Moonlight Secrets (#2 Penderry's Bizarre)

Chapter Twenty Five

Panicked voices engulfed the village as the news spread.

Hands cupped around his mouth, the pandit shouted, "Everyone, we must leave the village right away. Take the south path. Quickly, quickly!"

Villagers abandoned their homes and work and hurried to the track leading out of the village.

The pandit stared at Anju, wide-eyed. "This is your fault. You should never have come here."

Bunny read the guilt and hurt that sprang to Anju's face and put a hand on her shoulder. "It's not your fault. Don't listen to him."

From behind a nearby building, her father shouted commands to his threadbare regiment, his voice rising over the thatched roof. "Take up arms in the marketplace and form a line facing the north trail. Staggered fire, but not until I give the word."

Bunny's heart pounded, and her mind whirled. Villagers jostled her, intent on fleeing, and she staggered out of their path.

Amidst the chaos, Jim appeared at her side and caught her elbow. "Come on."

"Wait. Where's Anju?"

Her friend had vanished into the fleeing crowd.

"Bunny," he said, his tone urgent. "We have to get to safety."

He was right. At any moment, the werewolves would reach the village. And anyone still out in the open, unarmed, would become prey in a heartbeat.

Oh, dear. Anju, where are you? For heaven's sake, please find somewhere to hide.

Together she and Jim hurried around the huts to the marketplace, joining her father.

"How many?" Captain Spencer asked his soldier.

"Six werewolves, sir. They're barely two miles away and moving quickly."

Her father's forehead crinkled, and he glanced her way. "Bunny, there you are. Take the south road with the villagers and get as far away as possible. Where's Anju?"

"I don't know, Papa. She's vanished. Maybe she's hiding."

Her father raised a spyglass to his eye and peered at the north track. "I hope so. There's no time to find her. The wolves are almost here." His gaze whipped back to her and Jim. "Penderry, if you want to help, escort my daughter to the road. Here, take this."

Captain Spencer offered him a rifle which he took gratefully. With an expectant look in his eyes, Jim waited for her to follow. Reluctance filled every inch of her core.

Papa, I can't leave you again.

"Miss Spencer." Jim's tone was gentle, yet insistent.

"Be careful, Papa." She embraced her father in a tight hug before going with Jim.

They passed the handful of infantry left to defend Shamki. Eight soldiers formed a line across the centre of the village, rifles primed and trained on the north road. To her surprise, the park ranger she'd met in England appeared with an ammunition trunk.

"I recognise that gentleman," she said to Jim. "I met him in London. He's-"

"McKusky. The park ranger I sent you to in Hyde Park."

McKusky set down the box and spoke to her father. "Here's the rest of the powder and silver shot. Let's hope it weakens them quicker than standard ammunition."

Westman, one hand resting on a sword handle at his hip, joined the ranger, along with the servant with the eye-patch. The group of men spoke, but she and Jim strode out of earshot.