Red Moon Rising(38)

She had tried to sleep but the itching and pain would not allow her to. In the middle of the night she had climbed out of bed, dismayed at how weak her legs were, and stumbled to the water pitcher. She had drank deeply and then poured it over her burning skin. It throbbed like fire against her wound, and she had rushed to the basin next to the bed and thrown up bile and blood.

Now, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was pale and her eyes were sunken into her head. The fever raging through her had drawn every last bit of moisture from her body, and she licked her chapped lips and smiled weakly at Tia.

“Poison, Tia. The spear must have had poison on it. I think – I think I’m dying.” The dog trembled in her view, and she blinked rapidly and ran a shaking hand over her face. When she looked again the dog had disappeared and she stared around the room in confusion.

“Pull yourself together Bree.” She moaned. “Tia isn’t here.”

She shook herself, wincing at the way it made pain radiate through her. The fever was making her delirious. She had not seen anyone since Marian had brought her food earlier. For all she knew, the Lycans had killed her little dog by now.

They wouldn’t. You know they wouldn’t. Don’t be ridiculous. It’s the fever that’s all. Pound on the door - hell, pound on the wall - until someone comes. You need help.

“He was right you know Tia.” She croaked. The little dog was back, staring gravely at her, and it followed her as she staggered to the water pitcher. “He should have left me to die in the forest.”

She tipped the water pitcher to her mouth, moaning softly when only a few drops of water dripped into her mouth. She tossed it aside and stumbled towards the bed. The world wavered alarmingly and she sunk slowly to her knees beside the side of the bed, resting her forehead on the mattress.

She scratched at her neck, tearing at the soft skin until blood appeared. She examined the blood on her fingers with disinterest before turning to look at Tia.

“I wish I had told him the truth.” She told the dog. “I wish I had told him that I think I love him, and that I was scared Kaden would hate me for it.”

She coughed harshly, not noticing the fine spray of blood that flew out of her mouth and covered the quilt, and then dragged in a few shallow breaths.

“You have to tell him for me okay Tia?” She smiled when the little dog licked her hand. “That’s my good girl.”

Her eyes slipped shut and she drifted.

* * *



In her dream she was a Red. She tilted her head, staring fascinated at the bright red strands that slipped across her vision. She tried to reach up to touch them, and her heart quickened with fear when she realized her arms were tied behind her. She looked around, her eyes widening with dismay and confusion. She was tied to a large wooden pole in the back yard of the Lycan’s home. Branches and leaves were piled around her legs and feet and Leta, wearing a crown of flowers and carrying Tia, was dancing in a circle around her, singing softly.

“Leta.” She whispered. “Help me.”

The little girl ignored her and continued to dance and sing. There was movement to her left and she craned her neck, fascinated all over again by the fiery strands that swung about her head. Sophia was standing next to the clothesline. Instead of clothes, she was draping the skinned flesh of the faeries over the line. Their skin flapped in the breeze, carrying the scent of death to her, and she moaned with fear.

“Sophia…please.” She whispered.

Sophia turned towards her and Bree shrieked with horror. The Lycan’s eyes were missing and blood ran in thin lines down her smooth cheeks. “He should have let you die Bree.”

“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.” She cried repeatedly as Avery and Tristan appeared in front of her. In Tristan’s arms was the limp body of Evan.

“You killed my baby boy.” Avery whispered. “I took you into my home, and you killed my baby boy.”

“The Red must burn.” Tristan sighed softly.

“I’m sorry!” Bree cried again. There was a low growling to her right as James in his wolf form approached her. He carried a burning torch in his mouth and she moaned with fear.

“Please James, I love you. Please don’t do this.”

He jerked his large shaggy head and tossed the burning torch into the branches at her feet. As the leaves and branches caught fire and the flames grew, she squinted through the smoke.

James had shifted back into his human form and he was staring silently at her. Nicky appeared beside him and he gave Bree a look of sorrow. “You should have told us the truth little one.”

“I will!” She screamed. “Please let me go! I’ll tell you everything!”