Crimson Moon

Chapter 4

~Ruby~

I could hear voices.

“She’s alive, but she was badly injured. She saved my life. What was she doing near my pack?”

There was a pause while whoever was on the other end of the phone.

“Yes, though she wanted to die. Since we don’t know why she was so close to our border and we found spy equipment in a tree nearby, she will be moved to our dungeon…”

I heard the door opening “Violet, who are you talking to?” a male said.

“He says he’s her twin brother.”

Ratch? Why was she talking to Ratch? I had a lock on my phone. He must have called me because he felt something through our twin bond.

I heard a slight struggle before the man said “hello.” There was a pause.“Beta Marcus. We will be keeping your sister until we find out what her business is with our pack. I will personally put a stake through her heart if I even think another vampire is close by.” He hung up the phone.

“Violet..” he started

“Don’t ‘Violet’ me! I don’t care if she was sent to spy on us. She saved my life! She didn’t have to get involved. She’s a good person, even if she’s a vampire.” I smiled.

“If she is a twin, her name is Rubella. She’s the daughter of Harkon Sinistra! He wants the downfall of all of Tamaska!” The man yelled at her.

“Marcus, have you ever heard of the prophecy of the only daughter of the Master?”

“It’s not a prophecy, it’s a rumor. A stupid rumor. Vampires are evil!”

“When the wolf moon is bathed in blood, The Vampire Master can impregnate a virgin. If the child is a male, he will be a loyal Sire. Almost as powerful as The Master. If the child is a female, she will be blessed by the moon goddess. She will be the key to The Master’s downfall if she should betray him.” I recited from memory. Opening my eyes, I stared at the man, Marcus. “Yes, I have been sent to spy on your pack for my father. Have you talked with the other packs?”

Marcus looked confused. “They have never said anything about a spy.”

“Because I have always told them to keep my visit a secret and to have important conversations outside of the conference room. I have also given them tools to help protect their borders so it isn’t as easy to get into as it is for me.” I sat up, noticing I was not strapped down. “I’m going to have to mind-link my father. I’m sure I missed my check in. I’d hate for him to bring his armies to destroy your pack.”

“Is that a threat?!” he growled at me.

“No,” I said calmly. “Just warning you what will happen if I don’t contact him.”

“Do it. Make sure he doesn’t come here.”

“Can I call Ratch first? I’m sure father has already yelled at him.”

“On speaker, and I hold the phone. What is your password?”

“Protector”. He typed it in and went to my contacts. Dialing my brother’s number, it didn’t even ring. It went right to voicemail. Marcus hit the end call button before it could finish.

I sighed. “He probably threw his phone when you hung up on him. Ratch has a little bit of a temper and usually throws electronics at the wall. I’ll have to mind-link him too.”

Before they could even reply, I connected the link, and added them to it. ‘Ratch?’ I smiled at the surprised look on their faces.

“How are you mind-linking us?”

“I’ve been blessed by the Moon Goddess Selene. There’s a lot of gifts I share with Ratch.”

‘Ruby?! You’re awake?’

‘Yes, Ratch. I have added Beta Marcus and Violet to the link.’

‘Ok. I told father you ran into rogues and were injured. I had to make up a bullshit story that rogues taste the way they smell.’ Violet and I shared a little giggle, while Marcus just stared at me. ‘I told him you don’t like the taste and decided to eat a deer and find a cave to sleep and recover.’

‘Well, I did get a deer and fed it to her while she was unconscious. Did you know your body automatically bites down when you smell blood?’ Violet said.

‘Yeah, it’s a survival mechanism.’ Ratch replied.

' OK, link father through your mind. I'll hide their presence, and you do all the talking. I'll just comment a few times.' I told Ratch. 'Just give me a second.'

'Tell me when.' Ratch replied.

"So, I can only conceal your presence in the mind link if you don't talk. We can't have my father know you are listening in. I'm doing this to gain your trust. After that, you can take me to the dungeon. I will go willingly." I said out loud to Beta Marcus and Violet.

"OK." Violet said, while Marcus just nodded.

' OK Ratch, we're ready.'

I could feel the link on his side opening to our father.

'Father, I'm using Ratch to talk with you, I'm still slightly weak from the rogues, and my phone won't work. I cracked the screen and couldn't answer or call.' I said, trying to sound weak.

'Rubella? Do you need me to send a few Priors?' Father said, making me grimace.

'No father, I will be fine by the time I need to sneak in. I will let you know when I've gotten through the borders and have established my base-camp.' I told him, praying he would not send anyone.

