IvyLex and Rainer both look flabbergasted as the guards abruptly collapse to the ground. A simple sleeping spell is hardly anything to gawk at, but vampires and shifters tend to be weird about magic. They are either awed like I’m performing a miracle or deeply confused about how it works. Growing u
RainerThe alarm in the cave is still screaming, attracting the attention of the vampires in the field. It’s packed with cars. The guards of the vampire royals have been sitting in the vehicles or talking amongst themselves to pass the time. Seeing me running toward them carrying a woman wrapped in
RainerThe drive from Carmine Falls to Crimson Peak is long, but we don’t dare stop anywhere except for when we have to get gas. After Lydia’s abduction in Burgundy Bay, none of us know which of our ally territories have been compromised. There’s no relaxing till we reach the border of Crimson Peak.
“For the feeder operation? I saw everyone’s faces clear as day.” Lex stands up. “I should probably write it all down for you before I forget.”“Let’s go to my office.”Lex nods to Emory in acknowledgement before he and his brother leave the clinic. Ivy has finished explaining the potion to Dr. Marti
EmoryI call the Moonstones first, knowing they will want updates immediately. I get Lydia’s mother on the phone who sounds relieved and happy to hear the news. They will be coming to see Lydia in the morning. I expect the full Moonstone pack to be in the castle by sun up.The next phone call is to
EmoryThe Nightstones arrive before breakfast. Alpha Gerald, along with his son and many grandsons, is eager to see Lydia. They crowd the clinic where she is still unconscious under the effects of Ivy’s sleeping potion. Coit is asleep in a nearby chair, slumped in a way that will most likely leave h
IvyGeorge Nightstone cannot take a hint. I walk briskly through the castle hallways and back to the guest room I’ve been staying in. George catches up to me quickly. He’s tall and moves fast despite his beefy physique. A large hand grabs my arm, preventing me from moving any further.I glare at his
EmoryAfter breakfast, the Nightstones don’t want to delay getting back to Nightfall. They carefully transport Lydia out of the castle and into one of their vehicles parked in the courtyard. Coit is going to leave with them and stay at Nightfall while Lydia is under the sleeping potion. I can’t blam
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