The young man’s body lowered, reacting to Ryder’s alpha presence as much as his words.
Luckily, the Umbraling didn’t notice the white Winter Wolf as it had its narrow snout stuffed inside the chest cavity of what appeared to be a human body, although it could have been Vampire, too.They were likely male though the genitals had already been eaten, but they did not appear to have breasts or the wider pelvis of someone born female.They had blonde hair, but their face, thankfully, was turned away from him and Julian.Generally, they appeared anywhere from between twenty to fifty.
How could this be, Ryder?We’re not missing anyone at the school, are we?We must be!Julian’s mind tumbled as he considered the consequences.
Ryder thought of all those drunk and happy students from the night before.As much as theyknewthey were among predators, gunning to be predators themselves, Balthazar and Caemorn had made the academy seem more like a Vampire Disney World than reality.They’d put plenty of safeguards in place to make it truly be like that.
But the Ever Dark was not safe.It had never been safe.And since they hadn’t been hunting and patrolling this part of it for so long, the danger was coming right up to the walls.Ryder cursed himself as another memory accosted him then.As Weryn,hehad always arranged the hunts.Hehad always ensured that there were Vampires patrolling so that the wildlife didn’t get any ideas.But, of course,hehad been busy thinking he was above being in Nightvallen at all and then accepting that he was Weryn.
This is my fault,Ryder thought.Balthazar and Caemorn cannot do everything on their own.Not even with Fiona and Seeyr’s help.They need my help.Weryn’s help.Not just Ryder’s.
They came to us to become immortal.Now, instead, their first life is over,Julian sounded bereft.Their friends and family expected to have them forever and now… now they’re gone.And when the press gets wind of this… Daemon will be blamed.
Do not worry about that.Balthazar will, undoubtedly, concoct whatever story we need and sell it,Ryder said.
Yes, I’m sure, but I’m more worried about how this person got out here in the first place without us knowing!Julian said.Do you think that a Sect member spirited them out of the city while we interrogated the Mirryr and Syrin Vampires?
We need to figure out who this person is,Ryder said.The answers to the rest of this can’t be answered until we know that first.
Then we have to stop the Umbraling from finishing its dinner,Julian stated firmly.How do we take it down?
Ryder was pleased and proud by how practical Julian was being even though this was a terrible shock.He knew that Julian was not at all used to seeing coils of intestine hanging out of a split open chest cavity, but the young man was not only keeping his cool, he was keeping his form perfectly.Ryder knew that Julian would continue to do so in a fight, but still the humans of this time were not used to–thankfully–death all around them.
I can take it down alone,Ryder suggested, not wanting to put Julian in the position of killing even an Umbraling if he didn’t wish to.
No, Ryder, I want to help.I need to learn to do these things,Julian said firmly.Please teach me.
How could he refuse such a request?He couldn’t.His prince had asked something of him that he would gladly give.
All right, the Umbraling is poisonous.Its skin causes numbness and violent vomiting if swallowed,Ryder explained.
So spit out whatever I bite off?Julian guessed.
Its blood is less toxic, but it will give you a stomach ache to end all stomach aches,Ryder paused.There will be a lot of blood, Julian.It may cause you to lose control.The smell of it.The heat of it.
Julian cocked his head to the side.I understand.If I do that, use your best judgment.You helped me shift, I assume you can shift me back into human form?
Likely, I can, but that won’t stop the blood lust.It’s not your animal form that has it,Ryder cautioned.
Yes, I see.I keep forgetting this.I haven’t had any reaction like that when I’ve fought before, but there’s always a first time,Julian accepted.
I’m glad you understand.If you feel it coming on, back off, I can handle this myself,Ryder urged him.
I will.
All right, then I suggest that you go for its tail while I go for its throat.Those spikes are laden with poison that will slow us down if it's allowed to swing that tail around and stick us with it,Ryder explained.
That tail will be pinned!Julian promised him.
Then I think we’re good to go.There’s a cloud about to obscure one of those moons.The moment it does, we move,Ryder suggested.
Sounds like a plan!
The cloud moved swiftly as the wind picked up.This was good for another reason.It caused the branches to rustle, masking their approach as much as the lowered light did.
Go!Ryder commanded.
The two of them ran out from behind the trees like silent death and leaped across the stream.His jaws fastened onto the Umbraling’s throat while Julian threw his whole weight on the base of the creature’s tail, worrying at it.
