Chapter 11

She was drowning in this coldness. She could not feel her fingers, her hands. She was gripped in this wintry embrace in Luke's arms and the cold was not leaching into her chest. Her very being was screaming danger yet Beca was powerless against this onslaught of cold and darkness. Then she felt it. That prick of intense pain on her neck, multiplying manifold. It burned, voracious and greedy, and in a last ditch attempt at self preservation, Beca's mind screamed out.

Mother! Help me!

Beca opened her eyes to find herself in a sunlit meadow. The sun was bright in her eyes and she hastily lowered her gaze to find flowers underneath her bare feet. Daisies and buttercups littered the green grass and a memory tugged at her mind. She had been here before. When she was small. There was a wooden swing, its ropes entwined with flowers and her mother used to push her on that swing. Higher and higher she went until Beca was breathless with laughter and delight.

Beca turned her head and there was that swing, moving slightly in the breeze and standing beside it, was her mother. It had to be her mother. She was wearing that light green dress with the gold threads that Beca love, her long, red hair tumbling around her shoulders. Beca remembered how she used to wind those red curls round her fingers as she sat on her mother's lap.

"Mother," Beca choked out, getting to her feet and running towards her. When Beca came nearer, bitter disappointment jabbed into her chest. It was not her mother. It was someone else. Someone much younger than her mother, with blue eyes and a smile like sunshine.

"Beca," the lady spoke, her voice filled with tears of happiness. "You've grown."

Beca could not quite reply, feeling shy all of a sudden. The lady was holding her arms out to her and despite having to choke her disappointment back, Beca found herself taking the lady's hands and tentatively smiling back. And then she blurted out. "You look just like my mother."

"I'm Lady Chloe Beale," the lady answered. "Your mother and I are sisters."

"You know my mother?"

"Yes."

"Where am I now?" Beca asked, looking round confusedly.

"There is no time to explain," Chloe replied, gripping Beca's hands tight. "You are in mortal danger."

This was all so strange. She was not in danger. Luke was saving her. There was something chasing her and Luke was going to bring her to safety. Except Luke had her in a cold death grip. He and his father had plans for her. Plans Beca didn't know about and and she was in immense pain.

"Beca, it's time."

Beca turned back to look at those blue eyes and found Chloe was smiling at her. The meadow was slowly vanishing; the greens of the grass and yellows of the sun blurring into faint light. Chloe was still smiling but like the meadow, she was growing fainter, the reds of her hair flowing like colours blown in the wind.

"Wait. Don't go." Beca fretted. She held on to Chloe's hands desperately but her grip was loosening until she was clutching at nothingness.

It's time, Beca.

"I don't understand." Bec heard a musical laugh in reply and she thought she saw a faint smile.

It's time for you to be who you really are.

That gasp of pain fell unbidden from her lips. She was back to this earthly hell. She was back within that deathly grip, bounding her arms and chest and Beca felt that pain on her neck. That greedy, intense pain. She felt Luke's icy lips, smacking greedily against her neck, felt that moment of suspended time as he drew a hollow breath and he began to feed. The metallic tang of blood assaulted Beca's. It was hers; she knew it. She could feel the sticky warmth of her blood flowing out. Luke was murmuring against her neck and soon, fiery poison slowly dripped in.

No.

No! This was not going to happen. That poison was not going to conquer her.

As soon as she had that thought, Beca felt life coming to her arms and she shoved with all her strength, yelling out loud. "No! You are hurting me!" Beca pushed against him, twisting and turning, trying to get out his grasp.

He was too strong.

Luke was still holding her in his grip although he had stop feeding and was looking up at her in surprise. And Beca saw Luke for what he was. Mouth etched with her blood, eyes hooded with hunger, pale skin devoid of any life or sun. He was laughing at her attempts to free herself, his lips drawn back to expose fangs dripping red.

"Don't fight it, my sweet," Luke mumbled. "I've not fed for so long and you taste incredible."

He was about to draw her near and Beca was desperately clawing at him. It happened in a split second. She heard that snarl first before she felt herself falling backwards, free from Luke's grip. She fell flat on the ground and Beca scrambled and clawed trying to get up on her feet. But when she finally sat up, Beca screamed again in terror, desperately backing away from the sight before her.

A huge wolf was right in front of her.

Black as shadow, chest and flank heaving, feral and frightening.

