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me. Quickly Simone held up a large hematite stone. This stone will absorb
your negative energies, leaving you powerless. I do not wish to kill you, but
merely bind you. A bright bolt of energy flittered from her, encasing her
sister. Howls of pain filled the room as electrical currents coursed through
Selena s body. Immediately she shifted from human to Hrothega several
times, then back to human.
Lazius rushed over, restraining Simone s arms. At once, Selena had fallen
to her knees, writhing in agony. You mustn t. He continued staring at her,
then glanced over at Sax and Lucius. Simone, you cannot take your sister s
life, or you ll turn into a Hrothega as well. You both know this. The words
were barely out of his mouth when guards stormed the bedchambers.
Seize her! Lazius commanded. Put her in the dungeon. She will not be
shown one ounce of leniency! His eyes glared with fury as he spoke. She will
be judged, sentenced, and executed!
She should die by my hand, Lazius! Simone cried out breathlessly,
uncaring of the effects the poison had on her body.
You cannot, Sax hissed. You ll turn! By the gods, if that were to
happen, I d destroy myself along with you!
If you perish, we perish, Lucius insisted as he watched the guards chain
and shackle Selena.
No! Simone stepped back with a gasp. Please, you know that is not
my wish! She looked at them simultaneously. Lucius!
Lucius bowed his head. I cannot go against her wishes; you know that,
Sax!
Simone remained standing as a guard escorted Selena past her. Swiftly,
Selena shifted into Hrothega form. Pulling from the guard s grasp, she
plowed toward Simone. The beast lunged, and Simone, unthinking plunged
the weapon deep into the creature s chest. A death growl split the air, and
Selena landed on the stone floor.
She watched as the beast lay dying on the floor, her blood gushing from
the fatal wound. In a flash, the Hrothega s form changed into Selena. Her
sister drew one last breath before her body stilled. Simone dropped to her
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knees and clutched her chest in agony, disbelieving the sight that lay before
her.
Regret claimed Simone as Sax scooped her up into his powerful arms. It
was not my intention to, I didn t mean . . .
Sshh. Don t move, Lucius soothed as he stroked her hair, kissing her
upon the cheek. We re taking her to Veruca. She needs to purge the poison
from Simone s body.
* * * *
Veruca cleansed the wound, and Simone s aura along with it. She
continued laying hands around Simone s body to ensure no further damage
had occurred. There, she said with a smile. All fixed.
Simone sat up, smiling at her healer. Hopefully, that s the last time you ll
have to do that, she joked. Sax and Lucius cleared their throats in unison.
The two were displeased. I m fine guys, really, I am, she assured them as
the sat on the bed.
We thought we were going to lose you, Sax said stiffly. Why do you
have to be so damned headstrong?
Would you prefer if she were a delicate flower? Lazius strode into the
room, with Felicia by his side. Simone was shocked when he smiled with
warmth at her. All other times, the coven leader had been harsh, almost
cruel.
Simone is far from that. She s no damsel in distress and can hold her
own, Lucius stated before frowning. Apparently, he was just as shocked at
Lazius change of character as she was. Exactly what are you talking about,
Bro?
Hear me out, Lazius said in a firm tone. If it weren t for Simone being
so headstrong, she would have succumbed to the poisoned dagger. He
turned to look at her. Your sister apparently underestimated you, as she did
the coven.
Simone nodded in agreement. Yes, apparently so. She braced herself
for what was to come. It was time to set her focuses on never returning to
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the coven. It would be a tough decision, but she d stood firm on not wanting
to be turned into a vampire.
Lazius shifted his weight. Please accept my most humble apology. I was
wrong. In the face of death, you showed great courage. Who am I to take
away your true nature? Furthermore, as a wolf shifter, you have far more
power within you than any Hrothega. I m impressed by your will to remain
pure.
So, you aren t going to have Lucius and Sax turn me?
Close your mouth, honey; flies will get in, Veruca teased.
No. Lazius smiled. Long ago, my pet wolf, Shayla, and I discovered a
human woman laying in the woods. Mind you, Shayla wasn t a shifter, but a
regular four-legged animal. He paused before continuing. The woman s
name was Seharie, and she d been left for dead by Hrothegas.
Lazius s jaw tightened at the memory. I took her back to the castle with
me and nursed her back to health. The bond grew between us and she
wanted me to make her vampire, but I denied her.
Simone s heart went out to the coven leader. She watched as Felicia
reached for his hand in an effort to console him.
Shayla disappeared for a few days, and when she returned, I He held
his head down. I thought nothing of it. It wasn t Shayla, but a Hrothega.
After a council meeting that night, a few hours before dawn I returned to see
the hideous beast was feasting on what was left of Seharie s body. While
burying Seharie, I discovered Shayla s carcass in the woods.
Lucius placed a hand on his brother s shoulder. That night, Sax and I
were hunting wargs. I m so sorry for not having been there. He glanced at
Sax. We didn t know.
Now I understand everything, Sax said solemnly. You ve definitely
had your reasons for your actions. However, all creatures should not be
condemned for the act of a few. He faced Simone. That s something I
can t don t ever want to imagine, he said, reaching out to cup Simone s
face. Losing you would turn us both into madmen, Sax completed his
sentence before sighing.
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Lucius nodded in agreement. In my entire existence, I never thought I d
meet a woman that could make me feel complete, he said in a soft tone.
A feeling of completion enveloped Simone as each man embraced her
simultaneously.
Lazius smiled wryly. Well, it s over now. I feel like I can move on, now
that I ve shared that part of my existence. He turned to face Felicia. Can
you forgive me for neglecting you as I have? He stroked her cheek
affectionately.
Of course, she said, wrapping her arms around the vampire s large
frame. Felicia pulled away and blinked. You owe me a trip to Palm Springs
or the Bahamas, she said slyly. We could use some alone time together,
don t you think?
Lazius smirked. We could indeed, he said before turning to his brother.
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