The New Age: Book 5 of The Bloodmoon Wars (A Paranormal Shifter Romance Series)

by Sara Snow

  But Ione was a strong girl, independent and brave. She’d be fine. Even with us gone, there were others in our pack who loved her and would protect her, my parents included.

  My father didn’t allow discrimination against Enchanteds, but outside our pack, she would still be subjected to it. As fragile as she seemed while sleeping, she was far from weak. I didn’t doubt she’d stand up for herself if needed.

  “Come on.” Cyrus took a step away as he looked around the forest. “Let’s get back to the pack before it gets darker.”

  Skye and I flanked Ione on both sides, and Cyrus walked behind us. At twilight, just as the sun dipped below the horizon, the forest became one of the most beautiful places to me. My wolf howled inside my head, begging to be freed, to run through the trees and feel the cool evening breeze in my fur.

  I inhaled deeply, enjoying the feeling of the fresh night air going filling my lungs.

  Nothing would ever compare to living in the forest, to being surrounded by such beauty and calm. This was what the Vampire Queen wanted to take from us. Under her rule, the world would plunge into darkness, even during the day.

  Many stories were told of the Vampire Territory, of the desolate lands devoid of life or greenery.

  “You still can’t remember your nightmares?” Skye looked down at Ione, and Ione’s lips formed a thin line. “Ione?”

  “What if the Queen can’t be killed?” Ione asked, and we all stopped walking. “What if you defeat her now but she returns?”

  “Then we’ll handle her then, just like we’re going to do now. Why do you ask?” Ione had purposefully ignored Skye’s questions about her nightmares, but I wouldn’t push the topic. I knew her dreams had to be horrific, just from the way she’d screamed. If she could remember them now, it wasn’t hard to imagine how they must weigh on her during her waking hours.

  “We won’t live forever. We’re not capable of living for centuries like her. What if she returns when all of you are dead?”

  Cyrus stepped forward and Ione tilted her head back to look up at him. “If we don’t put an end to her for good now for some reason, then no matter how far into the future the Queen chooses to return, someone will stop her,” he said.

  “But how do you know?”

  “There will always be supernatural beings and dark creatures like us to fight and destroy the likes of her.” His words were low and slow, and I recalled why I loved getting advice from Cyrus so much. He had a way of putting things into perspective. “Evil has to exist in this world for there to be a balance with the good, but it can never win.”

  Ione’s tense shoulders seemed to relax. “Okay.”

  We returned to the pack, and right away, we ran into a worry-stricken Nurse Hilary. We all moved to the side when she yanked Ione into a tight embrace, then shook the girl, reminding her to let someone know when she felt sleepy. Hilary then hugged her daughter again and looked up at us.

  “Thank you so much for finding her. Goddess knows anything could have happened to her out there.”

  “You don’t need to thank us,” I told her. “We can’t afford to lose her, either.”

  Ione’s cheeks turned pink in embarrassment, but there was a twinkle in her eyes. It was obvious she was happy to be home.

  “By the way, your father was looking for you.” Hilary pointed a thumb behind her. “He wants to speak with the three of you.”

  “Do you know what about?” I asked, but she shook her head. “Okay, thanks. And Ione, remember what we said, okay?”

  Hilary looked curious, but Ione just nodded, and we walked away. I glanced behind me, and sure enough, Ione’s eyes were on me. I could hear her speaking to her mother, but her whispered words were too low for me to make out.

  “She can remember her nightmares now,” I said as I made my way inside the house.

  Beside me, Skye nodded. “I know; I noticed.” She looked concerned, too.

  “What do you think she’s seeing?” I asked as we continued through the house.

  “Nothing good,” Cyrus added before he opened the door to my father’s office and we walked in.

  Father was sitting behind his desk with my mother by his side and Faelen at the window across the room. It struck me how his office back home on our land had looked nothing like this one. In his old office, the shelves had been packed with books, files, and various other items. In contrast, this office was empty of anything but a few chairs and his desk. There was no sense of home here.

