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43|A Reasonable Man
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The Forsaken 44|Let This Be A Warning
Luca and Andrew were only gone for half an hour when April's phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and glanced at the caller ID. She was so tempted to ignore it when she saw it was Ethan. But she knew he wouldn't take kindly to her playing hide and seek. With a weary sigh, she hit 'answer' on the screen."I was starting to think you were avoiding me," Ethan drawled on his end of the line.April ignored him, refusing to engage him, no matter how tempted she was.When Ethan didn't get the riled up response he'd hoped for, he cut to the chase. "Time is up, April. My men will be there in a few minutes. Get the star ready."April panicked, her mind scattering in a million directions as she tried to think of ways to stall him. But she'd run out of excuses and ideas a week ago already. She had nothing to hold him off with now. But his men coming to the manor wasn't an option, more so when she didn't have any backup."Ethan, please. Just a few more days. I'm begging you," April pleaded,
The Forsaken 45|Taken
They argued all the way back to the bayou. Andrew did a lot of the shouting, and Luca just grunted and growled under his breath."You crossed a line tonight, Luca!" Andrew raged at him for the millionth time, and for the millionth time, Luca shrugged his shoulders."What do you want from me? An apology? What?" Luca stopped walking for the moment and clenched his hands at his sides, completely fed up with listening to Andrew nag like a fishwife.Andrew also paused and scowled at him, "I'm just saying you lost your head tonight. She's pregnant. We should have left her alone."Luca was well aware he'd crossed the line and should have left Ava alone when he realised she was expecting. Chances were, he would have. But the conniving look in the hunter's eyes and the self-satisfied smirk on her face was the final straw, and something in him had snapped. Ava's lack of remorse over her actions had pushed him beyond his limits. He didn't regret cutting off her hand. He'd chop off the other, too,
The Forsaken 46|Free Them
After the witches parted ways with the wolves, an impromptu meeting took place at Luann's house, where they made new plans to go after Samuel and his hunters.Someone—it wasn't clear who—had decided to forego the diplomatic route and unleash hell on earth. The hunters had gone too far when they went after one of their own. As much as they hated to admit it, Cadence's situation would have been far worse if it hadn't been for Luca.Sonja half-heartedly listened to the elaborate revenge plans, her mind still inside the Delacroix's manor, thinking about how she'd failed as a mother to protect her only child. Cadence was and should have been her only concern. If she wasn't obsessed with her feud with Luca and his clan, maybe she would have seen how unhinged Ava was.She had to make things right somehow and redeem herself as a mother."I have to go," Sonja whispered as she rose from her seat. It wasn't that much of a whisper, because the others turned their shocked, confused faces to her."
The Forsaken 47|Empty
"We can't."Those two words were the last thing Sonja wanted to hear from Luca. Her eyes wide with hysteria, she frowned at him. "What do you mean we can't? We have to open the door. We have to get them out of there!""I mean, not right now. We have another problem on our hands. Ethan was here." While Luca explained the situation with Ethan and Cadence, and the hunters, he mentally prepared himself for another assault from Sonja. His instincts proved him right again. In a blink of an eye, the whole basement was in utter chaos, and Luca lay in the epicentre of the destruction, panting as he felt his searing wounds slowly close up. Sonja was unforgiving this time around. If it wasn't for Warwick in the cellar, pleading with her to calm down, Luca would have been done for. But he didn't blame her. Not one bit. He deserved every fiery orb she hurled at him, because she was right. He put Cadence in harm's way. The longer Luca listened to Sonja's outrage and blame, the more he believed Ru
The Forsaken 48|Waiting
The silence in the basement was deafening.They'd gone over their plan at least a dozen times while waiting for Ethan to make contact, and now they'd run out of things to talk about. Everyone in the room hated each other's guts. If circumstances permitted, they would have ripped out each other's throats. But for Cadence, they had to work together.From his position high on the crates in the corner of the cellar, Luca glanced across the room at Rachel, a relieved smile forming on his lips when he caught her chatting with Rudolf. She almost looked like her old self again, and the bite wounds all over her neck and arms had begun to heal thanks to Sonja's concoction of herbs and ointments.Rudolf had also eased up on his snarling and growling, and looked somewhat relaxed. But Luca figured the young wolf's guard was still up where his clan was concerned, and anything would set him off. So he, April and Andrew played as far away as possible from Rachel.Tired of waiting for the call, Luca s
The Forsaken 49|Without Cadence
Luca retreated to the crates in the corner again, the tension between him and Andrew still simmering out of control. For twenty years, the cousins had held it together. Not once did they ever threaten or blame each other. They'd given each other strength in their most hopeless moments, so for April and Rosalie to see them fall apart at the very end was heartbreaking.Rachel and Rudolf watched the chaos with mild intrigue from their spot, refusing to be drawn into the madness. Sonja suggested they should go home and get some rest. But they politely declined. They wanted to be there for her and help in any way they could.April's phone rang again, and Andrew exhaled a huge sigh of relief when she mouthed, "it's Ethan".He'd known all along he'd call again. After all, he knew Ethan and the games he liked to play better than anyone. They were the best of friends a lifetime ago.But if Andrew was honest, for a second there, he'd had his doubts and would never have forgiven himself if it tu
