Blood Moon (30 page)

He didn’t answer. She got the feeling of love and concern for her, then the connection slammed closed. She couldn’t feel him at all. He hadn’t died, but he’d effectively cut her off. Tears wound through her lashes and down her face.

“He won’t let me in. He’s blocked me out so completely, I can’t even feel him anymore.”

“Is he dead?” Lawrence asked.

She shook her head, wiping at her tears with a tissue Aaron handed to her. “No, it wasn’t death. I could feel his concern and stubborn determination not to share it. I don’t know where he is, but he’s in pain.”

She rubbed her chest, feeling welts forming. She pulled down the neck of her shirt, revealing angry red marks rising on her pale skin. Tears started again. “They’re torturing him.”

The men stared at the marks, incredulous. “I’ve never actually seen that happen before. I didn’t realize the connection could be that strong.”

“Well, it could be worse.” Aaron frowned. “At least we know he’s alive.”

Aria shifted in her seat, straightening her posture. “But we won’t know that for sure. I can’t even find the connection. I don’t know what he did, but when I see him again, I’m going to tell him exactly what I think of that.”

Chapter Thirty

The next two days were like wading through molasses. Everything seemed far away and distant. Ella continually followed her around, a self-appointed companion. Aria hadn’t minded until the day before the Challenge. It took two hours to get rid of Ella so she could talk to Alec alone.

He checked her over, and declared everything was progressing as it should, but Cern’s glamour wouldn’t be able to help her any longer. Aria prayed no one would notice the change in her scent until the Challenge was over and Lukas saved. That afternoon, they packed bags and loaded the car.

“Why are we taking bags, anyway?” Thaddeus grumbled, as he hauled Ella’s enormous duffel into the car. “And why are you taking so much? Matter of fact, why are you even coming?”

Ella poked a finger into his chest. “I am here for moral support. You are here for muscle support. Deal with it. I’m more important, therefore I need more stuff. I had to bring emergency chocolate and relaxation supplies.”

Thaddeus just stared. He opened his mouth, an angry response appearing to be on the tip of his tongue. Aria slid between them. “I asked her to come, Thaddeus. And I packed our things in the same bag. Don’t freak out. I just needed a little female company this time.”

His face darkened, and she leaned a little closer. “Unless you want to be the one holding my hand if things go horribly wrong.”

Immediately he back-pedaled. He slung Ella’s bag on top of the tents and sleeping bags in the trunk.

Without another word, they all piled into the van. The drive wasn’t a long one. Blackwater Falls State Park was only a few hours away.

The silent drive gave everyone a chance to sort out their plans. Aria tried to keep her mind blank. She wasn’t particularly successful, and finally had to plug in her iPod and distract herself with a movie.

The state park was nearing closing time, but they passed through the gates, informing the Rangers they were camping and just a little late.

It took several minutes to find the right parking area for the trailhead where they were to meet the Council Guards. When they pulled in, three large, burly men waited in the shadowy fringe of the woods.

They moved forward as they all exited the van, stretching. The tallest looked them over, then asked, “Aria Lagreve?” When she nodded, he motioned to them. “Follow us. The others will get your things.”

Almost as if they’d been cued, two more appeared and gathered their belongings. The others lead the way through the trees. No other words spoken. Aria stared straight ahead, following the movements of the men in front of her, quelling the dread and worry, running rampage through her body as they neared their destination. They left the hiking trail a few hundred yards in, trekking through underbrush and fallen leaves. After about thirty minutes, the woods deepened, then opened into a large clearing. The Council had already set up tents on the far side, and Aria briefly caught a flash of golden hair to her right. Haemon and his guards were setting up their tents.

Cern followed her, pressing a comforting hand to her arm. The Council wolves dropped their things a few yards to the right of where they entered.

“Go set up, and then at sunset, you will be required in the center of the field.”

They left, without saying a word.

The silence left behind was awkward. Even Cern seemed uncertain of what to say. Aria shook her head, bending down and grabbing a tent bag.

“Come on, guys. We need to get this stuff together.”

She might as well have fired a starting gun. The tension shattered and mood lightened. They all scrambled to set up camp. Thaddeus and Lawrence took charge of their tent, Aaron worked on his own, and she and Ella chose the biggest to put up by themselves.

