No one noticed when, quietly, Sam and Shandra left the chamber; or if they noticed, they didn't care.Now they were in some sort of very old, dusty library. The girl sneezed twice before asking:"What is it? What did you want to talk to me about?"Sam opened and closed her mouth, as if giving up on the initial sentence and wanting to rephrase it before verbalizing."I think I owe you an apology. Ever since I came into your life, everything has become a huge mess. And it is directly affecting my goal, which is to protect you.""That's not true.""Of course it is true. Listen: none of this was in my plans. After your parents died, I was going to take care of you. I was determined to come into your life and be a part of it. Then Julian came along and... And here we are. You're stuck in this endless mess, and the chances of your life returning to normal are practically nil."Shandra tilts her head and sighs heavily."Look, it's okay. It's not like this is your fault.""Of course it's my f
"What?"Sam understood the question well. He just couldn't believe her."Answer." Shandra's voice is firm and perhaps a little hurt. "What are you going to do?""How do you know about the Sacrifice? Who was-?" The demon's eyes widen at the thought of the obviousness of the situation. "When did Julian tell you about it? What did he tell you?""Julian has nothing to do with it!""Of course he does, he has everything to do with it! It's obvious that he would tell you these things, so that you would stay away from me and be suspicious of my character.""And you have something to fear about that?""What do you mean?""If you're not going to do anything with me, then there's no need to fear anything, is there? It was bad judgment. That, of course, depending on your answer.""Julian had no right-""Julian had nothing to do with it, I told you.""Okay. And who was it that told you about it then?Shandra bluffs as fast as she can:"I'm a wizard. I need to read books and grimoires and stuff to
At first, Shandra thinks Sam wants to rip a piece of skin off her neck.But then the girl relaxes, noticing that the bite does not hurt her. Moreover, the demon's tongue slowly licks her, causing her body to simply stop functioning.Totally surrendered to the sensations, Shandra closes her eyes.Sam holds the girl's waist with both hands and growls. The sound reverberates through the sorceress' legs and arms, and when she finally opens her eyes, ready to say something, he lets her go.Both of them are panting, staring at each other.Endless seconds later, Shandra finally manages to verbalize something:"What... was that?"A viperine smile appears on the demon's lips."Really? Do I have to be even more clear?"Once again Sam attacks, but instead of biting her, it is the girl's lips that are hit hard....He bites her lower lip gently, then mutters a sarcastic laugh as he sees the girl's face getting hotter and hotter."Do you still want me to be more specific, Shandra?"The way he says
Julian notices the different mood as soon as, near the end of the meeting, Shandra and Julian finally appear. He doesn't know why they are missing, but he can imagine. Not least because a subtle but unmistakable hickey marks the side of the girl's neck.The werewolves said nothing, but their glances indicated that they had also seen and understood their little escapade.Marcus looks at Sam and says:"I suppose you've already done what you needed to do."Total silence.Sam just lifts his chin."I suppose you've already finished your instructions.""You would have known if you had stayed here," he jokes, winking one eye.Despite the amused look, it's clear that Alpha is still very down about the loss of his half-brother. That seems to be the only thing keeping the demon from kicking his teeth in."Well then. How long will we have to wait?""I know that you would immediately set out on your quest, and I can well understand why. However, that will not be necessary. Our information is still
Shandra knew that, deep down, Julian was the more sensitive demon.Yes, Sam had made his feelings for Shandra very clear, though not in the exact words. But still, the exiled prince seemed to know the line between what was right, and what he wanted.The yellow-eyed redhead seemed to act in the opposite way: prioritizing what he wanted, and not caring a bit about what was right.The girl just stared at him, waiting for him to begin his story.Julian moistened his lips before he began:"I... I've always been in love with Eluna. From the moment I saw her.""Really?"He nods his head in the affirmative."When I first saw her, I didn't know she was promised to Sam. The Count knew that they were already close to getting married, and the Circle was not talking about anything else. The two met a few months before what would be the date of the ceremony.""What was it like meeting Eluna?""At first, difficult. She basically hated me.""Really?! Really. She kept saying that I was trying to steal
Julian is surprised by Shandra's direct question and frowns.Shandra just stares at him in silence.He seems to hesitate for a moment before finally answering. His voice sounds calm, but there is a noticeable tension in his expression."Yes, it is true. Sam and I are brothers."Shandra absorbs the information, processing it slowly. The deep connection between Julian and Sam now makes more sense, and the conflicting feelings they both have towards Eluna take on a new dimension."I see... that explains a lot." Shandra replies carefully, trying not to invade Julian's privacy further. "I believe that this situation is very complex for both of you. But still, you are willing to work together to rescue Eluna.""Yes. Of course we are. She... She means a lot to us.""I know.""But, Shandra." He holds both of the girl's hands. "I hope you understand two things. The first is that you are very special to us, too. I mean, I still don't trust Sam and I don't think I ever will, but... I just want y
The two weeks it took to prepare and investigate the whereabouts of the fallen angels seemed to take two months.Sam and Julian were more tense with each other, mainly because now they had both opened up to Shandra, and in their own way, were trying to protect her.The coppery-eyed demon did not trust Julian. The ruby-haired demon did not trust Sam. And Shandra trusted them both, despite everything, and wanted them well above anything else.During their stay in Zirun, Shandra realized that both she and the boys were just not more revered than the Alpha himself in question. The Shadow, apparently, now had more power and relevance than the former Triad who, in turn, verbalized no discontent with the loss of the authority they once bestowed.In one of the several forays the three were making, Marcus emerged with two members of the Shadow at his side."Vanguards. Beacon of Light. Come with me, please."The three followed Marcus into a secluded room within the headquarters of the Shadow. I
The next few days were days of intense preparation and training for Shandra, Julian and Sam.Under the guidance of Marcus and other members of the Shadow, they thoroughly studied the available information about the fortress in the Tenebris Mountains and planned strategies to face the possible traps and defenses there.Tension was ever-present, but the determination to rescue Eluna and thwart the plans of the fallen angels kept them focused.Shandra delved into the records and maps provided by Shadow, studying every detail of the Tenebris Mountains. She discovered that the region was vast and filled with canyons, ravines and narrow passages, making navigation difficult. In addition, there were reports of dark and dangerous creatures inhabiting the area, making the journey even more challenging.While studying the geography of the place, Sam approached her and whispered in her ear:"Hey."Still focused on the maps in front of her, she murmured:"Yeah?""I need to talk to you.""Now?""N