Low, guttural snarls were coming out of the beast, rumbling and deep. At her scream, the wolf turned its head towards her and their eyes met. Beca's voice died in her throat as she gazed into the wolf's eyes. She could not make another sound. And as if it was satisfied that she was fine, the wolf turned back to what he was keeping his eyes on.

Luke was slowly sitting up, some feet away from them. He looked like he had been forcibly flung to the ground and Beca realised what had happened. The wolf must have ran at full pelt towards them and jumped at Luke, wrenching him away from her. It was standing between them now, ears flat, eyes fixed unwavering at the blond man. The bulk of its body was in front of Beca and it stood, muscles tensed, haunches ready to spring at the slightest movement. Luke was gazing at the wolf, a slow, amused look of derision spreading across his features.

"Mongrel," Luke spat out, lazy and insulting. "What are you doing here?"

A deep growl came out of the wolf; almost like a reply.

"I'm only here for what's mine," Luke was saying now, his eyes swinging over to Beca. She shivered under his gaze. He still had that hungry look she saw just now. Luke then narrowed his eyes at the wolf.

"I've met you before, haven't I?" Luke said lazily. "Ah yes, of course. What a coincidence. You're the guard dog. How amusing."

Beca stared at the spectacle before her; far too shocked to fully understand what was happening. It was difficult enough for her to finally understand what Luke really was. Now he was speaking to the wolf? Beca's eyes fell on the black beast. This was no ordinary wolf. It was far too large, its eyes far too intelligent. It was still standing in front of her; baring Luke's way.

Luke was getting up to his feet, dusting his clothes carefully and the wolf's body dipped lower in response, fangs bared, ready to pounce. He casually wiped a dribble of Beca's blood from his mouth and a deep growl rumbled forth from the dark creature.

"You are a little too late, dog," Luke laughed. "I've made her mine. She will burn for me and it would be a matter of time before she turns."

The bark from the wolf was deafening. The beast leapt forward, a mass of fury and snarls, straight into Luke. They clashed in the middle, wrestling each other to the ground. Wolf and man fighting in close mortal combat. The wolf was snapping its jaws, claws digging, trying to tear chunks at the blond man. Luke was trying to grip the beast yet it was too swift, gracefully dodging or wrestling out of Luke's hands. They would part and clashed again, each trying to get an upper hand. The trees in the clearing seemed to shook with the intensity of fight.

Beca was frightened at what was happening at the moment. She was frightened of that black hulk of a beast. She was frightened to her core at what Luke was now. Gone was the handsome suitor, with hair of pale gold, with his charming words and smile. The Luke before her was this pale, wild animal, eyes shining red, fangs and claws drawn.

She shuddered to think she had let him touch her. She shuddered to think she thought he would keep her safe. And she was horrified when the truth sank in. Her hand flew to her neck and her fingers felt that two punctures on her skin where Luke had feed. She knew the tales. She knew what she might become.

Luke was coming towards her now. He had fainted left, tricking the wolf and went right, flying straight for her and Beca scrambled to her feet, ready to defend herself. There was no need. The wolf jumped, its jaw snapped and caught Luke by the shoulder and both of them fell and rolled on the ground. Luke was shrieking, his voice high and sharp like a wild cat. His fangs sank deep into the wolf. His claws lacerating deep into the wolf's fur. Beca thought she could hear a yelp of pain from the wolf but the beast was fighting back, trying to pin the man down with its bulk.

They sprang apart, each panting and eyeing the other carefully. Luke momentarily glanced at Beca and the wolf immediately backed up to protect her, eyes not leaving the man.

"You are wasting your time, dog," Luke said smugly, wiping his mouth roughly with one hand. Beca could see the sharpened nails on his hand, tipped with fur and blood. "She belongs to me now. She will come whenever I call her."

The wolf growled menacingly yet still stood his ground. A sly look then crept on Luke's face.

"Aren't you worried about your sister back at the inn?" Luke drawled out chillingly. The image of Stacie and Amy, lying comatose on the ground came to Beca's mind and she felt sick to her stomach. "My men are particularly hungry and they will enjoy feeding on that fat cow and your sister. Even though she's a dirty, half bred bitch."

Luke laughed. "So what will it be, dog? Who are you going to save?"

The wolf backed up closer to Beca, its eyes glinting gold in the darkness.

