Page 24 of Howl Me to the Moon
And then I saw something.
Sloane was on the ground, not moving. I gulped. What did this mean about Piper?
I tread forward slowly as my pulse quickened.
And then I saw her.
Piper.
My heart plummeted and I froze. She was standing upright, but her feet weren’t touching the ground. She stared forward, her face etched with terror. She appeared frozen, unable to move.
Something was holding her. Or someone. Shielded by a stack of paintings.
The darkness seemed to swell. It swallowed oxygen in the air, leaving my tongue dry.
I approached—and then saw the monster. A figure cloaked in black robes who had a skeletal face with glowing red eyes. Behind him was the Armando painting, churning like ominous lava and looking far more menacing than when I’d seen it in the gallery. This painting pulsed with dark energy—like it wasalive.
My blood turned arctic and my wolf raged with fury. A growl rumbled out of me, full of fury and possessiveness. How dare he touch my mate?
“Demon,” Marcel warned me from behind in a low whisper.
I advanced, fists clenched at my sides, ready to unleash all my fury on this thing that dared to touch her.
“Let her go!” I seethed as my wolf clamored to take control.
The demon turned its glowing eyes at me, its expression a taunting menace.
“You lost her, wolf.” It tightened its grip on Piper. “I’ll use her as I wish.”
“No!” Piper found her voice and kicked. She appeared to be free of whatever had left her immobile and struggled to escape the demon’s grasp.
She turned her head enough to catch my eye.
“Rex.” Her voice came out breathy. “Be careful.”
Her desperate plea tore at my heart.
“I saidput her down!”I growled and surged for the demon.
CHAPTER 18
PIPER
Rex came for me. My heart fluttered like the beat of dragonfly wings.
But now he charged for the demon, putting himself at risk.
The demon released me to turn his focus on Rex, and I tumbled to the floor. The demon roared as he cast a spell from his hands at Rex.
“No!” I screamed, while a bolt of panic seized me. Rex ducked to the side, evading the attack.
Marcel shrieked, “The paintings!”
Of course he’d worry more about them taking my main concern—Rex. Still, instinct kicked in and I quickly conjured a magical ward around us. It wasn’t a thoroughly protective one created in my haste and lack of additional elements, but it should provide a basic shield to protect us and many of the artworks for a short period.
Unfortunately, Rex had moved out of range as he soared once more for the demon. My lungs seized my breath as I watched him, every nerve fraying. The demon laughed and ascended a foot off the ground.
The way Rex parried in front of the demon was pure predator. Dead sexy as hell if he wasn’t in so much danger.