The Forsaken 50|Help Wanted-Part 1
It was early dawn, but still dark outside. Rachel stuck as close to Rudolf as possible, gripping his big warm hand tightly in her small one. But despite his steady presence, even the slightest rustle in the brush sent her pulse soaring and left her anxious as they hurried through the woods."It's okay; I'm here," he assured her with a comforting smile."I'm all right," his mate smiled back. But he could see right through the pain hidden behind her eyes. Once again, he was overcome by feelings of helplessness and shame, his mind swirling with 'if onlys' and 'what ifs'.He was easily one of the strongest, fiercest warriors in his pack, and could handle one vampire any day. But there were six of them, and as valiantly as he'd tried to take them on and hold them off from harming Rachel and April, Ethan and his clan had overpowered him with very little effort.'It's no excuse. You should have done a better job protecting her,' Rudolf, suddenly furious with himself for not being able to kee
The Forsaken 51|Help Wanted-Part 2
Sonja said a small prayer of thanks, tiny spasms of immense relief and gratitude rocking through her body.Emme turned to Rachel. "Take him home, and calm him down. He can't go into battle in the state he's in.""Thank you." Rachel smiled while Rudolf mumbled something that sounded like an apology. Emme accepted it with a quick nod of her head as she ushered them away and closed the door behind them."Where were we?" she asked as she stepped into the kitchen to get the kettle going on the stove."He's young and impulsive. He didn't mean any disrespect." Emme had forgiven Rudolf if their parting was any indication, but Sonja felt she still needed to apologise and clear the air anyway."He has a temper, like his father. It will get him in trouble someday." There was a wistful look in Emme's eyes and a longing in her voice that was hard to miss as she led Sonja back to the living room.Carrying on, she said, "I'm not angry with him for what he said. I just had to get him out of here."So
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The Forsaken 62|A New Dance
Luca reached up and caressed her cheek.Cadence closed her eyes, wishing he wouldn't, but at the same time, she didn't want him to stop. He was her own little pill, her addiction, one she knew was bad for her, but couldn't give up or refuse all the same."Luca," she whispered as he pressed her body close to his.They didn't say anything for some time as they stood there, revelling in their heated embrace.Soon, though, just having Cadence in his arms was no longer enough for Luca. He had to have to her. So he picked her up and placed her on the altar bed.It was cold and hard, but Cadence didn't notice. All she was aware of was the heat between them as he covered her body with his.Their kissing was tentative at first, but grew more heated and urgent as he greedily pried her mouth open, demanding more of her while removing their clothes, stripping them of everything standing between their desires.Cadence was stunned by how easy it was to put aside all her uncertainties and give in to
The Forsaken 61|Things Changed
Long after she'd called Sonja and asked to hitch a ride with them to Bridgetown, Cadence was still in her room, sobbing in her hands, crying over the Origami swan Luca had left for her on her desk at some point during the day.Like that first time, his message was short and to the point. 'We need to talk'."Oh, Luca!" Cadence thought sadly. He'd picked a hell of a time to want to talk. She honestly didn't see how talking would change anything. Her father was right. She had to go to Bridgetown for Emme, if not for herself. She had to honour her mentor's memory. And she knew in her heart that Luca would never leave his brother, especially when he missed twenty years with him."It wouldn't have worked out anyway. Long-distance relationships hardly ever work out," Cadence consoled herself as she got up from the bed and wiped away her tears. She stuffed her music box in her backpack and took one final wistful look at her room before she headed out. She was going to miss her home and Shado
The Forsaken 60|Out Of Love
Warwick took small sips from his mug as he stared at Sonja. He knew his unwavering gaze was unsettling for her. But for the life of him, he couldn't look away."You are staring," Sonja admonished quietly, unable to take his scrutiny any longer."I'm sorry." Warwick smiled, showing his fangs briefly as he crossed the room and took her hands. He turned them over and kissed her palms like he used to back then, before that night all those years ago. His simple gesture reminded Sonja of how much she'd missed out on. All the little things she'd forced herself not to think about until now made her want to cry."How is it possible? You haven't aged a day," he murmured as he brushed a loose strand of hair from her face. "It's like time stopped the day I left, and now it's picking up right where we left off."Sonja wept harder at his words. They were absurd. As much as she loved her daughter and didn't regret a single moment with her, Cadence's existence was a painful reminder of how much time
The Forsaken 59|Your Dream
