SWORN ENEMIES VALERIA Boss isnt going to like this at all .
What did you expect me to do ? Pick up that disgusting corpse or stay there waiting for the specter ?! This girls lucky her face is so messed up , even the specter didnt want her .
I could hear the conversation of what seemed to be two men My whole body felt drained , as if I had pushed beyond my physical limits .
I was confused , unable to fully recall what had happened .
Adele had tried to deceive me .
We fought .
That thing appeared , and then … ? I was lying across the back of one of my captors , being carried to an unknown location .
Even though I was awake , I kept my eyes shut , pretending to be unconscious just to hear more of their conversation Get her on the boat ! Suddenly , they threw me onto an old boat .
I realized I was being taken farther and farther from the King , so I began to fight back with everything I had .
So youre awake now ? Ah , you damn woman ! Whats going on ?! She bit me ! Youll pay for that , bitch ! The last thing I saw was a fist coming straight at my face .
The next time I woke up , I was sitting in a cold cell , my hands tied behind my back , chained to the damp stone wall .
One of my eyes was swollen shut , and nausea twisted my stomach , making me want to vomit .
The stench of mold and decay in the air only worsened my dizziness .
Shadows huddled in the corners other young women , trembling and crying , all of them terrified .
What had I gotten myself into this time ? And where exactly was I ? Soon , they came for me .
I heard footsteps echoing in the dark corridor outside the massive cell .
The door creaked open , and two men grabbed me by the arms , dragging me out .
No matter how weakly I resisted or how much I begged , they didnt stop .
I was hauled up a staircase , through a series of hallways , and shoved through a door into an office .
BAM ! SWORN ENEMIES I hit the ground hard , my forehead slamming against the stone floor .
Pain shot through me , and I hissed in discomfort as someone began untying the bindings on my wrists .
Footsteps approached .
A strong scent of cologne filled the air before a pair of black leather boots stopped right in front of me .
Do you know how to interpret whats written on the Goddesss Altar ? A low , icy voice questioned me .
N no , sir , I replied , trembling but determined .
I knew I could never admit I could read those symbols .
Suddenly , rough fingers dug harshly into my chin , forcing me to lift my head so abruptly I thought my neck might snap .
I dont like being lied to .
If you are the one Ive been searching for , but youre lying … you will pay I bit my lip , struggling to keep calm .
A massive scar crossed his right eye deep , more grotesque than even my ownL dearly for it .
Short black hair , blood red eyes , and fangs slightly protruding from his lips but not as long as a werewolfs .
A dark , powerful , and violent aura surrounded him .
I knew perfectly well what he was ..
A vampire .
The sworn enemies of werewolves .
Both sides despised each other to death , and now , I had been captured by them .
They never dared enter our territory they feared Aldric and the Guardians .
Something extremely important must have driven them to take this risk .
Bring the piece of the Mother Stone .
Well see if shes who weve been searching for .
He let go of me , shoving me back roughly .
My trembling hands pressed against the cold floor , kneeling with my head lowered as my mind raced .
If they had a way to test if I could read those markings , it wouldnt matter how much I denied it they would find out .
Minutes later , one of his men entered with a black box and set it on the desk .
The moment it was opened , I felt a tug deep in my chest .
Come to me , my daughter .
Come to me .
A whisper echoed in my mind .
I dared to lift my gaze slightly , watching as the vampire carefully removed a piece of dark stone , using gloves with utmost reverence .
The stone was cracked , yet faint specks of glowing light shimmered within it , like trapped stars .
2/3 22 SWORN ENEMIES It was affecting me my heart was racing , and my body felt drawn to it .
They grabbed my wrist , forcing my trembling hand closer inch by inch toward the artifact .
They were going to uncover my secret .
But then I remembered that sensation when I had hidden myself in the shadows of the night .
The way I had suppressed my scent , concealed so even werewolves with their enhanced senses couldnt detect me .
I willed myself to disappear .
To suppress the strange power inside me .
The youn The voice from the stone fell silent .
AAGHHH ! I screamed as soon as my fingers made contact with the stone , a searing pain burning through my skin .
I tried to pull away , but they forced my hand against it , the agony unbearable .
Fucking hell ! At last , they released me .
I yanked my hand back , clutching it protectively against my chest , trembling as tears streamed down my cheeks .