43. Isolde
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
ISOLDE
T he howls of Wolves chased Isolde all the way back to the cabin. Anselm and Everett to the north, Bastian to the west.
Isolde’s thighs burned by the time she burst through the cabin door, her dagger still clutched in her hand. Tears poured down her face, hot and salty, but she barely noticed.
Bastian had lied, despite all the people who’d been killed, all the hours of patrol, everything they’d done to try to catch the beast. And Everett—he’d nearly killed Bastian, and still Bastian defended him. Protected him.
He’d lied ? —
“Isolde?”
She whirled from where she’d braced her forehead against the door, lifting her knife. Adrenaline surged, the instincts to fight and to flee warring within her.
But then she registered Selene’s face, her dark brows drawn together with worry, and the dagger clattered out of her hand.
“Selene,” she breathed, staggering across the cabin toward her Sire. A sob worked its way up her throat as she careened into Selene’s arms. “Oh, thank God you’re back.”
Selene held her tight, stroking a hand over her hair. “I’m back,” she confirmed, guiding Isolde toward the settee. She eased them down onto the cushions, still holding Isolde close. “But what’s the matter? What’s happened? Has the Wolf returned?”
“It’s Everett,” Isolde sobbed. “Everett is the Wolf who’s been attacking Bloodhaven. And Bastian… I think Bastian knew. He’s known for weeks .”
“Oh, dear.” Selene dropped a kiss to the top of Isolde’s head. “I’m so sorry, dear girl. I know how you cared for him.”
Isolde pulled back, wiping at the tears on her face. “You were right, Selene. I should never have let myself get close to him. He’s a Wolf. I should have known it would end like this.”
“Oh, Isolde,” Selene sighed, reaching out to smooth a stray piece of Isolde’s hair. A sad smile curled Selene’s lips. “You can’t control who you fall in love with.”
Habit had Isolde opening her mouth to deny it, but that would have been a lie.
She shook her head, swiping at the tears that continued to spill down her cheeks. “Everett—he’s nearby. We have to?—”
“Don’t you worry about that,” Selene interrupted, taking Isolde’s face in her hands. “I’ll take care of everything tonight.”
“But, Selene?—”
“It’s not for you to worry about.” Selene pulled her back into her arms, tucking Isolde’s face down against her shoulder, just like her mother had when she was a girl. “Not anymore.”
Whatever talks Selene had with the Vampire coven, they must have been fruitful. Despite the fact that war seemed inevitable now, it was almost a relief to know that the other Vampires would be there to lend their aid soon. That Isolde wouldn’t have to keep trying to protect Bloodhaven on her own.
“I want this to be over,” Isolde mumbled into the shoulder of Selene’s blouse.
“Me, too.”
When the knife slashed across the back of Isolde’s neck, she barely felt the pain.
“Selene?” she asked, her voice breaking.
“I’m sorry, Isolde.”
Between one blink and the next, Isolde’s vision went black.