Scarlet Moon Read online

  Luc, who stood next to Nic with a book under his arm, chuckled. “Jayden was just explaining to Kyle that he was next in line to be married off.”

  “Really?” Nic’s eyebrows shot up. “What makes you think I’m not better husband material? After all, Daniel is older than you and he’s not married.”

  “That’s because Daniel has been accepted to be a soldier. Kyle would never make the cut.” Jayden shot her brother a smirk as she stood and dusted off her riding dress. She headed toward the house.

  Kyle caught up with her, the others close behind. “Apparently overpolishing a marriage stone brings out her claws.”

  Nic laughed. “It’s enough to drive anyone crazy, I’m sure. She’s been fussing over that rock all week because it’s got to be perfect.” His voice held a high pitch, and he clasped his hands in front of him and batted his eyelashes.

  Jayden rolled her eyes. “I don’t talk like that.”

  Luc chuckled, but didn’t look up from his open book. “I thought that was you.”

  Jayden breathed in, surprised at the tightening in her chest. She would miss them so much. Even their teasing. Especially their teasing.

  They reached the edge of the farm in time to see Mother and Father at the barn unhitching the horses from the wagon. Jayden stroked the smaller of the two cart horses, Aureolin—the palomino—and the horse nudged her. Daniel exited the house and Jayden breathed a sigh. That meant he’d already hidden the weapons. Father didn’t even know they owned weapons.

  Jayden’s mother saw them coming up the path from the orchard. Her green eyes brightened as she smiled. “You kids go get ready for supper. I trust you put the pot of stew on?”

  “Yes.” Jayden hugged her mother and breathed in the aroma of fresh bread along with her usual scent of jasmine. They’d lingered at the baker’s no doubt. The baker’s daughter loved to gossip. She’d cornered Jayden just last week, talking about some terrible destruction in Salea.

  “Good.” Her mother squeezed back. Her eyes sparkled. “Now get washed up. You’re all filthy.”

  As they entered the house, the scent of chicken stew with dumplings welcomed them. Jayden walked into the main room and checked on the pot. The vegetables were a bit thin and probably bitter, but the seasonings would help. When she turned around, she noticed all four of her brothers clustered behind her.

  She eyed each of their stoic faces. “What’s going on?”

  Daniel was leaning against the archway that separated the main room from the kitchen. His lips sprouted into a half-smile as he pushed himself off the doorframe and strode into the room. He stopped in front of her.

  “Here.” He held out a black leather cord in the palm of his hand. The intricate braid made it look like a rope of reptile skin. “I know you wanted Ryan to have this one for the marriage stone.”

  Jayden stared at the gift. Her mouth dropped open and tears stung her eyes. She blinked them back, unwilling to cry in front of her brothers. “It was so expensive! How did you—”

  “It’s from all of us.” Kyle was the first one to hug her. “It won’t be the same around here without you.”

  Luc embraced her next. “She’ll be right down the road.”

  Nic’s arms wrapped around her. “That’s why she’s crying.”

  She shoved him lightly, but there was no denying the tears now.

  “You’re welcome.” Daniel put the cord in her hands and pulled her close.

  Maybe she could persuade her parents to let her wait a year.

  Daniel’s arms tightened around her and his body stiffened. Something was wrong.

  “What is it?” Jayden wiggled out of his tight grip and followed his gaze to the window.

  Her question died in the air as she saw what headed up the walkway.

  A long line of torches snaked up the winding path toward their house. There must have been two dozen at least. They bobbed in the air, as if disembodied hands held them. As the torches filtered up the curved path, Jayden saw the truth. People, nearly invisible except when the firelight backlit them, carried the torches.

  Invisible people? That only meant one thing: the Feravolk and their magical cloaks.

  Jayden sucked in a breath. What did they want?

  The person in front lowered his hood and his face came into clear view. Jayden struggled to see the outline of his body beneath the camouflage, but she could just make it out.

  “Get in the kitchen.” Their mother’s harsh whisper cut through the silence as she weaved her way around her children.

  Jayden hadn’t even noticed her mother had come in.

