Almara’s PovThe walls seem to be caving in. “Cathy, you don’t have to do that.” I step forward to stand next to her. No one else seems to object. I’m suddenly reminded again of how self-centered the Hurricane Pack can be, which I suppose is they got to the top in the first place.I cast a helpless look at Arthur, hoping he’ll take the hint and speak up. Arthur looks saddened, but continues to stay silent. I can’t entirely blame him. He already said he would and wants to drink the potion, it’s Roman and Bess that won’t let
Almara’s PovArthur leaves my side only to scoop Cathy up in his arms and route her to safety. Her body is limp in his secure hold, she looks no less vulnerable than Grace. I follow closely behind him, telling Cathy it’ll all be okay, though I know she can’t hear me through the chopping wind.“Put these on.” Roman offers me two pairs of thick sunglasses and I slip on one pair on Arthur’s face. Once outside, the noise becomes much louder and the wind much stronger. Some medical professional is already jogging up to house. Though he looks lik
Almara’s PovBess, Roman, Robert, and me prepare to embark on our journey to the Council of Bloody Hollow. According to Robert the meeting house is not only in the center of the vampire world, but beneath it. Bess, Roman, and I may not even be able to get past the entry gates.The plan is to deliver Robert to the council and plead he has very important insight into the Hurricane Pack that would serve the council well, this will at least get him entry into the council. Meanwhile we search for the soul plant a few miles away from the council.
Almara’s PovFear settles in my chest like stone dropped into a still lake causing a cold rippling effect.“That wasn’t part of the plan.” Roman growls low enough only for us to hear.“Plans change.” Robert is quick to respond. I sit wide-eyed waiting to see what happens next.“How interesting.” The vampire says, a new sense of vitality taking over him. He probably
Almara’s Pov We wait for the dark figure to reappear. My eyes have since adjusted to the dim lighting and I attempt to make out my surroundings. We stand on something like sidewalk, but the platform is much larger in width. Between us and the man Robert was talking to is a thick metal gate. I can see something like a road next to us, though it’s not level to the pavement we stand on. The road is lowered by a few feet that is accessed by a ladder hanging on just the other side of the gate. I squint and catch a glistening sheen on the road, then I realize it’s not pavement. It’s water. We’re going to be transported by boat. The echoes of water dripping become more apparent at this realization. “Think of fake identities.” Robert tells us in a quickened hushed town, though still is voice is louder than he probably intended due to the rounding of the tunnels acting as an amplifier of sound. During the discussion of the plan, Robert told us this would be likely to happen. Before
Almara’s PovNo one dares to answer the question. We all share the same expression on our face, wonder at what comes next.“No matter.” Says the rower. “I think I know the answer.”“We’re not who you think you are.” Robert says, rising on his feet though keeping his knees bent as to not rock the boat too much.“Don’t try to fool me.” The rower excl
Almara’s PovRoman continues rowing on with Robert breathing down his neck questioning if Roman even knows where he’s going. The two go at one another, but I’m too busy trying to return Arthur’s call to pay them any attention.The deeper into the canals we go, the less service I get. “This is impossible.” I murmur under my breath. Now I probably won’t be able to call Athur back until we manage to at least get back to where we tossed the rower over board. Which is exactly what Roman and Robert are fighting about.
Almara’s PovWe follow at the surprisingly swift pace of the stout vampire ahead of us. We head down the long hallway, and I swear the portraits are following us with their eyes. Only Robert walks with his head held high, Bess and I keep our gaze fixed on the crimson-red rug beneath us.I see an extra pair of feet past us and I dare lift my head to see who it is. Crossing the hall, is a young vampire-ess. She looks to be in her young twenties though I doubt that’s really true. She’s in a maid’s outfit carrying a tray with another male servant walking b
Almara’s Pov5 Years Later“Cheers,” Arthur sys clinking his mixed drink of vodka and lemonade with my non-alcoholic lemonade. I’m pregnant, again. This pregnancy is completely different than my first two, I actually get to relax. Which is exactly what we’re doing in the manicured garden of our backyard.We sit stretched out on zero-gravity pool chairs, sweat
Almara’s PovAfter a much-needed week of rest and restoration, Arthur and I are back on the vampire territory. I suppose that it can officially be called that again now that it has been reclaimed.My body healed magnificently after months of not only growing another being, but also fighting a war. It’s amazing what good rest and proper nutrition can do. Of course, the real healing ingredient came from the sacrificial love of my wonderful husband.Even though he suffered his own inju
Almara’s PovFinally, after several journeys back and forth from our homeland to the enemies we come to the final steps. We saw plenty of wolves making their expedition back home and there was a unspoken agreement that what everyone needs right now is peace.Thankfully, no one came up to us with questions, grief, or comments. It’s like we have this new kinship with the gammas in our world that we didn’t before. We seem to understand each other, or at least truly see one another.
Almara’s PovOn the way home we make a pitstop to a very special place. “Why are we seeing more dead bodies?” Grace asks, her tone telling me we are nearing a full-blown tantrum.“This body belongs to someone very important in our family,” I tell her calmly and hike her up on my hip. I’m not sure if my words got through to her, or maybe it’s her father's serenity as we ascend up one final hill to where Bess lays.Bess’s gravestone is set apart fro
Almara’s PovWith the vortex closed off and gone, the air becomes breathable again and the storm lessens. Still, my paws squelch in the wet terrain.Unfortunately, as I look around at the battlefield and see the piles of bodies slumped over one another, I think it’s more than just mud causing the stickiness.I try not to look down at the innocent blood shed on the ground. As I take careful consideration to step over and around the bodies, I tell myself they chose to come out and hel
Almara’s PovCathy and I weave through the castle, barely missing rubble crumbling off from the stony walls. We leap over counters, using everything we have in us to catapult ourselves past knocked over statues of gargoyles and shredded velvet furniture.“Catch!” Cathy calls out and reflexively I snatch a jagged shard of ceramic in my hand. I recognize it from a broken pot on the ground. Then out of the corner of my eye I see something else flying at me, though I don’t catch it this time, I duck.
Almara’s PovI’ve never seen Cathy look more confident and proud than she does at this moment. She stands tall, cuts strewn across her body, but they only add to her tough exterior. She’s covered in her enemy’s blood and she has a thrilling look in her eyes.“Have you seen Arthur?” I ask cutting to the chase. Cathy nods back towards tall white cabinet doors. I turn back to look at my mother who nods in confirmation. I rush over to the door and throw it open.
Almara’s PovI awake to a familiar beeping sound. It’s faint at first, like a distant call from far away until it’s suddenly blaring in my ears. My eyes shoot open and the blood in my body rushes to the important organs and I sit up with a jolt.“Where’s Grace?” I ask before I can make out anything else. “Arthur? Robbie?” I call out, hoping the sound of my distressed voice will cause Robbie to cry back.“Shhh,” a gentle voice says with
Almara’s PovArthur flings open the door, this time it breaks off the hinges. I guess there’s no changing our mind now. I keep Robbie wrapped up in both my arms and under my shirt.Arthur uses his body to guard mine, outstretching his arms and a puffed-out chest as he keeps his eyes zeroed in on every moving body around us all while moving us forward and falling in exact pace with each of my steps.We fight through sideways rain and vicious winds, it dawns on me that this storm isn&