TWICE CURSED

as the werewolves closed in, their yellow, glowing eyes burning with

going to

meant death-and there was no

hair, wolfsbane chains still biting into her wrists. Sh

of thunder echoed

d so powerful it rippled through the crowd. The attacking wer

ank, his silver mane glinting under the torchlight. His golden e

dralis?" His voice reverberated through the vast stone chamber, forcing even the most aggressive wolves to back away. "We ha

e by one, the werewolves obeyed, their yel

asia still felt the weight of a hu

without curiosity. "Anastasia," he said, "why did you

voice gave her strength. She forced down her fear and sat up str

uldn't

ouldn

eath. "Because h

pted into sh

death-when no one else could. A vampire lady had kidnapped me. I was moments away from having my head severed by

r, confusion and disbe

e it was right. I saw goodness in him. Principles. Morality. He isn't like the othe

rred-this tim

ing as a good vampi

l evil-ever

is always

g one is

t be con

nger heard them. The fear that had once gripped her was gone-replaced by a

afraid-not of the Council, not

stand by h

it kil

s staff clutched so tightly his knuckles whitened. Beside him

ned to death! Your excuse is not enough to save you, Anastasia. You

ddenly feeling heavier around her wrists. S

, level voice b

isag

e from his seat. His silver hair framed a face marked

lice or hatred toward her kind," Lucius said, his voice echoing through the vast c

ore it could swell, Elder Jacob stood as we

o many here are so eager to kill the only werewolf in our entire history who has achieved the impos

ed through

feat. Are you all so blinded by hatred that you would ignore the true mystery before us? Do none of you wonder why she

ared his teeth

this council," Jacob interrupted, his staff st

om sti

nals, buried under five centuries of dust. A child, born of two bloodlines,

silence rippled

ars. Her parents never told her anything about this-no bedtime

d uneasy glances. Some scoffed,

a myth!" so

to scar

xists-there'

ked, his golden eyes hard. "What if Anastasia is the one? If we kill he

ttled over the council, e

underous bang

young werewolf warrior stumbling inside,

mpire-caught near the execution center. We've ch

erupted

ed as the warrior's words echoed throug

t be Va

s. "Who is it?" she demanded,

lled aside by Magnus, his voice drow

's blood

lerian about to

ce her trial began, pu

d out. Before