Rouen Chronicles Box Set

by Raven Steele

  I bolted from the room and across the hall. I lunged for the chest on his desk, but the second I placed my hand on it, he was there too, gripping my arm. I gasped at the suddenness of it. With my free hand, I punched him. Somehow he was faster, and his fist crashed into my side. I doubled over in crippling pain.

  “I wish you wouldn’t have lied to me,” he said. “You should’ve told me you had the Abydos from the beginning.”

  “Why?” I grunted and straightened, my eyes lowering to the chest. It was within both our reach.

  “Because it’s my right! Your father was the second son. He shouldn’t have been Alpha. I should have! The blood should have transferred to me. Instead, I was shunned and kicked out of the pack for being too radical. But is making your pack the strongest it can be too radical? They were fools, all of them, and they deserved what they got.”

  I gasped in horror at his confession. It couldn’t be true. I stared into his eyes, anger swelling within me. “Tell me you didn’t have anything to do with our family’s deaths.”

  I had to hear it from his own lips.

  He lifted his chin. “I did what I had to do. That blood was just sitting there, wasting away. It has the power to change everything for supernaturals.”

  Tears, hot and bitter, burned my eyes. “You killed them. Your brothers and sisters. Your mother. My mother. All of them.”

  “And you should’ve been with them, if Dominic would’ve done his job right.”

  “Fuck you, Vincent.” I couldn’t call him my uncle now; he didn’t deserve the title.

  “In the end, I was glad he screwed up,” he continued. “For years I searched for the Abydos. I thought I knew where it was, but your father changed the location that night before the wedding. Eventually, I gave up, thinking all was lost, but then a—” he paused, “unique friend of mine sensed it. It’s like the magic of the Abydos just came alive one day. I didn’t know how that was possible until you showed up. You were the only one who could’ve known where it was. You moved it, Isabella, and that triggered the magic.”

  I barely registered his words. All I could think about was how he had killed my whole family for the chance at ultimate power. It was the same thing, over and over. Silas, Dominic, and now my uncle. All seduced by this new evil in Rouen.

  “There’s something I don’t understand,” I said, inching closer to the chest. “You almost died at the well to protect me. Why?”

  “Because you’re un untrusting bitch,” he hissed. “I realized that only me practically giving my life for you would make you trust me enough to give up the Abydos.”

  “And the Hydes? Why did you create them?”

  He chuckled at that. “They are not my creation, but they have worked to my advantage. One day soon, you’ll meet their creator. I think your friend Samira will be especially surprised.”

  At the sound of her name, my rage became complete and surged within my body. I lunged for the chest, but Vincent pulled it out from under me at the last second. He kicked at my side, sending me flying across the room. I crashed into the wall, leaving a huge dent. Searing pain wracked my whole body. Whatever he’d injected himself with, it must’ve made him much stronger.

  “It doesn’t have to be this way.” He stood over me. “You are valuable to us, more so than you may ever know. Join us, Isabella.”

  “Who’s us?” I breathed, trying to see past the pain to summon my wolf. I could feel her close.

  He smiled and tilted his head. “Someone I met a long time ago. Do you remember what Kushin, the great supernatural god, told Akito?”

  “Remind me.” I needed a few more seconds for the pain to subside. At its retreat, my wolf came raging forward, ready to tear into him.

  “You don’t remember? Kushin told him the blood will either destroy the world or save it. I’ve pondered the vague reference for decades until I finally understood what it meant.”

  I focused on my wolf, pulling out all the power I could manage, including whatever I could latch onto of my Komira gifts. I needed to kill him before he had the chance to use the Abydos. I slowly came to my feet.

  “It will do both,” he continued. “It will destroy the world by washing away its filth, and then a new dawn will come. Supernaturals will rise, no longer hidden within humanity’s shadow. It will be a glorious day, and you can be a part of it.”

  “You’ve got the prophesy wrong.”

  His expression darkened.

  “You know I can’t let you take the Abydos. It is mine to protect.”

