Free The Curse of Oberon (The Inglewood Chronicles Book 3) by Jeremy Croston Page B

bringing them here.  We gotta save those two wolves.”
    She put a hand on me.  “How do you know this is not a trick?”
    “Because not just any wolf can make that cry.  Unless you’ve lost a cub, it’s impossible to replicate.”
    “I do not like this idea.”
    That was her problem not mine.  “You wanted to test my abilities, what better way than to go on a rescue mission?”
    As if the island itself thought this was a good idea, the clouds above opened up and let loose torrential sheets of rain, giving us the perfect cover.  “You going to stay behind or are you with me?”
    Looking out into the storm, “Against my better judgment, I am with you.  I pray you are right about this, so help me, if this turns into a trick…”
    “Lighten up Sphinxy; this’ll put Pan on the run!”  I smiled and practically ran out into the storm, giddy to find some action coming my way.

Chapter 12
     
    **Liz**
    The wolf named Reg was in the car with Bernard, directly behind us.  According to the information the Red pack had gathered at my request, the O’Byrnes were last seen at this rundown farm house.  Kristie was gripping her silver dagger tightly in the passenger seat.  “This place stinks of dark magic.”
    I could not attest to the smell of magic, but there as something strange about the atmosphere here.  Combine that with the fact in the two hours we had been sitting here, not a single soul entered or exited the house.  I picked up the walkie talkie Reg had given me and clicked the button.  “I do not see the point in waiting any longer.  Are you two ready to take the house?”
    The annoying return click hurt my ears.  “Aye lass, the sooner the better.  We don’t wanna give these witches any heads up.”
    I reached into the backseat and pulled out what had become my favorite weapon.  Crafted by Vic’s own grandfather from the silver the town of Full Moon mined, the tanto had saved my life on more than one occasion.  And holding it made me felt as if I was with Vic again.  “Well Kristie, you asked me on the way over if we were going to see some action, so I hope you are as prepared as you claim to be.”
    With vampire eyes and extended fangs, “I’ll be pleased to add another clan to my ever growing list of accomplishments.”
    I was weary of her battle first mentality, but based on Reg’s and Fergus’s intelligence, the O’Byrnes were dark to the core.  That truly shocked me as Rosette, while a powerful witch, barely had any darkness in her.  The two wolves were waiting for us as we exited from our car.
    With the moon high in the air, the ground below was illuminated.  If anyone was watching from the house, they would know we were here.  With that in mind, the four of us made a beeline straight to the front door.  Bernard stepped up and pounded on the door.  Loud thuds rang out across the countryside.
    “Do ye need to be so loud ye big bear?”
    “Lighten up Reg; they’d know we were here soon enough.”
    While the two wolves bickered, I noticed that nothing happened.  There were no noises inside, any hushed whispers or incantations being muttered.  This place was abandoned.  “You two can knock it off now.  No one is home.”
    In frustration, Kristie slid her dagger back into one of the many holders on her body.  “Wolf,” her voice rising, “I thought you said this was their base?”
    “I said this be the last place they’d be seen.  I never said they’d still be here.”
    Arguing was not going to get us anywhere.  “Let us take a loo…”  The ground rumbled.  “What was that?”
    Bernard grabbed the nearest post to keep his balance.  “Do you get earthquakes in Ireland?”
    “No, that ain’t natural feelin’.”
    Reg was right; there was something off about the tremor.  A second, even larger one hit.  All four of us fell to the ground this time.  Then the front yard split apart, steam bellowing from the fissure that was not there just moments