Cursed By The Lycan Blood

nestled behind her ribs. Her wrists were blistered raw from the iron shackles, but the scent of lave

omforting, but deceptive. Nothing about this place was safe. Not the walls built from ancient power. N

hoed again

t, clutching the

e called, her v

and silver-streaked dark hair pulled back in a braid. She wore a cloak of deep

an said. "Damien aske

eyes. "Are you one

e. I was a healer. Before

side her, unwrapping a fresh strip

ated but he

touch gentle. "Iron leaves more than j

ed. "I don't

rs-knowing, calm. "Y

I should've s

same way. Especially not t

Old blood. Everyone kept sayin

he curse. The prophecy. No one's ever explained a

apping the last b

he said quietly. "And fear ma

ed the lump i

lk to Damien. He may not seem like it, but h

ind a plate of dried meat, roasted root vegetables, an

he questions any longer, she

s lined the stone walls, casting shadows that danced like wolves o

. Two other Lycans stood with him-one blond with sharp green eyes and a scar running

talking when

flickered in his eyes when

awake,"

her arms. "I h

the others. "Gi

sitated, b

to the edge of the balcony. The Blood Moon had faded ove

he truth,

aid. "But once I tell you, yo

d to face h

her for a l

f the Curse of

whis

tell you what

s voice low, resonant

lood could shape storms, crack mountains, and command the beasts. But power always demands balance. And when on

ightened. "And I

l someone with diluted Primal blood. But the prophecy speaks of a true bearer-a Spark born under th

him. "You th

ow it

insane. I've never shifted.

ossible. Your heart didn't stop when they abandoned you to die. And your blood-

for this," s

king," Damien said

tretched, pulsing with som

n a cursed girl," Damien continued. "You're a weapon

t the endless fore

been told she was b

her she might be the answer to a proph

whether to run..

within stirred. N

Quiet.

ng to

for the first time, saw past the fearsome stori

oked

ess nights, but the deep exhaustion of some

he asked, her voice s

ned. "Now, we test

t does that mean? Another pro

hat I think you are, the spark of your shift is buried under trau

went dry.

It responds to threat. Pressure. Pain. Some wolves need the push. Some ne

"And you think

omeone who doesn't

and erratic. She hated how sincere he sounded

ft?" she aske

control. And w

if I

answer i

en I teach you how to

off guard. No threats. No promises

ly. "Fine. Wher

over the for

d the fortress walls into a wide glade surrounded by jagged stone pillars. It felt sacr

standing watch. They paused as Sarah entered. Ey

you are," Damien said. "T

fists. "So, what?

e unknown. And the unknow

e with braided red hair and sharp golden

r first lesson

What? No shiftin

urself on two legs, you

inned. "I'm Brynn. Try

the staff r

k-sweeping low and aiming for Sarah's knees. S

nted. "You've got fire in y

orm was messy, untrained. But she was fast,

e center of the glade. The crowd watche

, Sarah's arms ached,

panting lightly. "Be

ly holding it steady. "That.

uckled.

somethin

through the air-lon

in the glade

er spine. Her chest tightened. H

in her bones-

pping the staff, f

at her side

d. "Let it happen

wasn't

s a m

lage. Screams. Shado

Sarah's, whispering a name-Ser

r wrist glowing brigh

ped, jolt

ing faintly-an unn

not touching her, just wa

," she breathed. "

n," he said. "That's Primal memory

ed down at

ere tr

behind her. Some in

turned to them. "