We exchanged a challenge as the emerging black werewolf's eyes met mine, a silent promise that only one of us would survive this. The beast, bristling in rage, lunged at me faster than any regular werewolf should have been able to, and my heart hammered against my rib cage. I was overcome by instinct and barely avoided its savage fangs as they slashed through the air where my chest had been only a few moments ago.I got up quickly and squatted down, preparing to jump. Even though it wasn't my first encounter with a marauder, this one seemed unique. He moved with precision and calculation. He was more than a feral beast and more of an apex predator – a vicious one at that.And I was his victim.I shot forward, my claws outstretched, going for his throat, and a snarl tore from my throat. However, he moved too quickly. He moved to the side without any difficulty and quickly brought his claws down on my side. His claws tore through skin and fur, and I felt pain shoot through my body. I st
Sims's boots crunched on the gravel courtyard path as he fell into step beside me as I made my way back from the cells. His stillness carried an unsettled weight, an underlying strain to his normal stoicism. As we passed, I could feel the other guards' eyes on me and hear their respectful murmurs. But to me, it was all meaningless. My thoughts were exclusively focused on Vera.Finally, with a quiet voice, Sims added, "King Sylvester wants to see you." I was aware that we would be meeting. No one had overlooked my achievement.I looked at Sims; his countenance was as blank as usual, but I was getting used to it. He was stoic, yet there was a sense of loyalty in his actions, a begrudging respect for me, a loyalty to the King. He had fought with me, witnessed the carnage, and now that we had won, I could feel that respect growing. It didn't alter the fact that I detested the person I had turned into while working for King Sylvester.We arrived at the courtyard. The high stone walls of th
As soon as I entered the bar, I saw Ryan's well-known silhouette. He was sitting where we usually sat, facing the door with his back to the wall. When he noticed me, he lifted his hand and his lips curled into a tiny smile. Even though my heartbeat was steady and slow, my mind was racing with ideas as I walked over. I was meant to feel relieved, even elated, but instead I felt tense.Ryan remarked, "You made it," as I walked up and he kicked out the chair across from him. "I was beginning to fear that you wouldn't arrive.”I nodded as I sat down. "It is finished."He signalled the stewardess, who practically slid over, her motions so graceful and poised they made me think of a dancer. She gave me a tumbler of whisky, the amber liquid glistening in the low bar light. Quietly, I thanked her and returned my focus to Ryan.In a toast, Ryan lifted his glass to my elevation. I returned the favour, but the atmosphere was sombre rather than joyous. Our glasses clinked, the sound barely audibl
DEREK'S POV:I was heading to the training fields when a thin little lad with a weak voice and fretting eyes caught me.He said mildly with an undercurrent of urgency, "Lady Annalise requests your presence,”I followed him through the stone passageways of King Sylvester's fortress, feeling my stomach twist into knots. Although Annalise and I had never had a private meeting, her influence was as strong as it was dangerous. When she talked, the King's council paid attention, and when she walked into a room, something changed. She had asked for me, and I couldn't get rid of the impression that it wasn't just a polite request.The boy came to a halt in front of the sturdy door of Annalise's chamber. He nodded and rushed out of sight, leaving me standing in the dark hallway light. After a brief pause, I gently knocked.She said, "Enter," in a calm yet firm tone.The smell of incense filled the room, strong and confusing. With her back to me, Annalise stood by a window, appearing as a shado
VERA’S POV:My cell's chilly and dank stone walls had grown to feel like an old friend that I had to accept even though I had never asked for it. I was walking down the same wet floor, counting breaths, and following the same lines in the cracks every day. It had been months, not just weeks. I had been disoriented. I still had hope, though. I had persuaded myself, at least, that I hadn't.Then Derek showed there, just as he always did, walking into my small area with firm, steady steps. The creak of the door opened, but it was not the sound of liberation. Not quite yet. It was the sound of someone who was just not quite there, but wanted to think he could grant it. Despite trying to hide it with his normally composed manner, he stood straight in front of me, his face tense with worry. His demeanor hardly fooled me."You're handling everything so well," he said in a quiet voice that seemed almost melancholic, as if he thought I would be more devastated than I actually was.I gave him a
DEREK’S POV:As I swung into the back seat of the convoy, the engine hissed like a beast under the hood. There was already Annalise sitting in the centre with a cigarette hanging between her fingers and her knees crossed. The leather and metal of the armoured vehicle blended with the strong tobacco odour that permeated the inside. Her piercing emerald eyes showed no emotion as she cocked her head slightly, silently accepting my arrival.After a beat, she murmured, "Help yourself," pointing to the little bar embedded at the rear of the exotic car located across from me in a low, nearly humming voice. In the dimly lit space, a variety of spirits bottles gleamed, but my attention was drawn to the crystal decanter she was holding. She was already filling two glasses with something strong and dark.For a moment, I pondered whether it was prudent to drink at this time. Vera was on the line, King Sylvester was breathing down my neck, and every minute that went by only made me feel more and m
The gentle hum of the convoy's engine filled the quiet between Annalise and me as we rode the remainder of the trip. My pulse pounded in my ears, and my hands were still shaking from whatever cocktail she had given me. Sylvester, Vera, and the twisted woodland were all too real and visceral in the hallucination I had just had. I looked to see what she was thinking, but Annalise's eyes were locked on the road ahead, and her demeanour was as unreadable as ever.The convoy soon slowed, and I sensed the car veer slightly off the main road. Outside, the desolate horizon gave way to towering, imposing buildings, their neon lights glimmering in the darkness like beacons. The caravan arrived at a sleek, low-slung structure that appeared to be a club. The pulse of lights flashed sporadically, creating shadows that danced in the darkness like wraiths, as music throbbed softly through the walls.With ease, Annalise glided out as the door opened. Even though the fog in my head had mostly gone, I
DEREK'S POV:My body felt heavy and my muscles ached like I had been dragged through hell when I woke up, confused. My mouth felt as dry as a desert, and my head ached. I looked about, blinking against the faint light coming through heavy curtains. It was a hotel room with cream walls and soft carpets, yet the air had a slight scent and cigarette odour. When I sat up and saw that I was only wearing my boxers, my bewilderment turned to fear.Pushing my way through the club, attempting to get away from the suffocating commotion, the flashing lights, and the tightening embrace of bodies, was the last thing I remembered. Then again, nothing. An empty canvas.I noticed a shadow move close to the window. There stood Annalise, silhouetted against the dim light of the metropolis outside. With a cigarette dangling from her lips and a camera in one hand that flashed menacingly in the low light, she was leaning nonchalantly.I made an effort to collect my thoughts, but the mental haze would not