Blood Fear
Prologue
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Prowlers series and I'm not making any money from this fic
Summary: Something is making the Prowlers act more aggressive, even the ones who are normally peaceful. In trying to find the source behind it, Molly and Jack end up facing their biggest challenge yet
Warning(s): Spoilers for the Prowlers series; strong violence; some sexual references; original characters; possible swearing
Author's Note: This is version three of my Prowlers story. If you know the original version(s), you'll probably recognise the character Shaia - but there isn't any background information you need to understand this fic. Also, this fic is a probable AU - since Winter likely dies in the fourth book, but he doesn't in this.
I hope you enjoy it.
Winter was only dimly aware of the battle going on around him. He gasped, panting and fighting for each painful breath. He couldn't move; couldn't even lift his head to see if anyone was close by. His vision was obscured by a red haze; and he could feel his life slipping away with every passing moment.
It shouldn't end like this...
"You should have stayed on the middle ground," a Prowler he didn't recognise growled. "Now, I get to kill you."
Winter braced himself for the blow, but it never came; though he felt something warm and wet splash his skin as the Prowler whined. His senses told him it was blood. Had Jasmine come back to finish him off, then? He tried to get up - to at least try and defend himself - but then realised that it wasn't Jasmine. He scented a spicy perfume which nearly masked the wild, feral smell all Prowlers had.
"Stay still," a female voice crooned. "With accelerated healing, your wounds will eventually close - provided you can stay alive.
Winter cried out as he felt pressure on his wounds. Blindly, he lashed out - and heard a sharp intake of breath. But the pressure didn't ease. Though he was in pain, he thought he recognised the Prowler's scent - but he couldn't force his eyes open to confirm what he suspected.
"Don't die on me... Please don't die on me, Winter..."
He was sure of it now. He struggled to say her name; to say the name of the Prowler he had mated with. "S..." But he couldn't manage more than the first letter before the pain of his wounds chased him into unconsciousness.
Molly paused as she noticed that the nurse was in deep conversation with a slender blonde woman. She was about to turn back and sit with Jack, Courtney, Bill, and Olivia; but the nurse's words gave her pause.
"I told you that it would cause problems if you stayed around him. It was foolish of you to keep close. Now look what you've done to him. He doesn't need the problems you would bring him."
The woman looked downcast. "I suppose you're right." She then noticed Molly and gave her a brief smile. "I'm done now."
Were those teeth just a little too sharp? Was that a gleam she saw in the woman's eyes? Molly shook her head, trying to shake thoughts of Prowlers away. Of course, that was difficult to do, since she was about to ask after a Prowler. She watched the woman's smile fade and a sad look come over her face, and mentally scolded herself. Obviously, the woman was there for the same kind of reason she was.
"How's Winter doing?" Molly asked the nurse.
"He's still in surgery," she answered. "We'll let you know as soon as there's any change." She turned and walked away.
Molly looked at the other woman. "I'm sure he'll be fine," she said, trying to sound encouraging - despite not knowing the situation.
"Thank you."
As the woman swept past her, a faintly spicy smell hit Molly's nose.