Three Werewolves and a Vampire Queen

MONTO

ra's constant companion, clinging to the wool blanket like a s

always smells exactly like old blood, cheap li

r skull. Elara tried to curl deeper into the mattress, not fighting the rough shake on her shoulder, but t

sat heavily on the cot's edge, the movement violent enough to s

s too bright, too mortal. This wasn't th

muttered into the pillow. The w

s felt like a genuine spark of warmth quickly smothered b

that crime-a constant, searing reminder of the Blood-Breaking rituals and the deep, ruler-long scars that mapped he

d four hours of rest after purifying the Grand Hall following Kael Whitmore's Blood-Feast.

ground out, the fatigue an anchor dragging her down. "

sip of Vita-Mix, and a dash of true blood. Drink

nt to keep her weak, yet functional. E

eep up my strength," Elara countered, but he

and exchanged her shift for her uniform: a

ill have your blood," Lili sai

on cleanings at The Sire's Manor, preparing for Kael Whitmore's final ceremony. She had to clean the floors for the boy who

car tissue on her forearm. The zing of phantom pain, the reminder o

ou

oze, her hand hovering over the doorknob. She knew the speaker

orway, draped in crimson silk. "Come

d, and the day outside would soon be scorching. Elara felt a spike of pure, uncontr

Elara said, her voice dangerous

damn fire, you impure wretch, before I tell Kael you refused an Elder's order! Does t

e a more private, more agonizing location. The threat was not just ph

he point o

mumbled, stomping into Annabella's lavi

ng, and a hearth filled with nearly a foot of old, gray a

el. She leaned in to scrape out the ashes at t

of Annabella's foot con

he cold, fine-gray ash. She coughed, sputtering for breath, tasting the dust of Annabella's

ou

n her chest, an unfamiliar, primal sound of her suppressed hybri

pay for every insult, every scar, every night of her servi

e would be destroyed. The rage burned, a hidden furnace, but the

eyes fixed on the filthy shovel, not on Anna

strike at Kael Whitmore and the Sire. This kic