  In this new place where our pack had settled, furnishing was minimal. Only the presence of the ones we loved gave this place a sense of home.

  “Hilary said you wanted to speak to us,” I said, taking a seat. Skye and Cyrus did the same. “Is everything okay?”

  My father leaned forward and placed his elbows on his desk. “After the wolves who need our protection arrive, Faelen and I will leave to meet with the leaders of other supernatural species to come up with a plan to address the vampire threat. We’re heading out in two days’ time.”

  “We’re unsure of the human King and Queen,” Faelen added. “But we’ve heard that their city is on lockdown—no one in or out—and they haven’t been attacked, at least so far.”

  “They have supernaturals living there, right? And Werewolf Guards to help protect them?” Cyrus asked, and my father nodded in agreement.

  Skye and I had yet to visit the human city of Agomond. Like all towns and villages, it was a blended city, but most humans lived there. They’d been wise to barricade themselves inside the city. There were probably humans capable of fighting off some supernatural creatures, but if Amythia attacked the city, thousands would die.

  “At the meeting, we’ll decide when and how to attack Amythia.” My father looked at each of us. “But I know that even if we come up with a plan, you three will have one of your own.”

  “We will,” I said, pushing a few white strands of my hair out of my eyes. “But we could use some help getting inside the castle. Once inside, we should be able to find the Queen. We’ll leave the rest of the fighting to you guys.”

  “Why is the meeting in two days and not sooner?” Skye asked.

  That was a good question. I understood we all needed to rest tonight, but why wait around another two days or more before we launched our attack on the Queen? Will might die by then.

  “Because we have to be careful about how we travel,” Faelen answered. “No one is safe, even during the day. And since all the supernatural leaders will be there, it is imperative that we find the safest location.”

  My father got to his feet. “Plus, the new wolves will arrive tomorrow. I’m sure they’d feel better if I were here to welcome them.”

  “Regarding this meeting . . . I’m coming with you,” I told him, and he looked at my mother.

  “We already know that,” she said. “And we’ll need you.” She smiled proudly. “You are the white wolf—the one who will have to face the Vampire Queen.”

  “Hmm, this is kind of a change. I’m used to having to fight you on things like this,” I teased.

  My mother laughed, and the sides of my father’s eyes wrinkled with humor. For the first time, I saw how my father had aged. Werewolves weren’t immortal like vampires, but we did age slower than some of the other species. My father appeared tired, as so many were, and it broke my heart.

  “Skye.” Father pointed at her. “You’ll be coming with us as well, but Cyrus, would you stay behind with Darian to protect the pack until we return?” When Cyrus nodded, he asked, “Have you heard from your brother Theanos lately?”

  “No,” Cyrus answered. He leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees, and strands of his black hair fell forward over his forehead. “He’s the son of the Dragon King, but even that doesn’t guarantee us their help. We all know dragons don’t usually leave their territory. But there’s a chance. I’m still waiting to hear from him.”

  “Let’s hope he can help.” Faelen walked forward, her white hair piled high on her head. �
�If even one dragon joins our side, it will tip the scales in our favor.”

  “Why don’t they ever leave their territory?” Skye asked.

  “They used to, a long time ago. When supernaturals and humans started to exploit their powers, they retreated to their own realm and didn't get involved with other people's problems anymore,” Faelen answered. “But it’s surprising to know the Dragon King sired a son with the demon Lust, your mother,” she said, nodding at Cyrus. “Theanos is second in line for the throne, and he’s a half-breed.”

  “My mother can be persuasive. She prefers half-breeds as long the choice of father means the child might gain substantial power—hence her pairing with the Dragon King and the Demon King to get Theanos and me,” Cyrus told her, shaking his head. “I stopped trying to understand my mother a long time ago.”

