"I smell blood, Ezra.Are you hurt?"His hold on him tightened.
Ezra shook his head.His arm gave a painful thud, but it was no more than a few scrapes.He feared what would happen when they came back to the house would be much worse.How did wolves punish people?
They walked in silence, and it took both an eternity and no time at all before Ulric made a sound and pushed up the sleeve of his shirt."Ward."His voice was growly.Ezra couldn't make out the goosebumps in the dark, but he was sure they were there.
Rourke growled."If that fucker is back, I'm gonna kill him."
"Nah, I think it's us."Ulric was quiet for a few seconds."Yup, the breach is here."
Ezra could sense him looking at him."Didn't you dismantle this part of the ward?"
He shook his head."I only let myself out.No use in having a ward if you have holes in it."
Ulric sighed."I guess not.The blood here was to...what?"
"Untangle the thread from the web and then reattach it when I was on the other side."
Ulric huffed."You tried to run away, but you made sure the ward was in place before you carried on?"
Ezra didn't reply.If he'd been a real witch, he'd most likely have deactivated the ward altogether.It's what Shixyll would've done.He shivered, and he didn't know if it was from cold or failure.
They kept on walking, and Ezra didn't know if it was because shifters were huge and had long legs or if there was magic involved, but soon they found themselves in front of the house.Lights spilled out of the windows, and Ezra shivered as he imagined the warmth from inside.
Farkas kept walking when the rest stopped.He waved and disappeared around the corner.Ezra had no idea where he was heading, and he didn't much care.
They'd reached the punishment part.
Rourke lowered him to the ground, only to put his hands on his shoulders, then he gave him a gentle push forward, urging him to walk.
He did.There was no use in struggling now.Maybe they'd kill him.Hopefully, it would be fast.
"See you tomorrow."
Ezra jumped and looked in the direction of Geri's voice.He stood naked in front of a door, and Ezra quickly averted his eyes.The wolf.
"Your clothes."There was some rustling as Ulric moved, but Ezra didn't look.Rourke nudged him forward again.
Shortly after, Ulric stopped."Sleep tight."
Ezra slowed his steps as Rourke's door came closer.He didn't want to go in there.Ulric slipped into his room, leaving Ezra alone with Rourke.He guessed he should be glad they didn't all plan to take part in the punishment.
Rourke pushed the door open, and Ezra balked.He dug his heels in.He didn't want to enter the room.
Rourke didn't push or drag him, instead, he watched him with all the intensity in the world.
"Ezra."
He jumped at his voice, and Rourke grimaced.
"Come on, get inside."
Would it be worse if he stood here?Most likely.He took a step forward, and Rourke closed the door behind him, the lock clicking in place.
"All right.Care to tell me what's going on?"
Ezra stared at him.
A deep sigh left Rourke, and he grabbed Ezra's hand and pulled him closer.Ezra placed a palm against his chest and pushed in an attempt to keep distance between them.