Luca hated to break up the reunion party, but the newly freed vampires had to feed and get ready to clear out of Shadowbrooke. So while everyone prepared for their departure, Cadence and her father went to the crypt to talk.Cadence sat on the altar bed, and he joined her and took her hand."You did nothing wrong, Cadence.""I locked you away." Cadence shook her head. She knew he was trying to make her feel better. But nothing would change the fact that her blood had sealed him in and robbed him of twenty years of his life he would never get back."And your blood has freed me now," Warwick reminded her.Cadence gave him an incredulous look. "You read my thoughts?""I can, but I didn't have to. I can see it in your eyes, the guilt you feel. It's time you forgave yourself."Cadence didn't say anything after this. There was so much she wanted to say to him, though, but she barely knew him, barely knew what he liked and didn't like."There'll be plenty of time for that," Warwick smiled and
The Forsaken 58|Freed
The anxiety in the cellar had mounted to an unbearable point. It was so intense that Luca could almost taste it in his throat. He swallowed hard, unable to believe that in just under an hour, it would all be over. All the years of tireless searching for the star and hoping for a miracle had finally come to this moment.April tugged at his arm and led him to the corner of the room, away from the ritual space.Rudolf, now awake, looked subdued as he sat on the cot with his back pressed against the wall and silently watched the excitement in the centre of the room."Do you think it will work?" April asked, her voice barely audible. But Luca had heard her. He gave her a sidelong look to reassure her. "Of course, it will!"April tried to smile. But her eyes clouded up with tears as she played with her hair.Luca pulled her close and asked, "what's wrong?""I am terrified." April bawled on his chest. Her sniffling drew the attention of the witches, and they stared at them for a bit before r
The Forsaken 57|Closure
They all took Emme's death hard, but none of them had the luxury to grieve. They still had a lot more to do. And Sonja gave them just the distraction they needed. She got everyone to work as soon as they returned to the manor.While the three younger witches prepared the cellar for the ritual, she went to her house to pack a few things and close off the place.She was surprised to find her sister and Romulus waiting for her."What do you want now?" she asked impatiently."That was a hell of a risk you took." Luann rose and stretched her limbs. Romulus also stood up and moved aside to let Sonja through.Sonja knew her sister was referring to Ethan, and she didn't want to get into it with her. "It worked. That's all that matters.""And we are grateful."Sonja was about to turn the key on the door. She stopped and looked at Luann, surprised to see something close to sincerity, or maybe remorse, in her eyes."So, what's the plan? You're going to open the door?" Luann asked."Nothing will
The Forsaken 56|The Price Of Magic
"What took you so long?" Luca demanded as soon as Emme took on her human form again in the woods where she'd left them. "I got tied up," she replied. "Did you find them?" Sonja asked, sounding a little anxious. Emme nodded her head and filled them in, giving them as much detail as possible.When Luca heard about Ethan's small army, he wanted to abort the plan. It was too dangerous. They'd banked on the fact that Ethan's fledglings would be resting and at their weakest since it was daylight. But knowing they were awake and in bloodlust, he didn't want to take a chance and risk all their lives."He's locked them up in cages. If and when he realises what's happening, he won't have enough time to release them all!" Emme argued.But nothing anyone said would change Luca's mind. "No! It's too dangerous. We're dropping this whole thing and heading home. NOW!"April decided to settle the matter the old school way. She called for a vote. Cadence understood the urgency, but on the other han
The Forsaken 55|Ethan's Lair
By the time Rachel reached the manor, she was hysterical and almost breathless from running. It took some time for Sonja to calm her down and get the whole story from her."I told you it wouldn't work! Ethan's figured out the star we gave him is a fake." April was the first to fall apart. And it wasn't long before everyone had something to say, and the tension in the room reached an unbearable point.April wanted to open the door urgently, get the hell out of Shadowbrooke, and leave the pack and Sonja's coven to deal with Ethan's wrath.Luca and Andrew refused to entertain her. They couldn't sit back and watch the town go up in flames. They had an obligation to help. After all, Ethan's retaliation was solely on them this time around."Did they fucking help us twenty years ago?" April couldn't keep a lid on her emotions as she and Luca went head to head, exchanging heated words. The tension brewing between them for years now had finally bubbled over, and their verbal war was devastatin
The Forsaken 54|Tricked
Hours after he'd left Luca, Ethan was still fuming. He couldn't believe how Sonja's daughter had messed up his plan at the last minute. He should have accounted for the fact that she might change back, but the thought had never crossed his mind, in all honesty.He'd had no intention of returning Cadence. In fact, he would have killed her right there, while in her spectral form, and hung her on that same tree where Luca had hung his father. Yes, he had planned to make Luca watch him take away what was most precious to him."Damn that fucking cat!" He slammed his fist on the glass tabletop. The untouched goblet toppled over. Surprisingly, it didn't break, but the liquid inside made a mess all over the cracked surface.Eugénie was a picture of calmness. She'd been with him long enough to get used to his fits of rage. They no longer disturbed her."We'll get him soon enough." She purred as she got up from her seat and draped her arms over his shoulders. Ethan grunted his displeasure, an
