Dissension: A Deliverance Novel

By Kristy Centeno

In an age where humans dominate the world…

And supernatural creatures exist in the cover of darkness…

He must find a place among his rivals or risk losing it all.

Hayden has had his hands tied coping with life outside of the Institutes. He’s come far despite all the bumps along the way. He’s allowed himself to believe he could live a normal life…until a new threat makes its presence known.

In an instant, his entire life is flipped upside down once more. Those he cares for are not safe with or without him. There’s no escaping his past. Or permanent solution to his problems. One way or another he’ll become the target for all those looking to destroy the hybrid who endangers their way of life and challenges everything they’ve ever known.

Now he must decide between kill or be killed, and risk becoming the very monster he’s fought so hard to prove he’s not. Freedom has come with a price, but is he willing to pay the cost?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inkspell Publishing
• Release date: Sep 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781945910371

Kristy Centeno

Kristy Centeno loves to spin tales of creatures that go bump in the night, with a sprinkle of romance to top them off. Her passion for writing stems from a lifelong enjoyment of reading and the pleasure derived from the magical worlds created by authors like her. She prefers her female leads strong, independent, and stubborn who will stop at nothing to save their loved ones and protect those they care for.Kristy currently resides in Pennsylvania with her five kids, a quartet of noisy parakeets, and a spoiled puppy. When she's not working or writing, she juggles her free time between raising a handful of minions and pursuing other career goals.

Book preview

Dissension

A Deliverance Novel #2

Kristy Centeno

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, places, or events is coincidental and not intended by the author.

If you purchase this book without a cover you should be aware that this book may have been stolen property and reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher. In such case the author has not received any payment for this stripped book.

Dissension

Copyright © 2017 Kristy Centeno

All rights reserved.

ISBN Ebook: 978-1-945910-37-1

ISBN Print: 978-1-945910-38-8

––––––––

Inkspell Publishing

5764 Woodbine

Pinckney, MI 48169

Edited By Vicky Burkholder

Cover art By Najla Qamber

You can visit us at www.inkspellpublishing.com

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission. The copying, scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law.  Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions, and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

Other Books by Kristy Centeno

Secrets of the Moon Saga:

Secrets of the Moon

Bound to the Moon

Full Moon

Dark Side of the Moon

Blood Moon

A Taste of Forbidden

*

The Keeper Witches Series:

Keeper of the Lost Souls

Keeper of the Innocents

*

Love Gamble Series:

Payback is Sexy

Payback is Sweet

*

Fierce Awakenings

Forgotten Divinity:

Blood in the Shadows: Shadows #1

Midnight: #2

Giver of Life Trilogy:

Enchanter

Dedication

To a childhood friend...

You were a good friend, a role model, and a pen pal throughout the years we lived separated by miles and miles of ocean. You left this world much too soon, years before your time.

May you rest in peace, Yarelis Jimenez.

We will be sisters-4-ever.

Prologue

Far in the distance, Tiger takes a stand against the force rushing at him. It has no shape, no name, but I envision it as a powerful entity capable of destroying all I hold dear. I identify a pair of pale hands as the thing creeps closer to Tiger, long claws aimed to rip into him.

My visions have never lacked in detail, but as I observe the darkness surrounding Tiger and the creature lurking beyond the shadows, I’m certain that something, if not someone, has set his or its sight on concluding something left incomplete an indefinite number of years ago. It’s not clear to me what the reasoning is, but he, she, or it, has targeted Tiger.

A piercing scream breaks through the haze. I spin to find Kristina struggling desperately to break free of the man pinning her face down on the ground.

Hayden! she calls out to Tiger, who is torn between going to his mate’s defense and bracing for impact as the enemy advances. A wide mouth with sharp teeth manifests itself along with a head, its intention evident by the creature’s calculating strides. It has no distinguishing features. I am baffled by this. Why am I unable to see this thing for what it really is?

Furthermore, why am I witnessing a faceless enemy?

