Page 34 of Rejected Moons (Rejected Moons 3)

I skid to a halt.

I’m at the top of the stairs that lead down to the underground tunnels beneath the city. The tunnels that used to play host to commuter trains, that are now the home of the hives of Ravagers.

And Emlyn’s scent goes right down these stairs.

What the fuck would she go down there for?

I can only think of one reason. The wolves chasing her. It must have been her only means of escape. And, indeed, they haven’t followed her scent down the stairs.

There are several intersecting tunnels down there. There’s no way to know which way she went, or how long she stayed underground. Or if she’s even still alive.

No way except one.

I definitely wouldn’t be doing this if I was sober, I think, and start down the stairs after her.

Chapter Twenty-three: EMLYN

I’mawakenedbyahand on my arm, dragging me to my feet.

“Get up!” a voice barks. “Get the blindfold on her, quick, before she fights back.”

I don’t know who I’m dealing with. The voices are familiar, but before I can place them, a cloth is lowered over my eyes and cinched tightly at the back of my head. Cold metal is wrapped around my wrists.

“Don’t even think about trying anything, bitch,” a voice hisses. “Those are iron chains. Your Moon Caster magic won’t work while you’re in iron.”

It’s Bruce. I recognize his voice now. Bruce, who has been like a father to me. Bruce, who was my alpha all my life. He’s the one who’s chaining me like an animal, calling me a bitch, treating me like I’m scum.

But this is how Bruce has always been toward Moon Casters. He’s always treated them—us?—as less than human. Not just as enemies, but as beasts, unworthy of any dignity or respect.

And for most of my life, I’ve agreed with that.

It’s only in the past few days that I’ve started to wonder.

If my mind can be changed, maybe his can too. “Bruce,” I say. “Let’s just talk.”

“I’m not going to let you do magic on me,” he says.

“You know I can’t,” I tell him. “Iron chains neutralize Moon Casters. You know this.”

“So youarea Moon Caster? You admit it?”

“I don’t know what I am,” I say. “I’m as confused as you. But we’re packmates. We should talk about it at least.”

“Don’t let her talk, Bruce,” someone says. I don’t recognize the second voice. “She’s a witch. She might not be able to use her magic on you, but she convinced us all that she was one of us for twenty-three years. She’s got the power to trick you into all kinds of shit.”

“Grab her,” Bruce says. “We’ll take her back to Victor. He’s got the right to be the one to do the deed.”

Victor.

I hate how my gut fills with hope at just the sound of the name. It’s not hope that he’ll save me—I know he won’t. I just want to see him. I want to be near him. I know that as soon as we’re together, I’m going to feel a rush of relief, and Iwantit.

And I kind of hate myself for that.

At the moment, having my hands bound is a bigger problem than the fact that Bruce used iron chains. I wouldn’t have fought him using magic anyway. But the way I’m tied is preventing me from shifting—I’d dislocate my shoulders if I tried, and then I’d be in a much worse fix. And it’s not like I can punch my way out of this situation, or even try running—not with a blindfold on.

Still, I’m not giving up without a fight. I pivot on my left foot and lash out with my right, aiming for the voice of the person who isn’t Bruce.

My foot connects with something solid and meaty, and I hear anoof!Behind me, there’s the thump of something falling to the ground.

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