Mag-log inSebastian POV The room stilled. Not with the quiet of peace. But the quiet before teeth sink into a throat. I’m going to get her back. I won’t lose Amara like I lost Loralai. She was right there.. and then she was gone. Sybil’s eyes glowed like stormglass as she traced the last trembling line across the map. “Right.. there,” she breathed. My gaze followed her fingertip across the parchment through the dark forest and into vampire territory. My heart plunged when she stopped at the castle I’ve only stepped foot in a couple times. Every instinct in me recoiled and lunged at the same time. “Leviath,” I muttered. The Vampire King. Sybil nodded once. “Your mate is inside the vampire kings castle. I thought there was a peace treaty? What could he possibly want with your wolf queen?” I thought there was too.. but I guess I was wrong. “I have no idea, but there will be war for this. He kidnapped my mate. MY QUEEN. MINE.” My canines protruded at the thought of ripping off
Amara POV Hours pass. I know that because the torches have burned down and been replaced. Twice. The room smells different now. Less copper and more like ash and oil. The bodies are gone. No drag marks and no stains left behind. The stone has been scrubbed so clean it almost feels like a typical room you’d keep cooking materials and ingredients in. Only the blood on me remains. It dries in stages. Tightens on my skin and pulls when I move. My hair stiffens where it’s matted at the nape of my neck, each shift of my head sending a dull ache down my spine. No one comes for a long time. No guards. No voices. Nothing and no one. When the door finally opens, it isn’t with urgency. It never is. But this time.. it’s different. Four figures enter. Not like the ones who tried to chain me before. They move differently. Controlled. Careful. One carries a tray. Linen. A vial that smells faintly herbal even from here. Another holds a length of chain threaded through a l
Amara POV I wake to the taste of iron and rot. It coats my tongue and clings to the back of my throat. For a split second I nearly think it’s my own. I try to inhale too fast and choke, a broken sound bubbling out of me before I force myself to calm down. Cold stone presses against my cheek. I blink. Once. Twice. The world comes back in pieces instead of wholes. Torchlights first, trembling and yellow. Shadows dancing on the walls. The smell hits next. Old blood.. New blood. Vampire blood has such a wrongness to it, sweet and spoiled all at once, like something pretending to be alive. And goddess, I..I’m covered in it. My hands are slick, red-black up to my wrists, smeared across my forearms and chest. I’m absolutely covered.. my torn night gown is practically soaked entirely where it hasn’t ripped. My heart stutters. At least I’m not hurt. That should comfort me. But it doesn’t. I try to move. The sound comes before the pain. A dull clink. Metal answering m
Sebastian POV “WHERE IS SHE?!” The words thundered from my mouth, echoing throughout the castle. It’s been two days. Not a d*mn sight, not a d*mn word. Nothing. I can still feel that she’s alive.. that’s about all I have going for me at the moment. I’ve got my best witch working in tracking Amara. But she said it would take time. Time.. is something I do not have right now. Something Amara doesn’t have. It enrages me. A loud crack rang through the room and I looked down to see my desk had been split a little right of the middle where my fist landed. “I know, my King. I’m working on it.” Sybil spoke, her eyes flashing open and locking with mine. “Why is it taking so long? Do you need more hair?” I asked, grabbing Amara’s brush off my desk and walking toward her. “More hair won’t work.” She shook her head and sighed, closing her eyes as if trying to think. She was sitting on the ground in a black gown and her bright blonde
Amara POV “F*ck, stick her again!” The man who was carrying me shouted. Wherever we went.. It’s not a good place. I can sense the death.. I can smell the blood. My goddess it truly reeks of blood down here.. Vampires.. that’s why they smell different. “I can’t! The little brat is quick!” The one trying to pour liquid into my mouth from a vial shouted. He used his knee to push my arms down, and then he pinched my cheeks inward with one strong hand so hard I couldn’t keep my mouth closed. I felt a warmth flow through my entire body as I began to choke on the liquid, my nerves instantly relaxing. I could just.. sleep.. NO! Do not sleep.. stay awake.. “Now do what we need to do so we can go. I have better things to do.” The smell of human blood filled my nose as he lifted a glass cup to my lips. “Drink.” He said, but I shook my head. He grunted impatiently and held my nose, waiting for me to need to breathe. I tried to hold out as long as I could.. My mouth opened as
Amara pov The tension in the room shifted as the focus turned to Braden and Lola standing like statues at the altar. Lola wore a hot pink gown, typical for her, while Braden’s attire was a mix of dark blue leather and fine silk, the insignia of Blackwood Pack embroidered over his heart. The crowd fell into silence, the only sounds being the soft rustle of fabric and faint strum of music. The elder began the ceremony in a voice that made everyone but Sebastian and me tremble in their seats. “We gather today not only to witness the union of two powerful families but to honor the bond that will tie the fates of Lady Lola and Alpha Braden together as the Alpha and Luna of Blackwood Pack.” Lady Lola’s smile was anything but radiant, her eyes looking at everything but Braden. Braden stood rigid in front of her, his hold on her hands anything but gentle. From here, I could nearly see the tick in his jaw with every second that passed. It is obvious neither one of them wants to be he







