Page 67 of Fratelli: Eternal Bloodlines

“First you need to understand that the Tristan you knew is not what we face. He is enchanted. And his Draca has control. He’s hunting me. If he or the consiglieri take me, Dolly, it will be the end of me and the same for Sonya. The consiglieri will mate us to one of them if we don’t kill him first.”

“Then kill him…” Dolly started.

“It will be hard, very hard for me to do so. We will have to fight to the death. If he wins he will tear me apart, then make me a vamp and slave. We won’t be able to help you save Lucio. This is the moment you choose yourself first.”

“Tristan would not do that—” Dolly mumbled.

“He can’t help himself now—I’m affecting him,” Charmaine said, her voice low and urgent. “I’m enticing his Draca, and that’s what’s controlling Tristan. Just like I’m drawn to him, helpless against the pull.” She looked deeply at Dolly, pleading. “You have to believe in me now more than ever. I’m not just Charmaine anymore. You feel the change, don’t you?”

Dolly’s gaze dropped to their clasped hands, absorbing the heat of their combined energy pulsing between them, atangible force binding them. Slowly, she lifted her eyes to meet Charmaine’s.

“He’s coming,” Charmaine whispered, her breath labored, eyes fluttering as visions of Tristan’s desires filled her mind—dark, sensual and sexual promises that were strong. The Draca was in control, twisting him, but she could feel his struggle to be his own man, to pursue and resist. This wasn’t a trap; Tristan had truly intended to help them escape. His voice, faint but determined, surfaced through the link.Create chaos,he urged.Before I lose control completely.She could sense his light, a glimmer inside the Draca, fighting back, and it almost broke her to feel his desperation.

“Where?” Dolly asked. She gripped Charmaine’s hand.

Charmaine closed her eyes, focusing until the image of Tristan surfaced in Dolly’s mind.

“I see him now,” Dolly said. “We got this. Together.”

“I should be stronger,” Charmaine murmured, her voice tight with frustration. “There’s so much darkness around us.”

“Youarestrong. This is just new. We’re quick learners,” Dolly affirmed.

“We should be careful. We can’t hurt these innocent people,” Charmaine said.

The energy between them surged, building rapidly as they concentrated. Charmaine focused on summoning light to protect the mortals around them, and Dolly mirrored her, their powers weaving together. Time slowed. Gravity froze. The crowd around them stilled. When the girls opened their eyes, they could clearly see the mortals separated from the immortals—those unfazed, by their power glared with feral intensity and approached them from all sides of the casino lobby.

“Oh, sweet merciful God,” Charmaine breathed, eyes widening. “There are so many of them.”

Wolves, hulking and rough in biker leathers, leaped over tables, shoving aside frozen patrons as they closed in. Dolly and Charmaine spun to run, but Tristan appeared at the entrance, blocking their escape. They loyal consigliere gone. His eyes blazing the color of fire.

“What the hell is he doing?” Dolly shouted.

“Creating chaos,” Charmaine replied, her voice filled with alarm.

Dolly turned to face six wolves who lunged at her at once, their teeth bared, feral eyes fixed on her. Charmaine would have to deal with Tristan—while she’d hold off the wolves.

Summoning her energy, Dolly unleashed luminous chains, lassoing all six wolves at once, and slung them back and forth, knocking of frozen people like bowling pins. She bonded them and drained them of their strength in radiant light. More supernatural’s, their forms shifting, emerged from the shadows and surged toward them. But Dolly braced herself, ready to face whatever came.

Charmaine turned as Tristan closed in, and in the blink of an eye, she vanished from her spot, reappearing behind him to launch a counterattack. Though she had the element of surprise, this was her first real fight with the powers of Liora. Tristan struck, his blow landed hard and brutal. The impact to her chest nearly stopped her heart. It sent her hurtling backward into the crowd of frozen patrons. She crashed down, toppling them like dominoes, bodies breaking her fall.

Dazed and gasping for breath, Charmaine scrambled to get up, she crawled over the enchanted bystanders as Tristan closed in. He reached for her, and on instinct, she spun around and retaliated—a blast of pure light that ignited him in flames. Tristan staggered back. He extinguished the fire with ease. She hadn’t aimed to kill him, and he knew it. His lips curled into a dark smile, and his fangs dropped as he advanced again.

Meanwhile, Dolly unleashed a psychic surge that swept across the casino floor, frying every electronic device. The gaming tables powered down, cameras blinked out, and cell phones went dead. No alarms would sound, no calls for help would be answered. The exits sealed around them.

Good girl.

The voice in her head was evidently Lucio. She smiled. “You proud of me?”

Always, I’m with you. Always.He said.

“I love you Lucio,” she sighed. “So much it hurts.

I’ll make it up to you. I promise.

“Dolly! Dolly!” Charmaine shouted. The psychic link between Dolly and Lucio ceased. “Go, Dolly! He’s after me—find Sonya! I’ll get Russell out!” Charmaine called.

“No!” Dolly turned in the darkness. “We fight together!”

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