When I saw the dead witches, my first instinct was to call out to Kane, but I realised my mistake a few minutes later when I felt the presence of the Templars hiding everywhere in the village. I walked right into their trap. My instincts didn't warn me, but I'm not too surprised. Templars know how to block witches' abilities. I look around me, then straight up to where a Templar is hiding in a tree. “It’s against the law to kill witches.” Modern Templars wear black uniforms with white Templar crosses on their left sleeve. Like the Templars of old, women aren't allowed to join their order. Some will get the cross tattooed on their chest, believing it will protect them against supernatural forces. They’re wrong. The government funds them, but witches are off-limits because most of the people in power only made their way to the top thanks to our magic. I cast the power and influence spell that put the current prime minister in his seat. “But we are allowed to kill witches that work w
Trust my father to ruin my life, even from beyond the grave. “Fine,” I say. “You’ve got me. Go ahead and kill me. I hope you have silver bullets in those rifles because I have no desire to suffer.” “Kill you? Oh no, no, no, you are of no use to us if you’re dead. I told you already, Miss Jones, we have orders to bring you in alive.” Oh lovely. Here we go again. Back to dungeons and endless torture, I suppose. “To Rome?” “Yes. The Pope desires an audience.” I snort loudly and fold my legs under me, sitting hip-deep in someone’s blood and not caring. “Why?” Lester crouches next to me. “I don’t know why, Miss Jones. I’m just a soldier. As you’ve said, the kings don’t reveal their plans to the peasants.” “You are hardly a peasant.” Lester chuckles but doesn’t comment. “Bind her with silver.” Oh great. Just what I need. My only fear now is that Kane will feel my terror and pain – he can’t think rationally when that happens. I try to remember how the witches blocked our bond when the
Kane’s POV For several moments, I stand rooted to the spot, trying to connect with Willow again, but she’s blocking me. With a roar, I unstick myself and tear through the apartment to the bedroom, pulling on a pair of shorts and nothing else. I wouldn’t bother with clothes at all, but the castle is teeming with the visiting Alphas and their families, and if Willow survives whatever is happening to her, she’ll have my head on a spike for running around naked in front of strangers' pups. Her guards aren’t at the door, which means they went with her, but it's a hollow comfort, because at best it means they're dead, at worst it means they left her alone and vulnerable, in which case their oaths will kill them. Several Alphas stop as I dash past them, trying to ask me what's going on, and when I don't answer, most of them turn around to follow me outside. They don't need to talk to me to know something is seriously wrong, it's written all over my face. I find Glenn on the steps leading
Kane's POV On my way to the forest, I stop feeling Willow. It’s as if someone flipped a switch. One moment, I can still feel all her sorrow and regret, and the next…nothing. If the Templars were hoping this would make me back off, they are sorely mistaken. It has the opposite effect on me. I rip my shorts off and shift, increasing my speed. I’m aware that several more Alphas have joined us and are charging after Jackson and me, determined to help or prove their worth to me – whichever one of the two it is doesn’t matter, they can fight and that’s all I care about. I find Willow’s guards, Mario and Arlene, pacing up and down right outside the boundary. They can’t enter and they’re frantic. I see red, and go straight for them, throwing Mario on his back and clamping my mouth around his exposed neck. The guard lets out a frightened yelp and desperately tries to push me off him, but his efforts are in vain. He needs to die. He should be with her or dead, not out here safe and sound whi
We are on the road for what feels like hours. At first, we’re thrown around the trailer like ragdolls as we travel over rough terrain, and all I can do is hold on to Adare to make sure he doesn’t get hurt. By the time the bumpy ride smooths out and we enter the human territory, I'm covered in bruises, and every bit of me aches. It’s almost nighttime by the time we finally come to a stop on a seemingly deserted stretch of road. I desperately need to pee, and Adare’s nappy is soaked through. The doors to the truck fly open, and Lester holds out a hand to help us down. I’d kick him in the face, but I’m afraid that I’ll lose control of my bladder if I do. “Adare needs a clean nappy,” I say. “And we need the toilet.” The Chaplain nods and waves someone over. My heart sinks when I see who it is. Claire, the woman who pretended to be one of my guards. “I knew she was off,” Tully says softly. “Hm-hm.” “Leave the child,” Lester says. “I’ll change him and make sure he’s comfortable.” Every i
Kane's POV We followed the Templars’ trail all the way to Drummond’s territory. The Alpha was already waiting for us at the border, wringing his hands and looking terrified. “They came this way,” he said and took us to an unused dirt road. “I swear, King, if I had known they were here--” “You’d be dead.” “What are they planning? A war?” “Yes,” I said. “I had a premonition some weeks ago…I just didn’t think it would happen so soon. I thought we’d have a few years at least.” “Why? Why did you think we had time?” Drummond asked. “Because the last time an Ultima was born, the war didn’t start until fifteen years later. It's happening too fast, he's not even grown yet.” “When did you plan on telling us this?” Drummond was clearly upset at the news, and offended because I didn't tell him sooner. “Tomorrow, after my father’s judgment.” “Now what?” “I don’t know. We can’t attack them on their territory.” “Why not?” one of the other Alphas asked. “They attacked us. Came to our home,
We drive straight through the night. At one point, we stop for another bathroom break. At least the toilets here are slightly cleaner and I feel less gross about the simple process of peeing. It’s freezing cold, and a biting wind whips through the toilets, nipping at every bit of exposed skin it can find. Claire is much more subdued when she takes us to the lonely toilet, paying no attention to the weary eyes of the homeless woman in the corner, trying her best to hide from the approaching frost. Unfortunately, the homeless woman isn't as content as Claire to just ignore the situation. “Here now,” the toothless old woman says, and struggles to her feet. “What you be doing with those two girls?” Claire takes a gun out of her jacket and shoots the woman point blank between the eyes. The boom echoes in the loud room. For a moment, I hear nothing else, and my ears start ringing. Tully lets out a scream I can't hear and jumps in my arms. The smell of gunpowder and blood and piss hangs h
Kane’s POV I stare at the glass of whiskey in my hand, the liquid glowing amber by the light of the fire. What the fuck am I doing? Am I going to sit here and drink myself into oblivion, while my mate is out there, alone, afraid and for all I know in danger? I twirl the glass in my hand, watching the crystal catch the light and cast rainbows on the floor. “Willow?” I try to connect with her again, even though I know it’s useless. The unbearable silence from the other side is the worst kind of pain. With a roar, I throw the glass in the fire. The flames catch the alcohol, and with a whoosh consumes it glass and all. “Glenn?” I mind link with my chancellor, just to silence the deafening roar of nothingness from Willow. “Are you awake?” “Yes.” “What are you doing?” I ask, leaning against the mantel and staring into the flames. “Walking.” “You’re supposed to be resting.” “You’re supposed to be drinking.” Despite the fear gnawing at my gut, I chuckle. “Come to my parlour.” Less th