if she wanted to. No, she would have to think of a way to stop Aristae on her own.
“Why not help me tend to the animals? You can feed the horses sugar cubes, like when you were little.”
The thought conjured memories of feeding Mrs. Wells’ horses with Alex. His betrayal tainted everything that had happened between them. “Sure.” Considering how many things had changed lately, it was nice to know some things stayed the same.
She accompanied her father to the barn and nursed a colt with a milk bottle.
“I’ve been thinking. I know I encouraged you to attend community college, but if you have your heart set on UK, I’ll try my best to help. You’ve been such a huge help to me in the clinic over the years. I just want you to know we support your decision, whatever it is.”
College seemed a million miles away. In retrospect, it was hard to believe she’d ever worried so much about it. Still, she was grateful for her parents’ support, especially at a time when she felt so vulnerable. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Ellie helped her father administer shots to a customer’s dog. As she looked over his medical supplies, an idea crossed her mind. “You need another syringe. Let me get it for you.” She walked into the next room, where her father kept his medicines, and searched for a bottle of horse tranquilizer. Ellie had drawn up sedatives for her dad before. If the tranquilizer was potent enough to put down a horse, surely it would be enough for a human—monster or not.
With her father occupied, Ellie took five syringes, filled each with tranquilizer, and slipped the plastic tubes into her pocket before returning.
After tonight, there’s only one full moon left. If I can get the drug into Aristae, I can remove her ring. Ellie pictured the black serpent ring in her mind’s eye. Alex said the ring allowed a werewolf to control its transformation. Without it, she won’t be able to transform at will.
It was a gamble, but one Ellie was willing to risk taking. Alex’s description of his own abilities hinted that control came over time, and Aristae had claimed to be old and powerful. Even if removing the ring did the job, getting close enough to inject her presented another challenge.
When her father finished his work, Ellie lingered behind on the pretext of doing chores. Once he returned to the house, she walked into his office, closed the door behind her and delved through his desk for his handgun. Although Matt’s shotgun hadn’t killed Alex, it had slowed him down. The handgun didn’t pack the shotgun’s punch, but it was the best she had.
Ellie regarded the gun for a long interval. It felt cool to her touch. Can I do this? A gun was a dangerous weapon. If she was caught with it without a permit, she could get in serious trouble. Although her father had instructed her on its use, she wasn’t sure she could pull the trigger. She checked to make sure the safety was on, put the gun away, and slipped the weapon into her van’s glove compartment.
Almost done. Ellie returned to the house and found the dining room empty. She searched the cabinet for her mother’s expensive silverware and packed some away.
“What are you doing?”
Ellie tensed. It was her mother. She hastily shut the cabinet door. “Nothing. Just looking around.” She cringed. The excuse sounded as lame as it had in her head.
Fortunately, her mother chose not to press the point. “I heard your father gave you some good news earlier.”
Ellie wrinkled her brow. “He did?”
“College, silly. You’re going to UK!”
“Oh, that’s right. I’ve known for a while that I wanted to attend UK, ever since Alexander…” she trailed off. “Never mind.”
Her mother gave her a knowing look. “Something happened with him, didn’t it? You haven’t said one word about him since last night.”
“Life’s been a little hectic lately, re
member?” She’d filled her parents in on the details of the attack without mentioning Alex’s involvement.
Her mother wasn’t fooled. “He hurt you, didn’t he?”
Ellie’s mouth nearly fell open in surprise. “How do you know?”
“I know you.” Her mother embraced and held her.
Ellie felt her eyes sting. She had trusted Alex—opened her heart to him—and he’d hurt her. More than anything else that had happened, that was the worst of it.
Sarah felt sick. It was as if her entire body were on fire. One minute she was perfectly normal—if a bit tired—the next her head screamed at her for release. An intense hunger gnawed at her stomach, but by the time she made it into the kitchen, the smell of food nauseated her. Her head was spinning when she stumbled back to her room.
Her mother stood in the doorway. “Is everything OK?”
“I think I have a fever.”
“Lie down, and I’ll go get the thermometer.”
Sarah heard her mother’s footsteps going into the kitchen. There was a ringing in her ears, and Sarah realized she could hear the tune her mother was humming from clear across the house. What was wrong with her? Why couldn’t she remember what happened in the cellar? Everything was distorted. All her memories were a blur.
Her mother returned a minute later, thermometer in hand. “Ninety-nine degrees. That’s a low-grade fever. How do you feel?”
“My head hurts. Could you bring me some Advil?”
“Of course.” Her mother left again and promptly returned with two red pills.
Sarah downed them with a mouthful of water. When she was alone again, something called out to her.
“Awaken,” a voice seemed to say out of the void.
Sarah’s eyes snapped open. “What?” She glanced around her bedroom for the voice’s source, but she was completely alone. Sarah heard her mother’s breathing coming from the living room. This can’t be happening. She concentrated, and the sound went away.
Sarah sat up in bed. Sweat drenched her shirt. I do feel a little better. Maybe the Advil was working already. Mustering her courage, she looked in the mirror to see her reflection. Her hair, matted and unkempt, fell wildly around her face.
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