The Crib Chronicles Book 1

Lena's POVThe heavy banging on the door had been like a drumbeat in the quiet night and by the time I’d wrenched it open, half the house was already stirring. A low groan echoed from the staircase as a sleepy-looking witch peered down and the door to the staff quarters creaked open, revealing a few curious faces.The source of the commotion was now a massive, unconscious man bleeding all over my freshly mopped floor.Tormund was already there. “Alright, show’s over!” he boomed with his voice the familiar, calming anchor it always was. “Nothing to see but a man who had a disagreement with the pavement. Everyone back to bed. Now.”There was some grumbling but some of them listened. Tormund had that effect on people. Once the hallway had mostly cleared, I approached the fallen giant. He was big even for a supernatural and the energy rolling off him was… dark and complicated. It was the kind of trouble that didn’t just knock on your door.. it kicked it down!Against my better judgment

Lena's POVThe door to Darion’s room practically flew off its hinges under my hand and I stormed in with my anger crackling around me.“Alright, you mangy trouble-making overgrown wolf.. I have had abso...”The words died in my throat.Darion stood in the middle of the room, frozen mid-motion wnd he was… well, he was wearing a towel. Just a towel. A single distressingly small towel wrapped precariously low around his hips.Water dripped from his dark hair tracing a path down a chest that was… impressively sculpted. I mean it was a ridiculously well-built chest. Every muscle was defined from the powerful shoulders down to a stomach you could probably wash clothes on. My brain short-circuited and my face flushed with a heat so intense I was surprised my hair didn’t catch fire.A deep unwelcome curl of arousal tightened in my stomach and I immediately hated myself for it. It’s the bond, you idiot, I screamed internally. Just the stupid, unholy mate bond making you think the apocalypse de

Lena's POVThe moment Elsa swept out the door the room erupted."Did you hear what she said?""The council is coming!""Need to leave before this place gets shut down!""Knew this was too good to last!"Voices overlapping from every corner. Panic spreading like wildfire, young vampires are already heading for the stairs. Probably to the pack. Two witches huddled in a corner whispering frantically, even some werewolves looked ready to bolt.Felt my Crib crumbling around me."Everyone calm down!" Shouted but voice barely cut through the noise.A sharp whistle pierced the air and the room went silent. Tormund stood on a chair, his fingers still at his lips.His presence was commanding despite he was in pajamas and messy hair."That's better." He climbed down. "Now let's take a breath before we do something stupid like abandon the only safe place most of you have ever known."I walked to the center of the room. Gestured at me. "Lena's kept this sanctuary running longer than most of you ha

Lena's POVPast midnight when I finally dragged myself upstairs.Crib was quiet. Most residents are already asleep. A few vampires lingered in the main hall. Speaking in low voices over drinks. Tormund went to bed an hour ago after I'd promised him I'd do the same.I was halfway down the second-floor hallway when I felt it.A cold oily sensation sliding across my skin like ice water. Air pressure changed. The temperature dropped so fast I could see my breath.Something was wrong.Stopped walking. Hand instinctively going to small protective charm in pocket. Lights flickered once. Twice. Then I went out completely.Darkness swallowed the hallway."What the hell?" Muttered.Low guttural sound echoed from somewhere ahead. Not quite growl. Not quite hiss. Something worse.Then I heard it. The door crashed open. Heavy footsteps. The voice I recognized."No. Not again. Not now!"Darion.Ran toward his room. Heart pounding. The door is wide open. Could see him inside illuminated by pale moon