Moonlight Secrets (#2 Penderry's Bizarre)

Chapter Twenty Two

Chest heaving, Bunny stared, unable to speak.

Am I dreaming?

Jim's eyes fell on her and he held out his hand. "Bunny! Quick."

Amjad growled and tightened his hold around her waist. He raised the knife in the air, prepared to strike. "Lower your gun or-"

An explosion of gunpowder lit the hall and Amjad screamed, dropping the dagger with a clatter. He released her and she sprang free, rushing through the gun smoke to Jim's side. With no time to reload, he slung the strap of his spent rifle over his shoulder and tugged a pistol from his belt. Amjad crawled across the floor, holding his wounded hand.

Jaw clenched, Jim aimed once more at the prince. "Let Anju go, unless you care to be next, your highness."

Prince Sujit stood and Anju threw herself in front of him, arms outstretched.

Her eyes widened with panic. "No, don't shoot him. Please, sahib, please."

Confused and shocked, Bunny stared at her friend. "Anju, what are you doing?"

"Anju," Jim called. "Come with us, quickly."

Bunny felt her composure spiralling away. "Don't protect him," she shouted. "Anju, this is our only chance."

Hesitating, Anju's gaze swung between her friends and Singh.

The maharaja panted in anger. "What are you waiting for, son? Seize her and defend what is yours."

At the risk of being shot, Singh clasped Anju by the wrist, crushing the fragile bangles. Glass splintered in his grip, slicing his skin, and he let go sharply. He stared at Anju, uncertainty filling his face.

With a look of regret, Anju fled. She tore through the doorway, grabbing Bunny's arm for an anchor. Jim lunged at the door handles.

"After them," bellowed the maharaja.

Amjad and the few who hadn't drunk the poison surged forward. Jim slammed the doors shut. The two guards lay unconscious on the floor, and Bunny seized one of their swords. She wedged it through the brass door handles just in time. The doors rattled and shook, but the sword held in place.

With no time to lose, they ran down the corridor to the front entrance. The doors stood open, sunlight pouring inside, and they charged down the porch steps to the lawn. Almost tripping on her sari, Bunny paused long enough to disentangle herself from the drapery. She untucked the fabric from her shin-length skirt and threw it to the grass. Three fully transformed werewolves lay motionless on the lawn. Jim's handiwork, she guessed. Free to move, Bunny hurtled through the gate with Anju.

Jim skidded to a stop beside a waiting mount. "Confound it. We'll have to leave the horse. It's exhausted."

"You came alone?" asked Bunny, surprised.

"I'll explain later." He retrieved a satchel from the animal's back and motioned for them to follow. "Come on."

Howls echoed around the palace grounds and several dark shapes darted down the front steps.

Bunny clutched Anju's hand, and they followed Jim along the dirt track. "Where are we going?" she asked between breaths.

"I have no idea," he replied. "I didn't plan this far ahead."

"Stay on this road," said Anju. "We'll reach a path that will take us to my old village."

Jim threw a glance over his shoulder. "If we stay on this road, we'll never lose the werewolves."