*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
EmoryThe next few months are some of the busiest in my life. With King Myenas’s death, Kane had to negotiate a treaty with the heir to Carmine Falls. King Myenas’s son, Aiden, is a lot more agreeable than his predecessor. He and Kane may never be friends, but they won’t be enemies.The new system f
LexI don’t know how long I’ve been asleep. I wake up in the hospital wing with a bandage wrapped around my neck. The memory of Opal stabbing me with a ceramic shard has me gingerly touching the bandage. It doesn’t hurt anymore, but there is some stiffness.I blink against the harsh fluorescent ligh
KaneI expect the news of me sabotaging King Myenas’s feeder trafficking operation to reach him quickly. His business partners being present at the meeting means they have to warn him that he’s about to lose a fortune. The moment I arrive back at Castle Graystone, King Myenas is on the phone demandi
WillowI never like it when Rainer comes home injured. The gashes Opal left on him have healed by the time I see him, so there’s no reason to drag him to the clinic to get checked over by Dr. Martin. He tells me that Lex is in worse shape and is being treated by the doctor at Scarlett Thunder. Opal
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