Twice Awakened

Chapter 24

‘Prisoner has escaped!” Looking to my side, thanking my mother for Vlad placing my armor back on the hanger, I remove my sword strapping it around my waist. I feel panic through the mate bond. She’s in here I can feel her. Just as the door is kicked open I see her back to me.

“Psst!” I hiss, catching her attention. As she spun around I plunged my sword, just as Vlad had taught me. Straight through her heart. I watch as her young, beautiful appearance fades and crumbles into an elderly woman. Eyes growing dimmer as she holds the sword looking at me as if I had done a great deed for her. No mercy comes from me as I push her out of the bathroom and into the front room. As the door swings open I kick her off my sword as I pull backwards, sending her to the floor. She chuckles as blood seeps out the corner of her mouth. Vlad and the knights staring at her. Her chuckles fade away as her eyes dim and become lifeless. Silence fills the room, as blood drips from my sword. My heart beat filling my ears fades slowly allowing me to hear again.

My face blank, I turn away and go back to the bathroom. I grab the dagger that had fallen to the ground, and place it on the table in the front room with a loud clack, startling everyone to spin to the sound. I retreat to our room and once again to the bathroom. I felt no guilt and was to tired to deal with questions. I finished my bath quickly, I put on a pair of leggings and a baggy shirt. I clean my blade as if I had done this many times before. Removing any blood, dirt, or debris. Replacing it back into place with my armor, I grab a bucket and brush carrying a candle out to the front room, scrubbing away the blood as much as possible. I could feel Vlad’s anger, probably over how she had escaped, managed to sift through and then into our hut to try and kill me. I knew I had to find him before his temper was released fully. Slipping on my boots and throwing a cloak over my shoulders, I followed his scent to the command center. His yells questioning how she got out of the restraints, how a mere wolf escaped. As I went through the door he stopped anger turning into sadness.

“She got through because she was no mere wolf but a very powerful witch. The same powerful witch they kissed you and amplified my anger. The same one who expected you to be identical to your father who plays in too many women’s beds. She fooled everyone, including me.” I say firmly as I buck up against Vlad. The leaders parting as I stood at the opposite side of the circular table. Looking at me and back to Vlad. They were not used to Lunas going against Alphas, they were usually submissive and quick to run. I was the complete opposite.

Vlad cut the tension with a sigh as he pushed his hair back from his forehead.

“What should we do if more come?” he said calmly. I looked around as none had no words.

“Two wizards or witches with two guards, at night two vampires along side two witches or wizards while two wolves patrol. Patrols place on the north, east, west, and south side of the base. For newcomers a witch or wizard, vampire, and wolf shall go thru the tests. Removing any magic.“The men wide eyed at my plan.

‘It would work.” Garth said his hand holding his chin while in thought. “It will strengthen the bond with the different races, while guarding weaknesses with others’ strengths.” The other leaders agreeing. Vlad’s eyes filled with pride as he watched me take charge.

“Vlad we have a brilliant Luna to be. Maybe she should join our strategic meetings.” Another leader suggesting, while another eyed me greedily. Touching my cloak and brushing against my leg causing me to side step. Vlad pondered a bit while Alex stepped in between the horndog and me. Alex nodded towards me as the guy huffed a bit, trying to get around him. Alex released a low growl that caught Vlad’s attention, startling the horndog. Giving me a look I moved through the men and to his side.

“I believe it to be a grand idea, however, I state this very clearly. She is mine, mine alone. As you have just seen my knights think highly of her and I. They will also be present just in case someone can’t keep their hands to themselves.” He the last part in a low unsettling growl staring at the man Alex just growled at. Grabbing his hand as I felt his anger rise again.

“All those who agree?” Garth said scanning the room followed by a large amount of AYES. “Any oppose?” Silence. “Then it is agreed our soon to be Luna shall attend the meetings along with the knights.” Garth smiled at Vlad and I and gently nodded his head.

“Meeting adjourned.” Garth spoke and men began filing out of the room chatting. Vlad was the last to leave as he and the knights put out the fire and candles.

“”Ligito Ballio.” A bright orb floated to the ceiling in the middle of the room, lighting up everything. The knights filled out of the room Vlad grabbed something of one of the side tables and then took my hand. We walked back to the hut, greeting people, chatting, never letting go of one another. Finally reaching our hut once more, Vlad sighs, the smell of blood still in the air. Without speaking a spell slipped past my lips.

“Rijite.” The smell of blood removed from the air Vlad looks at me slightly as the spell pulled the blood from the boards and away from the hut. He watched as I wobbled a bit as I was tired, my energy for spells low, and I hadn’t ate so my sugar was low as well. He gently scooped me up and in the front room he sat me on the chair beside our little table. He got the fire going and disappeared out the door. I stood up removed the cloak and hung it on a nail by the door. Sitting back down, I smelled a delicious smell. Vlad had come in with two plates full of hot food. He went to one of the festivities, told the leader and was sent on his way with two plates full of hot venison, mashed potatoes, and corn.

“You got to eat, my little flower.” He smiled as he sat the food in front of me. I ate a good bit and pushed the plate to him to finish. I was warm, full, and sleepy but never moved from my spot. Staring at the flames from the fireplace put me in a trance as Vlad watched me. As he finished sliding the plates to the back of the table, he picked me up, breaking my trance. He gently laid me in bed, stripped down, and pulled me to his chest. Listening to his heartbeat was the best lullaby for a tired mate. He muttered something under his breath and moved out from under me, grabbing a candle he went to the front room. I heard him ruffle things around before coming back into the room with a jar of some sort.

“From Edna for those bruises.” He smiled. He gently raised my shirt as he placed the balm onto my bruises rubbing and massaging, pulling off my leggings and doing the same head to toe. It smelled of sweet pea and lavender. “Hmmm it has the same scent you do.” I smile back at him. He screws the lid on the jar and places it by the powder in the bathroom. Gently getting back in bed and pulling me to him once more. “I love you, Anya, forever and always.”

“I love you, Vlad, forever and always.” I sleepily say content as I his heartbeat lulls me to sleep.