Almara’s PovThe familiar has us walk in front while it keeps a steady pace behind us. I can feel its eyes like daggers into my back, its every move causes my skin to crawl. Though I’m facing forward, all I can focus on is what’s happening behind me.I’d much rather be walking behind it. We could try and veer away and escape, launch an attack, or discretely communicate with one another. Though it’s for those very reasons that we are being walked ahead and though we are in front, this feels much more submissive. It’s humiliating.Zack, Arthur, and I walk in a straight line. I’m starving and my feet are swollen, but I don’t dare say anything about it now. The chirping birds seem to grow quiet as we near and pass them as if some evil force that even they can pick up on silences them.The bright sun that once illuminated the blue sky and cast sharp shadows has resided behind some thick clouds causing the drop in temperature and shapeless, diffused light to cover the land. If we hadn’t bee
Almara’s PovThrough the rest of the march through town, the familiar continued announcing our defeat. With each declaration, it becomes more and more apparent that I may never see my parents again. We may never see Roman or Eleanor, Robert or Cathy. I can only hope that I get to see Grace.Unlike the first town paralyzed with fear and crawling with more familiars, some of the other areas we crossed through resulted in wolves taking out their phones and recording us. Instantly the message is sent across the world wide web.Even though we tossed our phones, it’s like I can feel the buzzing in my pocket burning a hole in my pants. Hushed whispers get passed between wolves as we make our way past them. I catch glimpses of words and I can only make out a general sense of their comments and questions.It would be the same things I would wonder. Is the war over? Did we lose? Who’s the new Alpha? What do we do now?What I want to do is scream the answers back at them. The war is not over, at
Almara’s PovThe familiars have backed off, though not by their own accord. I look around and among the newly freed-up space is Delfino, standing tall with a look of irritation.His long black robe trails behind him, and his hands are laced together and hidden in his over-sized sleeves. His one eye is squinted, while the other twitches, and his mouth is a cross between a grimace and a snarl. The thin blue squiggly veins are his paper-white skin pulsate.I search the now emptied space and find Arthur standing weakly. The gash on his forehead has been reopened and he has blood matted all over his fur it’s hard to tell the source of the injury. Zack stands with much trouble, gripping at his side. His lip is split and his one arm dangles at an awkward length.“Follow me,” Delfino says while turning his back as the crowd continues to part and make way for him to pass through. He doesn’t look back to see if we follow, but I’m worried if we don’t the familiars will go in for the attack again
Almara’s Pov“What are you talking about?” Arthur asks in a low growl while eyeing Delfino suspiciously.“The cursed familiars,” Delfino nearly shouts and then quickly lowers his voice. “We want out,” It seems painful for Delfino to even be admitting this, and if he’s going to say what I think he’s going to then it is especially hurting him.Am I wrong for enjoying this? Absolutely not. Lily chimes in. I take a step closer just as Delfino begins pacing again.“What do you mean you want out?” I ask“And what does that have to do with us?” Arthur asks crossing his arms over his chest, revealing a long and jagged scratch across his forearm that I haven’t yet noticed. I swallow my gasp.I instantly no longer care what it has to do with us. If there’s a way to put an end to my husband getting hurt then I’ll do whatever it takes.Delfino takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, he looks as though he may be sick. “As you can, unfortunately, see our land is being overrun.”Arthur laughs, “We’
Almara’s PovThe moment of silence hangs heavy in the air. There aren’t many options to consider. Either we join forces or we don’t.If we do then there’s a better chance we take down the familiars and reunite with Grace, my parents, Roman, Cathy, and Robert. At least the familiars still believe the vampires are an ally to them, that will work as an advantage for at least a little while.If we don’t team up, then that’s an even bigger risk. One that I don’t think we can afford to take. I glance at Arthur who has his locked down on the cement flooring, though he’s not really looking at anything, he shakes his head.I walk up to him and put my hand gently on his back, he stirs under my touch and I know he was a million miles away.“Bess would roll in her grave if we ever fought side by side with them,” Arthur says in a low whisper. I nod my head, though I don’t know if I agree. I think Bess would do what’s best for her pack, and definitely what’s best for her granddaughter.She wouldn’t
Almara’s PovWe hear faint footsteps growing nearer, along with chains rattling and muffled angry voices. Arthur and I reluctantly move to throw our clothes back up. I can’t move as fast with a seemingly ever-growing belly and I barely get my shirt over my head as the door is pushed open.“Get in here!” Delfino shouts, sounding irritated and not nearly as apathetic as when he left. As soon as Delfino comes into view, I can see him pushing Cathy and Arthur ahead who are tipping over their shackled feet.The three come to a stop in front of our cell. “Almara!” Cathy exclaims and runs up to the cell. Her loving moment of relief to see us is quickly overshadowed by Rober’s obnoxious laughter.“Smells like you two had a great time down here,” Robert howls. Good thing the lighting is dim because I’m sure my face has turned several shades of red.“Shut up,” Arthur says and Robert only mildly listens. He doesn’t say anything more, but eye’s us knowingly and doesn’t hide his smirk. Delfino loo
Almara’s PovDelfino comes back with exactly fourteen seconds to spare. Next to him is Edward, his right-hand councilman. Instinctively, every nerve in my body tenses. I can’t help but be repulsed by his scrawny statue and black beady eyes, just soulless and void of any warmth.“Good timing,” Arthur mutters. Walks to the door of the cell and we all stand close behind him. Delfino straightens his back and gestures towards Edward standing at his side. Iknow it isn’t possible, but he somehow looks older.“You remember my college, Edward,” Delfino says with great pride, as though presenting to us a prized possession.The last time we saw Edward, he was trying to keep us all in jail. We all grunt our acknowledgment of him and the smile on Delfino’s face falls. “He is here as witness to the agreement we come to today,” Delfino says moving this along.“Is there any other unbiased witness?” Robert asks, cocking an eyebrow at both of the councilmen.“No,” Delfino says flatly. Unfortunately, he
Almara’s PovOur touching moment is brought to a sudden halt when the sound of the doors opening startles everyone. Delfino and Edward move at their top vampire speed to fasten the chains around our wrists and keep us all huddled near one another.I recognize instantly the familiar that comes strutting in, it’s the same cat-like one that walked us here. It prowls in, eyeing each of us with a look full of venom and contempt. Next to it is another familiar, something like a rabbit yet with a darkness to it.“I heard our guests of honor were being brought here,” the vat familiar says though more of a question and brings its attention to Delfino. I can’t help but notice the crushing weight of the stare, it’s almost hard to breathe and the familiar isn’t even looking at me.If Delfino is uncomfortable, he doesn’t show it. Instead, he stands taller and if anything seems to be bothered to be questioned in his own territory. “Yes, Zayne.”“Why?” Zayne interjects and all of us hold out breath,