Page 15 of Rescued By the Mothman

“Is that a threat?”

“Yes.”

To his credit, one of the other men looked nervous. The one holding Clarissa turned and ran his tongue up the side of her face. That was the moment I knew I was going to kill him. I walked forward, my eyes fixed on him. Watching his body for the twitch of muscles that indicated he was going to move. I saw his leg muscles tighten as he moved to step backwards. Then the twist of his chest as he turned slightly to pull Clarissa. I knew hewas going to put her in front of him before he did it, so I leapt into the air.

Two beats of my wings and I landed on the roof behind him. Before he could finish spinning around, I leapt back over his head in a fast somersault, spreading my wings to slow down as I neared the ground, and landed next to him. He was off balance and, as he stepped to steady himself, I pulled my arm back and punched him with all I had. And what I had was a lot.

His face crumpled beneath my fist. I felt his skull shattering. Bits of bone splintering into his brain. As he fell back, I held a hand out to Clarissa and she twisted out of his now limp grip. Our hands met, and I spun her around, so I was between her and the men.

“Go check the back. Quietly.”

She nodded. I spun back around, looked at the man I’d punched, twitching on the ground. His two friends looked horrified. I could hear Clarissa’s footsteps as she took a wide circle around the house to keep away from them.

“Monster!” the one with the axe yelled before charging at me.

What an idiot. I’d just killed his friend with one punch. I didn’t let my guard down, though. Angry people were dangerous and unpredictable. He swung the large axe, and I knew I couldn’t dodge it. I was big and not very nimble on the ground. I raised both arms to block it and the haft hit my forearms. A sharp spike of pain radiated up to my shoulders. This guy was big for a human. I kicked out and got him square in the crotch. He howled and fell to the ground. I almost felt sorry for the guy. I’d likely permanently ruined his sex life. Not that assholes like him deserved any sex.

I picked up the axe and spun it around before looking at the nervous guy. He dropped his bat and held his hands up in submission.

“Tell me the plan, fuckface.”

He jumped with fear as I spoke. I thought he was going to vomit right there. He took another look at the friend I’d punched, who was still now with blood oozing from various points in his face. His voice shook as he answered me.

“The others are just meant to fuck some shit up in town, cause a distraction. We were here to kill the wolf.”

I listened for a moment. I could hear Clarissa talking to her uncle inside the house. He sounded rough, but alive.

“And Delaney? Where is he now?”

“Trying to get money or something.”

“Here? In town?”

“Yeah, I don’t know the details.”

“Listen to me. I’m going to let you go. But if you go near this hate group again, I’ll hunt you down and make you regret it.”

He nodded, and I tucked the axe into my belt.

“Get out of here and take this dumbass with you.”

I waved the axe towards his moaning friend, whose pants were turning red with blood now. He dragged his sobbing friend into the car and drove like a bat out of hell down the dirt road back into town. I didn’t know if he’d actually rethink his life choices or if he was just going to get reinforcements. I hoped the wolves had it under control.

Inside the house, Rez looked bloody. Not as bloody as the three corpses that Clarissa was trying hard not to look at. She seemed almost green. Rex looked up at me from the sofa.

“You get ‘em?”

“One down, one taking his friend to a hospital. He might make it, but he’ll wish he hadn’t. You ok?”

“Yeah, one just got a lucky blow to my head before I could shift. Knocked me out briefly. I’m glad you turned up when you did.”

I gave Clarissa’s shoulder a gentle squeeze, and she nodded back at me. She might need comforting later, but at this moment, she was calm and determined.

“We need to take my uncle to the hospital.”

He scoffed.

“Nah, I’ll be fine. Wolf healing. It’s all good.”

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