I broke the deadlock, pointing silently back into the treeline from where we had emerged. Lucien nodded and led us to a silent line of four to a small clearing a hundred metres inside the forest.
"Luna Helena, I have done as you asked, is this not the man from your visions?
Helena looked Lucien up and down fearfully. Then she seemed to wake up and compose herself.
"I'm sorry, it is quite unnerving to see one's vision in the flesh. I normally faint."
Lucien gave nothing away, imperious and solid as granite. He saw no need to reply, causing Helena to fumble with her words.
"Look in my vision you are involved somehow in the serious injury of Alexander," and involuntarily gripped his hand tightly.
"Well, I have been paid a huge sum of money to kill him," Lucien replied flatly.
Both Helen and I gasped in shock, confusion swallowed me like a released trapdoor. Helena took a step backwards and Alexander puffed out his chest as if ready to fi
I'm crashing through the pine forest, cursing Viktor for the thousandth time today. Why the fuck are we doing this? Lugging two massive bags laden with goods with gold to spare I should be on cloud nine. I walked out of that cabin, walked out on Bella to be precise yesterday and my scars are tormenting me like never before. I made it into Silver City, trying to look casual, my scars covered by my high cloak hood. I hoped that people would just assume I was a Beta guard and pay me no heed. I hadn't even gotten my first purchases organised before I had to start rubbing and grinding my hand against my neck. I knew I looked bizarre but it felt as though someone was wiping me down with boiling oil. Wave after wave of mind-numbing pain. My breathing was all over the place, sweat trickled down my face. I wouldn't serve you in my shop, grumbled Viktor. You look insane. I can't help it, you know I can't it's too much pain I managed to reply through gritted tee
When he thundered back into the cabin I was astonished, for many reasons. He looked horrendous for a start. The exhaustion on his face, the red, raised, blood-covered lines on his neck where he had rubbed his flesh raw were so distressing to see. I was most surprised by the way my senses leapt at the sight of him. Seeing him beaten down like this, he had only been gone a day and a half, the pain must have been horrific to leave him so wounded. Like guiding a wounded lion I placed it into the bed. I had not even dragged the blanket over him fully before he fell asleep. It looked like he had used the very last bit of strength within him to get back here. To get back to me? Why didn’t he just crash and rest somewhere else in the forest, it wasn’t raining? Because he wanted to get back to you my heart hoped though I instantly shushed the thought. I wished for Gitte to reappear so I could ask for her counsel. The name Natasha has not suddenly vanished, I still kno
His embrace was unlike anything I had ever experienced before, hungry, powerful, and searching. His hands grasped me as close to him as possible, my body moulding to the outline of his. A shuddering breath escaped from him as I returned his embrace. Placing my hand on his neck pulling him towards me felt so natural. Without thinking my other hand finally felt and groped his chest, shoulders, all those rippling muscles that had teased my imagination. His hand slowly travelled down the side of my arm, resting against my ribcage, every movement he made sending a cascade of tingling sensations. Kissing my neck roughly, I felt myself giddily sinking into the bed, my head rolling back and my chest arching up to meet his caresses. The roughness of his hands was exhilarating, each finger has its own distinct sensation as it travelled down the bare skin of my arm. His hand teased at the hem of my tank top, daring to go further. “Lucien,” I sighed, unable to th
It took forever to load the bikes with all the supplies. I had no idea what Lucien had been buying with his handful of gold and jewels but it weighed a ton. Dragging it all back down the hill from the cabin to the roadside took forever. No wonder he was exhausted when returned last night the miles he carried this stuff on his own. Finally, we set off. The motorcycles were chunkier, squatter models than the one I crashed. Thankfully Lucien didn't just roar off into the distance without me but made sure I kept pace with him. Gradually as the trees thinned and we left Silver City far behind us. Eventually, the roads opened, wheat fields surrounded us instead of pine trees. The strange villages and mysticism of the Northern Territories beckoned. With a little nod from Lucien, I grabbed the throttle of my jet-black cycle and we quickly accelerated towards the horizon. We rode the entire day, stopping only for fuel and directions at a passing village. The off chanc
My room had a large four-poster bed, hot shower, and every other luxury I could desire. After submerging in a hot bath, luxuriating in those rare bubbles like a queen I ate an enormous meal of rich meats, vegetables, and cheeses. I definitely didn't eat like a queen but I could not help myself., the novely of being a relaxed, normal situation was still so bizarre.Every second I expected the door to be kicked open and a guard to drag me back to Silver City. Or that I'd wake up and find it had all been a dream anyyway, the grey four walls of my cell surrounding me once more. There were some books above the mantelpiece, a cosy fire burning brightly. I still found myself clock-watching. The hours ticked by endlessly and it was soon past midnight.I wanted to hear his footsteps on the landing, to know he was back safe. Constantly admonishing my stupidity, I told myself an assassin would not have footsteps loud enough for me to hear. He will simply assume I am asleep and no
The small servant girl reappeared in my room with a teapot, pouring me a steaming hot brew. “Did you sleep well ma’am?” she asked politely. “I did thank you,” I replied, trying to give the impression I was a legitimate Luna. “Is there anything you require from our village or are you heading onwards?” She had a simple, pleasant face and I decided to take the plunge. What did I have to lose anyway. “Actually…I am looking for some kind of medicine man, someone who deals with issues with one’s wolf. Do you know of anyone?” “Padgett, Old Padgett is the best around here. You will have passed her cottage if you came from the main road last night. It has a noticeably bent chimney stack, like the letter C?” “Well thank you for your kindness. We may visit her then.” The girl curtsied and left the room whilst I sipped my tea, pleased with myself. Lucien finally stomped back in, impatient and grouchy as ever. “I didn’t find any
I wake with my heart pounding, sweating and hands gripping the bedsheets. Alexander was gently stroking my face, concern written all over his dark features. "I'm awake, I'm okay," I pan, my eyes flitting around the room checking the surroundings. "Are the visions always like this?" his voice low and concerned. "No, but they have got more detailed, let me write it down before I forget," I reply as I quickly sit up on the mattress and retrieve my notebook with the key from under my pillow. Under today's date, I add a new set of panicked scribbles. ----------- A scarred man stood over Alexander's bleeding body. In the woods? Earth floor?Golden goblet with a rim encrusted with jewelsGrey eyes, bloodshot and tearfulThe full moon...the top of the castle...fabric from a long dress dropping over the side and a female scream. Think the dress is a dark material? ---------- The last point was new. What I could only int
Faking a coughing fit I quickly excused myself. Ivan gave me a strange look as I apologised to the room of serious-faced men. As I ran through the corridors Alexander mind-linked me. /Where are you going? / /If Ivan is here, she is, and I want to catch her snooping in our room//Okay, return soon if she's not there/ Heading up the stairs my black cloak with its ruby-red inner lining shimmered, catching the light from the stain-glass windows. My long grey tunic dress hampered my speed, inwardly cursing Fyre and wishing for some leggings. However, as I approached our suite I slowed to a cat-like crawl, taking steadying breaths. I felt ridiculous as I sneaked, but there were no locked doors in the castle, trust was valued. However, on this occasion, a bodyguard and a rottweiler would have been handy. Creeping towards the door I slowly turned the handle and leapt in preparing to yell "gotcha!" Instead, an empty room greeted me. Mocked by silence I