I stop moving and stop breathing, trying to listen for him. I didn’t hear him come back in. Please don’t see me.“It’s not like you to hide from me. Are you scared of me my little mate?” Mike asks, sounding amused. “Does that mean you’ll finally tell me? And maybe tell me what this little plan is of yours?” I hear a rock shatter as he looks at where I was originally hiding. “Where are you?”Another rock shatters, getting closer. “What are you up to Isaac ?” He asks, thoroughly enjoying this hunt.I start moving, still trying to stay silent. I’m clinging to my denial. There is no way he knows I’m here, right?“Your smell is so sweet today. I’d love to taste you.” Another rock shatters, allowing me to move quicker. He takes a sharp, inhaled breath, “You’re power level is growing, and it’s sensation is invigorating. Why don’t you allow me to bite you and put you into your next level?”I get to the rocks right before the entrance and crawl out of my safe spot. Getting to my feet I start
“Since that wasn’t enough for the petty bastard, he designed for Mike ’s Lycan half to be mated to you. Yvanna managed to get him to agree that Elayna was designed to be for his vampire half, so that way vampires were somewhat expected to succeed in either outcome.“I had already selected your soul when I learned of Isongarth’s plan. Horrified by it, I went against our protocols and physically designed your soul’s body myself. That’s why I intended you to be a Hybrid. It was to give you a chance at a mate that wasn’t destined to be a tragic love tale. Armos is also such a sweetheart and helped me trick Isongarth into linking Mike with your Valkyrie side. Then I designed your mermaid half-your most attuned side since you’re my chosen-to be linked to Silas. Silas wasn’t exactly my choice, but as I explained why Elayna was chosen for Mike , Silas was chosen for you.”“So when I die, I have two gods to punch,” I summarize.She smiles, “You’re not mad at me anymore?”I shake my head. “You
“It was stolen quite a few years ago. Alier has been searching for it for months, and he was too afraid to mention it to anyone, especially after he found out who was likely the culprit.” She motions to the author that is carved on the book. “Restoan Moon.”My blood runs cold. “Mike ’s ancestors wrote the book?”She nods. “Which is exactly how he knew where to find it. I was gifted the final copy before we issued the ban on diablerie spells.”“And you didn’t mention it to the other gods and goddesses?” I ask sarcastically, knowing full well the answer.She shrugs, unapologetic. “I can’t interfere in mortal affairs. I admit I didn’t try to scare him away when he started his search, and I didn’t tell Alier until he noticed Mike ’s murders, but it wasn’t my problem. Besides, my race is guaranteed to survive this whole ordeal, so I’m not really worried.”“How are they expected to survive?” I ask her. “Elayna passed. She left Mike no heir. There is no reason for Mike not to wipe out the
Well, I’m dead anyway. I walk into his room to quickly skim through his books. Nothing here can tell me what blasted spell he’s using. I need to think. Something here has to help me escape. I’ve read all of these books! I kick his bed as I try to think. Think Isaac , I shout internally as I try to slow my breathing. I kick his bed again and here a thump. I look under the bed and see Yvanna’s book. It was tucked underneath his mattress, pinned by a board. I grab it and tuck it into my bag as I try to think. I mean outside of using forbidden magic.Several hours later I’m still at a loss and trapped in this god forsaken room. The windows are sealed. His bedroom door is now locked. The only thing I can go into, is his adjoining bathroom. My head is resting against the warm wall while I sit on his surprisingly warm floor. I keep hitting my head against the wall as I try to think. Maybe if I pretend to be here waiting for him, like a loving mate, then he’ll let me off the hook. Nah.I hear
“I will see you again. I will find out what you’re up to Isaac . I didn’t know you knew this much about magic, so it’s going to take me a minute.”“I’m more than the girl that you keep trying to sink your teeth into.” I tell him, walking away from him. “I know more than fighting.”“Wait,” He grunts, trying to sit up. “Did you really know Elayna?”I look behind me, trying to keep my face cold. I hold up my hand and wipe off some blood from my wrists. I point to the healed dainty fang marks. “For two years I kept her alive with my blood. Every second of every day we were together. She was a sister to me, and I miss her terribly. Her death nearly destroyed me. I knew everything about her, except for most of her family. I knew she had brothers, but nothing more than that. She would shut down and close herself off whenever that topic was broached, and I knew it was because she was purposely distancing herself so not to hurt them.“Before you ask, she never did tell me about you. She never
When I find them, huddled behind Isongarth’s statue, they are clearly talking about me. I’m in no mood to explain myself, though I really should tell Silas about Alier. That can wait until after my very much needed nap.I ignore their conversation and surprised expressions as I sit down cross legged next to Silas. Skipping past looking at them, slightly annoyed they’re talking about me, I pull out a sariah petal and wipe it against one of my bloody wounds. I lay it next to me and bring a trail of salt to it, linking the other spells. I look to Leo. “Repeat after me.”After he nods, I prick my finger and pour seawater over the new wound, right over the sariah petal I had just placed, chanting as I pour. “Summer wood and deity ties, bring these lines to boundaries defined. Expand this protection with the flow of desired correction. Right to what has been outlined.”Leo starts copying me, touching my heart with his hand, flowing my power with his. “Summer wood and deity ties, bring these
I give Mike my wrist, my blood still freely flowing. “Squeeze my blood onto each paper and say; Deliver these to Goddess Kaelish, protector of Linru. Bring what’s true in this discovered news.”He gives me a questioning look, and I didn’t miss that his neck is tense. “Why?”“Because I can’t.” I motion to my bonds.He gives me a cautious look, trying to determine if he can trust me. “Why?”“You literally have me chained to a bed, just trust me.” I say, glaring at him.Mike follows my instructions, nearly jumping out of his skin as the pages start smoking. “What are you doing Isaac ?”“Relax,” I say, the flames turning turquoise, signaling they’ve been received. When Kaelish accepts them, the flames dissipate, leaving the pages in their original state. I hand them back to him. “There, now it’s in Kaelish’s hands.”“How much magic do you actually know?” Mike asks, looking me over as if he’s seeing me for the first time.I shrug. “Almost everything. I can’t speak the original spells, b
I squeeze my eyes shut, willing more power to be put into the spell, “Summer wood and deity ties, bring these lines to boundaries defined. Expand this protection with the flow of desired correction. Right to what has been outlined.”I hear Silas shout and Wilson growl. I start shouting the spell. “Summer wood and deity ties, bring these lines to boundaries defined. Expand this protection with the flow of desired correction. Right to what has been outlined.”“Stop Isaac !” Mike begs. “You can’t stop this spell.“Stay away from her,” Silas orders.“Please!” He screams as he begs.I feel the thunder shake the ground, and I open my eyes in enough time to see lightning strike the center of the anchor in the ward as it shatters. The earth turns black and spreads out from under me, killing the trees and grass within a mile of us.I pant as my hands clench the dead earth. Sweat has beaded on my forehead, and I try to catch my breath as the boys struggle behind me. I get to my feet very shaki