"Suit yourself. Stupid dog," Luke spat out. He raised his eyes to met Beca's. "Beca my sweet. I would like to take you away now, if not for this dog. But I'll expect to see you very soon." And with that chilling farewell, Luke backed away into the trees, turned around and disappeared.

Beca felt like fainting. She was about to fall. The wolf was beside her, pressing into her side and Beca grasped wildly, catching hold of its coat. It felt familiar - like a snatch of a dream and for the first time in days, Beca felt safe. It was not frightening at all. Beca wanted nothing more than to sink into the warmth and bulk of the animal before her and hug it tight but the wolf was urgently nudging her and Beca looked straight into its eyes.

The eyes looked familiar.

A jolt went through her. She knew those eyes. His name was about to fall from her lips in surprise but those eyes were trying to communicate something to her. And then Beca remembered what Luke said.

"Amy. And Stacie," Beca cried out, horrified. "They are still at the inn."

The animal was nodding his head and nudging her towards his back. Beca tried to comprehend what he wanted her to do.

"Do you want me here?" Beca guessed wildly, running her hand against his coat. "You want me to...ride you?" At his nod, Beca quickly clambered on his back. He was huge. She leant forward, thighs squeezing tight against his flanks, her hands grasping the thick, black coat. With a final look to check that she was safe, the wolf began to run.

He was fast.

Beca could hardly keep her eyes opened. The rushing wind was making her eyes water and the trees whipped past in a blur as the creature bounded ahead. He was covering the distance effortlessly. She could feel his strong muscles moving underneath her, his paws hardly touching the ground. Beca buried her head into his coat. Seeing the ground below moving fluidly like water in a stream made her feel slightly sick. His fur was soft and his scent familiar. He was warm, so very warm and it thawed out the remaining coldness in her arms and chest.

The wolf was slowing down and Beca lifted her head.

She heard shouts and snarls and above all that din, gleeful, unholy laughter. The inn was in front of them. She heard the horses first, neighing loudly. They were huddled up to one side but Beca could only see three. Amy's grey palfrey was down on the ground some distance away and Beca wanted to throw up. Two of those sickening creatures were feeding on the fallen horse.

She grasped the wolf's coat tighter, eyes wildly seeking for Amy and Stacie. Please, please let them be alright. - Beca prayed, dread and guilt heavy like lead on her chest. She had hit Amy and left her for dead. She had harmed her best friend.

Her eyes made out Amy's body, lying supine on the ground, near the horses. Beca wasn't sure where she was alive or dead. Then Beca saw the wolf. A beautiful silver grey, snarling and fighting off the pack of pale men trying to close in on Amy and the horses. It was not a fair fight. There must be at least six of those creatures surrounding them. The silver wolf was putting up a good fight, snapping and hurling any that came too near and then Beca saw it. Four of them falling on the wolf simultaneously, wrestling it to the ground and the other two gleefully running towards Amy.

She did not have time to scream.

The black wolf underneath her broke into a run and Beca instinctively grabbed his coat tight. He leapt and soared into the air and they landed straight in the middle of the attack on Amy. With almost cruel efficiency, the wolf grabbed both pale creatures in turn in its powerful jaws. Beca heard two snaps, like bones breaking. The wolf ripped both in half before tossing them aside.

She should feel revolted but all Beca wanted to do now was to check on Amy. She hurriedly slid down from the wolf's back, rushing towards the inert body lying on the ground. "Amy! Oh god, Amy!" Beca shakily raised Amy's head. A patch of congealed blood matted her blonde hair at the crown. Beca's vision was blurred with tears.

"Beca?"

She was alive. Amy was alive. Beca dashed her tears quickly on hearing Amy's voice. She sounded weak and addled but that didn't matter. She was alive.

"I'm here," Beca replied.

The fight was still raging. The black wolf had went to the other wolf's aid; both of them fighting off the attack. Quite a few pale corpses littered the ground yet more came out, slithering and crawling out of the trees. There must be at least two dozen, shrieking and laughing; baiting the two wolves who were backing up slowly towards Amy and Beca.

Beca clutched Amy closer to her, dread and terror washing over her. The wolves were strong but there were just too many. Those creatures suddenly surged forward, swarming into them. The wolves barked, fierce and loud, running straight to meet the surge. Beca turned a fearful face towards the carnage. They were swarming all over the wolves. They were going to overwhelm them and feed; and Amy and her would be next.

Red hot anger shot inside Beca. Her body was shaking. She will not let any of those creatures touch even one hair on Amy's head. She will not let those foul abominations harm any of her friends. Those foul creatures need to burn alive.