  Strong fingers curled around her arm and Daniel pushed her farther into the house.

  A knock echoed into the room.

  Jayden’s mother rushed to the door. “Who’s there?”

  “Open up in the name of the Feravolk.” The voice on the other side boomed.

  Her mother turned toward her children, her eyes wide. “Luc, your father’s still in the barn. Go out back and get him.”

  “Mother—”

  “Go.”

  Luc dropped his shoulders and headed out the back. Jayden’s remaining brothers clustered in front of her so she could no longer see the front door.

  A loud crack filled the room and the door rattled. The pounding continued.

  “What do you want?” her mother shouted.

  For a moment, the pounding stopped. “Your neighbors tell me you have a Child of the Blood Moon.” The harsh voice leaked through the door.

  Jayden’s heart stalled. Who would betray them like that? And why did the Feravolk want the Children?

  Daniel glanced over his shoulder, and his worried eyes met hers. “Maybe you should run.”

  She gripped his shirtsleeve. “No.”

  His sleeve slipped through her fingers as he raced forward to help his mother brace the door.

  Kyle swallowed. “Run, Jae!”

  She opened her talent and her brother’s emotions swirled into her. Fear. Sorrow. Regret. Love. The strongest was love. “Kyle, you can’t—”

  Nic gripped her arm. “The barn is burning!”

  Jayden turned. Luc had left the back door open. Flames shot out from the top of the barn and lit the night sky. Ice trickled through her veins.

  “Jayden.” Her mother’s hand touched her cheek and pulled her out of her panic. She handed Jayden a packed satchel. “I need you to run.”

  Jayden’s eyes trailed from the burden in her hands to her mother’s face. “What is this? What’s going on?”

  Another sharp crack echoed through the house and the door splintered. Daniel stood in front of everyone, his sword in hand. He must have opened the secret board in their floor and pulled out the swords because all of her brothers were armed now.

  Daniel glanced over his shoulder. “Run, Jayden. Please.”

  No! This was madness. This was why she’d learned to fight. She dropped the satchel and pulled up the floorboard. Her knives were nestled in the secret cubby. She pulled two out and strapped them to her arms.

  The door clattered against the floor. Shadows of men poured over the threshold. Jayden’s throat tightened. She pulled out her knives. Her mother stood next to Daniel, holding daggers behind her back. Daggers? Where did she get those?

  The Feravolk all unsheathed swords. “Hand over your Child and we won’t harm you.”

  “Give me the code,” her mother said.

  Code? Jayden’s heart jumped.

  The cloaked man sneered. “It seems I’ve found the right house.” His eyes scanned the room and locked on Jayden. “It’s you, isn’t it?”

  A shiver raced through her body. How did he know? Her birthmark was covered.

  His lips spread into a wicked smile. “Give yourself up and we won’t harm your family.”

  Jayden lowered her weapons. “Do you promise?”

  “No!” Her mother brought the daggers out from behind her back and lurched toward the man.

  The blade cut into the man’s s
ide under his torch-bearing arm. Blood stained his clothes. The torch dropped and the rug caught fire. Sword ready, the man lunged at her. Daniel’s blade blocked the man’s blow.

  This couldn’t be happening. Jayden glared at the man who attacked her mother and clutched the knife hilt. The skin behind her ears prickled. No. She couldn’t lose control now.

  Too late. His foremost emotion slammed into her, but it wasn’t fear. It was anger. It burned in Jayden’s heart. She gasped and focused on Daniel instead. His confidence wavered, but he was trying hard to hang on to it. There was no time to think. Jayden embraced her brother’s ability to remain calm and focused on her enemy. He would not hurt her family. She whipped her hand back then forward. Her knife cut through the air and sunk into the Feravolk man’s side. He fell to his knees.

  “Run, sister!” Kyle smacked the satchel against Jayden’s chest, then he raced forward to join the fray.

  There were at least twenty Feravolk. Her family needed her help. If she gave herself up, would the Feravolk stop the fighting?

  Kyle’s scream resounded off the walls. Jayden’s knees weakened as she watched a bloodied sword protrude from her brother’s back. He slid off the blade and fell to the ground.

