Hunter's Moon

Chapter 22

            Taylor had spent the afternoon at Robert's going over his books and scouring the internet for information on this Grand Conjunction that was coming, hoping to figure out any more details that could help them stop it.

            “I just don't know how much more we'll be able to find out,” Taylor stated as she rubbed Calleigh's head.

            “If I could just figure out where their nest was, this'd be a whole lot easier. We wouldn't need to worry about the bloody moon.”

            “Yeah, well . . .. We've covered the entire county and then some. You've called all the relatively local hunters and other 'good' supernaturals you know asking to keep an eye out.”

            Robert grunted. “Yeah. It's getting about dusk. We could head back out, they'll probably be feeding. Maybe we can track one down and let it lead us back to the nest.”

            Taylor nodded. “Okay. Before we leave, I'm going to take Cal out for a walk. She's been cooped up in here with us all day. No reason to not let her stretch her legs.”

            “Okay,” Robert said, “I'll start pulling out gear for our hunt.”

            Taylor got up from her chair, took a moment to stretch herself, and then grabbed the retractable leash near the door. “Come here, girl.”

            Calleigh followed her to the door and together they walked down the driveway. Taylor was also wanted this time to clear her head a bit.

            They followed the road for a ways, gravel crunching with every step. Calleigh happily sniffed the ground every few feet. It was nice out, no longer a warm autumn night, but not quite cold enough to be uncomfortable. A breeze blew some of the fallen leaves around the ground. Taylor felt the leash go taut and turned to check on Cal. The dog was frozen in place, attention stuck on a point in the woods.

            “Cal, what's wrong?” Taylor asked, moving over to the collie. Cal ignored Taylor and as she approached she could hear a low growl coming from the dog. The growl increased in volume and intensity until there was a clearly visible snarl on the dog’s muzzle.

            By this time, Taylor was standing right next to Calleigh and the dog finally noticed her. Keeping her attention on the woods, Cal moved between whatever she was looking at and Taylor. The dog barked once, and then kept barking, clearly upset at something out in the woods.

            Taylor looked around and realized how exposed the two of them were. Reaching into her pocket for the can of mace, she started walking back toward the house. Calleigh followed behind her, walking sideways so as to keep herself between the threat and Taylor.

            The dog kept her mouth in a snarl, occasionally letting out a bark. Taylor quickened her pace to just short of running. As they got closer to Robert's house and surrounding property, it suddenly lit up in a flood of light.

            Taylor heard movement behind her and chanced a look back. There was a form in the shadows that was following them at a distance. That was all the prompting that she needed to break out into a sprint for the light. Calleigh matched her speed, but maintained her protective position.

            Closer and closer Robert's farmhouse came. She had to go just a little bit more. Taylor suddenly tripped on a loose rock and slammed down onto the gravel on the side of the road. Calleigh nearly ran over her. In that moment the vampire chose to strike. He closed the distance between them instantly. The only thing stopping him from ripping Taylor up off the ground like a rag doll was Cal's intercession.