KATHERINESo I did it.Taking a deep breath, I grasped the tassel in my hand and pulled the rope downward.Track, track, track!"Ah!" I let out a yelp and jumped back, startled, as an old wooden ladder dropped from the ceiling with a loud clatter.A cloud of dust immediately engulfed the hallway, making me cough almost to the point of choking. I waved my hand in front of my face, trying to clear the air.When I finally refocused, I saw the dark hole that had opened above.It was unsettling, as if unseen eyes might be watching me from the shadows. I lowered my gaze to the ladder now hanging before me. The steps looked worn, termites crawling over the decaying wood.Yet, something inside me urged me forward, the same instinct that had led me to follow Francis—a powerful magic tugging at my soul.I decided to take the risk and climb.With slight disgust, I placed my hands on the wooden supports, lifted my boot, and made sure I wouldn’t fall at the first step.Slowly, I ascended, uneasy w
KATHERINEI hesitated before slipping my hand into an unknown space again. I glanced at my fingertip—it was already healing.The insane thought crossed my mind that maybe this hidden compartment would only open with my blood or my sister’s."If you’re already on the donkey, might as well keep riding it," I thought, twisting my lips into a sarcastic smirk as I took the final risk, praying I wouldn’t lose a limb.I reached inside the hole and felt something hard and metallic. Gripping it in my hand, I lifted it—it felt heavy.Through the dim light, my pupils narrowed to focus, revealing that I had found a small jewelry box.The bronze details shimmered beautifully, and the opal-like surface reminded me of the necklace I had given Elliot.I was so absorbed in examining it that I didn’t notice the shift in the atmosphere—the moonlight fading behind storm clouds, the air thickening, the darkness creeping in around me.Everything happened in a flashback.My entire body trembled. My eyes rol
KATHERINEBAM! BAM!"AAAHHH!" I screamed in panic, almost feeling the breath on my nape. The damn window wouldn’t stop slamming.I got up on shaky legs, but I ran like a crazed lunatic, clutching the small chest against my chest.The light from the exit hole seemed so close, yet so far.I thought I heard footsteps chasing me, the white sheets around me resembling hands and monsters lurking, wrapping me in this curse.I threw the chest through the entry gap and jumped after it.With my eyes barely open, I sat on the floor and lowered my legs, clinging to the stairs, too afraid to see something right in front of my face.His face. That accusatory face, full of hatred and thirst for revenge.In my desperate attempt to throw myself down and escape, my foot slipped, and one of the steps split in half.I clung to the wood with my nails, seeking stability, but the sensation of falling into the void flooded my senses.I clawed at the air in desperation, opening my eyes only to see the dark sq
KATHERINE"Wait, Vorath…" I tried to pull away when I felt him exhale against my sensitive skin.His possessive arms tightened even more around my body."When are we going to play like today again, Kath? I promise I won’t be rough, baby. I’ll ride you nice and slow, making it delicious… mmm."His teeth grazed my nipples dangerously, making them perk up with excitement.His entire body exuded a scorching, intoxicating heat of bergamot."I’ll thrust deeper and deeper. My animal form can give you so much pleasure, I know you liked it, little one… and getting you pregnant is even easier…"The hand under my ass squeezed, shamelessly kneading me, while the other held the curve of my back, his head buried in my cleavage.I hissed as heat tingled in my belly, clenching my fists in his fur, but I couldn’t let myself be swept away again by the primal instincts of our bond.I opened my mouth to find the right words, but someone beat me to it."Hey, damn wolf, stop trying to trick my woman right
BRENDACrouched in my wolf form and shielded by the darkness, we slipped through a hole in the rotting wood of the fishing hut, damp with moisture.Hiding between two boats, we watched from a few meters away as two men conversed.One was obviously Thesio, while the other was a tall, elegant man with short black hair. Everything about him was wrapped in an aura of mystery.My wolf sniffed the air. Something felt strange, a suspicion tightening in our chest.We sharpened our hearing to catch their conversation."I need more of your cheap magic to cover my tracks in the thefts from Elliot Everhart’s lands." Thesio spoke with authority, though he sounded a little nervous."Those creatures will die within fifteen minutes of opening the storage units, you know that. As for the other matter, I can’t help you that easily," the man replied coldly."You dare to screw me over, you bastard?" Thesio lost his temper and grabbed him by the lapels, furious."You only remain hidden on my lands because
BRENDACrouching low, I crawled backward across the cold tiles, trying to avoid being discovered.I slipped through the half-open doors and rushed toward the mirror, examining myself to make sure I didn’t have leaves from the forest or anything that could give me away.With my heart pounding, I practically threw myself onto the bed, just as the sound of boots echoed in the hallway.The door swung open, and Duke Thesio entered the room. His steps moved toward me immediately.I controlled my breathing as he stopped at the edge of the bed, scrutinizing me. Once satisfied, he turned and went into the bathroom. I opened my eyes in the darkness, calculating my next move.Damn idiot. What good was being a Duke if he was just an elemental? They would never compare to the power of true supernatural beings.Tomorrow, I would meet that vampire. Thesio’s days were numbered.*****NARRATORSeveral miles from the capital of Duke Thesio’s realm…"Shit, I thought I was gonna die tonight. It felt endl
KATHERINEWhatever mystery that small chest held, I would have to uncover it later.First, because we needed to go home.And second, because, as expected, it wouldn’t open so easily."Mom, is it safe to leave? The… the Lady Prescott, she’s not in the forest with her bad son, is she?" Lavinia clung nervously to my skirt, glancing toward the ruined garden and beyond the fence."Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’m here to protect you. No one will ever harm you," Elliot answered for me, lifting her protectively into his arms.My heart couldn’t feel warmer."But, Father Duke, there’s a monster out there. You have to be careful, it’s… it’s really fierce…" I twisted my lips at her words.Daughter, that “monster” is the same one holding you right now—your adoptive father!A subtle laugh gleamed in Elliot’s eyes as he glanced at me for a second."Lavinia, we didn’t see any monster. It was probably a large animal, and you got confused because of fear," he explained, downplaying the matter.In the futu
KATHERINE"Kath, Vorath told me that Lavinia is like you, and very powerful. That’s why he dared to feed her," Elliot explained."A powerful witch?" I looked at her, almost in fear. I had hoped she would be “normal.” Now, more than ever, I had to protect her."We have to, baby. You’re not alone anymore, Kath. We have to protect each other," Elliot assured me."I need your help reorganizing all the castle staff. We’re going to do a full cleansing of the duchy. I’ll bring Aldo, Tomás, and their families to stay at the castle."I nodded in agreement. They were good, loyal people.The castle’s grand structure came into view as we entered the gardens, and for the first time, I felt an undeniable sense of belonging.I was no longer the false Duchess. I would take my place legitimately. I wouldn’t allow any more snakes to conspire within my own home.*****NARRATORIn the Duchy of Thesio…Salvatore materialized in a hidden corner of the stables behind the Blue Mountain Tavern.This was where