-THIRD PERSON’S POV-
Seff abruptly changed his position in the chair to sit forward with his white eyebrows drawn together.
“Money cannot be fake.” Dymian focused his gaze on Jarvaldo. A vein ticked in his jaws as his rigid stare admonished for elaboration.
“Actually, boss, it sure can,” Jarvaldo insisted.
Seff choked raucously on the communion bread. He shook his head, trying to get out. “No. Not true.”
“This is the generation of vipers. Anything is possible in this era.” Jarvaldo snapped bitingly. “And that note is the latest edition.”
Dymian’s gaze was speculative. “How so?”
Seff swallowed, massaging his throat with a scowl because someone had played a nasty trick on them. “I’m going to find that cretin and stuff that note down his throat, and then I’m going to rip it out again.”
“Oi, calm down.” Jarvaldo nudged his head at Seff.
“Why? Because the culprit is going to hell?” Seff scoffed. “At least let me send him there faster.”
Rovell waved the note at Jarvaldo, capturing his attention. “What do you know about these?”
“The gardener claims he knows a guy who knows the friend of a girl who knows a guy who can get us enough money to carry out our plans." Jarvaldo gave them an option he thought they should consider. He dipped his hand under the white robe and re-emerged with a cream, rectangular item. “He gave me this card.”
“So it was the gardener,” Seff muttered in an ominously deep voice, deducing that he was the culprit that gave that fake offering.
“He is not to be touched,” Jarvaldo growled at him. It was a warning. Their blazing red eyes clashed.
Rovell handed the note to Dymian for inspection. Quickly, Seff placed the empty communion wine bottle and tray of bread on the floor to take the card from Jarvaldo and retook his seat.
The gardener fox at the chapel had many links. He piqued Jarvaldo’s interest when he discovered the old man sneaking weed to Sister Bethany one day. Since then, he became Jarvaldo’s little buddy. Making their own money was fundamental to help with the expenses for warfare, plus buying the marakachos to bribe the special army they sought.
It was a great plan. It was a shortcut to riches.
“The guy and I talked on the phone, and then I paid him a visit. He’s a very cunning and strategic crime boss who’s been circulating his notes for years.” Jarvaldo wished that Dymian would agree. He was enthusiastic about waging the war. “He’s the underworld’s accountant. He moves, lends, and redistributes funds.”
“Smart profession.” A snarl curled Seff’s upper lip. “But is he any good?”
“He fooled you.” Jarvaldo swung his thumb at Rovell. “And him too.”
Rovell shrugged with a snort and grumbled, “Because we lack knowledge.”
“Touché.” Seff lowly agreed, embarrassingly.
Dymian fingers drummed along the top of the desk with the note held high in the other hand, and then he picked up one of the papers and lazily flicked his eyes over it.
“Well, I know the real from the fake.” Jarvaldo vouched. “After stuffing him with my cloud and turning it into ice-crystals, he was so nice to show me the full works.” He changed tact and stared directly at Dymian. “Boss, trust me, the banks can barely tell them apart and I’ve got his dude under my thumb. We could do wonders with a ton of those and leave this broke-ass chapel.”
Fixing his gaze at him, Dymian’s jaws gritted.
“How much offering did we get today?” Rovell inquired, steepling his chin.
“Huh?” Jarvaldo gulped. He hunched his shoulders and muttered monotonously, “I don’t know. I lost count at ninety-one dollars.”
“What’s been taking you so long?” Rovell got angry, dropping his hand, and the two began arguing.
Dymian emitted an audible exhalation and shuffled in his chair as he pondered over things. They were just getting acquainted with this new era. Technology was a problem. It was hard to take over businesses when the civilized age could easily manipulate and bamboozle them due to their ignorance.
The idiot Alpha Prince in their custody was of meager help. Even after torturing him, he barely showed them how to use phones and laptops. How could such small devices be capable of such vast functions? It baffled Dymian, yet he saw the usefulness of them.
However, to his dismay, Vaheed also kept his lips sealed regarding current affairs in the realms. Therefore, the clergy had to be coaxed for the job.
