Blood on the Moon - serialised EXCLUSIVE for Steemit! - 27

Blood On The Moon Cover

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My third novel was finished and published in time for Halloween and I had a launch at Waterstone's at Sheffield.

The full book cover, done by the wonderful, talented, brilliant Paul Mudie

Other Images from Pixabay or Google (Free Usage)

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Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26,

Ch1 Jessica (Rabbit) has entered the Lion’s Den – Wolf’s Den – of her own accord and is neck-deep in her greatest desire (Be careful what you wish for).

Ch2 Red is speaking to a Wolf she knew from long ago and has been astonished once by his revelation.

Ch3 Jessica is in over her head, no other human in sight and is bouncing from one encounter to the next - including in the dream-state.

Ch4 Jessica has an interview with the 'Big Boss', finds out she has a mentor - not Paul, and is the cause for disquiet among the Werewolves. All fun and games - at least she knows that if anyone goes against the orders and takes her as prey, they will be seriously reprimanded...

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“I shall tell you though, if only because neither Selene nor Entwistle know. You have come to us at a most favourable time in our history. This year is marked by what is known as the Lupine moon. It means that the moon comes closer to the earth than at any other time but there are a few factors that make this year especially unusual, because this occurs perhaps once in a millennia but more important, this particular Lupine moon lasts for the whole year, not just one season as with others."

"There have already been more than thirty major earthquakes across the globe as a direct result of the Lupine moon, and these are just a fraction of what can and will happen this year. Humes don’t realise the extent that the moon is linked to the earth or the cause and effect one has upon the other. To that end, it means that you are inextricably linked to Wolf history now. I have had my scientists researching the phenomena and I have proof that the Prophecy can be repeated but only on this year. If we miss our chance this year, we shall have to wait for another five centuries, perhaps more than that. Are you up to the task, Jessica? Can you be our Prophesised One?”

The room was silent. The Wolves’ hearing was acute enough to pick up breathing and heartbeats but Jessica’s wasn’t and to her, nothing stirred. She realised that it was not a rhetorical question and it did need an answer and that was what Lord Grey was waiting for.

“Me? Oh, yes! I can be the Prophesised One! I can, I really can. Selene is a great tutor and she makes my lessons so easy. I’m sure I won’t let you down again. I just got upset because I thought that you were never going to let me become a Were... a Wolf.”

Jessica looked sheepish and she seemed disappointed with herself for forgetting the one rule that Selene had to keep drumming in to her – Wolf not Werewolf.

Lord Grey nodded at her unspoken apology but his frown made it clear that she was not to make the mistake again. Then he continued.

“You must also realise that the Wolves in the vicinity will be rather more edgy, especially around the full moons and therefore, Jessica, you would do very well to stay safe and keep out of harm’s way, because if an accident occurs and you are killed, then Selene will have lost a student, I will have lost a valuable opportunity, and you will be dead.”

Jessica blinked at the abruptness of his words and realised, perhaps for the first time, that it was not a game that she was playing, she couldn’t say, ‘Stop! I don’t want to play this anymore!’ And be done with it, she was in it until she was Wolf or, as Lord Grey said, until she was dead.

Lord Grey nodded. He looked to Selene and he asked her a question then.

“Are you satisfied and will you continue to teach her? Is her apology and reassurance enough for you, or would you like to end it now? I care little either way but make it quick because we have to find another suitable subject if this one isn’t up to scratch.”

Selene looked at Jessica and saw that her face was pale with two splotches of red high on her cheekbones and tears – real ones – brimmed at her bottom eyelids. Jessica looked as though she may faint at any moment, she had understood Lord Grey’s meaning and realised that if Selene said ‘no’, she would be killed, not released.

Jessica’s breath came out in a gasp as Selene nodded yes and Lord Grey left the room without another word. Selene and Entwistle followed and could hear the Hume’s sobs of relief as they walked down the corridor. Selene doubted that Jessica would give her very much trouble after that display.

“Was that just for my benefit, or is there really a Prophesised One and could Jessica be a part of it?” Selene asked as they walked.

“Oh there really is a good chance that she could be the next Sentinel Exemplar.” Lord Grey said and Selene couldn’t see, but his face was adorned with a broad smile as he heard her footsteps stop at the announcement.

“Sentinel Exemplar? Really?”

“Yes Selene. There were a few important factors that had to be adhered to in the Prophecy and not many Ancients thought that it could be done the first time, so I dare say they will never have even imagined that the Prophecy could be repeated. But if we get this right, I could be rid of the biased bitch that is the current Sentinel Exemplar and in her place, put Jessica-rabbit, a Wolf that has been taught my doctrine and who follows me, rather than the spiteful wretch Lycaeon that we have now.”