  “Well, let’s hope Theanos can convince his father to help us.” My father sat back down, and we arranged our travel plans for the upcoming meeting. After agreeing on a course of action, Skye, Cyrus, and I got up and began to leave.

  “Elinor!” I turned around to find Faelen right beside me. Cyrus and Skye continued walking. “You did it.”

  I frowned. “Did what?”

  “Levi. You put an end to him like you promised.”

  I looked down at my hands. “It wasn’t really me.”

  “It was you and the Goddess both. You became the Goddess’s host, and that was no small feat. If not for you, she wouldn’t have been able to stop Levi—and all the others involved—from conducting his sick experiments. He is well and truly gone. And I’m extremely grateful.”

  “Have the new Council members been picked? Do you know?”

  Faelen shook her head. “Not yet. I have someone back at the Enchanted’s temple keeping me informed of any further developments. But thank you, Elinor. Thank you for what you did.”

  I thought of the Nephilim Sisters and the tragic fate they’d had to endure for centuries, trapped in their own realm, unable to ascend to heaven. Then I thought of Tien, specifically. She, too, had been a victim of Levi’s malevolence, and his death had released her from his control and abuse.

  “He was a cruel man. To do what he did, to his own people . . .” I shuddered and took a deep breath to calm myself, and she shook her head in disgust.

  “I saw a little of what happened, but with the barrier around the Sisters’ location, it was hazy.” Faelen’s smile grew to reach her eyes, and she was practically glowing. “But to have seen the Goddess, to have had her within you . . .”

  I nodded. “It was something, all right.” I touched my white strands of hair. “Until I started to burn.”

  Faelen eyed my hair. “I can’t imagine. But you survived being the Goddess’s host. Only a special person could do that.”

  I smiled, happy that I’d been able to do something good—something that would save so many other Enchanteds. They were so vulnerable. “You know, I think we should have a few Enchanteds on our new Council,” I told her as we walked together. “People like you have immense power—you should be the ones to take us into the future.”

  “I agree,” she said. “But there are many werewolves who would not stand for that, even after what Levi did.”

  “Maybe not now, but one day, Enchanteds will get the respect they deserve,” I said. “I’m sure of it.”

  She placed her hand on my shoulder. “I, too, believe that’ll happen someday.” She paused for a moment. “And I want to let you know I’m sorry about what happened with Will. I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try to mind-link with him. I’ve never mind-linked with a vampire before, but there’s a first time for everything.”

  I placed my hand over hers. “Thank you, Faelen, for everything.”

  “I can see now what there is between you two. I was skeptical in the beginning, but it’s obvious now that your love is real.” With that, she walked away, and I had to close my eyes to stop the tears.

  I remained where I was for a moment, trying to compose myself before joining the others. But only one thought swirled in my mind.

  Will, where are you?

  6

  Elinor

  Through the window, I watched the sun play hide-and-seek between the trees. I closed my eyes for a moment and listened to the carriage wheels rolling over the stony ground and the horses’ heavy breathing and clopping hooves.

  We’d left the pack at the crack of dawn. Now, it was evening, and soon, nightfall. Father had told us we'd meet someone halfway through our journey who would take us to our destination via a portal. The High Priestess of the witches had been the one to find the perfect location for our meeting, and she had also arranged everyone’s transportation.

  I understood why the leaders of the various species were being so cautious. We needed their help. It was only natural that they needed to feel confident we were all on the same page before we acted. Still, a part of me was eager to storm the Queen's castle and finally put an end to this.

  Coming up with a battle strategy was the smart thing to do, I knew. But strategies often failed, and we could lose valuable time. We were planning . . . but I was sure the Queen and Cain were, too.

  I could feel my father's eyes boring into me from across the carriage, but I avoided his gaze. I knew he worried about me, and the way he watched me so closely suggested he thought I might break at any moment.

  Maybe I would.