  “Is it worth dying over?”

  I blinked only once. “Yes.”

  I unleashed all that I had, barely able to hold my wolf back from shifting. I tossed Vincent into the door with such strength, wooden splinters exploded in all directions. I swept the chest up under my arm, but just as I turned to leave, my uncle kicked me in the back. I flew forward, disbelief shocking me for a moment. How had he moved so fast? I slammed into the floor and skidded into the wall. The chest slid out of my grasp and into the hall.

  Vincent snarled behind me. “I think it’s time you met my friend.”

  He lifted his hands into the air. With the motion, shadows in the room from every dark corner began to stretch toward him. He pulled them to him until the darkness completely detached and began to take form.

  My heart beat so fast, I thought it would explode. Shit. Shit. Shit. I scrambled backwards into the hall and scooped up the chest. The moment I had a good grip on it, I sprinted out the door, moving as fast as any vampire.

  Behind me, I heard, “You can’t get away!”

  Like hell I can’t.

  Once outside, I took a few precious seconds and shifted into my wolf. My clothes shred from my body. I picked up the box in my jaws and glanced back at the house. The smoky form rushed toward me, its dark edges expanding and retracting.

  Abandoning the bike, I bounded into the trees, mindful of the Abydos in my mouth. I couldn’t lose it.

  The forest grew darker the deeper into it I ran. The canopy above was so thick, it prevented most plant growth beneath it, making it easier for me to run. My powerful hind legs propelled me forward, faster than I’d ever run before. I risked a quick glance behind me. The dark fog was still there, darting in and out of the trees. I noted that it couldn’t go through the trees.

  I pressed faster, until my lungs and legs burned, and yet, the black smoke still pursued. Fear kept me moving. I had no idea where I was going, but I knew if I stopped, this monster and Vincent would take the Abydos, which could mean the end of everything.

  I sniffed the air. Water was up ahead.

  I ran towards it while searching for the heart of my Komira powers inside me. It was my last hope. Just before it was within my grasp, something hard slammed into my midsection. I flipped through the air and slammed into a tree. I bounced off it and slammed into the ground, the chest falling from my jaws.

  Despite my body screaming in pain, I leapt to my feet and raced for the box. A thin, smoky tendril dove for it at the same time. I grabbed it first and it made a high-pitched squealing sound. I raced off again with it darting after me.

  I needed help, but I had no way of calling anyone. If I’d stayed Alpha, I could’ve mentally called the pack, but I was in the middle of nowhere, with no idea how to contact anyone. Even Angel, with our blood bond, was helpless, imprisoned by the sun.

  Up ahead I spotted a river spanning maybe twenty feet across. I glanced behind me. The fog was on my tail. Another few seconds, and I would be within its grasp.

  Growling, I pushed harder with everything I had to get to the river. I wasn’t outrunning this beast, but maybe I could get lost in the river.

  Just as I felt its cold touch brush my tail, I leapt into the air. I came crashing down in the river, an iron-jaw grip on the chest. Water swirled over my head, and the current pulled me under. I kicked hard to get to the surface. I broke through the top and sniffed in air. I glanced to shore. The shadowy mist was squealing so loud it hurt my
ears. It rushed along the banks following me down the river, but it was quickly apparent the thing hated water. It wouldn’t come near it.

  As long as I didn’t drown, I could out-last it.

  For another five minutes, the smoke wailed and screamed along the shore as I twisted and turned in the water, occasionally smashing into boulders along the way. I realized I needed to disappear under the water to lose it. I sucked in a breath and forced myself under.

  My wolf didn’t love this part, but I kept myself under as the river pulled me along, occasionally tipping my nose out to take a quick breath. After a good twenty minutes, I risked surfacing and glanced towards the bank.

  The shore was clear, with no sign of the smoky thing.

  I waited several more minutes before I dared approach the shore line again. My limbs ached, and it hurt to breathe. Several ribs were broken.