And she felt heat surging.

And she saw flames.

And the last thing Beca note before she fainted was the acrid stench of burning flesh.

"Beca. Can you hear me?"

The voice was so far away.

"Beca, wake up."

Someone was shaking her. Beca tried to open her eyes but they were like lead.

"Beca."

She had to open her eyes. They were in danger. They were being attacked. She needed to wake up. There were dryads and hungry vampires and..wolves. Beca woke up, gasping, her body jerking in terror. Strong, calming hands were holding her still and when she finally focussed her eyes, Beca found Stacie looking down at her.

"Shhh. It's over," Stacie said soothingly . "You're safe for now."

Beca tried to concentrate on what Stacie was saying. Her head was throbbing. It must be daylight. It was so bright. And slowly, when the smell of burning wood reached her and she could hear wood breaking and splitting under fire, Beca realised it was not daylight. The brightness was from the flames licking up the inn, razing it into the ground. She realised she was lying down and when Beca tried to sit up, she was overcome by dizziness.

"Don't move, mi'lady. You are not well."

She knew that voice. Beca shifted her attention to the right and his face swam into focus. Yes, she knew that voice, that face, those eyes. She knew those soft brown eyes anywhere. He looked so worried, so pale and drawn. Beca raised her hand slowly and the tips of her fingers grazed the scratches he had on his left cheek.

"You're hurt,' she whispered. Beca shut her eyes momentarily, grunting softly in pain, before opening them again. He was still there. And his hand had caught hers, pressing it lightly against his cheek before sliding it to his lips.

"I'm fine." Jesse murmured against her fingers.

His hand tightened against hers.

"Much as I hate to interrupt this -." Beca heard Stacie saying."We have to go soon."

"Can we not stay a little longer?" Jesse replied, turning his attention to Stacie. "She's not fit to travel."

"No. We have to go. Amy is hurt," Stacie said urgently, rising to her feet. "I'll gamble anything that the baron will be here soon, accusing us of all this carnage. And that, my brother, will be the end of us."

Stacie was right. They had to leave as soon as possible.

Beca took one last look at the fire consuming the inn, at the score of littered burnt corpses on the ground. She had to turn away. Jesse and Stacie were tossing whatever remains they could find into the fire, including Amy's dead palfrey those bloodsuckers had fed on. It was just too gruesome and she could not bear to watch.

What actually happened? Where did the fire came from?

Beca could not recollect anything. She had so many questions. She needed so many answers. But all that was not important now. Amy was hurt, badly hurt and they need to get away and find help. They had lifted Amy up onto Stacie's horse and the blonde laid prone on the horse's back, her arms around its neck. Beca stood by the horse, laying a soothing hand on Amy's shoulder.

"Beca?" Amy mumbled.

"I'm here." she quickly answered, moving closer.

"You need to know." Amy mumbled again, with some difficulty.

"Shh. We can talk later. When you're better," Beca said softly.

"No..." Amy moaned. She gulped thickly and tried speaking again. "Now. You need to know now."

Amy began coughing, bringing up a gush of blood. Beca looked in horror and immediately yelled out for Stacie, who came running. Stacie unceremoniously pushed Beca to one side and Beca felt another pair of hands drawing her away, giving Stacie space to examine the blonde who was now groaning in pain. She looked up and Jesse was beside her.

"We have to go now.," Stacie said curtly. "The poison is slow and deadly. She doesn't have very long." Beca was dumbstruck. The wine. Amy had been downing that wine like water. It must have been poisoned. "I need to get Amy to a healer." Stacie continued. "There is a monastery a day's ride here. One of the monks is gifted. I will take her there."

"Let's go now," Beca said, already moving towards Blaze.

"No, Lady Beca," Stacie spoke up. "I will take her. You and Jesse will continue your journey."

Beca froze in her tracks. "I have to leave Amy?"

"Yes."

"No, I can't" Beca said.

"You have to. The monastery is in the opposite way."

"We have time." Beca insisted.

"Mi'lady," Stacie said, drawing a long breath. "There is no time. Those leeches, they are still hunting you. We have to get you to safety as soon as possible. And Amy urgently need help."

Beca blinked back her tears. The thought that Amy might be sick and hurt without her close by was almost too much to bear. She had not been separated from Amy since she was six.

"Fine." Beca said finally, biting her lip.

