Chapter 247

It took a few moments to pry her fingers loose from the steering wheel and stretch the tightness from the muscles in her legs. When Blanca managed to slide from the cab, she stumbled, her legs unsteady.

The wind was beginning to pick up, tossing leaves and twigs around in tiny whirling eddies. Overhead the branches swayed and danced. Streaks of black and grey crossed the glittering stars, extinguishing them one by one. Clouds began to roll in, heavy looking and dark. Shivering, Blanca glanced up, certain the storm was a portent of danger.

Hunger was gnawing, ever present, relentless. It seemed to worsen every day, her weakness growing if she didn't have blood. Right now, though, nothing mattered except getting Dimitri to safety. Squaring her shoulders, she moved to the porch. The cabin was dark; Dimitri couldn't open shutters or turn on lights. Blanca unlocked and pushed open the door, anxious to see him.