  “No!” Jayden raced toward him only to slam into something hard.

  Jayden’s mother’s face filled her view. She pushed Jayden toward the back door. “Get a horse and run! Run, Jayden! You have to survive.”

  Go alone? Where? And how? How was she supposed to survive without them?

  A blade slashed open Nic’s throat. He spun and crumpled to the ground.

  No! Jayden’s senses returned to her and she screamed. Hot tears filled her eyes. She fought to reach her brothers. How did her mother get so strong? Jayden got one more pleading look into her mother’s eyes before the door slammed in front of her. Tears streamed down her face while she pounded her fists against the door and begged her mother to open it.

  Daniel cried out and her mother’s sobs rang in her ears, then silence. Jayden sank to the ground and leaned against the door. Why didn’t they let her help?

  “Find the girl!” A gruff voice she recognized as one of the Feravolk spoke.

  They were coming for her. Heart pounding, Jayden cleared her eyes. She turned around. Flames ate at the barn. Horses were scattered out in the meadow. No sign of her brother or father.

  Soft steps sounded against the soil. Jayden gripped her knife and turned. Aureolin, the horse she loved, nuzzled her. Who had bridled her? Stashing her weapon away, Jayden grabbed the reins, then mounted the horse and steered her toward the barn.

  A tremor rocked through the ground and Aureolin stumbled. Jayden urged the horse forward, but she reared up, and Jayden gripped tight so she wouldn’t fall off.

  Aureolin’s hooves thudded against the earth. Jayden regained her balance. “What’s wrong, girl?” She scanned the way ahead to the barn. It was clear. What had Aureolin so spooked? Jayden urged her forward again, but Aureolin wouldn’t move. Jayden opened her talent. Fear coursed through the horse. “It’s okay.” She tried to calm Aureolin, but her own hands shook.

  Jayden glanced over her shoulder. The Feravolk rounded the side of the house. Her heart sped. They couldn’t catch her. She wouldn’t let them. They were on foot. With Aureolin she had a chance to get away. But she wouldn’t go without Luc and Father. She rocked forward and squeezed her legs to get Aureolin moving, but the horse danced sideways. What was her problem?

  The ground quaked. Sparks flooded the night sky as the barn collapsed.

  Chapter 2

  STONE WOLF

  Two weeks earlier

  Ethan slammed his opponent’s arm against the wooden tabletop,  and the eight men gathered around the table burst into cheers and groans. Gold and silver coins clattered across the wood. Some landed in drops of ale that had sloshed over drunk men’s mugs or had spilled down their beards.

  While bickering consumed the other eight men, Ethan swept his hand across the smooth pine and scooped up his winnings. Mostly gold coins tonight. He left one on the table for the serving girl. The rest clinked in his drawstring pouch. Breath tinged with alcohol warmed the side of his face.

  “You don’t look that strong, kid.” A callused hand clapped Ethan’s shoulder and squeezed just hard enough to be uncomfortable.

  The man’s nostrils flared, and Ethan figured he’d overstayed his welcome. That was a shame, since the tavern was just starting to get crowded.

  The scent of lamb stew wafted out from the kitchen, and he hadn’t eaten yet. Not that lamb made his mouth water. One of the tavern owner’s daughters tilted her candle and lit the chandeliers. Must be dusk.

  Ethan shot the man his best smile and shrugged.

  The man glowered and a snarl showed off broken teeth. “I want a chance to win my gold back.”

  Ethan beckoned the man closer and motioned toward a man across the table whose nose looked to have been broken several times. “He’s not as strong as he looks.”

  Hoping for a quick exit, Ethan scooted his chair back, but it shrieked against the wooden floor.

  The guy with broken teeth slammed a meaty fist on the table in front of Ethan. “You’re not going anywhere yet.”

  Every gaze at the table fell on Ethan. Message received. Chest heaving, he gripped the sides of his chair and scanned for an escape. A barmaid approached and stole the attention of every burly man at the table. How she could stand their groping eyes, he had no idea, but she gave him the chance he needed.

