Bellocaro

By P.S. Meraux

Bellocaro will transport anyone who loves a gripping YA romance to a new world. Trapped on a mysterious island and fleeing the school jock who thinks she should be his, Skye Moon encounters a strange boy in the woods. After meeting the captivating Thatcher Blue, she is dragged into a nightmare. Skye is targeted by a vampire who wants to kill her just for being near the alluring Thatcher.
With a target on her back, she doesn’t know if she’ll survive. Skye has known fear before, helping her mother battle a life-threatening illness but never has she had to deal with a vampire stalker.
Skye hopes that the dark-eyed boy from her premonitions will keep her safe, if he ever reveals himself. She is astonished when Thatcher and his family come to the private academy on the mysterious island run by an equally enigmatic headmistress. Thatcher has managed to keep the secrets of his monster family hidden for more than a century, but not from Skye. She rightly suspects the new kids are something other than ‘kids.’
Complicating matters is the way Thatcher looks at her, like she means the world to him because he has visions too. The pair find themselves caught between danger and longing.
Will Thatcher save her?
Or like his visions have predicted -kill her?
Profoundly thrilling, Bellocaro captures the life and death struggle for these teenagers on an island that isn’t as dormant as it appears. Award-winning, best selling author P.S. Meraux brings humor and heat to this novel that will drive fans of vampire love stories wild with enthusiasm.

• Language: English
• Publisher: P.S. Meraux
• Release date: Nov 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463816103

P.S. Meraux

About the author:P.S. Meraux calls Wren's Nest in Atlanta, Georgia home. Many animals, dozens of rose bushes and three computers share the residence. The USC grad is an accomplished writer and editor. This is Meraux's first novel series. Please feel free to submit comments, questions and reviews.Books in the Bellocaro Saga:BellocaroDugoFangenstein (coming soon)Books in the Luminary Saga:LuminaryBeaconCandlelightSpotlightBlackoutBeamFlare

Book preview

Preface

Something about the way he eyed me with an air of thoughtful speculation was unnerving, much like a cat watching a mouse in a trap. Quick action was unnecessary but definitely he was taking note. I was the mouse and the nightmare before me had reflexes far more lethal than any cat. My throat went dry.

You’re here, I said hoarsely, disbelief causing me to hold myself stiff, bracing for attack.

Not here to trouble you…really, he said rather elegantly, the words catching me off guard.

Right, I said sarcastically, unwilling to believe that this vampire meant no harm. In the garage he’d certainly made his intentions clear.

My sense of dread was no longer merely a notion, I was frightened to my core. Was this the moment when the vision said I died?

Chapter 1: Monster Park

Dreams are glorious unless you believe in them too much and stop paying attention to the real world. If you do that — you’ll get blindsided, and they’ll stomp your heart to smithereens. They’d certainly stomped on mine.

That’s why I was standing on the side of a cliff in Sceadu, a place I never knew existed until four months ago. It was the middle of the night. I stared down at the gurgling, churning water as an unknown ocean crashed against the rocks below, trying my best not to cry.

I’d believed in a dream too much; dared to hope it could be true, that I could have a boy of my very own, someone who loved just me. Thinking that way had messed up my mind, there was no other way to explain it. Worse yet, half an hour ago when a new boy, someone I’d started thinking of as a friend — if friends in this magical province were even possible — confessed I was his secret crush, I overreacted and kicked the crap out of him, literally.

Poor Chad.

The roller coaster at the Sceadu Festival roared by; metal track rattling as the string of cars picked up momentum and rumbled into the first turn. The track twisted ninety degrees every fifty feet. Passengers began screaming as the cars flipped over once… twice… three times.

Honestly speaking, after two back-to-back trips on the undulating, loop-the-loop thrill ride, my stomach had had enough. That chili dog I’d grabbed at the concession stand earlier with some of the unusual inhabitants of this realm was barking its discontent.

Pressing one hand against my tummy, I begged off and didn’t get in line again.

"You guys go on without me," I told them. They ran ahead, giggling, chatting with one another excitedly, eager for another spin.

Chad Melvin waited with me. We were alone, if you call being at a festival surrounded by everyone from the village in the middle of October, alone. He was standing there smiling that winsome smile of his, the one that had captured my attention when we met four months ago.

My stomach had finally started to calm down. Little did I know he was about to do something more unsettling than any effect the chili dog had produced.

