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creature.
You ve spoken of your sister before, saying you barely knew her because
of her actions. Now I understand what you mean, Lucius added.
Veruca spoke up. Neither of you knew that?
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Of Wolf s Blood Charisma Knight
Lucius shook his head, then quickly rose. I bet Lazius knows! He
paced the floor, deep in thought.
What the hell are you talking about? Sax stood as well.
Lucius turned to face his comrade. Big brother may be harboring a
secret. Something he s carried with him for centuries. Now I know why he
exterminated the wolf packs. He turned to Veruca. He knew the Hrothegas
were once wolf shifters.
Sax breathed a sigh of relief before glaring at Veruca. Why did you give
me hell over our coven exterminating regular wolf shifters when you knew
this, sorceress?
Veruca rose and walked toward Sax. Because. You vampires follow
without seeking answers. Many covens follow centuries-old rules, never
asking who, what, why, and how.
Coven rules are set into place for good reasons, Lucius glowered at the
sorceress. My brother has never led us astray.
Maybe so, but haven t you ever wondered what his reasons were? Don t
you think it s time for a change? Veruca put a reassuring hand on the
vampire s large bicep. Lucius, be a leader, not a follower. I see this occur in
so many vampire covens.
Lucius hung his head. I wonder what it is that plagues him so and why
he s kept it from me all these years?
Simone wrapped her arms around him. Well, I think it s high time you
both find out. I know I m dying to know. She looked at Veruca. This does
put my mind at ease now. I had hoped Lazius didn t kill innocent wolf
shifters in vain.
Lucius grunted in agitation as his cell phone rang. Yes, Lazius. What?
Yeah, we re on our way! Eyes flashing red, he quickly ended the call .
We ve got to go. Our coven is under attack! His claws and fangs
descended, as did Sax s.
I m coming, too! Simone bit out.
Sax backed her against the wall, growling. You ll do no such thing, he
stated. Do not follow us, understand?
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Of Wolf s Blood Charisma Knight
Lucius cocked his head to the side. Veruca, look after her. I don t want
her in any danger. He glared at Simone. Betray us this time, and you ll
suffer horrific punishment for the rest of your days, he said before
disappearing with Sax.
Simone growled as her wolf slowly rose to the surface. Caught in
between human and wolf, she glanced at Veruca.
I didn t think you d listen to them, Veruca belted out. What do we
do?
We assist the coven. Selena is leading the pack into Steeleheart. She s
been tapping into my psyche all along. She sent the Hrothega warrior. She
was testing me! Now, she seeks to destroy me through them!
Calm down, Veruca insisted. Make no mistake, the vampires can
handle their own.
But if something happens to Lucius and Sax, I ll never forgive myself.
Her breath evaded her, and she felt as though she were hyperventilating.
You don t understand. I know what she plans to do. She slipped up,
too. Selena knows how protective they are of me.
What the hell do you think she has planned?
I don t know. I can t penetrate her psyche. We ve got to hurry!
Take this! Veruca tried handing her the ruby.
No! It s time the entire coven know my true nature.
You fool! What if they try to kill you?
Simone shook her head. I ll give Lazius more credit than that. I ve got
to trust my gut instinct. Like you told Lucius, it s high time for a change!
Veruca nodded before transporting herself and Simone to Steeleheart
City.
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Of Wolf s Blood Charisma Knight
Chapter Ten
After dodging a sword from an angered vampire, Selena attacked a
defenseless human to send a message to the leader of the clan. She grinned
after sniffing the air. Sea salt. Lazius s lair was close. Soon, she d bring down
the entire city. Humans ran every which way to avoid the Hrothegas deadly
wrath.
She howled. Then her pack eagerly joined her in the Hrothega death
song. This was a warning to vampires, as well as the humans. The sound of
clashing waves came closer. She rose, walking on two legs instead of all fours.
Die, filthy beast!
Drive them over here! Another voice cut through the air.
Selena clenched her teeth. What was this? Suddenly, black netting
appeared through the air, entangling hordes of Hrothegas. Death soon
followed as a handful of warriors quickly disposed of the beasts, their dying
howls piercing the night sky.
The bloodsuckers had set a trap! Cursing herself for underestimating the
coven, she knew she had to move quickly. She needed to find Simone and
finish the job she started evenings ago. Smiling inwardly, she d known how
Sax and Lucius felt toward her. They d seek dawn should Simone be ripped
from their grasps. That would bring her great satisfaction and more power.
Claiming a pure, innocent wolf soul would forever more cinch the deal with
darkness.
She grinned as she approached Lazius s castle. There, perched on the hill
overseeing the entire city, the black stone castle stood proudly.
They d never suspect. In a flash, Selena shifted into a seductive
vampiress, like the one she d killed earlier. This would gain her entrance into
the castle. She sauntered through the large double doors that were soon to be
barred.
Imani! The gatekeeper snapped, clutching the sword tighter within his
grasp. What are you doing out here? Hrothegas are attacking! This is no
time for leisurely walks!
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Of Wolf s Blood Charisma Knight
Entering now, Selena purred as she crossed the threshold of the castle.
Ah, the lovely wonders of embracing the darkness! The only form she could shift in
as a lowly shifter was wolf. Hrothegas could transform into any creature they
deemed necessary.
The hall was large and free of coven members, with the exception of
warriors thundering past and out the door to join in the battle. Outside, war
cries and howls raged. Uncaring as to how many of her pack were slain,
Selena picked up her sister s scent and followed it. Soon it would be over.
Her dark power would be strengthened. Nothing and no one would be able
to stop her then.
* * * *
Simone froze in her tracks as her sister s scent infiltrated her nostrils.
She s here. She glanced over at the sorceress. This should end, now!
Simone said gently.
I m with you. Veruca shoved a small trinket into her hand. We ll need
to bind her powers. You can t kill her. Surely you do not want to become a
Hrothega.
Accepting the small jewel with a sigh, Simone shook her head. No, I
don t. If that ever happens, promise me you ll destroy me. I m so sorry for
ever dragging you into this mess.
Veruca smiled. I wouldn t change a thing.
You should leave.
But
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