"There's one more thing." Stacie chipped in, now looking at Beca. "You have to let her go."

"What?"

Beca did not understand what Stacie was driving at. She looked wildly between Stacie and Jesse, trying to comprehend what was being asked of her.

"We don't have time to explain it properly," Jesse spoke up, "Amy had been sent to protect you since your mother passed. She is also bound to you. You have to set her free."

"Why? How?" Beca stuttered, utterly confused. This whole night had been one confounding riddle after another.

"By replacing her with another," Stacie said. "Since you are going with Jesse, it makes sense for him to take over that role. It is a powerful bond but the spell itself is rather easy."

Beca did not even try to understand what was said. It was just too much to take in. Stacie was staring at her expectantly and curiously, Jesse was looking away, not meeting her eyes. Beca's gaze turned to Amy, who was looking grey and listless on Stacie's horse.

"So be it." Beca said. She raised her eyes to Stacie. "Do what you will."

Stacie swiftly went over to Beca.

"Give me your hand," the tall brunette ordered. Beca offered her hand and Stacie took it, turning Beca's wrist upwards. She had a dagger on her other hand and before Beca could say another word, the blade flashed and she felt the knick on her skin. Her blood shone red against her white skin.

"Jesse, yours." Stacie was saying now.

Beca heard him sighing before he stepped forward, offering his wrist. And when Stacie had done the same, she held both of their wrists tight; his open wound over hers and Stacie began chanting in a lilting, musical voice. Beca gazed the strange ritual, fascinated. The words Stacie was singing out was strangely hynoptic; her voice raising and falling. It sounded beautiful. Beca didn't know what to expect. She didn't feel any different until Stacie's voice reached a crescendo. A faint click, like a tiny gold clasp closing on a bracelet, whispered at the back of Beca's mind.

"It's done."

Stacie let them go. Beca drew her hand back, glancing at the red line. It should be raw but strangely, the wound had closed, almost more like a welt rather than a cut that drew blood.

Why did you do that?

Jesse's voice echoed in Stacie's mind. He sounded annoyed but Stacie had no time for that. She had more urgent things to do. They had let Beca said her farewell to Amy in relative privacy but they need to ride out soon. Dawn was already breaking and time was not their friend.

Stacie, I know what you did. That was not just a simple binding - Jesse said, his impatience mounting. - You've changed the spell. What are you trying to do?

I saw those marks on her neck. - Stacie replied.

Jesse fell silent and when he spoke again, his voice sounded pained and wretched.

I was too late.

Stacie glanced over at Beca. Her back was towards them and she had her head close to Amy, deep in conversation.

Perhaps not - Stacie replied. - She's bound to you now. That leech won't be able to lure her away to finish the job. Still, you have to keep an eye out for any signs. If she turns, Jesse -

I still don't know whether I could do it, Stacie.

Mother Luna! You are being so stubborn! - Stacie barked out in Jesse's mind. - You know exactly why we have to do this. You saw what happened just now. I've never seen such raw power. She wasn't even harnessing it. If the O'Cullenains were to control her -

I know! I know all that. But I can't kill her even if she turns.

Then do the other thing!

I am not going to force myself on her! That is..I can't . I can't force myself on her, Stacie! Jesse was yelling back in her head. He then grunted out loud in frustration. I love her. God, how much I love her.

His voice nearly cracked with so much emotion. Stacie laid a flaming hand on his arm.

Was that so hard? - Stacie was saying now. Her tone was much gentler. It was not so hard to admit you love her, was it? Trust me on this, Jesse. She is your mate. She will come round.

He was looking rather doubtful and for a moment, Stacie wanted to smack him at the back of his neck. Why were all the Swanson men so stubborn to see what was in front of them? She'll never knew.

Their conversation came to an abrupt end when Beca came towards them. She went straight to Blaze and Jesse helped Beca mount her horse. By the time Jesse got on top of his horse, Stacie was astride on hers, securely holding on to Amy. They bade each other goodbye before riding out in opposite directions. But even as he was riding away, Jesse still could hear Stacie's voice in his head.

One more thing, Jesse. She had to cope with a lot over a short space of time. Please be kind to her.

I will.

She will have a lot of questions. Answer them truthfully.

Fine.

Show her how you feel.

Jesse sighed, shaking his head in mild frustration. - Anything else?

One more thing.

What is it? - he replied testily.

Be gentle with her.