MARKED BY MOONLIGHT

LY

k forward, my seatbelt locking tight across my chest. The tires

headlights flash brighter and I see it-him. A tall, unmovin

tightens his knuckles on the steering

and watch as the soft, silver light filter through the clouds. The moon isn't full yet-

igger anything dangerous. I even convinced Elias, my neighbor, to drive me out here based on that exac

in front of this suspicious-looking figure,

forward slightly, his voice taut. "Do

y skin burns. The mark-thin and crescent-shaped-is flaring up again. It's not a birthm

" I finally murmur.

n his window a crack. "Hey!" he shouts, voice carr

ingle step forward, a

I think I see a flash of eyes-red, inhuma

me. "No response. Tha

m," I say, my voice trembling. "

gure di

es. One second he's ther

he's right

glowing red eyes meet mine through

instinctively. The Mustang jolts forward, tires squealing against t

g. "That's a fucking vampire! You said

n't expect a supernatural to b

d my words are cut off as the whol

outs, his grip tightening on the w

t, and I slam against the door with a c

ou doing? You're goin

do?" he snaps. "Let him peel t

lams a fist onto the roof, caving it in sligh

ows blur past my line of sight. There are no houses. No lights. Just dar

r it-faint

ir

hear that

squints

m the next road. I c

another head. "How the hell can y

thless, urgent, as I say, "Take

ears again-this

nto mine through

now!" I

pire flies off the hood, rolling onto the pavement and disappearing into the s

ing lights bu

he police." He glances sideways. "How did yo

to reply, but the

itely will not believe me

u better start tal

ng hits

ning lurch of weightlessness, then the slam of impact.

d blacks out is red and blue lights..

-

t. Then light.

Can you

ashlight. "Turn that o

y. I'm in a police car. My head is achin

s Elias?

pointing behind him. "He's answe

rushes over. "Lyra!

ay. My voice is

s, looking cautious. "You wer

"To Moon

ow how dangerous th

ts in sharply. "Told h

still moon phase. Supernaturals

aren't so simple lately. They've been some

s, then back to t

can take you back or d

pleads. "Please, Lyra

. "I need to

d him. "What's so important tha

can't explain. J

impossible." Then, with a bitter sigh, he turns and

bs in. I watch as the second police man enters

t woke me looks

. "Yes, I a

climb in, and turn toward

I don't do this, I might never get the chance to

eality I'm not

g the rig

ave

LY

k forward, my seatbelt locking tight across my chest. The tires

headlights flash brighter and I see it-him. A tall, unmovin

tightens his knuckles on the steering

and watch as the soft, silver light filter through the clouds. The moon isn't full yet-

igger anything dangerous. I even convinced Elias, my neighbor, to drive me out here based on that exac

in front of this suspicious-looking figure,

forward slightly, his voice taut. "Do

y skin burns. The mark-thin and crescent-shaped-is flaring up again. It's not a birthm

" I finally murmur.

n his window a crack. "Hey!" he shouts, voice carr

ingle step forward, a

I think I see a flash of eyes-red, inhuma

me. "No response. Tha

m," I say, my voice trembling. "

gure di

es. One second he's ther

he's right

glowing red eyes meet mine through

instinctively. The Mustang jolts forward, tires squealing against t

g. "That's a fucking vampire! You said

n't expect a supernatural to b

d my words are cut off as the whol

outs, his grip tightening on the w

t, and I slam against the door with a c

ou doing? You're goin

do?" he snaps. "Let him peel t

lams a fist onto the roof, caving it in sligh

ows blur past my line of sight. There are no houses. No lights. Just dar

r it-faint

ir

hear that

squints

m the next road. I c

another head. "How the hell can y

thless, urgent, as I say, "Take

ears again-this

nto mine through

now!" I

pire flies off the hood, rolling onto the pavement and disappearing into the s

ing lights bu

he police." He glances sideways. "How did yo

to reply, but the

itely will not believe me

u better start tal

ng hits

ning lurch of weightlessness, then the slam of impact.

d blacks out is red and blue lights..

-

t. Then light.

Can you

ashlight. "Turn that o

y. I'm in a police car. My head is achin

s Elias?

pointing behind him. "He's answe

rushes over. "Lyra!

ay. My voice is

s, looking cautious. "You wer

"To Moon

ow how dangerous th

ts in sharply. "Told h

still moon phase. Supernaturals

aren't so simple lately. They've been some

s, then back to t

can take you back or d

pleads. "Please, Lyra

. "I need to

d him. "What's so important tha

can't explain. J

impossible." Then, with a bitter sigh, he turns and

bs in. I watch as the second police man enters

t woke me looks

. "Yes, I a

climb in, and turn toward

I don't do this, I might never get the chance to

eality I'm not

g the rig

ave