Luna

Chapter 9

"When I said I'll catch you later, I didn't mean this soon. And definitely not like this." She hisses.

I struggle against her grip, but her arm sits like a rock against my throat.

"Who are you, and what do you want with me?" She questions through gritted teeth.

"Not until you tell me who you are first." I choke out.

"Hello, you see the pointy weapon?" She says, brandishing the stake in my face. "I'm the one who gets to ask the questions. Now either you tell me who you are, or things are gonna get real ugly."

I stand frozen as she raises her arm to strike.

"I wouldn't be so hasty if I were you." Zeva warns as she comes from behind, snatching the wooden stake away from the leech.

"Just my luck, an ambush." She mumbles, quickly putting distance between us.

"We're not trying to ambush you. We need answers." I explain as I rub at my sore throat.

Her eyes soften a bit, but her guard remains up.

"You two have some heck of a way of asking for help." She says with arms crossed. "Fine, I'll bite. What do you need to know?"

"It's about a member of the Wolfsbane coven." I begin.

She swiftly raises a hand to stop me. Her anxious red eyes dart left and right, glancing around to see who might be listening. I instinctively do the same. Even their own savage members are frightened at the mention of their name.

"The sun's coming out soon." The girl finally pipes up. "Best finish this conversation indoors and away from prying eyes."

I nod in agreement.

"Follow me, darling. We'll see if we can help."

I don't move. "We?"

"My friends." She explains. "Don't worry, they're friendly."

Zeva and I glance at each other apprehensively. This girl could very well be leading us into a trap or worse. But this may be our only chance to get answers. And time is definitely not on our side.

After a second of wordless conversation, we agree to cautiously follow along.

I never thought I'd find anyone who babbles more than Neil, until I met her. Lilith, the name she divulges during her ramblings, chats nonstop as she guides us further into town.

You'd think we were close friends by the way she casually talks and giggles around us. As if she didn't point a stake in my face minutes ago. As I rub the remaining sore spot on my arm, I wonder how many have fallen for that sweet and bubbly act before falling prey to her.

"Sorry about that." She apologizes. "I thought you were a trapper trying to snatch me up. Those jerks have been hounding me for weeks."

"Trapper?"

"They're a group of vamps around here who nab humans to either sell their blood or keep 'em for a personal snack."

That's monstrous.

"Yeah, I've interfered with those guys probably a dozen times or more. That's why they got it out for me."

"Why would you do something so reckless?" I wonder.

"To put a stop to them, of course. And to help as many people as possible get back to their families. It's what my friends and I do?" Lilith answers proudly.