Moonlight bay, p.33
Moonlight Bay, page 33
As the beast disappeared into the vault, Selena’s attention was set on Bartholomew, who lay lifeless. Feeling the aches from her own bruises, Selena winced in pain and limped across the room, holding her side. She glanced into the corner at her little brother who was oblivious to the danger in the room, continuing to ram the toy trucks into massive collisions. She approached Bartholomew. His beast shape had faded, leaving the nude form of the ailing sheriff resting on the library floor.
“Sheriff, get up. That thing is going to drink from the talisman and then kill us all.”
“I can’t Selena.” He struggled to lift himself off the floor and onto his elbows. Blood spilled from his lips and puddled onto the hardwood surface.
“I’m too weak child, I’m dying. This is a battle I can’t win.”
Bartholomew searched for the little strength that remained, and sat up against the emptied bookcase behind him. A mound of leather bound books were scattered around him. He kicked them with his feet. He began to cough violently, wheezing and gasping for air.
“Then that’s it? I’m sorry. It can’t end like this. I wish I got a chance to know you.” She kneeled in front of him, placing a hand on his.
“I am too child.”
“You look like her. I can’t believe I didn’t see it the first day I saw you.” He closed his eyes to rest while waiting for the inevitable.
She smiled and grasped his hand tighter, listening to his kind words.
A loud crash echoed from beyond the open bookcase where the unimaginable was hidden from their view.
“That thing is probably drinking the blood as we speak. It probably can’t wait to kill us. It will be invincible and there is nothing we can do,” she said.
Bartholomew’s eyes opened, staring at the puddle of blood on the floor.
“Of course. I’m such a fool,” he whispered.
“What?” Selena asked.
Bartolomew’s eyes began to turn black and his skin pulsated. Selena quickly withdrew her hand from his when the black claws began to grow from his nails.
Bartholomew took one of his sharpened claws and pierced it into his arm, slicing his skin open to his wrist. The blood trickled out from his open wound.
“What are you doing?” she screamed.
“Drink,” she heard his garbled voice speak.
“What? No!” The sound of the request repulsed her.
“The silver is in my veins, Selena. It’s been in there for a day and a half. You will be immune.”
“No.”
“It’s too late for me. It’s your only chance child.”
Selena closed her eyes and looked away. The sight of blood turned her stomach.
“Drink it!” he roared the command.
Bartholomew raised his arm, placing the wound near Selena’s lips. Her eyes were still closed. She pressed her mouth over the wound and began to drink. The blood mixed within her system. At first, it disgusted her and she felt sick. As the seconds passed, she was drawn to the taste and her body felt different. The feeling of adrenaline pumped throughout her body. She no longer felt any pain. She only felt strength. Suddenly everything was clear. Her thought process was different, with heightened instincts.
“Remember who you are. Stay focused. You are in control. Control your breathing and you can control the beast.”
Bartholomew whispered these words to her and his arm fell limp in her hands. His eyes were no longer open. Selena rested his arm over his chest and stood.
Olaf had reentered the vault and focused on the golden medallion that rested on the stone table. He lifted the chain and gnashed his teeth into the glass orb filled with Fane’s blood. The voices from the library had faded. He was pre-occupied by the taste of the sacred blood oozing down his throat. His body did not feel different, but his mind felt stronger. He had accomplished what he had come to do with the last drop of the broken orb hitting his tongue. Once it was empty, he launched the medallion into a pile of golden chalices and coins, celebrating his accomplishment. He was invincible and would be the one to lead Atharia into the world of men. First, he needed to take care of a few loose ends. The beast turned, startled to see the small red headed girl standing in the vault entry with clenched fists and a look of determination.
“You decided to make this easy for me,” the low grumbling voice came from the monstrous wolf.
Selena’s blood pumped with adrenaline, absorbing her fear and rage. She felt her fists tighten and her pupils blackened throughout her eyes. Her teeth formed canines. She unclenched her fists to allow for her claws. She breathed as Bartholomew suggested, feeling this new strength of invincibility, partially keeping her human form.
