I make a stop at the common bathroom before heading to the dining hall. The tables are almost entirely occupied by those who have been training during the day. While most of those who live in the Lastdenn are males, there are a few females as well. They sit together around two tables, eating and chatting. Between the two tables is a male on his knees, dressed in rags, his head low, his gaze fixed on the stone floor. He is so thin, I can see his bones. The ash wood collar around his neck not only tells me he is a slave but a vampire as well.I hate people who have slaves. Are there more, or is he the only one? Tomorrow, I will ask Anan about the slave.I grab my food—which looks like something one would feed the pigs—and search for an empty place to sit so I can eat. One of the males stands, and I take his place. Those around the table ask for my name and then introduce themselves. I barely register what they are saying as the females are laughing very loudly, making my head pound. Aft
“Colt, time to go hunting,” Voros wakes me before the break of dawn. The frigid air inside the house is even colder than the previous night, and the blanket Voros gave me offers minimal warmth. Spending five months in this location will undoubtedly feel like hell. Of all the places a knight can train, why did I have to be sent to this one? A lingering sense of unease settles deep inside me, making me think something is not right. That I might have done something to displease my father and Queen Lamia, but no specific incident comes to mind, no matter how deeply I contemplate it.Not wanting to make Voros wait, I kick the blanket to the side and get up. “If I had known I was being sent to Antarctica, I would have refused,” I vent my frustrations as I slip on my boots and coat.Voros casually takes a sip from his mug. His clothes match his pink hair with apparent intention. “It wasn’t always like this here.” I shoot him a puzzled look.“Don’t tell me it was worse.” Voros snickers. “A
We stop close to the kitchen. Voros scans the area around us, listening for sounds and sniffing the air. “You should not say that name here unless you want to get in trouble.”Anan told me Analise is evil, while Voros warns me not to say anything about her. Interesting. Regardless of who is right, as long as Analise doesn’t interfere with my training, I don’t have a reason to give her a second thought. “How did you meet her?” Voros wants to know. “I gave her some water yesterday, and she mentioned a person who is very hated here. Based on what you said, I think she referred to K, but she never mentioned his name.” “If Analise gave you a message for K, it is best to give it to him.” We quietly enter the kitchen. K is cleaning two big stoves, his back to us. “Need any help?” Voros asks suddenly, startling K.The vampire turns around, his gaze fixed on the floor. “I got this.”He sounds…defeated. Like the life has been sucked out of him.‘If Voros is right about K and him being her
Five months laterAfter breakfast, Anan and I step into the middle of the arena and take our fighting positions.After five months of daily training, I finally became skilled enough with a sword to think I might have a chance to defeat Anan in combat one day. It’s a great achievement, especially after spending the first two or three months covered in bruises since Anan would kick my ass every single time. That is basically our daily routine—meet on the training grounds, a few rounds of him sweeping the ground with me, making me always wonder if he is either very strong or if I lack basic training before he leaves while telling me to do better the next day.My improvement is all due to Voros, who offered to teach me the technique Anan uses. I also learned demons are stronger than werewolves, which explains why Anan can easily defeat me, making me want to prove not only to myself but to everyone else in the Lastdenn that I have what’s needed to win the Games and claim the Sword of Night
I spend the last days in the Nether Realm helping Voros finish the last details of his and K’s escape and packing my stuff. When I arrived, I lacked basic gear and warm clothes, but since I started hunting with Voros, I have accumulated quite some stuff. I am not taking everything with me, so I put aside clothes and trinkets I don’t need anymore to give to K. Except for the rags on his back, he practically has nothing. Before I close my duffle bag, I check to see if the letter Anan gave me is there. My father and Queen Lamia wouldn’t be very pleased if I lost it. Not that the letter is important in the great scheme of things, but I think they want to know how much I learned, as my only purpose for coming here was to get ready for the Games that will soon start in the Diamond Realm. Becoming the next regent is crucial if I want to get my hands on the Sword of Nightmares.All this to defeat the Druid Witches. How strong are they? Sure, they have allied with the Lycans and the daughter
I’ve never told Voros the real reason why I sent here. He only knows that Queen Lamia wanted me to improve my skills. I didn’t want to tell him about the Diamond Realm and the Sword of Nightmares and risk word getting back to the Druid Witches. While Voros is my friend, he doesn’t owe me any kind of loyalty. For all I know, he can be friends with Tatiana as well. “I don’t know how can you protect someone who has done so many terrible things to not only werewolves, but many other races,” Voros says. I frown, because the ones who have done such things are the Dacian Vampires. “I hope you one day realize the great mistake you are doing.” When anyone talks badly about Queen Lamia, there’s always a rush of anger that washes over me. “It’s my mistake to make,” I snap. Voros falls quiet and stays like that until we finish our meal and we clean the kitchen.‘We should leave without resolving this conflict.’ Since my wolf is right, I say to Voros, “Sorry about earlier. I’m on the edge with
Rain Bonfires are lit in the garden in front of the packhouse of the Crescent Moon Werewolves Pack. Many of the pack members, especially teens or unmated adults, are gathered around them and are talking or dancing. There is always booze and food involved… and music. Let’s not forget about that, because what is a party without good music? Even if I am not invited to the party, I like to listen to the loud beat coming from the speakers. Probably that’s why I started hiding in the walnut tree to pain while the others are having a great time. Since I was eight, I always had a piece of paper and a pencil with me, and I drew while listening to what was happening around the bonfires. The sketch I have been working on for the last few days lies forgotten on my lap. The fireflies dancing in the air have all my attention as I slowly block the music and the voices around the garden. I quietly observe them from the branch I am perched on, my back leaning against the tree trunk. It is my favorite
If Jordan doesn’t kick the bucket of water I use for cleaning the floors, he will find other ways to antagonize me. He will probably call me names or, if he is in a very bad mood, even push me or make me trip. Safia whines. Being a lone wolf inside a pack is difficult. When it is a full moon, we usually run alone while the rest of the pack runs together. I prefer it, anyway, because I would probably look constantly over my shoulder if I had one of the pack members run next to me, wondering if I would get attacked. ‘One day, we will find the one meant for us. Our soulmate. We will never be alone then. When the full moon rises above the forest, we will run next to our soulmate,’ I say, trying to console Safia. Of the two of us, she is the one who suffers the most from the lack of friendship and companions. I am more than happy not to talk to anyone from the pack, for days in a row.Werewolves are not meant to be alone. That is why many rogues go mad after years of solitude. Some of th