'Are you sure, Rubella? I told Rachimova I'm visiting your mother today. I would hate to have to punish her for your weakness!' Father said with a sinister laugh.

'I understand father. I will not let you down.'

'You better not, Rubella,' Father said before cutting the connection.

'Ruby, I'm going to be there in a few hours. Kraven is already talking with the Lycan King, and the Supreme. We will need their help to get mother out of Serris' castle. We will finally revolt against father!' Ratch said before cutting the connection.

"Alright, take me to my cell." I looked Marcus in the eyes.

Violet gasped, "But the sun is out and the dungeon is on the other side of the pack."

I smiled. "Like I said, I've been blessed by the moon goddess with many gifts. I share most of them with Ratch. The sun, while annoying, will not kill me. I just need a long sleeved shirt, hat, and sunglasses."

"I've got a hoodie, I'll be right back!" Violet said before leaving the room.

Marcus and I just stared at each other. He was a good looking guy; short brown hair, olive skin, light brown eyes. About as big as Ratch with muscles to match.

"What's a Prior?" Marcus said suddenly.

"Well, vampires have a hierarchy just like you wolves. We are all under the Master, my father. Each castle has a Sire; my brothers Serris, Leshoc, Toussaint, and Ratch. Each Sire has a second in command, called a Count, and a third in command, a Viscount. They're like your Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, and have similar responsibilities."

Violet walked back into the room with a hoodie and sunglasses. I put them on and motioned for Marcus to take me to the cell. "Under the Viscount are 2 Primors, which are like your Lead Warriors, and Priors are like your warriors."

"So he wanted to send warriors to aid you?" Violet asked.

"Yes, and he would send Serris's vampires. Serris is most like father. His army is full of powerful males." I said.

"No females?" Marcus asked, surprised.

"Not as warriors in his clan." I sighed. "Quite a few are actually rogue wolves, but their wolves are killed."

Violet gasped. "How horrible!"

We had reached the entrance/exit of the clinic. As we walked outside, I stopped for a moment and sighed. "The sun weakens me, but I love the warmth it gives."

Violet smiled as I continued to walk, following Beta Marcus. "There is also one Seneschal, which is the lead scout. That is what I am. Underlings are my scouts, which are made up of mostly Ratch's vampires. Then there are thralls, like your Omegas. I actually don't want to keep talking, I'm going to have to repeat this to your Alpha and the Lycan King. There's a lot that I haven't gone over."

I saw a few Omegas stop to stare at me, whispering to each other. We walked up to a building that must be the entrance to the dungeon. "Violet, you go first, we'll keep her in between us. Don't even think of attacking my mate!" Marcus ordered.

"Mate?" I looked between them, Violet's face turned red. "Oh, a second chance mate? Do you accept him?" Violet nodded. "Well, congratulations." I smiled at Violet before turning to Marcus. "I'm not here to attack anyone. If I was, I wouldn't have gotten involved last night."

Marcus just grunted and Violet led the way through the door and down the stairs to a relatively empty dungeon. There was a warrior sitting at a desk against the wall and there were about 4 cells. Two rogues occupied the first cell. I recognized them from last night. They started to growl when they saw me and I hissed at them, making them retreat to the corner of the cell glaring at me.

"She's going to the cell at the end. No one is allowed to speak to her until King Leon and Alpha John get back." Marcus told the warrior. He got up from the desk and opened the door to my cell. I calmly walked in and sat on the metal bench.

"Can I have my phone?" I asked as the warrior locked the cell door.

"No." Marcus growled at me.

"Yes!" Violet said as she took my phone out of Marcus' pocket and handed it to me through the bars.

I smiled as I got up and took my phone. "Thank you Violet."

"Thank you for saving my life! Oh, I need to get back to the clinic, someone is having a rough birth and needs a true healer." She kissed Marcus' cheek, "I'm visiting her every day she's here, multiple times a day. You will not stop me!" Marcus just nodded.

"Bye Ruby!" she said as she skipped away.

Marcus watched her walk away before turning back to me. "Give me the phone."

I looked at him and down at my phone. "I just want to read while I'm waiting for the King and Alpha."

"Read?"

"Yes, I have an app that has stories." I looked at him. "I vow I will not harm you, your mate, or your pack!" Everyone shivered as the vow settled between us. "Can I keep my phone now?"

"Fine." Marcus said, walking out of the dungeon.

I looked at the warrior, but he went back to working at his desk. I laid down and opened the app on my phone, pulling up the story I'm currently obsessed with.