Charity Moon (33 page)

It took me a second to realize what had happened, but then I swallowed my idiocy and rushed to Levi, throwing my arms around him and squeezing until my fear was extinguished.

“Charity, get these chains off me,” he demanded weakly. “But please be careful of the Wolfsbane.”

“Oh, of course. Selena, come help me.”

She rushed over and helped me remove his chains, using her jacket to protect her hands. Once he was free, he grabbed me and pulled me against him.

“Levi, please don’t be mad at me.”

“I’m not mad at you, you stupid girl.” Then his lips came down on mine desperately, almost painfully.

“Who are you calling stupid?” I said, pulling back to study him. I meant for my voice to be reprimanding, but as I gently touched his bruised face I felt such love that my voice was more of a whimper than a lashing. “You came to a fight with vampires with no weapons and no back up. Who’s the stupid one?” 

“Shut up and kiss me.” He pressed his lips to mine once again. And this time I didn’t argue. As his lips devoured mine, he took my left hand in his right, pressing his palm against mine, causing our connection symbols to touch. The result was a tingling so powerful it made us both gasp, breaking away and looking at each other in surprise.

It was then that we heard stomping on the front porch right before Hector kicked the door down and werewolf after werewolf flooded into the large room. Within seconds, all of the werewolves were freed of their chains, including Selena’s pack in the basement.

“Thank you, Levi, for rescuing us,” Jessie Domingo said, shaking Levi’s hand. “If you ever need our help, we’ll fight with you. And if anything ever happens to you, your pack is welcome to join us. Charity has definitely proven herself as a worthy pack member. You have my word she would be treated with the utmost respect and given as much freedom as she desires. As long as I’m alive, your pack will never have to submit to Wesley Windsor.”

“Thank you, Jessie, and the same goes for your pack.”

“Thank you.”

I was so relieved that my legs almost gave way at the news. I didn’t have to worry about myself anymore, because I knew that once Levi died I would soon follow, but to know the pack will be spared from ever submitting to Wesley was a total relief.

“Thank you, Selena, for changing your mind and helping us.”

“No, Charity, thank you. Your bravery, or stupidity, saved us.”

“That’s the second time tonight I’ve been called stupid. Well, I’m just glad it had a happy ending for both of us. And I’m sorry I was giving you a hard time before.”

“Don’t apologize. I deserved it. I’m sorry I snuck into bed with Levi.”

“I forgive you. But if you ever touch him again I’ll dismember you.”

“I believe you.” We both laughed as we embraced.

Levi and I walked out of the house with our arms wrapped around each other while Hector and the others piled out behind us.

“Oh, Levi! I killed my first vampire last night!”

His eyes widened in surprise. “You what?”

“It’s true,” Selena said. “She staked one of Raven’s brides right through the heart.”

“Yeah, and she was really annoying. It felt good. She totally had it coming.”

“Baby, I’m so proud of you! Wait till the rest of the pack hears about this. The young ones will idolize you. They already believe you’re more than human as it is.” He kissed me on the top of my head.

“Thanks again, Selena, for calling Hector.”

“Huh?” Hector remarked, confused.

“Oh, I didn’t call him,” Selena replied, “I was bluffing.”

“Well if you didn’t call him, then how did you know where we were, Hector?” Levi asked in confusion.

We all stopped and looked at him in anticipation. He looked at us and answered, as if obvious, “Charity whistled.”

Our mouths fell open as we glanced around at each other, then we all burst into a contagious laughter that seemed to have no end.

Everyone had dispersed, and Levi and I were sitting in my car holding hands and staring at each other, thankful the ordeal was over. I reached up and touched his face, noting the marks on his skin had already begun to fade. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Yep, already healing. That big, ugly vampire was just lucky I was bound, but if I ever see him again he won’t be so lucky.” He smirked.

“Yeah, that’s one vampire I wouldn’t mind seeing get the ax.”

“Just one?”

“Well, Raven was awful of course, and yet I almost sensed something redeeming about him. I don’t know—maybe I just imagined it. It doesn’t matter anyway. We’re together now, and that’s all I care about.”

I looked down and spotted my purse. “Oh thank goodness,” I cried as I reached in, frantically searching for my lip balm. Once my lips were saturated fully, I sat back, letting out a contented sigh.

Levi laughed. “You are one strange girl, you know that?”

I turned to gawk at him. “This coming from a man who wears women’s lip balm.”

“I don’t wear women’s lip balm.”

I put both hands on his face and kissed him passionately, smiling as I pulled back to peer at him. “Oh puppy—yes you do.”

He chuckled softly. “What would my life be without you?”

“I think that’s already been established—the word boring comes to mind.” 

I unconsciously ran my hand along my neck to feel for my ring, something I found myself doing a lot for reassurance, but felt nothing. Panic rushed over me as I searched myself, peeping down my shirt and into my jeans. Gasping, I shot Levi a frantic look.

“What is it?” he asked, his expression mimicking mine.

“My chain and my ring are missing!”

“When was the last time you remember having it on?”

“Well, let’s see. I had it on this afternoon, in the bedroom I was kept in. It has to be in that room. I’ll go get it.”

“I’ll come with you.”

