Page 64 of Dead Wolf Rising (Bad Moon Academy 3)

A strangled gasp escapes her lips, but she clamps her mouth closed and pinches her eyes shut even harder. Once the black power is deep within her body, I drag it back out, taking her life force with it.

Her heart slams against her ribcage, desperately trying to stop her death, but it’s too late. Already her veins are running dry. I can’t take it all though. My hold on Bea’s soul wavers, and I heave a hard breath, grimacing as the fragile control I have threatens to break. Death’s magic vibrates through my body, rattling my bones.

Demanding a death.

I join my forefingers and thumbs together on Morg’s chest in the shape of a diamond. If Bea needs some of her essence, I’ll have to transfer it to her soul without destroying it in the process.

Threading bands of Morg’s life around Bea’s soul, I wrap her bright soul up in the dark magic, cocooning it. I pant, fighting against the urge to give up, to let the power take over and do what it does best.

It wants to kill, but I have to keep it at bay for a few more seconds.

A pained cry fills the room, and I don’t know if it’s Morg’s or mine, but it echoes around until all I can hear is a chorus of agony ringing in my ears. With shaking limbs, I hold strong against the dark magic and rip Bea from Morg’s body and clutch it tight in my grasp. Another shout bounces around the room, and I finally succumb to the power, letting it suck the rest of Morg’s soul from her body and kill her.

My vision wavers, and my knees buckle. I slam my hands onto the edge of the desk, but I drop like a thousand-pound weight, crashing to the floor in a heap of useless muscle.

Chapter 21

RAVEN

When I come to, I’m lying on the dirt road. My mom is leaning over me, strong lines creasing the pale skin on her face. She snaps twice over my face and says my name.

“I’m awake,” I say, more to myself than her.

She frowns. “What happened?”

Blinking, I sit and press my hand to my throbbing head. My stomach lurches with the sudden movement, and I groan.

What happened? I killed Morg. Of course I don’t tell her this because I don’t want to see disappointment fill her eyes.

“I found her.” I glance around. “Did you see her? I found her. She should be here.” Scrambling to my knees, I clutch my stomach and fight off a wave of sickness.

“Are you sure you’re okay? What did you do? Did she hurt you?” Mom grips my shoulder and shakes me slightly. “Raven?”

Brushing her off, I stand on unsteady feet and look around. “Bea!” The name cracks in my throat, so I wet my lips and swallow some spit before screaming again. The bitter taste of the dark magic coats my tongue, and I spit to try and get rid of the taste.

“I didn’t see her.” My mom reaches for me, but I stumble back. “Honey.”

“She should be here.” I shake my head and look at the ground. “I saved her.”

“Maybe I should stay…” Mom trails off.

“No.”

My firm reply makes her rear back, and she presses her hand to her chest.

“What about your friend? I can help you find her.”

“It’s fine. She’s probably scared.” I spin slowly, checking the open space for anywhere Bea could be hiding. The trees have disappeared, and there’s nothing as far as I can see except a few scraggly bushes. I place my hand on my stomach, willing that oily ichor feeling to leave, but it doesn’t.

Did I take too much this time? I check the wall I put in place between my mind and the power, making sure I didn’t miss a spot or leave a small hole. There’s nothing wrong with it, so why do I still feel like this?

Mom’s fidgeting is getting on my nerves, so I turn to her. “Thank you for helping me.” The rest of the message hangs in the air, crystal clear,you can go now.

“Of course.” She backs away. “I’ll go then.” An uncertain frown tugs at her lips, but her gaze fills with resolve. She knows she has to go. She might not want to, but it’s time.

“I love you,” I whisper.

A violent cry wrenches from the depths of her gut, and she covers her mouth as tears spill down her cheeks. “I love you, too.”

---