Chad was staring at me oddly, pressing his lips together like he wanted to say something, but his mouth hadn’t figured out how to form the words. Down they went, lips pressed together again, then they opened, and he blurted out, Skye, I’m crazy about you… I’m always thinking about you… His lean angular face was earnest, blue eyes bright with excitement.

He went on, gushing like a faucet with a broken valve— not taking a breath so I could halt the unwanted, non-reciprocated declaration. It was incredibly awkward.

The clueless Romeo evidently took my silence for acceptance, thinking perhaps I was shy or something. A situation that I needed to remedy as I was getting embarrassed for him. He was nice, a friendly face in this strange environment I’d inexplicably been transported to, but I had zero interest in him romantically. I was too wrapped up in the fantasy about the dark-eyed boy who showed up unannounced in my dreams.

Suddenly Chad leaned forward, strong hands grabbing my shoulders, pulling me into an impromptu embrace. His mouth was coming uncomfortably closer, eyes fixed on my lips with this weird focus like he was willing me to kiss him.

Hastily lifting both hands — I pressed them against his chest. Chad’s big, at least six feet tall, a big, thick, teenage boy. It felt like I was pushing against a wall constructed of concrete blocks adorned in fleece.

"Chad… you’re great… I mean— I began when allowed to get a word in edgewise, scrambling for a polite refusal and a way to put more physical space between us. I enjoyed hanging out at the academy all summer. Perhaps… enjoyed… is not the best word. Like you, I’d rather be home… if I can ever figure out how to get off Sceadu. You remember, I was so frightened when I arrived here, having you to talk to helped. Otherwise, I would have lost my mind, but I’m sorry…I don’t feel that way…about you… I mean."

He appeared not to be listening, eyelids lowering as his lean lips knotted in preparation for targeting mine. A pang of disgust coiled in my stomach and the sick feeling returned. This called for drastic measures.

Drawing back one Keds-clad foot, I kicked him in the shin as hard as I could, that certainly got his attention. His eyes flew open.

Lurching back, the hands released my shoulders. Taking advantage of the sudden freedom I turned to run away. One of his hands shot out, grabbing my wrist, and halting my escape.

He looked dumbfounded, eyes wandering over my cheeks at the rising color beneath the skin.

"Oh! You mean it?" Chad gulped, his slight smile disappearing with the speed of comprehension. The tan face paled, mien shifting into one resembling mild panic when it dawned on him that I objected to the kiss.

"I’m sorry!" he hollered over the noise of the roller coaster just as I raised the same shoe, prepared to kick him again.

"Let go!"

The cars on the coaster made another pass with the rumble of metal, grinding of gears, and screams and giggles of the passengers. I wanted to scream too — for a host of reasons — chief among them vexation not joy. I didn’t have that option since I was no longer on the ride.

Despite the chill in the air my skin was flushed with mingled humiliation, embarrassment, and irritation. I didn’t need a mirror to know how red my face was getting. It felt like it was on fire. My throat got tight.

He dodged the second kick and the look of panic turned to frustration.

"Skye!"

He huffed out a breath leaning slightly forward as if briefly considering a second attempt at a kiss.

Seriously? Of all the Neanderthal moves to contemplate—

"Let go!" I choked out, finally succeeding in pulling my wrist free. Then I ran, self-recriminations hounding each step. Had I somehow given him the wrong impression? What had I done exactly?

The public restroom was ahead, I ducked in the shadowed opening.

Hiding inside, I calmed down a little and realized that I overreacted — as I sometimes do. I drew in a deep breath, blew it out then sucked in another. I’d stay here for a while, I thought. Inwardly, I knew that I was shrinking from what I should do; find Chad and apologize. I paced back and forth in front of the line of white porcelain sinks. One faucet dripped slightly like the valve wasn’t all the way shut. I stopped pacing in front of the sink, stretching forward my hand to turn it off out of reflex when I heard someone outside.

I spotted Chad lurking near the exit. He must have followed me.

‘Tell him you’re sorry,’ a reasonable, mature niche of my brain chimed in. Both Keds-clad feet moved forward, not toward Chad but to the other door on the side of the building — yeah, I was being a coward and snuck out. My steps picked up speed and I ran until I found a hole in the tall aluminum fence at the back of the festival grounds and climbed through it.