He started to get out, moaning as he moved. “No! You stay here and rest. You’ve had quite an ordeal. It’ll only take me a minute. And if you follow me we’re not sleeping in the same bed for a week.” I was out the door and up the steps before he could protest any further. I stepped over the door and walked slowly through the den where only minutes earlier my werewolves were being savagely beaten. I cringed at the memory, racing past the room and up the stairs.

I entered the bedroom, flicked on the light, and frantically began the search for my most prized possession. I went first into the bathroom, but there was no trace of it. I walked over to the bed and looked around on the floor. Bending down on my hands and knees, I looked under the bed, sighing in relief as I spotted the shiny chain with my ring secured to it lying there before me. “There you are.” How odd that the chain wasn’t broken. I just shrugged and fastened it safely to my neck.

I felt a sudden chill pour over me. I stood hastily and spun around, relieved that no one was there. I sighed and then laughed at myself.
I must be going crazy,
I thought. I turned back around and gasped as a cold hand covered my mouth. 

Raven moved close and whispered, “I told you I would see you again, my love. Do not make a sound. I know your werewolves have gone. Only your precious Levi remains. There are five vampires out back awaiting my command. If you come quietly we will leave your Levi alone, and alive. But if you scream, he will rush in here and meet his end. Do you understand?”

I nodded helplessly, tears flooding my eyes.

“Good.” He released me only to pick me up and carry me swiftly out the door. He exited out of the back of the house and started running through the forest. I wanted to scream for Levi, but I knew he would be outnumbered and thus killed. I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t bear to think of him in danger because of me. My only hope was that he would find me. I just had to believe he would find me.

Raven ran so quickly that everything was a blur. The fact that we were alone dawned on me. “I thought you said there were other vampires with you.”

“I am sorry, Charity, but I lied.”

Anger pulsed through me. “Levi! I screamed.

“I am afraid it is too late, my love. We are much too far away now. He could not possibly hear you.”

I cried heavily, resting my head on his shoulder in pain and defeat. My mind became heavy with despair, and I asked myself what did it matter without Levi? What did anything matter? Suddenly my head perked up and I inserted my fingers in my mouth, but before I could whistle Raven covered my face causing darkness to fall upon me.

I woke with a start and was instantly overwhelmed with grief. I sat up in confusion only to realize I was lying in an oversized bed in the middle of a huge bedroom. As my mind cleared, I got quickly to my feet and ran to a set of French doors at the end of the room, flinging them open widely. I stepped out onto a small balcony and noticed it was still nighttime. I couldn’t see much and had no way of knowing where I was, or how far away Levi was. In a desperate move, I whistled, just praying for a miracle. I started to whistle again when Raven grabbed me.

“Stop that!” he demanded as I fought against him. “He cannot hear you! We are too far away!”

I stopped, crumpling to the floor as the tears came and despair took over.

“Really, Charity, you disappoint me. I thought you were stronger than this.”

I glared up at him. “Why do you want me anyway if I love someone else? What’s wrong with you men? Is this the I-want-what-I-can’t-have syndrome?”

“So, I take it I am not the first one who has taken you from Levi.”

“No, but you’ll be the last. Once I get back to Levi, I’m never leaving his side again.”

“Oh you are right about one thing, I will be the last, and you will never see Levi again.”

I stared at him in shock, tears streaming down my face.

“I wish you would not do that. It has been a long time since I have witnessed a woman’s tears, and I clearly do not enjoy it.”

“I don’t give a fly’s guts!”

“Careful, Charity, you might be angry with me now, but you will come to care for me, you will see. I will have some clothes and food sent up for you. Feel free to shower. I am sure it will make you feel better.”

I glared at him in anger. If my eyes were daggers he’d be staked to the wall.

Once he was gone, I banged my fists against the hard, wooden floor. It did little to ease my pain, actually adding to it. After I finished my temper tantrum, I went into the bathroom, stripped my clothes off, and looked in the mirror. My body was still bruised from my fight with the redheaded Broom Hilda. I was so glad I killed her. I turned on the shower, got the water nice and hot, and stepped in. And once I was in, I started crying uncontrollably, my body convulsing in pain. I somehow managed to wash my hair and body in between sobs. I rested my head and hands against the shower wall, allowing myself to be completely swallowed by the pain. My spirit—crushed, my resolve—gone, my heart—broken, my life—over.

When I finally exited the bathroom, Raven was lying across the bed waiting for me. Beside him was a beautiful, long, pink gown.

“Please, Charity, wear this. It will be much more comfortable than those dirty jeans you are wearing.”

Lethargically, I took the dress and went back into the bathroom, not wanting to argue, and not really caring. When I emerged he was still lying in the same position. He hadn’t moved an inch.

“You look lovely. Come lay with me.” He patted the bed with his hand. All of a sudden my stomach rolled with nausea. I knew I was going to have to lie convincingly to get out of what he was planning. I didn’t know exactly what he expected, but my mind could only imagine. I had to make him believe my lie. Everything depended upon it.

“Raven,” I began, trying to keep the panic out of my voice, “you were right when you said I was mad at you. I want more than anything to go home to Levi, and I wish you hadn’t taken me from him. I can’t have a relationship with you. I’m consumed with thoughts of Levi. If—you would give me some time perhaps I will feel differently.” My hands were visibly shaking.