The head priest, Father Ramcrook, reluctantly hired technicians, and they were learning slowly while still posing to be a part of the clergy and wearing their ghastly attire.
It was Seff that they relied upon to understand the system quickly, seeing that he manipulated metal, but he had blown up or disfigured goddess knows how many devices. It irked Dymian to the brim because he expected rapid progress.
Surprisingly, Jarvaldo learned faster and was very good at decrypting, but he wasted a lot of time playing games and being on social media. Thank heavens for Farrah and Rovell, who managed to have the previous attack go smoothly.
Why did they expect the world to remain the same after being in a slumber for thousands of years? Watching the news had taught them some information, but not enough since they did not understand the definitions and functions of it all.
Despite their previous victory, the Worgen Guardians were deeply stressed. They were hampered by the fact that they had to study the new age’s arsenal and to find out the Wolversons’ weaknesses.
Jarvaldo and Seff enjoyed taking it out on Vaheed. They loved making him bleed. At those times Farrah would leave the chapel to track the movements of red wolf as a distraction.
Dymian felt an urgency to take over the realms quickly. Unfortunately, they still hadn't gotten the red wolf, and they had to tread moderately to ensure success would be theirs. Raina’s disappearance from Earth was a matter of concern. What were the Wolversons planning? He needed eyes and ears around them.
They hadn't counted on Vaheed being so damn hard to break. With the superior genes disintegrated into these crummy Lycans and werewolves, Dymian genuinely believed he would have gotten all the information that he needed from their prisoner. Even the mind attack didn't work. The pup knew precisely how to block his mental infiltration. So, he could not underestimate the Wolversons.
Farrah entered the room in her nun’s outfit and carrying a long, black garment in her hands. Without stopping, she went directly to Dymian’s side. She placed the attire on his desk and began buttoning his white dress shirt. His body relaxed under the operation of her soft fingers.
"Seff, bring the accountant guy in," Dymian finally decided to gravitate towards the outside source for urgent funds.
Jarvaldo smiled with satisfaction.
Dymian stood, gazing down at Farrah and allowed her to help him with his robe and white stole. "Jarvaldo, go with Seff, but he is in charge.”
Jarvaldo groaned.
“Bring more samples with him,” Rovell instructed the duo, referring to the hundred dollar note.
“When will the final stages of the portal be ready, Farrah?” Dymian concentrated on her as she adjusted his collar.
On a wise note, Farrah’s assurance was in a layered honey tone. “The portal is opening. The vortex is a small crack but it is growing wider and will get the job done.”
Contemptuously, Dymian snickered his mind as dark thoughts flooded him. With a devious chortle, he kissed the tip of Farrah’s nose. “Marvelous!”
Farrah crooked a small smile at the corner of her sheer nude glossy lips. “The Alpha King has left the pack and soon his son will follow.”
Dymian cupped her cheek before turning away from her. He beckoned Rovell to lend him his ear while they communicated privately at the desk.
-
RAINA’S POVThe air fizzled around us. So much anger.These two…good grief, I groaned internally."Don't worry, Rai," Azara offered, full of optimism. "In the long run, they’ll put aside their differences when they realize it’s what they need to do to protect you. They will eventually see eye-to-eye.""Sweetness," Theo beckoned to his mate. He twirled Azara around to face him and Thaines rested his chin on top of her head as he spoke, "We could teach komodos how to hug before that happens."When she frowned, he kissed her nose lightly and hugged her.Gustav hesitated for a mischievous moment and leveled Valen with a hard look before saying, “This is Selene’s way of keeping intruders from proceeding to the navel of the temple. Without me, you’d be walking in circles and can’t get out.”My stomach dropped. “You mean another earthquake is going to hit again?”“Yes,” Gustav admitted, darting his eyes to me, “And an earthquake here means another earthquake for your pack.”“Hah!” Gasping fr