  Ethan slid off his chair and headed toward the Blind Pig’s back exit. With one last look over his shoulder, he placed his hand on the wooden door and pushed.

  “Let me go, please.” A panicked female voice cut through all the other tavern noise.

  Ethan turned toward the plea.

  A young barmaid tried to retract her trapped arm, but the man wouldn’t let go. “Aw, c’mon, missy. Just one little peck.”

  Dirty pig. Ethan let the door shut, balled his hands into fists, and glanced at the table he’d just left. The beefy ringleader pointed to Ethan’s empty chair and scanned the room.

  Great. His presence was already missed. If he didn’t get out now—

  “Just let me go.” The barmaid strained to free her arm.

  Enough. This girl needed help. In four strides Ethan stood next to her. He glared at the red-faced man who held her shirtsleeve. “She told you to let go.”

  “Oh, so what are you? Her knight? I’m just asking the lady a question.”

  Ethan grabbed the man’s wrist and squeezed. Red’s eyes widened as his hand turned dark pink, then purple. He dropped the woman’s arm. Ethan kept hold of Red’s wrist while he leaned in. “And she gave you an answer.”

  A soft hand touched Ethan’s shoulder. “Looks like you’ve attracted some attention.”

  Great. Ethan eyed the barmaid. “Really big guy with a temper?”

  She nodded, and her lips curved deviously. “Allow me to return the favor?”

  Her tray flew at the table. Dishes of steaming soup clattered all over the table. Chairs slid backward and toppled over as Red and his friends jumped from their seats to avoid a scalding.

  Ethan shot her a smile. “Thanks.”

  Amid the ruckus, he darted through the crowd and headed once more toward the back door. A quick glance over his shoulder told him no one had spotted him. He pushed the door open. Cool evening air met him. The din muffled as the door swung shut. He shook his head and chuckled as he descended the steps. His coin bag jingled as it slapped against his thigh. A good night for winnings.

  “Going somewhere with my gold?”

  Ethan halted. A familiar heat fanned across his chest—his Blood Moon talent warning him that someone meant to do him harm—but he didn’t need the warning. That voice was memorable enough. He never should have challenged a man with that kind of temper in a strength match.

  Drunk or not, muscular men tended to overestimate their prowess, but at half the man’s
thickness Ethan should have lost. This guy’s pride was oozing blood, and Ethan was the blade in his side. Already gawkers had stopped to watch the show outside of the Blind Pig tavern. Ethan pivoted to face his opponent and his lungs deflated.

  Six men—every one of them ox-huge and flexing massive muscles. Great.

  He squared his shoulders and let his arms fall to his sides. His right hand twitched ever so slightly, itching to grab at his sword. The sword that wasn’t there.

  He bent his knees and held up his hands, ready to strike.

  The shortest man had to be a head taller than Ethan, and this not-so-shorty snorted like an ox too. “He thinks he can take us.”

  Six rumbles of laughter filled the air.

  Broken Teeth pounded a finger in Ethan’s chest. “We don’t like to be cheated.”

  With his hands out in front of him, Ethan backed away from the angry pack closer to the alley through which he planned to escape. “I won the money fairly.”

  “Fairly? Where’s your birthmark, boy?”

  “You think I’m a Child?”

  The man ground his fist into his palm. “I know it.”

  Another of the six advanced. “He’s stalling because his strength won’t help him here.”

  It wouldn’t. Not against six at once. But he had other Blood Moon talents to help with that—speed for one, and his ability to perceive when someone threatened him. Warmth spread across his chest again—as if he needed the reminder. He filled his lungs and summoned his speed.

  All six advanced toward him. He spun away from Shorty and planted his heel in Broken Teeth’s gut, but someone else’s arm wrapped around his neck. They weren’t going to make this easy. He sunk his teeth into that man’s bicep and stomped on his foot.

  The man howled and let him go. Ethan whirled toward him and punched him. Hot blood sprayed over Ethan’s fist, and the man backed away with his hands over his bleeding nose.

  Four beefy hands grabbed Ethan’s shoulders and threw him backward. Dust clouded around him as he landed on the gravel. Grit crunched between his teeth. Now they were just making him mad.