plain, I am untouchable. I am as old as time.
Unlike the humans I watched now. They walked among the carnage of their dead and that of my wolves. I sent the creatures that slaughtered the older Hunters and forced Henri to retreat farther into Vakre Fjell. With my power’s reach bound by another, I need Henri’s talent for killing. He’ll remove the threat to my task.
The young woman, Belle, held the watch she found. She stared down at it thoughtfully, then looked out into the forest—in the direction Henri had taken. So she intended to go after him. The girl, normally such a stickler for Hunter rules, surprises me.
She could help my cause, I suddenly realized. Where her father might fail, Belle will succeed. Either way, the threat will be gone, my bindings will be lifted, and I’ll be free to do what I came here for.
I could not drive Belle to the castle as I had done Henri. Too many of my wolves had died today and only a handful were near. But I had other ways.
I reached with my mind, calling the wolves. They will be there soon. But before they can drive Belle, I must cut her off from her own group. Lifting my hand, I held it palm up. Softly, I blew as if I were sending a kiss. White fog descended from my lips, pouring over my fingers. Frost crystallized upon the surrounding snow and crept up the trees. I held it back, waiting for just the right moment…
Gripping her present to Henri, Belle examined the scattering of prints. A set of horse tracks veered off on their own, and wolves appeared to have followed. If her father had been forced to flee, as she suspected, the hellhounds had been intent on running him down. The idea sent waves of nausea into her stomach.
“I found my père’s watch and a set of tracks,” she said, walking back to Charming and remounting. “I’m going to see where they lead.”
Gastone finished closing Adam’s vacant eyes. “Wait till we’re finished here and we’ll ride out with you.”
“I’m not going far.” She cued Charming forward, shouting over her shoulder, “I won’t sit by when my père might be just beyond those trees. Keep watch with the others and I’ll come back if I don’t find him.”
Without looking, Belle knew Gastone frowned at her back as she passed the final lamppost. There was no reason for him to worry; she really had no intention of putting herself in danger. Belle trained her eyes onto the ground, focusing on keeping the trail.
Eventually, she came upon two human corpses, and this was where the hellhound tracks ended. But Magnificent’s prints continued onward. Why hadn’t her father turned back?
Then Belle noticed a trickle of blood spattered on the snow. It was too far from the hellhounds…it couldn’t be theirs. She pressed on. The trail of blood started to grow larger, coloring the snow every few meters. If Henri had been wounded enough, he may have lost consciousness and allowed Magnificent to carry him unguided.
Looking up, Belle saw that Magnificent’s tracks led to an area clear of trees; a path that was a straight shot to the north. It must have been an old road, likely the main road right into Vakre Fjell. It would eventually lead to a house or a town. There was a chance that Henri might have taken shelter there. Timid hope fluttered in Belle’s chest.
Static simmered in her ear and Gastone’s voice broke though. “Belle, did you…Clemens…here…”
Belle tugged Charming to a stop, thinking that she wasn’t yet far enough away to be out of signal range. Peering around, Belle realized she was wrong. She couldn’t see or hear her Hunters.
The singing started then. The Electro-Phonic Chip began to pitch and whine as though it were serenading her. Belle quickly tapped the earpiece. “Incoming ice fog—”
The ethereal song increased, drowning out her own voice. They no longer heard her, if they even did in the first place. Ice fog was rare but potentially dangerous. It only happened in special weather conditions and
Unlike the humans I watched now. They walked among the carnage of their dead and that of my wolves. I sent the creatures that slaughtered the older Hunters and forced Henri to retreat farther into Vakre Fjell. With my power’s reach bound by another, I need Henri’s talent for killing. He’ll remove the threat to my task.
The young woman, Belle, held the watch she found. She stared down at it thoughtfully, then looked out into the forest—in the direction Henri had taken. So she intended to go after him. The girl, normally such a stickler for Hunter rules, surprises me.
She could help my cause, I suddenly realized. Where her father might fail, Belle will succeed. Either way, the threat will be gone, my bindings will be lifted, and I’ll be free to do what I came here for.
I could not drive Belle to the castle as I had done Henri. Too many of my wolves had died today and only a handful were near. But I had other ways.
I reached with my mind, calling the wolves. They will be there soon. But before they can drive Belle, I must cut her off from her own group. Lifting my hand, I held it palm up. Softly, I blew as if I were sending a kiss. White fog descended from my lips, pouring over my fingers. Frost crystallized upon the surrounding snow and crept up the trees. I held it back, waiting for just the right moment…
Gripping her present to Henri, Belle examined the scattering of prints. A set of horse tracks veered off on their own, and wolves appeared to have followed. If her father had been forced to flee, as she suspected, the hellhounds had been intent on running him down. The idea sent waves of nausea into her stomach.
“I found my père’s watch and a set of tracks,” she said, walking back to Charming and remounting. “I’m going to see where they lead.”
Gastone finished closing Adam’s vacant eyes. “Wait till we’re finished here and we’ll ride out with you.”
“I’m not going far.” She cued Charming forward, shouting over her shoulder, “I won’t sit by when my père might be just beyond those trees. Keep watch with the others and I’ll come back if I don’t find him.”
Without looking, Belle knew Gastone frowned at her back as she passed the final lamppost. There was no reason for him to worry; she really had no intention of putting herself in danger. Belle trained her eyes onto the ground, focusing on keeping the trail.
Eventually, she came upon two human corpses, and this was where the hellhound tracks ended. But Magnificent’s prints continued onward. Why hadn’t her father turned back?
Then Belle noticed a trickle of blood spattered on the snow. It was too far from the hellhounds…it couldn’t be theirs. She pressed on. The trail of blood started to grow larger, coloring the snow every few meters. If Henri had been wounded enough, he may have lost consciousness and allowed Magnificent to carry him unguided.
Looking up, Belle saw that Magnificent’s tracks led to an area clear of trees; a path that was a straight shot to the north. It must have been an old road, likely the main road right into Vakre Fjell. It would eventually lead to a house or a town. There was a chance that Henri might have taken shelter there. Timid hope fluttered in Belle’s chest.
Static simmered in her ear and Gastone’s voice broke though. “Belle, did you…Clemens…here…”
Belle tugged Charming to a stop, thinking that she wasn’t yet far enough away to be out of signal range. Peering around, Belle realized she was wrong. She couldn’t see or hear her Hunters.
The singing started then. The Electro-Phonic Chip began to pitch and whine as though it were serenading her. Belle quickly tapped the earpiece. “Incoming ice fog—”
The ethereal song increased, drowning out her own voice. They no longer heard her, if they even did in the first place. Ice fog was rare but potentially dangerous. It only happened in special weather conditions and
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