Another scream slashes through the air, catching Tiger’s attention. Golden brown eyes lock onto the girl and in that split second, I see his mindset shift. He chooses her life over his. He races toward her, his determination strong and focused.

No, Tiger. It’s a trap, I shout in warning, but it’s too late. He is pounced upon by many strong bodies, none of which possess distinctive characteristics. Like the menacing creature nearby, they are nothing but masses of pale skin over sinewy, pasty flesh.

I try to proceed, but am unable to put one foot in front of the other. My body refuses to cooperate. Something keeps me rooted in place to observe the ongoing scene, unable to intervene on his behalf. Trapped, I’m stricken with the sudden horrifying realization that I’m mere moments away from losing my son.

A thunderous roar absorbs my attention. I glance to my left to see a pair of individuals dragging Kristina away into the darkness, sobbing hysterically as she watches in terror as the fleshy creatures tear and bite Tiger’s skin, digging deep into the muscles. The ground beneath him is soon covered in crimson.

Tiger’s light is forever dimmed, and as I stand there witnessing the life drain from his eyes, I understand his end is another consequence brought on by my selfishness.

Castiel, what is it? A familiar voice lures me from the gruesome scene, which begins to dissipate amid the spiraling tunnel that quickly but efficiently returns me to reality. Speak to me, brother.

Momentarily confused, I focus my gaze on my twin’s red eyes. What...?

You became lost in thought unexpectedly, Nyall explains, his voice laced with concern. Where were you?

Tiger...he’s in peril. I rise and push past Nyall. Comprehending the severity of my vision, I must go to him. I have been warned. An old enemy will come for Tiger and should I fail to act, he will perish attempting to save Kristina’s life.

Tiger? Does he not go by a different name these days? Nyall’s attempt at careless humor is lost on me. I’m in no mood for his childish behavior.

How is that of any importance? I toss over my shoulder as I storm off in the direction of the nearest exit.

Where are you off to? Nyall is right on my heels.

To Tiger. He needs me.

Castiel, what has gotten into you? Nyall reaches for my arm, but I snatch it away before he can manage a firm grip on me.

I’m leaving this instant, I convey matter-of-factly.

Can we at least discuss this?

Despite my brother’s disapproval, I continue out of the house and to the garage. There is nothing to deliberate.

If you insist on making this trip, I will accompany you.

I stop to face my brother. Why one earth would you do that?

There isn’t an inkling of condemnation on my twin’s countenance as he declares, Because I have never seen you so frightened before and it is alarming me. Whatever it is that is upsetting you must be grave. I don’t want you to go through this alone. The last time you left me, years passed before I saw you again.

As touched as I am by Nyall’s genuine concern, I cannot stay and wait for the premonition to come true. This new development is unlike any I have foreseen before. To have Tiger’s demise announced so suddenly fills me with outright dread. He must not die. Never.

We have to depart immediately, I demand softly.

Nyall agrees with a dip of his chin. I can see the weariness in his gaze but to his credit, he doesn’t oppose. Instead, he calls on his wife, Akana, and our housemate Gabriel, to accompany us as well. Because this is a family affair, he insists on bringing everyone along.

I do not object, for I fear we will need as many able bodies as we can to aid us.

Chapter One

Kristina

Cujo’s incessant barking jars me awake. I reach to my right for the warm body I’d fallen asleep snuggled to, but the side of the bed is empty. I open my eyes and scan the room. I’m alone. Hayden is gone.

I sit up, pulling the blanket up to my chest to cover my nakedness. Somewhere in the background, Cujo continues barking, throwing in the occasional aggravated growl every few seconds. The damn dog never snarls at anyone or anything. This is so unlike him.

Realization hits me like a punch to gullet. Something’s wrong.

Instinct kicks in and I scurry off the bed and get dressed—black joggers, t-shirt, and a pair of worn out Converse. The shoes meant to keep my feet warmer on the cold hardwood floor than a pair of cotton socks will.

