Page 57 of Shapeshifter's Vengeance

"Oh, I'm counting on it," she says, stepping back and admiring her handiwork. "He'll come running, and I'll be waiting."

I struggle against the ropes, trying to reach my magic through the pain. "You won't get away with this."

"We'll see," Cassandra says, her tone light and carefree. "But for now, I think it's time to make things a little more interesting."

She pulls a small vial from her pocket and uncorks it, releasing a pungent odor into the air. "A little potion to keep you quiet," she says, moving towards Karla.

"No!" I shout and try to move, but the ropes hold fast.

Cassandra forces Karla's mouth open and pours the liquid down her throat. Karla chokes and sputters, her eyes wide with fear.

"Leave her alone!" I scream, my voice raw.

Cassandra turns to me, her eyes gleaming. "Don't worry, Evelyn. You'll get your turn."

She approaches me, holding the vial. The liquid sloshes ominously as she tilts it towards my mouth.

"No, please," I beg, trying to turn my head away.

"Open wide," she coos, forcing my jaw open with surprising strength.

The liquid burns as it slides down my throat, and I feel a wave of dizziness wash over me. My vision starts to tunnel, and I know I'm losing consciousness.

As the darkness closes in, I hear Cassandra's distant and mocking voice: "Sleep tight, Evelyn. When you wake up, the real fun begins."

Chapter 25: The Council Summons

ALEXEI

I haven’t heard from Evelyn since her last text. She told me about the body at the coven and how Karla is missing. The sense of unease gnaws at me. I pull out my phone and send her another text:

Call me.

I tuck the phone back into my pocket and head to my sister Ana’s place. As one of the original vampires, her advice and insight are invaluable, especially now.

Ana opens the door, her eyes immediately searching my face. “What’s wrong, Alexei?”

“Evelyn’s been having visions,” I say, stepping inside. “Now there’s a body at the coven and Karla is missing.”

Ana’s expression hardens. “Cassandra?”

“Most likely.” I sink into a chair, running a hand through my hair. “I can’t wait for all this to be over.”

She sits across from me, her gaze steady. “We will end this, Alexei. But we need to be careful. Cassandra is more dangerous than we anticipated.”

My phone buzzes. I glance at the screen and see a text from one of the council elders, asking to meet. “I need to go. One of the elders wants to speak with me.”

Ana nods. “Be careful. And come back soon. We need to stay united.”

“I will.” I give her a brief hug and leave, driving down to the council hall.

I arrive at the council hall, my mind still buzzing with worry about Evelyn. The heavy wooden doors creak open as I push them, revealing Council Elder Marlowe waiting inside. But he isn’t alone. Strange people stand behind him, their eyes cold and assessing.

“Alexei,” Marlowe greets me, his voice deceptively calm. “Thank you for coming.”

“Of course, Marlowe,” I reply, stepping inside despite the uneasy feeling gnawing at me. “What’s this about?”

“We need to discuss the current situation in Harmony Grove,” he says, motioning for me to sit. “How are things progressing?”

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