Blood and Forest: A Vampire Novel

by Raven Stone

  “And finally to her worthiness. The noven risked her life to capture two Hunters. She’s admitted she did so to help her friend and to please her latari. However, she did face two Hunters completely on her own, and successfully. This is an accomplishment for any vampire, much less a noven. She’s also expressed concern for humans and vampires alike, even while seeing some of the worst that both can do. When it comes to the third point, we are satisfied. The noven is worthy of joining our community.”

  A smile broke across my face at those words.

  The lead vampire stood up, and the rest of the panel did the same.

  “It is the decision of the panel that the novenship will continue. If nothing changes – if the noven’s Shade stays healthy, and she remains stable – then the noven, the latari, Cyrus, and Martin shall meet in the place of turning on June tenth of this year. So it shall be,” the lead vampire said.

  “So it shall be.” The rest of the panel said.

  They filed out without another word.

  My smile got even wider as the full weight of their ruling sank in. They’d shaved an entire month off of Fiona’s novenship.

  Cyrus smiled and clapped my back. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you,” I said, sharing my smile with him.

  Fiona approached us.

  “Gabriel, what does this mean?” She asked.

  “Fee, it means that in just over five months your novenship will be over.”

  “Really?” A smile burst over her face.

  “Really.”

  She whooped, and I let myself hug her, even under Cyrus’ watchful gaze. I let her go, and then the two Guards led us out of the building.

  Cyrus, Martin, Fiona and I loaded into the waiting car. We headed directly for the airport. Then entire ordeal had taken less than one night.

  There were smiles all around, and the others chatted happily. I kept my gaze on my smiling noven.

  I didn’t want to tell her that the next five months could be the hardest. That it was the riskiest time for a noven.

  The time when it could all fall apart.

  And this could be a difficult time for me too. I needed to keep an eye on her – as much as the Guard would allow – while also completing the Council and implementing it, all in the next five months.

  Because I wanted that in place before I brought her home. And I wanted a few days together in our meadow too.

  No, the coming months wouldn’t be easy, but they would be worth it.

  Just like Fiona. She was worth every rough moment, and every bit of the White Guard’s scrutiny.

  I sat back in my seat, watching my noven and the Guards. No, I wouldn’t be talking about the difficulties ahead of us tonight.

  All of that was ahead of us.

  For now, we would simply enjoy tonight’s victory.

  Thanks for Reading!

  I hope you enjoyed this book!

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  Have you read the prequel to this book? If you haven’t, it’s called Hellcat, and it’s about how Fiona met Gabriel and became a vampire. Check it out!