A Kiss of Ashen Twilight (Ashen Twilight Series #1) by Lori Rae

Author:Lori, Rae [Lori, Rae]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
Publisher: RavenFire Books
Published: 2010-01-08T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Ariya raced across the darkened streets under the shimmering moonlight.

Her shaky hands clutched the dark velvet cloak around her shoulders, pulling it in place. She quickened her pace, feeling dark air like a womb enclosing around her. A presence was moving in among the quiet streets. Good. Just what she wanted. A faint fog hung in the air and the naturally clear sky was covered with a dark orange overcast of clouds made lighter by the dim streetlights overhead.

Ariya’s footsteps crunched the tiny pebbles on the sidewalk as she quickened her pace. She couldn’t quite tell what kind of beasts there were in their current Shifter forms but their smell was a mixture of death and aged blood. These were definitely Rens. From what she came to understand during the house meetings, Rens didn’t believe in the rules of the Ashen Twilight House. They lived their own way. Each day the houses were careful over the centuries to make sure they weren’t seen by human’s eyes.

A deep howl caused her heart to beat twice as fast. She hurried along the sidewalk, careful of her environment.

Ariya gripped the silver rapier under her cloak. The sweat from her tight grip made the blade handle slide in her hand. Still she held on and coached herself to remain calm. Feeling a heightened sense of confidence, she whipped around and faced the dark, empty street. Her eyes told her she was alone, though her senses knew better. She turned and checked the street on the opposite end. Tatum was just ahead. Just over the alleyway was an open, barren piece of land where the rendezvous was planned.

“Calm yourself, girl,” she whispered. Her fingers tapped on the cold, sturdy hilt quickly warming within her warm palms. She could feel her crushed wings flutter beneath her dress and cloak. Just what she needed to further unease her already anxious nerves.

Ready or not, she thought as she gripped the rapier tighter within her grasp.

Another howl echoed in the area, this time much closer.

They were here.

Ariya started toward end of the alleyway. A shadow flashed across the building wall entrance— and then another. Two Siberian Huskies trotted around the corner followed by four more. Although they stopped, a pitter-patter sound echoed from behind. She peered over her shoulder and saw another pack covering the back entrance. A sea of growls emitted from their snarled maws as they moved in. Saliva dropped from their tongues, all too ready to dig into her warm flesh.

Which one was the leader? Slowly she dipped her rapier behind her cloak, feeling the rapid adrenaline pulsing through her body. Ready to strike at any moment, she awaited the ring leader as he came closer to her. As if on cue, the pack moved away and a single Husky stepped forward.

Ariya licked her lips slowly and tried to remain calm. “I know what you’re here for. And I won’t struggle.”

The dog closest to her leaped into the air and with a flash of light morphed into human form right before her eyes.

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