Chapter 5 The Village in Ruins

Raven’s Point of View

There's a problem. As she crossed a shattered fence, Raven's eyes narrowed and her voice sounded low. The metallic smell of ash and blood filled the air, heavy and dense. The village was disturbingly quiet around her, too quiet.

Dax trailed closely following, his footsteps soft on the charred earth. "This bothers me," he whispered. "It has a death-like smell."

Raven knelt down and rubbed his fingertips across the ground. The soil had deep paw marks that were tearing the earth. The ground was filled with broken stone and wood, the scrap of houses that had once stood tall. The burned edges of a deep hole that had been made into a tree were still blazing as her look shifted to the side.

"Outlaws," she muttered. "The entire pack of them."

Green eyes scanned the scene as Dax knelt next to her. "They weren't merely attacking." He gestured toward the broken windows and the upturned trolleys. "Like they were looking for something, they ripped through here."

Raven's heart was racing. "Or someone."

The air was agitated by a gentle breeze that sent a faint, melancholy howl. Every muscle in Raven's body tightened as she tensed. Her eyes narrowed as she slowly turned.

"Have you heard that?" she said in a whisper.

With a nod, Dax's hand moved to the dagger fastened to his thigh. "We're not by ourselves."

Silent as gloom, they advanced. With every stride they took, the village in front of them revealed more destruction. The flagstones were black and moist with blood under their boots. Raven's nose weathered at the strong smell of fear that filled the air.

Instantly a low groan came from the ruins. The sound caused Raven's head to jolt toward it. Without thinking, she dashed forward, cutting through the debris.

"Wait, Raven!" When Dax called out to her, she continued.

As she turned the corner of a run-down house, she froze.

A little child bent up against the wall, her little body shaking. The blood poured through her silver hair and stained her face. Her blue eyes were opened with fear as she stared at Raven.

Raven squatted down and said, "Hey." It's okay. I am not here to hurt you.

Curling closer to herself, the girl winced. Raven felt her heart ache. Slowly, she extended her hand while speaking quietly.

"What's your name?"

With hesitation, the girl looked past Raven to Dax, who was standing a few steps away with his hands up in submission.

The girl whispered, "Lila." "My name is Lila."

Raven gave a soft smile. "Hello, Lila. My name is Raven. Could you explain what transpired?

Lila's eyes filled with tears. "The wolves... they appeared suddenly. They destroyed everything. I was told to run by my mother. Her voice broke. "I have no idea where she is."

Raven's chest grew tightened. Carefully putting her arms around the shaking infant, she reached forward. Lila's tiny frame shook with silent murmuring as she hid her face in Raven's shoulder.

"We'll find her," Raven assured. "I promise."

Sharp and ominous, a deep growl reverberated throughout the village. Raven tensed. Green eyes searching the darkness, Dax took a step forward.

"We must relocate," he said. "Now."

After taking Lila in her arms, Raven trailed Dax through the debris. The depth of the destruction was bearing down on her with each step. Underneath the surface, her wolf was restless and angry.

Dax stopped suddenly and raised a hand. Raven's heart thumping, she froze.

murmuring, "What is it?"

His eyes narrowed as he breathed in the air. "Something is not right."

In the encounter ahead, a shadow moved. Raven's eyes narrowed and he set. Claws slipping from her fingertips, she gave Lila to Dax and moved foward.

The shadows became very dark and the air grew chillier. A well known smell, fragrant with a tinge of decay, crawl toward Raven, making her breath stop.

"Outlaws," she whispers.

The shadows moved once more, and all of a sudden they were trapped. Wolves' eyes glowed in the night as they sunk out of the shadows. Their bodies were slim and starving, and their fur was unkempt. Raven's bones vibrated as low growls rumbled through the atmosphere.

Dax muttered an expletive. "You can find them anywhere."

Raven's heart was pounding. With her claws gleaming in the moonlight, she shoved Lila behind her. "Remain near," she muttered.

One of the outlaws moved nearer, staring at Raven. Its fangs were sharp and yellowed, and its lips curved back. They were trapped by the creeping circle of the other wolves.

Raven let out a low-pitched snarl. "Come get me if you want a fight."

The outlaw lunged. Raven's claws cut through skin and hair as it moved like lightning. With a yelp, the wolf fell to the ground. Dax was there, his dagger shining in the moonlight, but another came at them from the side. Blood splattered over the cobbles.

Claws, teeth, growls, and cries filled the fight. Raven's body moved instinctively as she fought with all of her strength. The bond was hot and demanding as it blazed in her chest.

Kael.

As she stumbled, a rogue's claws swept across her arm. Her body ached, but she chose to ignore it. She couldn't think about Kael. Not at this moment.

Another wolf jumped at her, knocking her to the ground. Raven breathless dug her claws into the ground as she fought to push the beast away from her. Its jaws cracked inches from her throat, swearing her skin with hot breath.

All at once the sound of a great snarl filled the village. She was thrown against the wall after being ripped from the rogue. Raven gasped and staggered to her feet.

Dax stood before her, blood dripping from his claws. His chest heaved and his green eyes burned with anger. He gasped, "Are you alright?"

Raven nodded after wiping blood from her face. "Thank you."

Dax grinned. "Don't bring it up."

The last rogue's body hit the floor with a dull thud. The town fell into a dense, stifling quiet. Raven did not move, his eyes scouring the darkness, his heart thumping.

"Is it finished?" Lila clung to Dax's leg and said.

Raven was about to respond when she sensed it.

A black, icy force coiled itself around her like a vice and slithered through the air. A low, ominous voice mumbled through the wind as the shadows moved.

"Raven."

Her blood froze. Her eyes widened as she slowly turned.

A set of bright red eyes gazed back at her from the shadows.

Raven's breathing became labored. Like twin embers, the red eyes pierced the darkness with their increased brightness. The weight of invisible eyes pressed down on her as the temperature dropped. With his dagger up and his body tight, Dax moved closer.

"Who is present?" Despite the chill seeping into her bones, Raven's voice remained firm as she called.

A dim Vine coiled about the broken village as the shadows stirred. A harsh, growling snarl echoed through the ruins. Slowly and steadily, the red eyes blinked before disappearing into the shadow.

"Have you noticed that?" With his eyes shining through the shadow, Dax whispers.

Raven consumed the bump in her throat and nodded. "It is observing us."

The wind suddenly changed direction. There was a fresh, familiar smell in the air. Raven tensed up, her heart racing. Her eyes narrowed as she glanced toward the darkness.

"No," she said in a whisper. "That isn't possible."

A figure stepped out of the darkness. tall, broad-shouldered, with wind-blown dark hair. When his piercing silver eyes met hers, a passionate and demanding link was formed.

Raven inhaled, "Kael."

He took a step forward and met her eyes. "Raven."

The darkness was broken by a howling sound before she could move or breathe. The red eyes reappeared, burning brighter than before as the shadows surged.

The blackness surged.