Page 57 of The Beast of Ashwood Manor

I moved away with a grunt, watching as the knob jiggled, but the door didn’t open.

Good.

“Keep him locked inside,” I demanded, and Mary nodded, her eyes wide.

I turned on my heel, moving swiftly down the stairs and outside, where Eugenia and Edgar tried to fend off a creature that stood about five feet tall. It was dark, with matted hair covering it from head to toe. Its face was flat, as if someone had punched it in. It stood on two legs, and from its hands sprang long black claws.

A Brogon.

I knew the beast well. I’d seen it take down animals in a flash and run off with them. I encountered it not long ago in Ashwood, and I suppose it was back to finish me off. Just like everything else in the damn woods.

Eugenia shot it with an arrow, and it hissed, ripping the arrow out and coming for her. I ran ahead at it, making it just in time before it pummeled into her. I braced its arms in my hands and threw the Brogon to the ground with a thud.

It got to its feet, saliva dripping from its mouth, and gave a war cry before it came at me again. This time, I allowed my inner beast to untangle, only a little, and my arms blackened, covering my skin in a tougher, furry armor as the creature tore at me.

From the side, Edgar approached with an axe, but I shook my head, letting him know not to. Still, the Brogon saw my gesture and turned toward him. Before it could run for him, I drove my claws into it before pulling them back out.

The creature faltered, dropping to the ground, and then it looked up helplessly at me, as if I’d been the one who invaded its home. With a yell, I slashed at it, my claws digging through hair and flesh, skewering its insides. The hot blood sprinkled my face, the insatiable lust for blood growing, and I could feel the beast within me ready to emerge.

My shirt began to tear, and it was this ripping that stopped me from what I was doing. Standing to my feet, I stepped back and puffed. My heart pounded in my head as I heard a growl escape my throat. Sharp teeth extended, but I stood still, willing it away. I couldn’t let this monster come out. Not now, after all I had done to make sure I didn’t change in front of them all.

Luckily, my teeth flattened, which was painful, and I was able to stop myself from changing.

The beast before me lay still, its body butchered and its insides half out. When I glanced up at Eugenia and Edgar, they both clung to each other, no doubt frightened by what I’d done. I had never killed something in front of them before. I didn’t want to hurt them, but the beast was still raging beneath my skin.

“How did it get in?” I seethed, glaring at Eugenia.

“I-I was out here the whole time,” she explained, her voice shaking. “I swear it. I only paused for five minutes to eat.”

“Then maybe I should put someone else out here to patrol,” I growled through my teeth.

“That’s not necessary. Maybe it’s time for you to admit that whatever barrier was protecting us before is failing. The fifteenth year is approaching, Gil.”

Marching up to her, I came close to her face. “Iknowwhat year is approaching!” Clenching my clawed hands, I turned away from her and looked down at the carcass. She was right; I didn’t want to admit that our defense was failing, but regardless of whether I wanted to believe it or not, the proof was right before me.

Fifteen years.

Yes, spring would mark the fifteenth year that we were cursed. Spring Tide, to be precise. I wasn’t sure what was so significant about the fifteen-year mark, but that was what had been intended when the curse was given, and by the time Spring Tide arrived?

The clock was ticking for me, for all of them. If I didn’t make a decision, they would do it for me. Otherwise, we would all remain here forever.

“I’ll take it to the field and burn it.” I glanced up at the window where I knew Cale’s room was, and when I saw him there looking down, his eyes wide, I gritted my teeth.

He’s seeing parts of me I never wanted him to see.

My arms were still black, all the way up to my shoulders, and my sleeves had ripped. In my state of anger, I bent down and hauled the Brogon over my shoulder with an unnatural strength and fled the manor grounds.

Ipacedtheflooruntil the lock unclicked. When Mary opened the door, I darted outside.

“Wait, Cale!” she called. “Lord Gil wants you to remain here.”

“Of course he does, otherwise he wouldn’t have locked me in my room,” I replied.

“He did it for your safety.”

I stopped in my tracks, my blood still boiling from the anger and panic from earlier. Watching that horrid creature attack Eugenia, and then watching Gil tear it to shreds with some inhuman skill, had made me so upset I felt sick.

“Formysafety? What about you? Or the others? Why doesn’t he lock them in their rooms?”

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