TWICE CURSED

moonlight, his stance unyielding as he positione

her chest. She gripped the fabric of his cloak tightl

she thought, panic clawing at her min

o ash in mere seconds flashed in her mind, b

erian st

ldin

d the shadows, blad

spiraled as she pee

d-fellow vampires-just to protect

admiration. There was a nobility in Valerian she hadn't ex

further, a soft rustle brok

the shadows, their forms hulking an

ewo

ade still raised, b

mpires," she whispered, st

ed their weapons at the sight of her, though their shar

zled warrior with a scar runnin

ed. "Elder Magnus sent us to find you and bring you

asia-but it was tangled

ced at V

l they d

e now angled slightly downward, b

yours?" he

odding. "Yes. But... they mi

night, Valerian smiled

see abo

ow of Valerian's eyes. Vampire. Fury surged through them. Under the night's cloak, they shifted into their

rrifying snarl. It aimed straight for Valerian, its claws outstretched for a

me seemed t

ul body suddenly rigid. Its head je

lliant golden-orange, fierce and otherworldly. With a strength that defied reason, she flung the massive creature

t, silence

light. But before they could act, Anastasia blurred-faster than lightning. One by one, she sent the rema

d time to process

und her from behind. "Anastasia!" he hissed,

flickered... then faded. She slumped against h

whispered, her voice laced w

forest's quiet heartbeat. A moment later, he exhaled. "The

n they'll come after you

e. Her fear was real

e gripped his sleeve. "Run. Find another forest. Build an

ian's chest-an ancient, heavy t

instinct clawed at him t

aced-vampire and werewolf, sworn

and shadow, Valerian v

for the first time, she won

rouched beside the unconscious werewolves, noticing the unnatural angles of their li

to hurt them

where the full moon bathed everything in its cold, silver light. The werewolves' wounds began to mend almost instantly,

feet instinctively led her to Valerian's hut-a place that now felt emptier than ever. She sank ont

How could

nted her. The glow in her eyes. The impossib

alize the extent of their injuries-fractured ribs, twisted joints, deep gashes-all c

t in their recovery,

ly. No werewolf moves like that

ut, his claws digging into the earth.

h from around his neck-inside was wolfsbane powder, rare and lethal in large amounts, but when used sparingly, it could knock out eve

muttered. "Plenty of time to drag

ed grimly, still smarting from the memory o

they circl

up, her nerves on edge

ound the windows and beneath the door. Her senses screamed in warning. She bolted

d. Her limbs felt

perately, clawing a

was t

her last breath shallow as t

ressions hard and cold. One knelt beside her sti

he muttered, "bu

nto the night, leaving Valerian's hut

five warriors as they carried Anastasia-still unconscious-bound tightly in wol

d at Varethia, they went

every detail-how Anastasia had thrown them like rag dolls, her unnatural speed, her glowing eyes

" he murmured, more to himself than

tension. The surviving warriors from the vampire battle sat in the shadows, their eyes flickering

slumped in t

es, leaving her completely vulnerable. Her golden hair cascaded over her face, hiding her p

vy oak doors

parents st

er gasped, covering her mouth, while her father stiffened, his claws threatening to break thr

am before clearing-only to see the vast hall, dozens of cold eyes

anded, yanking at the chains,

e ans

one seat. He struck the gavel once, it

" he declared, his

nts, his expression a mask of anc

s beyond any werewolf-or vampire-we've ever known. She fought and slew twenty-five vampires in

he color drained from her mother'

ly: No matter what she is, she is o

o the five warriors. "T

, the way she hurled them like stones, her speed faster than lightning. G

ll into hea

wirled in everyone'

re is th

f has that

ng else? Somet

aking it hard to breathe. She sat, bound and helpless, like a lamb before

s's voice cut thr

y known lineage." He turned, his gaze heavy on Anastasia's pa

shrink, the air thi

s voice low but firm. "And tell

mmed into Anasta

de, their long-buried secret c

. What does he mean? Her

tense-as if the very wal