Page 85 of Barely Breathing

I had assumed this would happen at Thane’s industrial palace. I doubt Costin and Astrid know about this place. We’re on our own.

The chanting gains strength, the voices rising. Draakmar doesn’t like it. I feel the dragon thrashing. I wonder if I could call him to me. The last time he came out of his deep hole, he’d tried to end the world. Surely that would be better than being under control of these monsters and their cult following.

The temperature dips, another chill whispering across my skin.

“The moon reaches its apex in thirty minutes, my vampire queen.” Thane’s voice carries across the chamber as he approaches Elizabeth. The chanting becomes quieter as if in reverence for the couple. His massive form looks huge to her slender one, and theway he looks at her makes my skin crawl. It’s a combination of possession and genuine devotion. “Everything you wished for, my love. The power will be ours.”

He’s found someone as broken and angry as himself. A match made in hell.

Elizabeth’s smile doesn’t reach her eyes as she strokes his face. “Yes, my wolf king. Everything we dreamed.”

Draakmar grows louder in protest. He hears the lie in her voice, and I see the calculation behind her gaze. She’s playing Thane just like she plays everyone.

I know Costin cares for her, but his sister is a real evil bitch.

The amulet hums against me with an intensity I’ve never felt before. Since waking Draakmar, his reactions have grown stronger and more purposeful. The stone doesn’t just protect me anymore. The dragon has been warning me, guiding me. I lean forward so it doesn’t touch my skin as his presence becomes more insistent.

The dragon focuses my attention back on poor Diana as if he feels different with the child, less angry and more protective. I don’t know what he’s trying to tell me. The warning stays frustratingly out of reach. When I don’t understand, I feel his growing rage, matching my own helplessness.

I look up to keep time by the changing color of the moon. There is only one thing I know for certain. We are running out of time.

Thane lifts his arms to the side, and the chanting becomes louder. The Freemonts begin circling the altar, arms lifted toward the moon. Their magic flares stronger than ever as blue fire dances around their bodies like snakes. Francis lifts the silver bowl above his head as if to help the herbal smoke rise. Chester’s smug grin has become manic as if he’s been possessed.

I keep pulling at my chain, falling to the floor for leverage. I don’t care if I rip off the skin. I have to stop them.

“Begin,” Elizabeth commands. She comes forward, arms lifted to the sides as she steps to the altar. The Freemonts stop to help lift her onto it. Chester bends over so she can step on his back as Francis and Mabel each take an arm. The move looks rehearsed for dramatic effect. Thane doesn’t wait for help as he leaps up next to her, massive arms pulled toward the moon. The carved “Sanguis et Lunaria” pulses beneath them.

My breath fogs in the dropping temperature. Thane howls and shifts into wolf form. Werewolves around the chamber follow his lead, their bones cracking as they transform. The ugly noises echo like gunshots off the marble walls.

“No!” Paul pulls so hard against his chains that the blood flows freely down his arms now. “Diana, baby, close your eyes!”

Diana doesn’t move, doesn’t even blink. The red barrier around her flares brighter as Francis begins pouring the bowl’s contents in a circle around the self-anointed royalty swaying on the altar. Whatever’s in it sizzles when it hits the floor, eating the marble.

Elizabeth’s head snaps toward the vault door. “Right on schedule.” Her smile turns cruel. “Shall we greet our guest, my wolf king?”

I turn, not hearing anything.

Thane growls, the sound more animal than human. He points an order. Half his pack moves toward the tunnels while the rest maintain their positions. The chanting never stops.

My breath catches. I don’t need to hear him to feel his presence.

“Costin,” I whisper. He’s found us.

Elizabeth’s excited smile tells me she expected this.

“Costin,” I yell. “Watch out. They’re coming!”

Fighting erupts in the darkness, the sounds of combat coming through the tunnels—snarls and screams, magic crackling, bodies hitting stone.

Then silence.

The chanting stops. I hold my breath.

Costin appears in the vault doorway, and my heart skitters around in my chest. He’s magnificent in his fury, clothes torn and bloody, eyes blazing crimson. Behind him, I glimpse the blur of vampires engaging the wolves in battle.

“Sister.” His voice carries deadly calm. “This ends now.”

Elizabeth laughs, the sound wild. “Oh no, brother. This is just beginning.”

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