I tiptoe to the bedroom window, move the blinds aside, and peer out. Nothing unusual. Woods surround the house. All I see are shadows and the darkened silhouettes of tall trees and small shrubs.

What has Cujo so worked up? And where is Hayden?

I set the blinds back in place and head for the bedroom door, which is slightly ajar. Hayden usually leaves it open when he steps out in order to not disturb my sleep. The farmhouse is old, well over a hundred years since it was built, and most of the doors are original, which means most of them squeak and creak as they’re being shut or opened.

I step out into the long, dark hallway where I’m greeted with silence. Cujo has stopped barking and far from calming me down, it kicks my nervousness up a notch. My heart picks up pace as I sense a shift in the air, like the static electricity in the atmosphere before a thunderstorm.

I tread softly toward the stairs in the middle of the hallway. At the end of the hall is Grandma’s bedroom. Her door is shut. The light in her room off. I’m hoping this means Cujo’s snarls haven’t woken her. The woman hates it when her slumber is disturbed, especially this late.

With an added measure of bravado, I step forward. In my mind, Hayden is somewhere on the first floor, possibly outside checking on the dog. Maybe even calming the poor mutt down before rejoining me in our warm bed. There’s nothing for me to be worried about.

Except, I feel as if I’m smack in the middle of a horror movie, about to be grabbed by the spooky man-eating creature waiting for its midnight snack.

Chills run down my spine. I can’t explain why, but I have the sudden sensation of a pair of eyes watching my every move. My imagination runs wild and I can just about make out a huge furry beast lying in the shadows somewhere, waiting for me to pass on by before it leaps on me.

I grab for the rail and hold on tight. I’m being ridiculous. I’m fine. A bit paranoid, but fine.

Ignoring the alarm bells going off in my head, telling me to go to my room and wait for Hayden there, I creep closer to the staircase. It doesn’t help that it’s pitch black out here and the freaking light switch is on the wall closest to the flight of steps. Not the most convenient design, but it’s an old house.

I’m a few paces from the landing when a quick blur to my right catches my eye. I gasp, not sure of what I’ve seen. Frozen solid, I scan the hall, trying to distinguish clear shapes or outlines. I catch it again, a slight distortion nearby that’s barely registerable. The smear zooms closer and before I can react, I’m grabbed from behind, forcefully reeled around, and shoved against the wall behind me. Someone pins me there, holding a knife under my chin.

Nice intimidation tool. It freaks me the hell out.

It all happens so quickly, I can’t fathom what’s going on. My mind screams the word intruder. There’s someone in the house. Someone armed and dangerous.

Where is he? the male voice asks.

I scrutinize the figure in front of me, but all I can see are a pair of glowing green eyes. Human peepers don’t glow in the dark like that. I’m trying to analyze the situation, but my mind keeps spitting out words: Intruder, not human, moved too fast.

Who? I choke out, holding myself very still to keep the knife from cutting into my flesh.

The breed?

Hayden. He’s looking for Hayden. Oh, God.

I...have no...clue, I reply.

Don’t lie to me, human.

Before I can think to reply, the door to Grandma Rose’s bedroom swings open and she steps out, aiming a double barrel shotgun at the man holding me hostage in the hallway.

Unless you want to end up with your brains splattered all over my wood floors, I suggest you let my grandkid go and retreat, stranger.

What little moonlight filters into the hall via the open door allows me to see the man a bit more clearly. He’s pale, tall, and looks dauntingly angry. His face is inches away from mine, and yet the most discerning feature is his eyes, which are big, round, and luminescent, almost like a pair of emerald jewels shinning under the bright sun.

You? What can you do with that toy of yours? He has the nerve to snort as he gives Grandma the once-over. Big mistake.

I reckon you wanna find out.

I’m shaking in my boots, he mocks with a smirk, faking a southern accent.

I lock eyes on Grandma’s wrinkled face, concerned over her safety. I don’t want to lose her and this asshole looks like he intends to take down whoever gets in the way of whatever it is he came here to do.

