Until they got to the river . . . When they stopped and saw what was happening, Spencer squeaked, “Can we go back to the psycho chick?”
Cal’s hand shot in the air. “I second that.”
Before them, right on the river’s bank, was the battleground. Wolves were running at each other, tearing each other apart. Gavin leapt out of the path of two wrestling each other. They careened past him, right into the water, and both scrambled back to the bank, but the one on top ripped into the other’s throat. Landing on his feet, in a crouching position, Gavin threw his head back. His vampire senses were on full alert. They didn’t have time to stand there and take in the bloody and violent scene. They needed to identify allies from enemies and they needed to do it fast.
He yelled out to Tracey and Gregory, “Guard the humans. Roane is here.”
Both vampires already had their weapons drawn. A wolf turned on them, leaping in the air. Tracey evaded it and sliced the sword through the wolf’s throat. He fell to the ground, right at Spencer and Cal’s feet.
“Holy—” Spencer started, his mouth gaping wide open.
Cal let out a harrowing groan and clenched his teeth together. “I suddenly feel warm. “ He asked Spencer, “Why would I feel warm right now?”
Spencer shook his head. “Did you piss yourself? Because I think I just did.”
Gregory grabbed the wolf’s feet and threw it in the air. It landed clear across the embankment, and as it did, it drew the attention from a large group of feuding wolves. Those that were fighting, stopped, sniffed the air, and turned their heads until they were staring at the newcomers.
“Yep,” Cal muttered. “Definitely soiled myself there.”
A wolf was in mid-air sailing right past them when Gregory grabbed it. He held it up by its throat and leaned in close to growl, “What bloodline are you from?”
The wolf had a silver mane with a black streak around the eyes. It tried to bite him. Gregory adjusted his hold, bracing his arm on the other side of the wolf’s neck when Gavin yelled out, “Stop. That’s a Christane wolf.” His eyes were almost beaming as he looked at Tracey. “Christian Christane was Davy’s friend’s brother. Right?”
Tracey frowned. She shared it with Gregory, who asked, “So I shouldn’t kill the wolf?”
As he held him, another wolf bounded up and pulled the wolf free. Gregory turned to reach for it again, but the rescuing wolf was there. It snarled at Gregory, but it was a soft snarl. There wasn’t enough heat behind it to warrant that it was a threat.
The two wolves backed away and then ran to their allies.
Tracey stood close to Cal and Spencer, her sword in front of her. She kept her back to them, shielding them. Gregory and Gavin did the same.
She threw over her shoulder, “We need to identify who are allies and quick.”
Gavin clipped his head in a nod. “I agree.” He was scanning the battleground. Dead wolves were all over the ground, but as quickly as they arrived, the battle on their bank was already ending. The last wolves that were alive dashed off, going around a bend, and sounds from another battle were heard. Howls. Screeches. Whimpers. Shouts. Screams. They heard all of that, but there was a low rumbling in the distance, too. It sounded like thunder from far away, but it wasn’t. As Gavin gripped his sword tighter, he took a step forward. He could feel the rumbling. It was coming from beneath them. It was in the ground, and he felt its magic.
It was strong, maybe too strong for them.
“There are vampires over there.” Tracey was moving forward. “I can feel them.”
Gavin hurried ahead, but didn’t try to draw her back. They went together, hurrying at the same pace. Cal and Spencer jogged behind and Gregory brought up the rear. Right before turning the corner, Tracey melted into the foliage. Gavin was right behind her. The rest fell in line.
“Where are we going?” Spencer asked the group.
None of the vampires answered. All were tense, silent, and scanning their surroundings.
Spencer glanced at Cal, who shrugged and replied, “I dunno. Looking for friends?”
“Shut up,” Tracey clipped out. “Both of you.”
They kept moving into the forest. There were vampires hidden within the forest. Gavin, Tracey, and Gregory could feel them, but they couldn’t identify if they were friend or foe. As they kept moving forward, each was waiting for an enemy to attack, but none happened until they were deep into the forest. The battle sounds lessened behind them, and each vampire started to loosen their hold on their weapons, just a bit.
Suddenly, all three whipped around until they were facing east.
Cal and Spencer were shoved behind them.