CRIMSON The massive migraine was passing. The healer was able to give me something to calm my mind and help me to block all the invading voices. The medicine had knocked me out and I wasn’t aware of how long I had been sleeping. Finally, my head felt clear and quiet. The sudden influx of thoughts from the kingdom's people was too much. It all came at once. Their prayers, their pleas, their silent promises to themselves. This was beyond just simple mind-linking. “Crimson!” Gillian bursts into Tawny’s room. Chest heaving, face flushed eyes blown open wide with pure fear. I stand from the bed quickly, almost too quickly. It's only then I hear the commotion of what sounds like a fight. “What’s going on Gillian?” I demand with a harsh voice, accompanied by a growl. “Maydor and Lightfoot, they brought their troops… They have Tawny! Tristan went-“ I don’t let Gillian finish. Instead, I hurl myself through the window shattering the glass and shifting midair. Landing on four paws. I dash

TAWNY It had been several days since the coup. Arik and his men left the following day, more than half the prisoners were released after being questioned and the council was set to put the treacherous Lords on trial for their crimes against the kingdom and the crown. Mason, thank the gods that be, made a full recovery. The effects of the Nightshade had lasted a few days, but thankful he opened his eyes and smiled at me. Then made fun of me when I cried tears of relief. When questioned about Lord Maydor’s death, I’m ashamed to say Crimson covered it up. Stating that Maydor died due to his injuries caused on the battlefield. I was even more shocked to find out Gillian was not his biological daughter, but his niece. The daughter of his brother, who died, and Maydor took her mother as his wife - thinking she was going to have a son. Tomislav and Gillian had been getting closer, building a friendship and bond over their loathing of Maydor. Tomislav even offered to take the fall for Gill

CRIMSON I don’t go back and curl up with my mate. Instead, I open the old leather folder again. Taking my time to study and read each parchment. Concentrating on the ones we didn’t get to observe. I flit through the pages that describe the seven gates to the gods until I find the ones that hold the information I was desperate to know. A few nights ago when Tawny and I were lost in passion, her nails dug into my skin and a bead of my blood fell onto the face of the blue stone she wears around her neck. Papa Armand's ring. Something changed inside me, and I don’t just mean being able to mind-link. The stone’s magic gave way and allowed me to open a part of my mind that was shut off. Enabling me to tap into a higher percentage of my brain capacity. The words don’t tell me much, just that the stone allows the bearer to be the truest version of themselves. I’m disappointed that there is nothing else. I’m disappointed that even though I know what I am, I still have no idea what I’m cap

CRIMSON A WEEK LATER I pull up to a large Mansion, the location Abner Brooks gave me to meet at. He had been staying in the Kodiak Kingdom from what I understood, filling in the gaps that King Mathias left when he moved to Riocht with Queen Lamia. Neglecting his duties to the high council. When Alpha Xander made Finnegan Artos his Beta after losing his leg, Abner left, coming back to his home in the far northern part of the bear kingdom. As I open my car door a blast of iciness hits me. I shiver at the stark contrast to Cambiadors muggy heat. O sooner do I make it up the short steps, bag in hand, containing the leather folder we found hidden in the wall of Papa Armand's room. Our room I mentally correct myself. Hoping there would still be an us when I returned home. I had left Tawny, heartbroken with a half-assed and shit explanation. I know she is hurting. It hurt me just as much to walk away from her, knowing I hadn't told her about this, knowing I couldn’t even disclose who or

UNKNOWN “My Lord, we have a possible location on one of the stones. The Alpha of the Wolf Paw pack can get one of your spies in.” I look down at the feeble hybrid, bent at the knee, head bowed. Treating me like a king, that I am not. The lost and unwanted souls of Hybrids with no spirit animal. The lost souls of rogues and humans, desperate to even the playing field in this realm. I have built my empire with them. Grown and cultured an army who are no longer scared of the Packs and Clans. Ready to take back what they think is so rightfully theirs. I too once thought that way. Even joined forces with two powerful shifters who promised me the future I saw for my family. It was all a lie. Just like I have told promises of salvation and a future of acceptance to my followers. Lies. I put the syringe down, turning away from my subject to acknowledge the weak hybrid knelt before me. “Get up.” I bark, making the poor male flinch. He stands, but he daren’t look at me. Too scared to see