"I have assigned soldiers to roam the city for any sign of shapeshifters. They do not know that the shapeshifters will petrify but once they see it happening, they will know what to look for," Altid told Agnes. "That is a smart move," Agnes commented. "Because whoever knows may choose to sabotage our plans."It was not long after she said this that a soldier ran into the room, his face looked pale and fear-stricken. "I was told I would find you here Your Highness," he said in short gasps. "Lord Altid," he gave a slight bow."Some of our soldiers," he said still gasping. "I think they might need medical attention," he said. "They are suddenly turning green as their skin is drying up. They are in severe pain.""Because they took up an appearance that wasn't theirs to deceive Ghysem," Agnes smiled. "Your Highness?""Need not worry yourself," she said, still smiling. "They are simply shapeshifters from the south who have infiltrated our pack. That is why they have petrified."He had an
The room in the house was off the main living area, which made it very small and dark and the only source of light was the flickering candle flame that cast long bony shadows against the walls. The smell of the dust and the acrid note of wax prevailed in the air. Lady Asher looked increasingly regal as she sat in the ornate hand-crafted armchair. Her keen eyes followed Castilla as she stepped into the room. Her eyes were hard as ice; her stare was sharper than a dagger, and it stabbed right through Castilla’s spirit.Castilla danced with elegance and some nervousness; one could tell she was hesitant. Moving her gaze around the room, she looked for comfort but there was none. The walls had crimson color and paintings of ancient wolves. It was difficult to distinguish whether it was disdain, or nervousness, or both for Castilla. Once more her hands were shaking, as she hid them behind her. Lady Asher’s voice was no louder than a whisper as if the fate of the entire world rested on her
Lord Xeik, suddenly awoke with a sudden leap of his heart which pounded against this chest like the forge of a blacksmith. Even at the break of dawn, the illumination of light was poor and the outlines of the tent seemed to creep on him like skeletal hands reaching for him. He had had a nightmare where he had lost his life and not in the most pleasant way. He sat up abruptly and looked around him then suddenly saw it—a black veil spread out like a funeral pall, lying beside him.His mind traveled back to the day before he had come to Ghysem, the recollection of the same veil when he woke up. Castilla has not been beside him, instead, there has been a similar black veil. Then he had not thought much of it but the sight of this one had horrified him, the feeling it elicited left him with utter dread; it was a chilling reminder in his ear. Was someone attempting to send him a message? Why had he not been killed? If King Ares had died because of the black veil, did that mean that he was g
Cyrus POV"Your majesty!" A soldier called out walking into the general tent for decision making. He had a look of urgency on his face. "The South is planning to create a diversion elsewhere. To draw our forces away from here.""Ah, is that so?" I asked, a small wicked grin forming on my face. "That sounds wonderful. The soldiers in the underground pack at the border, they should be deployed to wherever the diversion is.""I shall see to that," one of the generals said with a bow. Drusus gave him a nod of approval. "Your majesty? May I speak with you in private?""Of course," I replied. The generals in the room got the message and excused us. "Is there something extremely chaotic going on?" I asked."On a lighter note," Drussus began. "Agnes has done something quite phenomenal.""Really?" My ears perked up at that. I love hearing about anything that had to do with Agnes."Yes. Reports came in from Altid that we had shapeshifters amongst us. Soldiers in the palace as well as here. She
Minerva's POVThe visions came at night when the cover had been drawn, tearing at me in its stormy twists and turns. Ghysem’s flames were rising before my eyes, I saw a real fire of hell flaming and destroying everything. My daughter looked terrified as she screamed, her shout was piercing in the dark as if she belonged to the depths of hell. It was burned into my mind like a branding iron of terror as if a hot knife had cut a scar which each beat of my heart brought back.Cyrus, her mate, lifted her gaze toward the ceiling, and sadness and hopelessness filled the young man’s face. His young years were to be spent in front of the sharp audience of sorrow and pain: acts woven out of grief and scenes made of suffering. Unfortunately, Hayes was again helpless while his mate lay as good as dead on the ground yet again. The burden of kingship weighed him down so much that he had to go on and continue with the fighting no matter what.My heart raced as if I was a mas wolf, or a wild horse r
As I traversed the dense forest, the shadows cast by the moonlight seemed to writhe and twist around me, like living darkness. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the soft crunch of leaves beneath my feet. I had been walking for hours, driven by a sense of urgency, a burning need to reach Ghysem.Suddenly, a vision seized me, a flash of clarity that illuminated the path ahead. I saw myself standing before a tent, its canvas a deep, burnished gold in the moonlight. I saw Agnes, my daughter, lying side by side with Cyrus, their bodies entwined in a tender embrace. The vision faded, leaving me breathless and resolute.With renewed purpose, I quickened my pace, my heart pounding in anticipation.As I emerged from the forest's shadowy depths, the silence enveloping me was palpable. The trees gave way to the sprawling capital city of Ghysem, its usual bustle and vibrancy eerily absent. The streets were deserted, the windows shuttered, and the doors barred. An unsettling quiet hun
Agnes sat there her head spinning round and round in circles as she looked at her mother her mind still reeling with Minerva’s words. The light of the tent was low in the night and the sad wrinkles of Minerva’s face were sharp and clearly noticeable.‘’Hey Agnes, why are you afraid to show your powers? Minerva enquired, she asked, her tone soft but commanding, a whisper that restarted the flickering flames of fear in Agnes’s heart."How do you know about that?" The wild stallion was beating in Agnes’ chest and she snapped at the both of them suddenly. Earlier she had been so cautious, so surreptitious, she had veneered her evil over with a veneer of commonness.Minerva watched her keenly and as she moved closer to her, the girl’s eyes had a glint of mischief. “How come you’re not inquiring about green lanterns?” She asked that question in a low, conspiratorial tone. By referring to the green lanterns another misconception was thrown into the heart of Agnes and her soul was electrified
Agnes POV“I have to,” I replied, my voice now almost a whisper, defeat dolefully etched across my brow and bearing down with a vengeance. This lifted some of the stiffness off my body as I slumped slightly and then relaxed my muscles.“But I never said that I forgive you,” I continued, tiredly, “I hope you know I still haven’t forgiven you yet.” Minerva’s eyes, currently a bright blue, clenched themselves into a frown as they unwaveringly stared at me.“Agnes, do not get angry with me,” she begged, holding her hands clenched as if in prayer, tears forming in her big blue eyes. “I had to send you to Cyrus because you still have a destiny to fulfill.” A flash of sourness churned in my throat then spread out forming a vise around my ribs, yet intermingling with it was the desire to know.I scrunched my brows, confusion and anxiety did shades on my face. "What about my siblings?" I said, sharing my fear, my sight focusing on her eyes. "Are they safe?" Minerva’s face became soft and cal