“So many things, mio figlio...” She floats to me and kneels in front of me. Her hand is a whispered caress on my cheek, and I lean into it. “Alessandro failed with me, but he will try to break you.”
“He can try, but he won’t succeed.” I peer into her face then, trying to read the melancholic expression I’m not used to seeing on her. “What is it you’re not telling me?”
“You father wants your gift, that is why he brought you here.”
“Sì, but why? Is it just my pack?”
“No, son. It is because the chimera blood in you can act as a conduit for all your friends. The vârcolac, the faoladh, the two lobisomens, as well as the girls with the zmeu magic in them. They will come after you, and your father plans to capture them.”
“I will not let him do it.”
“It doesn’t matter what you do, Luciano. If he captures them, he will force the women to breed, to create more of their kind.” Tears fill her eyes even as I freeze, stunned. “He has done it before.”
“What do you mean?”
“I... Years ago, there were some women he brought into the fold. They had old stregheria magic in them, which Alessandro thought would be useful. He had his wolves take them as concubines, and hybrids were born out of it.”
Something nags at me, and slowly the pieces come into place. “Was that Monica Delucci’s family?”
My mother tilts her head. “Yes. How did you guess?”
“Let’s just say I recently ran into her.”
“Ah.” Francesca nods. “Monica alone survived, because of her gift, along with one other, Ana. I’m not sure what fate awaited her, I do not perceive all, but Monica became a tool. Your father saw more use in her serving him via her magic.”
So what Monica told me was true. Not only did my father enslave her family and ancestors, but he forced the women into a life they didn’t want. Dio alone knows what those poor women endured, because I don’t remember any of his wolves being kind, let alone gentlemanly.
And Monica...
I try to picture her life as a young child, a young woman, in a pack where that is automatically seen as weakness. Where she had no choice but to use her best assets, to carve out a certain image, and step on whomever was needed to maintain it. To preserve her life.
Is it any wonder then that she was so eager to get out from under Alessandro’s thumb, that she’d do anything? Even if it meant putting my pack in danger... My fists clench at the thought of her growing up in such an environment.
For some reason, my reaction seems to amuse my mother, who smiles. There’s an odd glint in her eyes, melancholy all gone, and I don’t particularly like it. It’s too similar to Ileana’s smug expression.
“Anyone would be mad at hearing such an account,” I say to defend my reaction.
“Of course.”
My eyes narrow. “That’s the tone you used to pacify me when I was a child.”
She laughs and floats closer. I can still smell her perfume, and she seems so real I could almost touch her. Hesitantly, I reach a calloused hand towards her – and jump when I make contact with her cheek.
Another smile, sadder this time. “You are of my blood, and the chimera in you is bonding already with the Underworld. Ghosts are not the only things you can touch.” Her eyes sparkle then. “And you should not be afraid to let love in, mio figlio.”
Before I can respond, she jerks to her feet and glances to the door. Then she turns to me, her eyes panicked. “Keep your cool, Luciano. Do not let him see your power. The sooner he does, the worse it will be.” The second after those ominous words, she’s gone.
A moment later, footsteps echo and my father walks in. “Good morning, son. How did you sleep?”
I get to my feet and lean against the wall. “Swimmingly.”
My sarcasm rains on his parade and he scowls. “I said we will start again this morning. Can we not do that?”
“Claro,” I mutter. “Soon as you take these chains off me and we talk like adults.” I grin. “Unless you’re afraid.”
“I do not understand why you must be so obtuse,” Alessandro tells me. “I am your family, your blood. It is with me you must stand, not with your wolves. Besides, we can have them all join us. You’ve managed to get yourself quite the collection.”
I grit my teeth at the words. “Family? What family, Papà? Family doesn’t gut you open. Family doesn’t let you die on the shores of a shitty deal. Family doesn’t come to you when it’s convenient, and suited only for them. And most of all, family doesn’t fuck you over time and time again. So no, we are not family. My pack is more my blood than you’ll ever be, let’s get that clear.”
