Page 174 of Moon Claimed

If I tell you, I die.

If you tell me, you live.

The black wolf wrenched his body away, and my teeth tore through his fur and flesh. Blood coated our tongue, and we scrambled back in preparation of his attack.

Red spurted from his neck.

He killed himself,I gasped.

The black wolf collapsed in a heap, and I approached warily to stand over him. Pressing a large paw against his bleeding throat, I lowered my head to stare into his eyes.

This fucker couldn’t die without telling me what I needed to know.You will tell me where he is.

I almost jumped at the booming quality to my voice.

Some of the other Luthers skittered back.

Had they heard it too?

The wolf beneath me stilled, and I latched onto the power spreading in my chest.

You are no match for me, old wolf.

The marshal whined, trying to escape, but I didn’t release him from my stare, shoving the power inside at him in waves.

It hurt him, I could tell, and I redoubled my efforts even as I could feel the toll on my body. My energy, or whatever magic made me a Luther,was flooding away.

Like a shattering champagne glass, his mental defence shattered under my onslaught.

We had him.

My wolf rode my voice.Tell me where her Wade is.

The answer came to me in a torrent of images, and I blinked through them, scenting their truth.

Like the snap of a rubber band, I released him. He shuddered as a thick wave of blood pulsed from his neck.

Life drained from his eyes. With a rattling breath, he was gone.

Wobbling on shaking legs, I toppled into a heap.

Ah crap,I said.

Crap,my wolf agreed.

Hands found me and my warning growl snapped off as warmth flooded through me. I stared up at a trembling Sascha.

“You’re okay, brave wolf. You’ll be okay. Shift back now.”

His voice soothed me, and though weak, I felt his power ready to help me.

Crack.

So slow.

Pop. Crack.

My legs lengthened and, in human form, I panted hard on the ground.