Shifting Moon

EXCERPT

Brian paced the living room, staying well away from the windows. Gregor watched him silently, seemingly at ease. Zachary and Lindsay had taken up positions on opposite sides of the house. Brian knew there was no escape, not until the others came, and he dreaded that. How many would die? Who would die? Derek would probably be first in line, and there was nothing Brian could do to warn them!

He wanted to punch Gregor in the face, but that would only earn him a bullet in the gut.

The curtains were half-closed over the windows, and through one of the gaps, out of the corner of Brian’s eye, he noted a small bird flitter past. He barely registered it, anxiety and fear churning in his gut. His palms were sweaty and his jaw was beginning to hurt, it was clenched so tightly. His arm still ached from when he’d landed on it.

It took him a few minutes to realize the bird had flittered past the opening several times. Brian glanced over and saw the bird again. The sun was setting, and he could barely make out the small avian, but once he actually looked fully toward it, the bird stopped flittering. It landed on the sill and cocked its head this way and that, black eyes focused.

Brian stopped short and stared into those eyes.

Images suddenly burst into his mind, and he gasped, staggering. He gripped his head as he saw images of Derek, the pack, and two men he didn’t know. He suspected they were agents.

“Brian? Are you ill?”

Gregor’s voice broke through the astonishing images, and Brian barely managed to keep his voice from trembling.

“Fine. Could I have some water, please?”

“Kitchen’s that way.” He jerked his head backward.

Brian nodded and walked past him. But even as he went to the sink, the bird followed him. It alighted on the sill outside the kitchen window. Brian panted and dared a glance over his shoulder. Gregor had moved into the living room, frowning at the windows.

Brian turned back and focused on the bird. How was this possible?

He saw more images: one of the agents, the taller one, holding the bird in his hands. Images and thoughts entered his mind. He now understood the agent—Pan—had an ability similar to his own, but one much stronger and more aggressive.

Pan wanted to know about the explosives around the windows and doors, as well as the number of people inside the house, and their abilities…. He wanted to know so many things. Brian didn’t know most, and yet he tried to answer as best he could. Maybe there was hope they could all make it out of this alive! He organized his mind as quickly as he could and sent images to the bird, hoping Agent Pan would receive them.

But even as he sent a steady flow of thoughts and images, he felt someone coming up behind him. Before he could turn, the person grabbed his hair and yanked his head back. He stumbled backwards, and Gregor shoved him into the sink as the bird flew off in panic. Then pain seared up his arm when Gregor snapped on an iron bracelet on his wrist. Brian fell to his knees, grabbing at the bracelet only for it to sear his hand like fire.

“What the fuck—”

Pain. Oh God, the pain! Like a branding iron against his skin, the bracelet burned.

Gregor’s eyes were stormy as he slipped his wounded arm back into his sling. He wore leather gloves.

“How much did you tell that damn bird, Brian? How much?”

A sob escaped him because of the pain. “I don’t know what—”

“Yes, you do.” Gregor’s voice became low and threatening. He flung out his leg and stepped on Brian’s stomach, pressing down hard. Brian yelled and gripped Gregor’s leg, trying to shove him off. But he couldn’t. He was sweating, shivering, as if he had the flu.

“You won’t be communicating with animals any time soon, traitor. You disgust me.”

Gregor pressed down harder with his foot, causing Brian to squirm and tug at his leg. It was difficult to breathe.

“Stop!”

“Why should I?” Gregor leaned down, slipping his gloves into his pocket. “You’re worse than a shifter. It doesn’t matter what you told them, you know. Some might survive this battle, but my lord will win the war.”

He removed his foot and grabbed Brian’s arm, yanking him to his feet. Brian stumbled and bent over, moaning in pain. Gregor proceeded to drag Brian to a closet down the hallway. He shoved Brian inside and shut the door, plunging Brian into darkness. Brian heard noise on the other side and deduced Gregor was trapping him inside.

He waited until he heard Gregor’s receding footsteps. Once silence fell again, he tried the doorknob. It turned, but something was barring the door. He pushed and shoved despite the dizziness, and nausea, and his stomach cramping. Sweat stung his eyes and dampened his clothing. Leaning his head against the door, he placed his slick palms on the wood. Brian’s legs became weak, and he slid down to the floor. He tried to remove the bracelet but the agony was immense, and he felt as weak as a newborn kitten.

Brian moaned, fighting back the urge to vomit.