Almara’s Pov“Sit,” Zayne says just as forcefully as his hand that shoves Arthur and me onto two small metallic seats. Our cuffs cut into our wrists and we stumble over one another as we try to avoid falling off the seats.Once we’re somewhat settled, Zayne hovers over us. I dislike the difference in height difference as we’re seated and he towers over us. Just as I begin to wonder what he’s doing in such close proximity to us, the ground begins to shake.It’s not so much a violent movement, rather a small vibration engulfs Arthur and me, from the ground where are feet are to the tops of our heads.Zayne’s eyes roll back to his head so only the whites are showing and he lazily drapes his paws out in front of him, letting his wrists hang lifelessly. He mutters something and the vibration intensifies.I want to break my concentration and look at Arthur, but I can’t. Anytime I try to move or speak a numbness pervades in my muscle. More than that, the desire to want to speak or move compl
Almara’s PovArthur and I continue to fight against the invisible restraints, but it’s like trying to swim against the current. The more we try, the harder it gets and eventually the only thing able to break loose is a sob.Grace has never seen me cry before because I know it would break her heart to see her mother upset, but now she’s looking at me without any emotion, as though she would be impartial to anyone’s distress, let alone her own mother’s.I keep trying to sit up until I know I’ve reached my maximum strength capacity. I sink back into my sweet, noticing how Zayne is enjoying watching us fail at protecting our daughter who stands mere feet away, yet is also so far gone.Beside me Arthur heaves and pants, I can sense the blood pumping through his veins. His breath is hot and heavy, laden with rage. The room no longer feels cold, instead, it’s become unbearably stuffy.“What do you want?” exhaustion creeps through each winded word. I’m so tired of guessing what to do or fight
Almara’s PovWe recite the speech in flat voices the Zayne had prepared. We go through the motions as though on autopilot, just getting through this part so that the real events can begin. For all the murderous skills the familiar have, they lack in their writing.The speech was so dry there would be no way anyone back one would truly believe we meant the words we were saying. Still, even pretending to admit defeats leaves a bad taste in my mouth.“We said our piece, now let us go,&
Almara’s PovCathy’s word hang in the air which increasingly becomes thick and closes in around us. I suddenly find it hard to breathe and every inhalation brings with it the stench of death. I pull myself away from the cell, suddenly unable to bear the sight of Robert lying like a crumbled heap of meat on the ground.The sight, the smell, it all repulses me. I try to keep the bile from rising in my stomach, but being as pregnant as I am my refluxes aren’t as strong. I retch over in the corner. My entire body shakes as I empty whatever contents are left in m
Almara’s PovDelfino grabs the scroll and gives it to Edward who turns to a bat and darts out of the room. For a second, I think Zayne might grab Edward out of the air with one easy lift of the arm, but he doesn’t. He lets him zip past him and instead moves in closer to us.“You’re a traitor,” Zayne says like this has never occurred to him before. I want to laugh and point out that werewolves had known this all along, but given the treaty we just signed, I decide not to.
Almara’s PovThough it’s dark in the dungeon, nighttime has fallen. I can tell by the heightened energy pulsating throughout the castle above us from the vampires who are their most active, meanwhile, my internal clock is slowed down and with a belly full of steak, I’m ready for bed.“You’ll have to sleep down here, for now,” Delfino says noticing the heaviness of all our eyes.“Can you bring Grace to us?” I ask.
Arthur’s PovAlmara and I leap through the castle, interweaving through battle cries and dodging attacks. Our breath is heavy and our hearts pound in synch with our paw prints beating against the hard, cold earth. I’d be lying if I said the thrill of it all is intoxicating.I drink in the rush of cool air rushing past me as sweat trickles down my back. My senses heighten to what’s important: Almara and Grace. Every other noise gets drowned out until it becomes a constant hum in the background.
Almara’s PovArthur tries the handle on the door first, and when it doesn’t budge he thrusts his entire body into it. The door’s hinges cave slightly but don’t break. Just as he rams his shoulder into the door a second time, a loud clap of thunder erupts from the sky muffling the brute force of his efforts at trying to push open the door.I stand guard and watch chaos break out all around us. As of now, every wolf, vampire, and familiar is preoccupied with the enemy in front of them. I think it helps that no one wants to come near the building consider
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&