Chapter 15: Waning Gibbous

Ambrose Drak

A thunderous boom shakes the castle.

"What was that?" Ambrose stumbles forward, holding Mercy into a tight embrace.

Her closed lids flutter, and a soft moan passes her lips. She fits in his arms like a piece of a missing puzzle. Attention focused on her shoulder, he watches as the white tunic slowly turns a crimson shade.

"She's bleeding again. Jacks, get Clementine, and hurry." He lays her on the bed, his heart pounding like the hooves of a runaway mule deer. "She'll know what to do." She must.

Jacks races to the door. His uneven steps draw more attention to his limp, highlighting his shorter leg.

"Use this." Braylin tears a strip of cloth off the bed skirt then folds the fabric. "Put pressure on it."

Lord Maxton promenades onto the balcony where a bright light illuminates the dark sky. "There's a fire near the east entrance."

Boom!

Another blast rips through the chamber.