Daphne POV We sat on the floor the maps of the catacombs of Rome spread out next to the map given to us by Sasha in the wooden box. "There are so many how do we work out which one is the right one. None of these line up. The piece Sasha gave us looks like a whole new piece." I sighed. "I think we need to look for the ones that have that marking on the walls somewhere." Max mused as he pointed to a symbol at what looked like the beginning of Sasha's map. "It looks pagen in origin don't you think ?" I asked him and he shrugged. "There are over forty Catacombs here. Maybe we should just start with the Catacombs of Callixtus." I suggested. "I need to research the symbol a little more too." I added. "Whatever you think Daphne. It sounds like as good a starting place as any." he agreed keenly. "I reckon we won't know what we are looking for until we see it." he added as we both looked at the maps. I played with the amulet around my neck. "This is all so strange."I mused as I studied t
***Daphne POV ***Throwing on a pair of black jeans shorts , a white cropped t-shirt and my black vans I was ready for a day wandering beneath the city of Rome. The catacombs ran for miles and covered different periods of history. Most were tied to the Catholic faith but there was Jewish catacombs and Roman ones. The oldest Catacombs were where I was hoping maybe we would find the symbol but these were not necessarily open to the public. So today Max and I were doing a recon mission to see where we could possibly break in and wander the older catacombs. Whilst the catacombs were overseen by the Holy See the catacombs of St Callixtus were under the care of the Salesian Fathers. I had from general research open to the public realised that only five of the catacombs were open to the Public San Sebastiano, San Callisto, Priscilla, Domitilla, and Sant'Agnese. This meant Max and I were going to have to track down the local Watcher and see what he could help us with on a supernatural level.
Max.The drive to the Catacombs was amazing I loved riding a bike and having Daphne pushed that close to me sending delicious mate tingles through me added to the free feeling. This wasn't quite my bike it was one front he Royal Fleet in Europe. Daphne had mused why they would keep a bike but when she saw how people drove around Rome and the narrowness of the ancient streets it became clear to her. We had wandered the tourist open Catacombs listening to the guide and scanning the walls for any sign of a symbol that may help us. We both knew we wouldn't find it in the catacombs of St Callixtus but we had to start somewhere and as two eighteen year old who had only recently learnt what a catacomb was we were finding our feet. Daphne was more adapt at studious endeavours the I was, I went to school because I was made to go but my whole life was pre decided that I was a warrior of the Fianna and I had worked hard at subjects that weren't part of the common teenage curriculum. Daphne was r
***Daphne POV ****I lay in our bedroom floor with the offical documents outline maps of the catacombs and then the ones Fr Colm had provided. I had spent hours pain stakingly transferring the supernatural catacombs onto tracing paper to see if I could line them up anywhere with the known catacombs. Eventually I felt the answer was somewhere along the Vie Appain as some of the tunnels to the left were merely blurred squiggly lines in the offical map meaning perhaps the human who drew this suspected there were more but did not include them. Max had gone alone to see if he could scot out an obscured entrance to the underground and the beep on my mobile phone had just confirmed he had. I put a rough ring on the map where from Max's description as to where I felt he was and was content that we were now moving forward. My phone rang and smirking to myself I picked it up. "Well if it isn't the Kings peasant brother." I teased. There was a silence on the other end "Ah hi Daphne it's Lucind
***Dottie POV ***I ripped through the trees the dry leaves crunching under my feet as the werewolf Queen called out to me. I cursed myself for the stupidity of what I had done. I knew she would be at this event with the King but I had heard she had declined to stay in the pack house and that she would be travelling with a minimal gaurd. Desperate for the job as a server I had convinced myself I would avoid Danny if he was there and that no one else would spot me. This job had landed in my lap only the day before it was a cash payment and it paid really well. I had been struggling because Danny was searching for me and his damn influence ran deep into the shifter community. I needed to look after myself carefully and my grandmother whose health was ailing had slowed down our flight. "Dottie." the Queen called again before she finally caught up to me. She tackled me to the ground and we both rolled across the woodland debris. "Charlie." the King called his voice full of concern. She
***Danny POV ***Her words landed on me like a ton of bricks I had felt a wave of numbness pass over me as I stood staring at her stomach in the motel. I knew she wasn't lying and as soon as she utter the words I could sense the baby. I had turned and left her there stripping my clothes behind one of the waiting SUVs and shifting letting Bane the over as he raced away. I ran blindly and before I knew it I had run blindly into a bunch of rogues who had clearly been staking out the motel and Dottie. They surrounded me and snarled as I drew myself up to my full height in defence. I attacked first deftly snapping the neck of first scrappy thin looking