His eyes glitter with menace, his face a mask of restrained fury. For a second, I think he’ll strike me. I’m ready for it, ready to return the blow. Instead, Alessandro only says, “You will change your mind.” Then he leaves my cell once more, leaving me wondering what kind of a fucking game he’s playing.
Monica
“What do you mean?” Dominic asks after my outburst. “Enough with the riddles.”
“Not riddles,” I say. “Thing is, I was born in Alessandro’s harem. He collected people under him, but not for himself. His wife, Lucas’ mother, was also a chimera. Her blood attracted various shifters of special gifts. It’s nature’s call, as these shifters bow down to the apex predator. A chimera takes their subservience, provides protection, and... builds an army.”
“How?” Tristan asks.
Daniela has already clued in. “Breeding. The more the special shifters multiple, the more of their kind exist... All under the chimera.”
I remember what she told me about her deceased brother, and how he’d been trying to breed the females of his pack forcefully. The recognition must be apparent on my features, as Dani’s own shutter at the memory.
There are many apologies on the tip of my tongue – again. But nothing can erase what I’ve done, what I’ve caused, and the consequences of it all. So rather than shower her with platitudes, I keep my mouth shut.
“One big feeding machine,” Dominic says. “You’re saying it wasn’t my godmother’s magic, but Lucas’ own that created this environment where I ran into Luz, Dani walked in, and Elle and Finn collided."
I nod.
“And then you came,” Finn points out.
“What? No! I’m not...” I clear my throat. “I’m not part of this equation. I mean, sì, Lucas will need his own mate to bring the cycle closed, but it’s not me. Non è possibile. Despite what you may think and what you said, it’s not possible. That’s why you don’t owe me anything.”
Finn rolls his eyes and ignores my comment. I can’t help glancing at Elle, who’s purposefully avoiding me. I really messed this up. Shaking my head, I focus on Dominic’s orders.
“Dani, Tristan, spread out here and see what you can find about the chimera, or anything else that can fill us in on this new craziness. Until I can reach Ileana to confirm one way or another, we’re pretty much clueless to what’s real and not.” His speculative gaze falls on me. “No offense, Monica.”
“None taken,” I mutter to the ground. It’s only fair they’ll be taking anything I say with a grain of salt. After all, I wouldn’t trust me either.
Tristan and Dani spread out, and I notice Elle following them, too. I figure right then’s a good time to head to Lucas’ liquor cabinet, and pour myself a shot – or four. With alcohol buzzing in me, the tightness in my stomach unfurls.
Is Lucas alright? I’ve been avoiding thinking about his kidnapping. He’s big and strong, he can take care of himself. Plus, it’s not like Alessandro will hurt him.... Unless, of course, Lucas refuses to comply.
Images of Alessandro’s punishments flash through my mind, and the hand holding the glass shakes. Before I break it, I place it back on the mantel and take a deep breath. Stop thinking the worst.
It doesn’t take the pack long to find something, and any thoughts of Lucas are pushed to the background. I leave solitary
post and join them by a couch, hovering on the edge of it.
Dominic immediately waves me closer. “Most of it is in Italian. Do you see anything you recognize in here?”
Finn and Luz move out of the way and I inch past them, scanning the old papers strewn about. There’s anything from old Roman texts, to legends, myths, and folklore. Lucas must’ve been researching his genes, but was this recently?
Something grabs my attention – the edge of paper, with a drawing of a snake tail. I pull it from under the rest... On it is a full picture of the chimera. A massive lion, the head of a goat protruding from its back, and a snake as a tail. Red eyes burn off the page, staring at us.
No one breathes. No one moves.
“Is that.... Can Lucas turn into that, even though he’s only half-chimera?” Luz asks.
“Sì,” I whisper. “But only if pushed to the brink of breaking. I don’t think his wolf would allow it, otherwise. That’s what keeps him sane right now. My nonna used to say it was a wonder Francesca, his mother, had not lost her mind and killed everyone.”