Prove me wrong, granny, he ridicules.

Grandma Rose takes aim. I swallow the lump in my throat. She’s not thinking about shooting him while he stands six inches away from me, is she?

This walking freak show! Who does he think he is, waltzing into my house in the middle of the night and threatening my grandkid like this? And making fun of my Henry too? Grandma looks flustered enough that I experience sudden flashing images of bloody pieces of gory matter and bone splattered on the wall behind me—both his and mine.

The intruder’s lips curve up slightly. Brave. For an old gal.

You cocky bas—

An ear-splitting roar resonates from somewhere outside, stopping the verbal exchanges between Grandma and the trespasser. The noise of breaking glass echoes throughout the house, followed by the sound of a massive body plowing across the first floor like an out-of-control semi, upturning furniture, breaking through whatever it encounters in its path.

Hayden has returned and he’s pissed.

He’s here, the intruder whispers. His grip on me slackens as he takes several steps toward the banister to peek over to the floor below.

Kristina, get down, Grandma shouts.

I drop like dead weight to the floor. She fires the shotgun. A powerful blast echoes across the hall, deafening me. Tiny pellets connect with my attacker, sending him flying backwards and crashing into the door of my bedroom. He crumples to the floor with a loud bang.

My ears buzz. I’m disoriented, confused, and scared shitless.

I look up and spot Hayden’s tall, bulky form at the top of the stairs, facing me. I regard him, taking note of several gashes on his chest. He no longer resembles the man I went to bed with, but something otherworldly.

His skin is a grayish blue, his muscles more defined and prominent. Where nails used to be, long, dark, sharp claws have replaced them. Facial features are a cross between animal and human, but far subtler than any werewolf I’ve seen. He’s taller by at least a foot and a half and much more menacing to look at.

His dark eyes quickly assess me for injuries. Finding none, he turns his attention behind me. I don’t see so much as feel the trespasser standing just beyond my line of sight. Well, at least Grandma succeeded in throwing him off his feet.

Breed, the intruder hisses between clenched teeth.

I’m more alert as my hearing returns so I take a moment to spare a peek over my left shoulder at the prowler. His focus is on Hayden.

Kristina, get over here, Grandma yells, gesturing for me to run to her.

I take the advantage of the intruder’s distraction to get up and bolt. I run past Hayden and straight to Grandma’s arms. She ushers me inside the bedroom. I whip my head around to see Hayden lunge at the invader. I hold my breath, scared to death of the outcome. Hayden is more than capable of fending for himself, but it’s the psychological welfare this battle may have on him that worries me.

I watch in horror as Hayden knocks the green-eyed intruder off balance. A vicious brawl breaks out. They become a mess of swinging arms, clawing talons, and gnashing fangs. My heart slams into my ribcage as they collide with each other with such force, the wooden guardrail gives way and they both plummet to the first floor below.

Hayden! I take a step out to the hall but Grandma Rose grabs my arm.

Stay here. You’ll only distract him.

I stop, debating internally whether I should listen to her or check to see if Hayden is okay. The tall, dark figure that appears on the landing decides for me. It’s not the same man from before, which means there’s more than one non-human in the house.

Kristina, get in here. Grandma scurries past me, aims at the man and pulls the trigger as I dash inside the room. The sound of the shotgun going off is deafening and I’m left reeling for a moment before Grandma Rose begins to bark orders, asking me to help her barricade the door.

She shoves the door shut, sets her shotgun down on the bed, and turns to the dresser. Help me move this. He won’t be down for long and we need to put as much furniture between us as possible.

I hurry to the dresser and yank as she pushes. We shove the heavy piece in front of the wooden frame and go for both nightstands next, which we nudge between the bureau and the wall. We grab a rectangle-shaped table at the other side of Grandma’s room and place it between the rest of the stuff and the bed, hoping that if the stranger tries to open the door, it will serve as an anchor of sorts.