Cern pressed a hand to her shoulder. “I have to go to the Council. My instructions.”

Aria nodded. She patted his shoulder and nodded. “Don’t forget the plan.”

He did smile that time. “Believe me, I won’t forget my cue.”

Ella shook out the pieces of their tent and giggled at Thaddeus and Lawrence. They were wandering around the ground, arguing about tent placement.

Ella winked as she pulled out the collapsible poles, tossing Aria a folded square of plastic. “There are bonuses to being two girls on a camping trip.”

Aria laid out the tarp. Together, they made quick work of the tent. Lawrence and Thaddeus were still arguing over placement when the women took two sleeping bags and spread them in the tent. Aria had finally gained some semblance of calm when she heard Ella’s soft exclamation.

“What?” Aria turned, expecting to find a spider or misplaced bag.

Ella crouched in front of her small overnight bag, staring at Aria. Her pert nose quivered, and her eyes grew shiny.

Ella knew.
Aria dropped to the sleeping bag, reaching out to squeeze her friend’s hands with her own. “You can’t tell anyone.”

“But, how on earth…?”

Aria laughed with genuine amusement. Ella’s face colored. “If you don’t know, Ella, then I think I need to talk to Thaddeus.”

“That isn’t what I meant. How did you hide it? It didn’t happen just now.”

Aria shrugged, sidestepping the answer. “I masked the scent for a few weeks, as long as I could manage. But at this point, it isn’t feasible anymore. I’m hoping we can slide under the radar for a little longer.” She dropped her head. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention this to anyone.”

“You have to at least tell Aaron.”

“He already knows.”

Ella searched her face, then tightened her hold on Aria’s hands. “You didn’t even tell Lukas, did you?”

Words clogged in her throat. She shook her head, untangling her hands and smoothing out the already arranged sleeping bag.

Ella sighed. “When you do something, you don’t do it by halves, do you?”

Aria croaked a laugh. “Promise me, Ella.”

“I promise.”

Aria swiped at her face. “Come on. Let’s see if they need any help. Then we can make something to eat. It’ll be sunset in a couple hours.”

***

They were ready when the Council Guards came. The bonfire on the Council’s side of the field had been lit, and all the members were sitting or standing around it in an arc, talking quietly amongst themselves. No one had failed to notice the missing member of their party.

“Aria Lagreve? Lukas Macleod?”

She stood, without answering. They knew Lukas was absent.

“Follow us. Bring only yourselves. Your Pack is welcome to follow, but they must maintain their distance.”

The walk across the field should have been a simple tramp through high grass. Lukas, striding beside her, would have calmed her nerves and whispered something encouraging. Instead, she walked alone, a little ahead of the others, reaching out to emptiness where her connection to Lukas should have been. It was not the ending she’d dreamed of.

The moon began to rise, wavering in the heat of the bonfire. Haemon approached from her right. Jonas stood from his expensive canvas-folding chair, a smirk firmly in place. “You come alone?”

Aria cleared her throat, shooting a glance at Haemon. A smirk flirted with the edges of his lips. Anger flared in her gut. “I come alone.”

“Then Lukas forfeits by absence?” Jonas asked.

“I have not spoken to Lukas over a week.” Her gaze flicked to Haemon, again. “He met with foul play, which may have been instigated by Haemon.” She cocked her head at Jonas. “Or perhaps by you. But he would not have willingly missed this.”

“Perhaps you have misjudged Lukas. And Haemon. After all, my dear….” His tone became patronizing as he walked around the bonfire to draw closer. “Lukas isn’t here now, and Haemon is.”

Bile burned the back of her throat. Listening to them made her ill and angry at the same time.

Jonas made a motion with one hand and the Council Guards stepped forward. There was a commotion behind her, but she did not turn around.

Aria held her breath, praying harder than she’d ever done in her life. The Council Guards flanked Haemon as he approached. She knew when she saw his nostrils flare, her secret was out. Inwardly, she cringed. An ancient Pack law declared he could demand the death of the child. She frowned at her own thoughts. Of all the things her father had made her study, that
would
be the one she’d remember now.