At first, I was surprised I’d gotten that far. What I’d learned about this realm and its’ restrictive qualities during my time here was that if circumstances saw fit to mysteriously convey a person to Sceadu the person couldn’t leave until Sceadu was ready. Escape was impossible, believe me, I’d tried. When my release might come — I didn’t know. Nobody did.

I ran into the woods and kept running through the bracken and underbrush until I was breathing hard, expecting to be stopped every step of the way. I was grateful I’d put thick socks on with the Keds. Leaves or twigs and pieces of grass found their way into the shoes. I did my best to ignore them and kept running. Slowly, the noise of the festival and the happy screams of passengers on rides died away.

Now here I stood by the railing overlooking the churning ocean and listening to the steady cadence of crickets and katydids. The moon was high and full overhead lighting the dancing water like it was liquid silver.

I blew out a breath and inhaled another.

Reaching down I grabbed one shoe in my hand, sliding it off and turning it upside down, I shook it vigorously. I don’t know what fell out, but I heard a couple of small thuds land on the shadowy ground. Dusting off the sock with my other hand, I picked a burr off the ankle and a piece of a stick — tossing both over the side while leaning on the railing for support. Sliding the shoe back on I performed the same rudimentary purging of debris from the other one.

Wiping my hands together I stood upright, wiggling my toes. I didn’t feel anything else inside competing for space.

At least Chad and I wouldn’t have to walk home together. We’d met up with the other kids at the entrance.

I began planning my departure. I didn’t know how far the entrance was from the back side of the fence and didn’t trust myself to walk along the outside of it in the dark.

Sceadu with its’ bizarre cadre of supernatural denizens was not a place to roam around after midnight, especially outside. None were supposed to be able to use their scarier traits, but still. I’d wait here twenty minutes more until my skin cooled off.

The other kids would have finished their ride or gotten back in line for another one by then, maybe Chad would join them. Although one or two might elect to go home. That was okay. It wasn’t like anyone was waiting on me.

I’d sneak back through the fence. The roller coaster was on the left side of the grounds, I’d head to the right. It was the long way round and I’d have to cut through the food pavilion. My stomach suddenly lurched at the prospect of smelling all that greasy food, some of the earlier queasiness returning. I shook my head and drew in another breath. The night air was oil-free and cold as it hit my lungs.

It helped.

I stopped thinking about the uneasiness in my tummy and visualized my exit. From the pavilion it was thirty yards through the plethora of carnival games — there was no need to stop by any of them — then straight to the exit and the path that led down Main Street and back to the dormitory. With any luck, I’d make it there without seeing anyone I knew.

I nodded in silent agreement with my thoughts, satisfied with the plan.

If only my escape from this enchanted island was that easy to plan out.

I wish I could go back to Atlanta. I miss you Mom, I mumbled to the night sky.

We had moved to Georgia six months ago for what my mother called our new beginning. Really what she meant was her new beginning. Mom had survived a rough patch, successfully battling breast cancer after losing her job as an assistant principal due to budget cuts in the school district.

That year was the scariest one of my life, in both of our lives.

Watching her undergo chemo while she fretted about the dwindling amount of money in her savings account and looking for a new job too — was horribly stressful. For a while there neither of us knew how either situation would turn out.

Eleanor always acted positive like some moms do but I could tell she’d been worried, big time. What girl wanted to watch her mother suffer through all that?

I’d tried to help, getting a job at Wendy’s after school. When Mom got so sick that she needed me to drive her to the clinic for treatments, my boss had given me an ultimatum — show up on time or else.

Yep, he was that kind of a jerk. I didn’t miss him at all.

That’s why I tried to be supportive when she got the new job at the Atlanta Academy. Eleanor was so happy about it. Her face was beaming the day she got the news! I couldn’t bring myself to spoil that moment after everything she’d endured even though it meant leaving all my friends — abandoning my whole life. I’d gladly embrace Atlanta now, if it meant I could leave Sceadu.

I sighed and shivered faintly.

The breeze rising over the roaring ocean was brisk, much colder than the surrounding night air. It smelled fresh, if slightly damp and salty. Something small splashed against the rocks nearby.

It was difficult to believe the crowded festival was only a fifteen-minute jog from here. If I wasn’t so upset, I might have described the spot as tranquil. I stared at the water for a long time, allowing the unrelenting motion to hypnotize my troubled thoughts until they began to fade.

