Blood on the Moon - serialised EXCLUSIVE for Steemit! - 117

Blood On The Moon Cover

Amazon link

My third novel was finished and published in time for Halloween 2016 and I had a launch at Waterstone's at Sheffield.

The full book cover, done by the wonderful, talented, brilliant Paul Mudie

Other Images from Pixabay or Google (Free Usage)

To read from the beginning: Here

Then change the number in the address bar from 1 to 2 (https://steemit.com/writing/@michelle.gent/blood-on-the-moon-serialised-exclusive-for-steemit-2) and so on for the next episodes.

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Red emerged from the same trees that the moon had risen above a few hours before and she looked tired but happy.

Anton didn’t make any comment and neither did Paul but Red got the feeling that he would have liked to have said something.

Red just grinned at them both and went to the manor house.

It was boarded up on the ground floor to prevent vandals from getting in but Red scaled the brickwork and prised open a broken window.

“What are you doing?” Anton shouted.

“I’m going to sleep in Lord Byron’s bedroom, just like old times!” she shouted back, much to the amusement of those that were close enough to hear her.

Morning broke cold and damp with a mist that spread low over the fields beyond the house.

Red woke and stretched.

It had not been the most comfortable night she had spent in that bedroom, but it was not the most uncomfortable night she had ever spent, either, so it was satisfactory.

It had been adequate and she had been safe, that was good enough.

She didn’t have a hangover of course but she did wish for somewhere to brush her teeth.

As she climbed down from Byron’s bedroom – something she’d not had to do for a long time, she remembered – Erzsébet was there to greet her.

Red was surprised that Victoria and Oscar weren’t there yet, until Erzsébet explained.

“They have left the country, they went a few days ago and Victoria said to tell you that she apologises for how she’s been with you lately and she hopes that she doesn’t have to avoid you for the whole of next year.”

Red laughed when she realised that Victoria was referring to the affect that the Lupine Moon was having on her temperament.

“At least she realised what a grumpy cow she was being. That’s good enough for me.”

Then she went on to tell Erzsébet what Paul had asked of her the previous night.

Erzsébet wasn’t too impressed with the favour but admitted that it was too big for her to get involved in and Red had to make that decision on her own.

It was far too important to risk making a mistake.

Red moped around all day, she didn’t feel like talking to many of the Wolves, but she made an effort and was glad she did because some of them would be a long time in returning for conversation and the like.

They had thought that a war was imminent and had come prepared – some had come prepared to die – and Red was touched deeply by their affection and loyalty.

She hoped to gods that she didn’t believe in that she would prove herself worthy of the trust that had been invested in her.

Darius arrived just after moonrise.

Jessica had made a kill at last and she was prepared to prove herself.

She had been told by him that there could be two Prophesised Ones but it didn’t ring true to her.

As soon as Red saw the girl, she knew what choice she had.

The characteristics were so very strong, and though she knew what Anton had done and the girl had killed before she should have, a whole year before she should have, Red knew that Jessica had to make a point and prove herself.

Not all the Wolves that Red had spoken to that day had been happy to see her.

Some bore grudges and had scores to settle for a genuine grievance or a perceived one, but she was not fazed by those Wolves.

There was only one Wolf on the field that was bothering her - Jessica, the little girl, slight of build but large on courage.

Jessica had come to this field of battle believing that she would either kill or be killed. That whatever the outcome, Darius would be there to fend for her and look out for her if she were to be the Prophesised One and be victorious on this night.

Darius approached Anton and though he was very wary of Erzsébet and Red, he took Anton by the arm and asked him to walk with him.

Anton returned with an angry look about him but he spoke to Red in the same civil and courteous manner as she would expect.

“Darius wants the amulet. He thinks that because you have it, it will give you an added benefit over his protégé.”

“No, he can fuck off. I’m not letting that devious bastard have any advantage. There’s something in the air tonight, and I know it can’t be witchcraft but it bloody feels like it! I won’t take that chance.”

“Red, give him the amulet.” Anton stared at her with an intensity that made her think.

She didn’t ask or question, she reached into her pocket, pulled it out and handed it to him. She didn’t say anything else, she walked away from Anton and he didn’t know if she was ok with the transaction or if she hated him, he couldn’t read her at that moment and that worried him.