His hands wrapped around her wrists in a crushing grip. A small cry escaped from her throat as he twisted, lifting her to his eye level. Her feet came up, and she balanced on her toes, trying desperately not to slip and fall. He shook her, the bones in her wrist creaking in protest. “You whore.”

He pulled her closer and took a deep breath as if sorting through the scents. He picked up the scent of Lukas on her clothes and started to pull at the jacket of Lukas’ she had brought with her.

Rage, hot and all-consuming, filled her body. Her teeth ground together and her canines fought to lengthen. Her fingers sprang claws, and she writhed, catching Haemon’s flesh. He cursed, releasing one hand. Trying to control her morph, she swung away from him wildly, her sneakers sweeping through the tall grass and dirt to find solid purchase. The rage sweeping her body did not belong to her. She searched the woods wildly, before Haemon yanked hard on her arm, causing her to lose her balance and drop to one knee, her captive wrist stretched high over her head.

Whipping her head around to look at Haemon, she stopped. Melting out of the shadows, a huge black wolf approached the fire. The fur was matted and his mismatched eyes glowed. As he drew closer, his form wavered, blending with the night before it reformed.

Bloody, bruised, and baring elongated teeth, Lukas moved completely into the circle of flickering light. Even with torn jeans and wild hair, he was the most beautiful sight she’d ever seen in her life.

“Release my Mate.”

Chapter Thirty-one

Haemon threw her arm away with a snarl. “The proclamation has already been made. You cannot retract it now.”

Lukas turned to Jonas. “You can let me fight a fair Challenge, or you can watch me rip him apart, but I’m not leaving until I’ve tasted his blood.”

Shock registered on Jonas’ face and through Aria’s body. She’d never heard anyone speak so. Lukas’ entire body trembled with the horrible rage that ran between them through her link to him. Her fingers flexed, claws appearing and reappearing as she fought to control her body’s reaction to his anger.

His gaze caught hers, and immediately the rage lessened. He pulled back from their connection, almost to the point of leaving her out. Aria’s hand stretched toward him, and she whimpered. “Don’t. Please, Lukas, don’t cut me off again.”

He stepped forward, reaching down to scoop her from the grass, his touch incredibly gentle. She buried her face against his neck, hot tears falling onto his skin.

Why didn’t you tell me?

She reluctantly pulled away from him. He’d been downwinded when he approached. Apparently, she hadn’t been able to hide it all that well. Unless Cern had found him and informed him…she searched the faces around them for Cern. Jonas argued with Tessa and the Council members, Haemon stood with his Beta, issuing terse orders, and their own Pack watched them closely. Cern was not to be found.

“Bastard. When I get my hands on him….”

“Helping you out with that, was he?” Lukas’ rough voice vibrated through his chest, against her. “You won’t get your hands on him, baby, until he’s good and ready. We’ll discuss the rest of this later.”

He put her down, but she couldn’t quite let go of him, keeping one palm pressed to the warm skin of his back. He didn’t say a word.

“Well, Jonas. What is the verdict?” Lukas asked, stance rigid.

“We didn’t actually finish delivering a verdict,” Haemon seethed, as he turned a murderous glare on Jonas. “You will be allowed to complete the Challenge.”

Tessa stepped between them. “Everyone will clear out a space and another fire will be lit at the other end of the clearing. I will lay a circle, and the combatants must remain within its boundaries. Stepping outside results in a forfeit. As the satisfactory outcome was decided by the Challenger”—she nodded to Haemon—“to be death, anyone who forfeits will be executed.”

Aria barely held back a gasp. Lukas wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Tessa spared her an annoyed glance and continued, “The Challenge remains in effect until one combatant is dead. Aria may, under the unusual circumstances, remain with the group that escorted her. When the Challenge is complete, she will submit to the Council’s ruling or forfeit her life.”

“We did not agree on that.” Lukas growled, catching Tessa’s arm.

“The Council did. Those are the terms. Take them, or we solve the problem now and kill all of you.”

A neat solution. If they protested, the Council could kill them, and the world would believe they had forced the Council’s hand. Aria sighed and rubbed a cheek against Lukas’ arm. “I accept.”