“Not quite that easy,” she snarled back. Her clawed hands dangled at her side, like a gunslinger ready to draw a pistol.
The girl’s transformation surprised the beast. It pumped its chest to reply to her challenge, roaring in her direction. The wolf charged Selena, sending the girl into the bookcase like Bartholomew before her. Selena spun and clung to a top shelf, somersaulting over the beast and onto its back. She separated her fingers like a set of knives and drove them into the monster’s neck.
Olaf howled in agony, taken by the girl’s swiftness. He reached behind him, grabbed Selena by the shoulder and tossed her into some goblets that were hidden away in the vault. The sharpened edges cut into her skin but they began to heal as quickly as they were formed. Selena looked up to see the beast’s hands swat her down. Her head hit into the wall. Olaf grabbed her and held her over his head.
“Enough of this, little one,” he growled.
Selena panned over the objects in the vault, noticing the silver sword resting against the back wall. Olaf launched her out of the vault and back into the bookcase. This time her back hit the shelves with force. She dropped to the floor. The beast howled in delight, but Selena quickly jumped to her feet. She snarled at him, ready for another challenge. Olaf accepted. The beast charged. It swiped its claws at her and waited for her to attempt another somersault onto his back again. The wolf’s claws swung for her head. Selena ducked and dropped to the floor.
She slid between the beast’s legs and into the vault. She raced towards the sword, gripped the silver handle and wielded it into the beast when it turned. Olaf felt the tarnished poison of the blade.
His plan did not work. The silver singed the beast’s fur, causing it to burst into flames. Selena withdrew the sword’s blade when Olaf dropped to his knees. She held the silver sword and struck again. Olaf’s head rolled to her feet, leaving the burning corpse. She quickly exited the vault with the sword in hand and pressed her back into the great silver door, pushing it back into place and locking the door with the burning corpse inside.
Selena leaped to slide the wall down and returned the bookcase back into place to conceal the vault. When she returned to the library, Phelan was kneeling over the sheriff’s body with Ryan standing at his side.
“Phelan stay over there. Don’t come near the safe area, there are silver particles in the area that might kill you. That’s what happened to your uncle.”
Phelan rubbed the tears from his eyes and stood in awe. The sight of Selena holding the silver sword with her blackened eyes and claws still exposed was incredible.
“How is this possible?”
Selena’s eyes returned to normal and her claws retracted into typical fingernails. She stepped across the library parquet.
“It was your uncle, Phelan. Olaf was kicking the shit out of us. Then it came to him. Your uncle had the silver in his bloodstream and thought it could be the answer of immunization if I was truly a lycan. He had me drink his blood before he died. I guess Mr. Menae’s legend was true after all.” She showed him the silver sword.
“Who’s that?” Ryan asked, indicating the old woman lying dead in the corner.
Selena paused in respect for her newfound cousin.
“That’s your half-sister, Phelan. I’m sorry.”
“What? That’s impossible.” He was confused by her response.
“I’ll explain it to you later.”
Phelan gazed down at Bartholomew. His eyes welled and a deep breath released from his lips. This was the man he had known as his father, the way Selena knew that Alan Gentry was hers.
“So, now what?” Phelan asked with an empty stare.
He watched Selena walk to the corner of the room and grab Bobby by the hand.
“We finish what our fathers had started, Phelan.”
Selena strolled out of the library with a new confidence and determination. She held the sword in one hand, and Bobby’s hand in the other.
CHAPTER 39
Phelan ran down the walkway, leading Selena, Bobby and Ryan back to the main drag of Pendleton Cove. He raced across the street and entered the sheriff’s office.
“Where’s he going?” Ryan asked.
“I have no idea.”
Selena twirled the silver sword through her fingers.
“You seem to be a natural at that,” Ryan commented.
“I do?”