brown wolf. The second and third ganged up on me I should of been scared or worried even but my anger that they were there for Dottie fueled my massacre. Bane kept fighting taking all his frustration out on the rogues until the last two just turned and fled. I shifted back covered in their blood and stood up panting. "With all this death ar
***Daphne POV ***we followed Viola through the Basilica and down the corridor that lead to the Watchers office once she was inside the door clicked closed but I re opened a few seconds later. Father Colm stood there regarding us closely. "May I help you?" he asked bowing to myself and Max. I was about to speak when Sebastian stood forward from behind us. "Sebastian I am not getting involved in another row between you and Viola." he said firmly. "My bloody eyebrows have only grown back after the last round." he added as I looked questionly at Sebastian. "That was a mere misunderstanding who knew the desk would catch fire that quickly." Sebastian shrugged. "I could of taken a good educated guess at it considering it was covered in premium whiskey." The Watcher retorted. "Stop my heart breaks at the waste of such fine old malt whiskey." Sebastian smirked. "Fitting that's all you would give a damn about Sebastian the whiskey and not me." a voice snapped as we all turned to face Viol
***Carmen POV ***Knowing that the King and Queen would be beside themselves searching for me to ensure I died to repay my action of killing the Queens little witch Sasha I had endured months as a Raven. I shifted only briefly to converse with the rogue leaders in an effort to track down someone with as much power as the green wolf but who had no worth to the royals. However that seemed to have been thwarted also by that little witch Sasha. I may have lost my first chance of opening the hell gate portal but I had lucked out in many ways as Sasha Semidi Moore had possibly been the strongest witch to ever walk this earth surpassing any legendary witch I knew myself included. It was a personal win that I had taken her out first she needed to fall so the green wolf Charlie was an easier target. I had been given word though that the other I had been seeking was now in the hands of the Royals. She had run straight into the arms of Sasha's widowed mate which I knew was not some serendipity m
Charlie PovIt had been a few months since Carmen had departed this world. We had all returned to our homes, Emmett had stayed behind to help Alpha Carlos in his pack based in Rome sentence and deal with what was left of Carmen's rogue army. We had kept our promise and created a royal council with a seat from every section of mystical and magical species represented. We had held the first one this morning and it had gone well despite the Vampire King Nicklaus slight annoyance that Emmett had asked for and won the vote to allow the Rebal Vampire King a vote on the council. It was unlikely he would attend the meetings or even take up his vote but I agreed with my mate, giving him a vote was a sign of respect. Queen Poppy had also agreed it was the right thing and argued with her husband it was just one vote and he had a right to a vote. Once Poppy threw her support behind me and Emmett the other council members agreed and King Nicklaus had reluctantly given in. It was the start of a new
Emmett POVThe fog dispersed and I let out a huge sigh of relief when I saw my mate walk towards Carmen and hold her as Daphne raced towards us. The Syphon Twins moved first gathering vials of the potion. As Madame Lux walked towards the fallen old witch. I made my own move and soon I was next to my mate, Jagger howling contentedly in my head as we discreetly checked her for injury. "Here." Jessica said holding out the potion to Charlie. Charlie however shook her head and dropped Carmen back onto the grass. "My blood may seal her away to the earth but someone else can finish her. I'm done with her i have worried and thought about this woman far too much" Charlie replied a cold tone to her voice. It didn't seem like Charlie was scared or upset even about binding the old witch forever there was something else that I couldn't place in my mates emotions. It was like an indifference that was now just rolling off her. She seemed numb in this moment. Taking the potion from Jessica she turn
Charlie Pov. Carmen's spell moved towards me and I dug deep trying to push my own spell back towards her. everyone relied on me and I had to win. I was born for this moment and I was failing. It was then I saw the change in the air as the small slitter appeared next to me and Sasha stepped out. "Hello Charlie." she said. I looked slightly frantic to see if Daphne was seeing this too but we were in a dense fog now and all I could see was the glow of the magic illuminating Carmen and Sasha she looked like herself but different. I knew instantly she was a merage or just a ghost of her former self and my heart lurched slightly. "Nothing can bring back the dead Charlie but it is me or at least my essence." she added seemingly knowing what was in my head. "let go your guilt over my death." She whispered. "tap into every corner of my power and the combined power of everyone who agreed to lend you their strength." she advised me. "They had no choice." I gritted out under the strain of Car
