*Emory* My stomach is tight, like a fist, as I follow my parents up the walkway to the monstrosity of a stone fortress known as Castle Graystone. Lighting illuminates the sky overhead, which seems to fit perfectly with the scene, though it’s not raining—not yet anyway. Something tells me there’s ab
Emory “Take my daughter… to be a feeder.” My father’s words echo around the throne room as I stand behind him with my throat so constricted, I can hardly breathe, let alone speak. I can’t believe the words that have come from his mouth, and by the look on Vampire King Kane’s face, neither can he.
Emory Lola? Lola! The word my father has just spoken fills my head with shock as I try to process what is happening. For the second time in only a few minutes, I cannot believe what my father is saying. My eyes immediately go to the Vampire King who is clearly surprised by what my father just sa
Emory “Take her away.” The Vampire King’s declaration echoes off of the walls of the throne room as he turns around to walk away. The two men who had been flanking him for the entire length of the meeting move forward, toward me. “Does this mean we have a deal?” my father calls after King Kane, a
Kane A million thoughts are flying through my head as I make my way down the hallway toward the rose garden, Rainer, my best friend and second, at my side. I can tell he is dying to say something, but even he has to be careful at a time like this not to say something to piss me off, and he knows it
Emory I follow Clark down the stairs, deeper into the darkness, as they wind and twist. When we get to the dungeon, I take a deep breath, seeing dirty people in rags sitting in cages that are barely six feet by six feet. It’s no wonder that no one wants to be a feeder. “These are the regular priso
“That smell?” Clark says, turning to look at me through his useless, wirerimmed glasses, “That’s the smell of death.” I stare at him, blinking for a moment, as he begins to laugh and then walks forward. The people here don’t look like people at all. They’re mostly wolf shifters, like me, though so
I have nothing to say, so I say nothing. “I know you’re brave. Probably think you’re smart. Don’t worry. This place will break you.” I turn and look at him as a cocky smirk spreads across his face. I don’t know this man, and I don’t know the king, but I have to wonder… does King Kane know who he’s
LexRainer moves quickly, shielding Kane with his body. The sword slices into the dark fabric of his shirt and leaves a large cut on his shoulder. He hisses from the pain and pushes Opal away with his other arm, nearly knocking her off her feet. Blood drips down from the sword, onto the carpet.Opal
EmoryWith the Nightstones all refusing to leave Nightfall until Lydia is woken up from her magically-induced coma, I decide to hold the meeting with all the Alphas at Alpha Gerald’s home. His home is a fortress, and he has the room to accommodate all the Alphas and their entourages. I’ll also get t
Rainer“You son of a bitch, you did it,” I say, still reeling with how Kane has managed to convince the vampire monarchs to agree to his insane plan.“Hey. That’s my mother you’re talking about.” Kane is smiling so I know he doesn’t really take offense. “I’m surprised I got them to agree, too. I tho
KaneI don’t know how much King Myenas is looking into Lydia’s death. I know people have to be talking about seeing Lex flee Carmine Falls with a witch who throws fireballs at guards. Having the meeting with all the vampire monarchs at Scarlett Thunder is a way to deflect that this whole thing isn’t
LexI’m not looking forward to having guests again after Cole’s birthday party. It hasn’t been that long, and the expense troubles me. The royal coffers are still low on funds, but I couldn’t refuse my brother when he asked me if I could host the meeting between the vampire monarchs. I'm surprised K
KaneAs Lex is leaving to go back to Scarlett Thunder, I tell him about the plan to end King Myenas’s feeder trafficking operation by replacing it with my own more humane system. My brother looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. Saying it out loud to another person makes me realize how unhinged the pla
LexNow that Lydia Nightstone is back with her pack, I’m going to head back to Scarlett Thunder. Cole and I have been away for too long, and I have a lot of work to tackle. I’m not looking forward to the paperwork, but that’s part of running a kingdom. There’s always an endless amount of paperwork.
“I need to end the business with the feeders. It’s how he has allies. He provides them a steady blood supply without going through the trouble with the shifter packs. If I can cut off his blood supply, his allies will not stick around,” I explain.If there is anything I know about the vampire royals
KaneRainer’s successful rescue of Lydia should have meant that the whole mess is over. I’d been expecting King Myenas to inform me about Lydia’s supposed death, but instead, he continues to act like nothing has changed. He talks like the deal is still on-going despite the fact he has no leverage on