KATHERINEAfter that encounter in the garden, despite Elliot and Vorath’s tantrums, I managed to convince them that my approach was the right one.We had to create an opening, gain his trust so he would talk—otherwise, he might resort to more extreme measures.In the end, one day, we arranged to meet “in secret from the Duke of Everhart” so I could introduce him to the Dowager Duchess.*****"I truly appreciate all the effort you’re making to help me. I’m afraid the Duke doesn’t have much tact when it comes to women," he said, seated across from me.We were in the same tavern where Brenda had arranged for him to spy on us."Elliot is very busy, that’s the only reason he hasn’t been able to give you much attention, Mr. Max. Relations with the Dowager Duchess are also a bit… complicated…" I told him, offering a slightly awkward smile.Since he was supposedly an outsider, he pretended not to know that Brenda had been my husband's mistress."Well, have some wine. I tried it, and it’s deli
SALVATOREThe blood boiled in my veins, excitement coursing through me for many reasons.For that woman who fascinated me—her defiant gaze, those luscious lips, even her figure, so much like Bella’s.It was as if she had never left, as if she… had never betrayed me. But she did!Our dreams, everything we risked together! She never had the right to make that decision on her own.When she failed to open the rift with her sorcery, there was still another way to strengthen it.Why the hell would I care about the deaths of a few elemental cockroaches? Ten, a hundred, thousands—it was all the same to me!"Crossing over could be dangerous," Brenda’s voice snapped me out of my turbulent thoughts.I looked at the entrance, gaping like the mouth of a beast, the canyon stretching into the vast mountains.My body trembled at the memory of what I had endured here last time—I had nearly died.But this time, it would be different—with her…I turned to look at Katherine.She would come with me once t
SALVATOREMy sorceress’s melodious voice floated through the air as the runes ignited with magic, glowing in golden particles that danced in the breeze.The wind stirred her brown hair—it was just as I remembered, like I had stepped back in time.When the final words left her lips, words I couldn’t truly understand since they were witchcraft, it was my turn."Get out of the way. See? Cooperating wasn’t so hard. I shield you with magic, and this is how you repay me?" I nearly kicked that idiot Brenda.She stood up with her head bowed, still in one piece.At least Kath had control over the spell—she hadn’t sent her flying through the air. Now, we just had to see if it actually worked."Come, let’s do it together. Stand in front of me," I called Katherine. I no longer cared about keeping up appearances in front of Brenda.I remembered how the first time, I had held Bella’s waist as she surrounded us with her protective magic."No, I don’t dare. I don’t want to lose focus and fail," she r
KATHERINEWe turned to watch them retreat, but I stepped back, separating myself from the other two. And as the tide of predators surged past them, I stripped away their protection.Just as I had given it to them, I could just as easily take it away.How naive Salvatore was—just a pathetic fool who had the blessing of being loved by a talented sorceress.She had taught him a few magic tricks, and he already thought himself a master, even believing he had me under his control with his great power."Zanareth lûmen val’shara, tesh al’morath ven’dorei." I recited in my mind, my eyes glowing in the darkness, golden sparks flickering in my pupils."The protection I granted you now returns to me."I extended my arm, catching the light that evaporated from their bodies. In an instant, everything shifted, and chaos erupted.The hyenas caught the scent of flesh once more, their hunger driving them back into the hunt.Their sharp laughter echoed through the mountain pass, and the carnivores bega
NARRATORSalvatore was forcibly ripped from his shock.When the massive beast, radiating the most murderous aura he had ever seen, lunged at him from the heights, he had no choice but to fight for his life.He hadn’t even sensed him nearby—he, a superior being. The veins in his muscular arm bulged, throbbing with raw power. Vorath wielded his claws like deadly weapons, ready to tear into the unprepared vampire.It looked like the end for Salvatore—no time to escape. The shadow of death loomed over him!A roar shook the canyon, and just inches from his enemy’s head, dozens of bats disintegrated, screeching into the night.The lycan’s attack struck nothing but air, but Vorath’s nose could not be deceived.His powerful paws thundered against the ground, kicking up dust as the massive predator landed from the cliffside.Glowing red eyes fixated on the vampire’s body—now shattered into a swarm of bats, fleeing from the impending doom.But nothing could save him.Vorath launched himself in
NARRATORKatherine watched the twisted smile that appeared on the dying man's face, a bad omen flashing through her mind."Get away from him, Vorath! He's about to do something! GET AWAY!"The giant lycan pulled his hand back, scattering the remains of Salvatore’s open chest.Without a second thought, he lunged at Katherine to shield her, sensing the danger himself—there was no time for her to run.He wrapped his body around her like a shield, forcing the witch to release the control spell over the dying vampire.Suddenly, eerie shrieks rose into the night. They expected an explosion of energy, something devastating. Yet, it never crossed their minds that Salvatore would use his last strength just to send a message.To mark a location, a beacon in the darkness that would clearly say, "Here lie succulent supernatural creatures to drain."Through a small gap in Vorath’s fur, Katherine witnessed the vampire’s body disintegrate into hundreds—perhaps thousands—of tiny bats.A cloud of cala
NARRATOREven so, she passed it around her fragile neck and put on the relic. The dark stone trembled and glowed with greater intensity, as if sunlight was shining from within it.The wind howled through the glass door, slamming it open and shut in rhythmic bursts. Lavinia’s white nightgown billowed violently.Her hair lifted, fluttering as beams of light wrapped around her body."I want to go to my parents! I want to go to my mom! Save my parents!" she screamed into the void with all her strength, and the intense light exploded, swallowing her small figure.The next second, there was no one left in the Dukes’ chamber.*****"ELLIOT!" Katherine screamed as she watched the enormous, powerful lycan fall right in front of her.Dark blood stained the ground. Her hands trembled as she summoned her strongest spells, bolts of lightning crashing down relentlessly.But the natural elements barely harmed the dark energy surrounding them, ready to tear them apart and consume them whole.They wer
NARRATORLavinia, unconscious in Elliot’s arms, now in his human form, and Katherine, also clinging to the werewolf’s chest—both kneeling.Wounded and beyond exhaustion, but alive. Very much alive.Under the rain, Katherine met her man's blue eyes, and they melted into a desperate embrace, before she showered frantic kisses on their daughter’s forehead.That’s when she noticed the pendant resting against the child’s chest. They had a rough idea now—this was magic. Lavinia’s magic had saved them.A transmigration spell. Lavinia was special, just like Bella.Katherine had never been the heir to that unique magic, as everyone had believed. It was her daughter.Kath’s tears mixed with the rain."It’s over now, love. It’s over." Elliot tried to console her.But deep inside, neither he nor Vorath were as calm as they pretended to be. He looked up through the downpour.It was almost impossible that His Majesty hadn’t sensed all this supernatural power clashing in the air. Sometimes, Elliot w