28. Rule #28 Werewolf Bites Burn

Rule #28: Werewolf Bites Burn

Zoe

T he shot rang clear in the otherwise quiet forest. The birds had stopped chirping and it was like every small animal held its breath. Even the leaves ceased to rustle. My ears rang from the sound and the black wolf slumped onto Daniel as blood poured from its chest. Lewis was right, I was an excellent shot. I hobbled over to where Rory was dragging the dead wolf off of Daniel and he got to his feet.

"You're bleeding," Rory said, reaching for me.

"I'm fine," I replied, pulling away and crawling towards Daniel. A ring of blood dripped from his throat, but he seemed otherwise unharmed.

"You're not. She bit you!"

Rory was right. The werewolf bite was starting to burn and I could feel my muscles starting to seize. Rory ripped at the hole in my tights and she gasped at the veins of black spreading out from the bite.

Daniel crawled over to me, a soft whine coming from him as he licked my face.

"I'm okay, Dan," I wheezed, gritting my teeth as I spoke .

"Where's that damn wolfsbane?" Rory cried as the world tilted. I don't know how I found myself on my back, but here I was. The stars winked at me through the canopy of trees. Daniel's whine increased in concern. Hands fumbled at my waist, then something was being tipped into my mouth. A cool, minty sensation, like a soothing balm, coated my throat. My body shook violently and then the dark night went black.

***

The darkness was all-encompassing. I didn't know which way was up or down. I was floating. The silence was all-consuming. But it was peaceful. It was calm. I was safe here. There was no pain or hurt or heartache.

I could float here forever.

That would be nice.

***

"Zoe…"

Who was Zoe?

Whoever she was, it sounded as if she was lost. Or someone was looking for her.

"Zoe!"

More urgent. Was she in trouble?

I hoped they found her soon.

"Zoe… please… come back to me."

"Please…"

The voice cracked in a sob. Louder this time. Closer.

Warmth seeped through my body and a prickling sensation crept along my skin, getting hotter.

No!

I didn't want to leave.

** *

"Zoe?" Lewis's voice sounded far away. My eyes were heavy, they fluttered as I struggled to open them.

"Oh, thank fuck," he said, relief cracking his voice. "I thought I lost you."

A sad whine reached me and a rough tongue licked my hand. I whimpered as I tried to lift my head.

"No, don't move," Amelia said from somewhere off to my side. She didn't have to tell me twice. My body felt like one of our punching bags, heavy and beat to hell. My skin was on fire, and I moaned in pain.

"Can you help her?"

Rory. She was still here.

A lukewarm cloth swiped across my forehead, it felt icy cold. I murmured in protest.

"Sssh," Lewis hushed, "we need to get you cooled down."

"The wolfsbane's working its magic," Amelia said. "But I can give her a pain suppressant."

My eyes fluttered again. Blurry shapes formed in front of me. My eyes fell on the huge gray wolf head that lay on the couch next to me. Daniel looked up at me with sad eyes. He let out another whine.

" ‘m kay, Dan," I managed to croak.

"You will be," Amelia confirmed. She came into focus in front of me. "Here, drink this." She tipped a potion into my mouth. It tasted like cherry menthol. "For the pain. It'll help you sleep."

Almost instantly, my eyes fluttered closed as darkness pulled me under once again.

The first thing that registered when I woke was the fact that I wasn't alone. The second thing was that I was in my bed. I knew it was my bed on account of the feel of it. You always knew what your own bed felt like. The third thing was that I was whole and alive, even though every bone and muscle in my body ached fiercely.

I opened my eyes and my gaze fell on Daniel's sleeping form. I stretched out and my feet hit something. Lifting my head, I found Lewis sprawled across the foot of my bed. Behind him, in the armchair near the fireplace, was Rory. She was curled up in a ball with a blanket thrown over her.

"You're awake," came a relieved whisper. I turned around to see Lexi floating next to my bed. She wrung her hands while unshed tears lined her eyes.

"I really want to hug you right now," she said. I could tell she was holding back. Whether it was because she was afraid of my reaction or because she wouldn't be able to do it, I didn't know. So I replied, "I really want to hug you, too."