Claudel’s POVSo this is the infamous Pine Lake Pack. It’s quaint, I can see why Marcel has made himself at home here. I imagine it appeals to his rarely indulged love of the forest and nature in general. It’s all very green and alive.Our home in the Lone Mountains is a stark contrast to this. We live in a network of dwellings, dug out of the mountain side. The cavernous rooms barely make a dent in the monolithic peaks. There is a small green oasis in the narrow valley, which we venture to for resources and a change of scenery, but by and large we remain hidden from the world in the safety of the mountains.The journey here has been long and gruelling. Having human familiars in tow has only made it take twice as long as it would have been, had I not been constantly distracted by their needs and the plethora of books and luggage they struggle to manage between them. The crossing in the ship was uneventful, which given the season, is more than I had hoped for. When I got Marcel’s emai
Imelda’s POVI’m old enough and wise enough to know that what we see on the surface does not represent what is going on beneath. The convergence of so many powerful individuals has created a potentially volatile situation. Pine Lake is set to be the stage on which the future war is fought, and won or lost.The fates work in ways I cannot comprehend. They give with one hand and take, indiscriminately, with the other. I have always taught my coven and new witches alike, that it is how they maintain balance, but deep down it feels like the fates are a force on a power trip. I should not speak ill of the higher powers, I do not know the bigger picture, but one thing is certain, the suffering they allow knows no bounds. I would go as far as to say they flirt with the boundary of cruelty.Since the day in the garden, Christian and I have had some very pleasant, surprising exchanges. I’m happy to discover my first impression of him was not accurate at all. His mind is open and he has an affi
Hunter’s POVI know I have left a lot of people waiting for answers. When I caught up with Liberty, she was with Imelda, and I knew she was desperate to ask what my plans are. That’s what I appreciate about Imelda, she knows I need time, and though it may frustrate her, she gives me all the time and space I need.Averson has been far more supportive and helpful than I had dared to hope. Not only for me but the whole pack. His training and fighting techniques are different to ours and his ability to instruct our warriors and adapt both of our ways into a new style of combat, has elevated our defensive and combat abilities to new heights.He hasn’t been alone in his endeavours, both Marcel and Vitandi have added some of their own unique skills to the mix. It has been most beneficial to learn the weaknesses of Vampires and dragons, not that there are many. Vampires are fast, ridiculously fast, but weakened by silver, so the smiths have been working tirelessly to add a silver edge to all
Marcel’s POVHunter has been remarkably silent. I don’t know what I expected his reaction to be, but I thought he would have something to say.“There have been many tales about what became of her daughters and what happened to Aadhya’s body. Imelda is convinced that the rumours of parts of her body being kept as powerful talismans are true. There have been convincing reports of only one remaining part of Aadhya still in existence, and Imelda wants it.” I look down at the outline of the heavy box in my pocket. Hunter glances down too and the realisation of what I’m trying to tell him, sinks in.“You have it, don’t you?” his eyebrows raise so high they almost meet his hairline. He finally speaks.“I am in possession of Aadhya’s finger. You, Claudel and I are the only three souls alive who know of its whereabouts and the fact that it actually exists. I want to show it to Liberty and see what happens. I have been having thoughts and noticing things which lead me to believe she could be a
Liberty’s POVToday is the day that felt like it would never come. The journey here has been so tedious, with diverging paths along the way, but we are finally at the precipice. By this time tomorrow it will be done. Shadow Ridge will soon be a distant memory and the world will be all the better for it. Hunter has decided he will rename the pack, Pine Ridge is the name he has chosen, and I think it reflects everything we all hope for the future.Everyone is on edge this morning, there is a fissionable buzz of nervous anticipation and we are all itching to come out the other side of this. Most of the pack has been up since before the crack of dawn, they have been working to get the guest rooms ready for the women I hope to bring back with me.Some of The Old Guard have been helping move furniture from room to room and cleaning bathrooms and floors, but we have decided it would be best to have a female only environment when they first arrive. If what I witnessed in Kendrick’s room and t
Liberty’s POVAadhya, the first witch, has been waiting for me! I don’t understand what she has in mind, but the display going on in front of me is distracting. I wince and gasp as each crack of the whip opens the woman’s skin and deep claret blood paints her back.“It didn’t go on for long. I wasn’t concerned for myself, I had already decided I would not live beyond this moment. My thoughts were with my girls, I didn’t want them to be subjected to the lives these men would have them live. We are not here to serve them as they would have it, given the opportunity. That is why I cursed them to live as the dogs they are. I made certain my last act on earth would ensure they could have no power without the love of a woman.” Aadhya watches the men pass the whip and four young women screaming for their mother. The men restraining the girls, hold them around their waist with one arm, their fists grip the women’s hair and forcefully hold their heads to face the brutal exhibition.“That’s you
Imelda’s POVI was at the pool bar with Esme when she got the call to come to Liberty’s office. It has been a hell of a week and it has all led to this day.Accelerating our plan is not ideal but necessary. Esme and I have spent the last couple of days charging the old, burned out shell of the cabin, with cloaking and protective energy. It takes a lot of power to hide people, but even more to cloak the energy released by certain acts like the beginning or end of a life.These things have an energy of their own, and a violent death leaves behind a significant scar. Pine Lake is a peaceful place and we don’t want Kendrick’s execution to taint the land or the pack.The meeting is an eye-opener, Liberty has learned much more than I thought and I have a feeling Marcel has a large part to play in that. The two of them are as thick as thieves again and their relationship seems to be in a comfortable place for now.The energy I have been feeling is growing, and as I sit in the chair opposite
Hunter’s POV Liberty knew there were cells beneath the Shadow Ridge pack house, but she had never seen them. On our way there she told Marcel and I that she had only been outside of Kendrick’s room twice. Once when she was taken there after the slaughter of our pack, and then when she first shifted and Justice made a run for it. She had been back in a way, when she projected and saw Melissa, but still she was only in one room, so we had no way of knowing how to find the women he keeps. It didn’t take long for Didier to find us and lead us to them. Marcel had obviously made him aware of our intentions, and not wanting to disappoint Liberty he made sure we would succeed in our rescue mission. My mind was elsewhere most of the time. I have killed before, that is not what was bothering me, or not entirely, but seeing the state of the pack and the land had made it all seem so much more real. I have my work cut out for me, there is no doubt about that. The pack members I had seen on our