“The Firebird is also called the Phoenix. She dies and is reborn from the ashes,” I explain. “She’s the rarest in this collection. I thought you might like to see her resurrection.” I’m overjoyed that our timing was so perfect. I look to her owner and see a delighted look on his face as Sir Gavin ha
RainerDr. Montgomery is an interesting man. He's a bit kooky, a bit unorthodox, but as I'm wandering around the castle after most of the other shifters who weren't wounded in the escape have left, I find myself carrying on lengthy conversations with him just to have something to do. During one of m
KaneI can’t hide the irritation I feel as I’m told that Rainer has sent a telepathic message back to the castle through several of our allies to let me know there’s been a problem with Lydia. She’s gone–back with the Blood Takers. That changes everything as I begin to deliberate with Myenas.Damn
RainerAlpha Gerald is furious when we both realize that Lydia is back in danger. Toman has managed to kidnap her right under our noses. Nurse Janie is profusely apologetic when she realizes the mistake she’s made by letting Toman take Lydia from the hospital wing. The nurse looks like she’s on the
RainerIt takes me time, but I’m able to get into Castle Pestera. The castle is named for the fact that it’s built into a cave. Nearby is a waterfall which the kingdom is named after. During the summer, the water turns red due to the algae. Some people call it Blood Falls. It’s fitting territory for
LydiaThe guards drag me out of the dungeon and through a series of labyrinth-like hallways, making it difficult for me to remember the path. They walk quickly, forcing me to jog to keep up with them. They don’t slow down, but I manage not to trip as we go upstairs into what I’m assuming is the firs
When I’m sufficiently dry, one of them steps out for a moment and then is back with what appears to be some clothes and other items they’ll need to get me presentable. They dress me in a long blood red gown with long sleeves. It’s too tight around my chest, and one of the servants has to unlace the
LydiaI wake up in a dark room. I’m lying on something soft. Opening my eyes, I realize I’m on a bed with a fur blanket. My neck aches. I touch it gingerly to find dried blood.I try to get up, clinging to a bed post for support. Moving makes the world start spinning around me. Lying back down on th
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