All Chapters of Reckoning of the purple moon: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

POV: Darrell WilliamsLittle more than a dark, hollowed-out cave on the mountainside, the safe house lacked conveniences. All that mattered, though, was a safe refuge and a defensible place to gather following our horrific escape from Callum's ambush.Armaments wrapped across my barreled chest, I stood in the shadows just inside the threshold and peered critically at our ragtag company. Few stayed after that terrible involvement. Wounded, tired, spirits withering in the wake of the murder we had just barely avoided.Still, I could feel the small flames of will still flickering behind the surface of tiredness. excellent. That was the vital spark I would have to fan into an all-consuming fire of moral rage. Callum's savagery had driven us to the brink; it was past time for us to react in kind and finish this vendetta."Get them tended to and rested," I hissed to Hardin, my voice a subterranean rumble that broked no debate. He walked among the injured. But be careful about it. The hour c

POV: Jeremy WilliamsPerched on the brink of the cliff, I peered out over the smoldering remnants of Callum's stronghold. Though I couldn't look away from the devastation we had created, the pungent smoke burned my eyes.Jeremy here.I turned to find Ivory walking forward, her emerald eyes blazing with a power that both amazed and scared me. "Are you okay??"I nodded, not sure I could speak. How would I describe the tempest roiling inside me?Ivory looked at me for a time then remarked, "You don't seem convinced."Knowing there was no benefit in acting, I sighed. "I'm conflicting, Ivory. Although I'm glad we stopped Callum's craziness, another part of me..."She completed for me, "doubts the methods we used."I nodded once more here. "I was trained from a young pup that the customs and hierarchies of our pack were holy.Examining the Elders was like heresy. And right now... I waved toward the wrecked fortification. "We have not only disobeyed them but also destroyed everything they sto

POV: HardinMy eyes sharp, overlooking no detail, the clang of steel on steel boomed across the enormous training hall as I circled the sparring pair."Lorac, you're leaving your guard on the left!" I let out a yell. "You would be dead twice over by now if this were a real battle."Grunting, sweat beading on his brow, the young warrior battled to stop his opponent's relentless assault. He changed his position and tightened his defenses, to his credit.Fantastic. In the next few days, they would need every bit of discipline and ability.I let my eyes span the whole of the hall, counting the others as the simulated fight raged on. Some were improving their reflexes and stamina by running routines. Others crowded into tiny groups, grimly inspecting and reevaluating their weapons.Tension permeated the air, a tangible sense of expectation mixed with a tiny bit of fear. After all, we were getting ready to attack the very center of Callum's fortress, an action that would very well decide th

POV: Darrell WilliamsThe evening seemed to be thick and stifling, pressing in from all directions. Standing at the mouth of the cave, I peered out into the inky blackness past our small campground.Callum plotted and schemed somewhere out there, definitely preparing his forces for the unavoidable collision. At the idea, I shivered as my muscles tightened, coiled like a serpent ready to strike." Cannot sleep?"I started but turned not looking at the quiet voice behind me. A second later Ivory dropped into step next to me, her sharp eyes easily searching the darkness."You could say that," I said, allowing the age's understatement some voice. Relaxation? With so many lives underweight and so much at stake hanging on my shoulders? Simply thinking about it was ridiculous.Out of the corner of my eye, Ivory nodded, as though she knew the currents of uncertainty and fear churning inside me. After all, we had traveled a long, violent path together. Maybe she did.We slipped into silence, e

POV: Darrell WilliamsThe darkness appeared to engulf them, oppressive and dense. Peering through the darkness, I saw Callum's fortress standing there, a massive structure made of stone and iron, encircled by tall walls and guards on patrol. We were going to attack the center of the viper's nest here.I faced the group of warriors who had surrounded me. I could see the terror beneath the determined expressions on the faces of Hardin, Tera, Lorac, and the others. Even though we were vastly outnumbered, we had no other option. Before Callum's evil influence poisoned us all, it had to be removed."You understand what lies ahead," I growled softly. "Callum's troops are well equipped and trained. He has warped intentions and will battle violently to defend his fortress."I looked directly into each of their eyes. "I won't lie: many of us won't make it through the impending struggle. However, our cause is righteous. In the face of his depravity, we struggle to preserve our kind, our culture