Page 42 of The Beast of Ashwood Manor

A piercing shriek tore through the air, and Cale covered his ears. Looking up, I saw that the Shade had knocked Royce to the ground and floated over him now. It opened its mouth, and gray smoke swirled toward him, smothering him until he coughed.

“Royce!” I scrambled to my feet and ran at the creature, my arms already transitioning into the beast, and I knocked it to the ground, clawing at it. It was solid, fortunately, which meant I would be able to tear it to shreds.

But this Shade was relentless, and it wailed so loud that even I faltered. When it fled the courtyard, I ran after it, yanking open the gate and running full speed into Ashwood. The red leaves swallowed me as I ran into it, the trees a blur as I rushed after the Shade. I kept it in my sights for as long as I could, a black smudge in the distance.

My inner beast wanted to come out, but I willed it away. It hadn’t been too long ago that I’d fed it blood and flesh, and I didn’t want to chance ripping my clothes, especially since the Shade was growing farther and farther away from me, and the rain that was falling was icy. I looked down to see small drops of ice landing around me.

“Fuck!” I yelled, glancing around, seeing nothing but tree trunks.

The only thing that kept me from shifting was Cale. Placing my hands on my hips, I took a breath and thought of how his face had looked as that thing came toward him. If I hadn’t been there. . .

He can take care of himself.

But can he? Can any of them?

I battled with the beast within me, and after a few minutes, I finally calmed down enough for my arms to change back.

My chest ached, and I suddenly had the desire to go back to the manor and tell Cale how wrong I was for being such a jackass. I turned on my heel and rushed out of Ashwood.

When I came back to the manor, I met with Eugenia and Edgar, both of whom ran up to me with fearful faces.

“What happened?” Eugenia asked.

“I lost it in the woods,” I replied, looking back at the tree line in the distance.

“Well, shit.” She crossed her arms.

“It followed me the last time I was out. It has it out to kill me, I suppose, but now it knows you’re all here. I’m going to put you on watch in the daytime, Edgar. Things are slow now with the animals, and if anything, Cale can take over with them.”

“Yes, my lord.” Edgar nodded and picked up his axe. “I’ll walk the perimeter now.”

Nodding, I made my way to the manor and opened the door.

Mary rushed at me. “My lord!” she started. “You weren’t gone long.”

“I lost it.” I sighed and looked around. “Where’s Royce?”

“Upstairs lying down. He’s a bit shaken up, but he’s fine.”

I nodded. “And Cale?”

“He’s up in his room. He was worried about you, but he didn’t want to linger in the foyer. Can I fetch you anything, my lord?”

“No. I’m going up to see Cale. I have Edgar keeping watch outside.”

She nodded at me. “I’ll help Natalie with supper and bring you both plates up in a bit.”

“Thank you.” I made my way to the stairs, and by the time I got to the top, Cale was there waiting for me. I stopped and looked up at him, checking him over, glad he was safe.

“Are you all right?” he whispered.

I cocked my head at him. “I should be asking you that.”

“I’m fine, thanks to you.”

“Can I come sit with you, then?”

Cale looked down, and I could see the hurt on his face, but he nodded and led the way to his room.

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