Evan knocked hesitantly upon the worn wooden door of the Kingsman's residence after a long internal discussion over the wisdom of taking refuge with a stranger.
Still, he had little choice in the matter. The risk of being caught with Ba'reel was too great, and if Arthur was caught hiding him, they would both be tried and executed... if they were so lucky as to have a trial. The wolves were not always afforded such courtesies.
"You slept with her?" Ryan repeated, realizing that Evan wouldn't speak until he did.Evan nodded. "Yes... she was helping me, as you know... to find a cure to the curse, but Arfak wanted her dead. He hated people, and he has a unique hatred of hunters. So... he set himself to attack her when she entered into the forest. I saved her from him, but when I brought her back to the cave, I..."
"She'll be gone by now!" Evan protested, careful to keep with Ryan's brusque pace as the two walked together through the empty streets of the sleeping city."Then we'll go where she is!" Ryan replied. He was being very insistent on this."She's clear in Gelsome!" Evan reminded him, incensed by the Kingsman’
The last thing Evan remembered was walking into the lobby of the Gelsome Inn with Ryan Hollis, who had walked up to the desk clerk and asked about a room. While they were talking, he had also asked the man about Lunus, and he had assured the two of them that she was, in fact, a guest there. That was good news. What wasn’t good news was whatever had happened to his eyesight.Evan Marshal had been curiously examining the unfamiliar craftsmanship of the wooden beams and decorations which the brightly lit lobby proudly displayed amidst its grand staircase and crystal cha
They stayed for some days in Gelsome before departing, Ryan having come up with a plan to set the townsmen free from the curse their ancestors' error and the wolves along with it. So, Evan and Lunus enjoyed the time of their waiting with joy filled gratitude for the marvelous sights of this mountain town which seemed so far from all their problems in the midst of its foreign attraction.The plan was this: that they not return to Banglador until the time of the bicentennial. Doing so would afford them a few advantages.
He was sitting with his hands folded and on his face he wore a dastardly grin when Hollis arrived at the judges’ table.“Councilman!” Ryan said, throwing his hands determinedly down on the table in front of him.The mayor was well on his way to introducing him as the next speaker, and Ryan
Evan was watching the crowd from his place near the gates of the town, careful to keep himself hidden, and he knew that Lunus was doing the same. He listened to Ryan's words with a peculiar fire growing in his chest. It was the ignition of hope, causing him to want to jump up and scream for gladness, but this was not the time for such an open display of joy and exuberance. No. To the contrary, this was a time to watch the scene from the shadows in silence.Ryan had instructed them to wait. They would break the curse together over the stones where the covenant was made. That way, they would keep their cover, and after... Evan supposed that they would run away. He could not see any alternative to that, even here. They were still wanted. He had crimes he had to answer for, and so... they would have to run. It wasn't the happy ending he had wanted, or even an ideal one, but it was one which offered life to the two of them... and a l
The neighing of the horses and the cries of the Hunters were like needles in the wolves' ears as they approached, charging at them with a special gusto, probably brought on by the knowledge that this would be their final hunt."Don't think this is the end, Balthazar! I'll get you yet!" Arfak vowed as he backed away, running off into the forest and calling on his wolves to follow.Evan wasn't sure if he should be angry or relieved. Arfak and his wolves had gotten better. They were both more coordinated and more powerful. They moved as a team now, instead of a mob. Still, he thought he could haven beaten them and saved the town some trouble.They had to die. All of the spirits had to be released without a place for them to dwell. With nowhere to move to, no host to take them, no body to control, they would be forced to disperse and return to the forest... to Malkouth. He
Evan felt the pain of the bullet as it tore through his flesh. He felt the force of it shake him, and he doubled over in agony, grabbing the place of the wound, and stumbling back.He ordered Lunus to get down and pushed her back away from him, since he seemed to be the shooter's desired target. No matter what, he wouldn't let anything happen to her.He heard the gun cock. There were footsteps approaching, and he could see the vague silhouette of a man in the dim light of the red flashes. Then, there was another blast of the silver handgun, and he felt the touch of another bullet as it tore through his chest.He stumbled backwards and fell on the altar, grasping at the stones.He screamed in agony. The pain was so excruciating it was debilitating. He breathed in deeply and unevenly, each touch of air hurting.