Chapter 115

The thick, ominous fog that had filled her mind a second ago at the Moon Goddess's demand departed in a flash. The instant Daniel opened his eyes and saw her, truly saw her, Beth let out a choked scream and threw herself upon him.

Terrified that she had fallen asleep and was dreaming herself, her exhausted mind conjuring up delusions of a healthy Daniel, she didn't dare even cry against him. What if that dissipated this fragile illusion? What if the slightest sound, the smallest disturbance broke up this searing happiness, and she woke up to discover Daniel hadn't made it?

Only when he patted her back with a struggling grunt did she finally give herself a chance to let out the stifled emotions. The tears came fast and hard as words bubbled out of her throat, scolding ones to Daniel for terrifying her and for leaving Marten when he should have stayed behind, grateful ones right on their heels as she thanked him for being strong enough to survive, for making it through the night and being here with her.

"I'm all right... Beth, what's going on?"

"You don't remember! You've been hallucinating all night. Marten was right when he said you might have more episodes! It's not over yet."

"Well, I'm fine now. I'm sorry, Beth. I'm fine, I promise. Come here and let me hold you."

She crawled into his side and shook, wondering how long this fragile peace would last. She had been so close to losing him. How could he not understand how terrified she still was?

"Daniel? Are you in pain? There's nothing left for that in the packs, but Marten said some water will help with dehydration, and that might make the pain subside a little."

"No, I mean it. I'm fine. More than fine. I feel better than when I went to bed." Daniel lifted a hand and balled it into a tight fist in the air, inspecting his own strength. "Really, it's odd. I don't feel any discomfort at all anymore. Didn't Marten say I would be sore for a while?"

"He also said you have an incredibly strong constitution, stronger than any he's ever seen before," she reminded him. "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Come on, are you strong enough to walk? We need to get you in a bath so we can cool you off. You're still burning up... Oh, no, you're not." She pulled her hand away from his forehead with a begrudging frown. "All right, then you can relax a little longer, I suppose."

"Just long enough for me to remember how you feel against me, like this." Daniel nuzzled her neck with a groan. "It feels like it's been a century."

"The night felt that long for me, too."

"I'll wash up and we'll leave after you rest, then. You didn't get a wink of sleep, did you?"

"I wouldn't be able to if I tried, Daniel, believe me. I'd rather just make sure you're feeling better. You're the one who needs rest."

"Look at me. You see it yourself, I'm much better. Marten wasn't kidding when he said this toxin moves fast. It leaves in the blink of an eye."

"Don't be so confident! We thought you were safe the first time, too."

"Still. I think I'm fine, this time for sure." He frowned. "I don't remember much of last night but I know I felt a lot worse than I do now. I'm just hungry now."

"I'll get you something to eat! Don't move, Daniel. I'll be right back."

***

Strangely enough, Daniel was indeed strong and fit again. It was as if nothing had ever happened to him. He was at the peak of his strength and he was moving fast on his feet, and able to shift with no discomfort at all. In fact, he was the one who had to call a rest halfway on the last leg of the journey back to Tahoe Village, because Beth was slowing down.

"You're still exhausted. I'll keep watch since we're back in rogue territory. Catch a little sleep."

But she wasn't that tired, she argued. He was just too fast.

It was her moodiness that slowed her more than anything else. The dark worry from earlier assailed her again, making her wonder if she had truly heard that voice or if she had been so hysterical she had imagined it. Daniel put his arms around her and kissed her forehead.

"It's all right," he said. "We'll be there soon. Everything's going to be all right."

***

Maybe she had begun to believe his reassurances, but it didn't last.

Because the way to Tahoe was blocked.

There were enemies waiting for them when they came within the last thirty kilometers, lumps moving in the white snow. Canine shapes. Werewolves, snooping around and waiting for something. Beth missed them at first, but when Daniel stopped running to scent the air, ears pricked forward, she too came to a stop. And then she saw them.

Daniel was back to his normal self, indeed. His keen wolf senses were superior to hers, trained from birth, and she followed immediately when he trotted toward cover further back.

Ambush attempt, he told her through mind-link as they made their stealthy retreat. Something's wrong. They're facing outward, waiting for someone, not watching the village. But this is too far out. And this is the wrong direction for any reinforcements to come to Tahoe's aid.

It's like they were waiting for us? Beth guessed. We'll just have to circle around. I counted at least two dozen of them from first pass alone.

There are far more than that. Something's wrong. Let's hurry back first, we need distance.

But the first steps they took forward were already doomed. Daniel stopped, and he bared his teeth at the snow.

We were surrounded. I didn't notice until now. There were trackers ready for us as soon as we left the pass.

Beth's heart sank. We can still make it if we go between--

No. They're fast. We have to fight. They're almost here, go! We need to get to higher ground at least so they won't swarm us.

They made it fifteen kilometers south. Daniel was fast, and so was Beth, but he had been right to say they were surrounded. There were werewolves lined up -- everywhere, in every direction. The ones that were too far back couldn't keep up and abandoned the chase, but the farther they ran, the more enemies appeared out of nowhere.

Run! Daniel urged. Don't stop for me! I'm going to thin them out and then follow you.

Don't even think about it! We both run together or not at all!

Beth, we can't do this right now! Just go. I can't fight if I have to worry about whether they've gotten to you or not!

And I can't run if I have to worry about the same thing happening to you!

They might be spending the rest of their short lives arguing, but neither refused to give in. They ran side by side as far as they could go, Daniel urging Beth to run on ahead while he held back their pursuers for as long as he could, while Beth snapped at him that he was crazy if he thought she would abandon him. She had already nearly lost him too many times. No more! She would never leave his side no matter what he said.

So there was no choice but to run... and then fight.

The chase couldn't last forever, after all. And when their pursuers caught up, cornering them just before they could flee into a thick forest, Beth showed her teeth and readied herself.

If this was going to be their last stand, then so be it. At least she was with Daniel. At least she would never have to leave him.

The werewolves leaped, fangs flashing in the light.

Beth!

If they could just get past this group, if they could take down these twenty or so enemies fast enough, they could still flee and lose the rest of the enemies still chasing them from afar. It was a thin hope, so thin it was but a sliver... and soon even that winked out of existence.

Beth could hold her own and Daniel was more than a match for them even five to one, but the wounded simply regenerated and healed in the back before advancing again. And Beth and Daniel couldn't run, either -- the werewolves cut off their escape to the forest, reading their intentions easily.

It was futile. They really were going to die here. Beth tore and snapped and slashed with all her might again and again until her limbs dragged like lead anchors, and still there was no hope. If only they could push a little harder. If only they could fight back with a little more fervor--!

She was so caught up in her battle fever that she didn't notice the new shape that charged into the mass from behind and began ripping at the enemy. Only when the shrieks and yelps overwhelmed her senses did she look up and see -- someone else! Someone was helping Beth and Daniel! Who it was, she had no idea, but she wouldn't decline their help.

But this unexpected stranger fought with a strange, calculated grace, every move exact and ten steps ahead of everyone else. He was no powerful fighter like Daniel, but it was like he could read every move the enemy made before they made it, long before.

And under the merciless push of the three of them all together, the tide turned -- just enough to snap the neck of the last enemy werewolf.

Go! Into the forest! the stranger shouted, mind-linking as he fled toward the trees first. Hurry!

Oh, Moon Goddess. That was Adrian Heether!