Emmett POVI watched in horror as my mate and sister were now face to face with Carnen and I was helpless. "Charlie." I yelled but she didn't acknowledge me. "I can't link our mate." Titan growled in my head. I made for the circle but King Nicklaus tackled me. "Let me go." I snarled. "The forcefield could kill you now it's not broken anymore. Charlie slipped by with Daphne I don't think you can pass." he reasoned before I could argue. We were hit by a new wave of rogues. "Shit." Danny yelled "they just keep coming." he growled. "I have help." Viola called as more Vampire's joined the fight. "Who are these Vampire's" King Nicklaus growled. "The rebel Kings men." Tristan responded. "But why?" Nicklaus began. "Because Carmen and her witches hurt my daughter." a voice answered. "And its that simple?" Nicklaus looked sceptical. "For me it is." the king responded as Nicklaus nodded and returned to the fight on hand. "Danny, Gideon and I will hold the line around Daphne and Cha
Charlie POV Viola's odd words washed over me. "Did she just say Dad." Soairse asked me in my head as I nodded slightly. "Hello Viola." he replied as around us other Vampire's now fought to keep us inside a safe ring and the Rebal King safe. "I heard you were fighting here with the wolves and Nicklaus Vampire's." he growled. Tristan moved to Viola's side protectively at the sound of the growl. "Back off punny Vampire. The only thing in this world I wouldn't hurt and would lay my life down for is my Princess Viola." he snarled. "Then it appears we share that." Tristan responded as he wrapped a protective arm around her waist. He raised his eyebrow in a suspicious glance. "Where is Sebastian?" he asked as a strange look crossed his face one I could not quite read. "Dead." Tristan snapped as the Vampire Rebel Kings eyes swung to Tristan. "At your hand?" Viola moved slightly between the two glaring males and hung her head. "No father I killed Sebastian he sold me to the witches
Charlie POVHaving eaten and made a crude plan for how this would all go to try get the best tactical advantage.We now had most people gathered on the weird little witches island. It was the perfect scene for a supernatural showdown as it was still bound and hidden by magic meaning it was obscured from human eyes. Adam and Max had returned with the Syphon Twins Jessica and Elizabeth. Having discussed a brief plan with us we finally agreed the best thing to do was bind us all together in the blood spell that would banish Carmen for good. By using all the high ranking shifters and mystical creatures it would be impossible for us to ever be weak again. The witches and the fairies agreed to allow the twins Syphon off a little of their magic too to strenght the spells core and then there was Daphne who held the strange magic from the ancient grimore who would also be happy to lend this new found magic to the twins. This was how we found ourselves all staring at the twins , Madame Lux, Da
Daphne Pov I heard Max leave and I drifted back into a restless sleep. I had no idea why I thought I had come to some place where I could live with the grief and misery but over the last few days a darkness had crept over me. I could hear voices in the distance. "What's wrong with her?" my brother Emmett's voice came through the thin walls of my tent and into the brain fog I was under. "I don't know." my father responded. "I think we should just give her space." Charlie's voice joined the conversation. A small smile played on my lips Charlie was a true Luna and her instincts were strong. "I'll talk to her." she added gently and I knew she was shooing the men away. I heard Charlie unzip my tent slightly before calling me. "Daphne?" She called gently. I didn't move but I knew her wolf sensed I was awake as she crawled into the tent and sat next to me. She silently placed her hand on mine and I felt her Luna touch ease my tense body slightly. "Daphne?" She asked again softly. "What
Max PoV I was delighted to get off site and away from everyone and whilst I was apprehensive about leaving Daphne it was a welcome break from her overwhelming misery that flooded our bond. She barely looked up from the sleeping bag she lay on when I told her I was leaving. I was tempted to tell her to pull herself together but I bit my tongue I didn't mean it I was just wondering would tough love draw out the spunky Daphne I knew. I sighed aloud and Adam who was driving turned to look at me. "Hey kid I know we aren't the closest of friends but we are pack and I am here for you." Adam said catching me slightly off gaurd my confusion must have been etched on my face. "I don't talk about feelings much but that doesn't mean I don't spot them." Adam smirked as I nodded. "Why don't you just talk. I'm all ears but I won't be telling anyone. I'm the best person no one will suspect I know a thing." he reasoned and I opened my mouth to respond when the story of Daphne's choice and our lost b
Emmett PoV We all found Prince Quentin and his fairy companions in the basement room observing the circle quietly when I entered with Charlie he looked up at us. "It's a strong fairy ring." he sighed and my face fell. "The fairies that created this are of as ancient a blood line as my own. Makes sense why Carmen targeted them." he added. "This blood line is going to be tough to over power." one of the other fairies agreed as they stared at the stone circle again with out stretched hands. They appeared to be feeling and pushing against a force we could not see. "And they all perished by Carmen's hand?" Quentin asked me without looking from the ring. "all but one." Emmett replied. "Of course otherwise the ring would break. Carmen has the fairy I assume?" Quentin asked again in a cold direct manner. "No we have her here." I responded. "Then why waste our time Werewolf kill the fairy and the magic dies simple." the older fairy companion snapped as he turned his glare at me and Cha