The Dark of Twilight (Twilight Shifters Book 1) by Kate Danley Page B

Finn right?  Were they something else?  Had the sun changed them back?
    Aein realized it did not matter.  "You are safe!" Aein said, coming out into the hallway towards her.
    Finn stepped forward, too. Aein did not know who looked more relieved to see the other - Finn or Princess Gisla.
    The princess bit her lip nervously.  "What happened?"
    Finn stated, "There was an attack.  Come inside until we make sure it is safe."
    It was at that moment the sun rose over the horizon.  There was a noise within the room.  Aein looked in.  The people.  The harmless, helpless people she shared the night with were gripping their stomachs in pain.  Then Finn fell onto his hands and knees, as if in terrible agony. 
    "What is wrong with him?" asked Princess Gisla, panic coloring her voice as she backed away.
    Aein realized what was going on.  She propelled Finn back into the chapel so she could shut the door.
    "What are you doing?" shouted Princess Gisla, trying to get Aein away from him.  Aein shoved the princess back into the hall.  Finn looked up at Aein, unable to say anything as he began writhing, his back arching as if in terrible agony.  His painful cries became snarls.  His skin began sprouting hair.  His face elongated.
    He and everyone in the room was turning into a wolf.
    "Run," said Aein, backing away and closing the door.  She looked for something to hold it shut.  "Run!" she shouted again to the three people around her.  "RUN!"
    And in that moment, the door began breaking under the weight of a dozen wolves.  One of the beasts came charging out.  Aein swiped at it with her sword.  It was too close for her long blade to be of much defense.  She felt the jaws of it wrap around her arm.  She cried out.  Its jaws were so powerful, it felt as if it might snap her arm in half.  More wolves were escaping the room.  She knew it would all be over soon.
    Then beast's head fell from its shoulders. 
    The princess stood to the side, a bloody sword in her hand, looking at the monster she decapitated.  "Where is Finn?" she asked.  "We have to go back for him!"
    "He's gone!" said Aein.  "He is safe but he is gone!  Get yourself to safety and I'll explain!"
    Princess Gisla did not look like she appreciated being told what to do, but she followed.  Together in a full sprint, they took off towards whatever safety might be available.
    "Why did you push him inside with those creatures?" shouted Princess Gisla, accusation dripping from her words. 
    Aein felled another beast as he made a flying leap at her.  At least these wolves did not operate in a pack.  It was every dog for himself.  Aein knew the moment they chose a leader, it would be the end.
    She prayed that none of the wolves they killed were Finn.
    A door stood open.  Aein pushed Gisla through it and slammed it behind them.  Aein looked for any furniture she could place in front of it.  There was not much.  The room had been destroyed.  The bed curtains were in tatters.  The mattress had been ripped to shreds.  The fabric hung in ribbons.  A wolf must have been in here, thought Aein.  But was he trapped or did he transform?  And was he still inside?
    She pulled a tipped table and placed it in front of the door.  It would not hold long.  The latch to the door had been ripped from its hinges.  Hopefully, it would hold long enough.
    Aein ran to the window and looked down.  The courtyard was twenty feet below, but perhaps they could climb down.
    "What is going on?" asked Gisla.
    "These creatures attacked during your wedding feast.  Don't you remember?"
    "My what?"
    "During your feast..." Aein stopped herself.
    There was the sound of something heavy striking the door.  The wolves had caught their scent.  They knew there was quarry trapped within.  The table began to edge its way across the floor.  Paws and noses pushed through the crack.  Aein pulled out her sword and forced them back.
    "You were there," said Aein.  "Don't you remember what