Considering the first individual took a blast to the chest from a shotgun and rose to his feet within moments, I doubt a hoard of furniture will stop the second man—being—whatever he is, but my sense of self-preservation tells me to do whatever it takes to stay alive.

What’s going on? I pause to catch my breath, staring at Grandma as she saunters to the bed and picks up the shotgun again.

The nerve of these good-for-nothing scoundrels!

Rose, do you have any idea what’s going on? I try again.

Grandma doesn’t seem as troubled as I am. But the last time she was as cool and collected as she is tonight, all hell broke loose soon afterwards. I ended up on a race two states over in a wild search for a man who could help save both Hayden and me from the egotistical, sick, mad scientist after us.

A year has gone by since, but we may have let our guard down too soon.

Your guess is as good as mine, but it’s obvious they didn’t come for tea and crumpets.

Noise from the back of the house draws my attention. I wander to the window and push the blinds aside, gasping as I spot at least a dozen men, all dressed in dark clothing, with pale skin and glowing eyes, staring up at me.

Oh, shit. This is bad.

Grandma joins me by the window. Shit is right.

What do we do? I ask in a near panic.

Somewhere in the background Hayden lets out a long, frustrated growl that sends shivers down my spine. He’s hurt.

Rose, we need to help him.

Grandma nods. There’s too many of them. She continues to look out the window. We need to get downstairs.

A loud bang on the door alerts us to the creature on the other side. I peek at the wooden frame and my heart skips a beat when it cracks down the middle with a second blow.

That thing ain’t gonna hold, Grandma whispers harshly. Let’s get outta here. She moves away from the window, grabs my forearm, and leads me to a built-in armoire on the other side of the bedroom. Open the door, climb in, and unhook the latch on the opposite wall.

I open my mouth, ready to ask a barrage of questions, but quickly snap it shut. Grandma had informed me of the hidden rooms and passages in strategic locations throughout the farmhouse. But after Hayden returned to live with us, I never bothered asking where these passages were as I was too busy adjusting to life with him.

I climb into the armoire, push the clothes hanging from a rod above my head aside, and feel around blindly until I locate the latch, which I pull to reveal a set of wooden stairs leading down to what I assume is the first floor.

Go in. Hurry. The pale creep is almost in the room.

I slide down the armoire to the first step and try to locate a switch.

Get going, Grandma urges behind me.

I can’t see anything, I murmur.

There are twelve steps. Count ‘em as you go. She prods me forward with her hand, and I begin to descend as far as I can go in the pitch blackness. I can barely recognize the shapes of the actual stairs, but not much more. Aside from not being able to see, I’m close to having a panic attack. The walls are too close, making it seem like they are about to swallow us whole. Claustrophobic is putting it mildly.

Crap, I whisper as I slip on one of the steps and come close to tumbling down the rest of the way. What the fuck?

Are you cussing in my house, girl? Grandma nudges me with the butt of her shotgun.

I shake my head and keep my right hand on the wall as I continue down the stairwell. Are we almost there?

Did you count the steps?

No, I respond irritably. Who in their right mind would get to counting stairs in a situation like this?

You’d know if we’re almost at the right door if you counted the steps.

The right door? There’s more than one? I ask in disbelief.

Well, yeah, why’d you think I told you to keep track of them?

Damn it, Rose!

I’d slap you upside the head for cussing at me if not for the walking leach hot on my ass. Leave it to Grandma to berate me while there’s a crazy lunatic chasing us down a dark, narrow staircase.

I land on the last step and panic for a split second when I realize I can no longer feel the wall, but an empty space in front and on either side of me.

Rose, where to?

A loud boom echoes behind us, forcing my heart into a gallop.

Sounds like Dracula’s kid just destroyed the armoire your granddaddy built for me. She curses under her breath before shoving me to my right. Don’t stop for anything, she urges.

I pick up pace, holding my palms in front of me in the event I bump into something. Or worse yet, someone.

We’re almost there, Grandma announces.

