Page 92 of Rogue Wolf

Time to go.

“See you on the other side,” said Ash as Tamaska opened the van door.

“Likewise.”

Tamaska got out of the van, and headed fast towards the Blood Moon Nightclub.

A parallel memory flooded her mind, the memory of walking toward the nightclub with Tahla beside her. Tamaska had been so innocent back then, so blissfully ignorant of the darker life she was almost a part of. Then there was the time she snuck into the nightclub to get the Blood Opal back. She’d known so little then. She didn’t know much more now, yet she felt entirely different. It felt as if part of her had awakened, and was never, ever going back to sleep.

What would this visit to the Blood Moon bring? No she had to stop that line of thought. She had to be strong. Had to trust. Freeing Kodiak was all Tamaska cared about. It was the only goal that mattered.

The front door of the nightclub opened, and Amdis stepped out.

“I knew you’d come.” He gestured for her to step inside. “Leaving it to the last minute, but on time.”

He held out her hand and she fought the compelling need to take it. She squeezed her fists, hard.

“Not so fast. I want to see him,” Tamaska said.

She needed to stick to the plan. Have them get him, bring him out.

“Come in and see him.”

Tamaska shook her head. “That wasn’t the deal. You bring him out and then I’m yours.”

“I don’t think you’re in a position to negotiate little girl.” He laughed. “Are you?”

“A deal’s a deal and I’m not moving until he’s here. And free.”

The vampire breathed out in a low hiss. “But you want to come inside, don’t you? You want to know what our magnificent plans are…”

She did. She swayed towards him half lifting her hand before she snapped herself back into reality. Her hand came down hard against her side. “No. But I’m here. And I’ll go with you. If you send him out.”

“He’s inside,” said Amdis. “Waiting for you.”

“Then let him out. He’s not who you want.” Tamaska narrowed her eyes at him.

“You’re sure about that?”

“Yes.”

“Or maybe,” he said, we’ll keep him to keep you in line.”

She started to tremble. “N-no deal.”

“You sure? Or is it you think you have some feral bargaining chips?”

“What—”

Amdis snapped his fingers. A chill went down Tamaska’s spine. A loud noise erupted from behind her, then yells. She spun around. And she shook her head in disbelief and grief. “No!”

“Yes,” he said as vampires started attacking the van with a ferocity that frightened her.

“No…” she moaned wanting to rush back and help her friends, but Kodiak’s imprisonment rooted her to the spot.

“You were told to come alone.”

“And you promised you’d release him. I don’t do what I’m told,” Tamaska said. The knot in her stomach tightened, folding in on itself.

---