Clouded Vision

Clouded Vision, Chpt 12

Very short, but we're at the climax climbing upword! I have some fantastic ideas of how to redo this thing, but I hope you enjoy the draft. This story may not be as popular as Magic Weaver, but I have a soft spot for it. It's the first 'real' book story thing I've finished. I'm proud of it and looking back on this I'm very happy that my writing improved!

Chapter Twelve

Blackout

Vince breathed with a mouth that was his again. He tasted blood on his tongue. It was rusted and human. How many bodies? He wondered tiredly. How many humans had Adair killed? What a mess. And I assumed humans are the monsters. He thought bitterly. No wonder they fear us so and hunt us. If we were free to run wild we'd eradicate the human race!

Around his, was the pregnant smell of Adair mixed with his own. Adair's room, on his bed. He wondered briefly if someone carried him here. Flashes of blood and carnage rose from the blackness of his memory. That poor man. He thought. If only he had run when I told him. But of course that would have little effect; his wolf form would have simply hunted the man down.

"Vince, are you awake?" Eve called in a quiet voice.

Vincent closed his eyes and breathed softly. He didn't want to face her. He could hear her stroll over. Her lips touched his head for a moment, and then retreated.

"Your heartbeat is too fast," she whispered, "for you to be sleeping."

A reluctant smile appeared across Vince's face, but remained silent.

She kissed his forehead softly. "Wake up." She whispered.

"I killed." Vincent croaked.

"Yes." Eve agreed with a sigh. "But it's not your fault."

"How many did Adair kill?"

"Not including yours-because he was homeless-three were reported missing this morning."

"How many is that for Adair now?"

"At least five, probably more."

Vince groaned. "I need to kill him."

"How?"

"Stop trying to protect me." Vince said gently. "You've done enough. Time to let me go."

"But I should come. Last time-"

"Last time you almost died. I can't have that again. Listen, if I don't come back, mount an attack with the entire pack. Until then, stay."

Eve's eyes were on the ground, and Vincent cringed. It was only his authority over her that was keeping her silent.

He raised her chin with soft fingers and kissed her head. She smiled under his lips with the same apprehension as when he had first wanted to join her pack. He longed to tell her that'd he be alright, but she'd recognize the lie as soon as if left his throat. As he strolled from the room he felt peaceful.

"Vince?" Eve called. "There's something you should know.'

The quivering in her voice made Vince turn.

"You can't remember anything you did while you're in lunar form right?"

Vince nodded stiffly.

"Neither can I. But there is someone-besides Adair-who can."

"And he doesn't have full time lunar ability?"

"No. He can only transform during the full moon just like the rest of us."

"Who is it?"

"I shouldn't tell; I promised I wouldn't. But it's Devin. I should have told you before."

"Is that true?"

"I swear it is. You should talk to him about it. He may give you meaning to Adair's plot."

Vince paused. Did Eve merely want to postpone fate? Could Devin's 'talent' actually help? There was no time to spend following false leads. Vincent sighed, and exited the house. The forest swirled around him, seemingly trapping him.

"I have to protect my pack." He muttered. "I'm not going to be the only one alive. Not this time." The forest darkened. The sun seemed to hide. Vincent flexed his weak human arm. It was so easy to snap. Rustling reached his ears. Vince froze his eyes into the deepened woods. Something smelled wrong. Humans? Cops? Adair? It didn't smell like anything before. Something shifted in the dark. A growl escaped in Vincent's throat. Wait. This smell. He did know it; it was in the alleyways, when Faith had told him to calm down. Vincent stood there for minutes, then relaxed slightly, sure whatever it was, was harmless. In one swift motion, the back of Vince's head exploded with pain. It seemed to fracture his skill, shatter his brain. The force his again. He could feel himself fall. Then there was the sensation of nothingness.

One by one, like lights turned on by a sleepy janitor, his senses returned. His head throbbed. What did they hit me with? He wondered. It hurt like hell.

"I think he's waking up."

Vincent froze. Where was he? Did the police catch him? Take his DNA without his permission to know the truth? His breath was shallow, like a frightened animal. Something nudged his foot.

"Hey you. Wake up." This voice was different; a man, while the other was a woman's. Vince squeezed his eyes hut, reluctant to see what sort of danger he was in.

"The yellow eyes is awake. Go tell him."

Yellow eyes? Is that what they were calling him?

"Vincent. Good to see you again." A voice boomed. That voice. Oh God.

Vincent snapped his eyes open to see none other than Adair standing over his. The hunter just became the trapped.