Selena swirled the sword again. She was delighted with this new gift. She looked down at her little brother, squeezed his hand and winked at him.
“So, tell me Mr. Garnett, what’s next for you soldier?”
“I’m sorry Selena, but what do you mean?”
Ryan could see the sun rise over the island.
“I mean you’ve discovered quite a few things here, what’s next for the soldier, Ryan Garnett?”
Ryan smiled, knowing where she was about to go with the line of questioning.
“Don’t worry Selena. I’ll be on my way, with my amnesia and all. Hell, these are things I’m trying to forget. Besides, who would believe me?”
“This is true,” she said with a smile, looking down at her brother. “Come on. Let’s see what my cousin is up to.”
Selena skipped across the street, hand in hand with her little brother as they approached the exterior porch of the sheriff’s office. Selena’s palm caught the edge of the swinging door when Phelan exited in front of her.
“Oh sorry, I didn’t know you were there. Here!”
Phelan handed her a strange holster strap with an empty cradle that rests on her back.
“What’s this?” Selena inspected the belt he rested in her hands.
“My uncle had a huge hunting knife he liked to hide under his leather jacket. He called it his little piece of insurance. When I saw the sword I thought of the blade holster.”
“Thanks,” she said, offering the silver sword for Phelan to hold.
“Selena,” he said, startled with his palms up in defense. “I can’t touch that, why are you doing that?”
“Sorry, I just wanted to strap the holster onto my back. This sword is heavy when we are in our human form.” She realized her mistake.
Phelan smiled. “Give me the strap and you keep the sword. Turn around and lift your left arm.”
Phelan dropped the strap over her shoulder and strapped it around her waist. Selena then arched the blade over her head, dropping it into place. She pulled her shoulders forward and stretched her back, adjusting to the new weight.
“Hey, thanks. It’s much better Phelan, and easier to carry.”
“No problem.” He patted her on the shoulder, careful not to touch the handle.
“So, now what?”
Selena walked to the end of the porch, peering around the corner at Atharia’s coast.
“We need to take down the bridge, Phelan. It’s the only way to assure their safety and the townspeople’s safety. They were right Phelan; we need those things to stay on that island.”
“Bartholomew does have some dynamite sticks stored in the shed.”
“Is that safe?” she asked.
“He stores them in wet towels, so I guess they’re all right. But Selena, that’s some shit I’m really not comfortable handling.”
“Well, I am.” Ryan was leaning on the post.
He had heard the entire conversation and wanted to help.
“You want to blow the bridge, I’m your man. I’ve done plenty of it overseas.”
“I don’t know, Phelan. Can we trust him?” she whispered at his back.
“Selena, we don’t have much choice. There are not many on our side and like you said, the bridge needs to go if we are to protect this town.”
After a moment in thought, Selena agreed. Ryan led them back into the sheriff’s office, telling them what to do as he handled the sensitive material. He laid the sticks on the desk and covered them with a wet towel. Carefully he taped the dynamite together. He lengthened the wicks to allow enough time for fleeing to safety.
“This is all we’ve got? That’s a long bridge,” Phelan said.
“We’ll take out both ends, so you can’t enter the bridge from either side. Nature will take care of the middle of the bridge over time.” Ryan looked out over the cliff at the long causeway.
“Tell me, do we know what the weather is for today?”
“It’s supposed to be hot, why?”
“Good, it will dry the sticks and give us enough time.”
Ryan cradled the dynamite in the wet towels and left the office with Phelan. Selena and Bobby followed. He continued to coddle the package, approaching the ledge by the bridge entry.
“What do you want us to do?” Ryan heard the teens ask behind him.
“I’m going to plant these on the legs at this end. Selena, you and Phelan take the Jeep, drive to the other side and tape them to the bridge’s pier foundation on the other side. I’ll be there shortly to prepare the explosive.”
Ryan reached his arm out with explosives, offering them to Selena. She took them hesitantly.