On impulse I climbed over the railing, bare hands securely holding onto the chilly surface as I shifted one leg, getting my foot safely on the bottom rail with a soft swish of rubber sole against metal before repeating the procedure with the other.

Turning around I braced my lower back against the top rail. Looking down from this height at the swirling water was exciting and a little frightening. My pulse quickened and I felt a little breathless.

It didn’t ease the aggravation I felt over being stranded in Sceadu or Chad’s unwanted advances. By now I should be used to having a hard time with the opposite sex, I thought grimly.

My father broke my heart long before any boy had a chance. He abandoned us when I was a baby. I had a faded photograph where a memory should be. Now he lived in Texas with his other family. I hadn’t seen him since. No parental expectations to live up to in that department.

If only the guy from my dreams had materialized. Like my dad he too was a no-show. I don’t remember exactly when I started dreaming about the boy with the big dark eyes and the dark mark on his hand. It was a few months before Eleanor got the new job.

In my short life, I’d seen a lot of unusual and disturbing things in my dreams; Mom losing her hair and going bald — long before she was diagnosed. Our financial problems — long before she lost her job. The fact that we’d be moving to someplace really hot. Although in my dreams we’d moved to hell. In reality, it was only Georgia. I hadn’t seen Sceadu though.

In the beginning I’d been so freaked out about those images that I scoured the internet to find out what they meant. That’s the whole reason I’d found the dream dictionary online.

Mom said the things I saw were more than just dreams — they were premonitions. It was a gift that evidently ran in the family. She said Great-Grandma Charlene had it too. Some gift.

According to this dictionary, dreaming about dark eyes was supposed to signal a powerful love affair. Yes, I was probably being stupid if not downright gullible to believe something like that would happen to me. The boy appeared in my dreams so often I felt like I really knew him.

Just last week I had that dream again. Same eyes, same mark— his face was never very clear in the dream. Would I ever meet him, or was I being a foolish, silly girl?

In my defense, Chad had neither dark mark nor dark eyes. Besides, he just didn’t appeal to me that way. He was sturdy, plodding, a bit of a dullard actually and not very exciting, rather like Ferdinand the bull, only without the horns and the penchant for sniffing roses.

His was the first face I’d seen when I materialized on the quad at the Sceadu Academy this summer, half out of my mind from the experience.

Tegwyn Lou ran the school. She’d explained how the place worked, sort of, although I suspect she didn’t share all she knew. The academy was like a way station for all who passed through the island. When transported here, the supernatural kids with the more dangerous gifts discovered they were suddenly dormant. Apparently, this was for the safety of us humans.

In some ways Headmistress Tegwyn reminded me of Mom. She was a natural authority figure, who knew how to handle unruly kids and difficult situations calmly. Both abounded on the Sceadu campus.

Before I came here, I’d spent a lot of time at Eleanor’s new school, the Atlanta Academy, helping her get adjusted to the new job.

Mom and I didn’t look much alike. Her hair was blond now or had been before I disappeared. It was not red like mine. She dyed it when the brown hair finally grew back after the chemo ended. It looked good on her.

She was still super skinny though and trying to put on weight. I was a little envious about how she could go through more than one milkshake during a meal and not gain an ounce.

We both have the same blue eyes, love Marvel films, mystery novels and cooking.

I’d been at Mom’s academy, combing through a box of books donated to the library, when I had been mysteriously pulled here. I’d taken the box into the library’s repair room — when I’d felt something cold and weird brush against my arm. It made the hairs stand on end. Sometime later, I woke up here, completely disoriented, staring at Chad.

During the summer it had seemed natural, the way Chad and I kept getting tossed together. We were both human. Either Headmistress Tegwyn or her assistant asked one or both of us to help on some minor project or sit with some new arrival to calm them down. Chad was always super nice about it, and to me.

Okay, in hindsight I guess I really should have seen the signs earlier. It was stupid of me not to notice anything. Frankly, I was more interested in finding a way home to my mom— and hopefully meeting the dream boy with the dark mark on his hand — I’d paid little more than polite attention to Chad.

Well, I guess the cat was out of the bag now. My God, when I think about the shocked expression on his face! I probably shouldn’t have kicked him.

My own grew warm at the memory.

How could I be such an idiot? Was I so desperate to fall in love that I allowed my dreams to dictate how I interacted with the others stranded on this cryptic island? Life was so much simpler in Atlanta. I wanted to go back home, back to my mom and my friends.