Loud footsteps resonate a short distance away, telling me the man-creature is closer than I’d like. He’s gaining on us fast, and being that he can most likely see in the dark, our chances for escape are zero to none.

Are there any lights down here? I ask to give myself a few more seconds of courage. Truth is, there is no point in lighting our way. We’ll be caught either way, but it’s a question I force myself to ask as a means of distraction.

Like we’d get the chance to look for them.

I cover some distance before I hit something. I feel around until my fingers graze a knob and I realize I’m standing in front of another door.

Open it. Hurry up, Grandma tells me.

I quickly push the wooden door open only to be yanked from the other side. I’m shoved against the solid wall of a man with glowing caramel eyes. I scream, kicking the being holding on to my arms to no avail. He’s stronger than me and has no trouble pinning me to his companion while I squirm like a worm on a fishhook.

Grandma yells at the man to drop me, but I hear the distinct sound of a scuffle before that of the shotgun dropping to the floor. The man holding on to my arm releases me only so his companion can grab hold of my shoulders and whirl me around to face Grandma Rose, who is being held prisoner between two equally impressive men of similar height, and glowing golden and blue peepers.

The giant behind me curls one heavily muscled arm around my shoulders and draws me to him, holding me close but not tightly.

Silly humans, the vampire-thing who’d been chasing us shows up finally and grins as he sees we have both been subdued. Why is that you always think you can escape us?

I have the almost overwhelming urge to punch the sneer right off his face.

You shouldn’t have run. It never does you any good. He strolls casually toward me and skims one finger over my cheek, down to my chin. His touch is ice-cold, as a vampire’s would be. Pretty, he murmurs.

There are five men in the small room about the size of a walk-in closet. To the left of the smiling vampire-man is an opening, cleverly concealed behind a wooden bookcase. Had it not been for the furniture inside the adjacent room, and the light filtering in from what was once Hayden’s bedroom on the first floor, I wouldn’t have noticed it.

How did they figure out Grandma’s hideouts? Have they been watching us?

Let’s have a nice conversation, shall we? The grinning man gestures to the opening, where the giant holding onto me drags me through a moment later. I resist at first, but when he all but hurls me around like ragdoll, I come to my senses and figure I’d better cooperate before he rips one of my limbs off.

The mysterious group of immortals take us outside where we join another group of men, all waiting in perfect alignment one next to the other. Not one of them moves or says a word, their expressions unnervingly stoic. They’re like perfect soldiers, waiting for the magic word that will give them the okay to tear us to pieces. The mental image accompanying that thought does little to calm my fears.

I survey the area around us, looking for Hayden. He’s nowhere to be seen.

Welcome, ladies. A bald, brown-eyed individual breaks away from the rest and comes forward to greet us. I would like to apologize for our intrusion.

The pounding of heavy feet alerts me to a presence. I steal a look to my left to see Hayden barreling toward us, fangs gleaming in the moonlight. His powerful legs move at speeds I’d never seen him perform before, his golden-brown orbs stay focused on the leader.

The man turns to Hayden, stepping away from me while shoving his pale hands in his pockets as if to say he’s not here to fight.

Unfortunately for him, I think Hayden is beyond caring.

Chapter Two

Kristina

In a blink of the eyes, Hayden has the giant who had been holding on to my arm a moment earlier, pinned against the muddy ground. His fingers circle around the man’s throat, sharp claws biting into his opponent’s flesh. Blood trickles down to the soil as the man attempts to push Hayden off him. The large brute is taller and bulkier than Hayden, but apparently doesn’t measure up in strength.

I hold my breath, understanding that in his current state, Hayden will finish off the man-creature before he can defend himself. I’m not sure if taking this individual’s life will end in Hayden’s death as well, but I don’t want to find out.

Tiger, stop! The leader steps forward, and in what I can only describe as a stupid move, places a hand on Hayden’s shoulder. Hayden’s head whips around so fast it’s nothing but a blur to me. I watch in horror as Hayden releases the giant and goes straight for the leader, baring his snowy fangs as he growls at the new threat.