RAINA’S POV“This was where they killed Selene. Before this temple was ever constructed, the Worgens fought Selene here,” I whispered and turned my gaze to my mate. “That crazy battle.”“You're recurring dream,” Devin mentioned quietly from down the line.Valen’s hand closed around my arm before I could take a step. “Stay with me.” His tone left no room for argument, full of the Alpha’s edge that made the others instinctively fall silent. “Don't go anywhere.”“I’m not wandering off,” I grumbled, but he didn’t let go. “You don’t have to hover.”“I do and I will.” Valen dipped his head so that I couldn't miss the hard defiance in his expression, or the dark possessiveness in his emeralds. “Do not forget our agreement.”He was referring to the fact that I had to stick to his side like glue, so he wouldn't lay another finger on my guardian. No matter what Gustav did, they still saw him as a walking, talking bomb waiting to go off. What's worse is I have no idea how to help or fix it.Trus
RAINA’S POV“Are you okay?” Valen asked as soon as we teleported to Zannos while he cradled me in his arms in the darkness. “Are you cold?”Several round lights swept across the temple as the gang switched on their helmet lights. The smell of parched dirt mixed with dried corn pervaded the air, leaving me unsettled, but I had to hide that from my clingy mate.“I’m good,” I replied, trying to get him to put me down. “Valen, I can stand.”I didn’t want to be treated like dead weight, and now that he was doing exactly that, it reminded me of all the harsh things he had said.Glowing vermillion stared down at me as I pushed against his massive chest. I looked up at him with a pout.His white hair, partially braided and flowing behind him, was messy, his eyes narrowed, his lip quirked, then he said, “Don't be hard on yourself. I’ll carry you.”Oh, em gee. There was no arguing with this sourpuss.No matter how many times I told him I was okay, he just won’t believe me. I was aware of how mu
VALEN’S POVPlagued by his words, Theo and I exchanged an unsettling look.That's not right, though. But then again, Werewolves enjoyed traveling, and our species would naturally be drawn to anything Selene-related. So I dismissed whatever he was hinting at with Elder Jacob as him trying to stir up conflict, probably to turn us against each other and distract us from him.In no time, I had Gustav violently thrown into a chair in Penn’s basement. Thaines and Jason were there when I arrived with Theo. Devin joined us right after, and we formed a semi-circle in front of the brute.Penn acted quickly, flicking her wrist to work her magic. Belts burst from the backrest and the seat to strap him down.Gustav smirked, his eyes burning with arrogance. “Your little spells won’t do much for you, witch.” He shifted his gaze to Devin, his brows raised, and he taunted, “Is she your tight squeeze or just a bed dribbler?”“Say that again, bastard,” Devin growled, moving to swing a fist at his face.
VALEN’S POVDelicate, warm fingers wrap around mine, drawing my attention back to Raina. The pained expression on her face gutted me."Go," Raina whispered, tilting her head up to offer a tired smile. "It's important."I took her hand in mine and brought her fingers to my lips. "Baby, you're important too.”She shook her head while guilt and sadness floated back through the bond. "No, Valen, this is different."Another sense of dread filled me, seeing her so sombre. I felt like a spider behind the eight-ball, knowing that something very bad of epic proportions was on the horizon.“This place feels full of ghosts.” Her distressed blues connected with mine, and she took a deep, panicking breath before whispering, "Hidden energies are everywhere.”“What news do you have that couldn't have waited, Devin?” I gritted my teeth once we left Raina’s hospital room and stood in the corridor, letting my exasperation show.Thankfully, overall, she's back to normal, and Azara and Venus dropped by i
VALEN’S POV"Let's move her to a private room where she can rest while we keep an eye on her," Grandma Jade opted, flashing her azure blue eyes from Mom to me.Raina exhaled shakily and kept her cold fingers locked with mine. Feeling my heart fracturing for her, I objected.“What if Zuzu could warm her faster?” I asked, disliking that all their proposals meant Raina would still be in agony. I wanted immediate solutions. So I suggested, “She's linked to Raina. Her phoenix flames can merge with her blood.”Still not liking the idea of taking her patient from the hospital, Mom cocked up a brow and opposed, “My healing won't work because this is a god’s doing, and you think your eagle will?”“Worth a try,” I respectfully insisted. We were stubborn alike.Arms akimbo, Mom stared at me for a moment, silently questioning my sanity. Her eyes hardened as she deliberated, and when she realized I would not change my mind, she threw her hands up and muttered in a not-so-pleased tone. “Fine. Forge