Page 46 of How to Dump a Vampire

In the distance, I spot Draven’s unmistakable tall, broad-shouldered frame. He stands with a group of hunters, inspecting the day’s kills. Just the sight of him makes my heart constrict with a confusing mix of emotions—anger, longing, fear. I school my features into a mask of calm determination and stride swiftly toward him.

As I approach, Draven glances up. Surprise flashes across his handsome face. “Thorn?” He takes a step toward me but hesitates when I do not slow my pace.

I ignore the others around us and grab Draven’s arm as soon as I’m close enough. My fingers dig into his cold flesh. He winces.

“Where is she?” I demand harshly.

Draven’s brow furrows in confusion. “She?”

Anger boils up inside me. How dare he play dumb when Luna could be suffering right now?

“My fox. Where did you take her?”

Understanding dawns on his face, followed swiftly by indignation. “That fox is yours? The one I was chasing? You magicked me here against my will entirely naked, and you think I went back out just to hunt your fox?” He yanks his arm from my grip. “I don’t know where the creature is.”

“But you were hunting her before,” I shoot back. “She was there when you found me. Now explain what you’ve done with her!”

Around us, the other vampires have gone silent, watching our confrontation unfold with interest. I pay them no mind, focused solely on Draven. If he does not give me answers soon, my simmering rage may unleash itself whether I wish it or not.

Draven holds up his hands placatingly. “Thorn, you’re not thinking clearly. Yes, I crossed paths with afox while on the hunt some time ago, but I had no idea it was your companion. I never even got close to the beast before it slipped away. I have not seen it since.”

I stare hard into his azure eyes, searching for any hint of deception, but all I find there is earnest confusion and dawning concern. Could it be true? Could he really have nothing to do with Luna’s disappearance? Reluctantly, I feel my anger begin to cool.

Draven reaches for me again, more gently this time.

I open my mouth to respond to Draven when a commotion erupts at the edge of the camp. One of the hunting parties has returned, dragging their catches triumphantly.

I catch a glimpse of white fur, and my heart leaps into my throat.

“Luna!” I cry out, shoving past Draven and sprinting toward the hunters. There is my beloved familiar, bound and hanging limply amidst their prizes.

She lifts her head weakly but makes no other movement.

Red-hot rage explodes within me at the sight. With a guttural scream, I unleash a shockwave that knocks the hunters to the ground and propels Luna’s bodysafely away. I rush to her side, hands sparking dangerously with power.

18

Draven

Iwatch in stunned disbelief as Thorn materializes in our midst, eyes blazing with fury as she confronts me about her missing fox. Before I can even process her sudden presence, pandemonium erupts.

My brother and his men return triumphant from the hunt, their latest quarry in tow. Amongst the carcasses of deer and elk lies a small white form—the fox. Understanding dawns swiftly followed by horror. This is what has Thorn so distraught.

In the span of a heartbeat, she is upon them, raw power exploding outward in a shockwave that knocks the men off their feet. My brother roars in rage even as he tumbles backward. Thorn snatches up the fox’s limp body in her arms before any can react.

I take a step toward her, hands raised in what I hope is a soothing gesture. “Thorn, let us help—“

She whirls on me, violet energy crackling around her. The fury in her emerald eyes gives me pause. “You’ve done enough!”

My brother regains his feet in a blur of speed, blood trailing from a gash on his forehead. He moves to charge Thorn, murder etched on his face. She tenses, magic flaring in preparation for his attack.

Some protective instinct seizes hold of me, and I intercept my brother in a flash, grabbing his arms.

He strains against me, snarling, “The witch attacked us!”

“She was protecting her familiar,” I reply, effortlessly restraining my brother with my newfound strength. I do not struggle at all, though he strains against me with all his might. This power surging through me now exceeds anything I have experienced before. When did I become so strong?

Thorn remains poised for a fight, one hand gently cradling her fox while the other sparks dangerously. My brothers’ men fan out, encircling her withweapons drawn.

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