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She couldn’t see Moon’s reaction, but the low growl didn’t stop. Then it intensified in volume, and her instinct kicked in as she wriggled her way out of the tree. Maddox’s body shifted again to keep blocking her, but she sidestepped him.
“Hey, Moon.”
Moon’s dark yellow eyes clashed with hers, as hungry as they had been earlier. But there was an observant flint to them that gave her hope.
“It’s me. Orange hair. You begged me to bring you to Broom’s Isle, remember? Then you snuck in with us when I refused and sequestered yourself in the forest. I visit you sometimes when I’m not being monitored. You are thriving away from the sea.” She attempted a smile. “Please. We don’t mean you harm.”
The growl silenced as Moon’s gaze volleyed between the two, body as rigid as ever. The wolf vibrated with life, one she felt in her very being as it lowered its head. Muscles bunched.
“Run.”
The word was said harshly. When she didn’t budge, a shadowy blur roared toward her. Another blur knocked her back before the two crashed into each other, the impact sending dried leaves exploding from the ground. It also sent her flying away and crashing on her stomach, where pain pinched her hip before she felt it: the insistent dig of something sharp against her skin.
“No,” she groaned, reaching inside her cloak. Glass clung to her hand, its liquid content dripping on soil in a sparkling mass of white. She took out some more, frantically gathering the shattered pieces until they formed a small mound before her.
“Ruby. Talk to me. What is that?”
Maddox’s voice was distant, but the urgency was there. She glanced up, noting how Moon was frozen and slowly turning back into his human form. The apology shone on his expression, but she couldn’t hear it amid the roaring in her blood. Maddox hissed, still holding on to Moon while he quaked with the effort. Blue-black eyes bored into hers.
“Ruby?” His mouth formed her name.
She reached out, fingers touching the sparkly liquid. A second later, the world faded as magic brimmed in her soul, so cold and restless. It didn’t stay there for long, culminating in a fog in front of them before an image played as if it was happening in real life. She glimpsed her brother at the height of his existence, out drinking with co-workers and friends and having the time of his life. In the next reel, Silver was no longer smiling, his face a mask of eerie calm as he blasted his energy out toward a co-worker’s chest.
The next few reels were a glimpse of the same thing until comprehension dawned and had her gasping. Horror glissaded in as one by one, Silver took down all the same co-workers and friends that he had been having a blast with until every pulse of life was gone. Screams flowed freely as he burned houses next, until everything was turned to ashes. It went on and on, a bloodbath that shrunk her heart yet rendered her immobile, unable to look away. Then the reel finished, leaving her in darkness.
The forest was silent, but she couldn’t bring herself to look up as she eyed the dissipating liquid and shook from head to toe. She closed her eyes and dug her hands into the ground when a remnant sparkle produced the image of Silver in his last seconds, red fire in his eyes as he struggled against the circle of witches and warlocks. He didn’t give up, even at the last second, when the magic was sealed around him, and he was sucked into the ground. Even then, she already knew where he had been taken: not the Wasteland, where the rejected creatures were banished.
No, Silver was Hellhole, where the truly deranged and evil creatures were taken into and thrived. He was there, suffering and in agony, unable to get away—
“Easy, there. I’m taking you home. Don’t fight it.”
Hands picked her up, then hefted her until she was pressed against a hard wall of warmth. Then movement had her struggling against him, too.
“No, don’t take me home. My sisters—”
“My home, then.”
The reel faded enough for her to remember dark yellow eyes.
“Moon. He has to stay hidden.”
“Yes.”
“They don’t know he is here. They don’t know I let him in through the crack.”
“Hush. I got him.”
“Put me down—”
“Ruby, I got him. I got you.”
The hands tightened, refusing to budge. The warmth grew warmer until she couldn’t take it anymore, giving in to the feeling of sliding into the wordless comfort offered. Ruby sank into Maddox, hands reaching out for an anchor and finding them in the shirt she crumpled. He didn’t protest, allowing her that moment as he hastened his steps.
The short trip did wonders for her, easing the roaring in her blood and soothing her confused, rattled soul. She basked in it for a few minutes more as the door closed, and she glimpsed him carefully removing his shoes on the welcome mat. When softness hit her butt, her hands clung once more until she realized she was essentially pulling him with her.
Ruby opened her eyes and met observant ones. Her palms spread, then let go, fisting against the cold that promptly hit at the loss of contact. She swallowed, then broke eye contact and scanned her surroundings.
“Moon?”