  The water was calmer here, and I tread slowly along the bank and looked around. As far as I could tell, I was alone. I scrambled up the steep embankment and dropped to the ground, taking in a few minutes of rest. My body shook uncontrollably. I let the chest fall from my jaws so I could inhale deeper breaths.

  Standing, I shook the water from my fur. It hurt to move and every part of me was spent. Now that I was alone to my thoughts, the weight of my uncle’s betrayal pained me the most. All this time. He never cared for me. It had all been an act. Even worse? He had ordered the deaths of his own family. My family.

  The hurt I felt grew and twisted into a familiar burning rage.

  One last name.

  One last name to add to my list.

  I had killed the others, and I would kill him, too. I scooped up the chest again and sprinted into the forest. I would do whatever it took to kill him.

  If I had my bearings right, Fire Ridge was about ten miles away, two large hills over. The sun was dipping in the sky. Within a few hours, it would be dark. I had no idea what Vincent would do with his misty pet, but he knew I had the Abydos.

  And he wasn’t going to stop until it was his.

  Chapter 34

  It was almost dark when Fire Ridge came within smelling distance. I slowed to a trot. Almost there. Keep moving.

  My jaw ached, my muscles burned, and my bones throbbed.

  I trotted into the back yard, the sounds of a lot of activity reaching my ears. The place was packed. People were upset. Frantic. There were so many voices, I couldn’t tell what they were saying. I shifted back into my human form, holding the blood tightly to my stomach. The back door slid open, startling me. At the sight of Luke running toward me, I collapsed to the ground.

  He dropped to his knees. “What happened? Are you okay?”

  “I will be,” I breathed.

  “Let’s get you taken care of.”

  “First thing first. We have to secure the blood. My un—Vincent. He betrayed us. He’s behind almost everything, and he tried to steal the Abydos. He’s also working with the shadow thing. I’m afraid he could show up any minute.”

  Luke didn’t waste a second. He turned to Gerald, who had just run outside. “Get your best men guarding the place. Now. Vincent betrayed us; he’s no longer in charge.”

  Gerald didn’t question him. He nodded and dashed away.

  “He looks better,” I said, grateful for the chance to think about something else.

  Luke removed his jacket and placed it around me. “He and the others woke up a few hours ago. They don’t seem to have any lasting issues.”

  “Good.” He helped me stand. “What’s everyone doing here?”

  “They were coming to rescue you.”

  “Me? But how did they know?”

  Luke wrapped a tight hand around my waist and held me while I limped inside. “When you didn’t return, I tried calling you and Vincent. Neither of you answered, so I went to Vincent’s house. No one was there, but I went inside and saw there had been a fight.” Pain flashed in his eyes. “Then I found your clothes, and figured you’d shifted. I tried tracking you but I lost you at the river. When the sun set, Samira texted me saying Angel contacted her to say you were in trouble, confirming what we already thought. He didn’t know what kind, just that something was wrong. Both of them will show up soon.”

  I nodded. “Thank you, Luke.”

  His expression grew serious, and he searched my eyes. “Forgive me for asking, but are you sure Vincent betrayed you? Betrayed us? Maybe he was under the control of someone. It wouldn’t be the first time.”

  “I don’t think so. He seemed very lucid. He was also incredibly strong, thanks to something he injected himself with. I could barely fight him.” I stepped inside to the living room.

  He puffed air out his nose. “Bodian Dynamics must’ve given him something.”

  I glanced away from him, just then realizing how many people were staring at me, their faces pale. Samantha hurried over, shaking her head. “We thought we’d lost another pack member. What happened?”

  The crowd of shifters inched forward, all of them anxious to know what was going on.

  “I’ll give you answers,” I said, then paused. I faced the group and repeated louder. “I’ll give you all answers soon, but first let me get dressed and take care of something very important.”

  She stepped aside, and the rest followed her lead. I made my way through them, no one saying a word. What was there to say? Just like me, they could sense something bad coming. Could they deal with the hurricane that was about to strike? Maybe there was a way I could keep them out of danger. I just had to think.