Looking down at the water I thought about stepping off the railing. I didn’t — but I thought about it. The powerful, swirling current was mesmerizing. Unexpectedly clouds shifted across the sky obscuring the moon— transforming the gurgling water into an ominous pool.

Sighing, I felt rather than saw my breath turn into condensation on the night air. It was getting colder.

A twig snapped loudly, accompanied by the crackle of something shifting in the underbrush. Whatever the something was — it sounded big and was moving fast, very fast.

Had Chad found me?

Turning around I carefully swapped out the position of my hands, no longer holding on to the railing from behind, shifting my feet so they were still on the lower rung. The rushing water was now behind me.

Whatever was coming — it was getting closer.

Feeling tense my eyes scoured the dark bushes, trying to discern whatever was in the gloom. Tegwyn’s admonishments rang out in my memory, Nothing should be able to hurt you here, but don’t push it. Should? Surely there weren’t wild animals on the island too, right?

There was a flicker of movement, a dark shape barely visible against the blackness of the surrounding forest it traveled through. I narrowed my gaze trying to figure out what it was. The shape slowed. Head dipping to the ground like it was sniffing at something or had caught a scent. A thudding heartbeat later I realized what it smelled was me.

Suddenly the massive bulk of a muzzle shifted through the conifers, jaw dropping to reveal a glistening row of sharp white teeth. The intimidating display of lethal-looking incisors must have been a foot long!

Panting from its run, the creature came to a stop after passing by the last branch of a bald cypress. I used the word creature because it defied common sense. Having quickly caught its breath, the tongue pulled back in the muzzle and the paws began to move.

What I saw was freaking enormous, covered in dark fur. Paws the size of horse’s hooves were steadily coming closer. The monster was unquestionably more lupine than equine.

Oh my God, I huffed out a frightened breath, fearing I might hyperventilate. A chill ran down my spine that had nothing to do with the October evening breeze.

Calling it a wolf was an insult to nightmares. While it was shaped like one — it was like a wolf on steroids. The bad kind, that made the user ginormous, stupid, and overly aggressive. I imagined bulging, ugly veins hidden under the thick fur.

The clouds must have drifted past the moon, I didn’t dare take my eyes off the creature to make sure. Moonlight illuminated its fur revealing touches of gray and silver in the mud-splattered hide.

My earlier dark thoughts about stepping off the railing cast aside, now I really did wonder if this was to be my last night on Sceadu.

To the left I heard something else coming through the bushes, fast with more agile footsteps. Was there another one? My hands began to grow clammy against the cold metal.

Oh crap! I gulped, terrified.

Unexpectedly, as the noise of whatever followed the massive beast got closer, there was a flash of blue fabric in front of me. Then two things happened so swiftly I couldn’t tell which happened first.

No chase! No! A voice hissed in the gloom so softly I could have imagined it.

What the hell— the soft voice said a second later, sounding more aggrieved.

Darting through the branches of two mature cedars bounded another monster wolf. It shifted from the cover of the forest into the clearing with such speed that it took a moment to discern that it wasn’t alone; not one but two more giant wolves! Neither as big as the first but now swarming around it. Massive teeth nipped at the grayish creature like they were trying to bite it or halt it.

They seemed to perceive this nocturnal excursion with more intensity than their larger cousin, adamant in the attempt to get the monster wolf’s attention, trampling the weeds and grass in a slapdash manner.

Frightened out of my socks, I forgot there was nothing but a long drop behind me and lifted one foot off the rail with the intention of running like the wind, abruptly stumbling. I gasped and quickly tried to correct my mistake, wildly groping the metal rail with slick hands. My body vibrated with fear as I stared into the black abyss below.

Without warning, cool fingers gently encircled one wrist, locking it in place with the power of a vice. Another set grabbed the opposite forearm as I struggled to get my feet firmly back on the slippery perch.

I’ve got you.

Glancing up I saw a boy standing there. His strong hands kept me from falling to my death. A disgruntled expression traveled across his face, eyes becoming distant for several seconds as though assessing some inner thought and the grimace vanished, well almost. His mouth remained twisted down.

Staring in astonishment — my mind couldn’t function properly. Unable to fathom where he came from, I knew he shouldn’t be there. It wasn’t safe.