“Why?”
“The chimera gene, it’s normally passed to the female. In such a case, the female becomes the chalice for all the channeling. But she still has to morph, to transform, and let the beast out. Francesca, according to my nonna, refused to do so. She wouldn’t put people in danger, and it drove Alessandro mad that he couldn’t control her.”
Dani leans forward. “Control how, and to do what?”
“Alessandro always wanted Francesca to be his tool. To open the Underworld as he wanted, and make him master of death. She refused, even when he used her children as bait. But not giving in to the transformation had its own price on her health.”
“And what of the male?” Dominic asks. “Lucas said if he suppresses it, it can make the process quicker. Like either way, he’s screwed.”
My hand trembles again, and the picture with it. “I... I think the chimera overruns his wolf. And... Lucas said something, the other day. It was in the midst of an argument, but he said it’s already too late for him.”
Dominic frowns. “Late how?”
Finn snaps his fingers. “The execution! That’s why he’s been pushing for the Reapers’ extermination.”
“I don’t follow,” Tristan says.
“Lucas is running out of time. Based on what he and Monica have both said, the more a chimera kills, the closer the link to the Underworld becomes. So, think about all the fights we had to get through recently... What are the chances Lucas went over his quota and is actually feeling that pull? With or without his wolf resisting, he must realize he’s losing the fight.”
Silence answers him, and this time it’s me who breaks it. “But what does that have to do with exterminating the Reapers?”
“Because Lucas would want us safe,” Lucrezia whispers. “That’s why he didn’t try to kill the Reapers himself, to try to hang around a little longer. But if something happens to him, if he feels he’s about to lose himself, then he’d want us safe.”
“Damn,” Tristan mutters.
The implication reverberates through my body like an explosion. That’s what Lucas had meant – that it was too late for him. So the entire time he was with me, he already knew he was doomed. Yet he never trusted me enough to tell me.
Can you blame him?
No, I can’t. I can only admire his will, and the love he has for his pack. I wish there’d been an iota of this in my own growing up, but there’s no point thinking about a past that cannot be changed. I owe it to Lucas to clean up the mess I’ve created.
Only, I don’t know how. I stare at the drawing in my hand, and something else catches my eye. The paper is so thin I feel it’ll crumble. Yet when I touch it, shift it just so, there’s something else just underneath the surface.
I untangle the pentagram necklace from around my neck and wave it counter clockwise over the colorful lines, breathing softly. Hoping I can call forth whatever is cloaked... The paper rustles and the writing that had been hidden appears line by cursive line, like a forgotten secret.
“Uh, guys?”
I feel them turning towards me, but I can’t tear my own gaze from the words. “This says the chimera... It says if it’s fed, that its soul will belong to the Underworld.” The writing disappears as soon as I speak it. “It’s not just a matter of saving Lucas from Alessandro. We need to make sure he’s protected from the Underworld, period.”
“Then it’s a damn good thing I didn’t listen to him and kill the Reapers,” Dominic mutters. “Not that there’s many of them left now, anyway.”
“I reckon that’s a problem we can consider solved,” Finn says, then walks over to him and whispers something in his ear. After he nods, they turn to me. “Alright, this is what’s going to happen. You need to tell us everything you can about Alessandro and his domain. Then you’re going to help us break Lucas out.”
“Okay,” I say without hesitation. “Does anyone have a map?”
They spread out to look for one. Lucrezia takes that moment to walk closer to me, determination in her every step. When she speaks, her voice is low but firm. “I’ll only say this once, since Lucas and I have a history. And because of that, I really care for him. Do you plan to betray him again?”
I meet her gaze head on and slowly shake my head. “No. I... I didn’t mean to either, this time. I was stupid, Lucrezia. But the last thing I wanted was to hurt him, or any of you.”
She holds my gaze a moment longer, then nods. “Fine. I’ll choose to believe you, but Monica, mark my words. If you do anything else to bring jeopardy to this pack, I’m going to order the vrykolakas attack you myself – mate or no mate bond with Lucas. Understood?”