  Luke followed me to a bedroom I’d sort of adopted and ran for the drawers. He pulled out some clothes and handed them to me. I hurriedly put them on and tied my hair into a pony tail.

  While I dressed, Luke sat on the bed, holding the chest protectively. Most shifters had heard about the Abydos, but from my travels, not many believed in it. Especially since no one had talked about it in years. Should I admit to having it?

  “What are you going to tell them?” Luke asked, as if sensing my thoughts.

  “I’m not sure yet. I’m still trying to decide the best way to keep both the pack and the Abydos safe.”

  “They’re going to want to know something, but it could be dangerous to tell them about the blood. Many still believe like Dominic did—that supernaturals should rule humans.”

  I sighed heavily. “Let’s just take care of the blood first. We’ll hide it in the basement for now. If Vincent shows up any time soon, you take him on with a few of the others that will stand with us, while I escape with the Abydos.” He nodded, while I continued. “Can you let Samira know I’m okay? I lost my phone again. Oh, and where’s Lynx?”

  “She’ll be here soon. She was with her mom earlier. Cassandra wouldn’t let her leave.”

  Damnit. Another problem I need to take care of. I couldn’t have Cassandra shipping Lynx off to the Principes Noctis. First thing first.

  Luke made sure the hallway was empty before we quietly sneaked to the basement. I walked down the hall, passing the room where I had tortured Lynx. The cell where Dominic had kept me wasn’t far away. A wave of nausea washed over me, and I had to place my hand on the wall to steady myself.

  Luke placed a steady palm on the small of my back. “Are you okay?”

  “I hate this place.”

  “Me too.”

  I looked up at him. His face was also pale. He had been here years longer than I had. It made me wonder how much he had seen and done.

  I took hold of his hand. “We’ll renovate this basement the first chance we get. Make it something good.”

  We continued forward, the small chest firmly in my grip. I had to find somewhere unique to hide it, somewhere Vincent wouldn’t think to look. Then again, no matter where I hid it, if he came here, he would be able to feel the magic I spelled it with.

  “Over here,” Luke said. “I know of a place.”

  He guided me to the very back of the basement and opened a narrow door. A blast of warm, stale air punched m
e in the face. I coughed. “What is this place?”

  “This used to be an old boiler room decades ago, but after a remodel, it was closed down.” He turned on his cell phone’s flashlight and walked to the back and around a corner. A rusted oil tank was pressed against the wall. “Can you hide it in here?”

  I stared down at it. “It would be a good place, but the chest won’t fit through the top.”

  Luke pulled back his fist and slammed it through an extra rusty patch, creating a big hole. He pulled back at the metal until the gap was wide enough for the box.

  “Thanks.” I placed the box inside and glanced back at Luke. “This will take several minutes. Could you stand guard outside the room?”

  He nodded and left me alone in the dark.

  I had only seen the actual spell done a few times, but every full moon, the children in our pack were required to mimic the spell. I placed my hands in front of me and closed my eyes. The spell started out as a prayer to the great Kushin, asking his blessing upon the sacred blood. The rest of the spell was mostly Latin words, binding the box to its spot on the earth. The spell was only complete when I cut my palm and squeezed several drops of my blood on top of the box.

  The spell was strong, but whenever possible, I always added more layers of magic, just like my family had done. But that required a witch. I would have to wait for Lynx.

  When I was finished, I walked out of the room. “Safe, for now.”

  Luke led me back upstairs. “What do you want to tell the pack?”

  “I’m still thinking about that.” I had a good idea what to say, but Luke wasn’t going to like it. I’d made my decision while spelling the Abydos.

  Back in the living room, most of the shifters had found a place to sit. They huddled together in quiet conversation, while others sat in silence. They were still in shock about those who had died. The shifters who were just outside spotted me and came back in.

  “Tell us what the hell is going on,” Samantha said.

  I looked around the room. “Who are we missing?”