The Black Forest by Jennifer Martucci & Christopher Martucci

Author:Jennifer Martucci & Christopher Martucci [Martucci, Jennifer & Martucci, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2016-08-23T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

On my feet and rushing to Ashlyn, who stands pointing and screaming, panicked thoughts bolt through my brain. They flash like lightning, streaking through my mind and dominating my thoughts. All I can see are dozens of menacing shapes. Dozens of eyes glowing hungrily. Manes of golden hair that match the paleness of their gleaming eyes billowing in the breeze. Paw-like feet with long, lethal talons tearing at the ground with each stride, rushing toward our makeshift camp. Night Lurkers. They are monstrous, hideous beasts. I fear they’ve struck. “What happened?” I shout above the chatter. But as soon as my eyes follow the trajectory of Ashlyn’s finger, I know. Blood. Pooled in the grass. A lot of it. Blood is all that remains where a woman used to lay. Chest tightening, I struggle to breathe deeply. All I’m capable of are short shallow pants. Suddenly, the musky, slightly moldy scent of fallen leaves that was pleasant and comforting hours earlier unnerves me.

“T-Tamara! She was here! She was right here! And now she’s gone!” Ashlyn’s words are loud and shrill, her voice trembling in time with her body as tears roll down her cheeks.

The grassy, leaf-littered spot where Tamara lay is stained with puddles of blood. Head swimming around gory images of feeding beasts, I immediately spin, searching for Aaron and Jonah. They told us the area was safe. They told us Night Lurkers didn’t dwell in the Black Forest. I believed them, though it went against everything I ever knew about living in the forest. I believed Aaron and Jonah, despite firsthand experience. And now one of our people is missing. Only her blood is evidence she was here before. And what else hunts humans when the sun goes down? Fear and anger collide. I’m scared for all of us. And I’m angry. Angry at myself. Angry at Aaron and Jonah. As soon as I spot them, I say, “I thought you said Night Lurkers weren’t in the area!” My tone is as accusing as my words.

Color drains from their faces. Both men are silent. Jonah scratches his chin while he rocks back and forth from his heels to the balls of his feet while Aaron stares at me, unmoving.

“Are there Night Lurkers in this forest or aren’t there?” I fire and demand an answer.

Neither of them utter a word.

Xan and Micah unsheathe the swords at their hips, heads swiveling as they search the surrounding area. My gun has ammunition. I’m not sure how much. And I’m not sure how much ammunition the others have left. I fear that no matter what we have it would be ineffective against a pack of Night Lurkers. Their packs are large and their attacks are vicious. Though not bright animals by any means, their insatiable hunger drives them to track and kill unrelentingly. It makes them quick, deadly predators. A shiver travels the length of my spine. Part of me wants to lash out more at Aaron and Jonah. I open my mouth but another voice rings out.

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