EmoryMichael won’t stop crying. I don’t know what he wants. I’ve fed and burped him and changed his diaper. Nothing seems to work.Even with my mom and the maids help, I’m exhausted and not getting enough sleep. No one can figure out why the baby won’t stop crying. During a check-up at the clinic,
“No,” she says. “There’s something else we haven’t tried.“What?”“Michael is half-vampire. We haven’t tried giving him blood.”I blink as I remember Dr. Martin explaining that vampire babies are fed blood along with milk usually along the six month mark. Due to Michael’s hybrid nature, we haven’t b
I feel guilty at having to leave her to the brunt of caring for Michael. I want to be there more for them, but I still have a war to deal with. Now that Jacob is back at Scarlett Thunder, I expect King Peter to launch an attack any day now. The birth of my son has added a new fear to my life–the fea
RainerAs soon as Dr. Martin discharges me from the clinic, I’m back to duty as if I’ve never been gone. A lot can happen in a week’s time, especially since we’re on the verge of a war that could annihilate our way of living. With our leverage against Scarlett Thunder gone, we’re anticipating King P
Rainer parks the car, and we step out of the vehicle. We’re in the middle of a clearing where there are only trees and the ruins of old stone cottages to be found. The place looks like it was abandoned a very long time ago. My heart sinks as I try to look for any trace of the coven I used to be part
“That’s not why I’ve come,” I insist. “My name is Willow. I used to be part of this coven. I was sold off as a feeder by my father, Asher. I had a sister, Bryony-”“High priestess Bryony?” the woman asks.That makes me pause. “I didn’t know she became the high priestess.”“After her sister was sold
Willow“Bryony never stopped hoping you would come back. And it’s because of her, I will listen to what you have to say,” Ivy declares. “We will speak alone in my home.”Relief washes over me. “Thank you, Ivy.”She raises a hand to stop me. “Only you. He can’t come into the village.”Glancing down m
Ivy’s fingernail traces the rim of the teacup, her expression contemplative. “What else would King Kane be able to offer for this alliance?”“The man that came with me would be able to tell you more,” I explain. “He is King Kane’s right hand man.”“And you are friends with this man?”If I could blus
Fractured memories of the night I nearly drank myself to death careen to the forefront of my mind. There was a woman. I don’t remember her face or her name. I was so far gone with drink and self-loathing that I gave in to whatever kind of attention and stimulations she had to offer. It was consensua
ColeThe letter came in the dead of night, rain-soaked and smeared, but I’d know her handwriting anywhere, in any condition. She’d written that she needed to see me, urgently, that it couldn’t wait, and she couldn’t explain why, not in a letter, not at the risk of what she needed to tell me going pu
EmeldaIt’s a quiet night. A long, silent walk from the castle. I needed this quiet, this stillness in the late summer air. Ravenfell comes into view beyond the trees, twinkling in the darkness. I smile, shaking my head as I look down at my shoes. I can still feel the weight of the twins in my arms
MichaelI haven’t been to Scarlet Thunder in… years. I didn’t realize how long it’s been until I pulled up to the back of the castle, somewhat startled by how small it looks compared to my memories from my childhood. Not that it's a small castle, but I'm much bigger now. I step out of my car, my fac
Faye“Oh, Faye, this is beautiful,” Emory says as she walks around the wide room on the second floor of the newly constructed manor. She runs her fingers over the pale blue and pink floral wallpaper and white trim, her jade eyes sparkling as she takes in the lace curtains and soft cream carpet. “I l
EmeldaIn the week since the twins were born, I’ve been busy with the final touches on my cottage. I spent days this past spring digging in the front garden, planting herbs and vegetables, and fixing the front path. I hired a group of shifters to replace the roof and update the inside, installing ne
Emelda“Thank you,” I say, hurrying at a near run as a maid takes my cloak. The castle is buzzing with nervous energy but remains quiet with even the maids tiptoeing around, trying not to make a sound. I’d remained in Ravenfell for the birth. I spent all night and most of this morning at Alma’s hou
FayeSomething’s wrong. Something has to be wrong. “You’re doing great. Keep pushing, Faye. You’ve got this,” Alma says, her face glistening with sweat and determination while I roar in pain. Michael clutches my hand, his other hand bracing my inner thigh as I bear down with all the strength I hav
Michael“It could be hours–or a day,” Alma says quietly as she arranges her tonics on a table just outside the bedroom where Faye’s finally getting some rest. “It’s been hours already,” I tell her, motioning toward the window in my suite in the castle where moonlight drifts through the panes, casti