Page 24 of Barely Breathing

A laugh draws my attention to a dark corner where a young girl plays with entrails. The sound doesn’t belong here, and my first instinct is to run to protect the child. But before I can find a path toward her, she turns to reveal the face of an ancient crone. Sharpened teeth gleam as she bites into her meal. I gag and recoil in horror, but the image burns itself into my mind.

Two massive wolves break away from the crowd, deliberately padding toward us. Their fur is matted with what looks like blood, but when the men shift to human form, the red streaks appear too bright against naked flesh. It’s probably paint. Glowing eyes meet mine.

“Vampire,” the taller one sneers. “Your kind is not welcome here.”

“I have business with your Alpha.” Costin’s voice carries over the music.

“Let him stay.” The shorter wolf laughs, but it’s not a pleasant sound. “I like an enemy who can fight back.” His eyes fix on me, nostrils flaring. “And you brought a snack? How thoughtful.”

Laughter rises.

Costin moves so fast that I barely see it. Suddenly, he has the wolf by the throat, his feetdangling above the ground. “She is mine. Look at her again, and I’ll tear out your eyes.”

The music cuts abruptly, and the silence feels heavier than the bass had been.

“Release him,” someone orders.

“Kill him!” another growls.

The pack surrounds us like a fist closing. Voices erupt in roars and howls that are more animal than human. Bodies begin to shift en masse, the sound of cracking bones and tearing flesh filling the courtyard. I spin, looking for escape, but we’re trapped. The gate we entered through has vanished behind a wall of transforming bodies. The smell of blood and fur is overwhelming, and I worry that maybe I’m wrong and the red spattering isn’t paint.

“Costin,” I manage, barely getting the word out. What was I thinking? This is too dangerous.

“Costin,” repeats a burly man with fur crawling up his forearms before yelling louder, “Constantine!”

The wolves back away like a wave retracting from shore as the word circulates amongst them.

“Shall I remind you of the treaties?” Costin asks the creature he had lifted in the air.

“No,” the wolf manages, the sound strangled.

Costin releases him, and he drops to his knees. I sense he could stand if he wanted, but he remains on the ground, head bowed. Heavy pants of air escape him.

“Now,” Costin says pleasantly, dusting his hands. “I believe your Alpha is expecting us.”

“I’ll take you,” the burly wolf says, his fur receding as he completely shifts back to human. He lifts his hand, and without having to ask, someone throws a pair of jeans at him. He catches it without looking. Unlike the others who remain naked, he slides on his pants. “Forgive them, Lord Constantine. They’re young and are amped up with anticipation of the full moon. They do not recognize you or know what you have done for us.”

Costin doesn’t answer. I wonder what he’s done for them. I doubt anyone will tell me.

The wolf eyes me. I pull the amulet out from under my shirt as if that might somehow make me scarier. It doesn’t seem to.

“I don’t expect you’ll remember, but we met roughly fifty years ago at the last treaty negotiation,” the wolf says to Costin.

“Good to see you again, Sully.”

Sully’s lip twitches up at his side.

“I’m Tamara Devine,” I say when Costin doesn’t introduce me.

Sully looks at me in surprise and nods his head. He gives me a seductive once-over—if you can call a giant werewolf looking like he wants to tear off your clothes and devour youseductive. “The mortal Devine. I have heard of your battles with Draakmar.Impressive. I also heard you are recently single after you called off your engagement to?—”

Costin grabs my arm and pulls me next to him, effectively stopping the flirtatious comment before it fully forms. Typically, I’d want to say something about women not being property and whatnot, but I’m not too stupid to admit I’m grateful he’s laying claim to me. I don’t think I could survive a werewolf courtship. This Sully is not Peter, that’s for sure. I’m not sure the word no would stop Sully’s romantic advances.

“My mistake,” Sully says. “Follow me. Alpha Thane will see you now.”

It is clear Sully is considered a leader by the way the others part to let him pass. He leads us through the chaotic throng to an abandoned factory building. He gives a short grunt. A metal door groans open to reveal a long corridor lit by flickering fluorescent lights. The walls are covered in claw marks, telling stories of fights and displays of dominance. They look centuries old if the edges of rust and crumbling concrete are to be believed.

The heavy metal music resumes over the courtyard, as does the partying. Someone closes the metal doors, and instantly, the music is stifled, separating this part of the werewolf enclave from the outside. Though I appreciate being away from the others, I now feel trapped.

---