Incisors of the monster wolves were snapping and gnashing less than twenty-five feet away. Yet he acted as calmly as if we were alone. Didn’t he see them?

The smaller creatures seemed to be corralling the grayish wolf or altering its course. And the big one didn’t like it.

Rearing back on hind legs the monster wolf growled at the other two, immense jaws scissoring open and shut over their heads as if in warning. A deep snarl that erupted from the large mouth could have been saying, Cut it out, if it had a voice.

The wolf with the light brown fur ignored the warning, hurtling a muscular shoulder against the gray one’s exposed midsection. The big wolf made a gagging noise that sounded like a grunt. The second newcomer hoisted dark forepaws against the same area and together they succeeded in knocking the third backward. All three landed in an explosion of yelps, barks and snapping teeth.

I gasped.

Are you okay? the strange boy asked in an annoyed tone.

Too stunned by what I saw to speak, I merely nodded.

Clouds hid the moon again. The clearing fell into darkness. I squinted to see where the monster wolves were. I felt rather than saw my would-be rescuer’s head shift.

Find him, the boy hissed so quietly I thought I might have imagined that too. Who was he talking to?

The darker wolf growled lightly, head quickly swinging toward us before returning to the downed one, muzzle pushing against the muddy body forcing it to move with some urgency. The monster creatures merged into one shapeless blob in the shadows. Unable to see them but knowing they were out there only heightened my fear.

Chapter 2: Doubt

"What the devil are you thinking… trying to jump off the cliff? the boy demanded. Anger flickered across his pale face.

I wasn’t! I shot back hoping to sound peeved. Tethered to the island by some invisible thread like I was, I doubted jumping would accomplish much. My rasping tone displayed distress to my own ears.

He must have heard it too.

It’s alright Miss… let me help you," the boy said with less hostility, urging me to climb over the railing.

Still gasping for breath, I glared at him and thought about staying put. Tenuous as the slippery rail was— in terms of obstacles, it kept me farther away from the wolves than what he was proposing.

The boy must have read the rebellious thought in my expression, his hand tightened along my forearm, forcefully pulling me toward him, to safety. At least I guess that’s how he thought of it. My stubbornness was no match for the power of his grip.

A strong breeze rustled tree leaves and grass across the clearing in a noisy display of force nearly muffling the sounds of the ocean, katydids, and crickets. Glancing up I saw a myriad of stars twinkling in the distance. The clouds were shifting again.

When I finally pulled my other leg across the metal rod and got both feet solidly on the ground — I gasped in shock. Moonlight shone plainly in the clearing now. The wolves were gone.

I scanned the thick trees for evidence of the massive creatures as I tried to step away from the boy, struggling to pull my wrist out of his hand. He resisted and he was much stronger than Chad. By now I’d calmed down enough to recover my breath.

Let go! I commanded. Who did this boy think he was? I mused in vexation, of all the arrogant, overbearing—

"That depends… are you going to try to kill yourself? he challenged, cutting off my mental assessment of the character of this erstwhile rescuer.

I wasn’t trying to kill myself! I told him loudly, obstinately stifling feelings of dread and confusion. Where were the wolves?

A twig snapped and I flinched, fearful that the darkness masked the wolves’ approach. Didn’t this stupid boy know we were in danger? Was he new to the island?

Let go!

The boy studied me for a moment as if torn between disbelief and acquiescence. He shook his head. Not just yet… I’m wondering… what…are you… doing… out… here? He spoke slowly as though addressing a small disobedient child.

I was just standing on the railing…looking at the water. Now let go, I tried to speak quietly. After the embarrassing episode with Chad, I had no desire to explain the situation to this stranger.

One blond eyebrow lifted in mistrust, shining pale in the moonlight. I couldn’t make out the color of his deep-set eyes, something glinted in them as he stood there staring. Full lips pressed into a grim line.

There will be repercussions, the boy mumbled to himself. Sighing, the long cool fingers slowly loosened, releasing their hold.

I pulled my hand back, rubbing the wrist resentfully, making a show of erasing his touch from my skin with the sleeve of my coat as I stepped away from him.

A corner of his mouth hiked in amusement.

Huffing out an exasperated breath, I scanned the clearing again. Another loud crack echoed in the darkness. Alarm rising, I tensed up. Were the monstrous creatures returning?

No doubt the animals had left a trail