The leader holds up his palms, slowly stepping in the direction of his men, who have not moved once since I was dragged outside—even through all the commotion. They watch the scene carefully, but apparently, no one has any intention of intervening. I have no clue whether this is a good or bad thing.

I get it. You’re going to protect your mate no matter the cost. But we’re not going to hurt her, the old woman, or you.

I sneak a quick look over at Grandma, who seems just as puzzled as me. If they didn’t come here to hurt us, then what’s with all the chasing us around and scaring the daylights out of me?

Allow me to explain, the leader pleads calmly.

Hayden stalks the man, looking more like the predator he is inside than the man I’ve shared my life with for six months. His appearance, combined with his temper, gives him a menacing feel I never want to be on the bad end of.

He’s a force to be reckoned with. Although he’s docile, kind, and loving with me, he’ll prove lethal to anyone who dares to lift a finger against me. And these men crossed a line when they invaded Grandma’s house and took us hostage.

We were under strict orders not to harm any of you.

Hayden circles around the man, keeping the giant in his line of sight as he goes.

Please allow me to explain why we’re here.

The men holding on to Grandma let her go, and I immediately make a mad dash for her. She embraces me, touching the side of my face with concern.

Are you hurt?

I shake my head. You?

Nah, it takes a lot to bring down this old bird.

Another of the black-clad cronies steps toward Rose and hands over her shotgun, which she hastily checks to see if it’s still loaded. When she verifies that it is, she shoves me behind her and points the barrel to the leader’s bald head.

Tell me what the hell this is about.

The leader drops his arms to his sides. Gladly. He’s fixated on Hayden, observing him as if to determine whether he’ll get the chance to talk.

Hayden, I call to him in hopes of snapping him out of his predator mode. It works. He goes from a man-beast on the defense to the human I’ve become familiar with.

Why are you here? Hayden demands as he reaches me. He takes a moment to look me over, scrutinizing my body quickly. Once he’s convinced I’m not injured, he turns to the leader. Your little stunt has cost you two men tonight.

I involuntarily flinch, running my fingers down Hayden’s wounds. They’re beginning to heal as he speaks. He’s in relatively good condition, despite the several gashes and bite wounds he now sports. Nothing compared to how I found him in the middle of the road that fateful night a year ago. The image of the broken young man, hanging to consciousness by sheer will, his tall, bulky frame a bloody mess, isn’t one I’ll ever forget.

I lament the loss of a pair of my best, but it was necessary. The leader signals to the giant standing to his right. My men and I came here to teach you a lesson first and seek your help second.

Grandma scoffs. You gone and lost your damn mind. Nothing of what you just said makes sense.

The leader acknowledges Rose with a dip of his head. I understand. You’re confused. We made you believe we came with the intention to harm you all. However, that’s not the case.

You risked the life of two of your lackeys to teach us a lesson? That sounds like a whole lot of bullshit, Rose retorts.

Hayden’s shoulders tense as he observes the vampires, creatures, immortal beings—I can’t make up my mind on what to call them.

Vampires, the leader informs me, apparently having read my thoughts.

Stay out of my head, I demand, annoyed that he’s scanning through my mind without my permission. Despite popular mainstream cultural beliefs, having someone invade such an intimate part of oneself is far from flattering. It’s creepy and disturbing.

Again, my apologies. He looks amused, which ticks me off even more. We’re indeed vampires, under the direct command of Godric.

Who is he to us? And why should we care? Grandma grumbles.

The leader watches Hayden attentively as he adds, Godric is a vampire elder.

Confused, I swing my gaze over to Hayden. The leader’s words mean nothing to him because he doesn’t react at all. He’s entirely unperturbed by the news.

What is your name? Hayden asks instead.

Forgive me. I’ve delayed the introductions. Smiling, the leader goes on to say, My name is Jovian.

"Why would