Page 24 of Beast of the Bayou

"I was a party girl back home. I drank a lot. I don't know…I think I was trying to escape my own mind." I shrug slightly. I attempt to drop my head back down again, but Solomon forces me to keep my eyes on him. He keeps his finger under my chin as I continue. "I was talking to this guy online. He invited me to go to this party at his house. So…I went. We were all having fun and everything was going well…until it wasn't."

Solomon's nostrils flare once and his jaw clenches. But he stays silent.

"We were in his room messing around, and then…his door opened." A knot forms in my throat at the memory that's been seared into my brain. A tear makes its way down my face. Solomon brushes it away before I can.

"You don't have to explain any more, my love. Just tell me how many there were?"

"F-Four." I whisper.

He nods once. Wrapping his strong arms around me, he presses his lips to my temple. "I'll handle it."

And without a doubt…I know that he will.

***

Solomon and I spent most of the day wrapped in each other's arms—talking, making love. Neither of us could go more than a few minutes without touching. And when the sky darkens and the moon sits full and high, he kisses my forehead.

"We're leaving, my love," he says.

I look over at him. "Where are we going?"

"Baton Rouge."

Pausing, we stare into each other's eyes. I don't ask why. I already know. With a final nod, I climb out of bed. He takes my hand and leads me downstairs and out the house. Getting into his truck, we head out.

We don't speak. But he keeps his hand in mine the entire time. And when we arrive and my heart starts thudding, he lifts our joined hands and places his over my heart. "Breathe."

I try but it doesn’t help much. I direct him to the address. The house is sitting illuminated under the streetlights. Faint music thumping inside. "This is it."

Solomon nods. Stepping out, he comes over to my side and helps me out. Tucking me under his arm, he speaks low into my ear. "I just need you to point them out. Then I want you to come outside and wait for me in the car."

I look around nervously. "What if someone sees or hears you?"

He looks at me with glowing eyes. "For their sake, I hope they don't."

My breath stutters, making my chest tremble.

"It's okay. You've done nothing wrong," he reassures me. With a kiss, he leads me up the stairs.

Voices drift through the door. My body locks up. I remember their faces. But their voices—I could never forget. None of them. "I think they're all in here." I stare at the door.

Solomon lets me go. "Good. This'll be quick then."

Removing his shirt, he sets it on a chair on the porch. He knocks and I suddenly feel like I'm about to pass out. The door opens just a fraction—Solomon kicks it open, taking it clear off the hinges and sending the door and the man behind it flying backwards.

A scream gets lodged in my throat. I don’t have time to react before he scoops me up one handed, my legs dangling in the air as he holds me close to his side. I can't register what's happening next because bullets start flying. Solomon spins with me in his arms, shielding me. I close my eyes and cover my ears.

Suddenly, I feel the tickle of his fur. I hear the deep rumble of his growl. It feels like I'm being lifted up, but I don't dare to open my eyes yet. My heart is racing so hard, it feels like I'm about to throw up.

Finally—the gunfire stops.

The smell of it fills the air. He turns with me still in his grasp. Hesitantly, I open my eyes. Solomon is fully transformed now. But seeing him in the throes of passion and the glow of moonlight is completely different in this light.

His teeth are sharp and dripping with saliva. His eyes are glowing bright like flames. He's grown an extra foot it looks like. Dark fur jutting out. Claws descended, sharp and deadly. He looks terrifying…but I know the man underneath.

I can barely focus on the men who are standing there paralyzed in terror with empty guns in their hands. My eyes observe the bloody bullet holes on Solomon's body which seem to have no effect on him whatsoever.

When he speaks his voice is low, more growl than human. "Show me who hurt you, Lila. Point them out for me."