  Whenever I closed my eyes, all I could see was Will's face. The constant pain of missing him dulled from time to time but always returned, stronger than ever. Telling myself that Will was strong and he would be fine allowed me to get by—barely.

  I had to believe that if something had happened to him, I would have felt it.

  The carriage came to a stop, and my father got out, leaving Skye, Faelen, Connor, and me inside. I had no intention of missing out on whatever was happening outside, so I got out as well. At the front of the carriage, I saw my father speaking to a witch with golden hair.

  She held out a portal potion and threw it to the ground, and my father returned to the carriage and got in. I followed him back in, then the witch led the carriage through the portal. We all had to shield our eyes for a second as the portal transported us, but seconds later, the light faded, and I opened my eyes.

  Looking through the window, I saw we were in another forest—one that was less dense than the previous one, the trees thin and far apart. There was a fog floating along the ground and around the carriage, and a chill went down my spine.

  “Where are we?”

  "Many years ago, when witches were being hunted by humans, they had to create safe havens,” Faelen answered. "At the time, there were few witches among their ranks who knew about this secret location, and those witches were then in charge of finding and saving their kin from persecution."

  "No one talks about it, but humans can be far worse than the creatures they fear," Connor, our pack’s Beta, grumbled. Faelen nodded in agreement.

  The way I looked at it, all creatures could be good or bad. Some species had more good or more bad, but they were all capable of both. And honestly, most times, humans had good reason to fear us. Had I been human, I knew I'd be afraid of creatures who could take my life with a mere glance.

  Humans were also the most hunted species. They were a source of food for many dark creatures.

  When the carriage stopped, the golden-haired witch came to the door, and my father climbed out first. I got out as well, and Connor and Skye followed suit.

  “Hi, I’m Wilhemina,” she said, introducing herself while pulling the hood of her cloak over her head. “We have to walk from here.” The road had ended, and the surrounding fog was growing thicker by the second. "The area is spelled with traps. The fog is a spell as well, intended to keep us hidden and to separate the uninvited, so stay close to me.”

  We did as she asked and quickly found out why she needed us to stay together. The fog, which was turning the world around us white, parted for her. Shadows appeared
and vanished within the mist, making me wonder if they were illusions . . . or something more menacing.

  “What’s in the mist?” I asked.

  “Golems and a few undead,” Wilhemina answered as she walked. “Zombies, not vampires.”

  Finally, the path before us cleared, and a three-story house came into view. There were torches lit around the vine-covered building, with shadows passing back and forth behind the windows.

  I saw three people standing at the front door, and I waved vigorously at Tor, the centaur who had led us to the Nephilim Sisters, and Sybil. There was a woman with them I didn’t recognize.

  She was wearing a purple dress and a black cloak. Her hair was long to her waist and black, with a few strands at the front pulled around to the back and tied with what looked like a vine with thorns and small purple flowers.

  She had a straight face and violet eyes that revealed she was a witch, but I had a feeling her eyes weren't that color because she had called on her power; they weren't glowing. Nevertheless, their stunning light shade of purple was striking.

  We came to a stop at the door, and Connor stepped forward to introduce us. The woman with the gorgeous eyes turned out to be Circe, the High Priestess of the witches. She looked younger than I’d expected, maybe in her mid-twenties, but I knew witches could sustain their youth if they wished to. Other than a dazzling purple gemstone around her neck, she had dressed simply, giving her an aura of serenity. But those breathtaking violet eyes were watchful and knowing.

  Her gaze fell on me, and I placed my fist over my heart. "It's an honor to meet you, High Priestess.”

  She stepped forward and took my hand in hers. Her eyes searched mine before her lips curved with a smile. “I’ve lived a long time, but not during the time of the white wolves. The honor is mine.”

  Tor stepped forward to greet me as well, his enormous swords strapped on both sides the way they’d been when we had first met. “White Wolf, it’s good to see you again. And you too, Skye. Where are the others?”