I nod, gulping at the fire in her eyes. If before I didn’t understand the bond between her and Dominic, now I definitely do.
As if my thoughts called him up, he struts to our side and wraps an arm around her shoulders. “Everything okay, draga mea?”
“Yeah,” she grins up at him. “Just girl talk.” To me, she winks and says, “And please, call me Luz. Everyone else does.”
Before Dominic can question us, Elle yells, “Found one!”
We take it and spread it on what’s left of a table. It takes me a moment to locate Alessandro’s mansion, but I point to it. “This is where it is, a few hours away from here. Does anyone have a pen?”
With a sharpie, I start marking around it all the defense systems I remember, including the number of wolves and gifted shifters. By the time I’m done, the pretty map is all filled with my scribbles, and none of it looks good. I’d never paid much attention to it when I was living there, but according to everything I’ve been able to remember, Alessandro has built himself quite the fortress.
The mansion is protected by three circles of defense, of various strengths. On the outside are the body-builder wolves, the runts of the pack. In the second circle, it’s people like those who kidnapped Lucas, along with some of his gifted wolves. And last, inside the house itself, only elite soldiers and the most trained of his gifted warriors.
Dominic lets out a grunt and rubs his hand over his neck. His look of concentration bodes nothing well, confirmed when he says, “It’s a fucking fortress.”
“Even with your vrykolakas, we’re outnumbered,” Tristan says. “We need a better strategy.”
I remember his army experience, and then it makes sense why they’re all nodding to his words.
Dominic says, “What do you suggest?”
Lucas
When I was twelve I held a gun for the first time, to save my father’s life. I still don’t know if it was the right choice, though it made him damn proud. That same night, he beat the crap out of me for forgetting one very important lesson – the Contis do not show mercy.
My time away made me naïve. Naïve enough to think I could catch some shuteye without interruption. Naïve enough to stupidly believe I was safe in my childhood home.
That all shatters in the middle of the
night when the door to the cell bursts open and five thugs burst in. In the distance, I hear a female voice muttering something – some kind of incantation. And then I’m bound, unable to tear the chains nor defend myself.
Their blows rain on me – batons, punches, kicks in the gut. My wolf rages inside me, and the other part, the darker part, thinks of tearing their throats out. But through it all, I’m unable to do anything other than drop to the floor in a mess of tangled bones and limbs.
My breathing is ragged. Blood coats my mouth, and I can’t see past my swollen eyes. Yet I can still feel a sense of satisfaction in the air. And then someone moves closer, and the scent of an overly strong perfume hits my nose.
“Tuo padre dice ciao.” Your father says hello.
The sound of heels clattering on stone announces her retreat. A second later, the door is closed and locked once more. My muscles are my own again, and knives upon knives of pain hit me like a pack of bricks. I drag myself to a corner and heave the remains of my stomach, then rest my pounding head against the cool wall.
“Alright, Papà,” I whisper to the night air. “The gloves are off.”
∞ ∞ ∞
∞ Fratello ∞
“A friend is a brother who was once a brother.”
-Unknown-
Lucas
Hours later, I stir. Must have fallen asleep, as the side of my face leaning on the wall is caked with dry blood. In a corner of the cell, slipped through the bars, is a bowl with stale water. Like a damn dog.
Still, I reach for it and splash it on my face in an effort to clean up. My entire body is tense with pain, and I cringe with every small movement. But I won’t let my father see my weakness. He sent his men rather than come to me himself because he’s afraid.
Bene. He should be. Because after last night, it’ll be no holds barred.
I lean my head back against the wall. My thoughts go to Monica. Even in my beat up state, it annoys me that my body yearns for her. It was her voice I’d been dreaming about, her cry that woke me up.
This place... I need to get out. But not yet. Not until I have answers. There’s something else going on here. Even so far removed from the rest of the house, I can feel an evil at bay, a sense of something not right. And whatever it is, I have to figure out the truth behind it.
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