“Don’t worry kid. Keep the wet towel around them, they won’t detonate. Once you’ve attached them to the legs, take the wet towel off. When it dries it will be set to blow. I’ll see you shortly.”
“It still doesn’t make me feel any better.” She reluctantly carried the sticks to the Jeep.
She knew she couldn’t back down; it was her decision to blow up the bridge. She knew it was the right decision. Phelan followed grasping Bobby’s hand.
“Wait Phelan, I need you to stay here. I don’t want my brother anywhere near this explosion.”
“Selena, I can help.”
“I know Phelan, but right now I need my brother safe and we need one of us safe to continue your father’s legacy.”
“What?” Phelan questioned.
“It may not have been the ideal solution, but your father was on the right track. He only wanted to keep the mortals safe.”
Phelan swung Bobby’s arm, watching the rear taillights disappear in the distance as it passed further over the bridge.
The weight of the sword along her back began to knock Selena off balance when she slid down the dirt slope under the bridge. The last thing she wanted was to trip and test the soldier’s theory that wet dynamite wouldn’t explode.
A small cloud of dirt dusted the area when she reached the bottom. She couldn’t see Ryan or Phelan on the other side, only the cliff that rested at the base of Pendleton Cove. It was too great of a distance for her to see, even with her new heightened abilities. Selena positioned herself by the footings of the massive structure. She slowly waded into the ocean, kicking up a white wake until she was knee deep in the brisk water. Her fists clenched a couple of times to circulate the blood and to warm her hands. The cool morning air and the chill from the icy water began to lower her inner temperature. Her teeth began to chatter as she carefully tied the explosives around the base of the metal footing. Her knees were now submerged in the frigid ocean. Numbness settled over her calves while stones from the rocky bottom edged into her shins.
One last knot, then I can get out of here.
Selena began to pull herself up from her icy bath once the last knot in the rope was secured tightly. Something burst through the water’s surface behind her. Once she turned, Brohm was upon her and lunged at her legs. Selena was thrown back into the water, landing flat on the silver sword. Brohm’s partially transformed beast crawled towards her through the water. The left side of his face was severely deformed from burns. His canines, were fully exposed where his left cheek once existed. His right eye glanced upon her with ire. His left socket was vacant with burnt flesh.
Selena kicked the water towards the beast, dousing a salty spray over Brohm as she tried to crawl back to the beach. He continued to gain ground through the splashes, clenched a flailing ankle and dragged her towards him.
“Where do you think you’re going, girl?” His voiced was garbled. “I need to feed. I have a brat I need to pay back.”
Brohm continued to grab farther up her leg, pulling her towards him, hand over hand. Selena floundered over her shoulder for the sword’s handle. The blade snagged in the harness, refusing to release. Brohm gave one last tug, dragging her over the rocky terrain.
The tip of the blade hit one of the coral edges, which released the snag and set the sword free. Brohm lunged onto his prey just as Selena swung the silver blade over her head and plunged it through Brohm’s spine. She stared into Brohm’s eye, no longer full of ire. The beast’s back ignited in a blaze around the sword.
Selena quickly rolled him to the side, as she hurdled through the water towards shore. She watched Brohm’s burning body flail and smolder in the water. A cloud of steam engulfed the dying monster with the tip of the sword protruding through his stomach. After minutes of screams and howls, the smoke cleared, revealing the skeletal carcass. Burned remnants of flesh were left for the scavengers of the sea.
Selena felt a sharp pain in her abdomen where blood stained her jeans and shirt. She fumbled for her shirt and top button of her jeans, fearing the worst. The deep gash from the blade’s tip left its wound from battle. Her heart raced when the beast began to take her. Her eyes blackened. In amazement, she watched the wound slowly heal under her passing fingertips. Flesh formed and sealed the skin without a stitch or a scar. Remembering what Bartholomew said before his death, she began to take deep breaths, calming herself back to normalcy.
